Chapter 13
"Just The Beginning"
"And now entering the stadium is the green trainer, Ash Ketchum!!!"
I got a standing ovation before I even did anything. Did they really know who they were cheering for?…I doubt it.
I nodded my acknowledgement to my opponent. Her name was Asunta. She smiled back, then took out a Pokéball. She didn't look like she was going to lose easily…I wondered how well I would fare…
The referee stood at the middle on the sidelines. He held up both flags.
"You will use six Pokémon each. Let the battle begin!!"
He moved the flags to his side and stepped back to let us start.
"I choose you! Kangaskhan!" Asunta said. She threw out her Pokéball, and a Kangaskhan came out of it.
"Then…I choose……" I hesitated, not sure who to pick, "uh……"
"Ash! Hurry up and pick someone!" Misty yelled at me from the coaches' bench.
I know…I just…I just wish I had a better selection…
"Pidgeotto! I choose you!"
"Pidgeooo!!!" Pidgeotto called, flapping into the air.
"It's about time," commented Asunta, "Alright, Kangaskhan! Comet Punch!"
"Pidgeotto! Quick Attack!"
"Pi-geotto!!"
Pidgeotto dove and slammed into Kangaskhan. Kangaskhan tried to counter by punching Pidgeotto, but Pidgeotto was too fast for it.
"That's it, Pidgeotto! Use Agility!"
"Geoo!!!"
Pidgeotto flew up, gaining speed as it went, then it turned and flew past Kangaskhan. With a few quick flaps, it had doubled back and flew past Kangaskhan again.
"Pidge!!" it cawed tauntingly.
"Kangaskhan! Mega Punch!"
"Kangas……Khan!!!!!"
Just as Pidgeotto was flying back for the rebound, Kangaskhan drew back its fist and slammed Pidgeotto right in the wing, knocking it to the ground.
"Geo…tto…" it moaned.
"Pidgeotto! Get up!" I yelled anxiously.
Pidgeotto can't lose…
"Kangaskhan! Tail Whip!"
Kangaskhan walked up to Pidgeotto, then turned and prepared to whack it with its tail.
"Pi……Pidgeo!"
Pidgeotto looked up and saw Kangaskhan's back facing it. It flapped with its wings, and rose into the air. Kangaskhan's attack swept right under it.
"Great!" I called, "Now! Whirlwind!!"
"Pidgeooootto!!!"
Pidgeotto flapped its wings together rapidly, and a huge gust of wind started blowing Kangaskhan backwards.
"Kan…ga…" Kangaskhan growled, trying to shield itself with its arm.
"Pidgeotto!!!!" Pidgeotto cawed, not letting up for one second.
"Kangas…Kangaskhan!" Kangaskhan yelled in alarm as it lost its balance and was blown all the way back to its trainer.
"Kangaskhan…" it groaned.
"Pidgeotto! Gust!"
"Pidgeotto!!!"
Pidgeotto created a small tornado with its wings, then sent it spinning towards Kangaskhan.
"Kangaskhan! Look out!" Asunta cried.
"Kangaskhaan!!!"
The wind hit Kangaskhan powerfully and Kangaskhan was knocked against the far wall.
"Oh! Kangaskhan!" Asunta cried. She turned and glared at me. She looked back at her injured Pokémon. "Kangaskhan! Return!"
One of her red bars disappeared from the scoreboard. She stood back up and took out another Pokéball, then tossed it into the ring.
"I choose…Rhydon!"
"Rhhhyyy!!!" Rhydon roared.
"Uh-oh……Ugh…Pidgeotto! Double-Edge attack!"
"Rhydon! Horn Drill!"
"Pi-geooo!!!"
"Don!"
Pidgeotto gathered power as it sped towards Rhydon. Rhydon's horn started spinning around dangerously, and I realized my mistake.
"Pidgeotto! Stop!"
I guess Pidgeotto was already too far into its attack to try to slow down. It zoomed straight into Rhydon's horn, and it got tangled in it, spinning around with feathers flying everywhere. Finally, it spun off of Rhydon and landed on the ground next to it. It had lost a lot of its feathers, and blood was dripping from its body.
"Pidgeotto!" I screamed.
I ran up to it immediately and touched it lightly.
"Pidgeotto?" I asked.
It didn't answer me, but I could feel it breathing painfully.
I clenched my teeth. There was no way I was going to lose after this.
"Come here, Pidgeotto. Back in the Pokéball. I promise I'll get you healed after the match…"
"…Pidgeotto has been eliminated! Rhydon is the winner!" shouted the referee.
I walked back to my spot. I was going to need a powerful Pokémon to take on Rhydon…or at least one with a strong elemental advantage.
"…Squirtle! I choose you!"
"Squirtle squirtle!" Squirtle called out.
"Squirtle! Water Gun, now!"
"Squiirrrtle!!!" Squirtle gargled, spitting out a strong jet of water at Rhydon.
"Rhydon! Fury Attack!"
Rhydon absorbed the damage from Squirtle's Water Gun and kept moving.
"Squirtle! Withdraw!" I shouted.
Rhydon jabbed at Squirtle with its horn, but it didn't hurt Squirtle at all.
"Skull Bash!"
"Squirtle!!!"
Squirtle popped its head out of its shell and knocked Rhydon back, just a little.
"Water Gun! Now!"
"Rhydon! Horn Drill!"
Not again…
"Squiirrr!!!!!!"
"Don!"
Rhydon's horn started spinning around, but Squirtle blasted it with another stream of water before Rhydon could attack. Rhydon tried to ignore Squirtle's attack, but it was too weak against water.
The ref looked on.
"…Rhydon has been eliminated! This battle goes to Squirtle!"
"Squirtle, squirt!"
'Alright! We did it!'
"Yeah…" I said, smiling just a little.
"Rhydon! Return!" Asunta said, "Venomoth! It's your turn!"
"A Venomoth?" Billie said in surprise.
I glanced back at her.
"Yeah, it's a Venomoth. So?"
"Uh……Nothing…" she said.
She's hiding something…Oh well. I'll ask her about it later.
"Squirtle! Tackle attack!"
"Ssqquirt!"
"Venomoth! Tackle attack!"
"Moth!"
The two Pokémon rammed into each other powerfully.
"Squirtle! Bubble!"
"Venomoth! Leech Life!"
"Squiririririrtle!!"
"Moth! Veno! Moth!"
Venomoth dodged the Bubbles and made its way towards Squirtle. Then it hooked its fangs onto the back of Squirtle's neck.
"S-quirt!" Squirtle yelped. It punched Venomoth in the head then jumped back.
"Mothh…" Venomoth said disgustedly.
"Venomoth! Confusion!" shouted Asunta.
"Squirtle! Skull Bash! Now!"
"Veno moth!!"
Venomoth rose into the air, then released a blast of Confusion waves. Squirtle tried to block it and ran towards it, slowly gaining speed.
"Squirr…Squirtle!!!"
Squirtle blasted Venomoth with its head and sent it spinning.
"Alright, Squirtle! Water Gun, now!"
"Venomoth! Poison Powder!"
"Squirtlllee!!" Squirtle said through a stream of water.
Before Venomoth could fly over Squirtle and release its toxins, Squirtle's Water Gun hit it and knocked it back even further.
"Great job!" I said, "Keep at it! Full power!"
"Squiiirrtllle!"
Before long, Asunta had to change Pokémon.
"Venomoth! Return!" She put it away and carefully chose another one. "Tentacool! Go!"
"…Tentacool?" I asked.
A red light appeared from her Pokéball, and a small, blue and red jellyfish Pokémon came out.
"Tenta cool!" it said tauntingly.
"No…it's a water type…" I groaned. This was going to be a long battle.
"Squirt! Squirtle!"
'What're you waiting for? Let's go!'
"Uh…All right, Squirtle! Skull Bash!"
"Tle!!!!"
"Tentacool! Acid!"
As Squirtle was powering up its charge, Tentacool splashed it with its Acid attack, and Squirtle had to stop to try to wipe it off.
"Tentacool! Constrict!"
"Cool!"
Tentacool moved forward and quickly wrapped its tentacles around Squirtle's middle. It squeezed tightly for about a second, then let go and backed off.
"Tle…" Squirtle groaned, still wiping its face off.
"Come on, Squirtle!" I said, "You gotta hang in there! Bite attack!"
"Squirt…Squiirtle!"
"Poison Sting!" said Asunta.
Tentacool whipped its tentacle up just as Squirtle was about to attack. Squirtle ended up biting down on Tentacool's tentacle, and it released its poison right into Squirtle's mouth. After realizing what had happened, Squirtle jumped up and tried to spit it out.
"Squiiirt! Squirtle, squirt!"
'Help! It's in my mouth! Yuck!'
It was too much for Squirtle. Squirtle finally collapsed, and the referee held up the red flag.
"Squirtle has been eliminated! The battle goes to Tentacool!"
"Tentacool!" Tentacool cheered.
"All right, Tentacool!" cried Asunta.
"…Squirtle! Return!" I said.
Squirtle became a beam of red light and reentered its Pokéball. I tried to think of a good Pokémon to use next…
"…Bulbasaur! I choose you!"
"Bulbasauur!"
"Bulbasaur?" Asunta said in amusement, "This should be interesting…Tentacool! Wrap attack!"
"Bulbasaur! Vine Whip!"
Tentacool tried to get its tentacles around Bulbasaur, but Bulbasaur whacked them back with its Vines. When that was over with, Bulbasaur lashed downwards and hit Tentacool squarely on its big head with its Whips. It held them there for a few seconds, then they bounced right off.
"Huh? What the…?" I said in surprise.
Isn't water weak against grass…?
"Heh…Don't you know that Poison is strong against Grass?" Asunta said quietly. "Tentacool! Water Gun!"
But Water is weak against Grass!
"Bulbasaur!" I shouted.
Tentacool shot out a blast of water that hit Bulbasaur and sent it tumbling.
"…Are you okay!?" I asked in alarm.
Bulbasaur climbed to its feet.
"…Bulba!"
'…Yeah!'
"Alright," I sighed in relief, "Good…Now let's win! Tackle attack, now!"
"Bulbasaur!!"
Bulbasaur dashed forward and knocked Tentacool with its head.
"Razor Leaf! Now!"
"Saauurrrr!!!"
"Ten, ta cool!!" Tentacool cried in pain.
Bulbasaur released dozens of tiny, razor-sharp leaves that cut Tentacool up rather nicely.
"Tenta…Tenta……cool……" Tentacool whimpered.
"Vine Whip!"
"Saur!!"
Bulbasaur lashed at it again with its Vine Whip, and Tentacool finally couldn't take any more.
"Ten…ta……cool……" it moaned and fell silent.
"…Tentacool has been eliminated! The battle goes to Bulbasaur!"
"Bullba!!" Bulbasaur cried happily.
'We did it!!'
"Tentacool! Return!……Marowak! Go!!"
"Mm…Maro!"
Her Marowak came out of its Pokéball and swung its club around fiercely. It looked like it was really ready to battle.
"Marowak!" it declared.
"…Bulbasaur…I know you can beat it. Just do your best…"
"Bul, ba!" Bulbasaur grinned.
'I know that!'
"Alright, Bulbasaur! Razor Leaf! Now!!"
"Marowak! Growl!"
"Rrrrooo……" Marowak Growled at Bulbasaur.
"B-ulba?" Bulbasaur said in surprise.
It shook its head then unleashed its Razor Leaf attack.
"Bulbasaurrr!!"
"Maro…" Marowak said as it just waited for Bulbasaur's attack to finish. When it was over, it still looked ready to fight.
"Marowak! Use your Bonemerang!"
"Bulbasaur! Vine Whip!"
"Sauuurr!"
"Marowak!!"
Marowak threw its bone into the air, where it knocked one of Bulbasaur's vines aside, but the other kept going and smacked Marowak on the head. It's bone twirled and landed a few feet away from it.
"Get it, Marowak!" Asunta said.
Marowak ran and grabbed its bone up from the ground.
"Maro…" it said in a low voice.
"Marowak! Use your Rage attack!"
"Uh-oh…Watch out Bulbasaur. Be careful…Um…In the meantime, why don't we power up for a Solar Beam attack?"
"Bull!"
'Sounds like a plan to me!'
I grinned. "Good!"
"Bul…ba……saur…!!!!"
Light energy gathered around Bulbasaur's bulb and it started glowing yellow and growing larger.
"Oh no!" Asunta said as she saw what we were doing, "Marowak! Watch out!"
Marowak didn't listen to her, though. It was too busy whacking Bulbasaur over and over again, even though it wasn't doing too much damage.
"Bul…ba…" Bulbasaur growled in annoyance.
"All right, Bulbasaur! Fire it, now!!"
"SAAAAUUUUUURRRRRRR!!!!!!"
"M-arowaakkkk!!!!!"
Marowak was blown all the way to the other end of the stadium, where the light exploded and then sizzled away. Marowak was out of the battle easily.
"…Marowak has been eliminated! This battle goes to Bulbasaur!"
"Bulbasaur!!"
'All right!'
I grinned. We might actually win this one…
"Marowak, return!"
"Now Asunta is down to just one Pokémon, folks! Ash still has three more Pokémon for her to beat, even if she does defeat his Bulbasaur! Is she going to make a great comeback, or is this the end for Asunta?"
Asunta held her Pokéball close to her face.
"This is just the beginning," she whispered. "Ivysaur! I choose you!!"
"Ivysaauurr!!"
"Bulba!!?" Bulbasaur cried in surprise.
'An Ivysaur!?'
"Oh no…" I breathed.
This wasn't good. There was no way Bulbasaur could beat an Ivysaur, especially after fighting two other Pokémon.
"Bulbasaur, just do your best. I'm counting on you…"
"Bulba…"
'I know…'
"……Bulbasaur! Tackle attack!"
"Ivysaur! Razor Leaf!"
"Bulbaa!!"
"Sauurr!!"
Bulbasaur ran forward to attack the Ivysaur, but it used its Razor Leaf attack, and several large, super-sharp leaves sliced through the air and then sliced through Bulbasaur. Bulbasaur didn't even know what hit it. It slowly slowed down, and finally slowed to a stop.
"B…ulba……?…Saur."
Bulbasaur fell to the ground. The referee raised the red flag, and one of my counters disappeared.
"Bulbasaur has been eliminated! The battle goes to Ivysaur!"
No…