"He's got quite a big head on him, doesn't he?" Emily says, peering over the campfire at Tyrunt curiously. Tyrunt glances curiously between Emily and Edric, who's just finished with his dinner for the night It had only been a day since they first encountered Tyrunt and Edric figured it'd be good to let him get some air.
"I think he's cute, and he's my friend." Edric chortles. Tyrunt looks back up at him fondly and Edric strokes its large snout before returning it to its Pokeball. He turns back to Emily "And what did you manage to procure on your adventure?"
"That's none of your business" Emily states simply, looking away. Edric's eyebrows furl at her.
"And why is that?" He challenges.
"Because I say so."
"And what brought this about?" Edric crosses his arms over his chest.
Emily stands having finished her dinner as well. She walks past Edric and places her trash in a bag. "You winning the tournament, Edric."
Edric's eyes roll into a glare. "What does that mean we aren't friends anymore?" He snaps. He can't help but feel she's overreacting.
"We've been best friends since we were born, Edric. That's not what I'm saying. I just mean we need to separate our friendship from our career. I am setting a rule that from now on, You and I are exclusively competitors when it comes to the Pokemon I catch and the moves they learn. At least until and especially up to the Regional Championship Tournament where it matters most." She looks around at Ethan and Hart, adding "That goes for you two too."
Her matter-of-fact tone makes Edric want to snap again, but he instead clenches his jaw shut. After a short pause, he groans in exasperation and waves her off. "If you say so. You were so stubborn over Ice Punch I kinda figured this was coming anyway."
Emily laughs incredulously, "Don't get too ahead of yourself. We know you love for everyone to like you."
Edric opens and closes his mouth, paling. "That's not true! It's not like I went and asked for an interview! I just fucking won!"
"Don't be an ass, Emily." Ethan says sternly over Edric's shoulder as he erects the tent. "We get it you're all competitive and whatever but honestly, if you were in his position you'd be the exact same way." He finishes with the tent and joins them at the fire, adding "And so would I, and Hart, and any other rookie trainer. And besides, Edric only took the one interview during the entire tournament and it wasn't even the final match."
Emily's face straightens, "I'm just saying, I want to keep it to myself with you all. You guys can do what you want, but we're three gyms in now and I think I'm done with constantly revealing my hand to my strongest competition."
Edric looks down at his belt. There is a pregnant pause where the fire crackles between the four of them. Edric attempted to see her reasoning. Previous to Fantina, the four of them had watched almost every battle fought between each other, and they were very quickly nearing the point where the League officials would actually be paying attention to the rookie leagues which meant they could all be subject to judgment that would form the rest of their career.
Hart stands. "I'm going to reschedule our gym appointments then so that we have separate time slots so we don't run into each other, then. If everyone is agreeable to that?" He looks around at the three of them. Emily nods thankfully and Ethan gives a quick one.
Edric can't help but feel a little defeated, but he also nods slowly. There is a moment of silence before Edric's head goes hot again.
"Well, I think we should also make an agreement that we're not going to be bitter with each other for our individual successes when they come at the expense of our friend's failures.I worked hard and it just happened to be that my results paid out over everyone else's. If you lost, you blame yourself for not working hard enough, not me for kicking your ass in the quarterfinals." He snapped.
Emily glares at him but does not say anything back. Edric silently turns and walks away toward his tent.
–
The last day on the road to Pastoria city welcomed the sight of more kids out and about looking to battle with any trainer that caught their eye, which was mostly Edric since he had apparently been on TV. The first kid he battled came right up to him and practically begged him for it. Of course, the kid had way more coming than he had bargained for, and Edric tried to tell him that, but he wouldn't listen. This one had insisted on battling the winner of the Trainer Pass Tournament.
When he lost, Edric grimaced as the kid stood in shock. He was shorter than him by about a foot and looked no older than twelve with black hair and thick eyebrows. "Cheer up," Edric said, crossing the field. He reached into his bag with one hand and recalled Noibat with the other. Edric held out a small spray bottle with a purple liquid and a shrunken regular Pokeball. "Don't tell anyone." He said with a smirk. The kid grabbed both items, recalled his Pokemon as well, and disappeared without a word. Edric could only hope the kid felt better about getting his Pokemon hurt.
As they came into view of the city, the southeast terrain fell into the ocean and the chilly breeze of the waves greeted them. The entire east side of the city was edged with a long, expansive beach with several harbors scattered every couple of miles apart. There were no tall buildings in the city that loomed over the small neighborhoods. Most everything tall looked to be either a hotel or other large business.
"I think we could probably see the gym from here. It should be on the shoreline." Hart said, glancing at his phone screen. After a pause, he pointed a finger "There."
There was a large shack in the distance a ways out on the beach painted cerulean blue and flanked by a large sign with a Pokeball symbol painted on it. The sun still shined overhead so it was a little hard to see, but there was no mistaking that sign.
"Kind of small for a gym, isn't it?" Edric said.
Hart scoffed, "No. Absolutely not, It's the largest gym arena in the entire region."
Edric looked at him incredulously for a moment. "What, does it go underground?"
Hart chortled, patting Edric on the shoulder. His finger came up to point to the ocean. Edric had to squint to see. Two large white platforms floated in the water about a hundred yards from the shore. Looking around, Edric could see a speedboat on the shoreline next to the shack. He looked around at his friends, his mouth open.
"We're battling out there? I knew this was a Water-type gym but Arceus! I'm not ready for this." He paled at the thought of any of his Pokemon having to deal with battles underwater. Could they even swim? He placed his hands on both sides of his head and gave a worried groan. "What if my Pokemon drown!"
Ethan took one look at him and burst out laughing. "You're ready, Ed. Way more ready than you think!"
Edric looked at him "Why are you guys also not freaking out? Is this even allowed?" He moaned. "I mean like, it can't be. I mean I know most Pokemon are capable of swimming at some capacity but like… There has to be something wrong with this." He turned to Hart, looking for an answer. Hart was smiling and reading from his phone, apparently ignoring him.
"I think you'll have to figure it out for yourself, Edric." Ethan mused at him. Edric made a face back and Ethan reached out to touch his cheek. "You'll be alright."
The other three turned and began walking again, leaving Edric bewildered as he stared at the two platforms in the water.
–
As Edric and Ethan walked into their hotel room Hart had booked for them, Edric's mind was still racing with questions he was only beginning to find the answers to. He babbled about while Ethan jumped face first onto the bed.
"Ugh it feels so good to finally be back in a bed." He groaned, his face buried in a white pillow. Edric's throat cleared and his face appeared and gave Edric a questioning look. He stood with his arms crossed
"Did you know the gym was like this? Out on the ocean?" Edric questioned.
"I did." He said.
"And you didn't tell me?" Edric's bag flopped down on the cheap hotel couch behind him. He sat down and began taking his shoes off.
"I did not."
"So you're taking Emily's thing seriously then, huh?" He questioned, trying his best to mask his annoyance. Ethan sat up on the bed.
"I am, Edric. She has a good point."
Edric frowned, "But, I mean. Ethan, I'm your boyfriend. You don't think you could've maybe let it slip in secret or something when she's not around? I mean I only have one Water-type that I'm sure can swim well enough to keep up."
"Yes, you are my boyfriend, but you are also my rival" Edric groaned, rolling his eyes. "I am trying to make a career out of this just as much as you are, Ed. You are currently the number one rookie in the region, and I need to keep that in mind if I want to win."
Edric grimaced silently, jaw tightening.
"Anyway, I'm first up, so I'm going to take a shower and get to the gym. I'll see you later tonight when you get back."
Edric waited for Ethan to shower and leave, pulled out his phone and dialed up his uncle. Nick answered on the third ring.
"How's it going, Nephew?" There was the sound of something whirring in the background, like a blender.
"Uh, just fine. We've just reached Pastoria City and I'm supposed to battle later this evening."
"Oh! I remember that one being a fun one. Are you excited?" The whirring stops behind Nick, he can hear him handling a bowl.
"No. Not at all." Edric said bitterly. "I'm not prepared for this, I don't think. No one told me this was happening in the middle of the ocean. I called to ask if you had any bit of advice?" He asked, fingering a blister forming on his ankle.
To his dismay, Nick bursts out in laughter, a full-chested 'HA HA HA' laugh. He hears Birch in the background laughing just as loud. "I lost to Crasher Wake 4 times, Edric!"
Edric couldn't help but chuckle a little too at that. "Damn. Four, huh? What did you do to win eventually?"
"It was luck for the most part, bud." His uncle catches his breath, a chortle still in his voice. "If you remember, I was a big fan of ground and rock-type Pokemon back then. 5 battles with Wake forced me to realize that I needed to broaden my horizons a little bit. Rock Pokemon are heavy and they sink like a rock, plus super-duper weak to water moves. My suggestion would be to not do that, I guess."
Edric sighed deeply, "Uncle Nick, that's just common sense, honestly."
"Of course it is, but it was common sense I didn't have when I was your age. I just wanted to have fun and win." He mused. Edric stands and grabs a bottle of water from the mini-fridge. He drinks slowly.
"I just mean that I don't know what to do about the water. I planned to use Luxio and Trevenant for the most part, but I'm kind of second guessing myself."
"Well, that's the thing. Unless you are also using water Pokemon, Wake's Pokemon are absolutely going to be faster than yours at basically every given moment, but you can use the platforms to your advantage for maneuverability." Nick said. Edric's eyebrows raised a bit at his Uncle's sudden switch to seriousness. He heard remnants of the Pokemon Trainer in him.
"The platform I'll be standing on? Don't you think that's a little too close?" Edric asked.
"You were looking at the gym from the southern road, weren't you? Good to know that view hasn't changed in 20 years. I thought the exact same thing when I arrived there for the first time. Except Wake was my third gym leader. There are more than two platforms in the water, Edric. They float about and bump around and can be used for Pokemon to stand on, but they're hard for balance and kind of slippery. They can also tip over if a heavy Pokemon stands on the wrong side of it. My Graveler really got screwed over that way."
Edric's eyes widened a bit at that "There's more than two? Why couldn't I see them?"
"They're like reinforced glass or something. Something transparent so his Water Pokemon can see you through them."
"Well that's fucking obnoxious. Why does it seem like this gym has way more extra hurdles than all the other ones?" He complained, his eyes rolling.
Nick laughed again, "Wake's a huge dick, apparently. There was this big thing back in the day where he went to court with some league officials over some kid complaining he nearly drowned in the middle of one of his battles."
"Drowned?"
"Yeah. Nearly killed the kid when he got hit with a stray attack and flew into the water. Kid couldn't swim so the referee had to jump in and save him." Edric's eyes furled again in concern. "The kid didn't win, of course. But now to avoid future suits they make trainers sign a waver to battle him in case of injury."
"Arceus, that's bad." Suddenly a pit grew in his stomach for Emily, who he knew could barely tread water for 30 seconds. "Does he give out life vests at least?"
"He may, I'm not completely sure. From what I could tell, the guy doesn't really give much of a fuck about what happens to the trainers."
"Wow. This guy totally sounds like he'd be good around kids." Edric said, a tinge of irritation coming through. A kid almost drowned?
"Pretty much, Nephew. Good luck with him, I guess." There is a short pause between them before Nick changed the subject. "How's your head feeling? Not finding anymore secret bases, are you?"
"No. We're keeping cool and on the main roads from now on, I think. As for my head, I still get an occasional headache in the morning and I've been having some weird dreams, but for the most part I think I'm alright." Edric said.
"Okay. Well as long as you're okay. Let me know if you need anything, bud."
After finishing his goodbyes, Edric hanged up the phone with a grimace. He mumbled grievances to himself as he undressed for a shower, trying desperately to formulate a plan in his head for this gym battle.
–
A few hours later, Ethan returned to the room, a wide grin plastered across his face. After 20 minutes when he received the text Emily was done as well, he left for the gym.
The bus ride was a long one, giving Edric the time to think more about what he was going to do on the way. By time he arrived, he was at least sure of two of the Pokemon he was going to use. He got off the bus and headed down the main street, eventually ending up on the beach. The sun was just beginning to touch the horizon, casting an orange-yellow light across the shoreline. As he approached the shack with the big sign out front, he caught a glimpse of the speedboat he saw earlier coming in toward it. Squinting, he could see Hart's blond hair matted to the sides of his face. He was soaking wet from head to toe, but smiling in success. Edric grimaced again.
At the helm stood an old man steering the boat in. He was tall, and had to be at least in his mid 60s with a heavily receding hairline with wisps of gray hair flying about. He wore a scowl as he drove the boat into the shack's dock and the both of them got out. Edric waved to Hart as he came to the shack's door. He made note that Hart wore a white life vest and Wake did not.
"Have a good time?" Edric asked, trying to unclench his jaw. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the Old man- Crasher Wake, give him a quick once over, the scowl permanently painted on his face. Edric ignored him.
"For the most part." Hart answered. "It was a little bit-"
They were interrupted by Wake clearing his throat loudly. Edric stared at the old man, taking in the way his nose was turned up and crinkled. Edric decided he didn't like him. "We going to go in? You can get your badge and get out of here." Wake snapped. His voice was so nasal and snarky Edric thought he had a serious cold. Wake turned and entered the shack, motioning inside.
The shack wasn't as raggedy as Edric would've thought for it's time on the beach. It smelt a little fishy, but it was warm. There was a desk with a door behind it directly across from the door and various swimming and fishing gear hanging everywhere on the walls. The receptionist was a woman also in her mid 60s, with heavily grayed hair.
"He won." Wake said as they entered. He walked behind the counter and disappeared into the back room without saying another word. Edric glanced at Hart, who smirked.
"He's a little salty. I kicked his ass big time." Hart mocked. He had a cocky expression Edric couldn't say he'd seen more than once or twice from him.
"Seems like he deserves some of that." Edric responded as they approached the counter.
The woman typed out a few buttons on the computer behind the counter then reached down below it. She handed Hart his badge and Trainer ID card. After, she looked at Edric. "You the 7 we had scheduled?" She glanced at her computer "Edric Ryerson?"
Edric nodded.
"Sign these. I'll take your ID too." She slipped the waiver onto the counter along with a pen to write with. Edric glanced over the form and signed at the bottom, then reached in his wallet and gave her his Trainer ID card. She took both items and disappeared into the back room as well.
"Do you want me to wait here for you and we can go back together?" Hart asked as the lady left. "I saw a nice looking burger place on the way here I can sit at for a while and you can just text me when you're done."
"Yeah. That's cool." Edric agreed. With that, Hart shed his life-vest, placed it gingerly on the counter and left.
He stood at the counter for another 5 minutes before Wake came back through the door, letting loose a huff as he fussed with his collar. Edric realized the man was wearing a wet suit.
"Sorry for the wait." The man grumbled as he ducked behind the counter. "Is this your fourth badge as well?"
"Yes."
The man didn't answer as Edric heard the shuffling of Pokeballs. He stood and walked around the counter, holding four, two in both hands. "We battle four-on-four with no substitutions, meaning no switching out Pokemon until they're no longer able to battle. Got that?" Edric opened his mouth and began to say something but Wake pushed past him and left the shack.
"Asshole." Edric growled as he followed behind the old man, tossing his bag on the floor beside the counter.
Edric's boat ride was mostly spent in silent anticipation and it took longer than he thought it would to reach the battle area. He noticed a man on a paddle board circling one platform and realized he was the referee, a league employee. Edric wondered briefly if the league agreed with Wake's practices before he heard the old man speak up again.
"Which side do you want?"
He looked about for a bit and realized they had reached the far platform, a large white disk about 10 feet in diameter floating in the water steadily. He looked up at Wake, holding back a scowl, then behind him toward the shoreline, then toward the horizon. "The other side."
Wake grumbled under his breath and sped forward as Edric continued to look out at their battlefield. As they passed, he felt the boat bump a bit and saw something move away slowly in the water. A glass platform. Looking, there was another one another few feet away, and another, and another. Edric realized they were all over, moving about like large planes of shattered ice in the arctic ocean. They varied widely in shape and size, some were long and rectangular and looked to be thick enough to sustain a pretty large Pokemon, and some were too small for even a quadrupedal Pokemon to stand on. There were sometimes large gaps between the platforms as they moved about constantly on the water, bumping together and separating before bumping into something else. The ball in his stomach slowly unwound as they reached the platform facing the shoreline.
Wake gave a grunt and Edric stood carefully in the boat. He looked at the old man expectantly. "Aren't you supposed to give me a life-vest?" He asked.
The man made an annoyed growl and reached for a vest in the compartment below the controls. Edric snatched it from the man with an equally snarky "Thanks" and quickly put it on, pulling the straps securely. He knew he was a very good swimmer, but he had no idea how deep this water was.
He stepped gingerly onto the white platform at first, careful not to slip. He was immediately thankful he wore his water shoes as his boots would've been waterlogged as soon as he took his second step out of the boat. The water was only a few inches over the platform. He realized there must've been something holding it up under water so the trainers don't lose balance and fall off.
He watched as Wake cut the boat off and stepped on to his platform much less carefully than Edric did seconds ago. Edric took a deep breath as the referee passed his platform. He heard him speak in a volume definitely intended for Wake to not hear.
"Brace yourself and keep your feet planted."
Edric nodded to the man as he paddled past. Once he reached what Edric could only assume was the approximate middle of this massive expanse of water in front of them, he called.
"This will be a four-on-four battle with no substitutions. The gym leader will release the first Pokemon."
Wake tossed a Pokeball that released a Pokemon Edric had never seen before. He saw a long fish Pokemon with a pointed brown head and a jaw with sharp white teeth in an underbite, sharp red fins with a tail fin that began to spin like a propeller as it dropped into the water with a 'thunk'. Faintly, Edric heard the sound of a small boat engine as the Pokemon sped about quickly beneath the platforms.
"That thing is fucking fast." He gasped. He took a deep breath and pulled a Pokeball from his belt. He made sure to release Trevenant on a platform big enough to accommodate all of the Pokemon's bulk.
Wake wasted no time and neither did his Pokemon. "Aqua Jet, Barraskewda!"
If Edric thought Barraskewda was fast before just swimming around, he hadn't yet seen Barraskewda really move. The Pokemon arced out of the water and slammed into his Pokemon so fast, Trevenant could barely even turn to see the thing coming. Edric's mouth gaped as the Pokemon slipped back into the water.
"Again!" Wake called.
As Barraskewda came up with blinding speed, Trevenant's back legs steadied toward it. Edric smirked "Now! Scary Face!"
Trevenant's dark eye hole pulsed with an intimidating flair as Barraskewda broke the surface of the water and froze there, unable to complete its attack. Quickly, Edric acted.
"Wood Hammer! Now!"
Trevenant's arms glowed green as it smacked the fish Pokemon aside. It screeched and sent flying back into the water. Edric watched from afar as it moved now at half-speed.
"Use Agility, then hit em with Aqua Jet again!"
Edric cursed as Barraskewda disappeared from sight, picking up the speed it had lost. As the bright blue watery veil surrounded it and it broke the surface, Trevenant turned toward it and Edric called "Shadow Balls!"
Three balls slammed into the Pokemon and exploded in a purple cloud but Barraskewda shrugged them off and tackled Trevenant full body.
"Crunch!"
Barraskewda's long jaw opened and snapped shut around Trevenant's upper arm and a ghostly screech filled the air. Trevenant waved its arms around wildly as it attempted to detach the Pokemon.
"Now Throat Chop!"
As Trevenant waved about, Barraskewda's tail was covered in black energy as it bent its body inward and unlatched its jaw. It used its momentum to slam its midsection into Trevenant's trunk right above its mouth. The screeching cut off abruptly and Barraskewda flew back into the water.
Edric's jaw clenched as his Pokemon steadied itself on a now heavily rocking platform. It's legs scuttled about trying to keep its balance. Nick's words about big Pokemon in this battle echoed in his head.
"Aqua Jet, Barraskewda!"
Trevenant had not regained its balance by the time Barraskewda had broken the surface. The attack hit right in the center of Trevenant's trunk, knocking it even more off balance.
"Crunch!" Wake called.
"Wood Hammer! Knock it upwards!"
This time Barraskewda lunged straight for Trevenant's leg as it moved to steady the Pokemon's bulk. It ran head first into an uppercut from Trevenant and went flying backward.
"Give em some Shadow Balls on the way out!"
Two purple globs formed in Trevenant's huge palms. It side-armed them and they both exploded against Barraskewda before it could break the surface. The Pokemon was blasted backward with such force it skipped across the surface of the water before sinking again. Edric saw Wake grunt in frustration and realized what was going on: Barraskewda only knew moves where it had to get in close.
Edric jumped into action as he saw Barraskewda come around again through the glass platforms.
"Trevenant, it has to get in close to hit you! Rain down Shadow Balls!"
Trevenant let loose a barrage of Shadow Balls that exploded everywhere, some completely missing the mark and some exploding against the surface of the water and sending glass platforms bumping about. Barraskewda was so fast that not a single one hit, but it could not break the surface or it'd get pummeled with explosions.
"Underneath the platform, Barraskewda! Agility again!"
Barraskewda's speed jumped again and it was suddenly gone from Edric's sight, disappearing deep into the water.
"Aqua Jet!"
Like a torpedo, the motor sound Barraskewda made became louder, the Pokemon was so fast as it broke the water there was no way for Trevenant to react in time. The attack hit home directly in Trevenant's eye hole. The platform shook violently and Edric knew Trevenant's time was nearly up as it completely failed at keeping it's balance. All six feet slipped from under it and Trevenant began to topple.
"Crunch!"
Barraskewda moved like lightning, as it rebounded off of its Aqua Jet, reversing direction. Edric realized Wake was getting too ahead of himself. He saw an opportunity and seized it. In the moment Barraskewda raced at his Pokemon as it fell over, Edric screamed.
"Scary Face!"
Trevenant's eye hole gleamed and Barraskewda froze, suspended in the air as it's propeller tail suddenly stopped moving and its jaw hung open.
"Full Force! Wood Hammer!"
Toppling, Trevenant's glowing green arm whipped out from under him. With a brutal sound, Barraskewda took the hit straight too the face and was sent flying back into the water as Trevenant's full bulk hit the platform and with the groan it let out, it's red gleaming eye went dark. Edric sighed for a moment, and then saw Barraskewda float to the surface of the water, motionless as well.
"Both Pokemon are unable to battle!" the referee called.
Cursing to himself, Edric returned Trevenant.
The next Pokemon wake released was instantly recognizable as the evolved form of Krabby, a Kingler.
"Go Luxio!" Edric released his Pokemon across from Kingler. He breathed a sigh of relief that all Wake's Pokemon did not battle underwater.
"Start with Bubble Beam!"
Kingler's giant left claw opened and out came a stream of shimmering bubbles toward Luxio.
"Dodge it! And close in with Spark!" Edric said.
Luxio wasted no time and took off, the bubbles popping against where it used to be. Edric smiled broadly as the lion Pokemon bounded from platform to platform with a deftness completely abandoned when using Trevenant. As it closed in to Kingler's platform, crackles of yellow electricity began to play off it's black and blue fur.
"Counter with Razor Shell!"
As Luxio came close, Kingler's pincer glowed blue and slashed about the air, sending a blue streak flying toward Luxio, who bobbed around it expertly and slammed into Kingler full-force. Kingler's back legs held firm as Luxio hopped backward. Luxio growled at the crab Pokemon threateningly
"Thunderbolt!"
The entire platform the two Pokemon were standing on exploded in yellow lightning and Kingler screeched in pain as its body immediately seized up.
"Iron Tail, knock it into the water!"
"Block it with Vise Grip!"
Luxio's tail gleamed and it pivoted on it's front legs, swinging its back end at Kingler with a stern "Lux!". Kingler was ready for the attack with its claw open as the tail came around. Luxio yelped as the pincer snapped shut on its tail. Edric smiled mischievously.
"Show em how tough you are, girl! Slam him!"
Suddenly the tables were flipped on Kingler and Wake's head as, in an incredible display of strength, Luxio lifted Kingler into the air by its pincer with a grunt. Edric saw Wake pale and the muscles at his temples work in frustration as Luxio's tail came down into the platform with Kingler still attached. Kingler screeched again in pain as it helplessly flailed about.
"Fuck yeah!" Edric yelped excitedly. He couldn't contain himself. "Throw it and use Thunderbolt!"
With a sound Edric was pretty sure was a cackle, Luxio twisted and tossed Kingler into the air off the platform. The Pokemon rag dolled through the air for a second before Luxio's Thunderbolt snapped its limbs together and decimated it. Edric saw wisps of steam coming off of it and singe marks all over as Kingler hit another platform and nearly tipped it from the impact. Surprisingly, the Pokemon still stood, although barely.
"Mud Shot!" Wake called.
With a cry, Kingler's mouth opened and it let loose a barrage of globs of mud.
"Get on the move!"
Luxio was way ahead of him as it jumped from platform to platform, trying to close the distance again and failing horribly as Edric realized she would quickly run out of platform. He realized he would have to change tactics.
"Vacuum Wave!"
As Luxio jumped about, Edric saw the air around its tail shimmer and distort and suddenly Kingler lost balance, its feet buckling as the platform it was standing on shifted toward Edric's Pokemon.
"Mud Shot!"
Too busy watching its steps as the platforms bumped together, Luxio took the globs in its midsection. It coated it's fur. Luxio yapped about in annoyance.
"Razor Shell again!"
Chancing his Pokemon would understand his intention, he called for Luxio to jump into the water to dodge it. Not hesitating a second, Luxio did just that, diving deep underwater, briefly out of sight.
"Wait for it to come up with Razor Shell!"
"Shrug it off with Spark!"
Luxio came barreling out of the water, encased in lightning. The two bolts of blue energy slammed into Luxio, but the Electric Pokemon came into full contact with Kingler regardless, catching it squarely in its big mouth. Kingler shouted as it flew backward violently across the platform and over the edge. It floated there, eyes blank.
"Kingler is unable to battle!" the Ref announced.
Edric couldn't help but giggle a bit as Wake recalled Kingler and Luxio shook the water out of its fur. "Very well done, girl!" He called after it. His Pokemon seemed to regard him with the same level of appreciation before refocusing as Wake sent out his third Pokemon, one even more familiar than Kingler.
A massive Gyarados roared about as it floated in the air over the battlefield. It loomed over Luxio menacingly, it's ability kicking in. Although his Pokemon's attack would be cut in half against it, Luxio didn't look ready to back down. Edric tensed a bit as Wake called "Aqua Tail" and Gyarados snapped around in the air.
"Jump and Dodge!"
Gyarados' powerful tail, surrounded with a veil of blue energy slammed into the space Luxio used to be as Luxio completely cleared the platform. It titled unsteadily as Gyarados moved quicker than anticipated and slashed Luxio out of the air as it jumped. It flew into the water.
"Thunderbolt!" Edric called as Luxio climbed onto a smaller platform, its fur soaking wet. Steam rose from it as it's fur was encased in lightning that speared through the air.
"Dragon Breath!"
Gyarados' huge maw opened and out came a torrent of green flames. The two attacks met and detonated, sending sparks of electricity everywhere as they canceled out.
"Rush in with Ice Fang!"
"Iron Tail!"
Gyarados flew directly at Luxio, its mouth trailing crystal blue energy. As it lunged at the smaller Pokemon, Luxio pivoted on its front feet again and smacked Gyarados aside, its head whipping away as it lead out a loud "Gyaaaah!"
"Thunderbolt!"
Its proximity meant it couldn't dodge and lightning raked across the Pokemon's body, singeing the tips of its fins. It twitched about in the air away from Luxio as it kept the bolt of lightning going.
"Dragon Dance!"
Through the veil of lightning, Edric watched as a green shell formed over Gyarados' body then seemed to shatter as it jerked around. The Thunderbolt abruptly cut off with a roar from the massive Pokemon and suddenly it was upon Luxio again.
"Outrage!"
Edric's breath caught at the announcement of a move he'd only previously seen used on TMBN by Pokemon much more experienced than his. It worked just how he remembered it. Gyarados' entire body was surrounded in a purplish outline and it seemed to suddenly grow even bigger as it lunged to pummel his Pokemon. With its increased speed from Dragon Dance, Luxio couldn't even react in time. Gyarados' tail crashed down on the Pokemon, flattening it.
"Get out of there!" Edric called desperately, but there was no response from Luxio as Gyarados brutalized it. He desperately wanted to recall his Pokemon but remembered it wasn't allowed and settled for clenching his fists at his sides.
Luxio took hit after hit from Gyarados tail, trying desperately to dodge and failing at nearly every attempt. Edric could only watch as its onslaught reigned over Luxio. After a few seconds, Luxio was showing dangerous signs of wear. He swallowed and thought 'I have to do something!'
Suddenly, as Luxio was smacked backward from a wave of Gyarados' tail, Edric saw a gleam in the giant Pokemon's eyes. They seemed to unfocus as if Gyarados couldn't remember what it had been doing and the purple light abruptly faded. Edric launched into action, swiping a hand out to the side
"Thunderbolt! Full Power!"
Luxio's chest heaved with effort as the Pokemon roared at the top of its lungs, letting out a long "SHIO!" as the entire platform the two of them were standing on was encased in a veil of lighting so thick it looked like it could catch fire. The lightning arced out, spearing Gyarados straight in the chest and ripping a violent gasp from the Pokemon's body. Steam began to rise from the surface of the water around the platform as Luxio then seemed to up the voltage again with a huff. The lightning burned so bright Edric thought he'd go blind. He cursed and covered his eyes with the back of his palm, turning slightly as Gyarados' screams of pain filled the air. Faintly, underneath the screaming, he could hear his Pokemon howling to compete with Gyarados.
Edric felt a wave of static rush out around him as the lightning faded out and the two Pokemon stood there. He looked to his right and left and saw it play around the platforms, which bounced around with excitement. He'd heard about this: His Pokemon had electrified the terrain. He looked worriedly on at Luxio and Gyarados, squinting and trying to see through a veil of steam that slowed as the seconds moved.
His Pokemon stood across from Gyarados, it's chest heaving harder than Edric was sure he'd ever seen it. Gyarados stood across from it, completely still, paralyzed by Luxio's onslaught. The water was completely quiet for a moment. Then Gyarados wavered and fell backward into the water, its body going completely limp.
"Gyarados is unable to battle!"
Edric released the breath he'd been holding and called out to his Pokemon as it seemed to take a deep breath. "Are you alright, Girl?"
This time, Luxio looked back at Edric with a weathered regard. Despite its obvious exhaustion, it was clear it still wanted to keep going. Edric gave his friend a sad smile, then slowly nodded.
Wake was grimacing as he pulled his final Pokeball from his belt and release one Edric thought vaguely familiar. As the Pokemon stood there and Edric looked at it – it's cream colored bill and long tail – He thought it looked similar to…
"Golduck, Water Pulse!"
"Dodge it!"
Luxio must not have had the strength to jump, so it rolled to the side as a familiar pulsing ball of blue water washed over the space it had been. "Now Thu-" Edric called, but was interrupted by another Water Pulse slamming into Luxio who was taken clear off of it's feet and into the water. His Pokemon floated there, eyes rolled back.
"Luxio is unable to battle!"
Edric couldn't help another sad smile as he recalled Luxio. He held the Pokeball to his chest and whispered "You never fail to impress me, Luxio." before returning it to his belt. Looking across the field, he looked Golduck up and down and reached for his next ball. He stopped, his hand wavering over it.
To his right, yellow static still danced wildly around the surface of the water. He looked around in wonder as the phenomenon seem to extend around the entire battlefield. He clutched Psyduck's Pokeball for another moment then in his other hand, grabbed another from his belt. As he gripped Monferno's Pokeball, he shivered and felt pressure on the back of his neck. His mind seemed to form words he couldn't hear being spoken.
– I can do this, I know I can. I'm ready –
Edric gasps, a sharp intake of air. Slowly, he says "If you say so, buddy. I trust you."
With a huff, he tossed Monferno's ball out, releasing the Pokemon. The flames on its tail blazing steadily in the cool breeze, Monferno glances back briefly at Edric and he thinks he sees something there. Assurance? His wonderment is interrupted when Wake calls for the first move.
"Aqua Tail!" Wake announced.
"Mach Punch!" Edric replied.
With both arms immediately encased in solid white energy, Monferno took off, bounding from platform to platform with even more agility than Luxio showed earlier. It's powerful legs worked as it bounded 10 feet at a time to close in with Golduck. Golduck's tail came to meet it and the two attacks collided in a stalemate. Bringing the other fist up, Monferno reached past Golduck's tail with a solid right hook to the face that immediately broke it's guard.
"Flamethrower!"
Golduck was awash in a torrent of flame, unable to react as Monferno's attack pounded it.
"Confusion!"
The flames were interrupted by Monferno suddenly flying off of its feet as an invisible psychic energy slammed into it. Monferno was pushed back to the end of the platform, planting both it's hands and feet to stop it from skidding off the edge.
"Water Pulse!"
Golduck moved too slowly and Monferno was clear out of the way when the attack washed over the place it had been.
"Keep it up, Golduck!"
Monferno ran in a wide arc as Water Pulses exploded all around him, rendering the platforms a slippery mess. The Pokemon seemed to be running around on it's toes though, its balance never wavered as it fired back with another Flamethrower.
Golduck was again on fire, caught completely blindsided by Monferno's speed. Edric heard Wake curse and order for another Aqua Tail.
With a smirk, Edric yelled "Mach Punch!"
This time, there was no blocking either fist. Golduck couldn't even get it's tail up before Monferno was upon it with a quick 1-2 jab combo followed by a gruesome uppercut that sent Golduck flying backward over the edge of the platform.
"He's not going anywhere! Vacuum Wave!"
Almost as if it reversed time, Golduck was sucked back out of the water as Monferno's hands twisted in the air.
"Flame Wheel!"
As Golduck flew back toward Monferno against its will, Monferno somersaulted forward into the Water Pokemon caked in scarlet flames. Golduck seemed to panic and squirm as it collided and was flattened by Monferno again. Monferno rebounded off into the air above the Pokemon.
"Strike down! Thunderpunch!"
Descending on a prone Golduck like a missile, Monferno's fist seemed to swirl with gathering electrical energy and static danced around its entire body. Edric's stomach lurched and fluttered as he felt static rush away from him toward his Pokemon and saw static dance from the surface of the water into the air as its fist sucked all the power. Energy seemed to gather around Golduck like a lightning rod, holding it still, frozen as doom came down on it.
"Fuck yeah! Hit em with Everything!" Edric shouted, thrilled at the perfect display of his two Pokemon's incredible and unintentional synergy. Edric heard Wake call for Golduck to move, but the Pokemon was paralyzed in fear. There was absolutely no escape.
The impact sent every platform flying away as it sent a wave of water out. Edric heard something shatter and was blinded by a solid white bolt of lightning reaching for the clouds above. A gust of wind threatened to knock him from his feet as he heard Golduck scream a blood-curdling howl. Steam shot up all around Edric as the light faded and he suddenly could not see several feet in front of him. He lost sight of everything.
For a few seconds, there was no noise, then Edric heard a splash like something surfacing from the water. When the steam finally let up, Edric could not see his Pokemon anywhere. Between Wake and him was just open water. Not a single platform stood between them.
"Monferno?" Edric called for his Pokemon. He squinted his eyes trying to see a glimpse of red in the crystal clear saltwater.
"Fern!"
He turned to the left and saw his Pokemon standing on the surface of open water, its fur damp with steam already rising as it evaporated. Edric's platform was about 200 yards off from where Monferno stood. Squinting, he saw four more platforms floating there around Monferno.
"Golduck! Where's Golduck?" Wake shouted. His head nervously turned and the man began to shake with anger. "Where the fuck is my Pokemon?" He yelled.
Edric scowled, that last remark directed at him. He opened his mouth to tell the man off but was cut off by a loud gurgling noise. There, through the surface of the water, Edric saw Golduck standing at the bottom looking extremely worse for wear. Edric was sure it could barely stand with how it's chest heaved with effort. Edric looked closely and saw hints of charring around Golduck's bill. Something was there in the Pokemon's eyes that hadn't been there before. It cupped both its webbed hands together and was staring up at Edric with unmistakable and utter hatred. Edric felt a pang in his chest.
"What is it -"
Edric couldn't speak as suddenly Golduck began to glow and it slammed its palms down on the sand below the water. He managed to get a glance off at the other two men as time seemed to slow down. Pure panic was painted on Wake's face and Edric heard him scream "DON'T, STOP!"
The platform Edric was standing on lurched into the air as the water's surface swelled and burst.
"What the fu-" Edric got out before he saw a great column of water rise out from underneath him. Much to his dismay, his platform began to rise away from the battlefield as the water erupted underneath him in a massive wave. His stomach jumped into his mouth and he screamed in terror as he kept rising, 10, 20, 30 feet into the air.
"HELP! HELP!" He begged as the wave took him higher and higher into the air. "PLEASE HELP ME!" But there was no one around who could save him. Edric watched in horror as the wave crested and carried him forward. He was in free fall as he was tossed away from his platform and a moment before he crashed through the surface of the water, he saw a flash of scarlet fur underneath him.
I apologize for the length on this one. I could not really find a good place to end the chapter in the middle. Final count comes to 7.7k or so.
