"And we're back for the second round of the Quarter Finals! Entering the field now is the one who claims himself and his Greninja as the Kage-Shinobi! Zeno! And facing him is a mysterious giant by the name of AZ, who seems to have a cold dispassion towards his battles! Who will triumph in this battle!?"
"Giant" was an understatement. This guy had to be over 3 meters!
I held up Mawile's pokeball. "At this point, we can't underestimate any of our opponents. So go all out!" I shouted, throwing the ball in the air, Mawile being released onto the rocky ground. It would seem our battlefield was going to be the water and rock field.
Within AZ's hand was a pokeball that seemed way too small for big hands such as his. He flicked his wrist and a Torkoal appeared on the other side of the river, white smoke billowing from his back.
"I want to know," AZ's voice, albeit speaking in a low tone, traveled easily to me. "What a 'trainer' is, you who destroyed the Ultimate Weapon."
I took a step back, eyes widening, before I regained my composure. Several theories sprung into my head, but I pushed them back for now. I didn't sense any hostility from this "AZ" character, but... I felt longing.
"Alright," I nodded. "Then we'll show you. Mawile, Fairy Wind!"
Mawile swung her arms, a fierce pink wind flying into Torkoal, battering him.
"Torkoal," AZ spoke. "Flamethrower."
The Fire type opened his mouth and breathed flames towards Mawile.
"Dodge," I commanded. "And use Stockpile!"
"Lava Plume," AZ's stood like a statue, only his mouth moving. A geyser of fire and lava gushed upwards from Torkoal, raining down towards Mawile.
"Into the water!" I shouted. "And Stockpile again!"
Mawile leaped into the river just in time as the fire rained down over her as she continued to boost her defenses. Then sharp stones flew towards her, battering her over and over and sending her out of the river.
"Stockpile one more time," I gritted my teeth. "Hang in there!"
"Lava Plume."
"Now, GO!" I yelled and Mawile took off at a run. She leaped into the water, making a huge splash around her, nullifying some of the attack. Then she proceeded towards Torkoal. "Use Spit Up!"
"Body Slam!" AZ's eyes had widened a bit, seeing his Pokemon was in trouble.
Torkoal leaped into the air, bearing down on Mawile as her back jaw jettisoned the contents of the Stockpile towards him. The attack collided with the Fire type, blasting him away and onto his back. His feet wriggled as he tried to right himself, but Mawile appeared next to him, punching him with a glowing fist. He skidded along the ground where he came to a rest at AZ's large boots, fainted.
"Torkoal is unable to battle, which means Mawile is the winner!"
AZ returned his Fire type, returning the pokeball into his battered coat. He then produced a second one and let out a Sigilyph. "Cosmic Power." Sigilyph shook his whole body, increasing his defenses.
"Crunch, let's go!" I shouted and Mawile leapt for Sigilyph.
"Psychic," AZ said quickly.
Sigilyph's one eye glowed as he flew to the side and Mawile was slammed backwards into the ground.
"Air Slash," AZ narrowed his eyes.
Sigilyph flapped his wings, the air slicing against Mawile.
"Sucker Punch!" I shouted. "Then Iron Head!"
Mawile struck the Psychic type in the middle before flipping upwards, swinging her back jaw down. Upon AZ's command, Mawile was halted with psychic and sent flying into the air.
"Slow your fall with Fairy Wind!" I yelled.
"Counter that with Air Slash," AZ smiled and I suddenly had a feeling that he was going to be an even harder opponent to win against now.
Sigilyph sliced the air, cutting the Fairy Wind up and Mawile slammed into the river. She floated to the surface, fainted.
"Mawile is unable to battle, which means Sigilyph wins!"
As I returned my Pokemon, AZ looked at me. "You, Zeno, you are a wonderful trainer. Show me more, please."
"Yeah, sure," I agreed, still not entirely sure of what to make of him. "Arcanine, come on out!" My partner Pokemon appeared on the battlefield and he let out a jet of flames into the sky, showing off to a now roaring crowd.
"Enough with the showing off," I ordered. "Arcanine, use Extreme Speed!"
Arcanine crouched and burst forwards, leaving behind an imprint of himself. His feet seemed not to touch the river as he zoomed over it and slammed into Sigilyph.
"Psychic!" AZ yelled.
"Not this time!" I pumped my fist. "Flame Wheel!"
As Arcanine was encased in psychic energy, the Fire type struggled, finally pulling himself into a fiery wheel and breaking through the Psychic. He slammed into Sigilyph, leaving scorch marks on his face. Arcanine landed several meters away, mouth ablaze.
"Go, Flamethrower!" I roared.
"Air Slash!" AZ yelled desperately, but the flames overcame Sigilyph, bathing him in fire. He dropped to the ground, fainted.
"Sigilyph is unable to battle, which means Arcanine wins!"
"AZ is down to his last and strongest Pokemon thus far! The one that always beat his opponents in previous bouts! Can Zeno overcome that seemingly unbeatable strength!"
"Golurk," AZ sent out the Ground/Ghost type, whose color was grey and the cracks along his body glowed green. "Bring out all your power for this fight!"
"Crunch!" I shouted. "Fast as you can!"
As Arcanine closed in on Golurk, AZ held out his hand. "Dynamic Punch!"
Air swirled around Golurk's drawn back fist as it glowed with orange energy. Arcanine was punched straight in the jaw, flung into the river. He got unsteadily to his feet, shaking his head, looking around in confusion.
"Now use Mega Punch!" AZ shouted. "Mach speed!"
Golurk's legs retracted upwards and blasted forwards, blue flames erupting from what acted as an engine. Fist aimed forwards, Arcanine was too confused to dodge and was slammed backwards again.
"Arcanine, get a hold of yourself!" I shouted, but Arcanine only shook his head, eyes unclear. Grimacing, I knew if I didn't act fast enough, Golurk would make quick work of my Pokemon.
"Shadow Punch!" AZ yelled.
Golurk held out both fists as he hovered midair, shadowy images of them shooting forwards towards Arcanine.
"Extreme Speed!" I shouted. "Arcanine!"
Arcanine shook his head and ran forwards, the shadow fists just grazing the top of him, making him skid along the ground. He shook his head again, eyes finally clear.
"Get out of there!" I ordered as Golurk returned, fist drawn back. Arcanine barely made it out of arm's reach, skidding so he was now facing his opponent. I grinned. "Back on track! Heat Wave!"
Arcanine slammed both paws forwards, waves of heat slamming into Golurk.
"Earthquake!" AZ rumbled.
Golurk's legs reappeared and he slammed them into the ground, the ground cracking and heaving. A section shot up, sending Arcanine into the sky.
"Flame Wheel!" I shouted. "Control your direction!"
Arcanine spun in the air, a flaming wheel that zoomed towards Golurk.
"Stop him with Dynamic Punch!" AZ bellowed, holding out his arm. Golurk swung his fist forwards. Their attacks connected, Golurk trying to hold Arcanine at bay.
"COME ON!" I roared. The flames flickered before intensifying, turning blue as the flames grew bigger and streaked behind Arcanine like jet flames. Golurk's feet crunched through the earth as he tried with all his might to hold the Fire type back. Then with a WHUMP and an explosion, Arcanine broke through. They were obscured by the resulting blast and when it all cleared, Golurk stood, only looking slightly battered. Arcanine meanwhile lay slumped on his side, fainted.
"Arcanine is unable to battle, which means Golurk wins!"
"Truly a battle between two ferociously strong Pokemon, but Golurk still looks like he can still go another two rounds! Can Zeno overcome this dire situation!?"
"Return," I held out his pokeball, the red beam sucking back inside. "Good job, buddy. Let us handle the rest." I looked back up at AZ. "I don't know who you really are, AZ. But I can tell you one thing." I smiled. "You're a strong and amazing trainer. So now, I know there's no need to hold back."
"Greninja!" I shouted and as soon as he was let out onto the battlefield, we began to sync. "Night Slash!"
Greninja formed two blades as he leaped past Golurk, the Ghost type falling to one knee. His top half then spun around, two fists made of shadows shooting towards Greninja.
"Dodge," I flicked my head to one side and Greninja flipped, spinning his body to avoid the attacks. "Water Shuriken!" As he landed, he flung two shurikens that slammed into Golurk, triggering an explosion. A fist emerged from it first, followed by the rest of Golurk body.
"Block it!" I commanded. "Water Pulse!"
Greninja stood his ground, holding off Golurk's glowing fist with the sphere made of water.
"Stronger," I said through gritted teeth, starting to feel the pressure of the attack myself. "Be stronger! C'mon!" Water surged around Greninja, red eyes flashing from within. It forced Golurk back as the liquid surged around Greninja, settling into his cloak and daggers. I thrust out my hand. "Water Shuriken!"
Greninja shot forwards, slashing Golurk across the chest with one of the larger shurikens and slammed the other one in his head.
"Dynamic Punch!" AZ roared.
"Dodge!" I shouted and Greninja leaped into the sky, multiplying more than a dozen times.
"Take them out with mach speed!" AZ shouted and Golurk took to the skies, flying into as many Greninja as he could.
"Onto his back!" I ordered and Greninja clung to his back. "Bring him to the ground!"
Both blades on his arm shot to his waiting hands, turning dark in color. He jabbed both into Golurk's back and he crashed chest first into the battlefield, Greninja leaping off safely.
"Golurk!" AZ's eyes were wide as he stared at his Pokemon struggling to get to his feet. No longer was he seemingly cold like at the beginning of the battle, but now he seemed to be fully invested in triumphing here. But alas, Golurk fell forwards, stirring a dust cloud as he fainted.
"Golurk is unable to battle, which means Greninja wins! This also means Zeno will be moving onto the Semifinals!"
The announcer was saying something as the crowd cheered. I wiped the sweat from my brow, walking forwards so I could clasp Greninja around the shoulder. "Great job, Greninja. We'll win this League yet."
"Grenin," he croaked in agreement and we both turned to face AZ who was now standing on the opposite side of the small river.
"Thank you very much for battling with me," he wore a smile now and it looked as if years had been erased from his features; a new man. "Now I finally feel free from all of my sorrow, the part of me that built the Ultimate Weapon."
It took me a couple seconds to register what he had just said, then suddenly light began pouring from the sky, shining down on AZ. Pink petals fluttered into the stadium, falling on the crowd of people watching and on the battlefield. As I looked into the sky, I could see a small figure descending, floating like a feather. As it drew closer, I could make out a flower.
AZ's whole body was shaking now as he tearfully gazed up at the small Pokemon floating down towards him. He held up both massive hands, gently cupping the bottom of the Floette. He brought the Pokemon closer to his face and he wept, falling to both knees as the Floette reached out with one hand, settling it on his forehead. Her body was white and blue, the flower red and black with three large petals and three smaller ones in-between them. She gave a small cry, smiling gently at AZ.
"Oh Floette," he sobbed, hands still shaking. "It's been 3000 years."
"3000-" I mouthed, then looked once more at AZ. A giant of 9 feet tall, long white hair and weathered features. This was him, the one Sandra spoke of back in Dendemille Town. The legend about that king wandering eternally in the hopes of finding his Floette once more, it was real.
I knelt on one knee. "AZ, you were that king from 3000 years ago?"
He nodded, smiling sadly as the remaining tears slid down his face. "Indeed, that was me. I had caused a terrible calamity. And thanks to you, it wasn't able to happen a second time. Thank you."
Floette turned to look at me, crying softly as she smiled. Greninja and I both nodded, recognizing that she had thanked us.
"So you had to become a new man for her to return," I smiled. "A man no longer broken or held back by his dark past." I breathed softly as I stared at the two of them, still relishing their 3000 year reunion. "I'm glad I was able to be a part of that."
...
The last two battles of the Quarter Finals ended just as predicted. Ash won his and Alain dominated his opponent once more with just his Metagross and Charizard. Alain was the last to battle, leaving the arena as the announcer began talking.
"You okay," I grasped Alex's hand.
She nodded, smiling. "Yeah, I'll be fine. I just needed some time to rethink some things."
I squeezed her hand as the big screen turned on, showing the four people who had made it to the Semifinals. Ash, Alain, Clara, and I.
"You're going to win, Zeno," Alex gave me a confident smile. "I know you will."
I nodded as the cards flipped over, swirling around. "I will, don't worry. Greninja and I can't lose." I glanced at her. "I'll avenge your defeat."
She laughed at that and then with a chime, the match-ups had been decided. I looked behind me and met Clara's eyes. While Ash and Alain would have their long awaited rival battle, I had my own rival I had to beat.
"This is what I've been waiting for," Clara smirked. "Don't you dare hold anything back, Zeno."
"Never," I promised. "Not for a rival like yourself."
...
With Floette atop his shoulder, AZ looked down at the Lumiose Conference stadium, the moon shining high above. He smiled, gazing thoughtfully. Soft footsteps alerted Floette and she tugged on AZ's ear. He turned to see a dark-skinned woman standing there, dwarfed by his height. In the bare amount of light there to highlight her figure, the letters could still be read upon her black shirt. "Dendemille Museum".
"It's been a while," she spoke, one hand resting on her hip.
"Sandra," AZ said softly and the two of them stood there facing one another, lit up by the light of the moon.
Sorry for the lack of an update yesterday. Took that day to rest from writing. As cool as it would have been for Greninja and AZ's Floette to face off, I decided against it. But, the Quarter Finals are over and the Semifinals will be upon us soon! Zeno vs. Clara and Ash vs. Alain! Who do you expect or wish to win!? But before all that, we'll have a chapter where there will be no battles. An interlude of sorts. So, until then my lovely readers! Toodles!
