Ch. 3: King of the Hill
Previously on, POKEMON: ARJANA REGION-
Jade and Jaden went to Umooja Lake to lick their wounds and bond with their Vulpixes. Braxton and Blitz showed up ready to battle. The twins had to get creative to win, showcasing the vulpixes move, disable. After a crushing defeat, Braxton startled a gyarados, and BD saved the day. With the week winding down, and the battle against BD looming, how will our heroes prepare!?
After a long week of battles, training, bonding, winning, and losing, the new trainers gathered in their dorm garden for their final day of training before their big matches against Professor BD.
McKayla: As class president, I would like to personally congratulate you all on getting this far.
Darrion: NOBODY CARES!
Chimchar: CHIMCHAR!
McKayla: Now, it's time we put these hard earned lessons to the test. We'll be playing KING OF THE HILL, Pokemon Battle Style! One trainer will remain King of the Hill until they have battled every other trainer here. If they lose, a new King of the Hill is selected. Last trainer left standing WINS!
Jake: Doesn't that mean that the first person to go will be at a disadvantage.
McKayla: Of course! Which is why Scyther and I volunteer to go first. I've put everyone's name on a card and the battle order will be selected at random. And look at that, Darrion, you're up first.
McKayla flashed Darrion a sly smile. Darrion, usually a jokester at heart, showed his signature swagger as he met McKayla in the middle of the garden for battle. Darrion and his Chimchar had been training hard. The duo would make a mess of their lunches and rush out to train, bright and early. While both trainer and Pokemon could be clumsy in their own right, their coordination as a pair was unmatched. Chimchar swung around his trainer's tall frame and leapt off of Darrion's extended arm, flamboyantly sticking a landing and blowing a kiss to the adoring fans in the crowd.
Darrion: Sorry about your type disadvantage.
McKayla: Don't be.
Darrion: Chimchar, FLAME WHEEL!
In the swiftest of moments, Chimchar gathered it's breath and curled into a fiery ball rushing towards Scyther. Scyther stared down the rampaging blaze with an unflinching look.
McKayla: Scyther, use leer, then dodge with quick attack.
Scyther's eyes glowed as he stared down the barrel of the flame wheel that was soon to make contact. In a mad dash, Scyther sped into the sky with a quick attack, dodging the flame wheel at the last moment. McKayla flipped her loose curls with a confident sway, while Darrion smirked to himself. In an instant, Chimchar's flame wheel had changed course, using the jagged edge of a few nearby rocks to propel itself into the sky and attack Scyther head on.
McKayla: Scyther, get in a leer!
Scyther nodded and stared down the Chimchar with glowing eyes. Chimchar made impact, knocking Scyther out the sky and hurling it to the ground. Chimchar spat a powerful ember into the ground, creating a puff of smoke and dust to break its fall. Again, it jostled its arms upwards in a flamboyant gesture to the crowd.
McKayla: Don't start celebrating yet, we're down but not out. Scyther, use leer!
Scyther: SCYTHER!
Scyther's eyes focused in on the Chimchar yet again.
Darrion: Let's wrap this up. Chimchar, use EMBER!
Chimchar: CHIM! CHIM!
Chimchar pulled in as much air into its lungs as possible, puffing his gaudy chest before releasing a powerful ember at Scyther. Still, McKayla and Scyther stared down the onslaught unfazed.
McKayla: Scyther, FURY CUTTER! On every single ember!
Scyther's slender scythes glowed a green hue as Scyther rushed into the scattered array of ember sparks. Scyther sliced at each spitfire with amazing accuracy and speed, reducing the volatile attack to whisps of smoke and ash. Scyther's violent dance through Chimchar's powerful ember left a cloud of haze on the field, obscuring Scyther's presence. Chimchar glared into the smoke as Scyther emerged claw first, its scythe still glowing from the fury cutter. Scyther slashed Chimchar with one swift blow, sending the performative Pokemon back into the clutches of its trainer.
Darrion: Chimchar!
Darrion caught his fiery Pokemon, who stared into his trainer's eyes in earnest defeat.
Chimchar: Char… char?
Darrion: You did great, Chimchar. I'm proud of you.
McKayla: Looks like Scyther and I take the first round. Come get some of the Sitrus berry, Scytheee!
McKayla's next opponent stepped forward as Jade and La Toya chatted in the distance.
Jade: Wow, your partner and her Scyther are tough!
La Toya: Don't forget annoying! She's been making us train non-stop!
Jade: Isn't that a good thing? Jaden and I have been doing the same.
La Toya: You don't get it! From sun up to sun down, it's practice, run the track, battle, groom, practice, battle, run the track, OVER AND OVER AGAIN! I have to spend all day around my stinky Grimer and it's starting to make me smell bad too.
Jade: Oh… I'm sure Grimer appreciates the growth. And sharpening you guys' bond!
La Toya: I'm not so sure about that. I can't wait until this is over with so I can catch another Pokemon and put Grimer in the box for good. I'll let my mom deal with it.
Jade looked at La Toya with a great sadness in her eyes. She had never heard someone speak about their Pokemon so coldly and it bothered her. Yet, she did not know what to say in response. As La Toya, put her head down in solace, Jade attempted to pull her into a hug, but the awkward girl only knocked down La Toya's pokeball, releasing her Grimer.
Grimer: GRIMER! GRIME!
The joyous Grimer attempted to hug La Toya, who recoiled in disgust. La Toya jumped up and jogged away, swiping at the Grimer goo left on her blouse.
La Toya: Grimer, I've told you about doing that! This was a new shirt!
La Toya stormed away, as the Grimer melted into a puddle near Jade. Jade again made an awkward attempt to hug the Grimer, but its stench overwhelmed her. She had to use her shirt to mask her face as the eager Grimer nuzzled itself into her neck.
McKayla: YOU DID IT AGAIN, SCYTHER!
Karina: You did your best, Eevee. Rest up now.
McKayla: After, Darrion, Jake, and Karina, let's see who is next!? Annnnnd it's Lacero!
Lacero stepped into the arena with McKayla. He fixed his hat on his head, revealing his smooth waved hair, before confidently sending out his Dratini. Dratini almost fluttered onto the stage. Lacero had spent his week trying to figure out how to use the serpent Pokemon in battle before uncovering a critical advantage that he used to dominate in all of his practice battles.
Lacero: You ready to lose, McKayla?
McKayla: Unlikely! Scyther, QUICK ATTACK!
Scyther rushed in on Dratini with a barrage of fast paced hits that Dratini could not keep up with. Dratini's tiny and slender body got knocked in almost every direction as Scyther striked Dratini so fast, it's as if it was teleporting from one side of Dratini to another.
Lacero: Alright, Dratini! We won't let this go on for much longer. DRAGON RAGE!
Dratini: DRATINI!
Dratini glowed a purple hue, forcing Scyther to back off. Dratini's tiny frame surged with draconian energy. The small serpent released this energy in the form of a spiraling dragon made of purple draconian energy that barreled towards Scyther with a great speed. Scyther tried to use its mighty scythes to cushion the blow to no affect. After all of its battles, this hit had damaged Scyther the most.
Lacero: The professor explained the move to me. It does fixed damage. No matter how strong or well trained, Dratini hits everyone the same. Show them one more time, Dratini! Dragon Rage!
McKayla: Quick Scyther, interrupt it with your fury cutter!
Scyther tried to exact a critical hit on Dratini but its draconian energy was too powerful, and the raging beast that flashed from Dratini's gentle coil was too overwhelming for the Scyther. In a blast of radiant purple smoke, Scyther laid defeated for the first time in the whole week!
McKayla: Ohh Scyther!
Lacero: Looks like I'm the new King of the Hill!
Lacero held up its Dratini like a proud dad, swinging it in the air with an affectionate twirl. Jade continued to watch the battles as Lacero continue with his same strategy, using Dratini's powerful move to overwhelm opponents. Jade and Grimer chuckled a bit as Dratini easily took down Braxton's Murkrow.
Braxton: You think that's funny, do you? That's why you smell as bad as that Grimer!
Grimer: Grimer!
Jade: At least I have an excuse, what's yours?
Braxton shuffled away in quiet indignation as Jade fist pounded the Grimer. La Toya returned to her seat near Jade with a fresh new blouse on.
La Toya: What did I miss?
Jade: Lacero's Dratini dethroned McKayla. They've been taking people out left and right now.
La Toya: I was hoping I missed my turn. Alright, Grimer, RETURN!
Grimer quickly dodged La Toya's attempts to put it back in its pokeball. Grimer looked at La Toya stubbornly
La Toya: I don't have time for this! Get back in your pokeball, Grimer!
Grimer stuck its tongue out at La Toya and folded its arms defiantly, refusing La Toya's commands.
Jade: Just let him stay out, La Toya.
La Toya: He REEKS!
Jade: You honestly get used to it. It's not that bad… Okay, it is that bad. But Grimer can't help it!
La Toya: I'm not arguing with you! Braxton was right. You don't know how to mind your business!
Jade: You know what? I've tried to be nice. But I've sat here and watched you degrade this poor Grimer for something it can't even control! You need to stop being a jerk. If even Braxton can get along with her Pokemon, why can't you?!
La Toya: It's none of your business!
Jade: IT'S MY BUSINESS NOW!
Jaden [Stepping between them]: Guys, what's going on?! Calm down.
La Toya: Tell your sister to mind her business!
Jade: She's being mean to her Pokemon! She's a jerk! And I'm tired of biting my tongue!
Lacero: HEY LOSERS! I called your name, La Toya! You're up next. Come feel the power of my DRATINI!
Dratini: DRATINI!
La Toya: I'M NOT BATTLING! NOT WITH THIS GRIMER!
Grimer: Grimer….
Lacero: Is that a forfeit?! Cool, we win again! I'll take it!
McKayla: That's not how that works! Get in the game, La Toya! It looks like Grimer wants to battle!
Grimer: Grimer! Grime!
La Toya: If it wants to battle so badly, it can do it itself!
The entire classroom looked on in awe as La Toya sat on the other side of the garden and turned her head away from Grimer. Grimer begrudgingly led itself into the battle arena alone with Lacero. Dratini slithered over to Grimer, trying to comfort it with a gentle nuzzle. However, the distraught Grimer pushed Dratini away. It waved at Dratini, motioning it to battle. Grimer turned and looked at La Toya with longing eyes. La Toya refused to make eye contact and it forced Grimer to turn away in disappointment. Grimer's eyes began to swell with tears that melted away into its goo. Grimer straightened it's gaze to focus on the battle ahead, trying hard to push away its thoughts and feelings of inadequacy.
Lacero: Ummm…. Dratini… use Dragon Rage… I guess.
Dratini: Dratini…?
Dratini listened to its trainer and began to charge its powerful move. As the the wave of draconian energy barreled into Grimer, the Grimer took the attack head on. With its high HP, Grimer was able to shake off the blast. Grimer was able to change the tide of the battle by using disable. Lacero began to sweat nervously, not having much of a follow up plan. Grimer then proceeded to use a powerful sludge attack that poisoned Dratini and caused it to faint. The crowd stood up in amazement and cheered for the lone Grimer. Even Lacero and Dratini cheered for Grimer with excitement. However, Grimer's brief moment of happiness evaporated as he looked into the crowd and saw La Toya, still sitting, refusing to cheer with everyone else. Grimer hung its head in shame as McKayla called out the next combatant.
McKayla: Alright, Jaden you're up.
Jaden and Yuki stepped into the arena to face Grimer, who now looked more determined than ever. Jaden's soft eyes lingered on Grimer as Yuki stared at Jaden confused as to why he had not called out an attack yet. Jaden stared back at Yuki, and his heart fluttered up. Realizing something, Jaden looked directly at La Toya.
Jaden: La Toya, are you seriously going to force Grimer to battle alone? The way a Pokemon puts their trust in you during a battle… the way they look at you... the way they stare at you when you win, just to see how proud you are… the way they stare at you when you lose, as if they are saying sorry… it means a lot to your Pokemon that you be there for it. It means a lot to Yuki. And I know it means a lot to Grimer!
La Toya let out a low scoff and refused to acknowledge Jaden. Jaden hung his head in defeat, and resolved to continue the battle.
Jaden: Okay, Yuki, POWDER SNOW!
Again, Grimer took the attack with ease. As Yuki skated on the ice it created to launch another attack, Grimer reduced itself to a puddle and wafted under Yuki, surprising Yuki with a pound attack. This flung Yuki into the air. As the vulpix tried to catch her barings, Grimer shot a powerful sludge at it and sent Yuki flying back to Jaden in defeat. Again, the audience cheered, all standing with praise. Again, Grimer looked directly at La Toya, hoping for an ovation that never came. Jaden broke Grimer out of its trance, offering it a sitrus berry. Grimer chomped on the berry thankfully.
Jaden: Good luck in your next battle, Grimer.
Grimer: Grimer, Grime!
McKayla: Next up, Blitz!
Blitz and Machop stepped into the arena and Blitz wasted no time.
Blitz: Yea, you're tough. But you're not tougher than Machop.
Grimer, feeling confident, let out a poison gas that infected Machop. However, unlike its competitors before it, the poison gas seemed to only embolden Machop as it stood more brazenly than ever.
Blitz: Thanks for turning on Machop's guts ability! It was just the advantage we were counting on. Machop, KARATE CHOP!
Grimer looked on in awe as Machop, in a poisoned state, rushed towards Grimer and thwacked it with incredible force. The singular karate chop sent Griemr's goopy body flying. Grimer struggled to get up, taking a lot of damage from the hit. As the dust from the impact settled, Grimer grabbed its head, unsure of what to do. The trainers in the crowd, again stood to cheer on Grimer, chanting "GO GRIMER, GO GRIMER, GO!" Again, Grimer felt a bit more confident with everyone on his side. Again, Grimer's eyes went straight to La Toya who was still as quiet as ever. Grimer, hung its head in defeat as Machop rushed in with another karate chop.
Blitz: What are you doing, Grimer? It's your turn.
Grimer: Grime…
Machop connected the karate chop and Grimer was sent flying again. Machop prepared to rush in with another hit, yet Grimer still refused to attack back. Grimer simply conceded and sprawled itself across the floor, forming a small puddle.
Blitz: Fight back, Grimer!
Grimer: Grime…
As Machop reached Grimer, it hesitated, losing the glow in its karate chop. Machop stopped, looking at the dejected pile of Grimer, then looked back at its trainer, not knowing what to do. Blitz returned the unknowing glance back to Machop.
Blitz: I guess… just defeat it with another karate chop.
Machop: Machop…
Machop again looked at the depressed, Grimer. Grimer did not even look Machop in the eye. Its eyes fluttered close as it awaited its fate. Machop, resigning to listen to its trainer, raised its arm to initiate the final blow of its karate chop.
La Toya: Grimer… use disable.
Grimer eyes blinked open in shock at the sound of La Toya's voice. La Toya walked up to Grimer, kneeling next to it.
Grimer: Grimer…?
La Toya looked at her pokemon with sorrowful eyes. She began to use her bare hands to collect the puddle of her Grimer into its original size. La Toya showed Grimer her gooey hands and took a large whiff of them. She stifled her natural instinct to recoil and hugged her Grimer.
La Toya: See, now we both stink.
Grimer: Grimer…
La Toya: I'm sorry, Grimer. I've been a terrible trainer. I'm very proud of you. I know you love to battle. And I don't want you to lose worrying about little old me. You deserve so much better.
Grimer: Grimer, grime?
La Toya: That's right. You're the King of the Hill. And I plan to keep it that way. Grimer, use DISABLE!
Grimer: GRIMER!
Grimer launched itself into battle with more confidence than ever before. It's disable attack caused Machop's karate chop to go limp and it returned with a powerful sludge attack. This attack pushed Machop back and as it readied itself for another Karate Chop, La Toya commanded Grimer to dodge.
La Toya: Turn into a puddle and launch another sludge attack from behind!
Grimer listened to its trainer, turning into a puddle and averting Machop's powerful strikes. After Grimer launched another sludge attack, Machop succumbed to the poison and fell! The crowd cheered at Grimer's win and La Toya picked her Grimer and forced it into a warm hug.
La Toya: You did it, Grimer! You did it!
McKayla: With Blitz losing, there's only one more person left to face La Toya for King of the Hill. Jade, YOU'RE UP!
-End of Chapter 3-