—14—
The Quarter Finals
TANNER
"I think I speak for everyone when I say the last announcer was lackluster and forgettable. So, I'll be taking over from here. Hello, everyone! And welcome to the Celadon City Junior League Tournament quarter finals. You know me as Ace Trainer Kate, and while I might not have made it very far, rest assured, these contenders have some fiery hot battles in store for you!"
Tanner looked around as the crowd went wild. Even the ones having never heard of Ace Trainer Kate felt the electricity in the air as she nabbed the microphone and took over. It sounded like something Tanner might do, but since he was still in the competition, he needed to keep his head in the game. Having peeked at the roster, he knew his next match awaited.
Caleb must have sensed Tanner's nerves. He stood behind him rubbing his shoulders and clapping him on the back. Josh snuck away, maybe to heal up his Pokémon or maybe to deal with his nerves on his own. Tanner took a deep breath and waited for Katie to continue.
"After demonstrating unprecedented skill against Eric in the previous round, Tanner from Pallet Town emerged victorious and is ready to face his next challenger. Does he have what it takes to face off against Victoria from Fuchsia City and her tough-as-nails Steel-types? There's only one way to find out!
"Challengers! Make your way to field number two and get ready to battle at the sound of the horn. Come on, folks! Let's cheer them on! I want to hear you make some noise!"
The crowd went wild and Tanner chuckled, thinking Ace Trainer Kate might have a career as a Pokémon match-caster in the future. Something about having a friend behind the microphone gave him an extra boost of confidence.
"Get out there and show her what you're made of," Caleb said. He gave Tanner a smack on the butt.
His opponent was almost as tall as he was. She dressed in a dark gray gi and wore her jet-black hair in a tight bun. Dressed like a ninja, he figured her to be one of the resident trainers in the Fuchsia City gym, but then wondered why her team consisted of Steel-type. They were renown for Poison-type.
Get your head in the game. It's about to start.
The horn sounded and he threw out his first Pokémon at the same time she did.
"Go, Pikachu!"
"Go, Steelix!"
Shit.
"Quite a matchup, ladies and gentlemen!" Katie chimed in. "How will the electric mouse fair against the iron snake! Don't look away!"
The Steel/Ground-type meant Pikachu's electric attacks counted for nothing. The high defense stat of this Pokémon and resistance to almost everything promised a swift defeat if Tanner didn't play his cards right. He wished he had listened to Caleb and saved money enough to purchase a Thunderstone. Red, a champion from decades ago was famous for opting to keep his Pikachu unevolved all the way to the League. Tanner wasn't that sentimental, especially when other trainers accused him of being so once they saw Pikachu as a part of his team.
I should switch out but if I do, her Steelix will get an attack of opportunity I cannot afford. Let's do this!
"Pikachu, use Dig!"
"Pikachu burrows underground, folks!" Katie announced for those unable to see from their vantage.
"Steelix, use Rock Throw!"
Since Pikachu was nowhere to be found, the move had no effect. Steelix proved to have great aim as the rock landed where Pikachu had been only moments before. Tanner watched as Pikachu emerged from underground and attacked Steelix with a super-effective attack. Despite the type-advantage here, the move didn't do much damage he could see. The Pokemon's outrageous defense kept it strong and in the fight.
"Steelix, use Rock Throw!"
The rocks smashed Pikachu, sending him skittering across the field. While not a super-effective hit, the combination of Steelix's attack and Pikachu's less-than-impressive defense made it so. Another hit like that, and Pikachu would be down for the count. It would take four or five Dig attacks to bring Steelix down.
I've got to take the chance, or I'm going to lose.
"Pikachu, return! Go, Charmanda!"
"Steelix, use Rock Throw!"
By some serendipitous miracle from the gods, the attack missed. Good thing too. It would have been a super-effective hit and potentially fainted Tanner's star Pokémon in one hit. Umbreon and Pikachu could probably bring Steelix down eventually, but who knew what Pokémon this trainer had in store. Tanner had missed her first match because he'd been busy with his own against Eric.
I guess we'll find out.
"Charmanda, use Ember!"
The hit was super-effective. While Steelix's defense was unmatched, it possessed no proclivity for enduring special attacks. Weakened by Pikachu's Dig attack, the Steelix fainted from the blow and Victoria called it back to return. She hit the button on her next ball and threw it out to the middle of the field.
"Go, Lucario!"
Tanner should not have been surprised. Lucario was another one of those super-popular Pokémon trainers from all over the world coveted and trained. Its versatility in attack and special attack, move pool, potential mega evolution, and pop culture exposure changed it from rare to cliché in Tanner's opinion. However, he wouldn't mind having one of his own.
"Lucario, use Bone Rush!"
Uh oh.
The super-effective attack hit only twice, and Charmanda managed to cling to conscious long enough to fire back. Tanner was not expecting Lucario to have the speed advantage here and it became clear to him Charmanda's training was far from over.
"Charmanda, use Ember!"
The super-effective hit bathed Lucario in flames. It shrank back and fell to one knee, clinging to consciousness when it should have fainted. Tanner grit his teeth and notice for the first time, a Focus Sash in Lucario's hand. The item served a single purpose: to prevent one-hit-knockouts. And it did its job.
"Finish this, Lucario, with another Bone Rush!"
While the attack would have probably continued for three or four hits this time, statistically speaking, it only took one for Charmanda to faint. Tanner called back his prize Pokémon and decided it was time to get daring.
"Pikachu, go!"
"Lucario, return!" Victoria called out as she brought her Pokémon back. Tanner hoped for this. Since Pikachu outclassed Lucario in the way of speed and knew Quick Attack, it guaranteed a victory. This left her no choice but to switch out and hand Tanner an attack of opportunity on a silver platter. And this is where he took a gamble, having no idea what Pokemon she might bring out next.
Not a Ground-type, not a Ground-type, Tanner prayed.
"Magneton, go!"
"Yes!" he exclaimed under his breath as the Electric/Steel-type emerged from its ball and took its place on the field. "Pikachu, use Dig!"
"Magenton, use Protect!"
The attack of opportunity ended up fruitless, but Tanner wasn't worried. With Ground being super-effective against both Steel and Electric, it would only take one. The more a Pokémon used Protect, the more likely it was to fail.
"Pikachu, use Dig!" Tanner commanded.
"Magneton, use Protect!"
It failed. Pikachu's attack came in like a wrecking ball but to Tanner's surprise, Magneton sustained the attack.
"My Pokémon's Sturdy ability is just as good as a Focus Sash," Victoria taunted. "It cannot be fainted in a single attack."
I'm seeing a recurring theme here.
"Yeah, yeah! Get on with it!"
"Magneton, use Tri-Attack!"
The attack was not enough to faint Pikachu, but it's added effect was enough to induce a burn. Tanner seethed silently on his end of the field as the burn damage fainted Pikachu. Now, Victoria's only Pokémon were clinging to consciousness by a thread. It should be easy enough to defeat her now.
"Umbreon, go! Use Pursuit!"
While not very effective and better used when an opponent was switching out Pokémon, it was easy to land a KO on Magneton. Victoria switched it out for Lucario. Here, she had the speed advantage and could land a super-effective hit, Tanner knew. He hoped Umbreon's defense was better.
"Lucario, use Aura Sphere!"
The attack was devastating, but Umbreon's toughness won out.
And now it's over.
"Umbreon, use Payback!"
Umbreon unleashed a terrible attack of its own. While Tanner considered it overkill, the crowd went wild.
"Tanner from Pallet Town is the winner!" Katie called out. "This secures him a place in the semi-finals, everyone! Let's give it up one more time for Tanner!"
Tanner raised his arms in victory. He ran over to Umbreon to pet him and give him praise as well. He produced a PokéPuff. Victoria called back her Lucario and approached Tanner with her hand extended.
"You're a good trainer, and a fantastic match," she said. "For what it's worth, I hope you win and I think you've got a great shot here."
"Thank you," he replied. He shook her hand and when they stepped off the field the exchanged PokéConnect information. While he liked to gloat his victories over trainers when he won, when they showed respect and suffered defeat with dignity and grace he refrained.
"Congratulations!" Caleb said, coming over to ruffle his hair. "That was amazing!"
"Thanks, buddy," Tanner replied. "I'm going to go heal up. Josh's next match is coming up. I think he'll be on field four."
"I'm actually going to watch Casey's match," Caleb said. Tanner raised his eyebrows.
"You've got a thing for that guy."
Caleb blushed. "I do not. I'm with Josh."
"Doesn't mean you can't have a thing for someone else," Tanner pointed out. "It's kind of a jerk move to cheer on some other guy when your boyfriend is competing the same prize, by the way."
"You think?" Caleb inquired.
"I think," Tanner echoed. "If you were my boyfriend I'd be upset."
Caleb made his adorable, forehead-wrinkled frown of contemplation. No doubt, mulling over what Tanner had said and deciding it might be better to spectate Josh's match after all. Tanner left his friend to his pondering and made his way to the machine to heal up his Pokémon. He greeted the Chansey-clone in classic fashion and she laughed, blushed, and avoided the topic altogether.
One of these days…
Tanner collected his Pokemon and made his way to field four where he found Josh pacing back and forth. He caught his friend unaware when he placed a hand on his shoulder, causing him to start.
"You scared me."
"Sorry."
"Congratulations on your match," Josh said. "I'd have come to watch but—"
"No worries," Tanner interjected. "You were prepping for your own match. Do me a favor and win, okay?
"That's the plan."
"I have a feeling Casey is going to win his matchup," Tanner said. "That means one of us might get paired with him in the semi-finals. Win or lose, I'd rather face you in the finals than him."
"His team…" Josh trailed off.
"I know! I've been thinking about it for a while though. You re team has a better shot than mine. Pikachu and Charmeleon can't stand against his Torterra and Umbreon can't carry me the whole way through."
"Charmeleon is a female," Josh pointed out. "Luxray's ability Rivalry will count for nothing in a matchup. And, since she hasn't evolved into Charizard yet, Thunder Fang won't be as deadly and will prevent super-effective attacks."
Before further discussion, Katie made the microphone squeal over the PA and cleared her throat before her announcement.
"Would Josh from Pallet Town and Daisy from Celadon City please make your way to field four! Pokémon battle on field four, please."
Tanner snickered. Katie used the same tone of voice one used when making an announcement for a cashier to come to the front at a department store. He and Josh exchanged snarky looks and rolled their eyes together.
"Good luck," Tanner said.
"Thanks."
"Alright, the two of you know the drill. At the sound of the horn, throw out your first Pokémon and let the battle begin!"
The horn sounded and Tanner watched as Josh and Daisy threw the balls to the center of the field.
"Go, Espeon!"
"Vileplume, you're up!"
Tanner looked around and saw Caleb was nowhere to be found. He shook his head and hoped Josh didn't notice. If he knew his boyfriend was off watching some other boy battle and cheering him on it wouldn't only hurt his feelings, it might throw him off his game.
I swear I'll brain him if he doesn't show up soon.
"Espeon, use Psybeam!"
The super-effective hit was not enough to faint the Vileplume, but, in a stroke of luck, caused confusion. The victory was short-lived, however. The Vileplume held a Persim Berry and devoured it the moment it became confused, snapping it out straightaway.
That only works once.
"Vileplume, use Sludge Bomb!"
Daisy's Pokémon projected a glob of purple goo to explode on impact once it connected with Espeon. It caused poison and while Synchronize would have normally forced the enemy Pokémon to share the status affliction, Vileplume was immune.
"Espeon, hit it again with Psybeam!"
Vileplume fainted and Espeon suffered poison damage. The rules prohibited the use of Antidotes or switching out in response, so Josh kept Espeon on the field while Daisy brought out her next Pokémon.
"Victreebel, go!"
The flycatcher Pokémon hit the field and sent another pang of shame through Tanner. Since he didn't budget his money as well as he should have, he was not able to afford a Leaf Stone to evolve his Weepinbell either. If he walked away from this tournament the winner, he was going to hit the mall again.
"Espeon, keep it up with Psybeam!"
The super-effective hit was not enough to Victreebel in with a single hit.
"Victreebel, use Slam!"
The hit wasn't enough to knock Espeon out, but the poison damage inflicted afterwards caused him to faint. Josh called Espeon to return and hit the button on his next ball.
"Go, Nidoqueen!"
Nidoqueen gave a monstrous roar when she hit the field, powerful enough to rattle Tanner's teeth. Everyone in the crowd gasped and he grinned. Nidoqueen looked ferocious but he knew her to be very friendly. Her Poison Point ability kept her from being the cuddliest of Pokémon, but it amused Tanner to see her being intimidating.
"Victreebel, use Slam!"
Nidoqueen and her high defense took the attack in stride. Her Poison Point offered nothing in this situation because of Victreebel's typing. It was a good matchup, neither one of them having any kind of advantage.
"Nidoqueen, hit Victreebel with a Body Slam!"
Tanner worked together with Josh helping him to super-train Nidoqueen's attack and knew she packed a punch. His Pokémon suffered many a paralyzing Body Slam from the she-hulk. Having previously suffered a Psybeam from Espeon, the Victreebel fainted. Daisy called back her Pokémon and pressed the button on her next ball to unleash her final contender.
"Tangrowth, go! Use Ancient Power!"
The Rock-type move was not very effective and bounced of Nidoqueen with little effect. Luck favored Daisy today, however, because her Pokémon glowed with the stat increase. Tanner shook his head. Seemed like no matter how unlikely to transpire, opponents had the best luck as of late.
"Nidoqueen, hit Tangrowth with a Body Slam!"
Luck turned in Josh's favor quick enough. The hit was critical and the attack paralyzed poor Tangrowth. With it's boosted defense it wasn't enough to do it in.
"Tangrowth, fire back with another Ancient Power!"
Tangrowth was unable to move due to paralysis.
"One more time, Nidoqueen! Body Slam!" Josh called out
Tangrowth fainted and the crowds cheered Josh's name. Tanner congratulated him with a big hug when he returned. Both secured a place in the semi-finals. It meant one-in-three they'd battle each other next match. Either one might face Casey with the same odds. Tanner hoped it would be Josh versus Casey and that Josh would emerge victorious. If he was going to lose, he wanted it to be against Josh, not Casey. He honestly thought Josh had the better chance for victory too.
"Congratulations, man! I'll see you at the semi-finals tomorrow!"
"Thanks!" Josh said. He looked around, frowning. "Where's Caleb?"
Tanner didn't have the heart to tell him so he only shrugged. It bothered Josh enough that his boyfriend wasn't there to cheer him on. If he found out he ditched him to go watch Casey's match…
"Why don't we meet up with Katie and make plans for dinner?" Tanner suggested. "There's a good sushi place here in town."
Josh stuck his tongue out and pretended to gag and vomit. Tanner rolled his eyes. He wasn't sure he'd ever seen his friend eat anything but hamburgers, hot dogs, and pizza. Caleb complained about his pallet all the time saying his pallet lacked refinement.
At least he has the sense to come support the people important to him.
"Shouldn't we look for Caleb first?" Josh asked.
"Nah!" Tanner dismissed. "We'll text him and he can catch up to us." He walked with Josh to the machine to heal up his Pokemon and led the way to Katie at the announcer box after that. The first announcer was reading her for filth while the official League coordinator tried to diffuse the situation.
"All I'm saying is the crowd loves me," Katie said. "They were hitting snooze on their alarms with you. I got them cheering and making noise. You could at least pretend to be excited and not reading things from a teleprompter."
"You are out of line, young lady!" the announcer said. "Are you going to let her get away with this? You paid me to do this job, not her."
"I'll do it for free," Katie said, be fore the League official could reply. "Let him keep his fee and let me finish the event. Seriously! I'll do it for the publicity and experience. My followers are eating this up."
When the League official agreed, the announcer stormed off in an angry huff. Tanner stifled a laugh. Josh let out an "Oof" as he watched the angry dust cloud kick up under the announcer's feet.
"Congratulations, champion-in-the-making!" Katie said, throwing her arms around Josh. He blushed but returned the sentiment.
"I don't know about all that…"
"Don't sell yourself short, kid," she shot back. "It's your dream, right? You're one step closer because of how you battled today."
"I'm worried about the matchup tomorrow," Josh confessed.
"We both are," Tanner added.
"You're worried Casey's going to mop the floor with your teams, aren't you?" Katie asked. They nodded. "Maybe he will, but neither of the two of you are going down without a fight. Do what you can to prepare and give it your best; it's all you can do."
"You sound like Caleb," Josh said. "Speaking of which…"
"Who wants pizza?" Tanner interjected. "My treat! I'll race you there."
Fortunately, that proved enough to get Josh and Katie to follow. Tanner requested a table for four at the door and texted Caleb.
We're at the pizza place across from the Game Corner. I put in for a table for four. I covered for you, by the way, but I won't do that again. You ditch Josh to make googly eyes at Casey again and I'll let you sleep in the bed you make. Jerk.
The hostess informed them the wait would be about twenty minutes. Caleb showed up in fifteen. Josh rushed up to hug him and tell him he won. Fortunately, he was more excited about the fact that he won a place in the semi-finals than he was concerned as to why Caleb wasn't there. Tanner gave Caleb nothing but daggers.
"Glad you could join us."
Caleb gave him a side-long glace.
"Tanner, party of four!"
"Let's just enjoy dinner together as friends, okay?" Caleb said, whispering in Tanner's ear.
"Start acting like a friend and maybe we will," Tanner shot back. "You'd better be there for him tomorrow."