Chapter 38 - Seeing Indigo!
Silver and I had arrived back in our seats after the battle was underway. It seems Dawn had the advantage in this one.
"OK, Kokoro, now use Bonemerang!" Dawn said.
Kokoro, Dawn's Marowak, threw its bone like a boomerang. It struck the opposing Trainer's Jynx, knocking it out.
"Jynx is unable to battle!" the referee said. "Marowak is the winner!"
"Great job, Kokoro!" Dawn cheered. Kokoro turned to its Trainer, giving her a thumbs-up, but was promptly struck by its bone, which had come back to it after being thrown at Jynx. "Kokoro, are you OK?"
Kokoro got back up easily, picking up its bone. Embarassed, it readjusted its skull and then took a battle stance.
"It seems Dawn's Marowak lost its focus there for a second. But it's not going to let a silly mistake get in its way of victory here today!" the MC said.
"All right, let's go, Politoed!" the Trainer said, releasing it from its Poke Ball. "Use Water Pulse!"
"Kokoro, send it right back at it with Bone Club!" Dawn commanded.
Kokoro waited for an opportune time, then swung its club to send the Water Pulse right back at Politoed. The Trainer was too taken aback to respond, so it hit Politoed dead-on, knocking it over.
"Politoed!" the Trainer exclaimed.
Politoed slowly got back up, but as it did, it began to lose its footing, and stumbled around.
"Oh, and it seems Poltioed's confused itself with its own Water Pulse!" the MC said. "How embarassing!"
"Politoed, use Hypnosis!" the Trainer commanded.
Politoed shook its head, then cast a wave of sleep towards Kokoro.
"Kokoro, dodge, then use Bonemerang!" Dawn commanded.
Kokoro jumped over the wave of Hypnosis, then threw its bone at Politoed.
"Politoed, deflect Marowak's bone with Water Pulse!" the Trainer commanded.
Politoed let loose a burst of water that struck Kokoro's bone, stopping the attack.
"And now, the tables have turned on Dawn, as Politoed's Water Pulse has rendered Marowak without its crucial bone!" the MC said.
"Use Waterfall!" the Trainer commanded.
Politoed ran towards Kokoro as it landed.
"It can't dodge!" I yelled.
"Kokoro!" Dawn exclaimed.
Politoed readied a fist of water. However, just as it was upon Kokoro, it did an about face and aimed its Waterfall attack in the opposite direction of Kokoro.
"And it seems Politoed's confusion has caused it to aim its Waterfall attack in the opposite direction!" the MC said.
"Kokoro, show 'em what you've got!" Dawn said. "Thunderpunch!"
Marowak charged electric power in its fist, then slammed it into Politoed. The attack sent it flying, and it was unable to get up.
"Politoed is unable to battle!" the referee declared. "Marowak is the winner!"
"Way to go, Kokoro!" Dawn said.
Retrieving its bone, Kokoro turned to Dawn and gave her another thumbs-up.
"And now, the score is three to one, with Dawn in the lead!" the MC said.
"All right, Rhyperior, time to take it home!" the Trainer said, releasing it from its Poke Ball.
"Rhyperior..." I said. "I've never seen that Pokemon before!"
"Rhyperior is a Pokemon that evolves from Rhydon after it's been exposed to a Protector." Silver noted. "Protectors are items manufactured in the Fuego Ironworks, in Sinnoh."
"Hmm..." I said. "I just hope that Dawn knows how to handle it..."
"Begin!" the referee said.
"Rhyperior, use Stone Edge!" the Trainer commanded.
Rhyperior slammed its foot to the ground, causing the earth to crack. A giant boulder flew into the air, and Rhyperior punched it, sending the stones towards Kokoro.
"Kokoro, dodge the stones and use Bonemerang!" Dawn commanded.
Kokoro ran towards Rhyperior, weaving its way through all of the stones fired at it. It then got a clear shot, so it took aim at Rhyperior.
"Rhyperior, use Earthquake!" the Trainer commanded.
Rhyperior slammed its fist into the ground, causing Kokoro to stumble.
"Rock Wrecker."
Rhyperior dug its fist into the ground, then dragged it with it as it ran towards Kokoro. Once it got close enough, it brought its fist up with incredible force, bringing up shattered debris of the stage as it did. Kokoro was sent flying high into the air, and it hit the ground hard, unable to get up.
"Marowak is unable to battle!" the referee declared. "Rhyperior is the winner!"
Everyone was gasping in awe at the incredible power that Rhyperior had. It completely wrecked its side of the stage.
"Dawn..." I said under my breath.
"Aquari, your turn to shine!" Dawn said, releasing her Blastoise from its Poke Ball.
All right, Dawn, I thought. Your Blastoise should be able to tear through that Trainer's Rhyperior!
"Aquari, use Hydro Pump!" Dawn said.
Aquari armed its cannons, letting loose two blasts of water that struck Rhyperior dead-on.
"A hit!" I noted.
"Indeed." Silver said. "After Rock Wrecker is launched, its user needs to recharge for a while before it's able to attack or defend."
"All right, Aquari, use Aqua Tail!" Dawn commanded.
"Strike back with your own Aqua Tail!" the Trainer responded.
The two Pokemon's tails glew a deep blue, then struck each other. The power struggle showed neither Pokemon gaining an inch of advantage.
"Aquari, use Hydro Pump!" Dawn commanded.
"Rhyperior, get out of there!" the other Trainer commanded.
Rhyperior broke the power struggle just as Aquari took aim at Rhyperior, blasting it with forceful blasts of water. Rhyperior fell over, knocked out.
"Rhyperior is unable to battle! Blastoise is the winner!" the referee said. "The victory goes to Dawn, of Olivine City!"
"And what a wonderful battle it was to see Dawn pull ahead like that!" the MC said.
One of the organizers of the tournament came to the competitor's bracket. He called two Trainers out. As they battled, we congratulated Dawn.
"Thanks, you guys!" Dawn said. "But I didn't do it by myself; my Pokemon, and their determination won it for us!"
"Hey, guys," Serii said, "You should come see this!"
We all headed outside to the main room. There, we saw a computer with a lot of pictures and data.
"That's odd..." I said. I looked over the picture until I saw my face. I was on a grid, and a Trainer and Silver were there as well. "This must be the battles that are going on."
We looked around at the other Trainers. A lot of us were able to identify our opponents just by looking at the grids.
"Well, isn't that just lovely?" Orchid said. "It seems Dawn and I are paired up in the next match of our grid."
We all gasped. Would Dawn be able to beat Orchid?
After analyzing our opponents, we headed back to the stands, devising strategies. I'd never met my opponent before, so I didn't know what to expect. However, Serii and Aaron were apparently first up in their grid match. Their grid match was match number 9 of 16; we were currently on match 6, even though it was just ending. The organizer came in and called two more Trainers.
I suddenly recived a call on my Poke Gear. It was Lorelei.
"Hey, sweets!" she said cheerfully. "Do me a favor and come to the VIP section, would you? And bring that Telen boy with you. Toodles!" Before I was even given a chance to respond, my Poke Gear turned off.
"I wonder what's up?" Telen asked.
"We'd better not question her and just go." I said.
We headed over to the VIP section. We froze as we saw the creme de la creme of Trainers here; all of the Elite Four of Kanto, the to-be Elite Four of Johto, and all of the Gym Leaders of Kanto. On top of that, a few other guests from other regions were there, including-
"Mom!" I exclaimed, running towards her.
"Grinder!" she said, giving me a hug. "You were wonderful out there!"
"Father!" I heard Telen say as he ran over to Steven.
"How are you finding the competition?" Clair asked.
"It's beginning to sink in, that's for sure." I said. "It's getting pretty serious."
"Tensions seem high on the battlefield." Clair said, gesturing to the field as a Trainer's Kingler was just knocked out. "But regardless, whether you win or lose, know that I'm proud of you."
"Thanks, Mom." I said.
"We just felt like saying hi, and congratulating you on your success." she said. "You've certainly come across quite a skilled group of Trainers."
"Thanks." I said. "I try to keep some strong Trainers around me to motivate me."
"Make us proud, all right, son?" she asked.
"You know I will." I said.
The two of us then returned to the waiting area. At that time, match 8 had started. It was a pretty heated battle, but we could tell Serii and Aaron were looking a bit tensed up about their upcoming match.
"What's with them?" Tobias asked.
"Pre-battle jitters, I imagine." I said. "The pressure's beginning to sink in."
As the battle drew near its close, the organizer came in and called down Aaron and Serii. The two nervously walked towards the field.
"Now, for match 9 of 16!" the MC said. "This battle will feature Serii of Hoenn's Verdanturf Town taking on Aaron of Fuschia City!"
"Time to see what Aaron has in store for us." Dawn said.
"Hmm..." I said pensively.
"All right, now to determine the field!" the MC said. The big display board shuffled through a list of fields. It eventually stopped at the ice display.
"It's an ice field!" the MC said as the field turned to a large sheet of ice, with small pillars of ice sticking out of it.
"Hitmonchan, run 'em over!" Serii said, releasing his Pokemon to battle.
"Kabutops, rip 'em to shreds!" Aaron said, releasing it from its Poke Ball.
"The first battle is between Hitmonchan and Kabutops!" the MC said. "Serii has type advantage, but could Aaron have some secret plan up his sleeve?"
"Begin!" the referee said.
"Hitmonchan, hit 'em hard and fast! Get in there with Close Combat!" Serii commanded.
"Aqua Jet." Aaron said calmly.
Kabutops and Hitmonchan both charged at each other with amazing speed. Kabutops leapt off the ground, surrounding itself in water, and struck Hitmonchan quickly, knocking it back.
"Hitmonchan, get in there!" Serii said.
Hitmonchan charged in, continuing its Close Combat attack. Seeing as Kabutops was still landing from the Aqua Jet, dodging was impossible.
"Protect." Aaron responded.
Kabutops surrounded itself in a barrier that blocked Hitmonchan's attack. Aaron smirked.
"Ugh...Hitmonchan, use Mach Punch!"
"Aqua Jet." Aaron responded.
Hitmonchan and Kabutops launched two high-speed attacks, but Hitmonchan slipped on the ice and tripped. It was hit full-force by Aqua Jet, and was knocked out.
"Hitmonchan is unable to battle! Kabutops is the winner!" the referee said.
"Whoa..." I said, taken aback.
"He...had complete control of that battle from the second it started!" Dawn exclaimed. "How's Serii gonna win against an opponent like that?!"
Serii returned his Hitmonchan to its Poke Ball. Aaron looked on, arms crossed and a stone-cold look on its face.
"Alakazam, get in there!" Serii said, releasing it from its Poke Ball. Alakzam appeared in a yoga position, floating slightly above the ground.
"The next battle will be Kabutops versus Alakazam!" the MC said.
"All right, Alakazam!" Serii said. "Use Focus Blast!"
Realizing that he had nowhere to dodge, Aaron played it smart. "Protect."
Kabutops threw up a barrier that blocked the attack.
Analyzing the situation, Aaron knew what to do. He waited for Serii to make a move.
"Alakazam, Shadow Ball!" Serii said.
"Get behind the rock on your right!" Aaron said. Kabutops leapt over the Shadow Ball attack and ducked behind a rock to take cover.
"Stone Edge!"
Kabutops then used the scythes on its arms to crush the rock, sending it flying towards Alakzam.
"Use Psychic!"
Alakazam used its psychic powers to stop the rocks dead in their tracks.
"Send them right back!" Serii said.
Alakazam flung all the rocks it caught back at Kabutops. The rocks struck Kabutops dead-on, knocking it out.
"Kabutops is unable to battle!" the referee said. "Alakazam is the winner!"
Aaron calmly returned Kabutops to its Poke Ball. "Dugtrio, burn them to the ground!" he said, releasing it from its Poke Ball.
"Alakazam, use Hidden Power!" Serii said. Alakazam focused its power into a circle of orbs, then sent it towards Dugtrio.
"Dig!" Aaron said. Dugtrio escaped the attack by burrowing underground.
"Where'd it...go?" Serii said.
"Night Slash." Aaron commanded.
Dugtrio burst from underground, whipping up a Night Slash. It struck Alakazam dead-on, sending it crashing to the ground. However, it was able to get up.
"Alakazam, use Psychic!" Serii commanded.
"Sucker Punch." Aaron commanded.
Dugtrio escaped the attack by once again digging underground, but as it surfaced, it struck Alakazam with a powerful Sucker Punch.
"Alakazam can't take much more of this..." I said.
"Alakazam, use Hidden Power!" Serii said.
"Sucker Punch, one more time!" Aaron responded.
Alakazam sent a burst of Hidden Power towards Dugtrio, but it dug undeground and struck Alakazam one last time, knocking it out.
"Alakazam is unable to battle!" the referee said. "Dugtrio is the winner!"
"Spectacular!" the MC said. "Aaron was able to easily avoid every attack made against his Dugtrio and strike back with a powerful attack, and now, Serii is down to his last Pokemon!"
"Aaron is really trying to get to Serii..." I said.
"I think that's how he battles..." Silver said. "And it seems to be working. Look at Serii..."
We inspected the battlefield. Serii looked really shook up, but Aaron looked cool as a cucumber...
"Haunter, it's all up to you now!" Serii said, releasing his Pokemon from its Poke Ball. "Use Shadow Punch!"
"Sucker Punch." Aaron commanded.
Dugtrio dug underground to dodge the punch, but the punch went undeground and struck Dugtrio, causing it to surface.
"Haunter, use Focus Blast!" Serii said.
Haunter released an orb of energy that struck Dugtrio, knocking it out.
"Dugtrio is unable to battle!" the referee said. "Haunter is the winner!"
Aaron calmly returned Dugtrio to its Poke Ball. He still didn't budge one bit. "Slowbro, destroy the enemy!" he said, releasing it from its Poke Ball.
"Haunter, Shadow Punch!" Serii commanded.
"Psychic." Aaron responded.
Haunter threw a punch at Slowbro, but Slowbro used its psychic powers to take control of the punch, stopping it in its tracks.
"Now, send it right back at Haunter!" Aaron said, almost trying to sound like Serii.
The punch was sent flying right back at Haunter. The attack made a direct hit.
"Water Pulse." Aaron commanded.
"Haunter, use Night Shade!" Serii said.
The two attacks collided, creating an explosion. When the explosion cleared, both Pokemon were on the ground.
"Haunter, get up!" Serii said.
"Slowbro, come on!" Aaron said.
Both Pokemon were struggling to get to their feet. As they did, they panted, exhausted, and then, one of them fell once again.
"Haunter is unable to battle! Slowbro is the winner! The victory goes to Aaron, of Fuschia City!" the referee said.
"And in an amazing turn of events, Aaron's Slowbro uses its resillience and determination to come out on top and win Aaron this preliminairy battle!" the MC said.
We were all in a state of shock. That match was intense.
The organizer came in to call two Trainers out for the tenth match. So far, Tobias was the only person that hadn't been called to his bracket. However, he was in match number 15, so he wasn't up for a while.
As the two Trainers returned, we didn't know what to do about it. Both of them were clearly shaken up by the match, but none of us were sure who to console, or what to say. We were at a loss for words, so we just watched the both of them sit down, and prayed that, as time passed by, nothing would happen that would make the tension in the room worse than it already was.
Eventually, a couple matches passed by, and Tobias' match was up.
"Good...luck..." I said silently as he left.
"Don't worry, I'll do my best." Tobias said. He then left to the field.
So, I'm sorry that I haven't been updating lately. I have a million excuses to list, but let's begin and end with writer's block. In lieu of that, I put two battles in this chapter.
I want to say I'll update soon, but I can't be sure. Keep glued to my profile, as I keep myself updated whenever possible.
And thank you all once again for your continued support.