Chapter 59:
Crush the Crush
Location: Victory Road
I wasn't going to move from the spot I was in until Serena had arrived. I had promised her a battle, and I was going to give her one. A chance to impress her with my battling skills, and a last-minute training opportunity. She had helped me get through this journey, in more ways than one.
My impatience came to end when finally, she arrived.
"Hey," I said.
Serena smiled. "Calem Yvonne. You have done magnificent on this journey and look where we are now! Victory Road!"
We looked at the view once again. "We've done so much together," I replied. "Getting our first Pokémon, dancing in the Sea Spirit's Den, asking you out at the Team Flare why did I bring that up?"
"Calem Calem, it's fine," she said. "I will make my decision… when you've shown your worth at the League! But first, show your worth against me!"
I grabbed a Pokéball. "Gladly!"
Calem Vs. Serena
"Meowstic, go!" shouted Serena, sending out her white Psychic Type.
"And I'm using Sableye!" I replied.
"Meowstic, Disarming Voice!" Meowstic fired some screechy musical notes at Sableye. It was Super Effective, but not very strong.
"Come back with Shadow Claw!" Sableye jumped forward and slashed at Meowstic. It did quite a bit.
"Now use Shadow Ball!" Meowstic fired a black ball at Sableye. Sableye fell back but got back up quickly.
"Shadow Claw again!" Sableye did just as I commanded, slashing at Meowstic and knocking it out.
"Impressive. But it's time for a battle debut! Go Altaria!" Out came a blue Pokémon with fluffy cloud-like wings.
Altaria (Same as English name)
#140 (Mountain)
Dragon/Flying Type
Humming Pokémon
1.1 m (3'07")
20.6 kg (45.4 lbs)
It flies gracefully through the sky. Its melodic humming makes you feel like you're in a dream.
Swablu -Lv 35- Altaria
"Altaria, Dazzling Gleam!" Altaria looked at Sableye, then light came off it. The Super Effective move knocked Sableye out.
"Thanks," I told Sableye. "Okay Tyrantrum, go!" I knew this was a bit risky because of the move that Altaria just used.
"Altaria, Dragon Pulse!" Altaria fired some fierce Dragon infused energy. Tyrantrum was hit big time.
"Now use Head Smash!" Tyrantrum rammed Altaria with its head for massive damage. But it didn't quite finish it.
"Now use Dazzling Gleam!" Another Fairy Type from Altaria finished off Tyrantrum.
"Lucario, go!" I shouted. I needed to finish it off with speed. "Use Aura Sphere!" Lucario fired an Aura Sphere at Altaria. It was the final blow needed.
"You are strong! Go Jolteon!" Out came an Electric Type.
"Return Lucario," I replied. "Go Chesnaught!" I knew that Chesnaught could deal with Electric Type moves.
"Jolteon, use Thunder!" Jolteon made a thundercloud appear above Chesnaught. Then, a bolt of lightning crashed down onto it. It did almost half; impressive for a move that usually wouldn't be that effective on Grass Types.
"Use Hammer Arm!" Chesnaught ran over and brought its arm down onto Jolteon hard.
"Come back with Shadow Ball!" Jolteon fired a Shadow Ball at Chesnaught. It was knocked over, but hung on.
"Another Hammer Arm!" Chesnaught got back up and attacked Jolteon with the same move. It was finished.
"You never give up, and that's great! Go Delphox!" Out came her partner. "Use Flamethrower!" Delphox shot a pillar of fire at Chesnaught, dealing with it.
"No!" I shouted. "Okay Blastoise, you're next!" Out came my Water Type.
"Delphox, Psychic!" Using Psychic power, Delphox lifted Blastoise off the ground. It then threw it down again.
"Now use Hydro Pump!"
"HYDRO WHAT?!"
Blastoise fired a blast of water at Delphox.
"Thanks," Serena said to Delphox. "I'm really not done now! Go Lapras!" Her surfer was out.
"Thanks," I told Blastoise, recalling it. "Go Malamar!" It would be up to Superpower this time. And that's what I used. "Superpower!" Malamar got buff and attacked Lapras. It did a lot to it and Malamar's stats rose.
"Use Hydro Pump!" Lapras fired a blast of water at Malamar.
"Now use Night Slash!" Malamar slashed at Lapras, dealing the final blow.
"Okay, it's time!" Serena said. "Go Absol!"
"And it's my time to!" I shouted, recalling Malamar. "Go Lucario!"
We both pressed our Key Stones.
"When our hearts become one.
Beyond evolution…
MEGA EVOLVE!"
Both Lucario and Absol Mega Evolved.
"Psycho Cut Absol!" Mega Absol ran forward and slashed at Mega Lucario with its glowing horn.
"Close Combat!" Mega Lucario punched and kicked Mega Absol. It was finished in one.
Serena smiled as Mega Absol became regular Absol again. She then returned it to its Pokéball. "That… was fun. But you still have three Pokémon left. I had no chance at the end of the day." She looked at me.
"What's… going on?" I asked.
"Good luck," she said, before leaning in and giving me my first kiss.
"Thanks…" I said, blushing. "I will… try my best." I then ran off. "WOO HOO!" I shouted. I looked back and saw Serena waving. I would do it for her, not just for myself.
With that moment fresh in my mind, I went into the next cave of Victory Road. I walked on and up some more stone steps, but another Pokémon stopped me. It was like Hydreigon, but much smaller and with two heads and no wings.
Zweilous (Diamat)
#143 (Mountain)
Dark/Dragon Type
Hostile Pokémon
1.4 m (4'07")
50 kg (110.2 lbs)
After it has eaten up all the food in its territory, it moves to another area. Its two heads do not get along.
Deino -Lv 50- Zweilous
"It's Malamar time!" I shouted. "Use Superpower!" Malamar slammed into Zweilous, knocking it out instantly.
I walked up the next set of stone steps (sorry if I'm boring any readers of this journal but there really were that many) and a Pokémon Ranger was waiting at the top.
"Hint; the next outside section is also the last outside section."
Calem Vs. Pokémon Ranger Petra
"I choose Malamar!" I shouted.
"You're up Slowbro!" Petra replied. She sent out a Pokémon like Slowking, but with the Shellder biting its tail rather than head.
Slowbro (Flagadoss)
#134 (Coastal)
Water/Psychic Type
Hermit Crab Pokémon
1.6 m (5'03")
78.5 kg (173.1 lbs)
An attached Shellder won't let go because of the tasty flavour that oozes out of its tail.
Slowpoke -Lv 37- Slowbro
"Malamar, Night Slash!" Malamar slashed at Slowbro for massive damage.
"Slowbro, Fire Blast!" Not the move I expected. Slowbro fired a pillar of fire at Malamar, landing a direct hit in the process.
"Come back with Night Slash again!" Malamar slashed at Slowbro, knocking it out.
"Not bad. Okay Flygon, go!" Out came a green Pokémon with red filling over its eyes. It was flying using its grand wings.
Flygon (Libégon)
#005 (Mountain)
Ground/Dragon Type
Mystic Pokémon
m (6'07")
82 kg (180.8 lbs)
It hides itself by kicking up desert sand with its wings. Red covers shield its eyes from sand.
Trapinch -Lv 35- Vibrava -Lv 45- Flygon
"Come back," I told Malamar. "I choose Chesnaught!"
"Okay Flygon, Boomburst!" Flygon let out a huge sound wave that nearly destroyed everything in its vicinity. Chesnaught flew back.
"Come back with Hammer Arm!" Chesnaught jumped back up and slammed down Flygon.
"Use Dragon Rush!" Flygon surrounded itself in blue energy and rammed itself into Chesnaught. It fainted.
"No!" I shouted. "Lucario, you're up! Use Aura Sphere!" Lucario came out and fired an Aura Sphere at Flygon, finishing it.
"Good luck in the final part!"
I continued onwards. Wanting no more nonsense, I sprayed myself with Repels.
Of course, doing this couldn't repel Trainers. Specifically, a Veteran Trainer spotted me. "You young Trainers are ambitious. But that can only get you so far!"
Calem Vs. Veteran Inga
"Blastoise, go!" I shouted.
"I choose Talonflame!" Ingra replied. "Use Brave Bird!" Talonflame cloaked itself in blue energy, then rammed itself into Blastoise. However, Talonflame took recoil damage in the process.
"Hydro Pump!" Blastoise fired a blast of water at Talonflame. It was finished.
"Okay, you do need a lot of ambition to."
I was making great progress. I saw, guess what, another flight of stone steps! I walked up them, and another Veteran Trainer was waiting at the top.
"Not far to go my friend!"
Calem Vs. Veteran Gerard
"I choose Lucario!" I shouted.
"You're up Banette!" Out came a dark-grey Pokémon with a yellow zipper mouth. It had a dangly part coming from its head.
Banette (Branette)
#123 (Mountain)
Ghost Type
Marionette Pokémon
1.1 m (3'07")
12.5 kg (27.6 lbs)
Strong feelings of hatred turned a puppet into a Pokémon. If it opens its mouth, its cursed energy escapes.
Shuppet -Lv 37- Banette
"Banette, Shadow Ball!"
"Me First!" Before Banette could get a Shadow Ball in, Lucario got there first and attacked Banette with a Shadow Ball of its own. Banette was down in one.
"So that's how you want to play it? Fine! Leafeon, go!" Out came a yellow Pokémon with leaves as part of its ears and tail.
Leafeon (Phyllali)
#083 (Coastal)
Grass Type
Verdant Pokémon
1 m (3'03")
25.5 kg (56.2 lbs)
When you see Leafeon asleep in a patch of sunshine, you'll know it is using photosynthesis to produce clean air.
Eevee -Lv up near Mossy Rock- Leafeon
"Lucario, Aura Sphere!" Lucario fired a blue orb at Leafeon, landing a direct hit.
"Leaf Blade!" The leaf coming off Leafeon's front foot started glowing green, and it swiped Lucario for not much at all. It's a Grass Type move after all.
"Now Close Combat!" Lucario punched and kicked away the rest of Leafeon's health. I had won the battle.
"Not far to go my friend!"
I walked outside, the sunlight once again shining in my eyes. But as said, this was the last outdoor section before I reach the Pokémon League. I was on the home stretch, and that was what kept me going.
I ran down the path and across the stone bridge. On the cliff above, I saw a grand castle glistening in the noon sun. That was my location.
I ran on and was spotted by an Ace Trainer. "You may be the Hero of Kalos, but can you beat me?"
Calem Vs. Ace Trainer Michelle
"I choose Tyrantrum!" I shouted.
"Go Magcargo!" Michelle replied.
"Earthquake!" Tyrantrum made the ground shake, and Magcargo went down in one.
"Scizor, it's your turn!" The other Pokémon was red and had two pincers. Its clear wings were flapping violently, but it wasn't flying.
Scizor (Cizayox)
#137 (Mountain)
Bug/Steel Type
Pincer Pokémon
1.8 m (5'11")
118 kg (260.1 lbs)
It has a steel-hard body. It intimidates foes by upraising its eye-patterned pincers.
Scyther -Trade holding metal Coat- Scizor
"Come back," I told Tyrantrum. "Let's go Blastoise!"
"Scizor, X-Scissor!" Scizor slashed at Blastoise in an X formation.
"Blastoise, Surf!" Blastoise made a large wave that crashed down onto Scizor.
"Now use Night Slash!" Scizor's pincers went black, and it slashed Blastoise.
"One more Surf!" A final wave attack, and Scizor was finished.
"Wait, of course I can't beat you!"
Things were going extremely well. All that was left was a final cave. To get there however, I needed to Surf to the opening in the cliff. So, I got out Blastoise and had it use Surf. I jumped on and headed over. Of course, it wasn't as easy as that, and a Pokémon jumped out. It was green with a lily pad on its hat. It had a red mouth and red nails.
Lombre (Same as English name)
#056 (Mountain)
Water/Grass Type
Jolly Pokémon
1.1 m (3'11")
32.5 kg (71.7 lbs)
It lives at the water's edge where it is sunny. It sleeps on a bed of water-grass by day and becomes active at night.
Lotad -Lv 14- Lombre
"Go Chesnaught!" I shouted. "Use Wood Hammer!" Chesnaught slammed its glowing-green fists down onto Lombre, which didn't quite finish it. Lombre then attacked with Zen Headbutt, dealing Super Effective damage. "Now Hammer Arm!" Chesnaught slammed its fists down again, though they weren't glowing. Lombre was finished.
After that, I had Blastoise Surf into the cave. This was a straight path with...
MORE STONE STAIRCASES! Three in fact, and each had torches on the side of them. There were three Veterans waiting at each to.
I walked up the first flight of stairs and battled the first Veteran.
"You are almost here my friend. Keep at it! But go through me first."
Calem Vs. Veteran Timeo
"Okay Malamar, you're up!" I shouted.
"Go Trevenant!" Timeo replied.
"Night Slash!" Malamar slashed at Trevenant with its dark tentacles. It was Super Effective.
"Come back with Wood Hammer!" Trevenant's hand went green, and it smashed down onto Malamar.
"One more Night Slash!" Malamar used it, and Trevenant was down.
"Such power, as expecting from the Kalosian hero of our time. Go Gigalith!" Out came a large-grey Pokémon with red crystals coming from it in different places.
Gigalith (Gigalithe)
#122 (Coastal)
Rock Type
Compressed Pokémon
1.7 m (5'07")
260 kg (573.2 lbs)
Compressing the energy from its internal core lets it fire off an attack capable of blowing away a mountain.
Roggenrola -Lv 25- Boldore -Trade- Gigalith
"Great job Malamar. Go Blastoise!" I would blast Gigalith away with this. "Hydro Pump!" Blastoise fired the water, but it missed!
"Use Stone Edge!" Gigalith fired some sharp stones at Blastoise. Thankfully, its hard shell tanked the hit.
"Try another Hydro Pump!" Blastoise blasted another blast of water (try saying that three times quickly) and this time, it hit! Gigalith was down!
"World's waiting for you kid!"
With that one taken down, I continued ascending. I came across the next Veteran, this one a female.
"My my, what a sweet Trainer… for me to beat!"
Calem Vs. Veteran Catrina
"Okay Malamar, you're up again!" I shouted.
"I choose Glaceon!" Catrina replied, sending out the Ice Type Eeveelution. "Use Blizzard!" Glaceon fired a fierce gale at Malamar. That did the last bit of damage to it.
"No!" I shouted. "No, we can do this. Go Lucario!" Out came my Fighting Type. "Use Aura Sphere!" Lucario fired its ball of aura at Glaceon, doing Super Effective damage.
"Come back with Mirror Coat!" Glaceon started glowing, then hit back at Lucario for twice the damage. Lucario was hanging by a thread.
"Give it another Aura Sphere!" Lucario fired another move at Glaceon, knocking it out.
"Still think you can beat me? Snorlax, go!" A Normal Type. Would this be a piece of cake?
"Use Close Combat!" Lucario punched and kicked Snorlax multiple times, but it wasn't quite finished.
"Use Body Slam!" Snorlax jumped up and landed onto Lucario, knocking it out.
"Thanks," I told Lucario. "Sableye, you're up!" My sneaky Ghost Type was next. "Use Foul Play!" Sableye jumped at Snorlax and tripped it up. Snorlax was down.
"You are one strong kid."
The final stretch. I saw the final flight of stairs near me, leading outside. But I needed to go through one more Veteran Trainer first.
"You are mere steps away from the Kalos League. But you will have to go through me first!"
Calem Vs. Veteran Gilles
"I choose Blastoise!" I shouted.
"Go Skarmory!" Giles replied, sending out a Flying Type made of metal. Its wings looked sharp.
Skarmory (Airmure)
#112 (Mountain)
Steel/Flying Type
Armour Bird Pokémon
1.7 m (5'07")
50.5 kg (111.3 lbs)
Despite being clad in iron-hard armour, it flies at speeds over 180 mph (290 kmh).
Skarmory has no known evolutions.
"Skarmory, use Spikes!" Skarmory thrusted its wing forward and laid some spikes on the ground.
"Blastoise, Hydro Pump!" Blastoise fired a blast of water at Skarmory, but it missed.
"Now use Night Slash!" Skarmory's wing went dark, and it swiped at Blastoise.
"Hydro Pump again!" Blastoise fired a blast of water at Skarmory, this time nailing it!
"Now Skarmory, use Sky Drop!" Skarmory picked up Blastoise by the shell and lifted it into the air. "Now drop!" Skarmory let go, and Blastoise fell to the ground.
"Come back with Surf!" Blastoise made a huge wave that crashed into Skarmory. It was a Critical Hit! Skarmory was down.
"Fascinating. Alakazam, come on out!" The next Pokémon was yellow with brown parts. It was holding a spoon in each hand.
Alakazam (Same as English)
#104 (Central)
Psychic Type
Psi Pokémon
1.5 m (4'11")
48 kg (105.8 lbs)
Its brain cells multiply continually until it dies. As a result, it remembers everything.
Abra -Lv 16- Kadabra -Trade- Alakazam
"Okay Sableye, you're next!" I shouted.
"Alakazam, use Miracle Eye!" Alakazam's eye started to glow. It then stared at Sableye.
"Use Shadow Claw!" Sableye thrusted its hand into the ground, then extended its shadow so that it slashed at Alakazam.
"Now use Psychic!" Alakazam blasted at Sableye.
"But how?!" I shouted. "Psychic shouldn't work!"
"Not with Miracle Eye!" Gilles replied.
"We can still with this. Shadow Claw again!" Sableye slashed at Alakazam once more, knocking it out.
"Time for my final Pokémon. Go Umbreon!" Last but not least was a black-quadruped Pokémon with yellow rings.
Umbreon (Noctali)
#082 (Mountain)
Dark Type
Moonlight Pokémon
1 m (3'03")
27 kg (59.5 lbs)
When exposed to the moon's aura, the rings on its body glow faintly and it's filled with a mysterious power.
Eevee -Happiness at night- Umbreon
I recalled Sableye. "Come out Chesnaught!" I replied.
"Umbreon, Confuse Ray!" Umbreon sent out a weird ray. Chesnaught was confused.
"Snap out of it!" I shouted. "Use Hammer Arm!" However, Chesnaught hit itself.
"Now use Psychic!" Umbreon blasted Psychic energy at Chesnaught. It did a lot of damage to it.
"Try another Hammer Arm!" This time, Chesnaught got one in! Umbreon almost went down.
"Use another Psychic!" Umbreon blasted more Psychic energy at Chesnaught. It was finished.
"Tyrantrum, finish things off!" I shouted. "Use Head Smash!" Tyrantrum rammed its head into Umbreon, dealing the final blow.
"Congratulations! You're moving on and up!"
I gulped. "I guess it's time," I said to myself. I walked up the steps to the most important moment of my life.
Location: The Pokémon League
Standing grand in front of me was the giant castle. It was lined with gold and the pillars made the medieval vibe really stand out in the setting sun. The steeples were red and there were some interesting arches made of stone next to it. Made the whole building look like a crown.
"Inside are the Elite Four and Diantha," I thought to myself.
But first, I needed to rest up. Tomorrow, is where my quest will hopefully come to an end. I've collected all the Badges, beat Team Flare and it's all led up to this.