Chapter 53 - Sanma-men


It had been a few days since Logan's battle with Kenta. The three had said their goodbyes and made their way back to Viridian City where Logan would challenge Midori once more.

They went straight for the gym. No matter what happened, they planned on staying in Viridian for one night and then heading straight towards Seshiru's final Battle Frontier challenge.

But once they reached the gym doors, Logan froze. He stuck his hand out and paused before he could open the doors. Nothing seemed to be stopping him besides what was going on in his head.

"You okay?" Yurie asked.

"Don't tell me you're having second thoughts," Seshiru said. "If so, we'll go to Pewter instead."

Logan shook his head. "No. I'm just nervous. He crushed me last time. There's no way around that. And my rivals all struggled with Midori too. I don't want to lose again. I'm okay with setbacks, but I don't want to inconvenience you two. This is bigger than me."

Yurie smiled and put her hand on his shoulder. "No pressure, Logan! Just do your best!"

Seshiru nodded. "Let's get in there."

Logan pushed the doors open and walked in. It was dark, but the lights suddenly flashed, and Midori was revealed on the other side. He grinned at Logan.

"Welcome back," he said. He adjusted his green leather jacket and played with his spiky brown hair. "We've been waiting for you! How is Himiko holding up?"

Logan held out the Volcano Badge. "It was an exciting battle, but it was only a stepping stone to this moment."

"Are you ready?"

"I think so."

Midori grinned. "Then let's start. Just like last time, it'll be three on three."

The referee took his position and waited for both trainers to step into their boxes. Seshiru and Yurie made their way to the sidelines where they were forced to stand. He held up his red and blue flags and then announced, "The following battle will be between gym leader, Midori, and gym challenger, Logan. It will be a three on three Pokémon battle, and a winner will be decided when one side's Pokémon are unable to continue. Only the challenger may make substitutions."

"We'll take a different approach this time," Midori said. He twirled his Poké Ball on his finger and then tossed it forward. A large tree Pokémon with long leaves coming from the top of its head appeared. Logan recognized it as being the Kantonian form of Exeggutor. He had to battle an Alolan Exeggutor for his final gym battle in Alola, so he knew of their strength.

"We'll fight as hard as we can. We won't lose!" Logan exclaimed. "Go, Charmeleon!"

Charmeleon materialized from his Poké Ball, and he roared, sending some flames from his mouth. He looked at Exeggutor and then Midori. Seeing the gym leader filled him with rage, but he tried to find some composure so he could focus on getting through the battle. He refused to let himself be embarrassed like last time.

"Begin!" the referee announced.

"Charmeleon, don't hold back! Use Flamethrower!"

"Exeggutor, defend with a Seed Bomb!" Midori commanded.

Charmeleon unleashed a smooth stream of flames from his mouth, but Exeggutor was quick to put his defensive technique into action. He dropped some seeds of energy from the top of his head, surrounding him with smoke. The flames then connected, but Logan was unsure if it made contact with Exeggutor.

"Wood Hammer!" Midori shouted.

Exeggutor exploded from the smoke and swung one of his massive legs around. It started to glow with energy, and then using it as a hammer, he brought it down on top of Charmeleon.

"Fire Fang!" Logan commanded as soon as they made impact. He knew that the attack was going to be strong, but he also knew that Charmeleon was going to make it through. He figured that he should get the command in before Midori had a chance to call Exeggutor back.

Charmeleon hit the ground but instantly bounced back up. He latched onto Exeggutor's side, making the Grass-type howl from the pain. The tree-like Pokémon started to shake and wave his body around, trying to throw Charmeleon off, but the Fire-type was relentless.

"Use another Seed Bomb!" Midori commanded after he collected himself.

Exeggutor stopped moving and then charged up his attack. He released some of the seeds into the air and they fell down directly on top of the two Pokémon, forcing Charmeleon to finally let go. Charmeleon backed away, and Exeggutor emerged from the smoke, all of his faces glaring down at the Fire-type.

"Use Psyshock!" Midori commanded.

"Flamethrower once more!" Logan yelled, now on the defensive.

Exeggutor unleashed waves of psychic energy from his eyes. The waves took on the form of purple electricity, and they targeted Charmeleon with concentrated power. But the Fire-type was strong, releasing the stream of flames once again. The two attacks met in the middle, causing another explosion.

"Now it's our turn!" Logan shouted. "One more Fire Fang!"

Charmeleon dove into the smoke and quickly came out the other side. The flames he managed to form were much more intense this time. He chomped down onto Exeggutor's side, and without giving the Grass-type any time to screech or run, Charmeleon flipped, throwing Exeggutor to the other side of the field. Exeggutor crashed into the ground before Midori's feet, leaving the teenager in shock.

"What?" he asked as he looked down at his fainted Pokémon.

The referee remained level-headed and raised his flag. "Exeggutor is unable to battle. Charmeleon is the winner." He eyed Midori. "Would the gym leader like to forfeit?"

That brought Midori back from his surprise. He looked up and smiled at Logan. "Never." He withdrew Exeggutor and then pulled his next Poké Ball from his belt. "I really prefer this Logan over the person who came into my gym the first time. Your Pokémon are stronger and you have more confidence. But, I still won't let you win."

In front of Midori appeared a large, purple, and blue Pokémon made entirely of what appeared to be a hard shell.

"Cloyster, the Bivalve Pokémon. It fights by keeping its shell tightly shut for protection and by shooting spikes to repel foes," Logan's black Pokédex rang.

Seshiru nervously gripped the bottom of her shorts. "Cloyster is one of the best Pokémon defensively. I'm not sure if Logan is going to have the attack power to actually defeat it."

"I believe in him," Yurie said.

"Torchic!" her Pokémon added confidently.

"It's a Water-type," Logan noted before lifting his Poké Ball. "C'mon back, Charmeleon. This ain't your fight." Charmeleon nodded and then let the red light of his Poké Ball absorb him. Logan drew out another ball and then tossed it forward, and Grotle emerged onto the field.

"I'll give you the first strike," Midori said. "Afterall, it appears like my Cloyster is unable to move."

I know it's some kind of trap, but we can't win a battle by doing nothing. We'll attack, but we'll be careful, Logan thought. "Grotle, use Razor Leaf!"

Grotle unleashed her attack, sending razor sharp leaves from the bushes on her back. They sliced through the air as they shot down the field.

"Withdraw," Midori commanded.

Cloyster stayed still, but she started to glow a light blue as she focused her energy. The leaves bounced off of her hard shell, seemingly doing nothing although they were super-effective.

"Alright. We'll use Superpower! Get in close!"

Grotle howled and then started running down the field as fast as her slow body could take her. She picked up speed while chakra exploded from her body. She tackled Cloyster with immense power, but it still wasn't enough to move the Water-type Pokémon.

"No way!" Logan yelled.

Midori ran his hand through his long spiky hair. "Yeah way. Razor Shell!"

Cloyster opened her shell a little bit more, revealing her sinister smile. She lugged her massive body and started to float in the air, something that none of them thought would be possible. She spun her body and created aquatic energy around her herself, similar to a saw. She drove her body into Grotle. The attack wasn't too strong, but that didn't stop Grotle from being forced back.

"Use Razor Leaf!" Logan ordered, seeing a chance to make a quick attack.

Grotle locked eyes with Cloyster and then unleashed the leaves from her back once more. They ripped into the inside of Cloyster's shell, making the Water-type screech from the pain.

"Withdraw!" Midori shouted.

Cloyster clamped her shell down, protecting herself from any more damage from the leaves. She crashed into the ground and remained still, but Logan knew better than to think that she had fainted.

"Grotle, use Mega Drain!"

Grotle lunged forward and prepared to strike, releasing orbs of energy from her body.

"Icicle Spear!" Midori commanded.

Cloyster remained closed, and the spines on her shell started to glow. She started to shoot crystalized energy from her body, which blasted through the green orbs before pelting into Grotle repeatedly. The attack was too much for Grotle to take, and she collapsed.

"Grotle is unable to battle! Cloyster is the winner!" the referee declared. "Would the challenger like to forfeit?"

Logan shook his head before withdrawing Grotle. "No. We got this."

"Continue!"

Logan has a few options to fight Cloyster with. No matter how strong its defenses are, Grotle still managed to hit its weak point. What matters now is how Logan decides to follow-up, Seshiru thought.

Logan pulled his Dive Ball from his belt and threw it forward, letting Poliwhirl take to the field.

Seshiru put her palm to her forehead. "You can't be serious."

"Maybe he's got a plan?" Yurie suggested. She couldn't read Seshiru's thoughts, but she knew exactly what she was thinking.

Poliwhirl looked around the field. The last time that he had battled, he fell in love. But it had been weeks, and he hadn't seen Flareon since. He was unsure if the two would ever meet again. Down the field, Cloyster opened her shell slightly, revealing her sinister smile and making Poliwhirl shudder.

"Show no fear, Poliwhirl!" Logan directed.

"Poli!" the Pokémon called back before flexing his nonexistent muscles.

"Use Bubblebeam!" Logan ordered.

Poliwhirl shouted while releasing a stream of bubbles from the middle of his stomach.

"Icicle Spear!"

"Running Double Slap!"

Poliwhirl stopped blasting the bubbles from his belly and then ran forward. The bubbles collided with the crystallized ice, but they were destroyed on impact. They had done enough damage to the ice to slow them down, allowing Poliwhirl to shred through them with his rapid strikes. He barreled through them and then stopped right before Cloyster, now preparing for Logan's next command.

"Brick Break!" he shouted.

Poliwhirl put both of his mitten-like hands together and focused his chi. He centered himself and then lunged forward, smashing his fists against Cloyster's hard shell. Everyone in the room paused and waited for the results, and everyone's jaws dropped whenever Cloyster tumbled over.

The referee had seen enough of Midori's matches with Cloyster to understand the Pokémon's condition. He raised his flag. "Cloyster is unable to battle! Poliwhirl is the winner!"

Before he could ask Midori if he'd like to forfeit, Midori simply shook his head, withdrew Cloyster, and then pulled out his final Poké Ball.

Logan prepared for Charizard. He was hoping that he would conserve enough of Poliwhirl's energy to get in a couple of super-effective strikes, but he also knew that Charizard wasn't simply going to let him attack.

"Charizard, let's go!" Midori shouted while tossing his last Poké Ball onto the field. Charizard materialized and then eyed Logan before grinning mischievously.

All of Charizard's attacks from our first battle were from a distance. I'm thinking that his close-ranged defensive capabilities are pretty low. If we can get in close and strike, we might stand more of a chance of winning, Logan thought. We just gotta wait for him to mega evolve.

"I know what you're waiting for," Midori said while pulling out the stone from the collar of his green t-shirt. "And I'm a man of the people! Charizard, let's mega evolve!"

Logan was now familiar with the energy that was necessary for mega evolution, but Seshiru still found the sensation unsettling. The air whirled around the field, taking on different colors and encircling Charizard. His form quickly changed, and the cocoon of energy exploded, revealing his now lanky body. Upon coming onto the field, the lights brightened and it got hotter. Charizard's Fire-type attacks would be powered-up while Poliwhirl's Water-type strikes would be weakened.

"Poliwhirl, you can do this!" Logan cheered.

His Pokémon wasn't so sure. He was already afraid of battling, but now that he was faced with a terrifying opponent like this Charizard, he didn't see a way that he could win the battle. Nonetheless, he put his fists at his side and prepared to fight.

"Use Bubblebeam!" Logan ordered.

"Fight back with Fire Blast!"

The two Pokémon used their attacks, and as was to be expected because of the weather condition and Charizard's pure power, Bubblebeam was overwhelmed and destroyed.

"Body Slam!" Logan directed. He had thought of a secondary strategy if Bubblebeam were to fail.

Poliwhirl leaped into the air and narrowly avoided the flames. He twirled around and spread out his limbs before smashing the entirety of his body into Charizard's face. In what took everyone in the building by surprise, Charizard toppled over and hit the ground. Poliwhirl landed on his feet and urgently looked at Logan. Now was their chance.

"Blast him with Bubblebeam!" Logan directed.

Now close-ranged, Charizard had no easy way to block the attack. Poliwhirl unleashed his fury of bubbles from the middle of the swirl on his stomach, getting a multitude of small strikes against the Fire-type Pokémon.

Charizard howled as the attacks stung into his skin, and he slowly stood back up, forcing himself to fight against the pain.

"Enough is enough," Midori said. "Hyper Beam!"

Without wasting a single second, Charizard unleashed the bright yellow beam from his mouth, hitting Poliwhirl directly. The beam was relentless and forced Poliwhirl up against the gym wall, dragging him across its wooden surface. Eventually, Charizard stopped and Poliwhirl plopped against the ground, landing right next to Seshiru and Yurie.

The referee nodded and then raised his flag. "Poliwhirl is unable to battle! Charizard is the winner! Would the challenger like to forfeit?"

Logan withdrew Poliwhirl and then attached the Dive Ball to his belt. He looked up at Charizard and thought about the last time that they battled. He forced his Charmeleon to fight a battle that he knew he couldn't win. If there was ever a time to forfeit, now would be it.

But then, Charmeleon's Poké Ball exploded open, and the Fire-type took to the field. He roared and absorbed the power of the artificial sun that lit up the room.

"I guess that answers your question," Logan said. "We'll continue.

"Continue!"

The two Fire-types stared each other down, waiting for their trainers' commands. Charizard snarled, and Charmeleon crouched and prepared to lash out when given the command.

Logan was afraid to dive directly into battle, and he had to think out a plan. Unfortunately, this gave Charizard ample enough time to recharge.

"Flamethrower!" Logan shouted.

"Dragon Pulse!" Midori yelled.

Charmeleon released the straight stream of flames while Charizard generated a ball of arcane energy. He lunged the ball from his mouth, and the two attacks clashed in the middle of the field, creating an explosion of thick smoke.

"Thunder Punch!" Logan directed.

Charmeleon dove through the smoke and came out through the other end, his claws electrified with static.

"We're not falling for that one again!" Midori shouted. "Fire Blast!"

Before Charmeleon could reach Charizard to attack, the larger Pokémon blasted his flames. Charmeleon was engulfed and screeched, putting a stop to his attack. He fell to one knee and looked up at Charizard, who glared back intensely.

"Air Slash!" Midori commanded.

Charizard flapped his wings, sending out waves of energy from them. They sliced into Charmeleon and blasted him backward. He landed in the middle of the field, flat on his back. Seeing his Pokémon limp, Logan's heart sunk into his chest. He lost again.

The referee raised his flag, but then suddenly came to a stop. Charmeleon started to stir, and although it took almost everything that he had left in him, he came back to his feet.

"Char!" the Pokémon cried while energy started to swirl around him. His body began to glow and surge with power. Then, he grew and morphed, taking on a new form. The energy exploded from his body, and he roared with determination. He had become a Charizard.

"Yes!" Logan shouted. "Awesome! Charizard, we can do this!"

Logan's Charizard roared and then stomped his feet.

I studied for this. Charizard now has Flying-type capabilities, and if I'm correct, he's learned Air Slash. We can still win this, Logan thought. "Air Slash! Let's give it a go!"

"Use your own Air Slash!" Midori commanded.

The two Pokémon unleashed their strikes, whipping up wind throughout the field. Logan had to hold onto his hat from the energy that was created. The attacks only seemed like tests of strength though, as both Pokémon remained still.

"Alright then. Flamethrower!" Logan directed.

"Use Fire Blast!" Midori shouted.

With the power of the artificial sun, the two Pokémon roared and used their strikes. Although Logan's Charizard was fueled with a new power, his attack was still not enough, and Flamethrower was overtaken.

"Fly over it and use Thunder Punch!" Logan directed.

Logan's Charizard stopped his attack, and he jumped into the air. He flapped his wings, but unfortunately, it wasn't enough, and he came back to the ground. Before he could figure out what had happened, he was blasted by the mega Charizard's attack, and he fell backward. He rolled to his feet and took in a deep breath.

"We'll try one more time!" Logan said. "Into the air and use Thunder Punch!"

Charizard nodded and then ran forward. He leaped and spread out his wings, but then came crashing down onto his face. For whatever reason, he didn't quite understand how to fly just yet.

"Not good," Logan muttered.

"Hyper Beam!" Midori commanded.

Midori's Charizard took in a deep breath once more and then unleashed the devastating beam yet again.

"Dodge!" Logan shouted, but it was too late.

Charizard was overtaken by the beam, his body and silhouette disappearing because of the power of the light. When the beam faded away, Logan's Charizard collapsed once again, falling flat against the field.

"No," Yurie muttered.

"So close," Seshiru added.

"Logan's Charizard is unable to battle!" the referee declared. "Midori's Charizard is the winner! The victory goes to the gym leader, Midori!"

Logan slowly walked onto the field and withdrew Charizard. He sighed and then looked at the ball closely. "I'm sorry, buddy. Next time."

Midori folded his arms. "I'm thinking that next time will be your last chance."

Logan looked up. "Huh?"

Midori grinned. "Unless you stayed in Viridian and trained, then you're not going to have a lot of time to have another rematch. The conference is only a couple of months away. Come back when you're ready, but you better make sure you're really ready. If you can beat me, then you'll have to train for the conference too, and I'm not sure if you'll be able to do that in the time you have left."


Cyan and Skylar were in Lavender Town. Upon arriving in Kanto, Cyan made a list of places that the two needed to investigate. Lavender Town was one of the first places that the new Team Rocket had been reportedly active, and they wanted to see what exactly had happened.

This brought them to Pokémon Tower. Cyan made sure to time their arrival during the day, as he had one scary experience with Ghost-type Pokémon, and he didn't want to risk another incident. He knew they were more lively at night, so they were safe during the day.

Supposedly Team Rocket were unsuccessful in whatever they were trying to do, but the damage of their presence was still obvious. The tower was being repaired from the outside, as they had blown a hole in one of the upper floors. Cyan and Skylar went inside, finding that the ground had been dug up and many tombstones were shattered.

"They don't care who or what they're messing with," Cyan said.

"Living or dead," Skylar added. She looked around the room, finding one of the intact tombstones. She knelt and rubbed the cold stone surface. "At least they didn't get whatever it was that they were after."

"What are you doing here?" a voice called from behind, interrupting their conversation. The two turned to find a small old-lady with a wooden walking stick. She was dressed in purple and had greying blonde hair. "Be careful what you disturb."

"We mean no disrespect, ma'am," Cyan said. He felt like he recognized the elderly woman, but he was unsure. "We're just investigating an incident that happened a few months ago."

"You're too young to be detectives," the woman said. "You shouldn't be investigating anything." She examined the two of them. She could tell that they were strong trainers, but she was firm in believing that they were too young to be getting wrapped up in an investigation.

"Unfortunately, that's the only reason why we came to Kanto," Skylar mumbled to herself.

"Can you tell us what you know about Neo Rocket?" Cyan asked bluntly. "Why did they come here?"

The elderly woman cocked her head. "Take a look around you. Isn't it obvious? They didn't come here to take anything. They came here to destroy and make themselves known. Months ago, no one was aware that an underground faction of Team Rocket was around. But all it took was one incident at the scariest place in Kanto to change all of that."

"So, they just came to rough things up, so to speak?" Skylar wondered. This group was different from the one that they battled with in the Orange Islands. Everything that Daidai Rocket did was methodic and planned, even if they had odd ways of going about it.

"Neo Rocket, as they wanted to be called, are simply a group of anarchists. They're children that were abandoned and forgotten when they were younger, and they're taking it out on the Kanto region. What they're ultimately planning, I can't say," the elderly woman said. "However, if things get bad, there's a group of trainers in Kanto that will take care of it."

Cyan balled his fist. "Elite Four?"

"That's one group," the elderly woman said. "Gym leaders, local trainers. There are dozens of people in Kanto who can take care of it. We don't need outsiders coming to fix our problems."

"I'm not an outsider," Cyan snapped. "I'm from Pallet Town."

The woman grinned. "As a former member of the Elite Four, I keep tabs on other regions. As far as I'm concerned, the Alola Champion is an outsider."

Cyan knew that he recognized the woman. He was vaguely familiar with Elite Four from many years ago, and now that the woman mentioned it, he recognized her as Agatha. How she knew that he was technically a former Alola Champion baffled him, as he received the title whenever everyone thought that he was dead as a way to honor him. He was still uncomfortable with being called a champion, and Agatha seemed to realize this. She also seemed to not care.

"Only pain waits for you at the end of this road, Cyan," Agatha said. "And you're dragging your dear friend into it? How reckless."

"I chose to come!" Skylar snapped.

"Nonetheless, it doesn't change anything that I've said," Agatha exclaimed. "You should run from Kanto while you can. Neo Rocket is after something very scary, and determination and a peppy attitude will only carry you so far against them. Let us handle this."

Cyan looked down. He wouldn't leave Kanto, as it was his home, but the words from the elderly woman stung. Was Neo Rocket really that powerful?


"Logan," Yurie said. The three were eating at a small restaurant that they had found. They were set to stay at the Pokémon Center that night and then leave for Seshiru's Battle Frontier challenge the next day. "You haven't touched your sanma-men."

"Sorry; I'm just thinking a lot about today," Logan said. "I could have done better."

Seshiru shrugged. "Midori isn't a bad guy, but I think he's hazing you. He's battling with the intensity of someone who has won a league conference. He wants you to do well, that's all."

"I get that. I just have to do better next time."

Yurie looked down at her bowl of soup. It was packed with noodles and various kinds of vegetables. "What if you stayed here and trained? Should we split up again? Seshiru has to battle soon and I have the Grand Festival to get to. Maybe we should split up."

Logan shook his head. "No. I want to see Seshiru's battle, and I promised myself that I'd watch you perform in the festival. Don't worry about my rematch. I'll win. I know I will. I just need more time."


AUTHOR'S NOTES:

So, Logan loses his rematch, but at least he now has a Charizard (who can't fly). And Cyan and Skylar are in Lavender Town, investigating Neo Rocket. Where will their small journey take them to next?

I was/am very nervous about posting this chapter. I could totally see people being irritated with Logan losing a second time. But, I think it's a necessary loss. When/if Logan gets that eighth badge, I think that the emotional payoff will be a lot more rewarding. That said, he only has one more chance.

Next chapter, Seshiru battles against Jindai (Brandon). Is she ready?

REVIEWS:

pokemonking0924 - "Lots of complex thoughts are going through Logan's mind as reflects on what he's done before and during his journey. He doesn't really know what to do next he's thinking of retiring from battles but it looks like he's having second thoughts. It also looks like Yurie is one of his main thoughts. Hopefully he finds out what he really wants to do next after his journey in Kanto is finished." - I have his future planned out, and I'm excited for him to finally get some rest (eventually). Part of the reason why I have him bring up retiring from battle is so that I can get people used to the idea of a story without him as the lead.

The Imprisoned of Hell - "Oh. Can't wait to see how this goes. As for Logan's battle with Midori, I see it being an intense battle but in the end Logan will come out on top." - A lot of twists and turns... but no dice...

SceptileBlade - "Aw man, Cyan Kokura has invaded the fic. Excited to see his interactions with Logan. I remember that Logan unjustly pegged Cyan as a downer, so he'll probably have to change that opinion of him. Skylar already knowing Logan will be pretty interesting too." - I don't think it's spoiling anything to say that they will eventually meet. I wrote their first interaction the other day, and I really enjoyed it.

wisdom-jewel - "I can't wait to see Cyan and Logan's interaction. I would love to see how Logan react to hearing about Team Rocket." - I'm kind of interested to see if Logan thinks that Rocket or Plasma are more dangerous.