Akira pushed through the door and into the bright lights of the Tamer Arena.
Once his eyes grew accustomed to the light, Akira saw three figures standing in the middle of the arena. Upon getting closer to the figures, Akira was able to see that the figures were none other than Forrest Stone, Brock Stone as well as the boy that Akira knew to be Gary.
Though as soon as Akira stopped walking, the familiar voice of Commander Drachnid came pouring out into the arena. "Akira, you may choose one of the boy's in front of you as your opponent. Now good luck and choose!"
The words caused some worry to form within him and though Akira won the last two matches he was unsure if he had to win all three to pass the test that the Commander has given him.
Looking at the three males in front of him, Akira started to examine his options. "From meeting Brock, I know that his Pokémon was able to hold off a horde of other Pokémon. So, I can conclude that his Pokémon must be extremely strong." With these thoughts in mind, Akira disqualified Brock from being his opponent as he didn't want to test his newly acquired Pokémon against someone who has been training Pokémon much longer than he has. Looking between the two remaining Tamers, Akira made his decision. "I choose to battle Gary." Akira shouted to ensure that the Commander was able to hear who his opponent was.
With his decision made the two males that Akira did not choose to battle, left the arena grounds to watch the match from the stands.
While the siblings were finding a seat, Gary was making his way to the opposing side of the arena.
Once this was done, the voice of Commander Drachnid flowed out once more. "This match will be between Akira of Pallet Town and Gary Oak the grandson of our very own Professor Oak."
Upon hearing that Gary was the grandson of the Professor, which Akira learned was once the Commander of the Tamer Order; a sense of dread came over the sixteen-year old.
Though even knowing this Akira was not going to allow himself to lose this battle.
Before Akira was able to call out his Pokémon, Gary's voice came blasting out. "Bloom, come out!" As Gary's words were bouncing around the arena, a Pokéball came flying. Halfway through this, the Pokéball burst open which revealed to Akira that the Pokémon that Gary had chosen was like the Bulbasaur that he saw just a few moments prior. Though unlike the Bulbasaur this Pokémon had a pink bulb on its back as well as three green leaves that sprout from the underside of the creature.
Knowing that Inari had just fought two matches in a row caused Akira to choose Natsu instead.
"Natsu, come out!" Akira screamed and as his voice boomed through the arena, the Pokéball that holds his Charmander came bursting open. In hopes of showing Gary as well as those watching that he was not going down without a fight, Akira sent Natsu on the attack. "Natsu, use Ember!" Akira cried out.
With the order given. Natsu was quick to do as he was told. Taking in a deep breath, Natsu started to release when twin vines came smashing into the fire salamander. The unexpected attack sent Natsu soaring through the air. Though before Natsu was about to hit the wall, he was able to regain his balance, which allowed him to safely land on the ground.
As Natsu made his way past his master, Akira was able to see that the attack had infuriated the young Charmander. Before Akira could give another order to Natsu, the young salamander decided to attack all on his own.
With a speed that Akira didn't know Natsu possessed, the salamander sped across the arena and smashed his head into the Pokémon known as Bloom.
This impromptu attack sent the plant like mammal soaring into the wall that kept the audience safe.
Now feeling as if he has an advantage in this battle, Akira called out an order. "Natsu, use Ember once more!"
A moment after the words escaped Akira's mouth, Natsu peppered Bloom's body with fire.
Though even with being tackled at full speed as well as being blasted with two spurts of fire, Bloom was still able to get back to its feet and from the expression on the Pokémon's face Akira could tell that the creature was not pleased with what just happened to it.
To prove this point, Bloom shot out petals from the three leaves on its back and from the way that they glinted in the light of day Akira could tell that they would be as sharp as the sword that he spotted hanging from Forrest's waist.
Before Akira could react, Bloom sent the blade like petals soaring towards Natsu. Soon the petals collided with his Pokémon, and though Akira could see that the attack damaged Natsu he was able to dodge the brunt of the attack.
Akira could see from the sweat that was streaming down Natsu's body that this battle was wearing him down. Knowing that he should not push Natsu past his limits, Akira decided to recall him back into his Pokéball.
"Natsu, return!" Akira cried as he held Natsu's Pokéball out towards the fire salamander.
Though as the red beam of energy shot towards Natsu, Akira watched as his Pokémon dodged the beam.
"Natsu! What are you doing? You are too exhausted to continue fighting." Akira bellowed as he watched Natsu struggle to keep himself on his feet. Though these were the only words that Akira spoke out loud, they were not his only ones. "Though I just received you. I feel as if you have always been mine, so please don't get hurt!" Akira observed, and as the words bounced around his skull they were spoken in such a pure innocence that Akira awakened something in both himself and his Pokémon.
Akira could feel a wave of energy wash off him and slam into Natsu. Though he could feel himself weaken he could also feel that Natsu had regained some of his strength which Akira knew would be enough for him to crush his opponent.
Though Akira was concerned on what just happened, he knew he had to act fast to ensure that he would knock Bloom out of the battle.
"Natsu, use Inferno the follow it with Tackle!" Akira roared out to his Charmander. Though Akira virtually knew nothing about the moves that Natsu possessed he somehow knew that Natsu could use Inferno.
Before Bloom even had a moment to react, it was surrounded by a tornado that was filled with flames, though these flames were no ordinary color. They were a flame so hot that they were throwing off a white tint.
As Natsu was readying to follow through with his second attack, an ear-splitting shriek escaped from within the inferno. This told Akira as well as all others that Bloom was taking quite a lot of damage. Though upon hearing the cries of pain, Akira started to feel remorse from ordering that move to be used and before he could even think about it, the words were flowing from his mouth.
"Natsu, stop the attack!" Akira cried and though Natsu looked shocked at hearing the order he was quick to comply with what his master has commanded of him.
Soon the flames that surrounded Bloom faded out of existence. Though what it revealed was that Bloom was no longer conscious to the world that it lived in.
Upon looking at the sight of his unconscious Pokémon, a look of pain slithered its way across the other males face. Seeing this caused Akira himself to feel ashamed for causing this creature to feel pain.
"Bloom, return!" Gary hollered out as he held out the Pokéball that belonged to Bloom. Though before Gary clipped the Pokéball onto his belt, Akira watched him mutter something into the Pokéball.
"You did very well in this battle. Not many who have faced me have been able to take Bloom out. Though be warned I will not go down without a fight and neither will my Pokémon!" Gary roared out, and though he was quite a distance from him Akira was able to hear him quite clearly.
With that Gary threw another Pokéball into the air. Followed by the words, "Shadow, I choose you!"
Akira's Pokémon:
Vulpix (Shiny)(M)- Inari
Moves: Ember, Tackle
Ability: Unknown
Charmander(M)- Natsu
Moves: Ember, Tackle
Ability: Inferno
Author's notes: Thank you all who decided to read this chapter. I hope that you all enjoyed it. As always review with your likes, dislikes and general comments. Until next time!