Disclaimer: Yes. I own pokemon. I own everything. You better believe it. *sarcasm*
Boo!
So, here's another chapter for you guys!
The next day, the group – plus Barry – found a small clearing far from the stadium.
"This is perfect for training," Brock said, pleased. He then took a look at everyone. "Ash, you said you and Dawn looked up your opponent this morning?"
The pair nodded.
"Yeah," Ash replied. "She's called Stacey Stewart and focuses on ground type pokémon."
"But, I checked her pokémon and she also has an electric-type and a grass-type pokémon," Dawn added.
Brock nodded, as this was to be expected.
"That'll be to guard against water-types, then. So – ground types. They're weak against ice, grass and water-types. So, which pokémon does that leave us to choose from?"
Ash thought.
"Bulbasaur, Bayleef, Sceptile, Corphish, Glalie, Torterra and Buizel," he counted off his fingers.
Skye Furie curled on the grass.
Remember, I am not available at this point in time.
Brock paced a little, flicking through his guide book. Barry sat down next to Skye Furie.
"Hey! Why don't you use a normal-type as well, to give you an edge? She won't expect that!"
Ash nodded excitedly.
"Yeah! Snorlax knows Ice Punch, and that's super-effective against ground-types!"
Dawn frowned.
"So – you could use Snorlax as well – and that just leaves two spaces for your other pokémon. So, which are you gonna choose?"
Ash came running back, several minutes later, and sent out the pokémon whose poké balls he carried in his hands.
Appearing before the group were the selected seven pokémon. The group of grass, water and ice-type pokémon looked around questioningly.
"Okay, guys," Ash said, and they all watched him. "Our next opponent uses ground type pokémon, and you guys are all strong against them – but I can only choose two of you."
Whereas before they had been excited, now they were slightly nervous and eager to be chosen.
Skye Furie watched in silence.
Dawn sat down next to Barry and Skye Furie, and took out a list.
"I just remembered! I wrote down what pokémon Stacey owns!" she cleared her throat. "Okay guys, she has a sandslash, a nidoqueen, a leafeon, a manectric, a camerupt, a flygon, a baltoy and a hippowdon."
"Now," Ash said, "I don't want to pick and choose right now, but what I am gonna do, is give you guys some training, and see how you're all doing in a few days." The pokémon cheered at their trainer's kindness. Brock came over.
"Perhaps we should train up Skye Furie, too?" he suggested. "She is an ice-type, after all."
Ash brightened.
"Yeah! Whadda you say, Skye?"
Skye Furie yawned and displayed her fangs, before standing.
Oh, why not? She grinned fiercely. Of course I will. You have yet to discover how competitive I can be.
While Dawn and Ash were busy training up the seven 'chosen ones', Brock and Barry worked with Skye Furie.
"Now," Brock said. "We've already taught you Ice Shard, Dragon Rush and Dragon Rage, so what we'll do now is focus on your psychic moves."
"And I can help with that!" Barry cried proudly. "Let's get going, Gallade!"
He released a tall, warrior-like figure clad in green, sleek fur.
Gallade sheathed his sword-like protrusions back into his elbows and bowed to the dragoness.
"Greetings, fair Skye Furie," the warrior greeted her formally, and Skye Furie dipped her head in return.
It is a pleasure, mighty Gallade, she replied courteously.
"Now, Gallade," Barry ordered, "we're gonna help Skye Furie learn some super-cool psychic moves!"
Brock flicked through his guide.
"I would suggest we work on Psycho Cut," he suggested, "and if we still have time then perhaps try Teleport."
"Can we battle, first, before training?" Barry begged. "Please-please-please..."
"Fine," Brock relented quickly, and went to sit on the rocks. "You fine working on your own, Skye?"
No problem, Brock, the dragoness replied, leaping back and settling into her battle crouch.
"Okay, Gallade, let's start off with Fury Cutter!" Barry cried.
Gallade leapt, sword-arms blazing red, but Skye Furie streaked to the side and swung around with a powerful Dragon Rush.
Both attacks collided as Gallade twisted around just in time, and each cancelled the other out.
Skye Furie growled and grappled with him, sweeping her tail and slamming it into his legs, and he flew into the air, and then he was gone.
Skye Furie leapt skywards and twisted, sensing he had teleported, and prepared a short Dragon Rage.
Sure enough, he reappeared behind her, and she turned, and fired her attack, and Gallade grunted, but retaliated with Leaf Blade.
Winded, Skye Furie twisted and wheeled around, charging an Aurora Beam as Gallade fell. He spun elegantly, and dodged the blow, but she lunged, spreading her wings, and attacked with back-to-back Dragon Claws.
As they exchanged blows, Skye Furie was aware that Barry was no longer ordering his pokémon, merely watching with a giddy grin on his face. She sensed also that the others were watching eagerly.
Finally, Gallade jumped and landed expertly on the ground, and she spun around, landing like a cat, and fired a Dragon Rage.
Gallade dodged the blow and charged her with his swords glowing. She readied herself, before twisting into the air and expelling a Psybeam towards Gallade. He was forced to break off his attack and switch to defence.
Skye Furie winged herself in a tight circle, and used Aurora Beam, encasing him in ice, like Ash had taught her.
Gallade stopped and shimmered, and he teleported.
Skye Furie clasped her wings and dove, and just as Gallade reappeared and let loose a Signal Beam, she twisted, and shattered the column of ice with Dragon Rush.
The blocks of ice collided heavily with the Signal Beam, and each cancelled each other out.
Skye Furie skidded and landed, and Gallade paused for breath.
"That was AMAZING!" Barry cried, jumping up and down. Gallade bowed to her.
"You are a worthy opponent, Lady Skye Furie," he said, and Skye Furie snorted, but bowed herself.
As are you, Sir Gallade, she replied.
"Okay," Brock said, coming over. "Why don't we start on Psycho Cut?"
The next day, Ash came to work with Brock and Barry.
The guys watched Skye Furie battling Gallade again.
"How's Psycho Cut coming?" Ash asked. Brock nodded to the battle in progress.
Skye Furie's eyes flickered to her trainer, before lunging, focusing her psychic energy into her right paw. It tingled, and some light appeared, but Gallade was only thrown a few feet, before he recovered and flipped out of range. Annoyed with herself, she engaged him in combat again.
"She's really coming along," Brock said. "She's a fast learner – but I can tell she's being too hard on herself."
"Come on, Gallade!" Barry yelled. "Pow – thwack – yeah! Come ON, you can beat that lizard any day!"
Skye Furie glared at him, before breaking away from her fight and shooting a mild Aurora Beam in his direction. Then, she merely flipped and lunged down back towards Gallade with a Dragon Claw at the ready.
"So," Brock asked Ash, "how are your 'chosen seven' coming along?"
Ash smiled.
"They're all in top form! I'm gonna choose tonight. I've already decided I'm using Snorlax, so I just need to pick two more pokémon." Brock nodded.
"Good. You'll need to be careful – you got a counter in mind in case she uses either that grass or electric-type?" Ash nodded smugly.
"Uh-huh! I got an idea alright! This next battle's gonna be a breeze."
"Welcome to the next battle in today's Second Round, folks! It's a great day in Blue Stadium, and our next battlers are raring to go! Please welcome to the field – Stacey from Oreburgh City, and Ash from Pallet Town!"
The crowds roared as Ash and Stacey took their places. Skye Furie was there also, invisible, as usual.
The wheel on the screen decreed that Ash would have the first move.
He grinned.
This time, however, Skye Furie had no idea which pokémon he had chosen. No one did. And he had made her promise not to peek in his mind to find out.
"This is a three-on-three battle between Stacey of Oreburgh City and Ash of Pallet Town," the referee said. "Ash has the first move. Begin!"
"Alright – Swellow – I choose you!"
The huge swallow appeared on stage, and everyone heard Stacey's groan.
Up in the stands, Brock smiled.
"I can't believe I forgot about flying-types!" he said. "Of course – ground type moves have absolutely no effect!"
"Shame Barry's to busy with his match," Dawn said with a grin. "Ash is playing smart this time!"
On the field, Stacey bit her lip, before sending out her choice.
"Leafeon – let's go!"
The grass-eared dog appeared on the field, opposite Swellow, and bravely bared his fangs.
That means she isn't using the electric-type, Skye Furie said to Ash, who kept on grinning.
"Okay Swellow, we'll start off on the offence with Wing Attack!"
Swellow leapt into the air, and swooped down with glowing wings.
"Dodge, Leafeon, and use Energy Ball on Swellow's back!" Stacey cried.
Leafeon jumped out of Swellow's range, and fired his attack. Swellow cocooned herself in her wings just in time, and crashed to the ground.
"Now, use Razor Leaf, up close," Stacey ordered, evidently wanting the flying-type out of the way, and quickly.
"Not so fast," Ash challenged with a grin, "Swellow, use Double Team and then use Quick Attack!"
At once, Swellow multiplied herself, producing many copies at an alarming rate.
Leafeon skidded to a stop, totally losing his momentum, trying to figure out which one was the real Swellow.
"Now!" Ash cried.
"Leafeon, behind you!" Stacey cried.
Swellow rammed into the pale-furred dog, who whined and crashed to the ground. Swellow shook her head, slightly disorientated.
"Quick, grab Swellow with Bite, and hold her there!"
Before Ash could order his swallow to dodge, Leafeon lunged and bit down hard on Swellow's wing.
She cried out in shock and pain, struggling. Leafeon held on for his life, using his strength to hold her on the ground.
"Use Leaf Blade!"
Leafeon slashed out at Swellow, aiming desperately for her chest, but the bird was struggling so hard that it was difficult to land a hit.
"Try again, Leafeon!"
"Okay, Swellow, let's let the dog out!" Ash cried. "Fly up high with Quick Attack!"
Swellow powered herself up, and shot into the sky, dragging Leafeon with her, the strength of the attack so much that he could not hold her on the ground.
"Now, spin, dive, and pull up!" Ash ordered.
Swellow did so, spinning and diving at reckless speed, before pulling up quickly, at last dislodging the dizzy and disorientated Leafeon.
He fell and struggled to get up again.
"Come on, Leafeon!"
"Use Aerial Ace!"
Swellow swerved and dived at the dog, smashing into him, glowing white.
Leafeon groaned as he tried to get up.
"Now – use Last Resort, Leafeon and hold in there!"
"Aerial Ace again, Swellow!"
He howled, and with the last of his strength, leapt up at Swellow, who charged him, glowing white again -
The two pokémon crashed to the ground, utterly spent.
"Both pokémon are unable to battle, so it's a draw!" the referee shouted.
Ash returned Swellow, and Stacey returned her Leafeon, looking troubled.
"That's a fierce start to the battle, folks – both sides giving it their all despite the odds!"
Up in the stands, Dawn turned to Brock.
"How come Last Resort made Swellow faint?"
"It's a high damage dealing move that can only be used when all the pokémon's other moves have already been used," Brock explained. "It's one of the most powerful normal-type moves out there, and Swellow was still dealing with her other injuries. I wonder what other tricks Ash has up his sleeve today."
Down on the field, Ash took out his second choice.
Good luck, Skye Furie said, and blew hot air onto his head. You're doing really great.
"Bayleef, I choose you!" He yelled, and released the tall green dinosaur. She smiled and stamped threateningly.
"I'll win for you, Ash!" she cried happily. Skye Furie sensed the pokémon was extremely happy in Ash's presence.
"Okay, Baltoy, you're up next!" Stacey shouted as the small pokémon appeared.
"Let's go, Bayleef with Vine Whip!" Ash ordered, wasting no time.
"Dodge with Rapid Spin, Baltoy!"
Bayleef lunged and sent two vines hurtling towards the baltoy, but the pokémon merely spun away from the blow.
"And Baltoy dodges the attack with an original defence!"
"I don't think so - slow it down with Sweet Scent!"
Bayleef smirked and sent out a wave of sickeningly sweet smells, so strong that Baltoy wavered and stopped, disorientated and dizzy.
Up in the stands, Brock grinned.
"It seems Ash learned a trick or two from Nando in the First Round!"
Ash punched the air.
"Now, Bayleef – Razor Leaf!"
Bayleef released a torrent of sharpened leaves, which battered the woozy baltoy greatly. However, it remained upright and hovering.
"Great Baltoy – let's go with Psybeam!" Stacey cried.
Baltoy sent a pinkish beam of light smashing into Bayleef, however, her superior weight meant it barely pushed her back at all.
Stacey sweat-dropped.
"Urgh!"
"Haha, no one pushes around my Bayleef," Ash laughed, "now Bayleef – show 'em what you've got with Body Slam!"
"Baltoy – dodge!"
Bayleef charged the smaller pokémon with tremendous force. As Baltoy floated upright, the damage was visible on its cracked, clay skin.
"Get up close, Baltoy!"
The pokémon whizzed forwards, and Skye Furie frowned. What was she planning?
"Bayleef – use Vine Whip again!"
The vines latched onto Baltoy and Bayleef spun it around in the air.
Stacey smirked.
"Now – Selfdestruct!"
Skye Furie and Ash paled at the same time.
"Bayleef - get out of there!"
But it was too late. Baltoy firmly grabbed the vine and sent out an explosion from within itself. Bayleef was blasted back. The explosion was huge, and the smoke plumed everywhere.
When the smoke cleared, both Baltoy and Bayleef were unconscious.
"Both pokémon are unable to battle – so it's a draw!" the referee said, raising both flags.
Ash returned Bayleef.
Up in the stands, Dawn raised her eyebrows.
"A draw again? Why is she doing that?" Brock shrugged.
"Maybe that's her strategy. Some pokémon's most powerful moves are ones that also damage themselves. Perhaps it's the only way she can think of reliably taking down Ash's pokémon."
"But taking her own down with them?" Dawn said disbelievingly.
"I don't agree with it, but maybe her pokémon's other moves are too weak for her liking."
Dawn glared down at the small, smirking form of Stacey.
"I can't believe some people battle like that. It's so cruel!"
"I know. But hey – Ash is more than a match for her!" Brock replied optimistically.
Ash flung out his last pokémon.
"Snorlax, I choose you!"
The huge pokémon stretched and looked around uninterestedly.
"Oh, bother. Another battle? I thought he said it was lunchtime..." he trailed off, waiting with a bored look on his face as he waited for his no doubt smaller opponent to appear.
Skye Furie giggled.
Stacey paled at the sheer size of him, but hurled out her next pokémon.
"Let's win this, Flygon!"
The dragon fluttered her small wings and gulped up at Snorlax.
"...Please don't hurt me?" she asked in a small voice.
"Okay, Snorlax, let's go with Body Slam!"
"Yikes!" the flygon shrieked with fear as he barrelled towards her. "Stacey, do something!"
"Use Sandstorm, Flygon!"
Flygon flew high, and beat her fragile wings, and suddenly started an immense sandstorm. It swirled around the field, and Ash began coughing.
At once, Skye Furie, still invisible, wrapped her wings about Ash, shielding him from the onslaught. As she was invisible, he could still see the battle before him.
"Thanks, Skye" he whispered.
No problem, she replied.
Snorlax was not so lucky.
He groaned and huddled in the storm, shielding his face as the onslaught continued.
Flygon was lost in the sandstorm, unseen.
Stacey grinned.
"Use Dragonbreath!"
A bright beam of dragon fire shot out from nowhere and hit Snorlax. He wasn't pushed back at all – again thanks to his weight, but still bore the brunt of the attack.
"Snorlax, hang in there!" Ash cried, unsure of what to do.
Skye Furie hated Stacey.
She had deliberately harmed her own pokémon to get Ash's out of the way. She couldn't stand it.
Ash, she said, don't tell anyone I'm doing this.
"Doing what?" he murmured under the ruckus of the sandstorm.
The flygon is flying directly behind Snorlax – I can sense her mind. But I didn't tell you that.
Ash grinned.
"Snorlax – Ice Punch – behind you!"
"What?!" Stacey gasped.
There was a grunt and a flash of brilliant light as Snorlax smashed his ice-covered fist into a defenceless flygon.
She was hurled to the ground, and lay there, limp. Around her, the sandstorm dissipated, and the field was clear again.
"And Ash strikes back with blinding, double super effective force!" the announcer cried. The crowds roared with excitement.
"Up, Flygon, up!" Stacey urged crossly.
Snorlax growled deeply.
"Now, let's finish this with Body Slam!" Ash yelled.
Snorlax charged and leapt into the air, slamming into the weak flygon with tremendous force.
She crashed to the ground, swirls in her eyes.
"Flygon is unable to battle," the referee shouted. "Snorlax is the winner. And that means the winner of this battle is Ash of Pallet Town!"
"Yeah, we did it! Round Three, here I come!" Ash grinned.
Skye Furie relaxed and furled her wings.
Thanks so much for your help, Skye, Ash thanked her privately with his thoughts, and she smiled.
Not at all. Just don't tell Brock. He can be very righteous about these things.
"I'm glad Ash beat her," Dawn said adamantly as she and Brock left their seats and headed for the stairs with the rest of the crowds. "She needs to be nicer to her pokémon!"
Brock smiled.
"I'm sure Ash taught her that sacrificing her own pokémon isn't always the greatest of strategies," he replied.
"If Ash can't," Dawn smiled, "then no one can!"
Ash and Skye Furie met up with the others outside the main stadium.
"That was great!" Brock praised. "Your choice of pokémon was good, too."
"Told you it would be a breeze," Ash replied smugly.
Skye Furie rolled her eyes, though no one could see anyway.
"MOOVE!"
Skye Furie dodged just in time as Barry skidded to a halt by them.
Ash grinned.
"How'd your battle go, Barry?"
Barry leapt and whooped.
"Piece of cake! I heard about your victory, too! So that's us both out of the preliminimim..." he trailed off, trying to form the word, his momentum gone.
Preliminaries? Skye Furie offered.
Barry nodded, back up to speed.
"Yeah!"
Ash grinned.
"You bet! On to Round Three!" the two hyper-excited boys high-fived.
The great screen activated at long last.
"And now – now that the preliminary rounds are over, our remaining battlers are going on to Round Three! Here are the match-ups!"
The pairs were shown.
Skye Furie shuddered.
Ash was paired with Conway.
Barry was paired with Paul.
"Wow," Ash grinned. "You're fighting Paul, Barry – and I'm facing off against Conway!"
"Conway can be pretty slick," Brock advised. "Be careful."
"You bet!" Ash grinned.
"Yeah," Pikachu smirked. "We'll totally kick his butt!"
"You guys just give it your all!" Dawn smiled confidently.
"Course, you know I will."
"Ghaah!"
Dawn squealed and jumped with fright as Conway appeared behind them. Skye Furie growled, though no one heard. He smirked.
"As long as you're cheering for me, Dawn."
"Urgh... Hi, Conway," she groaned, hiding behind Ash and Brock.
"Besides," the geek in glasses went on, "I have a super secret strategy for defeating Ash."
Ash glared. Skye Furie rolled her eyes. She could sense with her psychic abilities the freak of nature was only jesting. Ash still glared.
"Super secret, huh?"
"Of course," Conway smirked. "And it's the kind of strategy only I could employ. You want to know what it is? Well, I suppose I could make a special exception for you, Dawn."
She widened her eyes.
"I never even asked..."
"Sorry to break up this date of weirdness, but can you guys MOOVE?" Barry shrieked.
Dawn turned to him.
"Why?"
"Yeah, why are you shouting for us to move, Barry? What's the rush?" Ash asked.
Skye Furie snorted.
Well, she said, for a start you're standing in front of the door...
Ash smiled, embarrassed, and moved.
Barry gaped as if his yells of urgency were the most obvious thing in the world.
"To go see Paul."
"Huh?"
"Right!" Barry grinned. "Because no matter how you look at it, Paul and I are the top two contenders in the tournament!"
Skye Furie rolled her eyes.
Here we go...
"And now," Barry hissed in dramatic excitement, "the top two battlers are going head-to-head! I'll admit," he paused, looking sad, a hand over his heart, "it gets lonely at the top – but Paul is there to keep me company!"
Dawn sighed theatrically.
"Tell us how ya really feel," she groaned.
"I was just on my way to let Paul know all this!"
"I don't get it?!" Ash moaned, clueless as usual.
"You're over my head," Conway sighed.
Skye Furie sniggered at them all.
"I'm WHAAT?!"
"Barry," Dawn started wearily, "I really wouldn't do that if I were you."
"Why not?" Barry asked, curious and bewildered.
"Because – I know exactly what Paul will say." She paused, and took on a frown similar to Paul's own. "You?" she asked in a bored, superior tone, "Who are you?"
Skye Furie felt like she would die of laughter.
"No way!" Barry protested. "Paul will definitely know who I am!"
"Even if he does, he'll say," Dawn carried on, "you're pathetic," switching back into her Paul drawl, "and no match for me."
"No, no!" Barry yelled, shaking his head. "A trainer of his level of skill has to know who I am!" He frowned at them all. "AND I'll prove it!"
He turned and sprinting off to the Pokémon Centre. Ash and the gang followed, leaving a bewildered Conway behind.
Skye Furie glided after the group with a grin on her face.
Things never got boring with Ash and Barry both around.
Inside the Pokémon Centre, Barry led the way upstairs, down the hall, and into a huge room filled with computers and chairs that seemed to spin.
How odd, Skye Furie observed, padding behind her trainer. Barry skidded to a stop.
"There you are!"
Sat at one of the farthest computer desks was Paul. Skye Furie tensed, just as Ash did. The two boys glared at each other.
"WOW! Would you look at that!" Barry shrieked, jumping up and down on the spot, pointing at a confused and bewildered Paul.
"...Look at what?" Dawn asked, voicing everyone's confusion. Well, apart from Skye Furie's. She merely looked into Barry's mind and understood his enthusiasm. But shush.
"Paul is looking at my data! Aren't you, Paul! Paul just proved that the strong know who the strong are!" Barry cried, pointing to Paul's monitor, where it did indeed show Barry's pokémon and his trainer information.
Paul nodded slowly, as if it was obvious – and indeed it was.
"Data's important," he said in his usual drawl. "It allows you to see what pokémon and strategies your opponent is prone to using, so you can in turn form your own strategy. It's basic."
Skye Furie didn't like admitting it to herself, but Paul sounded right.
"Totally AWESOME!" Barry yelled. "Amazingly cool words from an amazingly cool trainer!" He jumped and pointed to Paul again. "HOWEVER – you can gather all the data you need – but it is useless!"
Paul had that bewildered look on his face again. Dawn arched her eyebrow again.
"Useless?"
Barry whipped around, disbelief in his gaze. He shook his head rapidly.
"Don't you see every second of every minute of every hour of every day I'm getting BETTER? Outdated data is useless!"
Brock, Dawn, Ash and Skye Furie all sweat-dropped.
"Well," Brock sighed. "If this was a talking competition, you'd win for sure."
Barry grinned and folded his arms.
"JEALOUS!" he turned to Paul. "Admit it, Paul! Our battle is going to decide which of us is the top trainer in this whole tournament!"
Paul's eyes flashed.
"Our battle is just one of many battles in the Sinnoh League. We're only in the Third Round!"
And with that, he stalked out of the room.
Barry whooped, his eyes wide with admiration, awe and excitement.
"WOW!" he yelped eagerly. "I can't wait for our battle!"
The gang spent the rest of the day in the computer room, looking up information on Ash's and Barry's opponents for the next day.
Skye Furie watched as Ash looked up Conway. She crept closer, still invisible, as there were other people using the room as well.
Hang on, she said, and he looked around questioningly. She prodded his left shoulder.
I'm here. But what if Conway and the other competitors look on your data page and see me?
Ash groaned. He hadn't thought of that!
"Don't worry," Brock reassured them. "Remember, Conway already has his strategy, and Paul never majorly plans for Ash." He paused uncomfortably.
"Mainly because he always wins," Ash finished sulkily. Then he brightened. "But we'll win this time, Skye!"
She crooned and nuzzled his neck encouragingly, and Pikachu, sat on the desk in front of them, grinned.
"We'll win for sure, now Skye's with us!" he said. "I can't wait to see the look on Paul's face when he sees you, Skye!"
She smiled, even though he couldn't see.
I am looking forward to it, myself, truth be told.
"How's the research coming, Barry?" Dawn asked, sitting down. The blonde turned away from his screen, which featured Paul's data.
"Mmph, I've got his strategies and pokémon, but it's all outdated. There's nothing current," he sighed. "And if he uses a pokémon that's not in his database..."
"You're done for?" Ash put in, pushing his chair back from the desk a little. Barry gave him a wounded look.
"I never said that!"
Brock switched the conversation onto Ash.
"How's that research coming on Conway?" The raven-haired trainer sighed.
"It says he's an impulsive trainer with many different battle styles."
"Then that means he's unpredictable?" Dawn questioned.
"Right. It's a big part of my appeal."
The gang whirled to see – guess who – Conway peeping over a computer screen nearby.
"Conway – what are you doing?" Ash asked.
"Just a little research," the boy smirked.
"Better do more than a little, because Ash is no pushover," Brock smiled, and Ash gave him a quick look of gratitude.
Please, Skye Furie laughed into Ash's mind. Of course you're no pushover – you're the trainer who caught me, for Arceus' sake!
Ash grinned in response.
"Not Ash," Conway sniffed. "I was researching Tobias' data."
"Tobias?" Dawn asked, confused. Conway turned to her.
"He's the trainer who won both his preliminary matches using only Darkrai the whole time," he replied ominously.
"Round Two as well?" Ash gasped.
Skye Furie shivered slightly.
She had learned also that her fellow legendary had also been captured and was fighting in the tournament as well as her. What she feared was if Ash was paired with this Tobias, and she and Darkrai would face off in battle. Two legendaries fighting was not a good idea – it only brought destruction and despair, in her experience.
"And that's not all," Conway continued. "Apparently he only used Darkrai to win all eight of his gym badges as well!"
"So why are you looking him up?" Dawn pressed, curiosity overcoming her dislike of Conway. The boy instantly turned to her.
"Because – we might be matched up. After I beat Ash, of course."
Don't waste your breath, Skye Furie said, preventing Ash from retaliating as Conway wandered out of the room. He's only jesting, and you know it.
"So – what do we think of this Tobias?" Dawn asked her friends, looking at the three boys.
"I think he's a force to be reckoned with," Brock replied grimly, looking at Ash. "You'll definitely need Skye on your team if you're paired with him in the Finals."
"A battle between legendaries!" Barry said dreamily. "I would so watch that!"
Skye Furie looked at the humans around her. She saw the wistful looks on their faces, felt the anticipation and the adrenaline running through their frail, fragile bodies, and was bemused.
Why do you petty beings wish to witness such a catastrophic event? She asked disbelievingly. They all looked at each other, puzzled.
"What do you mean, catastrophic?" Dawn asked, fear in her voice. Skye Furie growled lowly, her tone solemn.
A battle between legendaries is not something to be encouraged. It is rare, I shall admit, for us, the chosen, to fight and squabble amongst ourselves, and for that I am thankful. The world would have long been ruined beyond repair if we fought all the time.
"...That bad, huh?" Brock voiced the group's shock at the thought of such mass destruction.
Yes. That is why I fear fighting Darkrai, the moon brother. I do not fear for myself – a legendary never questions his or her powers, but I do fear for the damage caused if we are pitted against each other.
Shocked, stunned silence met her grave words.
Skye Furie hated that she had to sedate such a happy, upbeat conversation, but she just couldn't hear the humans talk about her and Darkrai like they were some, some... puppets in a show. (And, yes, Skye Furie does know what a puppet show is, thank you very much, because I explained it to her before the makings of this story. Because I have author powers and can talk to currently unmade characters. Boo-yah.)
"I give up," Barry groaned, turning off his computer at long last. "No sense in making myself nuts."
Ash leapt to his feet.
"That's the spirit – just go for it!"
The two boys faced each other, hyped up again.
"You're right – just go for it! Hey Ash – wanna go for a run?"
"You bet!"
And the two boys sprinted form the room.
"...What are they running for?" Dawn asked Brock, unimpressed. Brock laughed.
"Trying to burn off some of their excitement," he chuckled.
And I shall go with them to ensure they are unharmed, Skye Furie assured them, and leapt out of the room.
The night was cool, and she easily caught up with the two teens.
"...Tomorrow I'm battling Paul, in front of a huge crowd!" Barry crowed. "I am soo psyched!"
"Me two!" Ash cried, running beside him. "And no matter what kinda battle I have with Conway – I am not gonna lose!"
"Yeah – gah!" Barry shrieked and pointed. "It's my victory star!"
"No way," Ash argued, "it's my victory star!"
Care to see it up close? Skye Furie offered, smoothly sliding between the two as they ran. Ash and Barry were both pushed sideways as her furled wings jostled them.
"What do you mean, Skye?" Ash asked.
Cursing his cluelessness, Skye Furie grinned.
Hop aboard the Skye Furie Express!
Barry caught on and whooped, leaping sideways, landing on her draconic frame. He managed to get his gangly long legs on either side of her, and grinned.
"Whoo! I'm riding an invisible dragon!" he grinned. "Come on, Ash!"
Ash too, jumped sideways, and scrambled on behind Barry. The two gangly fifteen-year-olds held on as Skye Furie increased her speed.
Hold on for takeoff, she cautioned.
"How?" Barry yelped. "We can't see you!"
And then Skye Furie leapt into the night sky. Her wings stretched and clapped the air loudly as they ascended into the cool night air.
"Whooo-hoo!" Barry cried, and Ash was laughing loudly.
Skye Furie then took the time to adjust the light around her as she glided.
"Skye, we can see you!" Ash cried above the shrieking wind, and she smirked.
Of course. But now, no one can see any of us. I bent the light around you lot as well. Hold on, folks.
"I hate this bit," Pikachu grumbled from his perch on Ash's shoulder.
Skye Furie clasped her wings and dived.
Ash and Barry both clutched her scales and screamed with excitement and exhilaration as she twisted and spun through the sky. Soon, the dragoness flew so high the island was only a cluster of dim orange specks far below. She craned her neck as she glided.
Well, she smiled. There's your victory star, boys. The two looked up and gasped.
"Would you look at that," Ash murmured.
"So shiny," Barry breathed.
"I'm just glad the Skye Furie Express has reached a pit-stop," Pikachu grumbled, controlling his churning stomach, but was nonetheless amazed by the beauty of the night sky, so close, almost within reach...
The stars shone with an exultant beauty, shimmering and glinting, far more breathtaking up here than so far down on the ground. The moon as well gleamed with luminescence and odd power.
The boys' victory star shone the brightest of all. It seemed to glow with a white, soft, silvery light, promising hope, courage - and victory.
You've outdone yourself, Jirachi, Skye Furie thought dryly to the star maker.
I try my best, a soft, faint voice tinged with light humour answered, and Skye Furie laughed softly, content to glide, to help encourage the two teens astride her back for the battles to come.
Cuz I just love Barry.
Did you like the battle? Okay, I admit to changing Stacey's third pokemon... but flygon is much cooler. Siriusly.
And I loved writing Dawn's Paul drawl. That scene in the computer room is one of my favourites. Barry is just awesome.
Okay, you guise know the drill - please read and review! And thanks for sticking with this fanfiction! You make me feel loved. :D
SkyeFurieX