Aha! I've finally gotten around to another chapter! I will seriously try to get better with how often I release, but I am really busy right now. Next year, I'll have an easier time, but for now, I'll guarantee at least a chapter a month. Also, I'll respond to reviews now. I think that It'll create more of a connection with y'all, since I usually don't respond as I dislike long Author notes.
Lord Asmodeus: I thank you for your complement! I definitely believe that Pokemon fics are better about not copying canon and with other trainers' pov not being explored, other perspectives (like Paul's) would be a lot of fun to write and would be original.
Brodylopa: I ask this for everyone hoping for a pairing: don't right now. I have no current plans for ANY pairing, let alone Cynthia. Let Paul at least interact with a girl before you start shipping them lol. IF a pairing comes in, it'll definitely not start at least until maybe after the 6th or 7th badge. Paul will interact with girls, yes. Maybe a girl will have a crush on him. But... nothing will come from it as that is not the focus of this fic.
Now on to our regularly recorded program-
Croagunk and Dunsparce were locked in an old-fashion stare down. I was hesitant to make the first move and it looks like my opponent is the same. Dunsparce, as a normal type, could easily have moves that could do a lot of harm to Croagunk. If I want Croagunk to have the advantage, I'll have to keep my opponent on his toes at all times. Taking a single breath, I give my order.
"Croagunk, use earthquake!" Might as well go big or go home!
"Protect, quickly!"
"Use mud bomb!" Due to the earlier earthquake, even if it didn't connect, the after effects of it, being the change in elevation for Dunsparce is the same, meaning that Croagunk can effectively drop a mud bomb without having to really shoot it out far.
"Dunsparce, use ancient power!" Boulders levitated by Dunsparce blocked the mud bomb and it seemed like Dunsparce was more energized after that exchange. Damn it, I'll keep on!
"Croagunk, feint attack, now!" Dropping down into the cavern from the earthquake, Croagunk approached the Dunsparce with a wide grin on his face. In an instant, Croagunk closed the distance between the 2 and punched Dunsparce square in the face which made him fly out of the cavern.
I looked over at my opponent. He gave no indication that he was in trouble, in fact, he was grinning.
"Dunsparce, use dig!" Dunsparce, from the high ground area of the field, burrowed its way underground. In any other situation, I'd tell Croagunk to earthquake the Dunsparce out of the dig, but here, Croagunk is in the lower part carved out of the Earthquake which makes aiming for the Dunsparce all the more difficult. Fortunately for me, I don't need to do any of that. I just need to make it so attacking Croagunk will come with big consequences.
"Croagunk, ready your fists. You're going to have to react quickly here." Now if I were a Dunsparce, where would I pop out from. Looking at Croagunk, who was surrounded by walls of dirt, it was obvious.
"Dunsparce/Croagunk!" My opponent and I started our commands in unison.
"Use Dig/ attack the wall behind you with poison jab!"
The ground behind Croagunk broke away to reveal Dunsparce, ready to attack. Croagunk, on my command, hit Dunsparce twice with the poison jab, smacking Dunsparce into the wall next to its hidey hole.
Dunsparce was hurt, but not out of this, not by a long shot. I won't let up! "Croagunk, get in there with another feint attack!"
Croagunk approached Dunsparce once more and in an instant rushed Dunsparce. "We're ready for ya this time! Dunsparce, use endeavor!" In the instant that Croagunk jabbed Dunsparce, Dunsparce glowed. When Croagunk retreated after attacking, he was exhausted. He took all the punishment that he himself had dealt to Dunsparce. He can't keep this up and with the way that my opponent is battling, neither can he.
"Dunsparce, use rest!"
WHAT!
Dunsparce, on the spot, rested and felt the effects of it. I can't allow this to go on!
"Croagunk, we can't let them get away with that! Use earthquake!" Burying the Dunsparce even farther underground, he was subject to any attack as long as he was asleep. "Keep going, continual poison jab, now!" Physically thrashing Dunsparce now, I intended to end this.
"Dunsparce, you have to wake up!" Ollie tried to wake up his Pokémon, but it appears that Dunsparce is trapped in his slumber.
"Keep the jabs going, Croagunk!" We were NOT going to lose this match! Suddenly, a flicker of light appeared as Dunsparce's eyes opened up. That looks like an electric type move that could knock Croagunk right out of the match.
"Great, you're awake! Now use thunderbolt!" It's too bad, it's over.
"Croagunk, finish him off with revenge!" Charging up a strike, Croagunk slammed Dunsparce into the ground, interrupting the incoming thunderbolt.
The results were clear. My Croagunk tiredly stood above the Dunsparce and raised its arm up with a show of victory. The match was called in my favor and so after Croagunk was helped up from the hole he created with earthquake, we made our way to the Pokémon center.
Looking over Croagunk, I whispered, "You don't have to act tough anymore. It's over, you won."
Croagunk looked at me with a sort of teary, yet proud expression and then fainted on the spot. It takes a lot out of a Pokémon to take attacks and to dish out attacks. I had exhausted Croagunk by commanding him to give out so many poison jabs. With a proud, but solemn expression, I said to Croagunk, "You did amazing for your first full match. I hope you're as proud of yourself as I am."
(-)
After a quick conversation with Reggie, I transferred Croagunk out for a long rest. He was going to be out of commission for the remainder of the day. He's improved a lot as well and I think a stay at Reggie's place will give him the downtime he'll like. Croagunk is not competitive by nature, although he's grown into a bit of a fighter with me training him. In fact, all my Pokémon are now battlers. None seem reserved about it and go along with it. I know that sometimes there are Pokémon that wish to participate in coordinating or performing, but I've never had that problem. My guess is that if you train a Pokémon enough, their natural inclination will be to battle. That's what they do to survive, so it just makes sense. Pokémon that like to perform or coordinate are generally more exposed to those activities and are neglected in being able to participate in battle.
Basically, I'm accusing any trainer that has a Pokémon that won't battle of training them wrong. Take that as you will.
Anyway, I was currently sitting in my room at the Pokémon Center, just relaxing before my final match of the day. My last opponent made me realize something. Even now, after a considerable amount of work, I am still far from being the cream of the crop when it comes to advanced trainers.
Reggie who before my… incident I considered an inferior trainer to myself is still well above my skill level as I am right now. Don't get me wrong, some of my Pokémon are absolutely strong and will only be growing stronger. The problem doesn't lie with them, although they are a part of it. This might be a bit odd for myself to think but I am not the level of trainer I thought I was. There were simply too many mistakes present in that battle and I only have myself to blame. Part of it definitely has to do with battle style. Some trainers are all about the results that a Pokémon gets. For instance, I'd wager this Ollie fellow is one of them, judging by how he tried to rely on the endeavor-rest combo to win the battle. These types of trainers aren't wrong for relying on their Pokémon's specific move pool in order to achieve a powerful combination of attacks, but that's not the type of trainer I want to be. The champions are the types of trainers that I strive for. Trainers who far surpass the others not because of their Pokémon, but because of what they, the trainer, can unleash from any Pokémon. They're sort of like a Pokémon Ranger without the capture gear. They can truly make any Pokémon powerful no matter what their circumstances are before.
Now, of course I stand by my strategy of skipping a few steps when getting a powerful Pokémon. What a Pokémon has already at their disposal is important, but the truth of the matter is because I am not strong enough as a trainer to unleash the true potential of a Pokémon. I can get glimpses like with Monferno's blaze ability and Torterra's massive defense, but my decision-making should really be improved upon.
I should've never underestimated Ollie, my opponent. That Rhyperior had truly come out of nowhere. Ninjask and Lairon did an amazing job facing him, but if another Pokémon had been thrown out that had been on his level, I don't know if I would've progressed.
You know, it really just makes me hold a grudge against Tobias for relying on his Darkrai…
A glance at the clock shook me from my thoughts. It was time for my 3rd battle.
(-)
The ref called out, "For the 3rd round, will Leon Yulone and Paul Shinji please come to the field."
I step into the field, tense yet pumped up for my match. I'll be mostly playing it safe this round, with one exception to that.
"Trainers, release your Pokémon."
We both threw our Pokeballs. "Staravia, stand by for battle! / Make em' fear ya Fearow!"
Did I mention, I switched out more than just Croagunk?
"The 3rd round battles for the Celestic annual tournament will be underway. The rules are that this will be a 4 on 4 match with no substitutions. Are both competitors ready?
My opponent and I nodded.
"Then let the battle begin!"
"Fearow/Staravia, use aerial ace." It looks like we had the same idea.
Fearow and Staravia spread their wings out as they both displayed their fantastic aerial speed. Both wings of theirs glow bright white as they run into each other. It was a quick exchange and by the joyous look of my opponent, he too has noticed it in that one move.
Fearow is faster.
That's a huge lead when the type advantage is more or less, nonexistent. It's too bad that's not the only deciding factor. Strategy can win me this.
"Staravia, get back in there with double team. Then use steel wing!" A multitude of steel winged Staravia flooded the battlefield, prepped to strike.
"Fearow, blast em' away with hyper beam!" Fearow's powerful ray began blasting away at the incoming copies of Staravia. It's too bad Staravia isn't in the group of Staravia.
"Now, Staravia!" On my command, Staravia dived from above and rammed Fearow downward. With a quick inspection, it appears that Fearow was damaged a bit more than what Leon would've wanted.
"Staravia, aerial ace now while he's stunned!" Fearow is a bit staggered from dealing with the aftereffects of that hyper beam.
"Tch. Since aerial ace will hit no matter what, I'll make sure Fearow can do something else! Grab it!" With what can only be due to the difference in speed, Fearow stopped Staravia in his tracks by ensnaring him in with his talons. "Now while you have him, fury attack!" Fearow backed up his head before poking Staravia with his powerful beak, continuously ramming his beak into his body. This can't go on!
"Staravia, get out of their with quick attack!" With a bit of luck and a lot of strength from Staravia, he wiggled out of Fearow's grasp and whipped around the field with the extra speed. Staravia is definitely more hurt than Fearow, but I know we can pull out the early victory. All I need is one opening…
"Fearow, use pursuit!" A dark energy surrounded Fearow as he flew towards Staravia meaning to ram him.
"Push him back with Whirlwind!" Creating a mini tornado, Fearow's speed couldn't hold onto its attack. Now's my chance! "Keep up the pressure with double team into steel wing, once more!" The scene of a dozen Staravia storming the struggling Fearow once again commenced.
"That won't work again! Fearow, use mirror move!" Fearow duplicated himself and with that distraction, I lost sight of the Fearow and by the looks of Staravia's erratic head movement, he was too.
"Staravia, don't let them fool you! Use quick attack!" The army of Staravia struck the army of Fearow. Both double teams may not have actual weight behind their attacks, but their forms cannot superimpose on top of the other, meaning the Fearow's double team will eventually be dispelled by Staravia's. My eyes were all around my Staravia which I knew was the real one. I wanted to make sure no Fearow escaped my sight. There was once a little ways below if preparing its beak… "Staravia, below you! Dodge and attack with quick attack."
"Fearow, let it rip!" Fearow fired the hyper beam that I had foreseen and Staravia, with the help of quick attack, was well out of range for the attack. With the added speed of quick attack, Staravia swiftly through the air repeatedly bashed Fearow. One more push should do it!
"Staravia, steel wing!" From above, Staravia's form prepped his wings once more with steel energy covering his wings making them essentially steel.
"Dodge it now!" Fearow tried to dodge with his superior speed, but he got cut off by an attacker from his right.
I guess I forgot to mention that not all of Staravia's double team was gone, huh.
With that direct hit, Fearow was thrusted into the ground, knocking him out.
The referee called it. "Fearow is unable to battle. Trainer, call out your next Pokémon."
With a click of his tongue, Leon recalled his fainted Fearow and reached for a Pokeball on his belt. Throwing it, he cried out, "Delibird, present and accounted for!" The snowy Santa appeared before me.
Staravia can't hold out for long against an ice type, but we can leave Delibird with some damage! "Staravia, double team once more!" Staravia, as exhausted as he could do makes haste with his attack and swoops in with his duplicates. "Now strike him down with steel wing!" Staravia goes for the tried and true combo attack.
Unfortunately, he didn't get far. All the clones from double team vanished in an instant and Staravia was hurt harshly by that attack: the blizzard.
"Staravia is unable to battle. Trainer, call out your next Pokémon."
The field was an icy wasteland after that attack. Staravia didn't have a chance to even touch him. Well, he wants it that way, I guess I better bring the heat.
I recalled Staravia and switched out the pokeball. With my arm raised with it high in the air, I throw it and yell out, "Monferno, stand by for battle!" The playful primate entered with a battle-hungry grin. He would indeed be able to bring the heat.
"Delibird, make sure to accommodate Monferno with a rain dance," my opponent ordered calmly. Monferno may be hindered a bit with that, but in no way does that mean he won't pull a win. "Delibird, ice beam now!" Delibird fired the ray of pure frosty delight right at Monferno. Well, it'd be rude not to bring it back to him.
"Monferno, flame wheel into the ice beam!" Monferno rolled into his fire and blasted through the ice beam, evaporating the ice into a mist. In the quick span of a few seconds, Monferno had blasted through all of Delibird's ice beam and had rammed straight into Delibird, a direct attack.
"Delibird, while he's up close, aerial ace!" Delibird's eyes opened up like a switch had been flipped. With a thrust of their beak, Delibird readied its beak to strike Monferno.
"Don't let him hit you! Grab the beak, then go in for a fire punch!"
"If he grabs you, match his fire punch with a brick break!"
That exchange made this Pokémon battle speed up incredibly fast. With these close-range attacks raging on, little time would be wasted on dodging and firing back.
That exchange played out as the orders were given. Monferno grabbed the beak with his left hand and the readied his fist with a fire punch with his free hand. Delibird, even in his trapped state, readied his right arm with the fighting force of brick break. Both attacks were struck on the other. Both felt the recoil of getting attacked. But only one fainted from the other's attack.
"Delibird is unable to battle. Trainer, call out your next Pokémon."
Switching out his Pokeballs, Leon cries out, "Let's cash in on a win. Let him have it, Whiscash!"
Even if this is a severely unfavorable typing for Monferno to go up against, I have a few tricks to get out a win from this.
"Whiscash, use water pulse!" Out of the frying pan into the fire I take it? Whiscash has a very particular move set that will make it easy to take advantage of Monferno's. I'll just have to get Monferno to never stop moving!
"Monferno, dodge with a quick dig!" Monferno burrowed into the ground. Knowing my opponent, he needs to get out immediately.
"Whiscash/ Monferno," we both start our commands. This is optimal for me. "Use magnitude/ get out of the ground now!"
"What!" Leon was not ready for me to predict his next move.
Monferno rushes out of his hole in front of the Whiscash who was in the middle of his groundbreaking attack. "Mach punch now!" With that command, Monferno struck Whiscash 5 times before he backed off.
He was definitely going to retaliate now. I just have to respond with a perfect counter. "Whiscash, use aqua tail!"
"Monferno, dodge it and use will o wisp!"
Whiscash is much slower than Monferno. Monferno easily jumps over the tidal wave attack that was attempted and responds with his own, burning Whiscash. It definitely won't do much damage, but every little bit helps.
"Grr, get him back with mud bomb!" Unleashing a ball of dirt on top of Monferno, there was little chance to dodge, unless…
"Monferno, into the ground with dig!"
"Hit em' with a magnitude, quick!"
There was no time to respond. The ground shook and out popped Monferno from the rubble, severely injured.
It seems to be one of the weaker magnitudes even if it did massive damage. But still… that means Monferno is in this!
"Monferno, tough it out a little longer! Use flame wheel!" Flame wheel will give Monferno the speed he needs.
"Whiscash, don't let him reach you, use mud bomb!"
This will be close! "Monferno, jump from it!" Using the platform that mud bomb momentarily made in the air, Monferno was in the trajectory straight for Whiscash.
"Whiscash stop him with water pulse!"
"Monferno, abandon the flame wheel and go in for another mach punch!" Uncurling from his ball form, Monferno's momentum lost, making the water pulse miss its mark. With no time to unleash another attack, Whiscash was subject to the multiple jabs from Monferno, knocking him out.
"Whiscash is unable to battle. Trainer call out your next and final Pokémon."
Leon recalled his Whiscash. "You know, It may look bad for me now but..." he started. "That doesn't mean I won't go down without a fight!" With those words, he threw his last Pokémon. "Go, Kingdra!"
A Pokémon like that as his final one… it makes me all the more excited to beat it! "Monferno, fire spin now!" A whirlwind of fire spun its way over to Kingdra.
"Kingdra, hydro pump." A torrent of water dispelled the fire spin and made its way to Monferno.
"Monferno, dig quick!" Monferno started the motion to do so, but the exhaustion was too much for him and the hydro pump hit him directly, knocking him out. Unfortunate.
"Monferno is unable to battle. Trainer, call out your next Pokémon." Oh, I intend to. My next Pokémon may be on the more inexperienced side, but I know she has a lot of power behind her.
"Shinx, stand by for battle!" The little rascal appeared before the Kingdra, ready for battle.
"I hope you're not underestimating me," comments Leon.
"Not at all. Even a Pokémon that hasn't evolved yet can show up a lot of fully evolved Pokémon. If I were you, I'd be cautious."
Treating that as a flippant remark, Leon shook his head in a joking way and readied his expression. He better be ready. Shinx is ready to show off!
"Kingdra, use dragon dance!" It looks like he doesn't want to leave anything to chance, huh. Neither will I!
"Shinx, charge!" electricity flickered around her fast. She's been practicing that move and it shows.
"Now, unleash your might with discharge!" A circuit of electricity exploded in the arena. Kingdra was definitely hit by that. With the double damage aspect from charge, that definitely was an attack that should've been avoided, but there were little options on what to do.
"Let them have it with dragon pulse, Kingdra!" Kingdra, not to be disturbed too much by the discharge, emitted the powerful ray of dragon might.
"Shinx, run up close!" Shinx kicked his legs into high gear and ran towards the dragon pulse, unafraid of its might.
"Kingdra, hit him again with dragon pulse!" This one did hit Shinx, but she got up again and ran. She trusted me to make the right call and my call was to run at Kingdra.
"Tch, she won't stop, will she? Well, if she wants to go up to Kingdra, she's going to have to go through hell to do it! Kingdra, rapid fire Hydro pump, now!"
"Shinx, keep running but charge while you're at it!" Electricity sparked around Shinx as water was flowing all around her. She would be hit partially by some of them, but she would keep running.
Finally, she was within range. A hydro pump was fired and Shinx jumped over it.
"Shinx, use discharge one more time!" Dealing another double amount of damage with charge, Shinx's electricity sparked Kingdra. Kingdra was staggered by the attack but not out. I'd change that. "Shinx, finish him off with ice fang!" Snapping her jaws on the electrified Kingdra, ice began to form around the Kingdra's snout, the target of the attack. Kingdra tried to hold on, but with the close-up attack of the discharge, it couldn't and it ended up fainting. And with that, I was in the final 4!
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