Last chapter, accepting Wally's suggestion, Lows participated in the Verdanturf Pokémon Tournament in the 1 to 2 badges tournament, and succesfully moved on to the quarter finals. Will he continue his way to victory or lose?
Chapter 8 - Returning From the Downfall
After which felt like only a few seconds, the P.A. system announced, "Attention quarter-finalists in the 1 to 2 badges tournament, please get ready for your next round." I quickly took my Pokémon and ran to behind the battlefield to prepare for the next round. I can't watch Harry's battle, so I just focused on preparing for the next battle.
After the two battles have ended, I heard the host announced, "After a hot battle between Cameron and Cados, may we welcome the next battle! It's Regis versus Lows! May they show their battling skills in this battlefield! Let's start!" Regis and I ran towards the battlefield, and bowed at each other politely.
"Let's start off with you, Cotton!" He send out a bird-looking Pokémon, with cotton-like wings. I scanned it with my Pokédex and it said, [Swablu, the Cotton Bird Pokémon. It constantly grooms its cotton-like wings. It takes a shower to clean itself if it becomes dirty.] The Cotton Bird Pokémon said with a feminine voice, "Yeah, time to battle!"
I don't have any Pokémon that has the type advantage! Let's use...
"Ziggs, I choose you!" I threw Ziggs' Pokéball and the Tiny Raccoon Pokémon appeared in the battlefield. I heard that some people are shocked by my decision, and started talking about how Ziggs can do this when he is a weak Pokémon. I rolled my eyes, and tried to ignore them and encouraged Ziggs. "No matter who calls you weak, I believe in you. Do your best, Ziggs!" He nodded at me and said, "No worries, Lows. I shall take care of myself."
"Ziggs, start off with Growl!" Ziggs growled fiercely to Cotton, which lowered her attack a bit. Regis immediately commanded, "What a weak move! Cotton, use Wing Attack!" Cotton spreads her wings wide and rushed forward, hitting Ziggs with her wings. Ziggs winced in pain but refused to fall just yet.
"Ziggs, don't give up! Use Headbutt!" Ziggs lowered his head and jumped as high as possible, and hit the flying Cotton with his head, but the damage dealt is not too much.
"Cotton, finish off with Fury Attack!" When the Cotton Bird Pokémon rushed towards Ziggs to jab him, I immediately gave him my command. "Ziggs, counter with Tackle!"
Ziggs tackled as hard as possible when Cotton jabbed him five times with her beak. Cotton took some damage, but is still flying in the air, while Ziggs couldn't endure the impact and collapsed.
"Ziggs is unable to battle! Cotton wins!" The audience clapped at the result, and I started to become more nervous. "Thanks Ziggs, you battled hard. Take a rest."
Ziggs became sorry and said, "I'm sorry I'm not able to do much..."
I immediately replied, "No, no! You did well. I'm sorry I made you hurt so much... Now, take a rest for a bit." He nodded and I returned him to my Pokéball.
How about choosing you? It's time to battle!
"Let's do this, Grace!" I threw Grace's Pokéball and Grace smiled at me, waiting for my command. "Grace, use Psybeam on Cotton!"
"Cotton, counter with Wing Attack!" They both used their attacks, Cotton got hit by the rings, but she tried to endure the pain and hit Grace with her wings. Grace took massive amount of damage.
Grace is not good at taking physical attacks... Oh no, have I made a bad choice?
"Grace, use Confusion and throw Cotton to the ground!" When Grace is doing that, Regis commanded, "Use Gust on Grace!"
Cotton tried to ignored the control of Grace and formed a small tornado and moved it towards Grace, and got controled by the psychic powers and landed on the ground. Grace got hit by the tornado and is stuck in the tornado. After the attacks ended, Cotton is still standing, panting when Grace already collapsed after got sent flying by the tornado.
"Grace is unable to battle! Cotton wins!" Once the referee announced that, I returned Grace and thanked for her hard work. Then I started to become nervous.
Cotton already took out two of my Pokémon! And nothing seems to be stopping her! I gonna put more strategy on the next one...
"Let's go, Surfer!" I threw Surfer's Pokéball and hopefully, Surfer can beat Cotton.
Regis said to me with a mocking voice. "Already two of your Pokémon down, what else can you do? I'm totally going to win!"
"No...no your not! I'm going to try my best!"
"Yeah, we'll see about that. Cotton, use Wing Attack!" When Cotton is spreading her wings wide, I suddenly got an idea.
"Surfer, use Water Gun on the wings!" Surfer immediately spit out the stream of water on Cotton's wings. Cotton's wings is wet because of the Water Gun, and she couldn't fly anymore because of its wings' heavy weight.
Yes, my plan worked! Cotton's wings is just like cotton, so it absorbs water!
"Surfer, use the Bubble and Water Gun combo!" Surfer shot bubbles and blocked Cotton's sight, and Cotton got hit by the stream of water shortly after. She is almost about to faint.
"Cotton, use Astonish!"
"Not on our watch! Surfer, end this with Water Gun!"
When Cotton tried to rush to Surfer to use the attack, Surfer already spit out the stream of water and as result, Cotton is hit by the water and collapsed.
"Cotton is unable to battle! Surfer wins!" The audience clapped at my return from the downfall, but I knew that it is just the beginning.
"Surfer, you should take some rest, thanks for your good work. Now... let's go, Woody!" I returned Surfer and send out Woody. It certainly looks like it is ready to battle.
"Then I choose... you, Volt! Let's go!" He send out a Pokémon simillar to a Pokéball. I scanned it with my Pokédex and it said, [Voltorb, the Ball Pokémon. A life-form whose identity is unknown. It is said to screech or suddenly selfdestruct.]
Oh no, if I'm not careful enough, Woody can just get destroyed by the selfdestruct! I have to be careful for the timing to return Woody...
"Woody, use Bullet Seed!" Woody shot 5 seeds towards Volt.
"Volt, dodge and use Charge!" Volt then focused and started absorbing electricity, which I felt is something not good for us.
"Volt, use Spark!" Volt charged the electricity and rushed towards Woody.
"Woody, dodge and use Pound!" Woody dodged the attack and hit the Ball Pokémon with his tail. But slowly, sparks emitted from Woody's body and the electricity bring him down.
Oh no, Volt has Static too! This isn't good...
"Woody, do you think you can keep going?" I asked in concern, and the Wood Gecko Pokémon replied, "Don't worry... I shall try my best before I go down."
"Alright then, Woody, use the move that we learnt earlier!" Woody immediately sapped Volt's energy and he smiled at the burst of energy.
"Volt, use the special attack!" We didn't know what Regis means until it started to turn red. Oh no, it's going to explode!
"Woody, return!" Woody tried to return, but the paralysis is slowing him down. The Selfdestruct formed a huge dust. After the dust faded, I realized that Woody didn't have enough time to return, he collapsed on the battlefield, unconsious, while Volt is also the same.
"Both Pokémon are unable to battle!"
"Woody, Woody! Are you okay? Take a rest, thanks for your effort." I felt very bad for Woody, and returned him to his Pokéball.
Surfer has to defeat all two Pokémon, so we can move in to the next round. But, can he really do it?
No, Lows, you have to believe in your Pokémon! Win or lose, let's have fun!
"Let's do this, Surfer!" I send Surfer out in the battlefield again, while Regis said, "Let's win, Swell!" He then send out a Pokémon that is enormous as a bird size.
I scanned it with my Pokédex and it said, [Swellow, the Swallow Pokémon. It is the evolved form of Taillow. If its two tail feathers are standing at attention, it is proof of good health. It soars elegantly in the sky.]
This will be tough... let's try our best! "Surfer, use the same tactic!" Surfer spit out the stream of water to its wings, but it doesn't seemed to get effected much by it!
"What a weak move! Swell, use Quick Attack!" Swell immediately dashed around the field, and hit Surfer, but Surfer is far from giving up.
"Surfer, use the Bubble and Water Gun combo!" Surfer shot bubbles and tried to spit out the stream of water, but Regis thought ahead already. "Swell, fly high to the sky to dodge the bubbles, then use Wing Attack!" Swell fly high in the battlefield and spread its wings wide, and rushed to Surfer. "Surfer, dodge!" Surfer skillfully dodged the attack but I noticed that he's getting tired.
"They're too tough, Lows. I might not be able to defeat them..." Even Surfer is about to give up.
"Surfer, win or lose, let's do our best!" I petted Surfer, and he nodded with a smile. Suddenly, he glowed white and starting to change form.
Is Surfer evolving?! The audience are shocked as I am too, even Regis is shocked as well.
After the process has ended, the look of Surfer changed. Bluish white fur covered his long ears and tail, and two sharp teeth protruding from his upper jaws. I scanned him with my Pokédex and it said, [Wartortle, the Turtle Pokémon. This Pokémon is very popular as a pet. Its fur-covered tail is a symbol of its longevity.]
"How do you feel, Surfer?" I asked Surfer, and he nodded with a smile, and replied with a deeper voice than before, "I feel good to ride the waves again, Lows! I think I learnt some new moves too!"
"Who cares if your Pokémon evolved, we can still win! Swell, use Peck!" When Swell rushed towards Surfer, the two sharp teeth of Surfer gave me an idea.
"Surfer, counter with Bite!" Surfer then rushed towards the running Swell and Bite it, while Swell tried to endure the pain and pecked Surfer with its beak. They are all panting hard.
"Swell, finish off with Peck!" Swell tried to rush in again, I commanded Surfer, "Counter with Bubble!" Surfer tried to shoot bubbles, but instead, it shot out water rings that looks powerful, and they hit the Swallow Pokémon.
Surfer learned Water Pulse too! I happily thought.
Swell got hit by the water rings and collapsed on the ground. It tried to stand but it is to no avail.
"Swell is unable to battle! Surfer wins!" After the referee's said that, Regis' confident smile disappeared, but he still returned Swell and said, "Finish this, Boulder!" He send out a Pokémon that looks like Geodude, but bigger in size. I scanned it with my Pokédex. [Graveler, the Rock Pokémon. It is the evolved form of Geodude. Be careful while hiking on mountain trails. Graveler may come rolling down the path without slowing.]
This battle shall decide the winner... Let's try our best!
"Surfer, use Growl, then use Water Pulse!" Surfer growled fiercely and shot water rings towards Boulder.
"Boulder, dodge and use Rock Throw!" Boulder barely dodged the water rings and threw rocks at Surfer.
"Surfer, counter with Water Gun!" Surfer spit out the stream of water towards Boulder, hitting him. After the attacks, they are both tired, but Surfer is really tired as he battled a lot.
"Let's finish this, Surfer! Ride the waves of Water Gun and use Water Pulse!"
"Boulder, use Rock Throw when Surfer's coming towards you!"
Surfer ride on the stream of water and shot water rings towards Boulder. At the same time, Boulder threw bigger rocks at Surfer. Both Pokémon got hit by the attacks.
In the end, they all fell onto the ground. At first I thought, is this a tie? Suddenly, Surfer tried to stand up, and he did, while Boulder couldn't stand up. I smiled at Surfer, liking that he never gives up.
"Boulder is unable to battle! Surfer wins! The winner is Lows from Kanto!" Oh yes, this is one of the closest battles ever, but I'm glad that I won! On the other side, Regis heaved a sigh of disappointment. I wanted to shake hands with him, but he immediately ran away. I can tell that he's angry of the loss.
"What a bad sport," said Surfer. I shooked my head to Surfer while having a bitter smile at my face.
Then, I watched Disc's battle, and Disc easily defeated his opponent. That means I'm battling him in the next round...
I checked the semi-finals battles, and not surprising, the battles are as follows:
Semi finals Matches
Harry VS Cameron
Lows VS Daniel
I sighed, then someone suddenly tapped my shoulder. I turned around and realized it is Disc. He smiled at me and said, "Well, looks like we're going to battle the next round. Let's try our best to defeat each other!"
Looking at my sad face, he asked, "What's the matter, Lows? Not excited for the battle?"
"I mean, yeah, I am. But what if I win and you lose?"
"When someone wins, the other loses. It is a common rule in a battle. Don't worry Lows, I understand. Let's do our best performance in the battle!" I nodded with a smile, and we all went to other sides to rest before the battle starts.
Disc is right, I should try my best in every battle, even if it's against my friend! I thought with determination, and I'm ready for the battle. When Harry is battling, I thought that it is most likely that Harry is going to win. Later, the host announced, "After the tremendous battle between Harry and Cameron, it is time for the next and last battle of the semifinals, it is the clash between friends: Lows versus Daniel, both from Kanto! May we please welcome them with a round of applause!" They all cheered at us when we are walking into the battlefield. Disc and I smiled at each other, wishing each other for the best.
"I choose you, Breeze!" Disc threw a Pokéball and the Pokémon that looks like a seagull is right in front of my eyes. I scanned it with my Pokédex and it said, [Wingull, the Seagull Pokémon. It rides upon ocean winds as if it were a glider. In the winter, it hides food around its nest.] The Seagull Pokémon shouted, "I shall defeat you along the sea wind!"
Alright then, I choose... "Let's go, Woody!" Woody appeared in the battlefield again, and it seems like he has recovered from the Selfdestruct after a quick rest.
"Woody, use Quick Attack, and Bullet Seed right after!" Woody immediately dashed around the battlefield at lightning speed, and hit the Seagull Pokémon. When Breeze is trying to get back into position, Woody shot five seeds towards Breeze, making Breeze got hit by the seeds, and took some damage.
"Breeze, use Wing Attack!" Breeze spread his wings and tried to attack Woody. I immediately told Woody, "Woody, dodge!" Woody tried to dodge but failed and got hit by the super effective attack. I then realized, oh no, Wingull's ability is Keen Eye, which allows it to attack without fail! What should I do?
If dodging doesn't work, then let's just attack! "Woody, use Absorb, then Bullet Seed!" Woody absorbed some energy from Breeze, and shot five seeds towards Breeze. Breeze winced in pain, but he is far from giving up.
"Breeze, Steel Wing!" Breeze's wings immediately turned silver and Breeze use his wings to hit Woody. Woody seemed to take more damage, but he is still able to stand.
"I might be down in a second, Lows." He said to me tiredly, I petted him and said, "Don't worry, just try your best! Use Quick Attack!" He nodded and dashed around the field, ready to send out his shot.
"Breeze, counter with Wing Attack!"
As the Wood Gecko Pokémon rushed towards Breeze and attacked him, Breeze hit Woody with his wings. Woody winced in pain of the super effective attack, and collapsed in the battlefield, while Breeze is still able to fly in the sky.
"Woody is unable to battle! Breeze wins!" I started to become nervous, but I returned Woody and thanked him for his effort.
"Let's try our best, Grace!" Grace appeared in the battlefield, ready to avenge her teammate. I saw her teleporting around the battlefield, then I realized she learned Teleport. I suddenly thought of a strategy that might work...
"Breeze, use Wing Attack!" When Breeze is rushing towards Grace with his wings spreading wide, I commanded, "Grace, teleport away and use Psybeam!"
Grace immediately use her psychic powers and teleported away in a distance. When Breeze is confused where Grace is, he suddenly got hit by psychic rings and took some damage. He then looked at the direction of the rings, and saw no one is there. Suddenly, he got shot by the rings again. He suddenly saw Grace over there, waving her hands towards him with a smile. Breeze got angry and rushed to Grace.
"Breeze, stop! Don't run towards her!" But Breeze ignored Disc's commands and continue rushing. Suddenly, Grace disappeared again. The tired Seagull Pokémon is panting, and suddenly got hit by the rings again. This time, he couldn't endure the impact and collapsed.
"Breeze is unable to battle! Grace wins!" I happily nodded my head towards Grace, happy that my plan worked. But, I know that it would be harder from here.
"Breeze, good work. Let's go, Leafy!" He send out Leafy, and I scanned her evolved form with my Pokédex. [Ivysaur, the Seed Pokémon. It is the evolved form of Bulbasaur. There is a plant bulb on its back. When it absorbs nutrients, the bulb is said to blossom into a large flower.]
"Grace, can you continue?" Grace nodded at me, and I commanded, "Grace, use Teleport and Psybeam!"
"Not on our watch! Leafy, use Vine Whip around the battlefield!" Leafy shot vines around the battlefield, making Grace unable to teleport, as she will get stuck between the vines if she teleports.
Looks like we just have to do straight attacks... "Grace, Psybeam!" Grace shot psychic energy rings towards Leafy, but Leafy dodged them easily. Disc gives his command, "Leafy, use Sleep Powder!"
Leafy immediately shot white spores towards Grace, I yelled, "Grace, now! Dodge and use Psybeam on the vines!"
Grace skillfully dodged the spores and shot rings towards the vines. The vines broke due to the power of the psychic rings. Disc hurriedly commanded, "Leafy, surround the battlefield with vines again!"
"Not if we strike first! Grace, Teleport and Psybeam combo!" Grace's teleporting speed is faster than the speed of Leafy spreading vines around the battlefield, she immediately found a spot and shot the rings. Not knowing where the rings were shot, Leafy got hit by the rings and winced in pain of the super effective psychic energy.
"Leafy, use Vine Whip on Grace, full power!"
"Counter with Confusion, full power!"
Leafy shot vines towards Grace and hit her, while Grace focused and threw Leafy into the air. After the attacks, Grace collapsed after getting hit by the physical attack, while Leafy fell onto the ground, unconsious.
"Both Pokémon are unable to battle!" The audience got shocked by the results, but clapped anyways. I got nervous by the condition, it's still anyone's game...
"Let's go, Waves!" He threw another Pokéball and a Pokémon that looks like a whale appeared. I scanned it with my Pokédex. [Wailmer, the Ball Whale Pokémon. When it sucks in a large volume of seawater, it becomes like a big, bouncy ball. It eats a ton of food daily.]
Good thing there's no seawater here... I'll send out... "Let's battle, Ziggs!" Ziggs appeared in the battlefield after I threw his Pokéball, and of course, people doubt about Ziggs' strength.
"Waves, start off with Water Gun!" Waves shot the stream of water towards Ziggs, and I immediately gave my command. "Ziggs, dodge and use Growl!"
Ziggs quickly dodged the stream of water and growled fiercely, but that doesn't seemed to do much to Waves.
"Waves, Rollout on Ziggs, and don't stop!" Waves rolled around the battlefield, similar to how Roxanne's Hardie rolls. Ziggs can dodge the rolling Waves, but he would be really tired if he have to keep dodging until Waves stops... What should I do...
Rolling... rolling... I have an idea!
"Ziggs, use Rock Smash on the rolling Waves!" Ziggs looked at me with confusion, but still did my command anyways. He waits for Waves to roll towards him, and hit the rolling waves with his paws.
Just when I thought my plan didn't work, I saw Waves got hit back, he stopped and started spinning in circles. He got confused because of the sudden impact!
"No, Waves, snap out of it!" Waves try to answer Disc, but he just spinned around after trying to stand up. I continued commanding, "Ziggs, finish off Waves with Headbutt, full power!"
Ziggs lowered his head and ran towards the confused Waves. Then, he hit Waves with his head as hard as possible. The confused Waves couldn't reduce the impact and collapsed due to the strong attack and the confusion.
"Waves is unable to battle! Ziggs wins!" The audience are surprised by Ziggs' performance, as he didn't do well last round, but they clapped anyways. I smiled at Ziggs for doing a good job.
"Guess it's now or never! Go, Ghoul!" A creepy looking Pokémon appeared in the battlefield. I scanned with my Pokédex and it said, [Sableye, the Darkness Pokémon. It feeds on gemstone crystals. In darkness, its eyes sparkle with the glitter of jewels.]
"Ziggs, why don't you take a short rest?" Ziggs nodded, and I returned him to his Pokéball. Then, I yelled, "Let's end this, Surfer!" while throwing Surfer's Pokéball, and Surfer came out of his Pokéball, growling to his last foe.
"Ghoul, use Night Shade to start off!" Ghoul immediately made a terrifying mirage that terrified the Turtle Pokémon, making him took some damage.
"Surfer, don't get scared! Use Water Pulse on Ghoul!" Surfer shot water rings towards Ghoul, and he got hit because he is still trying to make the mirage disappear. Ghoul then slowly stood up, ready for more.
"Ghoul, use Bite after finding Surfer's weak spot using Foresight!" Oh no, if he does find the weak spot, Surfer will take more damage! I gonna think fast!
"Surfer, ride the waves and use Bite fast!" Surfer immediately use Water Gun, and ride on the waves and rushed towards Ghoul. Ghoul didn't have enough time to locate his weak spot and had to bite Surfer faster. They both bited each other, winced in pain and back off.
"Ghoul, finish him with Night Shade!"
"Surfer, counter with Water Pulse!"
When Ghoul is creating the mirage, Surfer shot water rings towards Ghoul. Surfer got terrified by the mirage and collapsed, unable to move, while Ghoul got hit by the water rings and in confusion, he hit himself and collapsed in the battlefield as well.
"Both Pokémon are unable to battle! The winner is Lows from Kanto!" I jumped cheerfully, but I stopped when I saw Disc's disappointed expression and became upset. Maybe I should've let Disc win... I feel so bad now!
When I was shaking hands with Disc, I slightly apologized, "I'm sorry, Disc..."
Disc shooked his head and gave me a smile. "Don't worry, Lows, you really had improved a lot! I will be watching the finals, be sure to kick Harry's butt!" I nodded with determination. For Disc, I must defeat Harry!
And after the battle, I looked at the finalists and of course, Harry won. Which means, I'm battling Harry in the finals. I will try my best to defeat him!
Suddenly, I saw Harry looking at me with an arrogant look. He then said, "I cannot believe you got to the finals. That makes it an easier challenge for me to win this tournament."
I got angry by his words, but I tried to reply calmly, "Harry, winning or losing is not important, the most important thing is to have fun with your Pokémon." I used the words that my mom and dad advised me.
Harry didn't care about my words and replied back rudely. "Having fun with your Pokémon? Geez, you trainers should learn better. You will never win if you think like that. Now, I'll beat you in the finals to show that your mind is wrong. Terribly wrong..." Then, he left with lightning speed, ignoring me.
Suddenly, I felt a Pokéball shook vigorously. I opened my Pokéball and realized it is Ziggs. He angrily yelled, "What's wrong with Harry?! He is always rude to us and his Pokémon too! How dare him?!" Then, he tried to calm down by stopping his words for a few seconds, and continued, "But, we shall try to ignore his words. I'm sorry that I got mad by his words. We shall assist you to win the battle, Lows."
"Don't worry, Ziggs. No matter if we win or lost, we should go to the restaurant and buy some delicious food to celebrate our bond getting stronger." He nodded with a smile, and I returned him to his Pokéball.
Even if I don't really care about winning, I need to let Harry know that his way of treating Pokémon is wrong! So, I sat on one of the chairs, thinking of how can I beat Harry.
That's it for this chapter guys! The finals will be up in the next chapter. Will Lows beat Harry or lose? Find out in Chapter 9! :D
Lows' Pokémon Team:
Surfer (Wartortle, Male) Jolly Nature, moves: Withdraw, Bite, Water Pulse, Water Gun
Ziggs (Zigzagoon, Male) Naive Nature, moves: Tackle, Growl, Headbutt, Rock Smash
Grace (Ralts, Female) Calm Nature, moves: Teleport, Confusion, Double Team, Psybeam
Woody (Treecko, Male) Lonely Nature, moves: Pound, Quick Attack, Bullet Seed, Absorb
Questions of the Chapter:
How do you think of the quarter finals and the semi finals battles? (I hope you like it! :D)
Will Lows prove Harry's way of treating Pokémon wrong by winning?
