Pokémon - The Journey Begins
Chapter 32: Give All or Take All
Lilaine walked up to the counter and poured a cup of black coffee into her porcelaine mug. She then walked over to get some cream for flavour when she jumped, startled. She took a look at a figure who was standing in the room beside of her. "Who are you?!" she exclaimed.
Arrmun chuckled, before stepping out from behind the shadows. "Now, is that a way to greet an old friend?"
Lilaine growled, continuing to stare at Arrmun's face. "Okay, who are you and what do you want?"
Arrmun frowned. "You're not a very good actor, Rocket Member ID number 166043, real name 'Irene', nick name 'Rabid Arbok'. I see you've dyed your hair completely black, and changed your outfit to something more...revealing, to be formal."
Lilaine shot Arrmun an angry look. "How in blazes did you find me?!"
Arrmun chuckled again. "It wasn't hard. Finding old friends is a specialty of mine."
Lilaine walked towards a couch in the next room with her coffee mug in her hand. "I've seen you on the news, trying to shut down Team Rocket, are you?"
"I like to make a difference."
"Ha-HA!" Lilaine laughed mockingly. "In all of my years when we've worked together, I'd never thought I'd hear you say something as stupid as that." She turned around to face him. "What you're doing is foolish; you're asking to get assassinated."
Arrmun shrugged. "Some kid helped me make my decision to get out of there, and allowed me to realize that I wasn't as useless on my own as I had originally contemplated."
"A kid made you quit?"
"This was no ordinairy kid. He was travelling along with two other trainers. One was an adult."
"What did they look like?"
"Well, the main one had short blonde hair, and he always seemed to wear black. He has some sort of strange look in those deep, blue eyes of his. It's almost as if those eyes can determine his fate. The other girl had short brown hair; she seemed to wear mostly cyan and blue, with dark brown eyes. I could swear I had recognized her from somewhere before, and it bothered me more everytime I saw her. And the last one...he was in the Elite Four at the time--"
Lilaine almost choked on her coffee. "Jordan?!"
"I believe that was his name. He gave me this." Arrmun pointed to the scar on his cheek.
Lilaine let out a laugh. "You always were the careless one, weren't you? How did you manage to become a member of Team Rocket's elite for Giovanni anyway?"
"I think the more important question is...how did YOU become a Pokémon master in such a short amount of time?"
Lilaine took a long look at Arrmun and let out a smirk. "If you want advice, then too bad, I'm not giving any to you."
Arrmun chortled. "Seriously, don't take me as an idiot; you know what I meant."
Lilaine turned around and sipped her coffee. "How else? You train hard. That's the advice that's given to anyone. Even you yourself know that."
"Which Pokémon did you swipe from Team Rocket before you left?"
Lilaine nearly choked again as she faced Arrmun again, with an angered look on her face. "That's unbelieveably insulting!"
"You took Giovanni's Scizor, didn't you? Come on now, we both know that he's the only one around here that has one, and when you vanished, that Pokéball mysteriously vanished as well."
Lilaine clenched a fist and shook her head in disgust. "I can't believe I'm hearing this. Particularly from somebody like you!"
"You took Pokémon that were of higher levels than those of the Elite Four. You managed to breeze by the first three, and lost a few times battling the last one, Jordan. His miserable loss was what cost him his place as the highest standing member."
"You wretch!" Lilaine pointed to the exit. "Get out! I don't want to here such monstrous words from you!"
"You're going to tell Giovanni I was here, aren't you? Or are you still working for him?"
"For your information, I couldn't take his strict orders anymore. One after another, after another. For what? Stealing Pokémon? WIth force? It was the most ridiculous, trivial work I had ever received in all of my life. I almost cracked, but I secretly raided his place one evening and swiped his best Pokémon."
"How ironic. So, you stole his Pokémon AND you became a Pokémon master with them...Irene."
"Look, if any of this gets out to the public, I'm going to place these hands around your neck, and I will refuse to let go. No mercy."
Arrmun shrugged. "You're going to get caught eventually, with or without my help. So, either way, you're stuck with your own problems."
Lilaine continued pointing to the exit. "For the last time, out..."
Arrmun silently stood there for another second, then nodded. He exited the room, closing the door behind him, now in the area where one could watch Pokémon battles at the highest view point. He looked at a Pokéball he was holding in his hands. "This Scizor is possibly the strongest Pokémon out there, according to its battle experience. I think I'll keep it for myself as a souvenir. Or give it to somebody as a gift." Arrmun quietly chuckled. "We'll see how she does without this," he tossed it once into the air, and caught it on its way down.
* * *
The next week proved very successful for both Matt and Lizzie with their status in the Pokémon League. They both had proven victorious in their latest three matches, both in the two final fields, Rock and Water. The matches now were leading to who will be the final competitor who finishes at the top of their league to not only become the victor of the tournament that year, but also to compete with the Elite Four. Both Matt and Lizzie were just two more matches away from this once in a lifetime opportunity.
It was mid-afternoon, as both Matt and Lizzie were able to rest well for the next couple of days, since now, the matches are left with more space, to give time for relaxation and overlooking their strategies. They, along with Jordan, were sitting in a restaurant, eating an early dinner.
Matt shook his head. "In all honesty, I never thought I would make it this far. I thought that I would have made it to near the end of the four fields matches, but I've never felt more confident with myself that I can go all the way."
Lizzie nodded. "It is a surprise, a pleasant surprise, for both of us. But what's bothering me is that most of the trainers who battled have already left to go home. I mean, do they not want their participation trophy?"
"You can't really blame them. I think the further you get, the more bitter it'll be once you get that trophy. Besides, there are only four competitors left. That's you, myself, and two other trainers."
Lizzie picked up a fork as her food had just arrived. "Not to mention the battles are getting an awful lot harder." She put a piece of food in her mouth and chewed.
Matt picked up a spoon as his meal also arrived, taking a sip of his soup. "With luck, we could be stuck facing ourselves. I guess that almost guarantees that one of us will make it to the final round." He turned his head towards Jordan. "Hey, is something wrong? You haven't touched your food, or said anything in the past few minutes."
Jordan shook his head. "Nothing's wrong, but, actually, now that you mention it, I'm beginning to suspect Lilaine."
Matt swallowed his spoonful of soup. "Oh, the woman who beat you. Why would you suspect her now?"
Jordan shrugged his shoulders. "It always seemed too strange the way she beat me those several months back. And the way she's been acting with the other members of the Elite Four. I hope that they better find a replacement, or else there's going to be only three members this year. Unless she herself decides to battle as the top of the Elite Four."
Lizzie looked at Jordan. "You mean they still haven't found a replacement yet? That's irresponsible, they've had all this time to do that!"
Jordan nodded in agreement. "Yes, of course, but I've been thinking that there's something more to Lilaine than what I think. Now that I think about it, she seemed nervous when battling me with her Pokémon, as if she had recently received them, or something."
"It's natural to be nervous to fight the very last battle in order to become a master," Matt commented. "Besides, don't you think you're exaggerating a little bit? I mean, you lost, what's the big deal?"
Jordan sighed. "I suppose so." He then looked at the empty seat, where Squirtle would normally be sitting. "Hey, isn't that where Zenigame usually sits?"
Matt nodded, as he took another sip of his soup. "I'm trying to get him to stay inside his Pokéball more often. That way it'll make traveling a lot easier."
Lizzie finished the last few bits on her plate as she pushed her empty plate aside. "I can't eat another bite..."
Matt pushed his empty bowl aside as well. "That was so good."
Jordan just pushed his plate full of food aside. "I'm not very hungry. I feel bad; I hope they won't throw it out."
"Here, I'll help you with that." Matt grabbed Jordan's plate and began eating what was on it. A grilled steak along with French fries. Lizzie also helped, picking at the French fries once in a while.
After finally finishing their meal, Lizzie stood up. "Hey, we start our matches tomorrow. Want to see who we're battling?"
Matt smiled and nodded. "Gladly..."
* * *
"This will do it, Val! Use your Fire Blast!" Lizzie commanded her Vulpix.
It was the final match of a tie-breaker between Lizzie and a young trainer named Will. It was his Nidorino versus Lizzie's Vulpix. Lizzie's Vulpix managed to quickly wear Nidorino down, as it was ready to unleash its most powerful attack.
Vulpix charged istelf, as it unleashed the powerful attack full force. Nidorino was prepared for the powerful attack, as it managed to move slightly to the side, getting grazed by the attack. Even though it barely touched it, it left severe burns on Nidorino's right side of the body.
"Nidorino! While it's down, use your Double Kick!" Will yelled.
Vulpix, having little time to react, was surprised seeing two large feet striking it twice across the face a chill went tingling down Lizzie's spine. She sighed in relief, knowing that her Vulpix was still able to continue battling as it managed to pull itself up.
"Give it a Quick Attack!" Lizzie quickly shouted.
Quickly rebounding from Nidorino's attack, it bounced straight off the ground, and placed a hard strike right in Nidorino's mid-section, knocking it off balance and flat on its back. Nidorino tried several times to get back up to its feet. However, after a few tries, it shut its eyes and completely fell flat on its back. The referee rose the flag, rewarding Lizzie the victory.
The crowd roared as Lizzie jumped in the air several times in victory. "I did it! I did it! This is too good to be true!"
Will let out a heavy sigh as he called back Nidorino. "You did a good job. Let's go rest." He left the battle arena, slightly disappointed.
Matt greeted Lizzie with a hug. "That was fantastic! You won just like I did!"
Lizzie's big smile suddenly turned into a frown. "But...that means we have to face each other."
Matt slightly frowned, too. "I guess we'll have to give it our all, then. No holding back. And I mean that."
Lizzie nodded. "No holding back."
* * *
It was morning, the morning of the final match. Matt versus Lizzie. Matt had woken up early, staring straight up at the ceiling. "This is my last match. I would normally feel so nervous, but, am I too confident? Why do I think I can take Lizzie? No, I've seen the way she's fought; this is not going to be an easy battle. None of them have been, but this is going to be the hardest, knowing who I've been traveling with the past several months."
He jumped out of bed and changed into his 'usual' clothing, which was his black t-shirt along with his black jeans. He put on his Pokéball belt and gave a serious look in the mirror. "Battle is in two hours. I'm ready."
Matt decided not to see Lizzie at all that day, since looking at her and talking to her may give him some discouragement. He ate a quick breakfast, and cleaned his teeth. After combing his hair, he walked out to the stadium, as many people in the streets were pointing to him, waving and cheering. Some even asked for pictures. He grinned and agreed, allowing the tourists and fans to take them.
A figure suddenly came dashing out behind him. "Hey! Hey! Matt! You haven't spoken to me! You're mean!"
Matt felt a shiver up his spine. "Don't tell me she followed me here." He turned around, surprised to see Rachel. "Oh, it's you."
Rachel placed her hands on her hips. "What do you mean 'it's you'?! You've been ignoring me since I found you last week! What did you think you were doing?!"
"I'm sorry, I've been busy," he replied, and noticed that Rachel was dressed in baggy jeans and a short T-shirt. "I see you've changed your outfit."
"Are you STILL thinking about what I was wearing the last time I saw you?! Never mind...my parents wanted me to tell you good luck for you, since today's your big match! I hope you win!"
Matt smirked slightly. "Thanks, but it's not going to be easy."
"Well, nothing in this world's easy! When life gives you a helping hand, you have to reach out and grab it! Embrace the chance its giving you! Don't throw it away, or you could regret it later!"
Matt took those words in, and repeated them over in his head. "Embrace the chance...that's very deep of you, Rachel."
Rachel smiled. "I'm glad you feel that way about me! I'm sure you're feeling nervous enough about this match, so, I'll talk to you later, okay? Bye!" Rachel turned around and dashed off into the streets.
Matt smiled. "Embrace the chance it's giving you...don't throw it away, or else you could regret it later." He repeated those words to himself as slowly the two hours passed by. Before he knew it the match was about to begin. He slowly stepped into the battlefield, seeing people sitting on the stairs to see today's match. "Embrace the chance...embrace it!"
Lizzie slowly walked in from her end, as the crowd began to cheer. The final battle; the battle which will determine the victor of the Indigo championships. One will come out on top, the other will fall just short. This was that battle.
"All right, ladies and gentlemen! This is it!" the stadium's announcer stated loudly over the P.A. The final battle between two very fine competitors in this year's tournament! Today, the best from Pallet and Cerulean go head to head in this year's final match! The victor will win first place in this year's tournament and go on to challenge the Elite Four! The losing trainer will gain second place! But in this case, nobody is a loser today! History is going to be made! Pokémon Trainers, give it all you've got, and go!"
The crowd began to cheer very loudly, whistling, and throwing some light confetti onto the field. The cheers were so loud, that Matt and Lizzie could hear nothing else.
The referee stepped into the center of the arena. "All right, Pokémon Trainers. Best-of-five match. First trainer to reach three wins will be the victor. Good luck to both of you. Now, begin!"
Matt's heart began to beat very fast. He then yelled: "I'm not holding back a thing, Lizzie! Don't you dare hesitate for even a moment!" Matt wasn't sure if Lizzie heard him or not, but decided to prepare his first Greatball for battle. He then threw it into the arena. Onix sprung out from it.
Lizzie grabbed a Greatball from her belt and released Articuno.
Matt choked on his saliva. "I forgot, she has that Pokémon. Onix! Be careful, if just one Ice Beam connects with you, you're gone! Start out with a Tackle attack!"
Onix curled itself low into the ground, before leaping up, in an attempt to strike the Articuno. It quickly flew to the side, avoiding the attack completely.
"Articuno! You need to try your Ice Beam attack!" Lizzie commanded.
Articuno's beak began to charge up with its most powerful attack. Matt knew exactly what was going to happen next. "Onix! Hurry and go underground!"
As Articuno unleashed its attack, Onix quickly dug underneath the battle arena. However, its tail managed to get struck by the beam, as a small block of ice grew on top of it. It attempted to shatter it, but to no avail. Muffled howls of pain could be heard from underground.
Matt cursed under his breath. "Onix! Attack from below!"
Instantly, the ground below Articuno spread open as it was struck with Onix's rock hard body. It fell to the ground, as the referee ruled that Onix had won the first match. The crowd began to cheer.
Matt's eyes then widened, as he noticed that his Onix's tail was still covered in ice. "This will slow things down a bit..."
Lizzie grabbed another Pokéball and threw it. Vulpix was released.
Matt let out a heavy sigh. "She's throwing away the match. I don't understand. She knows that fire's no good against rock."
As he looked onto the battlefield, he saw Onix crying in pain, as the ice on its tail was suddenly blasted with one of Vulpix's fire attacks. It took a few seconds for Matt to understand that the sudden change in temperature really took Onix by shock, as it fell to the battle field and was not moving.
Matt absorbed Onix back inside. "How clever of her. However, I still have the advantage." He grabbed another Pokéball. "Zenigame, it's time for action!" He threw it as Squirtle appeared. "Zenigame, use your Water Gun!"
"Val! You need to use your Quick Attack; dodge that water!"
Squirtle made various attempts to strike Vulpix with a streaming blast of, but was struck several times by Vulpix's Quick Attack. After regaining its balance, Squirtle released a spray of water that hit Vulpix point blank, knocking it off balance, and sending it gasping for breath.
"Skull Bash!"
Squirtle accelerated to a high speed and struck Vulpix's furry body with a solid connection with Squirtle's head. The referee ruled Vulpix unable to battle as Lizzie drew it back inside. The crowd roared once again, as Matt took the lead, two matches to one.
Matt took in several deep breaths. "I don't know how much more of this battle I can take. All I need it just one more victory. Just one."
Lizzie pulled out her last Pokéball. "I don't know what else I have that can defeat a water Pokémon. This is my last chance. I better make it count." She threw it into the battlefield as a strange, glowing pink blob appeared onto the field.
Matt blinked. "A Ditto...great. This is going to slow down the battle."
"Transform!"
Ditto took a good long look at Squirtle's form as it body began to glow, metamorphisizing into a perfect copy..
"Zenigame, quickly! You have to try another Skull Bash!"
Squirtle from its previous position, moved forward to attempt another mighty physical attack. Lizzie ordered her Ditto to move to the side, as Squirtle's head came in contact with the sidelines, giving itself some damage. Ditto copied Squirtle's last move, and came with direct contact with Squirtle's hard shell, sending him into the arena's walls again.
Matt instantly knew that his Pokémon was no longer moving as he drew him back inside. "This is it. We're tied at two. Just one last Pokémon. This has to work, it has to!" He grabbed his final Pokéball. "Charmeleon. You're going to be the one who'll bring me victory." He tossed it, as Charmeleon appeared, ready to battle.
"Ditto, you'll have to transform again," Lizzie commanded. "Technically you have the type advantage, but without Squirtle in battle, you won't be able to use its attacks."
Ditto acknowledged the trainer's command, as it once again quickly changed its shape to look exactly like the Charmeleon.
"Don't hold back, embrace its gift..." Matt muttered. "All right! Fire's no good in this match, we'll have to go all physical! Use your Slash attack!"
"Ditto, use your Slash attack!" Lizzie commanded.
Both Pokémon charged toward each other, with their claws up in the air, unleashing one sharp, painful after another. After an exchange of swipes from their claws, and attempted strikes from their tails, both Pokémon backed off, awaiting their trainer's next command.
"Charmeleon, this might be useless, but use Growl!" Matt commanded.
Charmeleon took in a deep breath and release a loud, thunderous, intimidating growl directly into Ditto's face. Ditto began to feel slightly discouraged with Charmeleon's yell, as its fighting stance began too loosened up.
"Ditto, try a Rage!"
Ditto's tail flame increased largely in size, as it was prepared to unleash several attacks at Charmeleon.
"It's too late, it's about to attack. Charmeleon! Brace yourself!"
Charmeleon put up its claws in a defensive position as Ditto began to release one blow after another. Charmeleon was left yelling in pain after the barrage of attacks as one came in clean contact with its stomach.
"Charmeleon! Give it another Slash!"
Charmeleon saw that Ditto had dropped its defense slightly, as it took a large swipe, coming with complete contact with its left cheek. Ditto fell to the ground in pain, and Charmeleon was gasping for breath.
"Is it over?" Matt asked. "No, it's still moving. Charmeleon! Finish it off with another Slash!"
Charmeleon raised both of its claws, prepared to take another hit at Ditto. It swung both of them fiercely, but at the last instant, Ditto jumped high in the air, allowing Charmeleon to get both of its claws stuck in the ground, struggling to bring them back up.
"Ditto! Use another Rage!"
While Ditto was in the air, it quickly dove at Charmeleon, releasing one swipe to Charmeleon's defenseless back one after another. Matt looked on in terror, and helplessness, knowing that all he could do was watch and fear. Ditto jumped off and watched as Charmeleon stood there, motionless.
Matt gasped. He then began to yell, "You still have a chance, Charmeleon! Come on!"
Charmeleon finally managed to pull its claws out from the ground, as it turned to face Ditto, with burning determination in its eyes.
Matt smiled. "That's it! Go and give it a Slash!"
Charmeleon limped forward, and raised its claws ready to attack.
"Come on! Just a little more! Come on, one more push. Come on, Charmeleon, don't go out like this!" Matt pleaded. "This is your last opportunity to strike! Go! Embrace the chance, embrace it, damn it!"
Charmeleon stumbled on the piece of the battle field that was torn up, then it fell flat on ts stomach. Matt tried to look around the Ditto, for it was blocking his view. "Come on, get up! Please! Get up!"
The audience was in silence. Charmeleon made one final attempt to get up on its feet; it didn't want to have its master disappointed with it. It got up, and took in a deep breath.
Matt smiled. "Come on, just one more hit, that's all you need!"
Lizzie stood there, staring at her Ditto. "It's eager to finish it off, I want to let it have one more hit."
Charmeleon took a few steps at a time, as it was prepared to strike, its claw, hanging high in the air, wobbling. After only a few brief moments, it stared into the eyes of the Ditto, before moving its eyes to Matt, almost apologetic in its look. Its eyes rolled to the back of its head and collapsed on tio Ditto. Ditto backed off, as Charmeleon's solid body made what seemed to be a loud thud on the battlefield in the quiet stadium.
Matt watched in silence, and disbelief. There were a few more moments of silence as the referee rose his flag towards Lizzie. "Charmeleon has fallen in battle. Lizzie is our winner!"
The crowd roared as Matt stood still, still in disbelief that it was all over. Just like that. He looked at the fallen Charmeleon, then at the victorious Ditto. He exchanged glances back and forth, then fell to his knees. "I've failed my Pokémon...I gave it everything I had."
He then allowed himself to fall flat on his stomach, sticking his nose into the cold battle terrain. "I can't believe I lost like this."
Lizzie drew Ditto back inside its Pokéball. She then looked at Matt and sighed, shaking her head. "You told me not to hold back, so I kept my end of the bargain. I certainly hope you kept yours." She turned around and walked towards the main reception hall of the stadium, where she would be rewarded her trophy for being the victor of the Indigo championships.
As some of the spectators left, Matt pulled himself to his feet, continuing to stare at the fallen, immobile Charmeleon. Matt drew the fallen Charmeleon back inside its Pokéball, at long last. He then stared at it for a minute. "My good friend, don't feel that you've failed me. It was me that failed you.
"So I lost...it wasn't so bad. I did win second place. I should feel happy for at least that. This will make Pallet Town look very good." Matt looked up and stared at the afternoon sky. "The day is still young. I need to congratulate Lizzie. It was obvious that she deserved to win after all." He smiled.
"I tried to reach for life's helping hand. However, it felt I wasn't ready for that help yet, and turned me down. This isn't the end. I shouldn't be discouraged." He walked out of the battle arena and started to head towards the Pokémon Center.
He smiled again. "This was my very first complete competition. Maybe next time, I'll finish first."
TO BE CONTINUED.
Chapter 32: Give All or Take All
Lilaine walked up to the counter and poured a cup of black coffee into her porcelaine mug. She then walked over to get some cream for flavour when she jumped, startled. She took a look at a figure who was standing in the room beside of her. "Who are you?!" she exclaimed.
Arrmun chuckled, before stepping out from behind the shadows. "Now, is that a way to greet an old friend?"
Lilaine growled, continuing to stare at Arrmun's face. "Okay, who are you and what do you want?"
Arrmun frowned. "You're not a very good actor, Rocket Member ID number 166043, real name 'Irene', nick name 'Rabid Arbok'. I see you've dyed your hair completely black, and changed your outfit to something more...revealing, to be formal."
Lilaine shot Arrmun an angry look. "How in blazes did you find me?!"
Arrmun chuckled again. "It wasn't hard. Finding old friends is a specialty of mine."
Lilaine walked towards a couch in the next room with her coffee mug in her hand. "I've seen you on the news, trying to shut down Team Rocket, are you?"
"I like to make a difference."
"Ha-HA!" Lilaine laughed mockingly. "In all of my years when we've worked together, I'd never thought I'd hear you say something as stupid as that." She turned around to face him. "What you're doing is foolish; you're asking to get assassinated."
Arrmun shrugged. "Some kid helped me make my decision to get out of there, and allowed me to realize that I wasn't as useless on my own as I had originally contemplated."
"A kid made you quit?"
"This was no ordinairy kid. He was travelling along with two other trainers. One was an adult."
"What did they look like?"
"Well, the main one had short blonde hair, and he always seemed to wear black. He has some sort of strange look in those deep, blue eyes of his. It's almost as if those eyes can determine his fate. The other girl had short brown hair; she seemed to wear mostly cyan and blue, with dark brown eyes. I could swear I had recognized her from somewhere before, and it bothered me more everytime I saw her. And the last one...he was in the Elite Four at the time--"
Lilaine almost choked on her coffee. "Jordan?!"
"I believe that was his name. He gave me this." Arrmun pointed to the scar on his cheek.
Lilaine let out a laugh. "You always were the careless one, weren't you? How did you manage to become a member of Team Rocket's elite for Giovanni anyway?"
"I think the more important question is...how did YOU become a Pokémon master in such a short amount of time?"
Lilaine took a long look at Arrmun and let out a smirk. "If you want advice, then too bad, I'm not giving any to you."
Arrmun chortled. "Seriously, don't take me as an idiot; you know what I meant."
Lilaine turned around and sipped her coffee. "How else? You train hard. That's the advice that's given to anyone. Even you yourself know that."
"Which Pokémon did you swipe from Team Rocket before you left?"
Lilaine nearly choked again as she faced Arrmun again, with an angered look on her face. "That's unbelieveably insulting!"
"You took Giovanni's Scizor, didn't you? Come on now, we both know that he's the only one around here that has one, and when you vanished, that Pokéball mysteriously vanished as well."
Lilaine clenched a fist and shook her head in disgust. "I can't believe I'm hearing this. Particularly from somebody like you!"
"You took Pokémon that were of higher levels than those of the Elite Four. You managed to breeze by the first three, and lost a few times battling the last one, Jordan. His miserable loss was what cost him his place as the highest standing member."
"You wretch!" Lilaine pointed to the exit. "Get out! I don't want to here such monstrous words from you!"
"You're going to tell Giovanni I was here, aren't you? Or are you still working for him?"
"For your information, I couldn't take his strict orders anymore. One after another, after another. For what? Stealing Pokémon? WIth force? It was the most ridiculous, trivial work I had ever received in all of my life. I almost cracked, but I secretly raided his place one evening and swiped his best Pokémon."
"How ironic. So, you stole his Pokémon AND you became a Pokémon master with them...Irene."
"Look, if any of this gets out to the public, I'm going to place these hands around your neck, and I will refuse to let go. No mercy."
Arrmun shrugged. "You're going to get caught eventually, with or without my help. So, either way, you're stuck with your own problems."
Lilaine continued pointing to the exit. "For the last time, out..."
Arrmun silently stood there for another second, then nodded. He exited the room, closing the door behind him, now in the area where one could watch Pokémon battles at the highest view point. He looked at a Pokéball he was holding in his hands. "This Scizor is possibly the strongest Pokémon out there, according to its battle experience. I think I'll keep it for myself as a souvenir. Or give it to somebody as a gift." Arrmun quietly chuckled. "We'll see how she does without this," he tossed it once into the air, and caught it on its way down.
* * *
The next week proved very successful for both Matt and Lizzie with their status in the Pokémon League. They both had proven victorious in their latest three matches, both in the two final fields, Rock and Water. The matches now were leading to who will be the final competitor who finishes at the top of their league to not only become the victor of the tournament that year, but also to compete with the Elite Four. Both Matt and Lizzie were just two more matches away from this once in a lifetime opportunity.
It was mid-afternoon, as both Matt and Lizzie were able to rest well for the next couple of days, since now, the matches are left with more space, to give time for relaxation and overlooking their strategies. They, along with Jordan, were sitting in a restaurant, eating an early dinner.
Matt shook his head. "In all honesty, I never thought I would make it this far. I thought that I would have made it to near the end of the four fields matches, but I've never felt more confident with myself that I can go all the way."
Lizzie nodded. "It is a surprise, a pleasant surprise, for both of us. But what's bothering me is that most of the trainers who battled have already left to go home. I mean, do they not want their participation trophy?"
"You can't really blame them. I think the further you get, the more bitter it'll be once you get that trophy. Besides, there are only four competitors left. That's you, myself, and two other trainers."
Lizzie picked up a fork as her food had just arrived. "Not to mention the battles are getting an awful lot harder." She put a piece of food in her mouth and chewed.
Matt picked up a spoon as his meal also arrived, taking a sip of his soup. "With luck, we could be stuck facing ourselves. I guess that almost guarantees that one of us will make it to the final round." He turned his head towards Jordan. "Hey, is something wrong? You haven't touched your food, or said anything in the past few minutes."
Jordan shook his head. "Nothing's wrong, but, actually, now that you mention it, I'm beginning to suspect Lilaine."
Matt swallowed his spoonful of soup. "Oh, the woman who beat you. Why would you suspect her now?"
Jordan shrugged his shoulders. "It always seemed too strange the way she beat me those several months back. And the way she's been acting with the other members of the Elite Four. I hope that they better find a replacement, or else there's going to be only three members this year. Unless she herself decides to battle as the top of the Elite Four."
Lizzie looked at Jordan. "You mean they still haven't found a replacement yet? That's irresponsible, they've had all this time to do that!"
Jordan nodded in agreement. "Yes, of course, but I've been thinking that there's something more to Lilaine than what I think. Now that I think about it, she seemed nervous when battling me with her Pokémon, as if she had recently received them, or something."
"It's natural to be nervous to fight the very last battle in order to become a master," Matt commented. "Besides, don't you think you're exaggerating a little bit? I mean, you lost, what's the big deal?"
Jordan sighed. "I suppose so." He then looked at the empty seat, where Squirtle would normally be sitting. "Hey, isn't that where Zenigame usually sits?"
Matt nodded, as he took another sip of his soup. "I'm trying to get him to stay inside his Pokéball more often. That way it'll make traveling a lot easier."
Lizzie finished the last few bits on her plate as she pushed her empty plate aside. "I can't eat another bite..."
Matt pushed his empty bowl aside as well. "That was so good."
Jordan just pushed his plate full of food aside. "I'm not very hungry. I feel bad; I hope they won't throw it out."
"Here, I'll help you with that." Matt grabbed Jordan's plate and began eating what was on it. A grilled steak along with French fries. Lizzie also helped, picking at the French fries once in a while.
After finally finishing their meal, Lizzie stood up. "Hey, we start our matches tomorrow. Want to see who we're battling?"
Matt smiled and nodded. "Gladly..."
* * *
"This will do it, Val! Use your Fire Blast!" Lizzie commanded her Vulpix.
It was the final match of a tie-breaker between Lizzie and a young trainer named Will. It was his Nidorino versus Lizzie's Vulpix. Lizzie's Vulpix managed to quickly wear Nidorino down, as it was ready to unleash its most powerful attack.
Vulpix charged istelf, as it unleashed the powerful attack full force. Nidorino was prepared for the powerful attack, as it managed to move slightly to the side, getting grazed by the attack. Even though it barely touched it, it left severe burns on Nidorino's right side of the body.
"Nidorino! While it's down, use your Double Kick!" Will yelled.
Vulpix, having little time to react, was surprised seeing two large feet striking it twice across the face a chill went tingling down Lizzie's spine. She sighed in relief, knowing that her Vulpix was still able to continue battling as it managed to pull itself up.
"Give it a Quick Attack!" Lizzie quickly shouted.
Quickly rebounding from Nidorino's attack, it bounced straight off the ground, and placed a hard strike right in Nidorino's mid-section, knocking it off balance and flat on its back. Nidorino tried several times to get back up to its feet. However, after a few tries, it shut its eyes and completely fell flat on its back. The referee rose the flag, rewarding Lizzie the victory.
The crowd roared as Lizzie jumped in the air several times in victory. "I did it! I did it! This is too good to be true!"
Will let out a heavy sigh as he called back Nidorino. "You did a good job. Let's go rest." He left the battle arena, slightly disappointed.
Matt greeted Lizzie with a hug. "That was fantastic! You won just like I did!"
Lizzie's big smile suddenly turned into a frown. "But...that means we have to face each other."
Matt slightly frowned, too. "I guess we'll have to give it our all, then. No holding back. And I mean that."
Lizzie nodded. "No holding back."
* * *
It was morning, the morning of the final match. Matt versus Lizzie. Matt had woken up early, staring straight up at the ceiling. "This is my last match. I would normally feel so nervous, but, am I too confident? Why do I think I can take Lizzie? No, I've seen the way she's fought; this is not going to be an easy battle. None of them have been, but this is going to be the hardest, knowing who I've been traveling with the past several months."
He jumped out of bed and changed into his 'usual' clothing, which was his black t-shirt along with his black jeans. He put on his Pokéball belt and gave a serious look in the mirror. "Battle is in two hours. I'm ready."
Matt decided not to see Lizzie at all that day, since looking at her and talking to her may give him some discouragement. He ate a quick breakfast, and cleaned his teeth. After combing his hair, he walked out to the stadium, as many people in the streets were pointing to him, waving and cheering. Some even asked for pictures. He grinned and agreed, allowing the tourists and fans to take them.
A figure suddenly came dashing out behind him. "Hey! Hey! Matt! You haven't spoken to me! You're mean!"
Matt felt a shiver up his spine. "Don't tell me she followed me here." He turned around, surprised to see Rachel. "Oh, it's you."
Rachel placed her hands on her hips. "What do you mean 'it's you'?! You've been ignoring me since I found you last week! What did you think you were doing?!"
"I'm sorry, I've been busy," he replied, and noticed that Rachel was dressed in baggy jeans and a short T-shirt. "I see you've changed your outfit."
"Are you STILL thinking about what I was wearing the last time I saw you?! Never mind...my parents wanted me to tell you good luck for you, since today's your big match! I hope you win!"
Matt smirked slightly. "Thanks, but it's not going to be easy."
"Well, nothing in this world's easy! When life gives you a helping hand, you have to reach out and grab it! Embrace the chance its giving you! Don't throw it away, or you could regret it later!"
Matt took those words in, and repeated them over in his head. "Embrace the chance...that's very deep of you, Rachel."
Rachel smiled. "I'm glad you feel that way about me! I'm sure you're feeling nervous enough about this match, so, I'll talk to you later, okay? Bye!" Rachel turned around and dashed off into the streets.
Matt smiled. "Embrace the chance it's giving you...don't throw it away, or else you could regret it later." He repeated those words to himself as slowly the two hours passed by. Before he knew it the match was about to begin. He slowly stepped into the battlefield, seeing people sitting on the stairs to see today's match. "Embrace the chance...embrace it!"
Lizzie slowly walked in from her end, as the crowd began to cheer. The final battle; the battle which will determine the victor of the Indigo championships. One will come out on top, the other will fall just short. This was that battle.
"All right, ladies and gentlemen! This is it!" the stadium's announcer stated loudly over the P.A. The final battle between two very fine competitors in this year's tournament! Today, the best from Pallet and Cerulean go head to head in this year's final match! The victor will win first place in this year's tournament and go on to challenge the Elite Four! The losing trainer will gain second place! But in this case, nobody is a loser today! History is going to be made! Pokémon Trainers, give it all you've got, and go!"
The crowd began to cheer very loudly, whistling, and throwing some light confetti onto the field. The cheers were so loud, that Matt and Lizzie could hear nothing else.
The referee stepped into the center of the arena. "All right, Pokémon Trainers. Best-of-five match. First trainer to reach three wins will be the victor. Good luck to both of you. Now, begin!"
Matt's heart began to beat very fast. He then yelled: "I'm not holding back a thing, Lizzie! Don't you dare hesitate for even a moment!" Matt wasn't sure if Lizzie heard him or not, but decided to prepare his first Greatball for battle. He then threw it into the arena. Onix sprung out from it.
Lizzie grabbed a Greatball from her belt and released Articuno.
Matt choked on his saliva. "I forgot, she has that Pokémon. Onix! Be careful, if just one Ice Beam connects with you, you're gone! Start out with a Tackle attack!"
Onix curled itself low into the ground, before leaping up, in an attempt to strike the Articuno. It quickly flew to the side, avoiding the attack completely.
"Articuno! You need to try your Ice Beam attack!" Lizzie commanded.
Articuno's beak began to charge up with its most powerful attack. Matt knew exactly what was going to happen next. "Onix! Hurry and go underground!"
As Articuno unleashed its attack, Onix quickly dug underneath the battle arena. However, its tail managed to get struck by the beam, as a small block of ice grew on top of it. It attempted to shatter it, but to no avail. Muffled howls of pain could be heard from underground.
Matt cursed under his breath. "Onix! Attack from below!"
Instantly, the ground below Articuno spread open as it was struck with Onix's rock hard body. It fell to the ground, as the referee ruled that Onix had won the first match. The crowd began to cheer.
Matt's eyes then widened, as he noticed that his Onix's tail was still covered in ice. "This will slow things down a bit..."
Lizzie grabbed another Pokéball and threw it. Vulpix was released.
Matt let out a heavy sigh. "She's throwing away the match. I don't understand. She knows that fire's no good against rock."
As he looked onto the battlefield, he saw Onix crying in pain, as the ice on its tail was suddenly blasted with one of Vulpix's fire attacks. It took a few seconds for Matt to understand that the sudden change in temperature really took Onix by shock, as it fell to the battle field and was not moving.
Matt absorbed Onix back inside. "How clever of her. However, I still have the advantage." He grabbed another Pokéball. "Zenigame, it's time for action!" He threw it as Squirtle appeared. "Zenigame, use your Water Gun!"
"Val! You need to use your Quick Attack; dodge that water!"
Squirtle made various attempts to strike Vulpix with a streaming blast of, but was struck several times by Vulpix's Quick Attack. After regaining its balance, Squirtle released a spray of water that hit Vulpix point blank, knocking it off balance, and sending it gasping for breath.
"Skull Bash!"
Squirtle accelerated to a high speed and struck Vulpix's furry body with a solid connection with Squirtle's head. The referee ruled Vulpix unable to battle as Lizzie drew it back inside. The crowd roared once again, as Matt took the lead, two matches to one.
Matt took in several deep breaths. "I don't know how much more of this battle I can take. All I need it just one more victory. Just one."
Lizzie pulled out her last Pokéball. "I don't know what else I have that can defeat a water Pokémon. This is my last chance. I better make it count." She threw it into the battlefield as a strange, glowing pink blob appeared onto the field.
Matt blinked. "A Ditto...great. This is going to slow down the battle."
"Transform!"
Ditto took a good long look at Squirtle's form as it body began to glow, metamorphisizing into a perfect copy..
"Zenigame, quickly! You have to try another Skull Bash!"
Squirtle from its previous position, moved forward to attempt another mighty physical attack. Lizzie ordered her Ditto to move to the side, as Squirtle's head came in contact with the sidelines, giving itself some damage. Ditto copied Squirtle's last move, and came with direct contact with Squirtle's hard shell, sending him into the arena's walls again.
Matt instantly knew that his Pokémon was no longer moving as he drew him back inside. "This is it. We're tied at two. Just one last Pokémon. This has to work, it has to!" He grabbed his final Pokéball. "Charmeleon. You're going to be the one who'll bring me victory." He tossed it, as Charmeleon appeared, ready to battle.
"Ditto, you'll have to transform again," Lizzie commanded. "Technically you have the type advantage, but without Squirtle in battle, you won't be able to use its attacks."
Ditto acknowledged the trainer's command, as it once again quickly changed its shape to look exactly like the Charmeleon.
"Don't hold back, embrace its gift..." Matt muttered. "All right! Fire's no good in this match, we'll have to go all physical! Use your Slash attack!"
"Ditto, use your Slash attack!" Lizzie commanded.
Both Pokémon charged toward each other, with their claws up in the air, unleashing one sharp, painful after another. After an exchange of swipes from their claws, and attempted strikes from their tails, both Pokémon backed off, awaiting their trainer's next command.
"Charmeleon, this might be useless, but use Growl!" Matt commanded.
Charmeleon took in a deep breath and release a loud, thunderous, intimidating growl directly into Ditto's face. Ditto began to feel slightly discouraged with Charmeleon's yell, as its fighting stance began too loosened up.
"Ditto, try a Rage!"
Ditto's tail flame increased largely in size, as it was prepared to unleash several attacks at Charmeleon.
"It's too late, it's about to attack. Charmeleon! Brace yourself!"
Charmeleon put up its claws in a defensive position as Ditto began to release one blow after another. Charmeleon was left yelling in pain after the barrage of attacks as one came in clean contact with its stomach.
"Charmeleon! Give it another Slash!"
Charmeleon saw that Ditto had dropped its defense slightly, as it took a large swipe, coming with complete contact with its left cheek. Ditto fell to the ground in pain, and Charmeleon was gasping for breath.
"Is it over?" Matt asked. "No, it's still moving. Charmeleon! Finish it off with another Slash!"
Charmeleon raised both of its claws, prepared to take another hit at Ditto. It swung both of them fiercely, but at the last instant, Ditto jumped high in the air, allowing Charmeleon to get both of its claws stuck in the ground, struggling to bring them back up.
"Ditto! Use another Rage!"
While Ditto was in the air, it quickly dove at Charmeleon, releasing one swipe to Charmeleon's defenseless back one after another. Matt looked on in terror, and helplessness, knowing that all he could do was watch and fear. Ditto jumped off and watched as Charmeleon stood there, motionless.
Matt gasped. He then began to yell, "You still have a chance, Charmeleon! Come on!"
Charmeleon finally managed to pull its claws out from the ground, as it turned to face Ditto, with burning determination in its eyes.
Matt smiled. "That's it! Go and give it a Slash!"
Charmeleon limped forward, and raised its claws ready to attack.
"Come on! Just a little more! Come on, one more push. Come on, Charmeleon, don't go out like this!" Matt pleaded. "This is your last opportunity to strike! Go! Embrace the chance, embrace it, damn it!"
Charmeleon stumbled on the piece of the battle field that was torn up, then it fell flat on ts stomach. Matt tried to look around the Ditto, for it was blocking his view. "Come on, get up! Please! Get up!"
The audience was in silence. Charmeleon made one final attempt to get up on its feet; it didn't want to have its master disappointed with it. It got up, and took in a deep breath.
Matt smiled. "Come on, just one more hit, that's all you need!"
Lizzie stood there, staring at her Ditto. "It's eager to finish it off, I want to let it have one more hit."
Charmeleon took a few steps at a time, as it was prepared to strike, its claw, hanging high in the air, wobbling. After only a few brief moments, it stared into the eyes of the Ditto, before moving its eyes to Matt, almost apologetic in its look. Its eyes rolled to the back of its head and collapsed on tio Ditto. Ditto backed off, as Charmeleon's solid body made what seemed to be a loud thud on the battlefield in the quiet stadium.
Matt watched in silence, and disbelief. There were a few more moments of silence as the referee rose his flag towards Lizzie. "Charmeleon has fallen in battle. Lizzie is our winner!"
The crowd roared as Matt stood still, still in disbelief that it was all over. Just like that. He looked at the fallen Charmeleon, then at the victorious Ditto. He exchanged glances back and forth, then fell to his knees. "I've failed my Pokémon...I gave it everything I had."
He then allowed himself to fall flat on his stomach, sticking his nose into the cold battle terrain. "I can't believe I lost like this."
Lizzie drew Ditto back inside its Pokéball. She then looked at Matt and sighed, shaking her head. "You told me not to hold back, so I kept my end of the bargain. I certainly hope you kept yours." She turned around and walked towards the main reception hall of the stadium, where she would be rewarded her trophy for being the victor of the Indigo championships.
As some of the spectators left, Matt pulled himself to his feet, continuing to stare at the fallen, immobile Charmeleon. Matt drew the fallen Charmeleon back inside its Pokéball, at long last. He then stared at it for a minute. "My good friend, don't feel that you've failed me. It was me that failed you.
"So I lost...it wasn't so bad. I did win second place. I should feel happy for at least that. This will make Pallet Town look very good." Matt looked up and stared at the afternoon sky. "The day is still young. I need to congratulate Lizzie. It was obvious that she deserved to win after all." He smiled.
"I tried to reach for life's helping hand. However, it felt I wasn't ready for that help yet, and turned me down. This isn't the end. I shouldn't be discouraged." He walked out of the battle arena and started to head towards the Pokémon Center.
He smiled again. "This was my very first complete competition. Maybe next time, I'll finish first."
TO BE CONTINUED.
