I walked in. It was surprisingly underwhelming. I found myself in weird light purple room that was surrounded by blackness as well as floating white transparent cubes. I don't really understand what I just wrote either, so moving on.
At the center of the room, where on the floor laid the Pokémon League logo, was a boy. He seemed fairly youngish from my flawed point-of-view, and he wore a superhero mask. Okay, well, I didn't even know who the fuck this person was, but I figured I was going to find out. I decided to keep Miranda out, since the room seemed like it was for "physics" if anything, and since there isn't a Physics-type as far as I know it must be for the Psychic-type, which are weak to the Dark-type, of which Miranda the Umbreon is a part of. (Excellent deductive skills, brought to you by Lyra.)
I approached the boy warily after I decided that the floating cubes wouldn't smack my head.
"Welcome to the Pokémon League!" he said. I blinked, because I just realized I was speaking to a man, not a boy. A man wearing a superhero mask.
"Allow me to introduce myself," he said, wisely understanding that nobody kept up with the current Elite Four these days. "I am Will. I have trained all around the world, making my Psychic-type Pokémon powerful. And, at last, I've been accepted into the Elite Four."
He paused, obviously to give me the same favor of introduction.
I cleared my throat. "Um...I'm Lyra."
"All right," he said, before launching into the intimidation process of his planned speech. "I can only keep better after my years of practice! Losing is not an option!"
A television screen that I have not noticed at the back of the room flickered our faces and names. I stared at it in shock as Will suddenly tossed out a Xatu. I couldn't even comprehend what was going on, even as Elite Four copyrighted music started playing in the background.
"Um...Miranda! Attack with a sucker punch!"
Xatu moved first, hitting Miranda limply. It did probably did close to no damage. Miranda initiated on her attack, hitting Xatu solidly. Xatu screamed disproportionately to the small amount of damage Miranda created, and Will and I stared as Xatu fainted after one hit. I couldn't believe this was happening to me.
"Okay, then!" Will said, throwing out Exeggutor. I noticed how he tugged at the bottom of his sleeve; it was a strange shirt he was wearing, some mix between a sleeveless tuxedo that was over a thin burgundy shirt that matched his pants.
"Okay," I said. "Miranda, do the move...from last time."
Exeggutor tried to build up their defenses, which must have worked well since Miranda's move wasn't as effective the second time around. This time, we needed to do something else with this, such as using Miranda's disarming cuteness. During the multiple tail whips Miranda committed to performing, the Exeggutor succeeded in sending some egg bombs and doing hypnosis to cause Miranda to sleep, the latter of which I didn't expect to work as well as it did. Without me using any items, Miranda still became the outright victor of that mess, since all the egg bombs the Exeggutor tried to use seemed to have a ten percent chance of hitting anything. They just continued to miss...on a sleeping Pokémon.
Will's mouth trembled just a little as he tossed out Jynx, his third Pokémon. Jynx managed to get in one icy themed punch before Miranda got rid of it in one hit again.
"Wow, Miranda, you're on a roll today," I said.
She flipped her head back in assent. This was going extremely well. Slowbro was never going to get in a hit because he was too busy buffing up, which was making me incredibly happy. Then Will used a Full Restore, which was, personally, only a delaying of the inevitable, because even then, Slowbro did nothing besides trying to buff up. Last minute, Slowbro used an offensive Water-type move which took me off my focus until Miranda once and for all finished the fight after a Hyper Potion I had to her take me some reassurance. For whatever reason (I guess it was the buffs?), it was too stubborn to faint, and the Slowbro had to take some time before it realized it had to faint like a reasonable Pokémon.
"Us Psychic-type trainers don't give up, even when it comes to the last Pokémon. That's what makes us so formidable."
Ignoring the fact that literally every trainer I know goes down to the last Pokemon, it doesn't make you formidable. It makes you stubborn, because it seems like Will is trying to reject an obvious outcome. Which is...he was going to lose. And he probably knew it from the first move Miranda made. Throughout that fight, I didn't really need to use any other Pokémon besides Miranda. That was her moment, so to speak.
When the moment finally happened, and his last Pokémon fainted, there was a silence. I took a deep breath—my first Elite Four battle was over with.
"I...I can't believe it..."
He was shocked from his defeat, I could see that. Perhaps I was wrong about the Pokémon League—maybe people don't win as often as I thought. Or it could be that it was mere fact he lost against me, a youthful looking girl. Today I was dressed in my old childish outfit for once, because I felt like if I was going to win against the Pokémon League I would return to New Bark and would have to see my mother again, and she liked it when I wore these clothes. Will withdrew his Xatu, his hand shaking so slightly.
"Even though I was defeated...I won't change my course."
I wasn't expecting that either. Was he really so shaken? He must've felt defeat at some time as a member of the Elite Four. They all do. So why does he feel the need to defend himself again? These thoughts are making me so miserable.
"I'll continue battling until I stand above all trainers," he said, and for whatever reason I suddenly thought of words from Kris's journal—
"There is nothing else I want to do right now besides place myself at the top of the world above all others."
I think she did go against the Elite Four and Champion, actually. Kris, I mean. She probably came here at one point, and won, because there was nothing she wanted to do more than win. She strived for victory in Pokémon battling in a way I don't, in a way Silver does. I almost asked Will if he went against her once, and if he remembered her, but I thought better of it. It just didn't seem right.
"Move on," Will continued, "and experience the true ferocity of the Elite Four." He sounded bitter as he says this, because he knows he's not as strong as the others and that's why he shows up first.
He must feel awful. I'm sure that the other Elite Four members are glad because they're not him. I know I am.
The door at the end of the room clicked open. I ran towards it and entered a room that was dark, where green plants grew in between cobbled stones. Had I not known better, I would've assumed this person was a Grass-type but I actually recognized him when I saw him. It was Koga, an extremely popular former Kanto Gym leader that specializes in Poison-type Pokémon. He's considered to be a ninja master, and both Kanto and Johto know how morbid he is. I actually felt kind of scared to talk with him, because his evilness is legendary. I've heard rumors that he was a part of Team Rocket, so I don't even know how he managed to get a good enough reputation to serve at the Pokémon League, which is supposed to at least have some standards in who is allowed to join as a leader.
Or maybe not. The committee that weeds through potential Elite Four candidates could've laid off the person who did background checks. I wouldn't be surprised to get that from them.
I walked up to Koga, pretty sure he would try to go savage on me in this fight. Since Kitty knew a Psychic-type move which should help with Koga's Pokémon, I got him next to me.
"I am Koga of the Elite Four," he announced after a crackling laugh. "I live in shadows—a ninja!"
"A ninja..."
I would've thought it completely laughable had I not already been familiar with this human being. I can't comprehend the point of even pretending to be a ninja—a spy—when everybody already knows who you are and are on guard when they are around you. Doesn't that change the point of being a ninja? Thoughts, thoughts, my useless thoughts...
"My intricate style," he declared, "will confound and destroy you. Confusion, sleep, poison...prepare to be the victim. Pokémon are not merely about brute force, as you shall see soon enough."
The television in the back of the room flickered back on. Here we go again.
I gestured Kitty in front of my as Koga's Ariados came out. Ariados? Cinder could've taken care of that.
"Kitty, fly over and launch an aerial attack," I ordered. He tried, but he missed, and I cringed. Losing in front of Koga would've been horrible.
Second time was the charm but Ariados had successfully poisoned Kitty in the meanwhile. I still don't understand Koga's philosophy here since the poisoning had quite a bit of brute force associated with it even then. The proper philosophy to announce would be where brute force and biological weapons were coupled into a dangerous combination, so I choose to point Koga out in here for having such a shitty, misleading statement.
But Kitty couldn't win. Ariados was faster, more deadly. Kitty fainted so I took Cinder out instead on behalf of the latter's flame abilities, which successfully ravaged Ariados. Forretress, Koga's next Pokémon, couldn't stand a chance against Cinder as it couldn't withstand Cinder's powerful fire. Nor could Koga's Crobat or Venomoth, both of which were inadequately prepared to take Cinder.
"You have proven your worth," Koga said. "I subjected you to everything I could muster. But my efforts failed."
Yeah, I guess it could be summarized that he failed. Cinder alone could've carried the team.
On another level, I just felt relieved. I didn't have to deal with the horror for losing against Koga, because I won against him. This was better than I could've thought. Losing against somebody like him would've been terrible.
"I must hone my skills," Koga mused. "Go on to the next room, and put your abilities to the test."
Yes, I thought, until I completely stomp them as well.
Stepping over the vegetation contained in Koga's room, the musty smell of it bothering my nostrils, I hurried onto the next one. It looked sort of like a fighting arena with lava pits, so I imagined that this Elite Four member was a Fire-type trainer. He was shirtless and wore flowing white trousers, and I thought his face was familiar but I didn't really remember him. Anyways, I decided I'll take out Lorcan first. He was well trained as any of my Pokémon and ready to go, with a generally powerful Water-type move in his arsenal.
"I am Bruno of the Elite Four," he started simply. "I always train to the extremes because I believe in our potential. This is how we became strong. Can you withstand our power?"
I nodded to get this over with, and flashed my trainer card slower than usual for extra measure.
"I see no fear in you...you look determined." He held out his Poké Ball, tossing and catching it in the air. "Perfect for battle. You will bow down to our overwhelming power."
He released the Poké Ball, revealing a Hitmontop. I gaped because Hitmontop is definitely not a Fire-type, and is as generic a Fighting-type as someone can possibly get.
Bruno, who was sitting on the floor barefoot to show how little he cared about our match, commented on how my boldness has left me.
"Not really," I countered, trying to bring back my own self-confidence. "Lorcan, let's start this with status moves."
He obeyed, paralyzing the Hitmontop in a single hit with an electric charge. Lorcan didn't seem nervous at all, only antsy to get this battle business through with. He tried to work with splashing waves of water at the Hitmontop, though this had more limited effect than I hoped. The Hitmontop seemed to make it a goal to spend more of its life underground than not, because it kept annoying heading downwards to start up a Ground-type move that went up to affect Lorcan.
"All right then," I said. "Let's start with a classic—"
Understanding exactly what I meant, Lorcan tackled Hitmontop harshly. It was his favorite move, and mine as well. And it worked very well on the Himontop, causing to immediately descend into a weak state. Knowing Bruno would use a Full Restore again, I told Lorcan to continue using that move, which brought the Hitmontop back to its poor situation even after the Full Restore was used, where Hitmontop was then was finished off with Lorcan's Water-type move. Hitmonchan was taken out after that, and from then on, Lorcan and I gradually worked through the rest of the team, switching into Cinder momentarily when I realized Hitmonchan knew an Ice-type move that would clash with Lorcan's Dragon-type flavor. I started to realize that the amount of Hyper Potions I had was nowhere enough, though I tried to push that thought away for then. For right then, I was doing okay. For the most part.
Bruno was slightly stunned when he lost, withdrawing his Hitmonlee. People do tend to really hate it when they lose, even when they're not trying their all with the best kind of Pokémon they have.
"Having lost, I have no right to say anything..go face your next challenge."
I suppose that was enough. I entered the next room which was purple and sparkly. I would've thought of it to be a Psychic-type trainer's room had it not been for Will, so I assumed it was a Dark-type trainer. The person in front of me was a woman with long wavy light blue hair and a flirtatious smile. She wore yellow heels which matched with her yellow cropped top, which seemed to be a rather energetic set of clothing. I couldn't even fucking guess how old she was. She was some shade of "young", whatever that's supposed to be. But also old enough that whatever she was wearing was edgy...I don't even know.
I healed my Pokémon enough to the point it was reasonable and put Hamako first since I didn't know who else to put. Then I approached, ready to defeat this new person I had to beat up. I did some preschool math and figured she was the fourth member, which obviously is supposed to indicate she's the strongest since she is, after all, the last of the Elite Four.
"I am Karen of the Elite Four," she said. She stopped like Will did in order to hear my own name.
"I am Lyra." I really put in the effort this time. Four syllables, each strong in their own right.
She snickered. There was something about the way she did, the light in her eyes, that made myself bristle. "You're...Lyra? How amusing. I love Dark-type Pokémon."
She flipped her hair over her shoulder, and I don't know why, but I thought about Kris again. Boredom, I guess. My mind is diverting itself to other things.
"I'm known for my overpowering tactics. Think you can take them? Just try to entertain me."
The television at the back of the room flickered on, and I don't even know or care who's controlling it, but I gesture my Lapras in front of me. The words "Let's go" barely managed out of Karen's mouth. We had started into battle so suddenly, and her first Pokémon was an Umbreon, which I could appreciate.
"Hamako, let's try our best."
She agreed with me, because we have never done anything besides try our best, right?
I worked efficiently for Karen, switching my Pokémon so I always had an advantage over her. Her Houndour, however, was powerful beyond belief. Hamako barely took me out of that, or we may have lost. It was a disaster, and I desperately hoped I would never be in that situation again. I believe that shows I had an equal in Karen, in some ways.
"You're no ordinary trainer to get this far," Karen said with her last Pokémon, Umbreon, left. She had switched it out earlier in the match.
At this point in my journey, this felt like a validation for everything. I had been told by a member of the Elite Four I am no ordinary trainer. Now I can go home. I've come all those way, rushing through the random bushes and beaches of Johto, to hear those words. I went beyond the average trainer, and I'm done here. I can't even name a motive for doing this stuff during what was supposed to be my break from society. I guess I'm just that much of a people-pleaser: when the people around me suggested I do something, I went ahead and did it, regardless of how I felt. I don't think that's a good aspect of myself, actually. I've got none of the benefits of being a people-pleaser too.
When the battle with Karen was all over, she said, "Strong Pokémon. Weak Pokémon. That is only the selfish perception of people. Truly skilled trainers should try to win with the Pokémon they love best. I like your style. You understand what's important."
"Thank you."
"Go on. The Champion is waiting."
Regarding what Karen said...there's really nothing else I could say on the matter. I guess I like all my Pokémon in the main team and that's why I continue to use them. I'm not sure what else I could've done, though.
At the beginning of my journey, I made a choice to bench a Pokémon, Cherry the Hoppip, because he wasn't strong enough for my taste. I guess I could've tried harder training him, but with Cinder showing himself to be the stronger one in every situation, Cherry was pushed to the side. I bonded with Cinder through that scenario because I noticed how his battle prowess compared to the hapless Hoppip, which is bitter to confess, but I liked Cinder so much better when I realized other Pokémon habitually do worse than him. I do try to reassure myself with the thought that Cherry would've never been able to keep up with my team, however. Compared to Lapras, Dragonite, and Umbreon, there was no comparison with Cherry's most evolved form, Jumpluff, which would've been the weak link in a team of Pokémon that would have had overwhelmingly better stats.
That's what I keep telling myself, anyway.
So...I have defeated the Elite Four. I wish I had some good tea right now to commemorate the moment. This feels like an accomplishment of some kind, even if I'm not getting badges like an elementary school child anymore. Though here I am, sitting on the floor of Karen's room, writing. My hand keeps shaking, which is distracting in light of the fact I am supposed to feel extreme calm, like a Koga-inspired ninja.
The Champion is next. It's down to this. All I need to do is act badass as fuck and beat Lance. I healed up my Pokémon, winced at my lack of healing potions, and started for the door. I decided that I was going to act like I was going to win this, whether I was or not.