7. Opening Match Jitters

Chapter Seven. Opening Match Jitters.


Summary. Ash and his friends arrived on Starburst Island, where they met up with Jim and the Twinleaf Trio. However, as they attended the opening ceremony, it was revealed that Max would be facing Paul in his first match of the tournament. Can the young trainer overcome a vastly more experienced opponent and start with three points


Max couldn't sleep that night. He had seen the first two matches earlier today, which had ended in two draws. He was battling a skilled trainer in the morning, and was really having difficulty in deciding what to do, or even what Pokemon to pick. Enough was enough, Max got out of bed and headed downstairs.

He wandered the streets thinking about what Paul might or might not use. He was deep in thought, when he realised that he had arrived at the beach.

"Why am I here?" He wondered. "I should be in bed."

Max was about to go back when he heard a voice.

"Dragonite, Outrage. Gallade, use Psycho Cut. Luxray, use Crunch. Toxicroak, Brick Break. Charizard, use Slash."

The voice sounded familiar, and Max wandered over to see Olly training his Pokemon. They were stood at the side of the ocean. There were several blocks of ice in the water, and his Pokemon were using their attacks on them.

Max could see a Dragonite, a Luxray, a Gallade, Toxicroak and a Charizard. Olly was directing his Pokemon from a safe distance away.

"Wow." Max whispered, as Dragonite cut through a block of ice with a wing tip. Toxicroak heard him.

"Whose there." Olly yelled.

Max came out.

"Hello Max." Olly said. "What are you doing here?"

"Couldn't sleep." Max replied.

"Worried about tomorrow?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"Paul is a strong trainer. He has powerful Pokemon, as well as the experience to out do me." Max said.

"Do you want some pointers?" Olly asked.

"Huh."

"Stop looking at what Paul has, and start looking at what you have." Olly said. "Now let's see your Pokemon."

Max opened his Pokeballs up, and sent out Magmar, Gardevoir, Sceptile, Wartortle, Electabuzz and Slaking.

"You can definetley work with these." Olly remarked. "Practice match?"

"Sure, I guess." Max said. "Wartortle, go."

Wartortle stepped forward.

"Hmmm." Olly mused. "Toxicroak, let's go."

Toxicroak hopped forward.

"After you." Olly said.

"Wartortle, Water Gun." Max ordered.

Wartortle blasted Toxicroak with water. The Poison Pokemon didn't even notice the attack.

"Why didn't that do anything?"

"You can't just rely on attacks to hurt your opponent." Olly said. "Ability plays a part too. Toxicroak has the Dry Skin ability which makes water attacks useless. However, that same ability makes Toxicroak weak to fire attacks. Remember, type is not the only way to win. If you check out Paul's Pokemon, you will see that he relies on pure power and force to overcome his opponent. How can you use that against him?"

Olly recalled his Pokemon.

"Think about it."

Olly walked off into the night leaving Max perplexed.


"Max Maple. Son of Norman Maple, the Petalburg City Gym leader, and the brother of May Maple the Contest Master is about to face off against Paul Reed of Veilstone City."

Way to land pressure on Max.Ash thought watching from the stands, along with Brock, Misty, Pikachu and Jim.

"This is the first match of Group B, so if either of these trainers want to qualify then they would gain a huge advantage by starting with a win. Remember both trainers will use three Pokemon each, and the battle will end when all of a trainers Pokemon are unable to battle. This match is going to take place on a rock battlefield."

"Trainers, pick your first Pokemon." The referee ordered.

"Magmar, I choose you." Max shouted, throwing a Pokeball.

"And Max picks Magmar. Who will Paul pick?"
"This won't take long." Paul smirked. "Rhyperior, standby for battle."

Paul sent out a large grey and brown Pokemon with a huge horn.

"Paul picks a mighty Rhyperior to face Magmar. How will Max manage to get around the type disadvantage?"

"Magmar, Smokescreen." Max yelled.

Magmar covered the area with smoke, making it difficult for Rhyperior to see.

"That is a good start, but Max needs to work out how to damage Rhyperior." Brock remarked.

"Especially with Rhyperiors ability." Jim said. "Solid Rock makes a super effective move do less damage, so even if Magmar does know some moves that are super effective, it still has the disadvantage."

"Rhyperior, blow the smoke away with Horn Drill." Paul ordered. "And if you can hit Magmar with it then do so."

Rhyperior's horn started to spin, dispersing the smoke.

"Magmar, Confuse Ray." Max ordered.

Magmar blasted Rhyperior with a sinister purple ray. Rhyperior became confused.

"Hammer Arm." Paul commanded.

Rhyperior shook its head around, before throwing a deadly punch at Magmar.

"Dodge it." Max yelled. "Use Flamethrower."

Magmar jumped out of the way of the attack, and fired a spurt of fire at Rhyperior. The attack didn't do anything.

"Not very effective." Misty said.

"That's the Solid Rock for ya." Jim remarked.

"Rhyperior, Rock Wrecker." Paul ordered.

Rhyperior rammed its hands into the ground and pulled a huge boulder out of the earth.

"This can't be good." Ash said.

Rhyperior threw the huge boulder at Magmar.

"Brick Break." Max shouted.

Magmar jumped in the air and tried to break the boulder with a glowing fist. It managed to a certain degree, but was overwhelmed by the size of the boulder. Magmar crashed to the ground and was pinned by the remnants of the huge rock.

"No, Magmar." Max yelled.

Magmar could still move, but was trapped. Rhyperior couldn't move at all.

"Come on, Magmar." Max said. "You have to break free."

Magmar struggled to shift the weight of the attack.

"That's it." Max said. "You might not be able to move, but you can still attack. Use Lava Plume."

Magmar sent a white hot wave of fire at Rhyperior.

"Aim for the horn."

Magmar adjusted its aim, and tried to hit Rhyperior's horn.

"Dig quickly." Paul snapped.

Rhyperior dived under the ground, avoiding the attack.

"Magmar, try and break free of that rock." Max shouted. "Quickly."

Magmar tried to break free, but had no luck.

"Magmar, use Sunny Day."

"Why is he using that?" Ash said.

"I think I know." Jim remarked.

"Surface now." Paul ordered.

Rhyperior emerged underneath Magmar and sent it flying into the air.

The good thing was that Magmar was free. The bad thing was that it had also fainted.

"Magmar is unable to battle. Rhyperior is the winner."

"That's pretty unfortunate." Ash said.

"Yeah. It looks like Rhyperior had too much power."

Max recalled Magmar. "You were great, buddy."

"That was pathetic." Paul called across. "Your Magmar is poorly trained."

"Shut up." Max retorted.

"What is Max going to use next?"

"Sceptile, I choose you." Max shouted.

Max sent out his large green lizard.

"This might be interesting." Paul said. "Too bad. Rhyperior, Mega Horn."

Rhyperior charged at Sceptile, horn glowing.

"Dodge and use Solar Beam." Max ordered.

Sceptile jumped over the oncoming Rhyperior, while absorbing sunlight. It then fired a blast of energy at Rhyperior which sent the Drill Pokemon crashing into the rocks.

"Sunny Day can be used to lower the time it takes to charge up energy for Solar Beam." Jim explained, before standing up. "I'm leaving to get a drink."

Paul smirked.

"What the...?" Max said.

"Rock Wrecker."

Rhyperior turned around and threw one of the rocks at Sceptile. Sceptile took the attack and was sent sprawling.

"Great recovery by Rhyperior, in order to land a powerful hit on Sceptile."


Ash was still watching the battle, when he became aware of two people behind him. He turned and saw Max's mother and father, Norman and Caroline.

"Ash." Norman said. "I didn't know you'd be here."

"Likewise."

"How is Max doing?" Caroline asked.

"Well, Rhyperior knocked Magmar out, but Sceptile seems to be doing a pretty good job." Ash replied, as the crowd roared.

"Sceptile just took a wicked blow from Rhyperior's Poison Jab, and that might be the end of the Forest Pokemon."

"Sceptile." Max said. "Fight back with another Solarbeam before the sunlight fades."

Sceptile blasted Rhyperior with another Solar Beam, knocking it out.

"And Rhyperior is out."

Paul recalled Rhyperior.

"That was awful. How could you fail to beat that Sceptile?"

Paul took another Pokeball out.

"Weavile, standby for battle."

Paul sent out the black Pokemon with the red crest and the extremely sharp claws.

"This is not going to be pretty." Brock said. "Weavile has a type advantage, as well as being stronger and faster."

"Come on Max." Ash said. "You can do it."

"We love you!" Caroline yelled.


"Sceptile, Quick Attack."

"Weavile, Blizzard."

Sceptile streaked across the ground, trying to land a hit on Weavile. Weavile responded by creating a howling gale of ice, which stopped Sceptile in its tracks.

"Sceptile!" Max yelled. "If you can hear me, try and use your tail to bounce out of there."

The freezing winds continued to howl, until a green lizard burst from the top of the malestrom.

"Now use Leaf Blade!"

The leaves on Sceptiles wrist grew and started to elongate.
"Counter with Night Slash." Paul ordered.

Sceptile continued to charge. Weavile launched itself at its opponent.

"I can't watch." Caroline said, as they collided with a sickening thud. "What happened."

"Weavile's down." Ash yelled. "Oh wait, it's getting back up."

"Oh."

"Weavile, Dark Pulse."

"Sceptile, Leaf Storm."

Weavile fired waves of dark energy at Sceptile, who responded by sending a flurry of leaves at Weavile.

Both Pokemon took damage from the attack, and while neither looked ready to back down, both looked tired from their efforts.

"Don't you dare back down from this fight." Paul ordered. "That worthless lizard is there for the taking. Use Ice Beam."

"Sceptile, Solar Beam."

Sceptile charged up energy from the fading sunlight. Weavile unleashed a beam of ice.

The two attacks met in middair and created an explosion.

"Sceptile!" Max shouted. "Are you okay?"

"If you spent less time worrying about your Pokemon, and more time thinking about what attack you were going to use next, you'd be able to beat me." Paul taunted.

"Shut up!" Max said, as the smoke cleared.

"Both Weavile and Sceptile are unable to continue. This match is a draw."

Max recalled Sceptile.

"Thanks, you did good today."

Paul called Weavile back.

"You couldn't beat something you had an advantage against. You should be ashamed."

"Hey, would it kill you to say something nice to your Pokemon?" Max asked.

"Be quiet." Paul replied. "Scizor, standby for battle."

Paul sent out a large red insect with two huge claws.

"Scizor." Max said. "Then, I choose Electabuzz."

Max sent out the large black and yellow cat like Pokemon.

"And this is the last match of the day. Electabuzz Vs Scizor. Let the match begin."


"I think I know why Max picked Electabuzz." Brock remarked. "He thinks Scizor is a flying type."

"But he's wrong." Norman said. "It's a dual Bug and Steel type, although given what he has on him, it was probably the best bet."

"He can nick this." Brock observed. "If he plays it right, Electabuzz is capable of beating Scizor."


"Thunder Punch."

"Dodge and use Metal Claw."

Electabuzz tried to land a powerful punch, backed by electricity, on Scizor, who flew out of the way. It then hit Electabuzz with a claw made out of solid metal.

"Thunderbolt." Max ordered.

"Quick Attack." Paul smirked. "Catch us if you can."

Electabuzz tried to land electric attacks on Scizor who dodged them all with ease.

"Electabuzz, use Agility." Max said.

Electabuzz started chasing Scizor around the battlefield.

"Turn and strike with X-Scissor." Paul ordered.

Scizor managed to turn Electabuzz and strike it with crossed claws. Electabuzz staggered backwards.

"Scizor, Hyper Beam."

Scizor opened its mouth and blasted a pure orange light at Electabuzz.

"Light Screen." Max shouted.

Electabuzz tried to erect a shield to protect itself from the attack. It managed to take some of the sting out of the attack, but was still caught by some of the energy.

"Electabuzz barely manages to survive the attack, but now Scizor can't move."

"Electabuzz, Thunder."

Electabuzz launched a huge thunderbolt at Scizor, who grunted in pain.

"Now follow up with Fire Punch."

"What!" Ash said. "It knows Fire Punch."

"Electabuzz can learn the elemental punches." Norman remarked. "It's part of what makes them good Pokemon to have."

Electabuzz struck Scizor with a punch backed by fire. Scizor roared in anger.

"Now finish it off with Thunderbolt." Max said.

"Not so fast." Paul remarked. "Bug Buzz."

Scizor let off a horrible sound that made Electabuzz stop generating electricity.

"Giga Impact."

Scizor charged up energy and turned itself into a ball of purple and gold energy.

"Electabuzz, use Volt Tackle."

Electabuzz dropped to all fours and covered itself in electricity. It then charged at the oncoming Scizor.

"Cover your eyes folks, there's going to be one massive..."

Electabuzz and Scizor hit each other, causing an explosion.

"Crash."

"That has to be it." Brock said. "Whoever is still standing after this is the winner."

The smoke cleared.

"No way" Ash exclaimed.

"And it looks like Electabuzz and Scizor are still on their feet."

"Scizor can't move." Max said. "Use Fire Punch."

Electabuzz could barely move, as it tried to get over to Scizor.

"Electabuzz looks pretty badly hurt." Ash said.

"But it's still trying to fight." Brock noted.

"That's determination." Norman said. "But if Electabuzz takes much more damage, then it is going to be in serious trouble."

"Hurry up and move again." Paul yelled at his Scizor, who flapped its wings in response. "Use X-Scissor."

Scizor flew away from the labouring Electabuzz, before landing a claw attack. Electabuzz fell to one knee.

"Time to notch up some experience." Paul casually remarked. "Use Bug Buzz."

Scizor emitted that horrible sound from its wings again, causing Electabuzz to howl in pain.

"Now use False Swipe."

Scizor flew over to Electabuzz and hit it with a claw.


"Paul's just trying to cause as much pain to Electabuzz as he can." Ash said.

"Some things never change." Brock remarked.

"What kind of trainer can do that to another Pokemon?" Caroline asked.

"Paul." Ash replied. "He's trying to make Max forfeit the match."

"How can you be sure?" Norman asked.

"Because he tried it with me." Ash replied. "I was in the Sinnoh League, and I was using Chimchar against his Ursaring. He had Chimchar on the ropes, just like he has Electabuzz here, and was using attacks that would cause as much pain as possible without causing a knockout."

"That's terrible." Caroline said.

"Terrible or not, Max is the only one who can end this fight." Ash said, as he got up. "Excuse me."


"Scizor, use Vice Grip."

Scizor picked Electabuzz up by the throat.

"Squeeze harder." Paul ordered.

"Max!" Ash yelled from the sideline. "Paul's trying to make you forfeit the match. It means he's scared of you. You have to use that to your advantage."

"Right." Max replied, still a little unsure. "Electabuzz, use Thunder."

Electabuzz charged up electricity and managed to use the last of its energy to zap Scizor. Both Pokemon went down under the stress of the attack.

"Is this the end?"

"Both Scizor and Electabuzz are unable to battle. This match ends in a draw."

Max immediately jumped onto the field to check on Electabuzz.

"Are you okay?"

"Worthless, both of you." Paul snarled, as he recalled Scizor. He then walked out of his area and down the tunnel.

Ash jumped over the barrier and onto the field.

"Is Electabuzz okay?"

"I don't know." Max replied, as he recalled his Pokemon. "I'm going to take it over to the Pokemon Centre."

As Max walked away, Ash felt a deep tinge of regret.

"Max." He said. "I'm sorry. It's my fault."

"I believe Paul and his Scizor were the ones who did it." Max replied, before walking away.

"I should've warned you what Paul was capable of." Ash muttered.


Author's Notes. Poor Electabuzz.

Thanks for the people who have read and reviewed this story so far.