Chapter 15
"Bruno"
Prima told me that the rest of the battles were going to be run as if nothing had happened. The only difference was I didn't have to Transform in order to fight. She also said that from then on, I would have to make sure everyone could hear me when I gave out an order. I thought it was a small price to pay to be allowed to compete.
My second opponent was Bruno. We were both allowed four Pokémon each.
"I choose, Onix!" he said, releasing his giant Onix.
I remembered that Onix. I had been there when he had captured it…It had nearly killed Pikachu and me……
…I choose………Squirtle!
I tapped Squirtle's Pokéball to let it out. I didn't really want to wear a Pokébelt while I wasn't human, so I had all of my Pokéballs set out on the ground.
"Squirtle, squirt!"
"Onix, Slam," Bruno said.
"Ooonnnnnn!!!"
Squirtle! Water Gun!
"Squuuiirrrrrtlle!"
Squirtle blasted Onix as it rushed towards it, but Onix didn't even flinch. It drove its weight onto Squirtle, and when it got up, Squirtle had been driven into the ground and was barely visible.
Already!?
"…You have to watch out for those first-round knockouts, Ash," Lorelei said gently from the sidelines.
……Squirtle! Return!
I tapped Bulbasaur's Pokéball and let it out.
"Bind attack!" Bruno ordered.
Bulbasaur! Vine Whip!
Onix picked Bulbasaur up with its tail and started squeezing tightly. Bulbasaur whipped it furiously with its vines, but it just wasn't any use…
Bulbasaur…
"Good, Onix. Now get rid of it."
Onix raised Bulbasaur into the air, then threw it.
Bulbasaur!!
Bulbasaur flew across the gym and skidded across the floor, finally hitting the wall behind us.
Bulbasaur! Are you alright?
"…saur…" Bulbasaur moaned.
…Can you still fight?
"Bul…"
Bulbasaur stood itself up. It had a nasty bruise, but it wasn't going to give up so easily.
Okay……Try Razor Leaf!
Bulbasaur released its Razor Leaf attack, but once again, Onix hardly seemed to notice…It did wince a little, which was a good sign.
"Rock Throw!"
Bulbasaur didn't get lucky twice in a row. Every single one of the rocks hit it, a lot of them hit its bulb, and I knew that had to be painful…
It's alright, Bulbasaur……Come back…
I think Bulbasaur was a little reluctant…It didn't want to leave the match without winning…I couldn't let it just keep getting beat up though…
…Sandslash! Go!
"Sssslash!"
"A Sandslash…?" Bruno said in amusement, "This should be interesting…Onix, Rage!"
Onix willingly obeyed, it tackled Sandslash with a vengeance…
Sandslash! Earthquake! I said.
"Sssaaandd!!" Sandslash hissed.
It drove its claws and created a huge tremor that rocked Onix. That just Onix madder though, and it rushed at Sandslash repeatedly.
Try to fight back!!
Sandslash Slashed at Onix for every time it got attacked, but it tired out quickly, and I had to recall it.
"Doesn't look like you're going to win this one…" Bruno said.
I wouldn't bet on it…I've still got one more trick up my sleeve…
Taper!! I choose you!
"Drrrowzee!"
Taper, Disable!
Right away.
"Let's finish this, Onix," Bruno said calmly.
Onix moved to attack, but it found itself frozen in place before it got even halfway.
Alright! Now use Confusion!!
"Drrowzee!"
'With pleasure!'
Onix's body glowed a resplendent blue. I noticed Taper had to strain itself, but it was able to throw Onix across the gym using its psychic powers. The whole stadium shook when it hit the ground.
Now that's what I call throwing your weight around! I laughed, thrilled at having finally beaten Onix.
That thing is heavy! Taper added.
"…Oonnnn!" Onix roared and lifted its head up.
What the heck!? I cried.
It's not gonna give up yet… Taper said.
Then neither are we! Psychic attack! Now!
"Drrrroowwww!!! Zee!"
Taper created a ball of light that zoomed straight into Onix before it could even try to counterattack. Onix fell backwards and this time, it stayed down.
…We did it! Taper said.
Great job!
"Pikachu!"
'Yeah!'
"Onix! Return!" Bruno said.
The huge snake went back inside of its Pokéball, but Bruno was ready with another one.
"You did a good job, Ash, but I still have three Pokémon left, while you only have one…This match is mine. Hitmonchan! Go!"
"Mon! Chan!!"
A Hitmonchan, huh?…Let's see…a fighting type should be weak against psychic attacks…Taper! Confusion!
"Drrow!!"
"Hitmonchan! Fire Punch!"
"Hitmon! Chan!"
Before Taper could do anything, Hitmonchan hit it with a flaming fist and Taper already seemed to be weakening.
Hit it, Taper! Now!!
"Zeee!"
Taper lifted Hitmonchan with its mind, then flung it as far away as it could.
"Agility," Bruno ordered.
"Chaan!"
Hitmonchan got up and started moving so fast I almost lost track of it.
"Ice Punch!"
"Hiit! Monchaaan!!"
A freezing punch nailed Taper from out of nowhere.
Taper!
Taper staggered backwards but was still ready to fight.
Alright, Taper…We need to slow it down…Use Disable!!
"Ddrrowzee!"
Taper tried several times, but it finally was able to stop Hitmonchan in its tracks.
Alright! Now use Headbutt!
"Zeee!"
Taper slammed Hitmonchan as hard as it could, but Hitmonchan only seemed a little phased.
"Thunderpunch!" Bruno shouted.
Taper, Teleport!
Hitmonchan aimed its punch, but Taper was gone before it had a chance to hit. It reappeared right behind Hitmonchan, where it couldn't see it.
Psychic!
"Drowzee!!"
Taper waved its arms briefly, then hit Hitmonchan with a full-power Psychic attack, instantly ending that battle.
…Hitmonchan looks bad…… I said quietly.
"…Return," Bruno said, "…Okay…You seem to have a very strong Drowzee………Hitmonlee! Go get 'em!"
"Hitmon…lee!"
Taper, let's end this quickly. Psychic!
"Drowzee!"
"Hitmonlee! Double Team!"
Taper fired its attack at Hitmonlee, but it split into three different images just before the attack hit and missed.
Oh no!
"Mega Kick, now!"
Teleport!
Both of the remaining Hitmonlees jumped towards Taper with the feet extended. Taper Teleported at the last second and they both missed.
Psywave!
"Zee!"
Taper created a small, invisible ocean of psychic power and sent it towards Hitmonlee.
"Hitmonlee! Hi Jump Kick!"
Hitmonlee jumped up over Taper's attack then aimed itself straight down at Taper.
Taper! Teleport!
Taper glanced up, then quickly Teleported out of the way. I saw Hitmonlee's eyes widen as it saw that it was going to crash. It hit the ground foot first, then toppled over and smacked its face onto the floor.
Ehhh……
"Mon……" it groaned.
It tried to lift itself up, but there was something wrong……
"Hitmonlee!!" Bruno called.
He ran into the battlefield and knelt next to his Pokémon.
"Are you okay?" he asked, "Tell me what's wrong…"
"Leee…"
'I got hurt…'
"How bad is it…?"
Seeing that the battle had been put on hold, I drifted over to see if I could do anything.
Are you okay, Hitmonlee? I asked.
"Leee…"
'I could be better…'
"……I think its leg is broken…" Bruno said quietly.
What!?
"Hitmon!?"
'You can't be serious!'
Bruno shook his head. "You're definitely out of this battle, Hitmonlee…Until that leg heals, I can't let you do anything…"
I didn't mean to break its leg…
…I'm sorry… I said.
Bruno gave me a funny look.
"Why are you sorry? You didn't do anything. There's no way you could have known this would happen."
Maybe he's right…but maybe he's not……
I suddenly thought of something.
Um…Bruno? I…think I have an idea……
"What do you mean?"
…Um…Chansey taught me how to use Softboiled……Maybe I can help Hitmonlee?
"Hitmonlee?"
'You'd do that?'
I nodded. Of course.
"…If you really want to, Ash…but wouldn't it be easier to take Hitmonlee to a Pokémon Center for treatment?"
…Let me try…I…want to see if it works…
"…All right, Ash……"
Okay…Hold still……
When Chansey used Softboiled, it used its special eggs to heal other Pokémon. I didn't have any eggs, so it was a little harder for me. I had to rely solely on my powers…
I placed my paws on Hitmonlee's leg and closed my eyes.
I want this leg to mend. I want this bone to be fixed…I want this to work……
I felt a little silly. I was reminded of those miracle healers…
I'd have to be crazy not to believe in miracles after everything that's happened to me… I reminded myself.
…Chansey said you have to give up a little if you want to help others……
I gave up a piece of myself, and my strength, and I gave it to Hitmonlee.
Please work…
Hitmonlee was really hurt, so I ended up giving up a lot…Finally, I couldn't do anymore. I let go, then gasped and fell backwards. Pikachu caught me before I hit the ground.
"Pikachu…?"
'Are you okay…?'
I'll be fine……What about Hitmonlee?
Bruno smiled. "We'll see…Well, Hitmonlee?"
Using Bruno as a sturdy brace, Hitmonlee shakily stood up, then let go and was able to stand by itself.
"Hitmon…" it said in amazement.
'It worked…'
It let loose a few test kicks, but staggered afterwards.
"Still not fighting fit…" Bruno said, "but I must say I am impressed, Ash……You sure you're the same kid that came to me wanting to know the secret of Pokémon?"
I laughed nervously. Actually, that was mostly Brock's idea…but……yeah, I'm me.
…I'm very glad that Hitmonlee is okay, but are we ever going to finish this match? Taper asked.
"Pika!" Pikachu scolded.
'Taper!'
Yeah, we're still not done yet… I said.
Bruno stood up. "Alright…We will continue……Hitmonlee, return."
He went back to his side of the gym, and Pikachu helped me back to mine.
We're starting from where we left off, right? I asked.
"We are," he replied, "…Okay……Machamp! Go!!"
His Machamp was huge. Taper was dwarfed in its shadow…
…Size doesn't matter……Taper, Psychic attack!
"Machamp, Fissure!"
"Pika!!"
'Look out!!'
They both launched their attacks at the same time. It was all a matter of who was the better dodger.
"Pikapikachu!!" Pikachu told me anxiously.
'Fissure's a one hit KO!'
I know that……Teleport!!
A huge crack in the ground headed straight for Taper, but it easily avoided it using its Teleport.
You know, I am getting sick of Teleport… Taper said.
Deal with it. At least you don't have to use Softboiled…
Meanwhile, Taper's Psychic attack had hit Machamp straight on, and it was considerably weakened.
Taper, use Seismic Toss!
"Seismic Toss?…Machamp, use a Seismic Toss of your own!"
Taper ran towards Machamp but Machamp got ready for its attack.
With four arms, it shouldn't have any problem grabbing Taper and tossing it…
…Taper, stop!
Huh?
Taper stopped.
Uh…Why don't you use Confusion instead?
…Okay…
"…Drrowzee!!!"
Taper mentally grabbed hold of Machamp then slammed it against the wall, then against the floor and back again.
…All right…Once more!
"Zeee!"
Taper lifted Machamp as high as it could, then dropped it. Machamp fell to the ground with increasing speed and finally hit the ground and raised a huge cloud of dust. When it cleared, Machamp was out of the match.
…I guess I win…
Bruno recalled Machamp.
"I guess…you do…"
He seemed surprised…I guess having one Pokémon beat four almost all by itself is pretty amazing…
"Pikachu!!"
'Look!'
Huh?
I stared at Taper. It had started to glow white and was growing.
Taper……
When the light faded, I was no longer looking at a Drowzee…Taper had evolved into a Hypno……
Taper…you……
I evolved.
Uh…Yeah……
……Do you have any idea how weird it is to have your trainer evolve before you do?
Well…No. I don't……Heh……
"…I hope you're ready for your next match, Ash," Bruno said, "Each one is tougher than the last…and you just got yourself a new fan…I hope you win. If anyone deserves the title Greatest Pokémon Master in the world, it's you, Ash."
My jaw fell open and kind of hung there. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
D-d-did you just s-say…w-what I th-think you s-said?
He laughed. "I do believe that I did! I really think you can do it, Ash! Now go and prove it!"
I……I…will……Th-thanks, B-runo…