Round 2 - Match 19
Kyle listened to the faint cheering of the eager crowd beyond the entrance to the central stadium. His match would begin within a minute or two. He stood far enough back that he couldn't be seen while he pondered his options with Eve. There were plenty of strategies to use during the fight, but which ones would lead to victory?
Carol wrapped one arm around his. She had come with him to talk before Kyle fought against Oliver. The rest of the group was still up in the box, waiting to see how Kyle would handle his opponent.
"You're thinking too much again," she chided. "Eve probably is, too"
"Can you blame us?" Kyle asked. "None of us have ever seen a Pokemon as weak as a Smeargle take down something like a Gyrados. That must mean he has a Bond, and a strong one, too."
"I know," Carol said. "But your best battles were fought in the heat of the moment, weren't they? Hell, in your last match, you two decided to give up your two strongest assets minutes before you were up. While you are a good planner, you're a better improviser. If you keep this up, you guys will fry your brains before you even get out there."
"Hm, maybe," Kyle said. "But I can't rely on my adaptability every time, can I?"
Carol sighed. "What have you come up with so far?"
"The biggest possibility for his Smeargle's strength is the Bond," Kyle said. "Which means we'd have to use our own Bond to surpass his. The problem is that we don't know whose Bond is stronger, so we don't know if just our raw strength is enough."
They all knew that their group of four arguably had some of the strongest Battle Bonds in the world, but there were still other humans out there with the potential to surpass them, and this tournament was just the place for them to show up. Unlike how it was back home, they couldn't completely rely on their passive Bonds alone here.
I might have to go for a Half-Bond," Kyle said with some regret in his voice.
Carol groaned softly. "Don't tell me you're going to risk losing this tournament for your pride and some cash again," she said.
Kyle chuckled and moved on. "The other possibility is that Oliver's Smeargle was just a much higher level than the Gyrados, and if that's true, then I have nothing to worry about."
"I don't think that's likely," Carol said.
"Yeah, neither do we, though we wish it were," Kyle said. "Then there's the possibility that he's cheating with an X-Special Attack, which we also doubt."
Carol nodded. "The screenings would've detected if his Smeargle had a weird increase in strength that wasn't from the Bond."
"Something else I think is definitely possible is that Oliver sacrificed all of his Smeargle's other statistics and put all of his efforts into raising its special attack," Kyle said. "Which means we just have to hit him a few times right off the bat to win. The last possibility is that he has or knows something that we haven't come across yet."
"So, what's the plan, then?" Carol asked. "I'd recommend going for a Half-Bond, just to be safe. And I hope you're going to use your stones this time."
Kyle nodded. "I'll definitely use the stones. Glaceon might be able to hold out longer against Blizzard. And we'll keep a Half-Bond in mind. I want to win the bet, but, like you said, losing here would be even more humiliating. To start the fight, though, we're going to stick back and use Judgment for a while to feel it out, then go from there based on what I think is going on. If we're lucky, we might be able to knock it out before it gets the chance to attack. If that fails, I can use Dig to avoid the Blizzard for a while."
"Sounds good enough," Carol said.
Just then, they heard the voice of the announcer speak loudly in the stadium, followed by an excited uproar from the crowd.
Kyle glanced at Carol and flashed a smile.
"You'd better not lose," Carol said as she released his arm. "All of us would be pissed if we didn't have the chance to fight you on TV."
Kyle's grin grew wider. "Right."
He turned and stepped up to the entrance into the stadium and listened in anticipation for the words that would mark his entry.
The announcer was introducing the contestants. "And now, from the red section," she said, "one of the only three participants we've seen so far to one-hit KO their opponent, welcome back Oliver Sharpe and his Smeargle, Monet!"
The audience cheered louder. Kyle couldn't see Oliver yet, but he was sure he looked as confident as he had the last time Kyle had seen him.
"And from the green section," the announcer called, "welcome back Kyle Parker and Eve the Eevee!"
Kyle exhaled and walked forward into the light. The crowd did indeed welcome him back with applause and shouts, but they weren't as loud as they'd been with the entrance of Oliver or with other participants, namely Adrien and Thomas. As expected, Adrien had overtaken online polls after his first fight with his peculiar Raichu and was already the fan-favorite of the tournament. The rest of the top five consisted of Thomas, Jordan, Carol, and Oliver. Kyle, Noah, and Hannah were stretched between the early teens.
But Kyle would change that after this match and take the fifth spot for sure, especially after he showed everyone what Eve was really capable of.
"Challengers, please move to the center of the battlefield!" the announcer said.
The two competitors obliged and met in the middle of the Poke ball painted on the floor, where the referee for their match waited. As Kyle had assumed, Oliver was grinning confidently as he stood with his arms crossed.
"You two should know the rules already," the referee said, "but I'll be reminding you just in case. The battle begins when the announcer makes the call, and you may begin fighting as soon as your Pokemon is released. The battle will end as soon as one of your Pokemon drops to zero HP first. There will be no draw. You are allowed to fight in any manner you wish, but you must refrain from having your Pokemon leave the battlefield, entering the battlefield yourself, attempting to target the opposing trainer, using inappropriate language towards the opposing trainer, and using any items or supplies not held by your Pokemon. Is that understood?"
Kyle and Oliver both nodded. They shook hands and returned to their designated areas before removing their Poke balls and enlarging them.
"Let the battle begin!" the announcer shouted.
Kyle and Oliver both opened the capsules containing their respective Pokemon. Eve eagerly lept forward and arrived on the ground with the grace of a dancer. It was wearing its harness this time, with every stone secured in it.
Kyle had been a faster draw than Oliver, so Eve was out before Monet the Smeargle had begun to materialize. The Eevee had also switched to Espeon form before it even sprung from the Poke ball to gain the extra Special Attack and Speed.
Wasting no time, Eve immediately fired off a wave of Judgment. Purple beams shot from Eve and sped toward Monet, who didn't have time to dodge. The Smeargle was knocked aside by the attack, tumbling onto the ground, but it stayed inside the battlefield.
"Woah!" the announcer said. "It appears that Eve has evolved into an Espeon since the last round! And that's a move we didn't see from Eve before. Look at the damage!"
Health points for each Pokemon in a match were displayed on a screen hanging above the battlefield, but it was designed so that neither contender could see it. Kyle didn't have the advantage of seeing how much HP his attacks took from his opponents, or how many more attacks he would need to land to win. He would have to go off of instinct and the announcer's words.
Kyle gritted his teeth. Monet hadn't been knocked out of the field as easily as Kyle had hoped. Again!
Eve fired off another volley of Judgment beams, but Oliver called out to his Pokemon, and Monet was quick to return to its feet. Instead of dodging, however, it stood its ground and raised its paintbrush to paint tiny shields in the air. As the beams closed in, they dissipated into thin air as they came into contact with the illusions, which faded as well. Kyle's eyes widened.
"Eve's evolution was surprising, and those beams look powerful, but it seems Oliver has a trick of his own up his sleeve!" the announcer said. "And it looks like . . . yes! Monet is restoring its HP with Recover!"
Monet was stroking its paintbrush over its fur, and as it did so, the marks it had received from taking a blow from Judgment appeared to fade. It knew both Detect and Recover. So far, Monet was displaying a perfect combo of attack, defense, and recovery, a combo that would be a pain to face even on its own.
Kyle and Eve could eliminate the possibility that Monet was strong in Special Attack only. There would've been no way for it to withstand the first wave of Judgment if it was. The only explanation seemed to be that Oliver was a Champion after all, but he was speaking his commands rather than transmitting them telepathically, as most Champions did. Was it a bluff? Kyle didn't see the use in that kind of bluff.
Nevertheless, their opponent was tougher than they'd hoped for. Kyle and Eve debated using the stones a second time and revealing their full ace in the hole. It might come back to bite them later, but given how increasingly difficult it seemed to be becoming to come out on top here, it might be worth it.
No, they didn't need it. An Espeon was leagues above a Smeargle in terms of speed. If Eve could just keep bombarding them with Judgment, they'd eventually succeed. Monet couldn't use Detect continuously, and it couldn't use Recover forever.
The third wave of Judgment was sent streaking towards Monet. The Smeargle hastily dashed diagonally, trying to get closer to the center of the battlefield while avoiding the attack. It managed to dodge some of the beams, but it wasn't quite fast enough to avoid them all.
Before it could use Recover, Eve rushed in with Double Kick, but it was only barely too late. Smeargle used Detect and painted another shield in the air, stopping the first kick before it could reach its mark. Eve was pushed back and into the air, where it tried once more to use Judgment.
Monet couldn't use Detect twice in a row. Instead, it stood its ground and took the blow head-on. It managed to stay on its feet as it was pushed for a quarter of the field.
Once Monet recovered, it didn't waste its time using to recover. Oliver had apparently had enough. Monet raised its paintbrush and waved it through the air. White-blue particles fell from its tip.
Dig! Now! Kyle sent.
Eve was already on it, landing and burrowing its way into the ground just as the Blizzard blew over where it had just been standing. It dug its way under Monet and emerged a moment later, headbutting the Smeargle as it did. Monet cried out and stumbled backward.
Finish it off with Double Kick!
Eve's hind legs glowed white as it leaped forward, spinning around and striking Monet in the head, sending it tumbling sideways. Eve then went for a second round of kicks, but Monet was able to recover in time and defend itself with Detect, blocking the attack. The Smeargle then raised its brush to use Blizzard once more, and Eve retreated underground. When it came up, however, Monet dodged the attack.
"Both trainers are refusing to let up, but Monet hasn't even touched Eve yet!" the announcer said. "Surely, Oliver must have a plan, or else he'll be out without putting a scratch on his opponent!"
Oliver narrowed his eyes and scowled. He didn't appear nervous to Kyle, only annoyed. He hastily spoke to his Smeargle at a volume too low for Kyle or Eve to hear.
Kyle wasn't planning on giving his foe time to strategize. Judgment!
Eve released more shots of purple light. Monet used Detect and blocked them all, but Eve used Judgment a second time. Unable to use Detect, Oliver called for Monet to quickly use Recover, which it did just before Eve's attack hit.
They continued in the fashion, Eve continuing to use Judgment and Monet alternating between using Detect and using Recover. Eventually, Monet became unable to use either move, and Eve became unable to use Judgment. Applying Ethers to Pokemon wasn't allowed in the tournament, so the trainers would have to make do with the moves they had left.
"It seems our contending Pokemon are running out of steam!" the announcer said. "What do they have left for each other, I wonder?"
Kyle took note that Monet had only used three moves so far. Its fourth move had remained hidden this whole time. Then again, it was a Smeargle, so it was possible it either had Sketch or an empty slot.
Monet prepared to use Blizzard again. It was almost out of power for that move, too. Eve used Dig and hid beneath the surface as the painted wave of cold air passed over it. Monet tensed its legs, ready to dodge.
As Eve sprung from the ground, Monet darted away, avoiding the Dig. But Kyle had planned ahead. Eve had activated Double Kick underground and was now speeding towards Monet with its hind legs glowing.
"Stun Spore!" Oliver called.
Monet waved its paintbrush in the air, creating yellow particles as it dashed out of Eve's way. Eve flew through the particles and lost its orientation, falling to the ground in a heap. Kyle cringed as he felt a small wave of nausea overtake him for a brief moment. His muscles became stiff. Eve coughed as it tried to stand, but its body wouldn't move. It was paralyzed. Kyle's spine grew cold.
"Finish it!" Oliver shouted as Monet raised the paintbrush one more time.
No! Eve, switch to Ice! Hurry!
Eve did so, its entire body briefly flashing before its Glaceon form was revealed. It still couldn't move, but it might be able to withstand the attack.
Monet thrust its paintbrush forward, sending a Blizzard toward Eve. It washed over the Glaceon. Kyle felt the utter chill that pierced Eve's skin through the bond. He began to shiver despite the summer heat. The pain sank it a moment later, like a hundred needles stabbing him from every direction. He gritted his teeth and placed his hands on his knees.
When the Blizzard had passed, Kyle stood up straight. He still felt unbearably cold. The Blizzard had been rough, yes, but maybe–
Eve was unconscious.
He could feel it through the Bond, and what he saw confirmed it. Eve laid still on the battlefield. Kyle urged it to rise, but he couldn't get a message through.
The announcer spoke in a confused tone. "Well, it appears that Eve has actually switched evolutions somehow. I didn't even know that was possible." Her tone then made a sharp turn towards excitement. "But it doesn't matter! In a shocking turn of events, Monet has put a spin on the entire match and defeated Eve with a quick one-two combo!" the announcer shouted. "Oliver and Monet win!"
Oliver grinned and turned to face the cheering audience, pumping a fist. Monet bowed as well.
Kyle was still dumbfounded. Switching to Glaceon form hadn't done anything? Blizzard had still taken Eve down in one hit? How? What kind of Smeargle did Oliver own?
Kyle fell to his knees. His skin was only becoming colder. When did it stop? What was happening? His skin complexion began to shift towards a blue color. His nose began to run. His teeth chattered.
"Hey, are you alright?" a voice asked. It was the referee, coming over to examine him.
"I feel . . . cold," Kyle said sluggishly. His eyes began to droop.
"Hey! I need some help over here!" the referee called.
Kyle collapsed. It felt like his skin was freezing over. His consciousness faded.
Kyle woke up in a clinic. He sat up and saw he was in a bed surrounded by his friends and family. His mother and sister were there, as well as Carol and Adrien.
Adrien noticed him first, but Emily was the first to say something. "Hey there," she said with a sad smile. "We've found ourselves in this situation once again, haven't we?"
Carol and Chelsey whipped their heads around. "How do you feel?" Carol asked.
The pain and chill had left Kyle's body. He felt completely fine, aside from the sadness that plagued him.
"Fine," he said, searching for Eve. He found the Poke ball on a stand beside the bed. He searched Eve's consciousness and found regret coming from it. It was sorry that it had failed him.
Don't blame yourself, Kyle told it. He removed the covers and stood.
"Maybe not so fast . . ." a nearby nurse began.
"I said I'm fine," Kyle said, standing. "How long was I asleep?"
"About an hour," Chelsey said. "What happened?"
Kyle thought long and hard. "It was his Smeargle's Blizzard. When it hit Eve, the Bond sent the pain and the cold toward me." He narrowed his eyes. "But it was way colder than what I've felt before."
"Do you think something was odd about it?" Chelsey asked.
"I . . . don't know," Kyle said. "Neither does Eve."
"Maybe your Bond is just that strong now," Emily suggested. "If that's the case, you should be proud."
"I'm not feeling any pride right now."
Emily sighed and put a hand on her son's head. "I'm sorry, Kyle. I know how much this meant to you."
"It's fine," Kyle lied. This had been his way to get his family money and be their hero. What was he going to do now?
"We should go get some food," Chelsey said. "I know you probably feel like crap, but we'll try to help as best we can."
"Thanks, Chelsey," Kyle said. "You guys go ahead. I'll be out in a minute."
They obliged, leaving the small clinic while Kyle gathered his things and put his shoes on. As he was getting ready to follow them, he noticed Adrien had stayed behind.
"Something doesn't feel right," the boy in black said.
"How so?" Kyle said lazily.
"That didn't seem like a normal Blizzard attack," Adrien said. "And you lied when you said Eve didn't notice anything odd about it. How you react to attacks should definitely change as your Bond grows stronger, but nothing should change for Eve."
Eve urged Kyle to agree with Adrien, but the trainer's heart wasn't in it.
"Why do you care?" Kyle asked. "You don't usually give your opinion on anything."
"You're right. This is just something I noticed. Doesn't mean I'm going to do anything about it."
Kyle gritted his teeth. "Piss off, Adrien."
Adrien opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, his eyes caught on someone in the doorway to the clinic, and he stopped. Kyle followed his gaze and found Oliver standing there.
"I saw you collapse earlier," Oliver said. "You good?"
Kyle stifled his annoyance and nodded. He'd have preferred it if Oliver hadn't come to check on him.
"Do you have a heart condition or something?" Oliver asked. "Was that why you fainted after losing?"
Kyle didn't sense any spite from his words, but they gave him a twinge of shame. Adrien shifted in place a little. Oliver didn't know about the Bond. He wasn't a Champion, making Kyle's defeat even more crushing.
"No, I don't," Kyle said. "I just felt sick, is all."
"Ah," Oliver said, nodding his head slowly. "Well, we had a good match. Sorry things ended like that." He turned and began walking away, raising a hand in farewell. "See ya."
Kyle and Adrien watched him walk off. Adrien turned to Kyle, who had his eyes down.
"Don't worry about the money," Adrien said. "I don't care about it. I'll give it to you for you to spend." With that, he left, going in the direction Kyle's family and Carol had gone.
Kyle stood still. It hadn't just been about the money. All of his pride had been invested in this tournament, and he had lost in only the second round.
Just then, the reality finished dawning upon him.
He had lost. He was out of the tournament.