Terrible Battle

December 15th. 10 p.m. It was time for the battle that would decide the Pokemon League champion for the year. Chris and I would battle it out for domination. Screams of delight from the Adama and Ruach leagues filled the stadium. Two high platforms rose from either end of the floor. I stood upon one, Chris on the other. There was a video intercom on either platform used to communicate, but I definitely didn't want to speak to him now. It was going to be all me tonight.

I saw my friends sitting with the other Ruach league members, cheering me on. I waved, and then the announcer, Professor Oak himself, began to speak.

"Welcome, everbody, to the final match of the Pokemon League Indigo Tournaments! I'm Professor Oak, host with the most! Our competitors tonight are Chris McManson of the Adama League, and Kris Wilson from the Ruach league. It's sure to be a helluva battle, folks! They're just getting ready now to throw their first Poke Balls onto the floor. Okay, get ready…"

Palms sweating, I watched the three blue lights flash, followed by the brighter yellow one. It was time!

The first matchup was Seltzer against Chris's Persian. While Seltzer readied an Ice Beam, Persian crouched and wiggled his behind, and jumped clean over the Ice Beam, pummeling Seltzer hard against the ground. I winced at the impact. Seltzer bit Persian's paw as he got up, causing the cat to yowl in pain. Persian slashed Seltzer across the face, and Seltzer came back with a scratch that tore a piece of skin off Persian's face. With a cry of anger, Persian bit down on Seltzer's leg to knock it out.

I stopped to take a breath. I wasn't going to give Chris the pleasure of gloating over the intercom.

The next matchup was RingDing against Chris's Fearow. RingDing being the quicker of the two, he started off with a Thunderpunch. However, Fearow flew high up to the ceiling of the stadium, dodging the attack. Then, beak thrust out, he zoomed straight down and plugged RingDing in the chest. He was down, but not out. He jumped on Fearow's back, and clung on as Fearow flew repeatedly around the stadium, trying to shake him off. I cried out as RingDing almost lost his balance and was clinging to Fearow by his front paws. Managing to get a grip, RingDing slashed the top of Fearow's head, causing the bird to plummet. Recovering just before hitting the ground, Fearow cast RingDing aside and gave it a Drill Beak. RingDing was now out.

I couldn't believe this. I was LOSING! I had worked so hard to get here… just to let Chris have his stupid dream!

Teeth gritted, I chose Big Ben as my final Pokemon. The roar of the audience had risen to a fever pitch, and the announcers were commenting on how they'd "never seen a match like this before."

A Muk came out to meet Big Ben. Big Ben used a solar beam, but Muk just seemed to absorb it and keep oozing towards my Pokemon. My heart dropped as Muk reached out a dripping hand and grabbed Big Ben by the throat, preparing to strike its devastating blow. But it didn't strike. It simply held my Pokemon, waiting. And then…

BZZT! Chris's face appeared on my intercom!

"Well?" I grumbled, "Win already."

His face wasn't angry and determined like I had seen before. It was sorrowful. But he smiled and began to speak.

"Kris, I still love you. Nobody splits up because of a fight. You know that, right?"

"Yeah. But…?"

He continued. "I think… that if anybody deserves this victory, it's you."

I saw a halo of white light begin to surround his Pokemon.

"DON'T YOU DARE!!!" I screamed. "I'll NEVER forgive you! This is your dream!"

His smile only saddened. "Congratulations, Kris." He said as his Pokemon disappeared from the floor.

The stadium was dead silent for a few seconds, then erupted in thunderous applause.

"Well bless my beard!" Oak cried over the loudspeaker, "Young McManson has conceded! Kris is the winner!"

I simply stood in shock as the platform lowered me to the floor. Cindy, Tracy, and Lisa came running up, spewing congratulations, but my attitude was hardly celebratory. Across the stadium, I saw Chris dismount his platform, waving slightly. I cried.