Chapter 19: Through The Fire And The Flames
Recalling last night as I grabbed a cupcake, a smile played across my face. Mina and I had gone at it for over an hour before we went to bed.
"She wanted to continue her journey" this was Gardevoir's response when I asked her why Mina had left so early.
I didn't have much more time to dawdle, though – today I faced Kabu, and he was known for knocking out a decent portion of trainers before they could get to the other side of Galar.
I took my time getting ready, though however – I was actually the fourth person who was going to be facing Kabu. I went in to register yesterday after lunch and I was the fourth person to do so for today.
About half an hour later, and a nice shower where Hattrem hummed to me the whole time, I was ready for the day.
"It's noon right now… and my match is at 3 P.M…" I was speaking to myself as I checked the time. Deciding on how to kill the time, I made my way to a small store in Wyndon and got the stuff to make some decent pasta tonight – no matter what, I was gonna beat Kabu, and pasta was the way I wanted to celebrate.
I took extra time, and sure enough, by the time I got back to the hotel and put everything away in the guest-use hotel kitchen, it was 2:30.
"Ready or not, here I come Kabu"
"Challenger Keifer, correct?" I nodded to the desk attendee as they pulled me up on their computer. "Alright! You're all set – your Kabu's final challenger today"
"Alright, awesome" I made my way to the room before the trial stage. I was a bit nervous – My uncle's challenge had been just getting through some grassy mazes – I had the advantage then, Staravia flying high above me. In Nessa's gym, I had my amazing swimming thanks to my aunt…
"Challenger Keifer, it's time to begin your challenge!" over the intercom, I heard my name being called. Taking a deep breath, I went through the entrance, and was almost instantly met with a blast of heat, making me grateful I had to wear a uniform.
"Obstacle Course…" I looked around me – there was fire coming out of places and spots in the room, and moving platforms I had to run to, jump and dive for. Then, I looked up as several Rotom Cameras zoomed past me. "AND I'M TIMED, OF COURSE!"
I was never good at any parkour in my life, period. "Alright Ladies and Gentlemen, our final challenger of the day, a boy who's been putting up a fight and hailing from Postwick, it's Keifer!"
I could hear the audience cheer as the announcer called me name. I smiled for the Rotom Cameras.
"CHALLENGE START!"
As soon as I heard those words, I ran. I didn't know how long this was gonna be, so I didn't run at top-speed. I looked behind me and let out a gasp – as the time went down, flames began to come up from the special floor beneath me.
I ran, jumped and dived past sparking wire, floors meant to trick me and towards the end of the area I was nearly sent flying by a massive ball-pendulum. As soon as I rounded the corner, I was met with a fire-type trainer in similar Gym garb to Kabu.
With a simple nod, he sent out a Vulpix that yipped angrily at me. I was quick to retaliate by sending out Brionne, who washed it away with a Bubble Beam and Aqua Jet.
"And it just keeps getting' better…" once I beat the trainer he let me pass, and this section seemed longer than the last, with moving platforms, rotating arms to hit you and at the last stretch, a wall of gloves you had to sidle across.
"I AIN'T GIVIN' UP!" I made my pose for the cameras and I began to run. I got to the first two platforms, and from a pit of flame below, two, massive red bouncy-balls came up, attached to poles. Looking across, it was the only way to reach the last two spinning platforms and get to the glove wall…
"YOU WANT SOME JUMPS?!" the audience went wild as I decided to risk everything. Charging forward, I made my first jump, striking a pose that I used to do when I was a kid.
The second my feet touched the first ball, I timed the momentum just right to spring higher into the air as I went to the second one. With more air time, I curled into another pose (Sonic Adventure Sonic Pose) as I went sailing down to the last ball.
"HOO YEA!" jumping off the last one perfectly, I landed safely on a small platform before the spinning ones. Wasting no time as the timer was ticking and the flames were getting hotter, I jumped and rolled, jumped and rolled.
"Gotta time this just right…!" the platform I was standing on was spinning faster than the other ones. My time was ticking down and with a shout, I jumped, just barely getting my footing on the glove wall as the audience went wild with cheers.
I was fast, and I kept a close eye on the other gloves as I practically jumped and swung like a wild Monferno or Thwackey. With one final pull, I landed on a platform. I wasted no time as I rounded another corner, to be faced by another trainer.
Her Rollycolly went down quick to Brionne, and we went through one last doorway.
"Human toaster, eh? No one said this was gonna be easy!" I spoke to the cameras with determination as I looked at the final stretch ahead – a super-long staircase, and on either side, coils that were red-hot and generating flames.
"You have one minute to clear this final challenge Keifer! GO!"
-Soundtrack Cue; Mr. Finale (Battleblock Theatre Finale)-
"OH SHIT" I didn't stop the swear. I was already tired, sweat pouring down my face as the room got hotter.
With a start, I began to run up the stairs as fast as my legs would carry me, the heat growing more intense with each step as the timer ticked down.
Everything rode on my completing the challenge – there was no room for me to mess up. I didn't have the strength in me to try again today if I didn't make it now.
"30 SECONDS REMAIN – WILL HE DO IT!?" I was a little over half-way up, my body pouring sweat as I heard the crowd cheering me on.
Pushing harder, I ran faster. At this point, I had probably sweat several pounds off of my body.
"JUST… A LITTLE MORE…!" I felt like I was being baked alive as I ran up the last few steps. I practically flew through the final gate as the timer ticked to two, the audience roaring with cheers for me.
-Soundtrack Cue End-
As soon as I stepped into the tunnel, there was the usual refresh spot. I took a moment to catch my breath, and I cleared up a burn I got on my leg. I also gave Brionne a Potion, just to be safe as I chugged a bottle of water.
"Challenger Keifer! I'm glad I caught up with you!" there was a referee speaking to me just now and I nearly had a heart attack. "I regret to inform you, but your match has been delayed to 6 P.M – a Pokemon went MaxLust in the previous match and is having to be dealt with currently"
That made me nervous – MaxLust was very, very dangerous. "I understand" he nodded to me, and then he showed me where he came from – there was a door that was touch-opened on the side of the tunnel. I followed him in and was greeted with the sight of a very comfy looking lounge.
"Make yourself comfortable, train, prepare whatever you gotta do" I nodded to the ref and sat down on a very comfy looking couch. There was a T.V on the wall playing footage from my challenge run.
"That's right folks! As Challenger Keifer cleared Kabu's Trial of Fire, he gave us quite the show!" they did a replay of my run and I was impressed with myself – I had stuck my poses during the jumps perfectly, and I looked like I was on fire while I ran up the stairs.
"He's got quite the competitive spirit! As we wait for the MaxLust mess to be cleared, let's take a look at some of his victories!"
"Guess I'm a star" I chuckled a bit. They showed my victories against my Uncle and Nessa, and how I conquered their challenges.
"That's not all! As some of you know, a mysterious clip of Keifer has been floating around lately!" my blood went cold for a moment, and I watched as a some-what crappy quality video popped up.
A bystander had managed to film some of what happened in the alleyway back in Alola, and after the bright flash that was brought on by me and Gallade doing Battle Bond, the video cut out.
I turned the T.V off at that point – no use in trying to hide mine and Gallade's power now. Steeling my nerves, I decided to just relax with my partners until it was time for our match.
"Challenger Keifer to the pitch please" it was time. Getting up, I wasted no time leaving the lounge room. Hattrem was still on my head, riding me in a sense as I made my way out to the pitch. I struck my pose for everyone as the announcer came on.
"And there he is! Challenger Keifer, the boy who never backs down! And his opponent, the fire, the eternal, burning flame Kabu!" said gym leader walked forward at the mention of his name and we stood eye-to-eye.
"Challenger Keifer, I've heard amazing things about you from your Uncle Milo and Nessa. You have your own flame burning inside you and you have a love with your partners that of which is rarely seen. With how much you love them, I hope you've trained them for us to have an amazing match"
"Thanks Kabu, that means a lot to me. And, you better believe we're ready to light this Stadium up!" I returned his bow as he spoke once again.
"Good to hear. This will be a standard three on three match. For every Pokemon knocked out, its' one article of clothing gone on both ends. If you are to lose to me today, then I will have you take one of your Pokemon in front of the crowd. Do you object Keifer?"
I had no intention of losing. "Not at all Kabu! If I win this, the favor I ask is for a TR I haven't been able to find, Fire Punch"
"Fair is fair" he nodded in response and we both took our positions. The Rotom Cameras floated around us and the battle area as the usual up-beat battle music began to fill the stadium.
"Alright Brionne, let's do this!" grabbing her ball, I let the water-type out for the world to see, the audience cheering with excitement as Brionne made a small pose of her own.
"A water type, you came prepared. This is a Pokemon I've recently caught, but I can assure you her flames will dry up your water!" as Kabu said this, he let out a Ninetales, the fox Pokemon showing off as it gracefully landed from its' ball. It glared coldly at us. "Lola, Will-O-Wisp!"
The fight was on! "Brionne, Bubble Beam it away and Aqua Jet!" I could feel the heat approaching us fast, the guaranteed to burn if hit by fire move streaking towards my water type. In a steamy flash, though, it was gone, some of the hard-hitting Bubble Beam fired by Brionne breaking through the now quenched flame and hitting the opposing Fire Type, catching the Ninetales off-guard.
"Lola, dodge!" Brionne was faster! Her body surrounded in water, my beautiful seal Pokemon slammed into the Ninetales, soaking it and leaving it heavily damaged, the fire fox Pokemon's breaths coming off ragged. "Lola, Quick Attack!"
"Brionne, Aqua Jet one more time!" in a flash, Brionne was shrouded in water, almost like a bullet and she zoomed off, colliding head-on with the Ninetales.
"And that's Kabu's first Pokemon DOWN!" the announcer's words got more excited cheers from the audience as, sure enough, Lola was down, her whole body drenched as she laid, unmoving on Kabu's side of the field.
Brionne wasn't without hurt herself, though – she had taken a good hit head-on.
"Are you okay sweetheart?" the water/fairy type nodded in reply, a fire in her eyes.
"Not bad Keifer. This is what I was expecting from a challenger with as much promise is you" I nodded to Kabu, who held his second Pokeball in his hands. "Ringo, Extreme Speed!" as soon as he said this, the Pokeball practically blew open, a good-size Arcanine charging Brionne.
"Bubble Beam yourself up, rebound towards it with Aqua Jet!" Brionne gave me a small nod, but as she shot up, Ringo got her side, my Pokemon letting out a cry of pain as the water around her faded.
"Bring it down with Iron Tail!" I had no time to call anything out – the Arcanine, with a bit of Extreme Speed left, smashed Brionne with the power of the steel-move, sending her down and out to the grass of the pitch.
"Challenger Keifer's Brionne is out cold!" the audience cheered for Kabu as I brought Brionne back in, my shirt fading to reveal my toned chest to the world.
"Sweety, you did amazing. I love you" I spoke this to Brionne's Pokeball and I gave it a light kiss. "I'm not out yet! Time to fight Fire with Fire!" reaching for Quilava's Pokeball, it felt red-hot in my hand, causing me to nearly drop it as he appeared in a flash, the flames on his back shooting up wildly - He had something to prove.
"One of your first Pokemon eh? I've heard great things about you two!" Kabu had a small smile. "Ringo, Flamethrower!"
"Quilava, break through and add those flames to your Flaming Rollout!" I watched as the big Arcanine let loose a big jet of flame, aimed directly at Quilava, who was now like a firey bullet. He was pushing hard against the flames, and with a loud shout, he broke through the Flamethrower, absorbing the heat and he crashed into Ringo hard, the large dog-like Pokemon growling in pain.
"A Ground Type and Fire Type move combined. I'm impressed!" Kabu looked at the scene before him. "But I can assure you, Ringo's Flame is much stronger. Wrap this up with Fire Blast!"
"Keif! Lemme' do this!" I could feel an intense amount of heat rolling off of Quilava as he said this. I nodded to my starter.
"Quilava, don't back down! Give them a full-power FIRE BLAST!" as soon as I said that, it was like I was back in the Challenge Area. With two loud roars, Quilava and Ringo began to build up an intense amount of flame.
"Give it… your best shot tiny" that must've been Ringo's voice, it was gruff, and he was taunting Quilava.
"I… WILL!" with a roar that almost sounded like a different Pokemon completely, Quilava let his Fire Blast fly right as Ringo did, the two moves colliding with each other.
"Ringo, push it forward!" Kabu alley over the intense crash of flames, the two Fire Blasts fighting to get past each other.
"Quilava, DON'T LET UP!" as soon as I said this, his whole body was ignited in flames. I watched in awe as Quilava surged forward, his whole body glowing as he put his entire body and a massive blast of fire against the two Fire Blasts, Ringo also trying to push through.
The explosion was too bright. I shielded my eyes as one of the moves finally broke through. And when the light died down…
"Ha… ha…" standing where Quilava once was, was now a very powerful looking Typhlosion, looking down at the knocked out Arcanine at his feet. I could only stare in awe – In just a short time span, the Cyndaquil I had raised from an egg had evolved into a powerful Typhlosion – had he just been waiting this entire time!?
"Well done! Let's finish this by kicking things up a notch!" as Kabu withdrew Ringo, Typhlosion suddenly let out a pained hiss, a purple flame flashing across his whole body.
"Typhlosion, come back buddy!" I withdrew my fire type, forfeiting him and leaving both me and Kabu even. "It's time to finish this up!" as Kabu was Gigantimaxing his Final Pokemon, I was ready to do the same. "Gallade, let's GO!" grabbing his ball, I let the Dynamax Power wash over it. In my style and with a shout, I hurled the ball over my head.
Two loud, nearly ear-piercing roars filled the air. On Kabu's side stood his trusty Gigantimax Centiskorch, and on my side stood my now Dynamaxed father-figure Gallade.
"G-Max Centiferno!" Kabu called this move and the raw heat pouring off the bug/fire type was intense as it prepared to attack.
"Gallade, Max Knuckle!" I called up to the Psychic/Fighting type who roared in response. In a fiery clash, the massive dragon-like shaped flame smashed into the blazing orange fist Gallade was using, the two moves creating an explosion in the air and cancelling each other out.
It went on and on like this until the Dynamax Energy was no more. The crowd went wild as both Gallade and Centiskorch shrank, both sides still up, albeit a little tired.
"This is the first time in a very long while that a match has continued after a Gigantimax. However, this is where it ends! Centiskorch, let's go! Fire Blast!"
As Kabu spoke these words, I felt it. A deep pull to an even deeper connection. "Gallade, we never let up, EVER!" As the flame from the coil-like bug grew even brighter and bigger, I felt the connection more than ever. "Gallade… LET'S DO IT!"
In a bright flash, we both shouted as an energy we hadn't felt since Alola bound us together, and melded our minds into one within Gallade – Battle Bond.
"What's this!? Some sort of Special Mega Evolution!?" The announcer was going wild as the audience went insane. Our focus wasn't there, though – it was at the Flame hurtling right toward us.
Wasting no time, we brought our arms together, creating a familiar shield. While most of the flame was blocked, I could feel our bodies growing hot.
"So, this is what you've been hiding!" Kabu seemed impressed. "Centiskorch, wrap this up! One more Fire Blast!"
Before the Bug Type could even will up another flame, we shot forward like a speeding bullet. Our arm glowing, we slashed away at the Bug/Fire type, the Psycho-Cut hitting hard. Bringing our minds even closer together, we wrapped a Psychic-Hold around the Centiskorch. Right before we slammed it into the ground, though, its' tail whapped around and stung us hard in the side, the pain nearly shattering our form then and there.
With a violent shout and slam, though, we sent the Pokemon crashing into the ground with one last Psychic, the Centiskorch no longer moving.
"Unbelievable! What power! Challenger Keifer has won his third Gym Match!" I felt exhausted and woozy. As soon as those words were out of the announcer's mouth, our Battle Bond faded. I collapsed, Gallade nearly doing the same as he quickly made his way to me, helping me up as my uniform re-materialized onto my body.
"Dad… we did it" I smiled to Gallade as he helped me up. We shared a hug and struck a pose together, the audience going wild from the battle we put on.
"I've never seen anything like that before in my life. Well done Keifer" Kabu had walked over to our side, and we shared a hand-shake as he handed me the Fire Badge, the metal piece a indicator of our victory.
"That's who I am Galar! I'm Keifer the Battle Bond Master!" I shouted excitedly as the cameras zoomed around me and Gallade, the two of us supporting each other as we began to leave the pitch.
Stepping out into the main lobby after getting a fresh set of clothes on, there were several, and I mean SEVERAL people waiting for me. A ton of cameras were flashing and I heard several questions and people asking for autographs.
"Keifer! Was that truly Battle Bond?"
"Can I have your number!?"
"Can your Gallade make a Ralts for me!?"
"Enough, please!" I was getting overwhelmed, and Gallade had went red at that last question. "Yes, what happened during the battle was me and Gallade becoming one through the power of Battle Bond, and as much as I respect other people, my phone number isn't going out and Gallade isn't breeding stock!"
This seemed to get a good majority of the crowd to back off, but I still had a few fans who wanted autographs…
Fans… that sounded so weird saying that. By the time me and Gallade stepped out of the gym, it was a little passed sunset, said-star barely seeable in the sky anymore.
As we got close to the Budew Drop Inn, I was so ready to go in, shower, eat and take a rest, until…
"Sammy, it's him!" I heard a girlish squeal and I had to do a double, no, TRIPLE take as I turned to see what I could only assume was a Female Gallade running towards me. She got close and her face lit up with excitement as she recognized me and Gallade. "Oh my gosh, OH MY ARCEUS! I saw your match on T.V, you two were amazing and the thing you did with Battle Bond – oh my Arceus can me and Sammy do that-"
"Lily, breathe, please" a gentle hand was placed on the female Gallade's shoulder, and I recognized who it belonged to.
"Hey, you're the guy I saw going into Nessa's gym!" sure enough, it was the same guy. He had tan skin and casual attire and a well-rounded hair-style.
"And you're the guy I saw leaving. My name's Samuel"
"Keifer, and how are ya?" we shared a handshake as Lily looked excitedly at Gallade and I.
"I'm doing alright. This is my close partner Lily, she's a female Gallade if you couldn't tell-"
"And your guys' biggest fan!" she suddenly wrapped me and Gallade into a hug, and whether or not it was intentional, pushed some of her bust towards us. "I have so many things I want to ask you!"
Samuel seemed like a good guy, and Lily had a big heart. "Tell you what, me and Gallade are heading back to the Budew Drop Inn. You two staying there?" Samuel nodded and Lily got very excited. "I think we could all use some dinner and I was gonna cook up some pasta. Wanna join us?"
"Sammy please!" Lily made puppy eyes to her trainer, who just smiled.
"Sure – it's been a while since I've had pasta" as the sun set, me, Gallade, Samuel and Lily made our way back into the Budew Drop Inn, an interesting night about to ensue.