A whole new chapter, sweet! Time for the beginning of the end! The second to last challenge starts now!
Now for this chapter, I decided to make the challenge take place in Kanto/Indigo Plateau. Needless to say, I have to admit that Kanto has the lamest Victory Road ever. For the sake of the chapter, act as if the Victory Road is a combination of all generations.
Check out the end of the chapter for a special message/fun thing.
000
"So as you can see, this is Victory Road!" said Mew, gesturing to the enormous cave behind him. "Home to Moltres, who is thankfully not here, and the place where trainers must brave to get to the Pokemon League. Pretty neat, huh?"
"You're awfully chipper after such a beating," observed Wooper.
"Shut...up," snapped Mew. "We're back on track, we're not talking about ANYTHING that isn't challenge related now, understand? You need to get through Victory Road to get to the final game, understand?"
"You've made that abundantly clear," said Hypno, sneering. "Now why don't you just get on with explaining the challenge and be useful?"
"Alright then, Palkia punching bag," said Mew angrily. "The challenge is extremely simple. Get to the other side of Victory Road."
"That can't be it," said Gardevoir in disbelief.
"Believe it. That's it. The only catch is that you have to get through the whole cave in an hour."
"An HOUR?" said Diglett. "That's impossible!"
"No it isn't," argued Mew. "You can work together. You can help each other. You can use all of your powers. But be warned, I've put in several obstacles, such as lakes, waterfalls, large rocks, and among other things."
"Thanks Mew," grumbled Gardevoir.
"And don't forget, when I say you can use your powers, that means they can be used for anything- helping or harming is allowed. If you want to attack each other, you can, and it's fine. Just be sure to be at the end of Victory Road after an hour. If you're not there, you don't proceed to the final."
"What if everyone makes it?" asked Wooper, cocking his head to one side.
"That's optimistic of you, but if that's the case, the last one to make it still loses. Of course, if you and Wooper make it at the same time, I can hold a brief tiebreaker or something."
Diglett and Wooper exchanged a determined glance and nodded.
"Any other questions?" asked Mew.
The contestants shook their heads.
"Good, then we'll start in a moment."
000
"I think Wooper and I can do this!" said Diglett. "But still, it's hard to believe we even got to the final four in the first place...did everyone just forget about us or something?"
000
"Alright! I think we can do it!" yelled Wooper. "And hopefully, Gardevoir or Hypno goes down this time. I don't know if competing against them is going to be a fun time."
000
"No limits?" asked Hypno, his eyes glittering dangerously. "Perfect. I'll be coming for you, dear."
000
Gardevoir closed her eyes in concentration. "How I made it this far, I'll never know, but now that I'm here, I intend to stay. I can't let Banette's sacrifice go in vain."
Gardevoir held up Hypno's pendulum in her hand and clenched her fist. "Banette didn't have it. I did. I'll have to make sure Hypno doesn't get it back. If I can just get through, this game is mine."
000
Gardevoir exited the confessional and looked from side to side, before heading towards Mew at the entrance of Victory Road. Hypno slinked out from behind the confessional, scowling deeply, before a sickening smile rose to his face as he followed her to Mew. Wooper and Diglett were already there and waiting.
"Are you all ready? Then let the challenge begin!" said Mew. "Your hour starts...NOW!"
The four contestants rushed inside, with Gardevoir and Hypno running ahead. Wooper rushed behind them, pulling Diglett along.
000
"An hour to get through...an hour to get through," said Gardevoir, panting as she ran ahead. There had been a fork at the beginning of the cave, with Gardevoir taking the right, and everyone else going left. She closed her eyes in concentration for a moment, trying to figure out the easiest way through.
"I came from the south...so if I'm going east right now...I'll have to find a way to the north...after that, I'll just have to keep track of where I'm going and I can make it."
Gardevoir continued forward before she tripped and hit the ground. Scratching her head, she looked back to see a broken wire. Confused, she looked at it, about to say something before a rumbling cut her off. Looking up, her eyes widened to see a bunch of rocks tumbling down to her. Gritting her teeth, she activated her psychic powers to stop them, before lowering the rocks around her.
"A trap...," she mused. "That means there'll be more of them. Mew failed to mention that...I bet it was on purpose."
Gardevoir stopped. "Why on earth am I talking to myself? Sheesh. I'd better get through here...fast before I lose my mind."
Quietly, she walked ahead, disappearing into a corridor that led to a new section of the cave. As she left, the sound of footsteps reappeared, and Hypno emerged from the gloom, his eyes fixed ahead where the Embrace Pokemon had just been standing.
"You'd better be worried about losing more than just that, my dear," he hissed, slowly trailing after her.
000
"I don't see why you wouldn't just let me out of this wheelbarrow, Wooper," said Diglett, shaking his head.
"Because we have to get farther!" said Wooper. "Besides, what if we encounter water, or a lake or something?"
"I could always dig under it," protested Diglett. "You don't have to do all this work."
"We don't know how long that could take!" said Wooper. "What if you need your wheelbarrow for the next challenge?"
"We don't even know what it is!"
"I don't care!" shouted Wooper, still steadily pushing Diglett along. "You're my best friend and I'm not going to leave you behind!"
"Wooper...," said Diglett, shaking his head. "Okay, that's great and all, but we're still not sure where we're going."
"We'll find a landmark soon! In fact...I found something up ahead! Let's go!"
Wooper pushed hard and eventually hit a large rock. Diglett's head smashed against the stone, and when the poor mole finished shaking his head off, he glanced ahead to see a large lake.
"It's a lake...great...how are we supposed to get across?" asked Diglett. Wooper responded by pushing Diglett up and into the water. Despite the slightly heavy wheelbarrow, it began to float in the water. Wooper got behind it and flicked his tail a few times.
"Leave it to me!" said Wooper, grinning as he shot forward, his tail almost resembling a propeller behind him. Diglett watched his friend in amazement, before turning around. His eyes widened.
"Wooper! Look out! There are buoys ahead!"
"What, no girls?" asked Wooper, glancing up. Then he gulped as he swerved past a large orange buoy, and then another. Wooper began to lose control as more buoys crowded the area. Giving one last mighty push, he charged forward. There was a loud crash as both Diglett and Wooper shot out of the water and landed on the shore in a crumpled heap. Wooper sprayed a bit of water out of his mouth.
"Who puts buoys in the lake?" asked Wooper, annoyed. Diglett shook himself off.
"Maybe it's an obstacle...Mew said there'd be some...I wonder what else we're going to have to deal with," pondered Diglett aloud.
"You know what bugs me?" asked Wooper. "Remember how Hypno was right behind us?"
"Yeah, why?"
"I'm looking across that lake and he still hasn't shown up...and there were no shortcuts on the way," said Wooper.
Diglett cocked his head to one side. "Huh...actually, yeah, you're right! I wonder where he went..."
Wooper frowned. "Probably to cause trouble if I know him...wait...you don't think..."
"That he might be targeting Gardevoir?" finished Diglett. "Who knows...but I hope she's okay..."
000
"My plan?" asked Hypno. "Easy- follow Gardevoir, and get the pendulum back. After that, it was curtains for her. Alas, dancing queen, soon you will dance no more."
000
"I was really scared," said Wooper. "I kept expecting Hypno to leap out and get us...but it didn't really happen..."
000
As all four contestants moved forward, Mew was relaxing in a chair, watching them on his monitors. He was sipping a large glass of pink lemonade and wearing some nice shades. So far, Gardevoir was in the lead, but Hypno was tracking her like a dog. Interesting. In the meantime, Wooper and Diglett had taken a different path. Mew smiled. It was getting interesting, and it was only 15 minutes in.
There was a loud noise and out of nowhere, Mewtwo appeared, landing next to Mew. He folded his arms, arching a brow.
"You got comfortable fast," commented the mutant.
"I try...how'd the mission go?" asked Mew.
"Let's just say it was semi successful before we even got there," said Mewtwo. "That puppet's a sly one."
"So you got him back? Where is he?"
"He requested something from me and I granted it. It won't break the game- in fact, it should make it more interesting for everyone."
"That's all I have to hear," said Mew, grinning. "So. How'd it go with S?"
"...just fine," said Mewtwo, curtly. "On the account of me not running away from my problems."
Mew stopped dead before glancing back. "What did you just say?"
"You heard me. It's time you patched things up with everyone. Especially Celebi."
"Are you INSANE?" asked Mew, eyes wide. "She's psychotic!"
"She is NOT, and you know exactly why she's angry with you. Stop making excuses and deal with the issue," snapped Mewtwo.
Mew scowled darkly, before clenching a fist. "Just go, Mewtwo. I don't want to hear it."
"Same as usual," scoffed Mewtwo, turning around and striding away. Mew sighed before checking the time again. About 20 minutes now...which meant that is was the perfect time...
000
Gardevoir was pushing a massive boulder out of the way with her powers when she heard a familiar noise which hadn't been heard in a while.
DING!
"I thought we were done with music!" she protested.
"Only for while Hitmonlee was still on the plane!" yelled Mew in a megaphone. "Alright, final four! Get ready to sing!"
Hypno cursed quietly, backtracking away from Gardevoir quickly- no way was he letting her hear him sing. He needed to keep his cover until the right moment.
Wooper groaned. "Well, here we go again."
Diglett sighed. "Let's just get this over with."
((Author's Note: Yep, the songs are back, although this one isn't a huge deal. It's a rather upbeat but fast song in my mind. This one is called "The Winner Is...Me!"))
Wooper: We're heading to the finals!
We've got to move real fast!
We've only got an hour...
So we can't come in last!
I'm gonna get through this cave!
And then I'll finally be...
In the finals, the winner is...me!
Diglett: Come on Wooper, don't rush!
We've got plenty of time!
I don't want to fall out!
In the middle of a climb!
We're nearly in the finals
At the Pokemon League,
Look out! The winner is...me!
All: So many challenges...we've come so far!
Traveling by planes, boats...and even cars!
The final obstacle...is this cave!
Gardevoir: We all have a good shot...if Hypno behaves!
Hypno: Hey!
All: Headed to the final...and then you all will see!
That the winner is...me!
Hypno: I've made a thousand plans!
I've hatched a thousand schemes!
They've gotten me this far!
Much closer to my dreams!
I'll be winning this game!
My enemies should flee!
It's mine! The winner is...me!
Gardevoir: The finals will be here soon!
I've got to make the cut!
I need to prove myself...
And kick that Hypno's butt!
My friends are in my heart,
And they will all agree...
That the winner is...me!
All: Challenges have gone by...we all have changed!
Easy ones, hard ones, and some just downright strange!
Now all we know what we have to do!
One more task then we'll be finally free from Mew!
Mew: Huh?
All: Headed to the final...and then you all will see!
That the winner is...me!
Headed to the final...and then you all will see!
Diglett: The
Wooper: Winner
Hypno: Is
Gardevoir: Me!
000
"As if it'll be any of them," laughed Hypno, shaking his head.
000
Wooper groaned as he hit a dead end, panting. "Darn! How the heck are we supposed to get through if we keep hitting dead ends! These are all of the paths from before!"
Diglett frowned. "Yeah, we took every path but...well...wait, maybe that one with the big rock in front of the door can be passed!"
Wooper blanched. "We have to push a GIANT ROCK out of the way!?"
"Well, I think we have time to!" said Diglett.
"Attention everyone, you only have twenty minutes left!" yelled Mew to everyone in the cave. Diglett froze.
"Apparently not," grumbled Wooper, grabbing Diglett and pushing him back the way they came. Diglett frowned.
"You look tired, Wooper."
"I've been tired a lot of this competition- I've pushed you this far! I won't stop now!" said Wooper as they continued.
000
"I think a lot of people underestimate Wooper...I think the only reason he hasn't been a top competitor is because he's been dragging me this whole time," said Diglett. "Who knows...without me, Wooper could win the whole thing, hands down."
Diglett paused. "In comparison, I need to be out of a wheelbarrow to do anything. But Wooper never used that against me. That's a true friend right there..."
000
Hypno frowned, tapping his chin. "If Gardevoir goes down, all I have to do is take out one of the dynamic duo to succeed. Child's play, really. The only question is, which one is the easier target? The one trapped in the wheelbarrow, or the one who pulls it?"
000
As Gardevoir parted a small lake with her powers, she frowned, stepping through and muttering to herself as Mew made the announcement.
"That's not a lot of time...but I'm sure I'm close to the exit. This cave only has four or five levels, and I know I'm on the fourth."
Gardevoir continued to move, unaware that a pair of eyes were on her the whole time. She sighed and kept going.
"Of course, there are multiple paths and traps...but I know for a fact I haven't gone down...I just hope I'm far enough ahead to make it...Mew wouldn't make me go all this way just to reach a dead end- that would be a lame outcome."
Gardevoir hopped up to a long ledge. She peered down below. It was a massive drop, with both rocks and water at the bottom. "I didn't see this on my way through...quite a pathway."
She looked ahead, to see another large lake. Fortunately, this one had a path along it. And what was that up ahead? Another hole?
"If that passage leads up, I might be home free!"
As she stepped forward, however, she stopped. She heard a large humming noise. Just as she turned, a huge ball of shadow struck her in the side, sending her skidding back to the ledge. Looking up, she saw a familiar face step out from behind a boulder.
"Well, well, well," said Hypno, stretching his fingers as he strode towards her. "I didn't think my path would cross with yours."
"Don't play a fool with me," said Gardevoir, eyes narrowed. "You've been following me this whole time."
Hypno didn't try to deny it, simply shrugging his shoulders. "You cleared every obstacle for me, and I couldn't follow Dumb and Dumber. This whole challenge was a cakewalk. But of course, I have my other reasons."
Gardevoir held up her hands, which were glowing with pink energy. "Such as?"
Hypno smirked as his own hands glowed with dark energy. "Well, I can admit I've been wanting this for a long time."
Gardevoir scoffed before charging up a powerful blast of energy and throwing it at Hypno. Hypno side stepped it and threw a large attack back at her, which Gardevoir nimbly avoided. But Hypno was ready, with two more attacks on the way. She ducked under the first, but the second attack caught her off guard. Gardevoir was knocked off her feet and slid backwards. A small clinking noise was heard as she struggled to get up.
Gardevoir looked up quickly. "No!"
Hypno was twirling a familiar object around his finger. "Ah yes. As I recall, you had something that belonged to me. I think I'll take it back."
"Your pendulum isn't going to work anymore!" shouted Gardevoir. "The competition is thinning, Hypno! Everyone knows your secret! You can't hide how ugly you are behind that face, no matter how much makeup you wear!"
Hypno froze, before his expression shifted from smug to terrible. His eyes blazed and he clenched a fist which started to hum with more black energy.
"DON'T CALL ME UGLY!" he roared, swinging his hand and sending a large blast at Gardevoir. Gardevoir was ready this time, and grabbed it with her powers and sending it to the ceiling. Hypno spat in frustrating, but was caught off guard when a large rock hit him in the side. He sprawled out on the ground, struggling to his feet.
As Gardevoir stepped forward, she saw familiar bruises on his body. Deep purple marks. Wait...hadn't she done that before?
"What...what ARE you?" asked Gardevoir. Hypno looked up. He didn't look handsome at all anymore. He looked enraged, in an almost feral fury, and he looked as if he was on the verge of snapping completely. But he didn't answer. He just charged another attack and sent it towards Gardevoir. She managed to dodge it, but Hypno was ready and sent more attacks her way. Gritting her teeth, she danced out of the way.
"What am I, you ask? The winner, you stupid girl!" said Hypno, grinning horribly. "They all thought of me as a loser and a freak, but I'll show them what I'm really made of! You other psychics think you're so great, but I'll show you all true manipulation!"
"Manipulation?" asked Gardevoir, cocking a brow. "Are you kidding me? You have no manipulation skills whatsoever!"
Hypno stopped his onslaught for a moment. "What?"
"The only thing that allows you to fool people is that pendulum! You may think yourself a clever, charming schemer, but you only got Weavile on your side without your stupid little magic tricks! You think you're so hot? I tricked Weavile last season without hypnotizing her once. Bronzong convinced us all he was no threat!"
Hypno seethed and bared his teeth. "SHUT UP!"
"And let's not forget Alakazam, the one person who you couldn't beat with or without cheating!" said Gardevoir. "He never trusted you, he never fell for your tricks once, and while you did something to him that I don't know, he still kicked your ass for all of the world to see! You may be a bit smarter than some people, but you are NOTHING compared to Alakazam!"
Hypno stopped before letting out a terrifying, borderline demonic cry. "YOU STUPID, IDIOTIC, DISTURBED WOMAN! HOW DARE YOU? HOW DARE YOU THINK YOURSELF BETTER THAN ME? YOUR GOOD LOOKS AND STRENGTH ARE NOTHING COMPARED TO ME! AND HOW DARE YOU BRING UP ALAKAZAM IN MY PRESENCE? HE'S A LOSER! HE LOST! I BEAT HIM!"
"We beat him," corrected Gardevoir quietly, staring into his eyes. "You never beat Alakazam. We were the ones who eliminated him, not you. He was the only one of us you never could fool. He always saw you for the disgusting thing you are."
"He...saw...through me?" muttered Hypno, looking down, clenching his hands. And he could almost hear it. The clever words of an amazing chess master. The direct accusations with no sign of doubts. And that laugh. That knowing, mocking laugh of Alakazam seeing through every plot.
"Even after he's eliminated...that damned spoon wielding BASTARD STILL HAUNTS ME!" roared Hypno, sending another large shadow ball towards Gardevoir. This time, she was caught way off guard and was sent skidding to the other end of the path, sliding over the edge. Grabbing hold of a rock, she struggled to get up, but was stopped when a foot crushed her hand.
"How tragic," said Hypno, cool and composed once again. "You've come so far, lost so many friends...just to fail. I win. But...don't worry, I won't let you fall to your death...after all...hypnotizing you, I can win right now!"
Gardevoir froze. "What?"
"You heard Mew. Make it to the end, and you're eligible for the final. But after an hour, you won't make it. I won't be going to a final- all I need for you is to take out Diglett and Wooper for me, and I'm home free!"
Gardevoir growled. "You won't get away with this! You won't!"
Hypno leaned down, holding his pendulum. "I already have."
Gardevoir closed her eyes, but Hypno grabbed her face and pried one open. Gardevoir resisted before growing still, staring at the pendulum.
"You will obey me. There's no Banette or Mismagius to look out for you anymore..."
Gardevoir stopped. Hypno laughed and offered her a hand up, which Gardevoir took.
"Now then, you will-"
"AHA!" screamed Gardevoir, blasting Hypno backwards into a wall. Hypno crashed into the stone, gasping for air.
"WHAT...BUT...I HYPNOTIZED YOU-!"
"Banette isn't the only one with Insomnia...," said Gardevoir. "You have it too! The moment we fought, you already unraveled your whole plan! Didn't you remember my Trace ability?"
"I...I thought once I had knocked you over...the battle was done!" snapped Hypno, coughing.
"You tend to think you've already won, even before you do," said Gardevoir. "And that flaw will undo you every time, especially in the finals."
Hypno growled, seeing Gardevoir, but hearing Alakazam. "Stop...MOCKING ME!"
"It's over Hypno. I hope I don't see you in the finals," said Gardevoir, pressing a bunch of rocks up to Hypno's body.
And with those words, Gardevoir ran on ahead into the next room, leaving the other Pokemon buried in stone.
000
Gardevoir ran through before seeing a small light. Running forward, she eventually found herself emerging from the cave. She stared with wide eyes before she heard cheering. A bunch of old campers were there.
"We've got our first finalist!" shouted Bellsprout. "Gardevoir, you made it!"
"I...I'm out...I...I got in the final?" said Gardevoir, dazed.
"Yes you are!" shouted Mew, floating beside her. "Good job, Gardevoir! And with only ten minutes to spare!"
"Ten minutes," she whispered, glancing back to the cave. "I hope he's down for that long."
"Bellsprout, Gliscor, take Gardevoir to the waiting room!" said Mew. "I'll be waiting for the others!"
Gardevoir took Gliscor's claw and was led away, weary as hell, but not from the challenge.
000
In the dark of the cave, there was low groan as a bunch of rocks flew across and hit the wall. Slowly, the crushed villain made his way to his feet.
"Not yet," snarled Hypno. "I haven't lost yet!"
000
"We all saw what happened," said Gliscor, grinning. Bellsprout had left long ago. "Nice bang up job you did on Hypno. You won't be hypnotized by him, ever. He's gonna hate you just as much as he hates Alakazam."
Gardevoir gave a small smile, shaking her head. "It's good to see YOU back on your feet. Or wings. Glad to know you're not sick anymore."
"Well, at least I got a small sum for the whole sickness ordeal."
"Yeah but...you seem a lot better than normal...," said Gardevoir. "More...relaxed? Free spirited?"
"Yeah...Pidgeot and I broke up," admitted Gliscor.
"Thank goodness," said Gardevoir, shaking her head. "She made you miserable."
"Well...uh...yeah...anyway, here we are," said Gliscor, stopping at the door. "There's a lounge inside...and there's someone waiting for you."
"Cacturne?" asked Gardevoir.
"No," said Gliscor.
"Mismagius?"
"No. Just go in, sweetheart," said Gliscor, grinning. Gardevoir frowned and stepped inside. She looked around before hearing a familiar voice.
"Hey there."
Gardevoir whirled around to see a familiar puppet grinning at her. Her eyes lit up and she grinned.
"Banette!"
Banette walked over casually, before Gardevoir hugged him tightly. "You're back! I thought you were stuck there forever!"
"Times change! Mewtwo and his girlfriend picked me up- apparently he didn't want his one rival to be taken down by someone else. I cut a deal with Giratina, and we're good. I'm here to stay!"
Gardevoir sighed in relief. "That's great. Really. Have you uh...talked with Mismagius?"
"Not yet," admitted Banette. "Anyways, I only wanted to say hi, but I've got to get back to the challenge."
"Oh right, the challenge...what is it?"
"Can't spoil that for you," said Banette, motioning a zipper motion with his mouth. "Let's just say I hope you're not in my bracket."
He walked away, waving to Gardevoir, who was looking confused now.
000
"Bracket?" asked Gardevoir. "What's he talking about?"
000
Wooper and Diglett entered a large cavern, looking around frantically. The only thing ahead of them was a large wall. Wooper gulped.
"We've got to find a way up!" shouted Diglett. "We're running out of time! Mewtwo made the ten minute announcement at least two minutes ago!"
"We'll find a way," assured Wooper, glancing around wildly. There had to be a way. He looked around before he stopped, looking back up to the wall...someone was up there. Someone tall and yellow.
"Hypno!" cried Wooper.
"Hypno?" asked Diglett, looking up. Hypno, who was walking along the ledge, stopped, before looking down at the remaining members of Team Vent.
"...yes?" he asked quietly, but loud enough for them to hear. Diglett and Wooper exchanged a glance. It was this or nothing.
"How did you get up there?"
"It doesn't matter. I don't plan on telling you," said Hypno, laughing. "No need to hide my intentions. I intend to win."
"At least win with honor, you jerk!" snapped Diglett.
"No...I prefer to win as easily as possible," said Hypno, starting to walk away.
"That's it!" growled Diglett. "Let me out of this wheelbarrow, Wooper! We're gonna dig up there faster than Hypno can make it to the end!"
Hypno stopped, before looking down, his eyes darkening. Gardevoir was one thing, but these two buffoons? He'd rather die than lose to them. A little overkill wouldn't hurt.
"I don't THINK SO!" shouted the Psychic, as he honed his powers. The large lake that was next to him started to flow and before Diglett and Wooper knew what was going on, a large waterfall began to flow over the cliff. Diglett's eyes widened as the dirt was covered by flooding water fast.
"Sorry, boys, but I won't be taken out by the likes of you!" said Hypno, running off while cackling over his shoulder.
Diglett looked down, gulping. "This is bad, Wooper! The cave is filling up! I can't dig us through!"
"I said I'd get you to the end," said Wooper, eyes hard and voice determined. "Now let's GO!"
Pushing Diglett along, Wooper headed for the waterfall, swimming through the water.
000
Hypno stepped out of the cave, smirking as the rest of the contestants groaned. "How much time was there to spare?"
"About five minutes...nearly four now," said Mew. "Congratulations, Hypno, you now have the second spot in the finals!"
"Naturally- and I'll have first in this whole game soon enough," said Hypno, laughing.
"Someone escort him to the Pokemon League- I need to watch the other competitors," said Mew, floating off.
"I'll do it," said Dragonite, unhappily. Lapras rested her head against him, but he smiled.
As Hypno was led along, he looked at the great dragon. "So. How have you been?"
"I know you don't care, so I won't answer."
"Sleeping better, I hope?" asked Hypno, smirking. Dragonite growled before looking down at him. Hypno tensed up. He saw what Dragonite did to Gliscor- he wasn't about to let himself get hit.
But Dragonite laughed and relaxed, before opening the door to the Pokemon League. "Don't worry, Hypno. I don't want to hurt you. I just want to watch you get what's coming to you on the big screen."
Hypno scoffed, but his eyes were afraid as he stepped into the Pokemon League.
000
"They're all idiots," Hypno muttered. "I'm going to win. WIN!"
000
Hypno stepped inside the Pokemon League, smirking as he sat down in front of Gardevoir. To his slight annoyance, she didn't seem surprised so much as disappointed. She simply frowned slightly and glanced down at the magazine she was reading. Hypno eyed it carefully. It was about psychology. How drab.
"What a shame it is when your plans of victory don't turn out the way you expect," said Hypno, chuckling.
"Are you trying to predict your own downfall?" asked Gardevoir, not looking up from the magazine. Hypno glowered, but didn't snap back.
"I was simply saying how while my plan to take you out of the competition failed most...annoyingly...I still managed the next best feat. The dynamic duo won't be joining us."
THAT made Gardevoir look up, and her eyes flashed. "What did you do to them?"
"I just gave them some help when they requested it."
"Whenever you get the chance to help someone, you help yourself," said Gardevoir angrily. "I'll just have to avenge them as well!"
"Oh please," said Hypno, snorting in derision. "Don't act as if they ever had a chance against the two of us. The only reason why they got this far is because I didn't deem them a threat, similarly to you."
"Well, you made a mistake there," said Gardevoir, cocking a brow. "I'm still standing after all your little tricks."
Hypno grit his teeth, but forced himself to stay calm. He wasn't going to lose control again. "Yes, well, I suppose I could've searched your file. But then again, I'm surprised you didn't take the time to break into the files yourself and look me up."
"I considered it, actually," admitted Gardevoir. "But I found more interesting things in other files, so I checked those instead. Not that it mattered- yours wasn't there anyway."
Hypno stopped. "What did you say?"
"I said your file wasn't there. You took it to hide your secrets, right?"
Hypno was silent. Gardevoir looked up, realization dawning on her.
"I see...so you DON'T have it."
Hypno was confused. That didn't make sense. There was no way she was lying...she had thought HE had it...but...then...what did that mean?
000
"If she doesn't have it, then where could my file be?" asked Hypno, looking a bit scared. "It had to have been before she checked! But when did she look? WHO HAS MY FILE?"
000
Diglett and Wooper were trying to make their way up, before the waterfall knocked them back down. The cave was flooded high now, but nowhere near as high as they needed it.
"It's no use!" cried Diglett. "We're too heavy!"
"Won't...give...up!" growled Wooper. "If I can't push you, I'll pull you up!"
Diglett stared at Wooper for a long time. But not the same way he stared at Luxio, or Trapinch. Wooper had been there for him the whole time. When it was someone who had to push Diglett along, it was Wooper. When there was a task with no ground involved, Wooper pushed Diglett through. Countless times, he had carried Diglett away from danger. In the Old Chateau, in Stark Mountain, on the Cycling Road, Wooper had always been there.
It was really thanks to Wooper that Diglett had even gotten this far.
The world seemed to slow down as Diglett thought, and he looked down into his wheelbarrow. Yeah. Without Wooper, Diglett wouldn't be here right now.
And with Diglett here right now, Wooper wouldn't be the final.
"Wooper...stop."
"What?" asked Wooper, panting and hopping into the mole's home. "Do you have a plan?"
"Yeah...you have to leave me behind Wooper," said Diglett quietly.
"...what?" asked Wooper. Then he chuckled. "Come on, man! No time for jokes! Be serious or we won't be in the-!"
"I am serious, Wooper."
Wooper stopped laughing and stared at his friend. "But...I...I've dragged you all this way. You...you're my best friend."
"And you're my best friend," said Diglett, his voice a bit harsh. "I...I wouldn't be here without you. And now I want you to get farther without me."
"NO!" shouted Wooper. "I won't leave you!"
Diglett shook his head weakly. "Wooper...I never had a chance...I'm stuck in a wheelbarrow. I may have feet-!"
"You have feet!?"
"Don't interrupt, Wooper."
"Sorry."
"I...I may not have had a chance of winning, but you still made this whole experience one of the best times of my life," said Diglett, looking up at his friend. "And now...I want you to win and make it the best experience of YOUR life."
Wooper stared at his friend. "Diglett..."
"You don't have a lot of time! Go! I'll be fine, Mew won't let me drown!"
Wooper quivered for a moment before head butting Diglett and leaping into the crashing waves. Diglett watched as Wooper swam up the waterfall, heading to the passageway out. Diglett gave a look of joy as he watched.
"Go get 'em, pal."
000
Wooper sniffed in the confessional. "I'm sorry...I'm so, so, sorry, Diglett...I'll...I'll win for you!"
000
Diglett shook his head. "I knew it wasn't meant to be from the beginning of the challenge. I only got through the last few challenges based on a luck alone. But compared to most Pokemon that are stuck in wheelbarrows, I think I got one hell of a ride!"
"Wooper, don't be sad. You can do it- I know you can! And hey, if there's another season, maybe my time will come...I'll get my chance to shine. Well...as long as there's no water."
"Good luck, man. You'll always be my best friend."
000
"Hey, Hypno, Gardevoir!" said Mew, opening the door. The two Psychics looked up, Hypno confident, Gardevoir apprehensive.
"I hate to add to your already long list of inconveniences, but there's now a third finalist!" said Mew, grinning. Hypno's eyes widened, and Gardevoir stood up.
Drenched and soaked to the bone, Wooper tottered into the Pokemon Center, gasping for air. Gardevoir ran over while Hypno snarled under his breath. He had only managed to take out one.
"Wooper made it with a minute and a half to spare! And so Diglett was eliminated!" said Mew. "Now then, I'll give you about a half hour to rest up. Get some treatment from the Pokemon Center, because you're going to need to be ready for the next challenge!"
Mew exited the room, while Hypno just stomped off to the Pokemon Center, grumbling.
Gardevoir knelt down beside the mud fish, who was still shivering. "Wooper...Wooper, what happened? Are you alright? Is Diglett okay?"
Wooper didn't answer. His eyes were staring at the back of a certain yellow hypnotist.
"Wooper?"
"I'm going to beat him, Gardevoir," vowed Wooper, eyes determined. "I don't care if I win a million dollars or a single poffin. There's no way I'm letting Hypno win!"
000
Be sure to read below in this author's note:
And that's it! The end of a long chapter!
So, the final four raced in an hour long challenge. As long as you made it under the time and weren't last, you were in the final. Of course, this challenge wasn't the main feature of the chapter, but more on that later.
The final four are back and so they competed. Gardevoir and Hypno had an epic showdown, where we see different sides of each character. Gardevoir has gone calm and determined, while Hypno is angry and enraged. Some hints about Hypno have been revealed, and while he has the pendulum, someone else has the file. In addition, Gardevoir seems to be figuring out her own things.
And so Diglett was eliminated. I knew people weren't expecting the two of them to get to the finals, and they were right- only one of them will be in the final three, and that's Wooper. Despite them often being the comic relief, I think it was a serious scene that we got with Wooper and Diglett there. They had similar stories- romance issues and being underestimated. But no matter what, they had each other's backs and were friends to the end.
Fun Fact: Diglett was originally going to make it to the end before Wooper in the final two. Wooper was going to pass out after pushing Diglett so far, leaving Diglett to push himself forward into the finals. However, the final two was changed to the final three, and Wooper was swapped for Diglett. On a more Diglett note, he was originally going to be shiny and make it much farther in TPI.
We see some familiar faces! Gliscor, Bellsprout, and GASP! Banette is back! What was the deal he cut with Giratina? And what does Gardevoir have to prepare for? What's Hypno's plan? And will Wooper succeed? We'll find out in the next episode.
But before we get to the endings, how about a fun little event? Fans, you may gather information and eat your heart out. In your reviews, you may leave up to five questions that I will answer for you, as narrow or broad as you like. I will answer them as long as you follow these rules:
-No plot spoilers
-You must have an account so I can respond to you, or else I won't be able to.
-You can ask anything- it can be a rated G question to an M question. So you can ask me "What's this camper's favorite color?" or "How far have these two campers gone in a relationship"? No holds barred. You can even ask "What are each camper's favorite movie?" I will answer. For all of them.
-Try to keep it story related.
-Advice is allowed, but don't send me requests to review stories and other stuff.
Anyways, now you know. Have fun!
Next Episode: This challenge puts last season's to shame. The final three have to fight friends and foes alike to reach the final prize at the end. Familiar faces show up, including two who seem to have been absent all season, both good and bad. One contestant doesn't make the cut, but they have a different final battle instead. And in the end, two contestants duke out for the million. Only one will win this Pokemon League.
Diglett: Review! It'll be great for the story!