Round 4 - Match 7
At last.
I am free.
No more Alpha. No more light.
There is only the Renegade.
Thomas pulled his headphones over his ears as he had a thousand times prior. Though scratched and slightly skewed, the quality of the outputted sound was as smooth and clean as ever. He scrolled through the songs on his phone, wondering what genre of music would suit this fight. Should he play something soft to grant himself greater focus, or should he embrace his anger and eagerness and play something heavier?
Leo requested the former. Thomas obliged. As the music glided through Thomas's ears, his bond with Leo transmitted the sweet melody to the Lucario.
Thomas closed his eyes and tapped his finger slowly against his knee to the rhythm, drawing a deep breath. He'd been anticipating this moment for a long time, but he'd only begun to feel this nervous after his encounter with Ryan the day before. He'd tried listening to music that night to alleviate his stress, but it hadn't worked. He'd barely received any sleep at all. He'd hoped the music would be more helpful today.
It wasn't. Nevertheless, he and Leo had to fight, and Leo was confident in them both.
Thomas emerged from the darkness and into the main arena as the announcer called his and his opponent's name. Ryan was waving to the crowd. With the highest-level Pokemon in the tournament, he was lingering near the top of the popularity polls. If only everyone knew how his Tropius had become so formidable.
The referee's words were drowned out by the music. He didn't need to hear them; he waited for the indication to shake Ryan's hand. When it came, Ryan stuck his hand out first with a smile. Thomas gazed into his eyes and saw a hidden, sinister glare within. He snorted and shook Ryan's hand before turning around.
The two trainers faced each other from their respective sides of the battlefield. The announcer had barely finished announcing the commencement of the battle before both Pokemon were in play.
Ryan's Tropius raised its long neck and spread its leafy wings. It remained the most powerful Pokemon Thomas and Leo had ever faced, even considering those they had battled in this tournament. They'd been unable to pull off a victory in the qualifying matches, but Leo had put up a worthy fight. If they played their cards right this time, they could come out on top, for sure.
The last time they had fought, and all the times Thomas had seen Ryan battle against another trainer, his Tropius immediately used Sunny Day. The ability to swiftly use Solar Beam at any moment was an enormous advantage to gain at the start of a match, one that Thomas wouldn't allow Ryan to obtain. He and Leo had planned ahead.
As it burst from its Poke ball, Leo suggested a faster tune, now that the match had begun. Thomas grinned and changed the genre to rock.
Leo took off using Extreme Speed as soon as it touched the ground, its feet striking the dirt to the beat of the drums in the song. It rushed down Tropius before it could do anything, leaping into the air and planting a kick against the side of Tropius's neck just as the drummer hit the crash cymbal.
Tropius roared and staggered to the side. Thomas saw Ryan order it to try Sunny Day once again, but Leo wasn't finished. It kept close to Troipus, crouching down and delivering a punch to one of its legs. It then punched a second time, striking Tropius's torso.
Ryan growled and gave another command. Thomas couldn't hear him, but Leo could read his aura, sensing what he would do next.
Get out of there, he advised Leo.
The shiny Lucario used the last of his burst of Extreme Speed to retreat as Tropius rose into the air much faster than its size should have allowed, then dropped back down. Dust flew into the air, creating a cloud that engulfed Tropius's body. The force of the landing surged outward, rushing toward Leo, who quickly jumped in the air, avoiding the attack.
Earthquake. Too many people in this tournament use that, Thomas thought in annoyance.
Rays of sunshine shot out from the dust cloud surrounding Tropius. Thomas let out a small curse as Leo pressed its palms together before slowly spreading them apart, creating a ball of pure energy. It launched the Aura Sphere towards Tropius. The sphere blew the dirt aside before striking Tropius in the side, but Tropius had already finished using Sunny Day. A small ball of bright light hung above Tropius's head, shining throughout the stadium.
Tropius almost immediately regained its composure after being hit by Aura Sphere, as the attack wasn't very effective. It took off into the air, its movements seemingly faster than before. Its wings grew as they absorbed the energy from the light, becoming stronger and granting Tropius greater mobility.
Thomas tapped his foot to the music. A guitar solo was coming up.
Knock it down.
Leo smashed its fists together as a riff sounded through Thomas's ears. Its hands glowed an intense silver as it let out a low growl. When both the glow and the solo reached their peaks, Leo jumped high into the air and let the Meteor Mash loose.
Upon seeing Leo enter its domain, Tropius opened its mouth and absorbed more sunlight, preparing to fire a Solar Beam. Leo spun through the air and shot its fist toward Tropius's face as the Solar Beam was released.
The thick, bright laser was deflected by Leo's Meteor Mash, sending light in every direction. Leo strained against the power of its opponent's attack. Thomas could feel sweat begin to form around his own hands as he experienced some of the heat Leo endured.
Leo ultimately failed to strike Tropius as Solar Beam pushed it back. The Lucario returned to the ground and fell to one knee, breathing hard. Still, despite their failure to land the attack, both Leo and Thomas could feel Leo's strength surging as a result of using Meteor Mash.
I think we should wait until Sunny Day runs out, Thomas suggested. As long as you think you can dodge Solar Beam long enough. Extreme Speed should help.
Leo sent a feeling of affirmation, planting its feet and waiting for the next Solar Beam. It came soon enough, tapping into Extreme Speed once again, Leo dashed out of the way, then began running over the battlefield, switching directions and adjusting speed based on the rhythm of the song.
Ryan was a strong trainer, but not a smart one. He would absolutely mindlessly fire off Solar Beams until he no longer could, trying to make full use of his limited window with Sunny Day.
Tropius failed to pick up on the pattern before Sunny Day ran out. The light that had floated above the battlefield faded. Tropius's wings shriveled slightly. Thomas smiled.
Alright, now try to take it down.
Leo skidded to a stop and jumped back into the air. Without its extra speed, Tropius couldn't dodge in time. Leo soared above Tropius and tucked both legs into its chest before shooting them out, kicking Tropius in the back. Tropius crashed into the ground with a groan.
Rock Tomb!
As Leo landed, it thrust both of its fists into the battlefield. Several large boulders shot up from the ground around Tropius, some of them striking the grass-flying hybrid as they rose.
Thomas let out a breath. They were doing well, better than they had in the qualifiers. They had somehow greatly improved since then. Thomas wondered if his new friends had anything to do with his progress, even if they hadn't given him any direct advice.
Tropius had taken a lot of damage, while Leo had yet to be touched. Thomas switched the song to something slower. It would be best to move more carefully from here on out. Despite how things were going, Tropius could turn them around.
Rock Tomb obscured both Thomas and Leo's vision, but the Lucario could still sense Tropius's presence. It vaulted off a rock into the air, preparing an Aura Sphere. Tropius struggled to take off or dodge to the side; Rock Tomb was hindering its movement.
As Leo released the sphere, Tropius suddenly slammed its head against a nearby rock, shattering it. Large shards into the air. The Aura Sphere hit one before it could reach Tropius, causing it to dissipate. Thomas raised his eyebrows.
Was that Rock Smash, or a normal bash with its head? Thomas wondered. It had to have been Rock Smash. There's no way Tropius would have broken the rock that efficiently if it wasn't. But if that's the case, that would be Topius's fourth move. Did Ryan get rid of–
As Leo fell, Tropius reared its head and opened its mouth before shooting out a volley of small seeds. Leo tried to twist in midair, but three of the seeds latched onto its body. Thomas gritted his teeth, both frustrated and confused.
No, it still knows Leech Seed. But that makes five moves then, doesn't it? How is that possible?
Thomas looked at Ryan, hoping his expression would give him an answer. His opponent didn't appear to be troubled that his Pokemon could use five moves at once. He must've already been aware.
Leo retreated to Thomas's side, clutching its midsection, where the seeds that Tropius had shot were sprouting into flowers. The pedals glowed green, and Thomas could feel Leo's energy being drained. Particles floated from the flowers to Tropius's wings. The bruises the Pokemon had received from Leo so far faded.
Thomas had been afraid of this. This was how they'd been beaten last time. Once Leo had been seeded, Tropius had stayed in the air, avoiding any attacks while the seeds had worn Leo down.
Tropius stomped on the ground again, sending out another Earthquake that caused the Rock Tomb to crumble enough to give it room to move freely. It used Sunny Day once again, sending an orb of light into the air. It then followed it upward as its wings grew once again.
Go! Thomas urged. Before it gets too high up!
Leo darted forward, but even using Extreme Speed didn't get it there in time. It jumped into the air and tried to grab onto Tropius's foot, but the grass-flying-hybrid was barely out of reach.
Ryan let out a laugh as Tropius flew higher and began firing Solar Beams. Leo didn't even need Extreme Speed to dodge these, as it was harder for Tropius to aim from so high up. Still, it didn't matter if Leo avoided them all. Thomas and Leo had no way to get rid of the seeds in Leo's body. The Lucario's health would be drained until it fainted.
Thomas glanced up and to the side at the top of the stadium, where Kyle's box was. He could make them out behind the glass. Half leaned forward in their seats, watching in anticipation, while the other half clearly knew how dire his situation was.
Thomas sighed. Only one thing left he could try. He closed his eyes and concentrated hard on Leo's consciousness.
Noah had kindly given him some pointers to perform a Half-bond, and Thomas thought he understood, but he still hadn't performed one with Leo yet. They'd tried a few times to no avail. If they couldn't do it here, they'd lost.
Leo tried to reach out to him, as well, but, just like last time, it wasn't working. In fact, it was even more laborious to form a Half-bond than on previous occasions, since Leo was both busy keeping an eye out for the next Solar Beam and struggling with the Leech Seeds. They simply couldn't sync their minds together.
Curiously, Leo began to focus more on the music, instead. Thomas snapped his eyes open as an idea crossed his mind. He cranked up the volume and followed Leo's example. He felt his mind slowly come into contact with Leo's as they both engrossed themselves in the tune. Soon, Leo's vision became clearer to Thomas.
By syncing their separate minds to the music, it had become far more straightforward for Thomas and his Pokemon to strengthen their bond. They'd used the melody as a medium for a Half-bond.
Thomas grinned as he felt Leo's power swell. This fight wasn't over.
Leo squatted down, tensing its legs, then launched upward, streaking toward Tropius. With its increased strength, it could jump even higher than before, easily rising to Tropius's height. Its fists glowed silver as it brought them down on Tropius's body.
Tropius plummeted but managed right itself and land on its feet. It slid along the battlefield, crouching low. It tried to fire another Solar Beam as Leo fell, but Sunny Day had disappeared, and nothing came out of its mouth.
While he was still losing health, Leo was being drained at a lower rate than before. Thomas had more than enough time to take down Tropius before Leo fainted, as long as they used everything they had.
A beat drop was approaching. Thomas drew a breath. Tropius was weak to steel, meaning Meteor Mash was his best bet, but that move alone wouldn't be enough.
Use Extreme Speed, then Meteor Mash!
Leo hit the ground, its legs glowing white, and took off toward Tropius, who roared and used Earthquake. Leo jumped past the tremor and closed in, punching Tropius in the head with a metallic fist. It struck again, alternating between Extreme Speed and Meteor Mash.
Tropius continuously tried using Earthquake to create some distance between the two of them, but Leo's speed and the strength behind Meteor Mash prevented it from doing so. Ryan grimaced and shouted orders to his Pokemon, but nothing worked.
Leo landed another Meteor Mash and tried to use Extreme Speed again, but it was out of PP. Thomas stiffened. He had forgotten about that. The Half-bond increased the number of times Leo could use his attacks, but there was still a limit.
Ryan seemed to immediately take notice. Leo tried Meteor Mash to keep Tropius at bay, but it couldn't use that move, either. Tropius bashed one of Leo's legs with its head, causing the Lucario to fall. It then tried to stomp on Leo's body. Fortunately, Leo managed to roll out of the way in time, but before it could climb to its feet, Tropius's Earthquake shook the ground and pulsed outward, throwing Leo back.
Thomas cringed at the pain. The sensation was more intense than it had ever been. Half-bonds were no joke.
Leo had a rough time getting up. Ground-type moves were twice as effective on it. The Lucario had almost reached the end of its rope.
But Tropius can't be doing much better, Thomas thought. We just need a few more good hits.
As Leo was rising, Thomas noticed that Tropius was charging up a Solar Beam.
Rock Tomb! Hurry!
Leo snarled and slammed its hand into the ground, causing more boulders to sprout. One stone emerged between Leo and Tropius and blocked the Solar Beam as Tropius unleashed it. The rock was destroyed, however, leaving a clear path for Tropius to use another attack.
But the shield had given Leo enough time to stand. The Lucario darted from rock to rock, lifting it into the air and launching it toward Tropius with a punch or kick. Tropius struggled to dodge the stones while it prepared Solar Beam. They struck its head, neck, and body as they encased it in a makeshift tomb, almost completely immobilizing it.
Tropius used Earthquake again to break free, only to see Leo in the air with an Aura Sphere twice as large as usual in its palm. Both Thomas and Leo let out a yell as the Lucario heaved. The sphere spun through the air as it streaked toward Tropius before colliding with its target. Another cloud of dirt rose and obscured both Ryan and Tropius.
The song currently playing came to an end. Thomas fell backward into a sitting position, then removed his headphones with shaky hands. Leo landed gently and dropped to its hands and knees. He and his Pokemon were both sweating and out of breath. The seeds in Leo's body still chipped away at its health.
It's not very effective, but please, Thomas thought. Please be done. Please say we won.
Leo dropped to its stomach. The Half-bond faded. Thomas felt Leo's consciousness become more distant.
"With that," the announcer said, "Thomas and Leo are our winners! Expect to see them in the next round!"
Thomas let out a sigh of relief as the dust surrounding Tropius settled, revealing its limp body. The crowd cheered. Leo's health stopped declining as the Leech Seeds wilted.
The referee stepped back onto the battlefield and motioned for both Ryan and Thomas to move toward the center. Thomas stood and returned Leo to its Poke ball, then approached the referee. Ryan did the same with Tropius and walked to the center, his smile confident smile gone. His fists and jaw were clenched, and he was almost baring his teeth.
The two of them shook hands again. Ryan glared at Thomas, who couldn't help but grin.
"Your Pokemon is still a way lower level than mine," Ryan snarled. "And that strength near the end wasn't natural. What the hell was that?"
"Something you'll never come to understand," Thomas said. "Your Pokemon might be a high level, but the methods you used are finally coming back to bite you."
With that, he turned around and walked away. He looked back to the box where his friends were watching from. All of them were smiling or nodding their heads. Thomas's grin grew wider as he raised a fist into the air. The crowd's applause became louder.
It was the night after Thomas's battle, and the night before the beginning of round five. Hannah's eyes snapped open. She sat up in the hotel bed and rubbed her eyes, reaching for her phone. It was nearly two in the morning, but something had just occurred to her, and she would never be able to sleep until she confirmed it.
She searched the internet for an image of a Smeargle. She found it quickly, enlarging it and zooming in on the paintbrush. Of course. That was it.
She opened her messaging app and sent a text to Kyle.
Hey, take a look at this, she sent with the image.
It was late, so she didn't expect to hear back until the morning. On second thought, it probably would've been easier to tell him when they met up tomorrow, but Hannah wanted to share her realization as soon as possible. Still, there was no way Kyle was still awake.
Her phone buzzed.
What am I looking at? Kyle sent.
That's what a regular Smeargle looks like, Hannah sent. Oliver's is different. Look at the brush.
I still don't get it.
This Smeargle is using its tail as a brush and has a green tip, Hannah sent. I don't know for sure, but I'm pretty confident that Oliver's Smeargle didn't use its tail as a brush, and it didn't have a green tip, either.
So this is a guess, Kyle sent.
Hannah sighed. Why was he so insistent on letting this go?
You fought him too, so you should know, Hannah sent. If you don't believe me, we can talk to Oliver tomorrow. Don't you dare make up some lame excuse for why we can't do that.
Kyle didn't respond for almost a minute.
Fine, he sent. You can ask him about it tomorrow, and I'll come along. But this isn't going to lead to anything. You know that, right?
We'll see, won't we?