"Welcome to the semifinal round of this year's pokemon league competition. Before we begin I'd like to share a brief bit of information regarding this tournament. Several years ago, any trainer with enough badges was welcome to march straight up to league headquarters and challenge the elite four. Things are different now. Either our league gym leaders have gotten weaker or our trainers have gotten better because as the years have gone by, many people have earned eight badges. As a result of this the league unanimously decided to have qualifying tournaments to face the elite four. Since then the two finalists of every tournament get to face off against the elite four. Unfortunately, since then not a single finalist has defeated even a single elite four member. Not a single trainer has beaten an elite four member since Gary Oak won the championship. His reign was the briefest in league history as Ask Ketchum battled his way through the elite four and defeated Gary. One person from this round is going to get a shot at the elite four. Competing for this will be Conrad from Cherrygrove city and Julia from Goldenrod City. For the judges, Conrad will be on the blue side and Julia on the red side. The format will still be three on three without a time limit. Trainers, begin!" Both trainers called out their pokemon at the same time. Conrad had sent out rapidash. Julia had sent out golem. Conrad frowned. This kind of a face off was too one sided, even for him.
"Golem earthquake," said Julia.
Before golem even got the chance to launch a ground-based assault Conrad had already recalled rapidash. In its stead emerged lapras, an even more extreme mismatch in favor of Conrad. In return for this, golem was able to hit lapras with a violent earthquake attack. The ground shook and shattered, cracked and bulged directly under lapras. Lapras, however was not intimidated, and was ready to wash its earthly adversary cold with one aqueous blast when its trainer gave the signal.
"Lapras, surf."
"Come back golem. Come out porygon," said Julia.
Conrad raised an eyebrow as Julia called back golem to send out porygon. The electronic pokemon was quite the rarity. Conrad smiled as porygon shrugged off the surf attack with ease. Conrad had something special in mind as he gently patted one of his poke balls.
"Porygon, thunderbolt," ordered Julia.
"Lapras come back to me. Go porygon2."
Surprise raced across the crowd as two equally unique pokemon faced off. Porygon2 was not flustered in the slightest by the thunderbolt it took. How porygon would fare against its upgraded self was a question the entire crowd, as well as the battlers themselves, pondered.
"Ice beam," said Conrad.
"Sharpen," said Julia.
The two man made creations faced each other. Both pokemon had tangible form. Each of the models came equipped with advanced microcomputers capable of simulating pokemon behavior. The unit was also equipped with machines that assimilated the power of many elemental attacks. Porygon was officially dubbed a normal type because of the fact that it executed normal attacks well. This was because porygon's outer encasing held up well when it would crash into things. Conrad knew something interesting. If temperatures became low enough, porygon's computer system would malfunction and crash down.
Porygon2's beak-like front shined a pale blue light and focused a beam of ice shot. Porygon was pushed back slightly and ice crystals began to form, but it did not restrict mobility. Porygon's processors began to recalculate the area and get a more accurate read out on its opponent. All factors significant to the battle were processed and uploaded and configured.
"Ice beam again," said Conrad.
"Recover."
Porygon2 glowed and shot another beam of ice at its technologically inferior opponent. More crystals formed along porygon's outer exterior. Computer systems remained intact. Temperature control adjusted the temperature of the entire unit back to normal. All the ice around the unit was melted off. A few brief auto repairs and the unit was back in full swing.
Conrad frowned. His plan had not worked. The recovery systems would keep the temperature from dropping too low. In order for him to get the upper hand, he would have to do something more elaborate. Perhaps if he used psychic the unit would calculate the chances of a drop in special defense and restrict itself accordingly, setting up for an electronic deactivation, or knockout in lay terms.
"Use Psychic." said Conrad.
"Sharpen," ordered Julia.
The porygon assimilation of psychic power was technological genius. It wasn't pure psychic energy, but the waves it generated had most of the same effects. Porygon2 unleashed a particularly strong barrage of it. Porygon sustained damage on all fronts, but the systems remained online and it proceeded with its "attack". The porygon unit did some final configurations and adjusted all of its projectile launchers and locked them directly on to its target.
"Psychic again."
"Tri attack."
Julia had been waiting a long time for the chance to show off porygon's true power. Her use of it had been met with skepticism all across the board. She smiled as the digital wonder fired off three different colored rays of gorgeous light. Porygon2 was shoved back as it sustained the force of the attack. Porygon2 was not yet defeated, but its movement was impaired. It was slowed.
"Psychic one more time," ordered Conrad.
"Finish it off with another tri attack," commanded Julia.
Porygon2 did not attack first, its pace was slowed by what the unit calculated to be paralysis. In any case, it allowed its opponent to finish it off with another perfectly calculated tri attack.
"Porygon2 is unable to battle. Julia leads 3-2."
Conrad was pleasantly surprised with this defeat. Would she be the one to take him down? Porygon survived the skirmish only because of coincidental paralysis, but it was well played nonetheless. He meditated on his next choice. Rapidash would have to be sent out. It would be best equipped to deal the finishing blow. If the original porygon unit could induce paralysis by calculated tri attacks then rapidash would have to deal with that as lapras would have to fight golem. Rapidash it was.
"Rapidash, fire blast," Conrad said stoically.
"Porygon, tri attack."
Rapidash quickly lifted its front legs high into the ground and formed a ball of fire in its mouth. As the compressed flames were sufficiently large, rapidash threw its front legs forward and spewed a massive volley of fire forward. Porygon was not quite fast enough or healthy enough to withstand the attack. As it became engulfed in flames, it shut itself down to eliminate risk to its systems. As it did so, it ceased hovering and fell straight down.
"Porygon is unable to battle. The score is tied 2-2."
Julia did not send out golem next. Instead she chose vaporeon.
"Vaporeon, hydro pump."
"Rapidash, hypnosis."
Vaporeon was more than happy to wash out a fire pokemon, but rapidash quickly galloped into range and let out lulling cry. Vaporeon's eyes grew heavy and it stumbled off into unconsciousness. Suddenly, its eyes lit up again and it proceeded with its hydro pump. A highly pressurized spray of water shoved rapidash backwards while painfully drenching it with water. Rapidash landed in a puddle several yards away. The fire horse rose back to its feet and stood erect and awaiting its next move. Conrad was very pleased with the way this exchange went.
"Double edge."
"Hydro pump."
Rapidash dropped its head and began galloping forward. Vaporeon felt a horse's skull ram it at an incredible speed and it went flying in the air. Vaporeon rose again and retaliated with a punishing hydro pump.
"Rapidash is unable to battle. Julia now leads 2-1."
Conrad smiled. This girl was quite good, it was a pity the match had to be restricted to a three on three.
"Confuse ray," ordered Conrad.
"Attract."
Lapras focused its thoughts and created a uniquely crippling ray. Vaporeon had other crippling plans as it attempted to appeal to more base desires. That attempt was cut short as confuse ray hit and vaporeon ended up damaging itself before it could put on its show.
"Try attract again," ordered Julia.
"Lapras, thunderbolt."
Lapras unleashed a powerful bolt of electricity that shocked and damaged vaporeon and made its attempts to attack more futile.
"Rest vaporeon!" cried Julia.
"Thunderbolt again."
Another thunderbolt came down on the disoriented water pokemon. As the electricity subsided, vaporeon did slumber, but it was not the type that was conducive to competitive play.
"Vaporeon is unable to battle. The match is now tied 1-1."
Conrad was filled with mixed emotions. She was not the one. His time had not yet come. He would keep fighting. He looked at Julia and nodded. She nodded back at him and released golem.
"Rock slide."
"Surf."
Lapras launched a wall of water and now towered menacingly over Conrad. Golem raised one foot as though it were a Japanese sumo wrestler. The ground began to shake and three boulders broke through the ground , rose into the air, and hovered in place. Golem could not hit lapras with these projectiles until his opponent was lower to the ground. Golem would be unconscious when that happened. After lapras came down with its powerful surf attack, he was.
"Golem is unable to battle. Conrad wins the match."
The conclusion of this match was met by a standing ovation from the crowd. Conrad's gaze met Julia as they walked towards the center of the arena.
"Thank you for that battle. That truly was excellent," said Conrad warmly.
"You're welcome. You are exceptional. Good luck in the finals," replied Julia.
"One more thing."
"Yes?" asked Julia.
"Would you mind swapping your porygon for my porygon2?" inquired Conrad.
"Never in a million years," replied Julia
"I figured as much," said Conrad.
===============
"This league semifinal match is now going to begin. This is the qualifying match for the final round and a chance to face the elite four. At the close of this match, we'll know who our two finalists are. This match will be between Marlow from Olivine City and Megan from Blackthorn City. This match will still be in the three on three format and there will be no time limit. For the judges, Megan will be battling on the blue side and Marlow will be fighting on the red side. Trainers begin.!"
"Let's make this a one on one fight," requested Megan.
"Huh? Umm...no?" was Marlow's confused reply.
"You don't have a choice. Just save your best pokemon for last."
"Tauros, go."
"Golem."
A massive pile of rocks came out, ready to take on the wild bull. Heavy hitting would surely ensue. Marlow had other things in mind. Now was one of those choice few times where he could perhaps take a clear cut advantage in a round, or so he thought. Megan's face seemed enigmatic. She was about a year or so older than he was with brown hair, glasses, and very striking features. She was dressed in a shirt and pants and what looked to be a military camouflage coat. Marlow saw what appeared to be a knife in her side pocket. Megan seemed to smile as he took note of it.
"Tauros come back."
"Substitute."
"Meganium, out."
Meganium came out and to its shock, it wasn't hit by anything at all. Golem was doing something elaborate. In what seemed to be a considerable exertion of effort and vitality itself, it managed to put up this almost lifelike solid object that seemed to only serve as some kind of a meat shield, if you could say there was any meat in it at all. Meganium now had an obstacle to get around, a very big obstacle.
Marlow had something in mind. He couldn't attempt to break the substitute with a draining attack as it had no health to drain. Powering up on the other hand could allow meganium to break through anything that golem could possibly set up. Megan had something in mind.
"Swords dance."
"Explosion."
Marlow's body tensed up when he heard that word. It didn't matter what move he told at this point. His eyes and everyone else's were focused on golem. Golem's body began to glow an intense red, yellow and orange light with every color in-between. It raised its arms as every muscle in its body stiffened. Violent flashes of fiery light followed. The ground shook with awesome power. The general vicinity of the league battlefield became ground zero. A huge crater stood where the painted borders of the arena were. Somewhere in the rubble was a highly scarred and unconscious meganium. It was so covered in rubble and dirt that its color was no longer visible. A loud thud could be heard and this was likely to be the sound of golem fainting from its blast.
"Golem is unable to battle. Meganium is presumed unable to battle. The match is tied at 2-2."
Marlow knew now what was going on. It was time to choose who would fall next. If he could just get lucky, he might be able to pull it off. It was either tauros or his trump card. Tauros would have to go. Nothing could happen to his trump card.
"Tauros."
"Muk."
"Tauros, horn drill."
"Explosion."
Tauros frantically dropped its head and lunged forward, hoping to penetrate muk's innards in such a way that would render it unconscious. Muk's body tightened and had begun to glow in a manner not too dissimilar to golem's. Tauros missed its charge. Muk's explosion didn't. Another crater emerged within the crater of the arena.
"Muk and tauros are unable to battle. The match is now tied at 1-1."
Marlow sighed. She was good, very good. It would be her best against his. He would have to use him.
"Nidoking."
"Porygon."
============
The sun had begun to set over the arena in Indigo plateau. The pokemon league tournament was almost over. Even when the arena was empty, it had a certain presence about it. So many battles had been fought here. So much had been poured into getting here. So many victories and defeats. This arena had seen a lot of winners and losers. Most of the losers who had fought here lost by losing. Some individuals lost by winning. A choice few had won by losing. As fate would have it, two winners met as the sun began to disappear over the mountains.
Marlow looked at Conrad happily. His face seemed to exude confidence as he wore a grin on his face. The frustration of his own doubts and lack of confidence were banished from his countenance. Marlow carried a certain power as his gaze met Conrad's.
"I won my battle today," said Marlow.
"Good. Then I will see you at the finals," replied a grinning Conrad.
The two looked at each other. Conrad tried to hold his expression as best he could, but as Marlow's face began to change, they both broke into laughter at the same time.
"Well call me a loyalist and tar and feather me, this is simply amazing," said Marlow in shock.
"Your philosophical ponderings have made fate smile upon you,"said Conrad jokingly.
"More like you turning me into a cold, heartless, victory machine," returned Marlow.
"Hey, I'm not the only corrupting influence. Your philosophies rub off on me too, you know," confessed Conrad.
"I faced this interesting girl with a porygon who was extraordinarily skilled," said Conrad.
"So did I," replied Marlow.
They exchanged quizzical looks. The two joked and walked back to the trainer quarters they both knew one heck of a battle would have to take place in the morning.
"Golem earthquake," said Julia.
Before golem even got the chance to launch a ground-based assault Conrad had already recalled rapidash. In its stead emerged lapras, an even more extreme mismatch in favor of Conrad. In return for this, golem was able to hit lapras with a violent earthquake attack. The ground shook and shattered, cracked and bulged directly under lapras. Lapras, however was not intimidated, and was ready to wash its earthly adversary cold with one aqueous blast when its trainer gave the signal.
"Lapras, surf."
"Come back golem. Come out porygon," said Julia.
Conrad raised an eyebrow as Julia called back golem to send out porygon. The electronic pokemon was quite the rarity. Conrad smiled as porygon shrugged off the surf attack with ease. Conrad had something special in mind as he gently patted one of his poke balls.
"Porygon, thunderbolt," ordered Julia.
"Lapras come back to me. Go porygon2."
Surprise raced across the crowd as two equally unique pokemon faced off. Porygon2 was not flustered in the slightest by the thunderbolt it took. How porygon would fare against its upgraded self was a question the entire crowd, as well as the battlers themselves, pondered.
"Ice beam," said Conrad.
"Sharpen," said Julia.
The two man made creations faced each other. Both pokemon had tangible form. Each of the models came equipped with advanced microcomputers capable of simulating pokemon behavior. The unit was also equipped with machines that assimilated the power of many elemental attacks. Porygon was officially dubbed a normal type because of the fact that it executed normal attacks well. This was because porygon's outer encasing held up well when it would crash into things. Conrad knew something interesting. If temperatures became low enough, porygon's computer system would malfunction and crash down.
Porygon2's beak-like front shined a pale blue light and focused a beam of ice shot. Porygon was pushed back slightly and ice crystals began to form, but it did not restrict mobility. Porygon's processors began to recalculate the area and get a more accurate read out on its opponent. All factors significant to the battle were processed and uploaded and configured.
"Ice beam again," said Conrad.
"Recover."
Porygon2 glowed and shot another beam of ice at its technologically inferior opponent. More crystals formed along porygon's outer exterior. Computer systems remained intact. Temperature control adjusted the temperature of the entire unit back to normal. All the ice around the unit was melted off. A few brief auto repairs and the unit was back in full swing.
Conrad frowned. His plan had not worked. The recovery systems would keep the temperature from dropping too low. In order for him to get the upper hand, he would have to do something more elaborate. Perhaps if he used psychic the unit would calculate the chances of a drop in special defense and restrict itself accordingly, setting up for an electronic deactivation, or knockout in lay terms.
"Use Psychic." said Conrad.
"Sharpen," ordered Julia.
The porygon assimilation of psychic power was technological genius. It wasn't pure psychic energy, but the waves it generated had most of the same effects. Porygon2 unleashed a particularly strong barrage of it. Porygon sustained damage on all fronts, but the systems remained online and it proceeded with its "attack". The porygon unit did some final configurations and adjusted all of its projectile launchers and locked them directly on to its target.
"Psychic again."
"Tri attack."
Julia had been waiting a long time for the chance to show off porygon's true power. Her use of it had been met with skepticism all across the board. She smiled as the digital wonder fired off three different colored rays of gorgeous light. Porygon2 was shoved back as it sustained the force of the attack. Porygon2 was not yet defeated, but its movement was impaired. It was slowed.
"Psychic one more time," ordered Conrad.
"Finish it off with another tri attack," commanded Julia.
Porygon2 did not attack first, its pace was slowed by what the unit calculated to be paralysis. In any case, it allowed its opponent to finish it off with another perfectly calculated tri attack.
"Porygon2 is unable to battle. Julia leads 3-2."
Conrad was pleasantly surprised with this defeat. Would she be the one to take him down? Porygon survived the skirmish only because of coincidental paralysis, but it was well played nonetheless. He meditated on his next choice. Rapidash would have to be sent out. It would be best equipped to deal the finishing blow. If the original porygon unit could induce paralysis by calculated tri attacks then rapidash would have to deal with that as lapras would have to fight golem. Rapidash it was.
"Rapidash, fire blast," Conrad said stoically.
"Porygon, tri attack."
Rapidash quickly lifted its front legs high into the ground and formed a ball of fire in its mouth. As the compressed flames were sufficiently large, rapidash threw its front legs forward and spewed a massive volley of fire forward. Porygon was not quite fast enough or healthy enough to withstand the attack. As it became engulfed in flames, it shut itself down to eliminate risk to its systems. As it did so, it ceased hovering and fell straight down.
"Porygon is unable to battle. The score is tied 2-2."
Julia did not send out golem next. Instead she chose vaporeon.
"Vaporeon, hydro pump."
"Rapidash, hypnosis."
Vaporeon was more than happy to wash out a fire pokemon, but rapidash quickly galloped into range and let out lulling cry. Vaporeon's eyes grew heavy and it stumbled off into unconsciousness. Suddenly, its eyes lit up again and it proceeded with its hydro pump. A highly pressurized spray of water shoved rapidash backwards while painfully drenching it with water. Rapidash landed in a puddle several yards away. The fire horse rose back to its feet and stood erect and awaiting its next move. Conrad was very pleased with the way this exchange went.
"Double edge."
"Hydro pump."
Rapidash dropped its head and began galloping forward. Vaporeon felt a horse's skull ram it at an incredible speed and it went flying in the air. Vaporeon rose again and retaliated with a punishing hydro pump.
"Rapidash is unable to battle. Julia now leads 2-1."
Conrad smiled. This girl was quite good, it was a pity the match had to be restricted to a three on three.
"Confuse ray," ordered Conrad.
"Attract."
Lapras focused its thoughts and created a uniquely crippling ray. Vaporeon had other crippling plans as it attempted to appeal to more base desires. That attempt was cut short as confuse ray hit and vaporeon ended up damaging itself before it could put on its show.
"Try attract again," ordered Julia.
"Lapras, thunderbolt."
Lapras unleashed a powerful bolt of electricity that shocked and damaged vaporeon and made its attempts to attack more futile.
"Rest vaporeon!" cried Julia.
"Thunderbolt again."
Another thunderbolt came down on the disoriented water pokemon. As the electricity subsided, vaporeon did slumber, but it was not the type that was conducive to competitive play.
"Vaporeon is unable to battle. The match is now tied 1-1."
Conrad was filled with mixed emotions. She was not the one. His time had not yet come. He would keep fighting. He looked at Julia and nodded. She nodded back at him and released golem.
"Rock slide."
"Surf."
Lapras launched a wall of water and now towered menacingly over Conrad. Golem raised one foot as though it were a Japanese sumo wrestler. The ground began to shake and three boulders broke through the ground , rose into the air, and hovered in place. Golem could not hit lapras with these projectiles until his opponent was lower to the ground. Golem would be unconscious when that happened. After lapras came down with its powerful surf attack, he was.
"Golem is unable to battle. Conrad wins the match."
The conclusion of this match was met by a standing ovation from the crowd. Conrad's gaze met Julia as they walked towards the center of the arena.
"Thank you for that battle. That truly was excellent," said Conrad warmly.
"You're welcome. You are exceptional. Good luck in the finals," replied Julia.
"One more thing."
"Yes?" asked Julia.
"Would you mind swapping your porygon for my porygon2?" inquired Conrad.
"Never in a million years," replied Julia
"I figured as much," said Conrad.
===============
"This league semifinal match is now going to begin. This is the qualifying match for the final round and a chance to face the elite four. At the close of this match, we'll know who our two finalists are. This match will be between Marlow from Olivine City and Megan from Blackthorn City. This match will still be in the three on three format and there will be no time limit. For the judges, Megan will be battling on the blue side and Marlow will be fighting on the red side. Trainers begin.!"
"Let's make this a one on one fight," requested Megan.
"Huh? Umm...no?" was Marlow's confused reply.
"You don't have a choice. Just save your best pokemon for last."
"Tauros, go."
"Golem."
A massive pile of rocks came out, ready to take on the wild bull. Heavy hitting would surely ensue. Marlow had other things in mind. Now was one of those choice few times where he could perhaps take a clear cut advantage in a round, or so he thought. Megan's face seemed enigmatic. She was about a year or so older than he was with brown hair, glasses, and very striking features. She was dressed in a shirt and pants and what looked to be a military camouflage coat. Marlow saw what appeared to be a knife in her side pocket. Megan seemed to smile as he took note of it.
"Tauros come back."
"Substitute."
"Meganium, out."
Meganium came out and to its shock, it wasn't hit by anything at all. Golem was doing something elaborate. In what seemed to be a considerable exertion of effort and vitality itself, it managed to put up this almost lifelike solid object that seemed to only serve as some kind of a meat shield, if you could say there was any meat in it at all. Meganium now had an obstacle to get around, a very big obstacle.
Marlow had something in mind. He couldn't attempt to break the substitute with a draining attack as it had no health to drain. Powering up on the other hand could allow meganium to break through anything that golem could possibly set up. Megan had something in mind.
"Swords dance."
"Explosion."
Marlow's body tensed up when he heard that word. It didn't matter what move he told at this point. His eyes and everyone else's were focused on golem. Golem's body began to glow an intense red, yellow and orange light with every color in-between. It raised its arms as every muscle in its body stiffened. Violent flashes of fiery light followed. The ground shook with awesome power. The general vicinity of the league battlefield became ground zero. A huge crater stood where the painted borders of the arena were. Somewhere in the rubble was a highly scarred and unconscious meganium. It was so covered in rubble and dirt that its color was no longer visible. A loud thud could be heard and this was likely to be the sound of golem fainting from its blast.
"Golem is unable to battle. Meganium is presumed unable to battle. The match is tied at 2-2."
Marlow knew now what was going on. It was time to choose who would fall next. If he could just get lucky, he might be able to pull it off. It was either tauros or his trump card. Tauros would have to go. Nothing could happen to his trump card.
"Tauros."
"Muk."
"Tauros, horn drill."
"Explosion."
Tauros frantically dropped its head and lunged forward, hoping to penetrate muk's innards in such a way that would render it unconscious. Muk's body tightened and had begun to glow in a manner not too dissimilar to golem's. Tauros missed its charge. Muk's explosion didn't. Another crater emerged within the crater of the arena.
"Muk and tauros are unable to battle. The match is now tied at 1-1."
Marlow sighed. She was good, very good. It would be her best against his. He would have to use him.
"Nidoking."
"Porygon."
============
The sun had begun to set over the arena in Indigo plateau. The pokemon league tournament was almost over. Even when the arena was empty, it had a certain presence about it. So many battles had been fought here. So much had been poured into getting here. So many victories and defeats. This arena had seen a lot of winners and losers. Most of the losers who had fought here lost by losing. Some individuals lost by winning. A choice few had won by losing. As fate would have it, two winners met as the sun began to disappear over the mountains.
Marlow looked at Conrad happily. His face seemed to exude confidence as he wore a grin on his face. The frustration of his own doubts and lack of confidence were banished from his countenance. Marlow carried a certain power as his gaze met Conrad's.
"I won my battle today," said Marlow.
"Good. Then I will see you at the finals," replied a grinning Conrad.
The two looked at each other. Conrad tried to hold his expression as best he could, but as Marlow's face began to change, they both broke into laughter at the same time.
"Well call me a loyalist and tar and feather me, this is simply amazing," said Marlow in shock.
"Your philosophical ponderings have made fate smile upon you,"said Conrad jokingly.
"More like you turning me into a cold, heartless, victory machine," returned Marlow.
"Hey, I'm not the only corrupting influence. Your philosophies rub off on me too, you know," confessed Conrad.
"I faced this interesting girl with a porygon who was extraordinarily skilled," said Conrad.
"So did I," replied Marlow.
They exchanged quizzical looks. The two joked and walked back to the trainer quarters they both knew one heck of a battle would have to take place in the morning.