Jason Creight awoke in room 512 of the Indigo Plateau Hotel.
He didn't check his bedside clock this time. He didn't need to.
His battle wasn't until 7:30 that evening.
And besides, the sun wasn't even up yet.
He sighed. "It's gonna be a long day."
As much as he didn't want to, Jason pushed himself up and into a sitting position, with his back resting against the wall. He reached for the remote and turned on the TV, which was running continuous footage of the previous battles on some channels. These were channels for reviewing the techniques and attitudes of the competitors, as well as the Pokemon they were using in battle.
Jason had noticed something about all the trainers he'd met during his time here: they all seemed to have a central theme. It might be water, fire, grass, or psychic. Sometimes, it might be a mixed theme, like electric- psychic, or ground-fire.
Something else he'd noticed about those themed trainers was that the ones who were most obvious about their themes were out of the running.
He knew, as his remaining competitors did, that one must avoid a theme at all costs and instead randomize their choices in battling. Not only did it give them a much broader range of Pokemon to work with, but it gave them a better chance that their opponent might have a bad Pokemon.
He and his competitors had found their opponents' weak spots and had obliterated them.
Now it was just down to him and three others.
Jason activated the "battle selector" feature on the TV and chose Jennifer Carlson, his next opponent.
*Time to get to work.*
***
Kelly wanted to sleep in, but she'd started sleeping pretty early the day before. So she ended up waking at 6:52 in the morning.
Jason, she wasn't surprised to find, was already up and reviewing his next opponent's last battle. He was playing with his lower lip, a habit she'd been seeing him get into when he was concentrating on something.
She rolled over and yawned. It was loud enough that he responded with, "Good morning to you, too."
She smiled. "You're reviewing this early?"
"Yup. Not like I have much else to do at this point. This morning's battle isn't for another half-hour or so. After that, if you'd like some breakfast, we can arrange it. Then I'll come back up here and start reviewing again."
She shook her head in amazement. "I can't believe you. You're that obsessed with winning?"
"Just looking to know my opponent, that's all."
"Uh-huh."
Kelly saw the steely determination in Jason's eye, even from the side. She knew that he wanted to win, to analyze his opponent down to her last minuscule movement.
How strange it seemed to her that a mere three weeks ago, he was hanging onto life by a strand. He hadn't been in a coma, but he wasn't coming out of his sleep. It was almost a trance-like state. A coma was something one never completely recovered from.
And Jason was completely recovered from whatever state he'd been in.
*Well,* she thought sadly, seeing his useless legs sprawled in front of him, *almost completely.*
She knew full well that she was beginning to develop feelings for him. Watching his unresponsive form for two months had done that to her. And some part of her, within those developing feelings, wanted him to show some sign of reciprocation.
*But he hasn't had time to develop any feelings for me!* she thought in frustration. *How could he reciprocate, when his clock is telling him he's known me for only three weeks?*
And yet, it was what she wanted.
*If only I were brave enough to let him know. But I'm not. I can only hope he feels something for me.*
***
"This is incredible, ladies and gentlemen! Eric Davids has won the match by a hair's breadth, and will be elevated to the Tentacruel 2! Oh, I've never seen a battle this close in all my years! We can only hope the adrenaline rush is equally intense when Jason Creight and Jennifer Carlson come to blows tonight! We'll take you to a commercial, and we'll be right back with the post-match press conference with Eric Davids!"
Jason snorted and shook his head in amusement at the eccentric announcer. He figured Davids would win; he'd been examining the man's battles, and he was a cool-headed trainer who always kept a well-balanced team. Davids' opponent was also cool-headed, but he'd made his plan just a little too obvious.
Kelly began flipping through the channels, trying to find a program not interrupted by commercial. Jason hoped she wouldn't find some reporter talking about him; the last thing he wanted to hear in the morning was "Jason Creight blah blah blah" and all that jazz. He didn't enjoy being viewed as a phenomenal public figure making a political statement or some idiocy like that; he simply wanted to be recognized as a good trainer.
Still, that didn't stop reporters from going all over the plateau to ask people about him. Inevitably, Kelly found a channel that showed some poor soul having a microphone shoved in his face. "What's your opinion on Jason Creight participating in the Indigo League championships?"
The man shrugged. "I think he's doing well. I hope he wins; I'm rooting for him."
"Do you think he's being somewhat blatant in his statements on the physically handicapped?"
"Being blatant goes with the territory of being a trainer, ma'am. I've seen his face on a dozen channels, and he says he's just there to battle and have a good time. I don't think he's doing any more than that. I think any statements he made about the physically handicapped were elicited by the media and shouldn't interfere with his life or anyone else's."
"Augh!" Jason shouted, reaching both open hands out to the screen. "Thank God! Someone who finally understands!"
Kelly chuckled at this reaction. She'd been waiting a while for someone to say this, as well, truth be told. Now Jason was content, and she could get some breakfast.
"And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen, the president of the Indigo League Championship Board of Administration."
Jason's expression changed instantly, from one of amusement to one of open shock.
Had someone of stature just said he was rooting for Jason Creight?
Someone from the ILCBA?
*The president* of the ILCBA?
It didn't seem possible.
And yet, there it was.
Kelly's grin only grew exponentially as she continued to watch Jason's reaction. Now, instead of trying to avoid the screen that displayed his face for the world to see, his eyes were glued to it. She hated to break him out of his supremely funny reverie, but she was hungry. "So, you want to get some breakfast?"
"Huh?"
"Breakfast, Jason. Aren't you hungry?"
"Uh, nah, you go ahead."
She leaned forward to get a better look at his face. *Oh yeah, he's glued.* "Jason, you have a match tonight. Forget about him; what he says doesn't have any meaning unless you win that battle. You're in the Fearow 4 now, and you need to study. You also need to eat. So come on, get in that wheelchair and come with me. Or else I'll have to put you in the chair myself."
He sighed and moved to comply, suddenly glad he'd put on fresh clothes when he'd had the chance. "Fine. You are a stubborn woman, you know that?"
"Hey, I'm just looking to get free food at your expense."
He snorted. "Oh, so *that's* why you've been following me around for three weeks."
"Sure is."
***
Breakfast, they concluded, was absolutely delicious. And, as an added bonus, they didn't have to deal with any businessmen this time around. However, when they returned, it became time for Jason to hunker down and study his opponent.
After nearly three hours of watching her battles over and over again, Jason said to Kelly, "I think I may have found a weak spot."
Kelly sat up at this news. She'd been reclined on her bed, writing in her journal. She reaised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"Yeah. She's of the type to avoid more attacks than take them head-on. And she'll try to do it with an attack of her own. For example, if she has a Graveler and she tells it to use Dig, that'll protect it from nearly any attack. And if she has a Pidgeot and she tells it to use Fly, that'll evade most attacks as well. Then, on the second turn, the move is completed by her Pokemon hitting their opponents. It's a good strategy."
"So how are you gonna beat her if all your attacks miss?"
"By making sure the Pokemon I use have Mirror Move, Fly, and Dig somewhere in their known moves."
"I know your Fearow has Mirror Move. Fly, too. And you have a Dugtrio, so Dig is no problem. But you need one more. And if I'm not wrong, you'll want it to be another flying type."
"Yep. And that brings Charizard to mind."
"You haven't used a single Pokemon more than once for this entire series."
"I know. I need to be randomized. Makes it harder for the opponent to guess which ones I'm gonna bring out."
She shrugged. "Don't you think you might want to analyze your own mistakes as well?"
He adopted a thoughtful expression. "You think I should?"
"It would help you avoid looking as if you're presenting a theme."
He threw up his hands. "I've been trying my best *not* to show a theme. My only theme is studying my opponents, and making sure I'm prepared for them."
"I think you may be preparing with the kinds of Pokemon they're looking for." She leaned back. "You told me that you thought Travis Johnson was expecting your Gyarados to be in your lineup yesterday. If so, that means he was looking for a Pokemon with moves he may have known would have beaten the Pokemon *he'd* chosen. That being the case, doesn't that suggest to you that you're presenting a theme to be opposed?"
He paused for a moment, considering this. Then he nodded. "I suppose so. So what would you have me use, then?"
"Does your Charizard know Mirror Move?"
"Yeah, after great effort."
"Then don't use Fearow at all. Jennifer Carlson will expect it and have an electric type ready."
"Okay. And my second Pokemon?"
"Expect the unexpected. She'll have Pokemon with moves you aren't planning on fighting. For example, water types with Dig. Gyarados could do it, Squirtle and its evolutions could do it..."
"Yeah, yeah. Well, I know she's got water types. In fact..." He began playing with his lower lip. "I think at least two of them knew Dig."
"Does your Electabuzz know Dig?"
"No, but I've got a TM for Dig in my backpack."
"Which move would you replace?"
He shrugged. "I suppose Spark. It's the weakest of all its attacks."
"Well, review the battles and make sure she's got Dig for a water type first. Then, if you still want to do it, use the TM."
"And my third Pokemon?"
She got up off her bed and began to pace. "What about your Arbok?"
He snorted. "What about it?"
"Does it know Wrap?"
He stared uncomprehendingly for a moment, then he grinned. "That's clever."
"I thought so. But does it know Wrap?"
"Sure does. And poison attacks. And Dig, too."
"Then use it."
Jason sat back and began to wonder if he actually might win.
***
"Oh, what an incredible event, ladies and gentlemen! I'm so excited to be here! Only two more battles until this year's champion of the Indigo League is decided, and here we stand this beautiful night, about to begin the first of those two battles! Who will win? The lovely and talented Jennifer Carlson, or the determined, steely-eyed Jason Creight? Only time will tell!"
"Shake hands."
Jennifer offered her hand instantly and with a smile on her face. Jason gripped it firmly and shook.
"It's just a competition," she muttered. "I won't hold a grudge if I lose. But be warned, I don't go down easily."
"Neither do I," he responded. "Have fun."
"You, too."
"Trainers, to your platforms!"
They made their way to their respective platforms on each side of the arena. Jason took a few deep breaths and shut the crowd out. They didn't matter. Only things that mattered were the battle and giving it his all.
That was it.
"Referee, are you ready?"
The ref saluted.
"Then let the match begin!"
Jennifer yanked a Great ball from her belt and tossed it. "Let's take it to him, Blastoise!"
Jason tried to stifle his grin. *Kelly was right.* He likewise threw a Great ball. "Go for it, Electabuzz!"
He noticed that her confident look was still firmly in place. "Okay, then, we'll work past the type difference. Blastoise, dig!"
"You too, Electabuzz!"
They both burrowed underground.
Blastoise came up on the other side of the arena, only to discover that its opponent wasn't there.
Electabuzz rocketed from the ground and took Blastoise completely by surprise.
Suddenly, Jennifer wasn't looking that confident anymore. "Try hydro pump, then!"
"Electabuzz, thunderbolt!"
Lightning split the air between the two Pokemon just as Blastoise was opening its water cannons.
Blastoise fell back.
"Blastoise is unable to battle!"
Jason's flag was raised.
The scoreboard now read Jason Creight 1, Jennifer Carlson 0.
"Blastoise, return!" Jennifer's eyes had hardened. "You're tougher than I thought, but you can't possibly match... Raichu!"
Jason had a flashback to that hellish experience under the water, but quickly got over it. He considered his options against the Raichu.
*Electabuzz might be able to take it,* he thought, *but since they're the same type, thunderbolt won't have the magic touch. She's probably got Dig on this one, too. And it's looking well-trained.*
"Electabuzz, return!" he called. Then he enlarged a Poke ball. "Go, Arbok!"
"Well, ladies and gentlemen, Creight certainly knows his type differences. Carlson will have a tough time shocking Creight's Arbok into submission!"
"Shut up," she muttered. Aloud, though, she said, "Raichu, use quick attack!"
"Arbok, poison sting attack!"
As Raichu began to race towards Arbok, the snake Pokemon managed to fire off several glowing dart-like projectiles which injected poisons into its opponent.
Raichu's attack was slowed, but it still caught Arbok straight under the chin.
Arbok shook it off as its opponent backed off.
"Arbok, use Wrap!"
Arbok curled around Raichu like a constrictor and began to squeeze. Hard.
"Raichu, use Dig!"
It managed to escape from Arbok, but it was still hurt by the move.
"Okay, Arbok, use your Dig attack, too!"
Raichu came up and struck empty air.
Arbok slammed straight into Raichu.
"Arbok, use Bite!"
Arbok crunched down on Raichu's tail, picked the mouse Pokemon up,and swung it around like a lasso. It released, and sent Raichu crashing back towards its master.
It was down for the count.
"Raichu is unable to battle!"
Jason Creight 2, Jennifer Carlson 0.
"Okay, then," she said, recalling Raichu. "Everything rides on this. Pidgeot, I choose you!"
Jason was reminded of his own Pidgeot for one brief moment as the bird Pokemon came into existence. He shook off the memories and considered his next move. *So far, I've tried to play it safe. I should try to take a chance, just this once. I'll keep Arbok out.*
"Okay, Arbok, use Wrap again!"
Jennifer was surprised. She'd studied him, and knew that if he were to continue to play it safe, as he had been the entire championship, he would recall Arbok and bring out his third Pokemon.
But he wasn't doing that.
She was so surprised that Arbok was already on the move when she finally chose her order. "Pidgeot, use sky attack!"
Pidgeot began to glow beneath Arbok's crushing coils.
"Arbok, use poison sting!" Jason's intention was to slow down the hit as much as he could.
Arbok had just barely gotten the attack in when Pidgeot was ready to fight back.
And it did so with extreme prejudice.
Arbok was almost down for the count, so powerful was the attack.
Jason grinned, knowing that if it hadn't pulled off its attacks, it *would* be out. "Arbok, return!"
And then he tossed Electabuzz's Great ball once again.
It was ready for battle.
Jennifer began to wonder if he had discovered his own theme. Suddenly, he was beginning to take chances. She knew that Electabuzz didn't have a chance at hitting Pidgeot in the air.
But if she used Fly, he'd use Dig.
And when Pidgeot was grounded again, then Electabuzz would strike.
Her blood ran cold. Jason had discovered her theme.
And he had her right where he wanted her.
She was determined to make the most of it. "Pidgeot, fly!"
He allowed a small smirk. He had caught the cold realization in her eyes. He knew that she'd just discovered she was in a trap. "Dig!"
Electabuzz again burrowed underground.
Pidgeot wasn't expecting to be hitting nothing.
When it alighted, Electabuzz struck.
"Thunder wave!"
The bird Pokemon was zapped with a paralyzing jolt of electricity.
"Fly, Pidgeot!"
It didn't comply.
It was paralyzed.
Jason felt a surge of triumph. "Electabuzz, finish it with thunder punch!"
Electabuzz struck it not only with its fist, but with lightning as well. Sparks flew from its fist as it punched the grounded bird.
Pidgeot landed at its master's platform base.
It stayed down.
"Pidgeot is unable to battle! The match goes to Jason Creight!"
Jason Creight 3, Jennifer Carlson 0.
Another perfect score.
Jason couldn't believe it. He'd beaten her without losing a single Pokemon.
Without *Charizard*!
"Amazing! Ladies and gentlemen, this announcer has seen some one-sided battles before, but Jason Creight is the definitive expert on them! I have not a seen single trainer able to accomplish this feat more than twice here at the championships, yet Creight has racked up five consecutive perfect scores! Unbelievable! Creight is now the second competitor of the Tentacruel 2!"
When Jason and Jennifer met at the ref's position, she had a bit of disappointment in her expression.
"Shake hands," said the ref.
Jason offered his hand. "You're still a winner, Jennifer."
Upon hearing this, her face broke into a grin and she took his extended hand. "Thanks. That means a lot."
Jason took her wrist and raised it as high as he could.
"And there are two genuine good sports, ladies and gentlemen! Congratulations to both of you, trainers!"
Jason Creight and Jennifer Carlson faced the crowd together.
***
Jason didn't get back to the hotel until 10:00 that evening.
"Press conferences galore," he muttered, as Kelly let him in the room. "I take it you attended the match?"
"Of course I did. How could I miss my plan being executed on a battlefield as important as that? I'll bet you didn't even give credit to me for coming up with it."
"I did, too," he shot back, climbing out of his wheelchair and onto his bed. "I gave you credit at the press conference."
"Really? Well, let's see what the TV has to say about it." Kelly grabbed the remote and activated the tube once again.
"--top story tonight: Jason Creight has earned the remaining slot in the Tentacruel 2 for tomorrow's battle. Earlier this evening, Creight and trainer Jennifer Carlson battled for this right. The score was three to zero, Creight's fifth consecutive perfect score since the championship began. Unlike Creight's last opponent, Carlson was a little more gracious about losing to the wheelchair-bound trainer. Creight is scheduled to battle with trainer Eric Davids at 5:00 tomorrow evening for the championship.
"A press conference was held after the battle with Carlson and Creight. Here's what Carlson had to say."
The screen switched to a view of Jennifer and Jason seated at a table loaded down with microphones. Jennifer was speaking. "I'm sort of disappointed that I lost, but hey, everyone loses at least once on their road to becoming a Pokemon master. I'll be back next year, and I'll be better than before. Meanwhile, I wish Jason well on his battle tomorrow; I think it'd be a nice touch to have been beaten by the champion. So I'm rooting for him."
The screen remained on the conference, but the reporter was voiced over. "Meanwhile, Creight was optimistic about his final battle. He had this to say at our conference."
Then they allowed the video to speak. "I look forward to competing against Eric Davids. He's a cool-headed trainer, and obviously, he's very good at what he does. I'm honored to battle him. It'll be the final battle one way or the other for both of us, so I plan to make the most of it. I'm sure he does, too."
The screen switched back to the reporter. "Creight credits Kelly Shields, a friend he travels with, on helping discover a strategy to defeat Carlson. He is scheduled to battle Davids at 5:00 tomorrow evening. And we're definitely looking forward to that, aren't we?"
Kelly turned off the TV. She turned to Jason. She smiled. "Thanks."
"No problem. Hey, have you had anything to eat?"
"Yeah, I had something at the restaurant after the battle. What, you hungry?"
"No, I've already eaten, too. I just figured if you hadn't had anything..."
"Well, thanks anyway."
Jason eased himself away from the wall and towards the foot of the bed until he was lying down. "Big day tomorrow."
"Yeah, I noticed. You gonna study this guy?"
"Of course I am. But I'm wasted from that conference. I'll get up sometime early and start reviewing."
"Suit yourself."
"Thanks, I will. Meantime, I need my beauty sleep."
Kelly grinned as she turned out her light. "Too late to restore any of your beauty, Jason."
Jason snorted. "I didn't ask you."
He turned out his light.
Jason Creight dreamed on.
To Be Continued
He didn't check his bedside clock this time. He didn't need to.
His battle wasn't until 7:30 that evening.
And besides, the sun wasn't even up yet.
He sighed. "It's gonna be a long day."
As much as he didn't want to, Jason pushed himself up and into a sitting position, with his back resting against the wall. He reached for the remote and turned on the TV, which was running continuous footage of the previous battles on some channels. These were channels for reviewing the techniques and attitudes of the competitors, as well as the Pokemon they were using in battle.
Jason had noticed something about all the trainers he'd met during his time here: they all seemed to have a central theme. It might be water, fire, grass, or psychic. Sometimes, it might be a mixed theme, like electric- psychic, or ground-fire.
Something else he'd noticed about those themed trainers was that the ones who were most obvious about their themes were out of the running.
He knew, as his remaining competitors did, that one must avoid a theme at all costs and instead randomize their choices in battling. Not only did it give them a much broader range of Pokemon to work with, but it gave them a better chance that their opponent might have a bad Pokemon.
He and his competitors had found their opponents' weak spots and had obliterated them.
Now it was just down to him and three others.
Jason activated the "battle selector" feature on the TV and chose Jennifer Carlson, his next opponent.
*Time to get to work.*
***
Kelly wanted to sleep in, but she'd started sleeping pretty early the day before. So she ended up waking at 6:52 in the morning.
Jason, she wasn't surprised to find, was already up and reviewing his next opponent's last battle. He was playing with his lower lip, a habit she'd been seeing him get into when he was concentrating on something.
She rolled over and yawned. It was loud enough that he responded with, "Good morning to you, too."
She smiled. "You're reviewing this early?"
"Yup. Not like I have much else to do at this point. This morning's battle isn't for another half-hour or so. After that, if you'd like some breakfast, we can arrange it. Then I'll come back up here and start reviewing again."
She shook her head in amazement. "I can't believe you. You're that obsessed with winning?"
"Just looking to know my opponent, that's all."
"Uh-huh."
Kelly saw the steely determination in Jason's eye, even from the side. She knew that he wanted to win, to analyze his opponent down to her last minuscule movement.
How strange it seemed to her that a mere three weeks ago, he was hanging onto life by a strand. He hadn't been in a coma, but he wasn't coming out of his sleep. It was almost a trance-like state. A coma was something one never completely recovered from.
And Jason was completely recovered from whatever state he'd been in.
*Well,* she thought sadly, seeing his useless legs sprawled in front of him, *almost completely.*
She knew full well that she was beginning to develop feelings for him. Watching his unresponsive form for two months had done that to her. And some part of her, within those developing feelings, wanted him to show some sign of reciprocation.
*But he hasn't had time to develop any feelings for me!* she thought in frustration. *How could he reciprocate, when his clock is telling him he's known me for only three weeks?*
And yet, it was what she wanted.
*If only I were brave enough to let him know. But I'm not. I can only hope he feels something for me.*
***
"This is incredible, ladies and gentlemen! Eric Davids has won the match by a hair's breadth, and will be elevated to the Tentacruel 2! Oh, I've never seen a battle this close in all my years! We can only hope the adrenaline rush is equally intense when Jason Creight and Jennifer Carlson come to blows tonight! We'll take you to a commercial, and we'll be right back with the post-match press conference with Eric Davids!"
Jason snorted and shook his head in amusement at the eccentric announcer. He figured Davids would win; he'd been examining the man's battles, and he was a cool-headed trainer who always kept a well-balanced team. Davids' opponent was also cool-headed, but he'd made his plan just a little too obvious.
Kelly began flipping through the channels, trying to find a program not interrupted by commercial. Jason hoped she wouldn't find some reporter talking about him; the last thing he wanted to hear in the morning was "Jason Creight blah blah blah" and all that jazz. He didn't enjoy being viewed as a phenomenal public figure making a political statement or some idiocy like that; he simply wanted to be recognized as a good trainer.
Still, that didn't stop reporters from going all over the plateau to ask people about him. Inevitably, Kelly found a channel that showed some poor soul having a microphone shoved in his face. "What's your opinion on Jason Creight participating in the Indigo League championships?"
The man shrugged. "I think he's doing well. I hope he wins; I'm rooting for him."
"Do you think he's being somewhat blatant in his statements on the physically handicapped?"
"Being blatant goes with the territory of being a trainer, ma'am. I've seen his face on a dozen channels, and he says he's just there to battle and have a good time. I don't think he's doing any more than that. I think any statements he made about the physically handicapped were elicited by the media and shouldn't interfere with his life or anyone else's."
"Augh!" Jason shouted, reaching both open hands out to the screen. "Thank God! Someone who finally understands!"
Kelly chuckled at this reaction. She'd been waiting a while for someone to say this, as well, truth be told. Now Jason was content, and she could get some breakfast.
"And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen, the president of the Indigo League Championship Board of Administration."
Jason's expression changed instantly, from one of amusement to one of open shock.
Had someone of stature just said he was rooting for Jason Creight?
Someone from the ILCBA?
*The president* of the ILCBA?
It didn't seem possible.
And yet, there it was.
Kelly's grin only grew exponentially as she continued to watch Jason's reaction. Now, instead of trying to avoid the screen that displayed his face for the world to see, his eyes were glued to it. She hated to break him out of his supremely funny reverie, but she was hungry. "So, you want to get some breakfast?"
"Huh?"
"Breakfast, Jason. Aren't you hungry?"
"Uh, nah, you go ahead."
She leaned forward to get a better look at his face. *Oh yeah, he's glued.* "Jason, you have a match tonight. Forget about him; what he says doesn't have any meaning unless you win that battle. You're in the Fearow 4 now, and you need to study. You also need to eat. So come on, get in that wheelchair and come with me. Or else I'll have to put you in the chair myself."
He sighed and moved to comply, suddenly glad he'd put on fresh clothes when he'd had the chance. "Fine. You are a stubborn woman, you know that?"
"Hey, I'm just looking to get free food at your expense."
He snorted. "Oh, so *that's* why you've been following me around for three weeks."
"Sure is."
***
Breakfast, they concluded, was absolutely delicious. And, as an added bonus, they didn't have to deal with any businessmen this time around. However, when they returned, it became time for Jason to hunker down and study his opponent.
After nearly three hours of watching her battles over and over again, Jason said to Kelly, "I think I may have found a weak spot."
Kelly sat up at this news. She'd been reclined on her bed, writing in her journal. She reaised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"Yeah. She's of the type to avoid more attacks than take them head-on. And she'll try to do it with an attack of her own. For example, if she has a Graveler and she tells it to use Dig, that'll protect it from nearly any attack. And if she has a Pidgeot and she tells it to use Fly, that'll evade most attacks as well. Then, on the second turn, the move is completed by her Pokemon hitting their opponents. It's a good strategy."
"So how are you gonna beat her if all your attacks miss?"
"By making sure the Pokemon I use have Mirror Move, Fly, and Dig somewhere in their known moves."
"I know your Fearow has Mirror Move. Fly, too. And you have a Dugtrio, so Dig is no problem. But you need one more. And if I'm not wrong, you'll want it to be another flying type."
"Yep. And that brings Charizard to mind."
"You haven't used a single Pokemon more than once for this entire series."
"I know. I need to be randomized. Makes it harder for the opponent to guess which ones I'm gonna bring out."
She shrugged. "Don't you think you might want to analyze your own mistakes as well?"
He adopted a thoughtful expression. "You think I should?"
"It would help you avoid looking as if you're presenting a theme."
He threw up his hands. "I've been trying my best *not* to show a theme. My only theme is studying my opponents, and making sure I'm prepared for them."
"I think you may be preparing with the kinds of Pokemon they're looking for." She leaned back. "You told me that you thought Travis Johnson was expecting your Gyarados to be in your lineup yesterday. If so, that means he was looking for a Pokemon with moves he may have known would have beaten the Pokemon *he'd* chosen. That being the case, doesn't that suggest to you that you're presenting a theme to be opposed?"
He paused for a moment, considering this. Then he nodded. "I suppose so. So what would you have me use, then?"
"Does your Charizard know Mirror Move?"
"Yeah, after great effort."
"Then don't use Fearow at all. Jennifer Carlson will expect it and have an electric type ready."
"Okay. And my second Pokemon?"
"Expect the unexpected. She'll have Pokemon with moves you aren't planning on fighting. For example, water types with Dig. Gyarados could do it, Squirtle and its evolutions could do it..."
"Yeah, yeah. Well, I know she's got water types. In fact..." He began playing with his lower lip. "I think at least two of them knew Dig."
"Does your Electabuzz know Dig?"
"No, but I've got a TM for Dig in my backpack."
"Which move would you replace?"
He shrugged. "I suppose Spark. It's the weakest of all its attacks."
"Well, review the battles and make sure she's got Dig for a water type first. Then, if you still want to do it, use the TM."
"And my third Pokemon?"
She got up off her bed and began to pace. "What about your Arbok?"
He snorted. "What about it?"
"Does it know Wrap?"
He stared uncomprehendingly for a moment, then he grinned. "That's clever."
"I thought so. But does it know Wrap?"
"Sure does. And poison attacks. And Dig, too."
"Then use it."
Jason sat back and began to wonder if he actually might win.
***
"Oh, what an incredible event, ladies and gentlemen! I'm so excited to be here! Only two more battles until this year's champion of the Indigo League is decided, and here we stand this beautiful night, about to begin the first of those two battles! Who will win? The lovely and talented Jennifer Carlson, or the determined, steely-eyed Jason Creight? Only time will tell!"
"Shake hands."
Jennifer offered her hand instantly and with a smile on her face. Jason gripped it firmly and shook.
"It's just a competition," she muttered. "I won't hold a grudge if I lose. But be warned, I don't go down easily."
"Neither do I," he responded. "Have fun."
"You, too."
"Trainers, to your platforms!"
They made their way to their respective platforms on each side of the arena. Jason took a few deep breaths and shut the crowd out. They didn't matter. Only things that mattered were the battle and giving it his all.
That was it.
"Referee, are you ready?"
The ref saluted.
"Then let the match begin!"
Jennifer yanked a Great ball from her belt and tossed it. "Let's take it to him, Blastoise!"
Jason tried to stifle his grin. *Kelly was right.* He likewise threw a Great ball. "Go for it, Electabuzz!"
He noticed that her confident look was still firmly in place. "Okay, then, we'll work past the type difference. Blastoise, dig!"
"You too, Electabuzz!"
They both burrowed underground.
Blastoise came up on the other side of the arena, only to discover that its opponent wasn't there.
Electabuzz rocketed from the ground and took Blastoise completely by surprise.
Suddenly, Jennifer wasn't looking that confident anymore. "Try hydro pump, then!"
"Electabuzz, thunderbolt!"
Lightning split the air between the two Pokemon just as Blastoise was opening its water cannons.
Blastoise fell back.
"Blastoise is unable to battle!"
Jason's flag was raised.
The scoreboard now read Jason Creight 1, Jennifer Carlson 0.
"Blastoise, return!" Jennifer's eyes had hardened. "You're tougher than I thought, but you can't possibly match... Raichu!"
Jason had a flashback to that hellish experience under the water, but quickly got over it. He considered his options against the Raichu.
*Electabuzz might be able to take it,* he thought, *but since they're the same type, thunderbolt won't have the magic touch. She's probably got Dig on this one, too. And it's looking well-trained.*
"Electabuzz, return!" he called. Then he enlarged a Poke ball. "Go, Arbok!"
"Well, ladies and gentlemen, Creight certainly knows his type differences. Carlson will have a tough time shocking Creight's Arbok into submission!"
"Shut up," she muttered. Aloud, though, she said, "Raichu, use quick attack!"
"Arbok, poison sting attack!"
As Raichu began to race towards Arbok, the snake Pokemon managed to fire off several glowing dart-like projectiles which injected poisons into its opponent.
Raichu's attack was slowed, but it still caught Arbok straight under the chin.
Arbok shook it off as its opponent backed off.
"Arbok, use Wrap!"
Arbok curled around Raichu like a constrictor and began to squeeze. Hard.
"Raichu, use Dig!"
It managed to escape from Arbok, but it was still hurt by the move.
"Okay, Arbok, use your Dig attack, too!"
Raichu came up and struck empty air.
Arbok slammed straight into Raichu.
"Arbok, use Bite!"
Arbok crunched down on Raichu's tail, picked the mouse Pokemon up,and swung it around like a lasso. It released, and sent Raichu crashing back towards its master.
It was down for the count.
"Raichu is unable to battle!"
Jason Creight 2, Jennifer Carlson 0.
"Okay, then," she said, recalling Raichu. "Everything rides on this. Pidgeot, I choose you!"
Jason was reminded of his own Pidgeot for one brief moment as the bird Pokemon came into existence. He shook off the memories and considered his next move. *So far, I've tried to play it safe. I should try to take a chance, just this once. I'll keep Arbok out.*
"Okay, Arbok, use Wrap again!"
Jennifer was surprised. She'd studied him, and knew that if he were to continue to play it safe, as he had been the entire championship, he would recall Arbok and bring out his third Pokemon.
But he wasn't doing that.
She was so surprised that Arbok was already on the move when she finally chose her order. "Pidgeot, use sky attack!"
Pidgeot began to glow beneath Arbok's crushing coils.
"Arbok, use poison sting!" Jason's intention was to slow down the hit as much as he could.
Arbok had just barely gotten the attack in when Pidgeot was ready to fight back.
And it did so with extreme prejudice.
Arbok was almost down for the count, so powerful was the attack.
Jason grinned, knowing that if it hadn't pulled off its attacks, it *would* be out. "Arbok, return!"
And then he tossed Electabuzz's Great ball once again.
It was ready for battle.
Jennifer began to wonder if he had discovered his own theme. Suddenly, he was beginning to take chances. She knew that Electabuzz didn't have a chance at hitting Pidgeot in the air.
But if she used Fly, he'd use Dig.
And when Pidgeot was grounded again, then Electabuzz would strike.
Her blood ran cold. Jason had discovered her theme.
And he had her right where he wanted her.
She was determined to make the most of it. "Pidgeot, fly!"
He allowed a small smirk. He had caught the cold realization in her eyes. He knew that she'd just discovered she was in a trap. "Dig!"
Electabuzz again burrowed underground.
Pidgeot wasn't expecting to be hitting nothing.
When it alighted, Electabuzz struck.
"Thunder wave!"
The bird Pokemon was zapped with a paralyzing jolt of electricity.
"Fly, Pidgeot!"
It didn't comply.
It was paralyzed.
Jason felt a surge of triumph. "Electabuzz, finish it with thunder punch!"
Electabuzz struck it not only with its fist, but with lightning as well. Sparks flew from its fist as it punched the grounded bird.
Pidgeot landed at its master's platform base.
It stayed down.
"Pidgeot is unable to battle! The match goes to Jason Creight!"
Jason Creight 3, Jennifer Carlson 0.
Another perfect score.
Jason couldn't believe it. He'd beaten her without losing a single Pokemon.
Without *Charizard*!
"Amazing! Ladies and gentlemen, this announcer has seen some one-sided battles before, but Jason Creight is the definitive expert on them! I have not a seen single trainer able to accomplish this feat more than twice here at the championships, yet Creight has racked up five consecutive perfect scores! Unbelievable! Creight is now the second competitor of the Tentacruel 2!"
When Jason and Jennifer met at the ref's position, she had a bit of disappointment in her expression.
"Shake hands," said the ref.
Jason offered his hand. "You're still a winner, Jennifer."
Upon hearing this, her face broke into a grin and she took his extended hand. "Thanks. That means a lot."
Jason took her wrist and raised it as high as he could.
"And there are two genuine good sports, ladies and gentlemen! Congratulations to both of you, trainers!"
Jason Creight and Jennifer Carlson faced the crowd together.
***
Jason didn't get back to the hotel until 10:00 that evening.
"Press conferences galore," he muttered, as Kelly let him in the room. "I take it you attended the match?"
"Of course I did. How could I miss my plan being executed on a battlefield as important as that? I'll bet you didn't even give credit to me for coming up with it."
"I did, too," he shot back, climbing out of his wheelchair and onto his bed. "I gave you credit at the press conference."
"Really? Well, let's see what the TV has to say about it." Kelly grabbed the remote and activated the tube once again.
"--top story tonight: Jason Creight has earned the remaining slot in the Tentacruel 2 for tomorrow's battle. Earlier this evening, Creight and trainer Jennifer Carlson battled for this right. The score was three to zero, Creight's fifth consecutive perfect score since the championship began. Unlike Creight's last opponent, Carlson was a little more gracious about losing to the wheelchair-bound trainer. Creight is scheduled to battle with trainer Eric Davids at 5:00 tomorrow evening for the championship.
"A press conference was held after the battle with Carlson and Creight. Here's what Carlson had to say."
The screen switched to a view of Jennifer and Jason seated at a table loaded down with microphones. Jennifer was speaking. "I'm sort of disappointed that I lost, but hey, everyone loses at least once on their road to becoming a Pokemon master. I'll be back next year, and I'll be better than before. Meanwhile, I wish Jason well on his battle tomorrow; I think it'd be a nice touch to have been beaten by the champion. So I'm rooting for him."
The screen remained on the conference, but the reporter was voiced over. "Meanwhile, Creight was optimistic about his final battle. He had this to say at our conference."
Then they allowed the video to speak. "I look forward to competing against Eric Davids. He's a cool-headed trainer, and obviously, he's very good at what he does. I'm honored to battle him. It'll be the final battle one way or the other for both of us, so I plan to make the most of it. I'm sure he does, too."
The screen switched back to the reporter. "Creight credits Kelly Shields, a friend he travels with, on helping discover a strategy to defeat Carlson. He is scheduled to battle Davids at 5:00 tomorrow evening. And we're definitely looking forward to that, aren't we?"
Kelly turned off the TV. She turned to Jason. She smiled. "Thanks."
"No problem. Hey, have you had anything to eat?"
"Yeah, I had something at the restaurant after the battle. What, you hungry?"
"No, I've already eaten, too. I just figured if you hadn't had anything..."
"Well, thanks anyway."
Jason eased himself away from the wall and towards the foot of the bed until he was lying down. "Big day tomorrow."
"Yeah, I noticed. You gonna study this guy?"
"Of course I am. But I'm wasted from that conference. I'll get up sometime early and start reviewing."
"Suit yourself."
"Thanks, I will. Meantime, I need my beauty sleep."
Kelly grinned as she turned out her light. "Too late to restore any of your beauty, Jason."
Jason snorted. "I didn't ask you."
He turned out his light.
Jason Creight dreamed on.
To Be Continued
