"Brendan, Wally, Ash, glad to see you all finally made it." Scott said, as the three approached. "Nice shades by the way."
"Thanks." Ash commented.
"So the Dome Ace likes things to be big and public." Scott explained, as the three got in his car. "You'll have a press conference before your match, I hope that's alright."
"Fine by me." Brendan said.
"We don't have to be a part of it, right?" Wally asked.
"No, this is just for Brendan." Scott said. "You two are more than welcome to be there, and as always view the battle."
"Some more than others." Ash muttered under his breath.
"What was that?" Scott asked.
"Nothing, don't worry about it." Ash assured.
At the press conference
"Brendan, over here! Rich Ramsey Richardson from KanJo daily." A man said. "What are your plans for fighting Tucker?"
"My plans for fighting him? It will depend on what Pokemon he chooses I suppose." Brendan said. "I've fought side by side with him before so I know he's a tough trainer, and has no preferred type."
"Sasha Simone from the Saffron Scribe, what advice can you give to any new and beginning trainers hoping to tackle the league like you did in Hoenn?" A woman said.
"Find a passionate group of Pokemon and plan for plenty of types." Brendan said. "Full battles can get intense so make sure each of your Pokemon has plenty of different moves available to them."
"And what is your personal style for battles?" A third reporter asked.
"Keep moving, and don't get stuck in any one plan." Brendan said with excitement.
After the conference
"You did great Brendan." Ash said. "I'm sure that wasn't easy."
"No, I'm surprised no one asked about my dad's disappearance and absence though." Brendan admitted.
"Well the press conference was about you and your battling skills." Wally said.
"Also I may have used aura tendrils to sweep anyone who had a mischievous aura." Ash admitted.
"They could have been innocent people Ash!" Brendan scolded.
"Relax, they weren't hurt, I just tripped them, just in case." Ash said. "I respect you not wanting to talk about it too much, and so should they."
"I guess you're right." Brendan said. "Thanks for that then."
"Hey here comes Scott!" Wally called out.
"Hey hey hey. Trainer amigos, are you ready for the Battle Dome?" Scott asked.
"Yeah, let's go!" Brendan said.
"And here you are Ash." Scott said, handing Ash a box.
"Umm, thanks?" Ash asked in confusion.
"Open it." Scott said.
Ash lifted the lid, trying to figure out what it was without plainly stating he couldn't see it.
"It's a white cane." Scott said.
"Is that a held item?" Brendan asked.
"Sort of, but instead of giving a Pokemon a boost in power or health, it lets someone know if they're about to walk into or off of something." Scott said.
"Why do you think Ash needs something like that?" Wally asked, when Scott's car screeched to a halt.
"I don't ask a lot of questions." Scott said. "Truthfully I don't care what you boys have been up to for the past week since Brendan fought Greta. What I do know is when we last met Ash could see, and now he's as blind as a Zubat."
"Not that I'm not grateful, but why even give it to me?" Ash asked.
"You have potential Ash. Always have ever since you beat the Orange Crew." Scott said, starting his car back up. "Maybe not Battle Frontier potential, but potential and I like to keep a close eye on trainers like that." Scott explained. "So if that means buying you a cane to help you while you're blind then so be it. Just do me a favor and don't let this stop you from being who you want to be."
"But I'm a coordinator, how can I compete if I can't see what I'm doing?" Ash asked.
"Ever hear of Stevie Wonder, he does just fine playing the piano. Or maybe even Claude Monet, an artist from Kalos. Neither can see yet they did wonders. Now whether this is from sitting too close to a Flash attack, or an eye appointment gone wrong I don't know, but just overcome it, and you'll do great." Scott said. "Here we are, Wally and Ash follow me."
Inside the arena
"You've got this Brendan." Ash said, sitting down. He had to admit the cane helped with navigating, he still had to get used to it, but Wally didn't have to say step every second getting to their seats.
"Ladies and Gentleman! Please put your hands together for todays event. Our Battle Dome Ace Tucker will be taking on Brendan Birch from the Hoenn Region. Brendan's accomplishments include winning two frontier symbols, competing in every mini frontier tent in the Hoenn region, along with earning all eight of it's badge and winning his premier minor league tournament!" The announcer said, as Brendan and Tucker walked on stage. "Today's match will be a double battle, with each side using only two Pokemon total! Tucker, show us who you'll be using!"
"Gladly." Tucker said. "Charizard! Salamence! Come out!"
The two fierce flying types took to the arena, releasing streams of flames in the air.
"Now Brendan, I am not unreasonable." Tucker said. "If you'd like, you are free to switch out your Pokemon to any you have in storage."
"Any of them?" Brendan asked.
"That is correct." Tucker said.
Brendan quickly called up Professor Oak's, quietly telling which Pokemon he wanted back.
"Okay, I'm ready." Brendan said. "Arcanine! Manectric! I choose you!"
The two canine Pokemon landed on the field with a howl into the air.
"And Brendan has chosen Arcanine and Manectric!" The announcer declared. "Let the battle begin!"
"Charizard use Aerial Ace! Salamence use Earthquake!"
"Manectric use Rain Dance! Arcanine use Extremespeed!"
Water poured down on the arena, as Salamence slammed to the ground, sending both of Brendan's Pokemon into the air, allowing Charizard to attack them while they were still prone.
"Charizard use Rock Slide! Salamence use Dragon Claw!"
"Arcanine use Bite! Manectric use Thunder!"
Arcanine launched at Salamence, causing both to crash to the ground, as the electricity in the storm grew, destroying the rock slide and zapping the Charizard.
"Salamence, Charizard use Earthquake!"
"Manectric use Thunder! Arcanine use Fire Blast!"
"I can't look." Wally said, covering his eyes.
"Are you kidding? Battles like these are the best part!" Ash said.
"But you can't even see." Scott reminded.
"Maybe, but I can feel the energy, and hear what's happening. Brendan's up against two strong flying type Pokémon that both know Earthquake." Ash explained. "He should be terrified and yet."
Manectric and Arcanine's attacks combined into an explosion that engulfed Salamence with ease.
"Salamence is unable to battle!" The judge declared.
"He's pulling through like he always does." Ash said with a smirk.
"Charizard use Overheat!"
"Arcanine block it!" Brendan shouted.
The intense wave of heat shot across the arena as Arcanine absorbed as much of it as he could, the rest however struck Manectric. Combine with the previous Earthquake attacks, the electric type was unable to continue standing.
"Manectric is unable to battle! The match will come down to these last two Pokémon!" The judge declared.
"You did great Manectric, it was nice to battle with you again." Brendan said to the Pokeball. "Now Arcanine use Extremespeed!"
"Charizard use Aerial Ace!"
Charizard and Arcanine launched at each other, colliding in mid air before turning around towards each other.
"Arcanine use Fire Blast!"
"Charizard use Earthquake!"
Arcanine fired their attack right at the ground as the shockwave from Charizar's attack sent them flying.
"Arcanine use Bite!" Brendan called out.
Arcanine realigned itself before diving down and digging its teeth into Charizard.
"Charizard is unable to battle, the winner is Arcanine! The match goes to the challenger Brendan!" The judge declared.
"Marvelous work Brendan." Tucker said. "As proof of your victory I give you the tactics symbol."
"Where is it?" Brendan asked.
"Why not ask Arcanine?" Tucker asked.
"Arcanine, why would he have it?" Brendan asked, only to spot something on Arcanine's nose. "How did you?"
"A magician never reveals all of his secrets, remember that next time when talking tactics." Tucker said.
Up in the stands
"I've got to skedaddle boys, but the next Frontier Brain is on this road to Fuschia City, you can't miss it. The Battle Pike." Scott said.
"Good to know, we'll keep an eye out for it." Wally said.
Authors Note
Sorry about no upload yesterday, my day was crazy and I just didn't have the time.