A few moments afterward, at long last, we finally made it to the end of the tunnel. The light leading into the next room was so blinding that we all were shocked to find what looked like a large waiting room, as there were tables and chairs scattered throughout. On the wall directly ahead of us, there was a super large television screen. In the center of the room, was what looked like one of those shuffling machines that people used to play bingo. It was built with a design that kinda made it look like a giant gumball machine, with a single Dodrio head inside sticking out from the base. The other two Dodrio heads were on the outside of the machine, each one with a small bowl-like slot for them to spit balls into. Directly in front of the machine, was our new host, welcoming us to the room.
"Greetings, Finalists. I am Don George, and I will be your host for the remainder of the evening."
"How does that work, exactly", asked Chad.
"Yeah, isn't Professor Rowan running this tournament", asked Rudy.
"Professor Rowan is above us with the other guests. He's most likely giving a well thought-out and inspiring speech in preparation for your battles."
"Above us", asked Dianne.
"That's correct, Miss. For you see, we're all directly below the colosseum", continued Don George as he pointed towards the ceiling. "And we'll stay down here until after all four battles have concluded."
"And when exactly do we get to know who battles who", asked Esmeralda.
"Good question", responded Don George. "As you can see behind me, we will be using this Dodrio Selector to determine the matchups for this round. When you all arrived at the banquet, you each received a number. Each ping-pong ball in the selector has also been given a number. Once I turn the selector on, it will choose two balls at random, and the two Trainers whose numbers correspond with the selected numbers will take part in a full six-on-six Pokemon Battle in the colosseum above us. Furthermore, we will only use the selector to determine one matchup at a time, meaning that none of you will know who your opponent is until right before your battle begins."
"Aw, yeah. Time to clean up", chuckled Chad.
"Dabra."
"Give it a rest, Chad", replied Azazel.
"Tortle-Wartortle." Chad simply growled at him in response.
"Now then", began Don George, "if there are no questions, and if everyone still remembers their numbers, then I shall get things started. Selector, start", he ordered to the machine. Upon hearing his command (I guess it was voice-activated), the machine turned on and puffed a gust of air into the glass sphere where the balls were. It then goes on to shuffle them around as the air began swirling around inside the sphere, causing the ping-pong balls to randomly roll around until one of them eventually fell into the Dodrio mouth at the bottom of the sphere. "And the first Trainer of the first battle is….", began Don George as he retrieved the first ping-pong ball from the slot underneath the Dodrio head on the left, "Trainer Number 6. I repeat, it's Trainer Number 6, Rudy from Littleroot."
"Who, me", asked a shocked Rudy. "I battle first? That was sure quick."
"Stay calm, Rudy", I reassured him.
"He's right, Dork", began Chad. "Save the panicking for if and when I battle you."
"And the second Trainer of the first battle is….", continued Don George as he picked up the second ping-pong ball from the Dodrio head on the right, "Trainer Number 3. I repeat, it's Trainer Number 3, Dianne from Eterna."
"Looks like we're at it again", said Dianne to her Pokemon.
"Wig-Turtwig."
"Best of luck out there, Rudy", said Dianne as she walked over and offered him her hand.
"Uh, sure", said Rudy awkwardly after hesitating for a moment as he shook her hand. With all of the trash-talking Trainers me and my friends had to deal with since the tournament started, it was refreshing to see Rudy battling a Trainer that exercised good sportsmanship.
"Now, if both Trainers would please make their way to the elevating platforms, we can begin", said Don George as he motioned his arms to the two elevator-like rooms on either end of the wall behind him. They were designed to where the Trainers would stand on the platform, and then get elevated to the colosseum above. As instructed, Rudy and Dianne went and claimed the left and right platforms respectively.
"Go get her, Rudy", I said to him with a thumbs-up as his platform elevated him and Combusken to the colosseum. Once the two Trainers were out of sight, Don George then turns around and turns on the t.v. behind him. The rest of us then grabbed ourselves a seat as we watched Rudy and Dianne's battle.
"Let the battle begin", shouted the referee once he had finished explaining the rules of the battle.
"Here we go", said Dianne as she threw her first Poke Ball. "Buizel, I choose you!"
"Bui-Bui!"
"Noctowl, I choose you", shouted Rudy as he threw his first Poke Ball. The owl Pokemon squawked upon being released.
"And begin", shouted the ref.
"Go, Noctowl! Fly!"
"Buizel, dodge with Agility!"
"Bui-Bui-Bui", chanted Buizel as it began running faster and faster around the battlefield, trying to make itself harder to hit. Despite this however, Noctowl still flew high into the air, and then crashed down into Buizel.
"What", asked a shocked Dianne.
"Sorry, but it takes more then that to escape the eyes of my Noctowl." Noctowl cooed in agreement. "Noctowl, Hypnosis!" The flying-type's eyes then began to glow yellow as it began firing hypnosis waves from them at Buizel.
"Oh, no you don't! Buizel, Aqua Tail!"
"Buiiiii-Bui", shouted Buizel as it fired a large blast of water from its two tails. Noctowl squawked from discomfort upon being slammed by Buizel's attack.
"Now use Hydro Pump!"
"Bui", shouted Buizel as it fired another water blast.
"Dive into it, and use Steel Wing!" In response to its Trainers command, Noctowl flew up and dove straight down into the stream of water being fired at it. As it did so, it crossed its body with its wings as they began to glow. Noctowl then uses them as crude shields, shielding it a little from Buizel's attack, and then uncrosses them once it got close enough and struck Buizel.
"Bui", groaned Buizel upon falling onto its stomach in defeat.
"Buizel is unable to battle! Noctowl wins!"
"Well done, Noctowl", praised Rudy to his Pokemon.
"Buizel, return", said Dianne as she recalled her Pokemon. She then threw her second Poke Ball. "Go, Torkoal!"
"Toooooor-Koal!"
"And begin!"
"Fly, Noctowl!" As the flying-type flew higher into the air, Dianne gave her Pokemon its first command.
"Hold your ground, Torkoal!"
"Koal", it responded as it snorted a cloud of black smoke through its nostrils. Noctowl then lets out a shriek as it then plummets into Torkoal.
"Torkoal, use Flail!"
"Toooooor-Koal-Koal-Koal", shouted the fire-type as it used its face to slap Noctowl across its face over and over again as it whipped its long neck from side to side. After a few moments of this, Noctowl finally fell onto its stomach in defeat.
"Noctowl is unable to battle! Torkoal wins!"
"Thank you, Torkoal Dear", cheered Dianne.
"Torkoal-Koal!"
"Noctowl, return", said Rudy as he recalled his Pokemon. He then threw his second Poke Ball. "Go, Flaaffy!"
"Flaaaaa!"
"And begin!"
"Flaaffy, try a Cotton Spore!"
"Flaaaaaaaa", cried the pink sheep Pokemon as it fired floating patches of its wool at Torkoal.
"Burn 'em down with Heat Wave!"
"Toooooor-Koal", cried Torkoal as it unleashed a wind of flames at Flaaffy's attack, burning both it and Flaaffy itself in the process. Flaaffy and Torkoal then began squaring each other up, preparing to launch their strongest attacks.
"Torkoal, Inferno!"
"Flaaffy, Thunderbolt!"
"Flaaaaaaaaaa-Ffy", cried Flaaffy as a bolt of electricity surged from its wool.
"Tooooooooor-Koal", cried Torkoal as it unleashed a stream of powerful flames. The two attacks collided in midair, resulting in a powerful explosion, knocking both Pokemon onto their backs in defeat.
"Flaaffy, and Torkoal, are both unable to battle", said the referee as he held up both of his flags.
"Return, now", said both Trainers simultaneously as they recalled their Pokemon. They then pulled out their third Poke Ball.
"Ladies first", said Dianne as she threw her Poke Ball.
"Right behind you", said Rudy as her mirrored her action.
"Chinchou!"
"Skiploom-Loom!"
"Dianne's Chinchou versus Rudy's Skiploom, and begin!"
"Chinchou Dear, use Flail!"
"Chou-Chou-Chou-Chou-Chou", chanted Chinchou as it rushed towards Skiploom.
"Shut it down, Skiploom! Use Cotton Spore!"
"Loooooooooooom", cried the grass-type as it fired a cloud of cottony spores at Chinchou, bringing its attack to a halt as it struggled to shake the attack off.
"Good, now use Mega Drain, Skiploom!"
"Use Ice Beam, Chinchou!"
"Looooooooom", cried Skiploom as it fired a green energy stream at Chinchou.
"Chouuuuuuuu", cried Chinchou as it fired an icy blast at Skiploom. As the two attacks collided in midair, both Trainers were forced to give their Pokemon new orders upon realizing that they were getting nowhere with their power struggle.
"Skiploom, use Sleep Powder!"
"Skiiiiiiiip", began the grass-type as it hovered over Chinchou.
"Use Protect!"
"Chin", retorted the water-type as it shielded itself with a green force field.
"Looooooom", continued Skiploon as it started sprinkling a blue powder on top of Chinchou, who unfortunately was well protected from it.
"Now use Water Gun!"
"Chin, Chou-Ou-Ou-Ou", gargled Chinchou as it fired its water attack straight up underneath Skiploom. Upon making impact, Skiploom crash-landed on its side.
"Hang in there, Skiploom! Use Synthesis!"
"Skiploom-Loom. Skiiiiiiiiiiiiip", began Skiploom as the flower on its head began to glow. "Skip-Skip-Skiploom", it cheered upon being rejuvenated moments later.
"Alright", cheered Rudy.
"Not bad, Rudy", said Dianne. "Winning this battle is going to be harder than I thought."
"Chin-Chinchou."
"But of course. We're having way too much fun to quit now, so why rush?"
"Loom-Skiploom."
Go get her, Rudy, I thought to myself as Charizard, Chansey and I were glued to the screen watching our friend battle.
"Pffft, he's done", scoffed Chad from off to the side. He and his Kadabra were still acting as smug as ever.
"Okay, seriously, Chad, shut up", retorted Azazel, who at this point was more annoyed with Chad than I was.
"Come on, we all know that wimp Rudy is going to lose."
"That remains to be seen", I said to him.
"Get real, Roger."
"It's Rojan", I corrected him.
"Whatever. You honestly think your wimpy friend has a chance?"
"If they keep tying like this he might", said Esmeralda as she pulled our attention back towards the screen.
"Skiploom, and Chinchou, are both unable to battle", shouted the ref in response to both Pokemon being knocked out. Skiploom in particular must have fallen victim to Chinchou's Ice Beam as it was now frozen in a block of solid ice.
"Return", said both Trainers as they recalled their Pokemon.
"Go, Quagsire", shouted Rudy as he threw his fourth Poke Ball.
"Quaaaaaag", cheered the excited-to-be-here water-type upon being released.
"A Quagsire, huh? I've got something special for him", said Dianne as she threw her Poke Ball.
"Wobbuffet!"
"Oh, come on", whined Rudy in reference to Abby's Wobbuffet from his last battle.
"And begin", shouted the ref.
"Grrrrr, well fine. Quagsire, use Amnesia!"
"Amnesia", asked several of the finalists in the waiting room in shock.
"Quag? Quag? Quag-Quagsire", said Quagsire as it paced around in circles trying to remember what it deliberately forgot. Amnesia was always a strange attack to witness.
"Wobbuffet, use Destiny Bond!"
"Wobbu", said the psychic Pokemon as its eyes began to glow purple. The two non-offensive attacks from these two blue Pokemon resulted in the battle becoming a bit too quiet.
"Oh, how boring", complained Chad. "Do something!"
"Okay, now, Quagsire, use Mud Shot!"
"Quagsire", asked the water-type Pokemon to its Trainer, now confused.
"Ah, man. I was afraid of this", said an embarrassed Rudy as he facepalmed himself. "Fine, then use Slam instead!"
"Quag", replied Quagsire with a nod. "Quaaaaaaaaag", it began as it rushed at Wobbuffet.
"Wobbuffet, use Counter!"
"Wobbuffet", cried the psychic-type as it cloaked itself in a red shield.
"Sire", continued Quagsire as it swung its tail at its opponent. Upon making contact, Wobbuffet's shield absorbed the force of Quagsire's attack, and then used it against him as it threw him backwards off of the battlefield. "Quaaaaaaaaaag-Sire", exclaimed Quagsire as it was thrown into the wall behind his Trainer. Quagsire then fell onto its stomach in defeat.
"Quagsire is unable to battle! Wobbuffet wins!"
"Way to go, Wobbuffet!"
"Wobbu-Wobbuffet!"
"Quagsire, return", said Rudy as he recalled his Pokemon. He then threw his fifth Poke Ball. "Your turn, Misdreavus!"
"Misdreavus", said the ghost-type Pokemon in a calm, yet eerie voice.
"Begin", shouted the ref.
"Wobbuffet, Destiny Bond!"
"Don't let it, Misdreavus! Confuse Ray!"
"Misdreavus", said Misdreavus in a calm voice again as it summoned a bright, pink light and flashed it across the battlefield, confusing the opposing psychic-type Pokemon.
"Wooooooobbu", groaned Wobbuffet as it stumbled around due to its confusion.
"Wobbuffet Darling, are you okay?"
"Wobbu-Wobbu-Wobbu-Wobbu", chanted Wobbuffet as it began pelting itself on the top of its head.
"Oh no!"
"Hehe, stop hitting yourself, Wobbuffet", chuckled Chad to himself. "Stop hitting yourself, Wobbuffet."
"Chansey", exclaimed Chansey as she performed her Egg Bomb attack on Chad in response to his comment. Upon making contact with his face, which caused Chad to fall out of the chair he was sitting in, the egg bounced off of Chad and landed safely back in Chansey's hands with perfect accuracy. Upon seeing its Trainer getting attacked, Kadabra pointed its spoon at Chansey, but backed down once it noticed Charizard growling at it.
"Easy", I said to my Pokemon as I patted Chansey's head.
"Now's your chance, Misdreavus! Use Psybeam!"
"Misdreavus-Miiiiis", exclaimed Misdreavus as a rainbow-colored beam of psychic energy shot out of its eyes. Upon striking Wobbuffet, the psychic-type Pokemon fell onto its back in defeat.
"Wobbuffet is unable to battle! Misdreavus wins!"
"Wobbuffet, return", said Dianne as she recalled her Pokemon. "Well done, now rest up, Dearie."
"Way to go, Misdreavus! Keep it up!"
"Mis-Mis."
"I must say, Rudy, your Misdreavus is quite impressive. Never before has any Pokemon been able to tiptoe around my Wobbuffet's Destiny Bond. Congratulations to the both of you. However….", she began as she pulled out her fifth Poke Ball, "….this battle is far from done", she continued as she threw it.
"Abomasnow", hollered the massive ice-type Pokemon upon being released.
For her sake, she'd better make this battle quick, I thought to myself in reference to the fact that Rudy's Combusken had a huge type advantage over both Dianne's Abomasnow and Turtwig.
"Begin!"
"Misdreavus, Shadow Ball!"
"Miiiiiiis-Dreavus", exclaimed the ghost-type as it fired a ball of ghostly energy at Abomasnow.
"Fight back with Ice Punch!"
"Abomaaaaaaaa-Snow", exclaimed the Pokemon powerhouse as it punched the Shadow Ball with a frozen fist. The collision resulted in the Shadow Ball exploding on contact, though the damage was reduced due to Abomasnow's efforts.
"Now show them a real Shadow Ball!"
"Abomaaaaaaa", began Dianne's Pokemon as it began charging up for a similar attack.
"Confuse Ray!"
"Misdreavus", said the ghost-type as it flashed its pink light again, once again confusing its opponent.
"Snow", exclaimed the confused ice-type as it fired its attack at a random wall. "Snow? Snow-Snow-Snow-Snow", it chanted as it began firing several Shadow Balls at the wall as if it was its true opponent.
"Snap out of it, Abomasnow! Use Wood Hammer!" Unfortunately for Dianne, under confusion, her Abomasnow's Wood Hammer had the same result as Wobbuffet's Destiny Bond.
"A-Bo-Ma-Snow", groaned Abomasnow as it began punching the sides of its face. Poor Dianne couldn't help but hang her head for a brief moment in response to seeing two of her Pokemon attack themselves in a row.
"I almost hate to do this, but….. Misdreavus, Psybeam! Go!"
"Miiiiiiiiisdreavus", exclaimed the ghost-type as it fired its psychic attack yet again, resulting in the same outcome as earlier as Abomasnow fell onto its back in defeat.
"Abomasnow is unable to battle! Misdreavus wins!"
"Oh well, Abomasnow, return", said Dianne as she recalled her Pokemon. "Just you and me then", she asked her Turtwig, who had been standing by her side patiently the entire battle.
"Wig-Turtwig", it said with a nod just before running onto the field.
"Begin!"
"Turtwig, use Bite!"
"Turt-Wig-Turt-Wig", chanted the tiny turtle Pokemon as it rushed at Misdreavus.
"Shadow Ball!"
"Miiiiiisdreavus", it said as it blasted Turtwig with its ghostly blast. Turtwig hollered in pain as it was thrown backwards due to the impact.
"Oh no! Turtwig!"
"Confuse Ray", said Rudy in a calmer voice than usual. It was almost as if he felt bad for having his Pokemon use that particular attack, as it usually meant embarrassing disaster for Dianne. Just as it did with Misdreavus' previous two opponents, the Confuse Ray confused Turtwig to a point where it was stumbling around aimlessly. "Now use Psybeam."
"Miiiiiiis", began Misdreavus as her eyes began to glow.
"Please listen to me, Dearie! Use your Leaf Storm!"
"Turtwig! Turt-Urt-Urt-Urt-Urt", chanted Turtwig as it rose onto its hind legs and began spinning around and around.
"What the", asked a shocked Rudy upon witnessing Turtwig's strange maneuver.
"Turt-Wiiiiiiiiiiig", exclaimed Turtwig as its spinning succeeded in summoning a leafy tornado in the center of the battlefield. The resulting cyclone was so strong that it managed to discombobulate Misdreavus as she lost concentration and got sucked into the vortex.
"No way", exclaimed a still shocked Rudy.
"Turtwig", said Turtwig proudly as it managed to shake away its confusion.
"Yay, Turtwig! Now charge, and use Leech Seed!"
"Turtwig", it exclaimed boldly as it rushed forward and dove into the vortex, with such accuracy that it was merely inches away from Misdreavus as it began to tilt its head forward with the intent of launching its Leech Seed from its stem.
"Not a chance", shouted Rudy. Moments after hearing this, Misdreavus makes a second attempt at a Psybeam attack, though this one was successful as it blasted through the Leech Seed, and into Turtwig itself, forcing it out of the cyclone and into a wall. The referee made the call as the grass-type Pokemon fell to the ground.
"Turtwig is unable to battle! Misdreavus wins! The victory goes to Rudy from Littleroot Town!"