Chapter 40 - "We All Did, Dimwit."
"The semi-final battles will be slightly different!" the announcer said into the microphone. "We're choosing the battles at random, and this time, it'll be a two on two battle! Let's take a look at the bracket!"
On the screen, the four trainers' faces appeared, and they began to shuffle around in the four spots. Soon, Kala's face took the number one spot, and Guzma's took the second. Lilo and Emma were placed in the third and fourth positions, setting the semi-final rounds.
"Our first battle will be Kala vs. Guzma! Trainers, can you make your way to the battlefield?"
The two looked at one another, and Guzma glared. "I don't care if you're entering with that kid's Pokémon. We're going to go all out and win. This league is going to need a champion who takes initiative like I do."
"Cyan's losses to you weren't good for his confidence, but today, his Pokémon will get their win back," Kala answered. "We're not going to lose now!"
The two walked down the hallway together without making any eye contact. Guzma wasn't silent though, grunting with almost every step that he took as though he were pained by something.
"The following battle will be between Kala Māhoe from Iki Town and Guzma Zugai from Po Town. It will be a two on two battle, and the winner will be determined when one side's Pokémon are no longer able to battle! Trainers, are you ready?"
"Yes."
"Begin!"
"Go, Salazzle!" Kala yelled while throwing the Poké Ball forward. Salazzle appeared on the field, and she stood up on her hindlegs while looking out towards Guzma. She hissed, a small spit of fire blowing from her mouth.
Guzma roughly pulled his ball from his belt before spitting on the field. "Golisopod, First Impression!"
Golisopod materialized on the field, and then he immediately began his attack, darting forward with his claws extended. But Kala had become familiarized with Guzma's surprise tactics, so she was ready.
"Dragon Pulse!"
Salazzle took in a deep breath while she watched her opponent race down the field. She unleashed a ball of blue fire at the ground, and it exploded, causing a wave of flames to blast outwards. For one moment, Golisopod had disappeared, his attack apparently coming to a stop. But then he emerged from the flames and swiped, getting a direct hit on Salazzle, sending her backwards.
"One more!" Kala called.
As Salazzle continued to reel backwards, she formed another ball of arcane energy before flinging it downwards.
"Golisopod, use Iron Defense!"
Golisopod stayed still. He raised his arms, and a veil of silver energy covered his body. He took the attack directly, and the crowd patiently waited for the results. They were surprised when Golisopod emerged from the flames unscathed.
"We have to try a different approach," Kala said. "Salazzle, use Toxic!"
Salazzle began to drip with the poisonous ooze instantly, and she slithered across the field, prepared to douse Golisopod with it.
"Sucker Punch!" Guzma commanded.
Golisopod then shot forward faster than Salazzle had anticipated. He jabbed, getting a direct hit on Salazzle's throat and making her stop in place. The ooze also came to a stop, and it dripped to the floor while Salazzle tried to recover.
"Now, Waterfall!"
Golisopod clapped his two front claws together, and aquatic veil of energy surrounded them before he uppercutted, hitting Salazzle directly in the bottom jaw. She stumbled backwards, still rattled from the Sucker Punch.
We have to get it together. If we're struggling this much right now, that's not good, Kala thought. "Venoshock!"
The ooze reappeared around Salazzle's body, and she flung it forward. Golisopod stared in terror, waiting for his master's command.
"Waterfall!"
Golisopod kept his claws together, and he put them in front of his face while he charged. He blasted through the collection of goop, but his attack's energy had started to waver.
"Put it all you have into Flamethrower!" Kala yelled.
"Sala!" the Pokémon cried out while unleashing a full powered blast of fire. It took the form of one long stream, which quickly overtook Golisopod. The Bug-type let out a howl as it was damaged. Its ability then came into play, and a blue light pierced through the fire. Golisopod retreated back into the ball that hung off of Guzma's belt, and it rattled lightly.
"How dare you!" Guzma snapped. His belt then exploded as his next Pokémon materialized on the field.
"Scizor!" it called out while snapping its pinsirs together.
Guzma looked at the field, comparing his dual Steel and Bug-type Pokémon to the Fire-type that waited patiently on the other side.
"Not good," he grumbled.
We got him! All that we have to do is hit him with one Flamethrower, and this battle is over, Kala thought. "Flamethrower!"
Salazzle opened her mouth and then unleashed the flames.
But Guzma was prepared. "Bullet Punch!"
Scizor disappeared as soon as he heard the command, and in an instant, he reappeared in front of Salazzle. With a quick jab, he punched Salazzle directly in the face, knocking her backwards. She stumbled on her hind legs while she tried to recover, but Guzma was unrelenting.
"One more!" he yelled.
Scizor followed the order, and he lunged once again, hitting Salazzle directly in the stomach. The punches were weak, but the fact that they came so quickly without any warning was enough to make Salazzle silly.
"Grab him!" Kala ordered as the third Bullet Punch was commanded.
Salazzle kept one eye open, and as she withstood the third blow, she latched out, grabbing ahold of Scizor. The Steel-type struggled, but somehow, Salazzle was able to hold on with all of her energy.
"Now, Toxic!"
"Get out of there, Scizor!"
But it was useless. As Scizor struggled to get away, Salazzle let the ooze drip from her skin. It covered Scizor's body, and it started to corrode away at his steel shell. He screeched from the pain as the poison began to set in, a feeling that Scizor had never experienced before.
Guzma watched on in horror, but he wasn't going to lose that easily. He spit on the ground before making his next command, "Iron Head!"
Scizor used what leverage he had, and he twisted his body, coming face to face with Salazzle. In a flash, his head lit up with iron energy before he lunged forward, smashing his skull into Salazzle. The Fire-type finally released her grip and she slunk to the ground, her body limp.
The referee raised his flag. "Salazzle is unable to battle! Scizor is the winner!"
On the screen, Salazzle's picture faded away, leaving only one spot left for Kala. She had already chosen what she would use, and she slowly reached for her belt, grabbing Cyan's Poké Ball.
"We came to this tournament to win," she said.
"We all did, dimwit," Guzma snapped.
Kala smiled and she chuckled to herself, something that she hadn't done in months. "You know, as much as I don't appreciate your rude mouth, it's nice to know that some things haven't changed."
Guzma's shoulders eased up, and he cooly tucked his hands into his pockets. "We have to keep moving forward. I'm calling you a dimwit for your sake."
"Thank you," Kala said before throwing the ball forward. She tried to put Cyan's signature spin, but she could never master the throw. Nonetheless, Golem appeared, and he stroked his beard before taking note of Scizor. The Steel-type was shaking from the poison, but it clearly hadn't done all of its potential damage yet.
"Golem, use Rock Blast!" Kala ordered.
Golem shook his body and then lowered his head before unleashing a rock from in between his horns. It shot across the battlefield, ripping up the ground it blasted over.
"Bullet Punch!" Guzma commanded.
Scizor was a lot slower this time around, but he still managed to dart forward. With ease, it blasted through the rock, and then he continued towards Golem, picking up a little bit of speed.
"Thunder Punch!" Kala ordered while she still had time.
Golem roared as his fist started to build electricity. His arm was now much shorter, so he had to compensate by sending shocks outwards. He then ran across the field, and the two Pokémon met in the middle. Their attacks connected, and there was a small explosion that sent the two of them backwards. Golem was mostly okay, but Scizor started to wheeze from the poison coursing through his body.
"Use X-Scissor!" Guzma yelled.
Scizor slowly raised his arms and then darted forward. He collided into Golem, sending the Rock-type rolling backwards. Golem was quick to recover though, and he patiently waited for Kala's command.
"Finish him with Thunder!" she ordered.
Golem raised his arms into the air, and the sky began to rumble. Scizor watched on, and his arms fell to his sides. Golem roared and prepared for his attack, but moments before he was going to send an electric charge blasting across the field, Scizor simply collapsed. The crowd was shocked into silence, as they didn't get to witness the strong attack, but poison had done its job, and Scizor was finished.
"Scizor is unable to battle! Golem wins!" the referee declared.
As Scizor's face was wiped from the screen, Guzma returned him to his ball. He glared and then looked back up towards Kala. The sky still rumbled with the energy that was built up, and there was a flash of lightning, which only illuminated Guzma's frightening face.
"Golisopod, use First Impression!" he yelled while throwing his ball forward.
Kala wasn't fast enough to make a counter order, and Golisopod emerged quickly. He dashed across the field and then appeared in front of Golem in a terrifying fashion. He lifted his massive claws into the air and prepared to strike, but then something happened that stunned everyone in the stadium. The sky rumbled once again, and a bolt of lightning struck down onto Golem. There was an explosion of electric energy, knocking back Golisopod and putting a stop to his attack.
Amazing! Golem never actually got to use his Thunder! Kala thought. He built up a lot of stress and energy, and when he was put in a fight or flight situation, the attack took more of a defensive form. He was like a canon just waiting to go off.
"You got lucky!" Guzma shouted angrily.
"Luck doesn't have anything to do with it!" Kala snapped back, knowing full well that luck had a little bit to do with it. "Thunder Punch!"
"Sucker Punch!"
Before Golem could even begin to charge his next attack, Golisopod snapped forward. He knelt down and then uppercutted Golem, making the Rock-type stop his attack. He took a few steps backward as he was stunned.
Guzma then raised his arms into the air, and the dark green crystal he had in his band started to glow. He struck his first pose, sending a pulse of energy throughout the battlefield. He then followed with another, and another, and one final pose, making his arms make a 'Z' shape. He then shouted, "Savage Spin Out!" And Golisopod was filled with power.
Before Golem or Kala could do anything, Golisopod released a thick string from his mouth. The string quickly wrapped itself around Golem, overtaking him completely. Golisopod kept on a tight grip with his mouth and then lifted Golem into the air with tremendous power. He then flung Golem downwards, making the Rock-type crash into the ground. And then, with one final movement, he yanked the string, ripping it from Golem's body and making him spin outwards. Golem scraped against the ground and span into the air before landing hard on the ground.
The referee waited patiently before he made his call. He started to lift his flag into the air, but then Golem began to move. Once the referee saw that Golem was still capable of battling, he simply nodded.
Golem came back to his feet and then roared, appearing as though the attack did only a little bit of damage in the end. Guzma and Golisopod were stunned into silence.
"Our turn!" Kala said. She revealed her Z-Ring with the yellow stone locked in. She started to strike her poses quickly alongside Golem. He enjoyed doing his dances, letting his beard wave around in the air. Then, the two struck their last pose and began their attack. "Gigavolt Havoc!"
Golem roared, and the air rumbled once more. Lightning struck down on Golem, sending sparks around the field. The sparks started to meld together, forming a massive ball of electricity at the tips of Golem's horns. Then, with one heave, he launched it forward. It tore up the field as it raced towards Golisopod, and within moments, it connected. Golisopod howled as he was caught in the explosion, and when it settled and disappeared, the Bug-type collapsed to the ground.
The referee waited for a moment, giving Golisopod the same chance that he gave to Golem, but the Bug-type didn't move. He nodded and then raised his flag. "Golisopod is unable to battle! Golem and Kala are the winners!"
"And we have our first winner of the semi-final round!" the announcer yelled into the microphone. "Kala is able to overpower Guzma's terrifying Bug-type Pokémon with a fantastically performed Z-Move, and now she'll be moving on to face the winner of Emma vs. Lilo!"
Guzma returned Golisopod and then he glanced over to Kala before managing to smile, even though it looked like it hurt him. "Good job, kid," he muttered quietly. It was enough that he said it, even if Kala couldn't hear him.
The referee raised her flags and then signaled towards the two girls. "The following battle will be between Emma Minami from Unova and Lilo Kalani from Hau'oli City. It will be a two on two battle, and the winner will be determined when one side's Pokémon are no longer able to battle! Trainers, are you ready?"
"Ready!"
"Let's begin!"
"Araquanid, go!" Lilo yelled while she threw her ball into the air.
Emma kept ahold of Eevee while she pulled her ball from her belt. She threw it forward, and her Samurott emerged. She stood up on her two hindlegs and pulled out her swords, preparing for battle. Eevee watched on, seemingly in love with the massive Pokémon.
"We'll start! Use Bubblebeam!" Lilo commanded.
Araquanid's head started to vibrate before he unleashed a flurry of bubbles outwards.
"Double Team!" Emma ordered.
Samurott was quick, and moments before the bubbles would have made contact, she multiplied. The bubbles shot straight through the clone that she created, completely missing the real Samurott.
"Now use Razor Shell!"
The clones didn't last very long, and Samurott emerged. She held one of her swords in her hand and then swiped as an aquatic energy overtook the blade.
"I don't think so!" Lilo yelled. "Spider Web!"
Araquanid backed up a few feet before launching a thick string from his mouth. The string wrapped around Samurott's blade, putting a stop to the attack. Samurott looked on in confusion, unsure of what to do with her weapon.
"Now Headbutt!" Lilo ordered.
Araquanid tugged on the string, yanking Samurott forward. He then lowered his head and bashed it into Samurott's stomach, sending the Water-type flying backwards. Samurott landed hard on the ground, but she was fast, and she stood back up with no issue.
"We have to play smarter," Emma said. "Ice Beam!"
"Fight back with Bubblebeam!"
The two Pokémon unleashed their beams of energy from their mouths. The beams connected in the middle of the field, and what followed was an explosion of mist.
Emma grinned. "Perfect! Samurott, hit him with Razor Shell! Make it strong!"
Samurott dove into the mist, and she quickly emerged out the other side. Using the energy, she shredded the web from before, and with one fast strike, she sliced at Araquanid, making him stumble back on his tall lanky legs.
"And finish with Dragon Tail!" Emma commanded before Lilo could even think up her next order.
Samurott span around in a circle as she created arcane energy on her tail. The energy exploded off of her, and she swung it directly into Araquanid, sending the Bug-type into the air. Araquanid crashed directly in front of Lilo, and his legs curled into his body, indicating that the battle was over.
The referee raised her flag. "Araquanid is unable to continue! Samurott wins!"
"Emma isn't holding back," Kala said aloud. There was no one in the hallway to hear her though.
Lilo withdrew Araquanid back into her Poké Ball and then took in a deep breath. Before she made her next selection, she pulled her black hair back into a ponytail and removed her leather jacket.
"I have to cool down," she said. She wore a loose floral print shirt and short shorts, giving her a much more delicate look than before. The jacket was usually supposed to play a factor into intimidation, but it wouldn't work on the gothic Emma.
"Take your time. I want you at the best," Emma said cooly.
Lilo grabbed her ball and then held it out. "I can't hold back against you. Go, Mudsdale!"
The massive stallion emerged on the field, and he neighed as he slammed his front legs into the ground, shaking the stadium.
Kala laughed as she watched, slightly relieved at Lilo's choice. "That means that I won't be battling against Mudsdale in the next battle. Good!"
"We have the type-advantage!" Emma called. "Razor Shell!"
Samurott howled before charging forward. She held her two blades at her side, creating energy within them.
"Earthquake," Lilo ordered cooly.
Once more, Mudsdale stood up on his two hind legs. He then jammed his front legs into the ground, shaking the battlefield violently. Cracks were sent throughout the ground, and Samurott's attack was stopped as she lost her balance. One of her legs slipped into the cracks, and she winced with pain.
"Now, High Horsepower!" Lilo said while pointing at Samurott.
Mudsdale charged down the field as an aura of orange energy surrounded his body. The energy grew and grew as he gained more momentum until finally, he crashed into Samurott. The Water-type was flung into the air and landed in front of Emma, her body limp.
The referee then raised her flag. "Samurott is unable to continue! Mudsdale wins!"
Emma didn't take too long before she returned Samurott and then made her next selection. She smiled. "This reminds me of the Broken Tea Cup incident," she said as she cocked the Poké Ball in her hand. "But now's not the time for stories. Go, Shiinotic!" A Pokémon with a thin white body but a massive purple head appeared on the field. It shook, and with every motion, its body illuminated slightly.
"Shiinotic, start with Moon Blast!" Emma ordered.
The ground shook as Shiinotic began to charge his energy. He lifted his arms into the air, and the massive mushroom on the top of his head started to glow. When he had formed enough power, he shot it forward, sending a pink ball of aura across the field.
"Power through with High Horsepower!" Lilo commanded, unafraid of the attack.
Mudsdale neighed as he built up power in his legs. Red energy exploded off of him and then he bounded forward, shaking the field with every leap. He crashed into the blast, and to everyone's surprise, broke through it. His stride was weakened, but he continued, ready to crash into Shiinotic with all of his might.
"Giga Drain!" Emma yelled.
Mudsdale collided into Shiinotic, and smoke flew into the air, cloaking the two Pokémon. There was a silence as the crowd waited to see what had happened, and when the smoke cleared, both Pokémon stood still. Shiinotic had his arms stretched out, vines protruding from them, wrapping themselves around Mudsdale's body. The Ground-type began to shriek as Shiinotic sucked away his energy.
Lilo bawled up her fist. "Don't give in! Heavy Slam!"
With the two still attached to each other, Mudsdale started to move. He tightened up his body, and then collapsed sideways, falling straight onto Shiinotic, forcing his grip to loosen. The two Pokémon separated, and they paused as they looked at one another, observing the damage that they had both taken.
"She attacks at close-range, so we'll take a different approach!" Emma announced. "Energy Ball!"
The vines that Shiinotic had created before retracted into her arms before she formed a ball of energy in her hands. She was fast, and she flung the energy forward. It barreled down the field, ripping up the ground beneath it.
"Mega Kick!"
Mudsdale was surprisingly quick, and he shifted his body around before kicking out his hindlegs. They smashed into the Energy Ball, sending it back across the field. It missed Shiinotic completely, but it still left the entire crowd stunned.
"Giga Drain!" Emma ordered. "We can't let them get the best of us!"
Shiinotic reached out with his vines while he started a slow forward run.
But Lilo had a counter prepared with, "Earthquake!"
Before Shiinotic could even get close enough to begin sucking away the energy, Mudsdale slammed his two front legs into the ground. The entire stadium shook, and Shiinotic was stopped in his tracks. One of his feet slipped into one of the cracks made by the attack, and he screeched from the pressure that was applied.
"Got 'em!" Lilo said. "Use Mega Kick!"
Mudsdale stopped his Earthquake before he took off towards Shiinotic. He quickly reached the Grass-type before shifting his body and kicking backwards. His feet crashed into Shiinotic, sending him backwards. He landed hard in front of Emma's feet, and although it took almost everything he still had, he stood back up.
Lilo looked at the two Pokémon. They were both on their last legs, and whatever would happen next would surely determine the match.
Then, Emma raised her arm into the air. A soft glitter from her wristband indicated that she had a pink Z-Crystal. She then struck her pose, sending energy coursing throughout the stadium. Two more poses, and her Shiinotic howled with an intense battle cry. She then hit her final pose, and Shiinotic lowered his head, prepared to take the command. "Twinkle Tackle!"
Shiinotic was engulfed in an explosion of fairy energy. He then took off down the field at a much faster pace than before.
"High Horsepower!" Lilo yelled through all of the noise of the attack.
It wasn't clear what happened next, but both of the Pokémon collided, whipping up a storm of wind through the field. There was an explosion that followed, blinding the crowd. It took a few moments before the light died down, and both Pokémon stood still in the middle of the field. Mudsdale huffed and Shiinotic grinned. But then, the Grass-type fell to the ground.
The referee nodded and then raised her flag. "Shiinotic is unable to battle! Mudsdale and Lilo are the winners!"
"We have our final match set!" the announcer yelled into the microphone as Mudsdale finally collapsed. "It's going to be Lilo Kalani against Kala Māhoe in what is sure to be a wonderful final battle! But that's not to take away anything from Emma or Guzma! Everyone put on a fantastic showing!"
Lilo and Emma both withdrew their Pokémon before they returned to the backroom. They watched as the television played replays of the last couple of match-ups. They were silent, but there was no sense of bitterness between any of the girls. They just wanted to focus on what was coming up next. In only a few minutes, Kala and Lilo would finally have their battle.
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Something I really needed to focus on with writing Kala's battles is making sure that she doesn't battle like Cyan. Although they're the same Pokémon, I want to make the strategies different, even if slightly. Now we're onto Kala vs. Lilo, which is a battle I'm excited for. As of writing this, I still haven't decided who's going to win though. Part of me really wanted to make Guzma go all the way and win, though. I think it'd be a very interesting thing to have him become the first Champion of Alola. But oh well.
REVIEWS:
pokemonking0924 - "Lilo and Emma are as strong as ever and Kala has grown into a great trainer herself. The Pokemon league is off to a great start and everyone is doing well. Looking forward to the battles ahead. As for Cyans Pokemon I think Kala will rotate them around with her Pokemon for interesting combinations and to change strategies on the fly to catch opponents off guard." - Only a three round tournament, but yeah. These have been interesting battles to write.
wisdom-jewel - "I think she would use Lycanroc and Oranguru for sure. It is possible that she would use the other two but I'm guessing she would use those two. If they do go with the Elite Four, I wonder if the others who didn't win the championship would get first dips. Like if they asked Guzmo, Emma (she might not win this one), Lilo or Kala to become the first Elite Four." - So, it's not gonna be too spoilery, but I do plan on having a couple of people from the tournament go into the Elite Four and some become gym leaders. There will be people from outside the tournament who will also become E4 and gym leaders though.
