Brenna shrieked. "You guys!" she whispered. "The Winstrates! I just
remembered why this place is known for battles! Anyone who comes to their
house is challenged.."
Dominic's eyes widened. "To a battle?"
"Yes!" Brenna looked behind them, as if noting the nearest exit. "These people are insane! Unless we really want to get our butts kicked, we hafta go!"
Jeremy's lower lip quivered. "What if they hurt my.. my flaaffy can't go through that again.. I.. I.."
"Will you all just be quiet?" Alex said, taking out his pokeball. "I bet these guys have weak pokemon. I mean, a family of trainers? Sounds too good to be true."
As Brenna turned away silently, a man from across the room stood up, calling out to the group. "Greetings, weary travelers! Seeking shelter from the storm, I take it? Well, you have chosen no better pace to come! Allow me to introduce myself. I am Victor Winstrate. And yourselves?"
Dominic glanced at Brenna, who already had her hand clasped around a pokeball. "I'm Dominic Jenkins, from Fortree City."
"Brenna Jasthons from Slateport."
"Alex Blackstone from Cinnibar Island."
At this Brenna turned swiftly to Alex. "You never told us that!"
"Shh.. let Jeremy speak."
Jeremy was still shaking. "Jeremy Woodbridge from Ecruteak City."
Dominic nodded. "What exactly do you want with us?"
Victor came forward from the table, walking toward the foursome. "We offer you shelter.. if you will offer us a battle."
"A battle?" said Dominic, trying to sound surprised. "Which one of us to you want to battle?"
Victor tapped his fingers together. "All of you."
This truly shocked Dominic. "What?"
"My family and I have been training nearly every day for the last few months. Sadly, we've had nobody but ourselves to battle with. It would be a great pleasure to have a four way battle with you four."
Brenna looked horrified. "Dominic! We can't do this! They are CLEARLY way stronger than all of us!"
Dom scratched his head. "We'll do it."
"DOMINIC!"
Alex grinned. "Alright, Dom!"
Victor smiled, also. "Then here is how we will work this battle. One by one, you will come up to face one of us. Normally, I would say you win only if you defeated each of us, but for today let's say the winner of three out of four battles will prevail. Who dares go first?"
Dominic, Brenna, Alex, and Jeremy looked at eachother. Simultaneously, they shoved Jeremy out into the center of the ballroom. He yelped. "Guys! Now I know how you really feel.."
"Just do your best, Jeremy!" Alex hollered. Turning back to Dom and Brenna, he whispered, "The kid doesn't have a chance."
Victor clapped his hands. "Our butler shall be the judge. Come forward, Batsford!" The butler walked into the room wearing a small whistle around his neck.
"I am ready to judge the battle!"
"Alright, you ready, boy?" said Victor, pulling a pokeball from his pocket.
"Ye..ye..yes?" Jeremy said, taking out one of his own pokeballs.
"OK then! Go, zigzagoon!"
"Come on, flaaffy!"
Victor's small, rat-like pokemon scuttled around it's trainer, making small barking noises. "Zig! Zig! Zig!"
Jeremy was clearly nervous. "Okay.. flaaffy? Thunderbolt!"
"Quick attack, zigzagoon!"
Jeremy's medium-sized pink sheep let out a "FLAAFF!" before it's wool started to produce sparks. The sparks shot toward zigzagoon, but the brown rat dodged the shock with a quick spurt of speed. It shot at flaaffy, who was struck in the side.
"That's right, zigzagoon! Now, bite it!"
"No! Flaaffy, you hafta shock that thing!"
Before flaaffy could find it's balance again, zigzagoon buried it's small, sharp teeth into flaaffy's wool. Flaaffy shrieked and, without warning, exploded into an electric frenzy. Zigzagoon, fell back, slightly fried.
Dominic was caught by surprise, watching from the sidelines. "Woah! Looks like your flaaffy has a little defense mechanism, Jeremy!"
Jeremy was as much in shock as the toasty zigzagoon. Victor seemed determined. "Get up and tail whip that sheep!"
"Flaaffy, do whatever you just did again!" Jeremy said, fists clenched.
Flaaffy wobbled up, sparks still emitting from it's wool. It shot out a smalled bolt of lightning at zigzagoon, and it contacted with the rat's tail.
"ZIG!"
Victor was looking scarily defeated. "This isn't supposed to happen! Zigzagoon, focus energy and headbutt!"
Jeremy was smiling, jumping up and down. "Flaaffy, just another thunderbolt and I think we got him!"
As zigzagoon started to glow red, flaaffy shot out another one of it's lightning bolts. Just as zigzagoon lowered it's head, it fell, electrified beyond it's capacity. Jeremy could not have looked more surprised and proud.
"Amazing! I would have never even thought.." Alex said, quite confused.
Victor growled. "You will not find my other family members quite so easy to defeat. I have been working, and have not as much time to train.. come back, zigzagoon." The zigzagoon exploded in red energy and flew back into it's pokeball.
Dominic tapped Brenna on the shoulder. "I think theyre going to go in difficulty order. I think the last will be the most difficult."
Brenna sighed. "In other words, I should go next?"
Dom smiled patting her on the shoulder. She walked out into the middle of the ballroom, shivering. Jeremy walked back to the sidelines, greeted by a number of high-fives and congratulations. "You did awesome!" said Dom.
"I totally don't think you're weak anymore, little dude!" Alex said. They all turned to look at Brenna, who was ready for battle. A tall woman in an elegant dress had made her way out from the table.
"Greetings, darling!" the woman said. "I'm Victoria! I doubt you'll be able to make MY pokemon faint! Go, rosalia!"
Out of Victoria's pokeball sprung the smallest pokemon Brenna had ever seen. She could have easily mistaken it for a rose, with it's blooming head and leaves.
"Alia! Who, praytell, is this, Victoria?" the pokemon said. "Whoever she is, I can tell her pokemon aren't too strong. Look at her! She has no confidence!"
Brenna turned red. "No confidence? My milotic could eat you! Go, milotic!" Out from Brenna's pokeball flew the enormous shape of a sea-serpent. It was easily the most beautiful pokemon any of them had ever seen. With it's large, red eyes and it's blue/scarlett scales, the milotic left everyone in the room in a trance. Dom even took out his pokedex to find out more.
(Milotic. Gentile pokemon. Milotic have been called some of the rarest pokemon in the world, next to the legendaries. Their exquisite beauty and entrancing manor leave other pokemon often in a stupor. Although milotic are most comfortable in the water, they are easily adapted to battle on land. Many say the sight of a milotic can resolve year-long battles, and they have become a well-known symbol of peace.)
Alex giggled. "That thing is amazing! Good luck Brenna! We all want you to win!"
Dominic couldn't help but stare. Ever since meeting Alex, him and Brenna had been in a constant fight. Now.. Alex was cheering for her? Maybe Dom's pokedex was right: the sight of Brenna's beautiful milotic was enough to resolve problems.
"Thanks, Alex.. I think." Brenna said from across the room. "Now, water pulse that ugly little flower, milotic!"
"Whatever you want, Brenna," the milotic said softly, in a serene and magical voice. Inhaling deeply, the gorgeous pokemon suddenly shot from it's mouth a stream of water. The water contacted with both Victoria's rosalia and vicky, herself. Rosalia spun around in a daze, muttering something softly, then fell to the floor. The flowers on rosalia's hands were wilting quickly.
Brenna screamed. "Omigosh! In one shot? You.. I'm sorry to say it, but I underestimated you, milotic! Oh I love you so much!" She ran up to her giant pokemon and threw her arms around it's neck, not able to make it all the way around.
"I've been longing to do that for awhile," milotic said, winking at Brenna. "Can we eat soon? I fear I might be slightly hungry. You don't mind, do you?"
Brenna was beaming. "Whatever you want." She recalled her pokemon and marched confidently back to the sidelines. "Beat that, suckers."
Although milotic may have ended Brenna and Alex's feud momentarily, it was back in full force. "I WILL beat that! You can count on my growlithe beating whatever they bring out next."
"In one shot?" said Brenna, with a sly smile. "I doubt it."
"Rrr.. you just wait," Alex said, marching out into the center of the room. "Just watch how easily I bet them!"
A girl about Jeremy's age marched confidently out from behind the table. "I'm Vivi, and you might as well surrender now. You're way too cocky. Cocky trainers never win."
Alex had had it. "Oh yeah? And now are you going to bring out your little level five pokemon on me?"
"In fact," Vivi said, withdrawing a pokeball, "I was thinking of my level 25 marill."
Alex gulped. "Right.. growlithe.. go?"
From both pokeballs came similar sized pokemon. One, an orange dog with angry eyes, the other, a round, blue mouse with a balloon for a tail.
Growlithe barked. "You sent me out here against a water-type? Alex!"
"Sorry, growlithe.. you're my highest level."
"Yeah, well.. I hope I don't get all wet.."
"It's okay, you won't!" yelled Alex. "Quick, tackle it!"
Vivi remained calm. "Marill, water gun!"
As growlithe charged, full strength, toward marill, the small blue pokemon shot a stream of crystal-clear water from it's mouth, without as much strength as milotic had. From the sidelines, Dominic noticed that marill's once round, squishy tail had now gone flat.
Growlithe was struck right in the forehead. He let out a menacing howl. "Argh! I'm all wet now! Alex! Say the word and I'll rip this thing to shreds!"
"Yes!" Alex screamed. "Yes! Rip it to shreds! Bite! Bite!"
Vivi still seemed as happy as can be. "Dodge it, marill, then give him another water gun."
Growlithe was chomping his razor sharp teeth toward marill, who stood incredibly still. Just as Alex figured his pokemon would sink it's teeth into marill, the blue rat jumped high into the air. Before it even landed, it had shot another burst of water into growlithe's face.
"Lithe..argh..Alex I can't take that much longer. My body's cooling down too much!" growlithe moaned.
"Okay.. um.. try to incinerate it, then! Ember!" Alex yelled.
"One more water gun and that thing is out, marill!" said Vivi, who was already prepared for victory.
In an instant, both pokemon had shot their respective elements at eachother. In the middle of the field, the fire and water came together. Now, it was a matter of who could outlast the other.
"Come on, growlithe! Use all your strength!"
"Marill, just a little more and you.."
And just like that, marill DID give a little more. Growlithe's flames were devoured by a flow of water bigger than ever. Growlithe was drenched, and he fell to the floor, exhauster and washed out.
"GODDAMNIT!" Alex screamed. "GODDAMNIT, GODDAMNIT, GODDAMNIT! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!"
Brenna, from her spot, merely chuckled and pointed. "Good job, Mr. Strong- Trainer!"
Vivi giggled and trotted over to her marill, giving it a hug. "Looks like I'm just a little more powerful than you!"
Alex quickly scooped up his growlithe and tossed one of his pokeballs at Brenna, seething with anger. "Shut it! I don't want to hear anything from you! That battle was CLEARLY a type-disadvantage for me. You can't call me a bad trainer because my fire pokemon was defeated by a water-type!"
Brenna seemed to ignore this. "I believe this means that you, Dominic, must win the next battle for us to get out of this whole fiasco. You ready?"
Dom sighed, but Brenna thought she caught a hint of confidence in his tone. "What with Jeremy and you winning, I don't think I can let you guys down," he said, walking out into the now-familiar ballroom battlefield. Trying to decide which of his pokemon to use, the final Winstrate also walked towards the center, if not with more difficulty. She was clearly the strongest of the family, as well as the oldest. Her beady, aged eyes looked over Dominic, sizing him up.
"I am assuming you are the strongest of your group," she said. "As am I. I have been training for much longer than the rest of my family. Allow me to introduce myself.. my name is Vicky Winstrate."
Dom gulped. He was starting to seriously doubt that he was stronger than his teammates. "I'm Dominic.."
"Excellent. Shall we begin the end? Come out, meditite!"
Vicky tossed her pokeball onto the floor, and a small grey and blue form was emitted. Dominic scratched his head, pulling at one of his black spikes. He had never seen the thing before, and didn't know whether to bring out Zappy, who was stronger, or barboach, who had been given an unfair match at the Mauville Gym. Then again.. gulpin was his least experienced pokemon, and he really wanted spoink to evolve..
"Well, boy? Are we going to battle or not?"
Dom found it hard to speak. Why was he so choked up? This was his chance to show his teammates that he was actually a good fighter, not someone who lost gym battles. He brought out his pokedex and aimed it at the blue and grey pokemon, who now seemed to be meditating in the air. Why he hadn't done this in the first place? He certaintly was out of it today..
(Meditite. Meditation pokemon. These small pokemon live high in the mountains, putting themselves through rigorous meditation exercises constantly. Because they can never hold their concentration long enough for their satisfaction, they are constantly forcing themselves into stronger, longer routines. Meditite survive on one berry a day until they evolve, and are propelled only by their need for inner satisfaction.)
Dom snapped his pokedex shut. "Damn.. that's amazing.." What pokemon of his could possibly go against a pokemon that strong and confident? None of his pokemon had a particular advantage over psychic types.. "Alright.. go spoink!"
Dominic's pig-like pokemon materialzed onto the floor and looked eagerly around. "Hey, Dominic! What's up for today? Poink! How about I open a can of whoop-ass on this.. what is that thing?"
Dom hadn't remember his spoink sounding so violent, but he smiled. "Don't get too excited yet, spoink.. this might be a tough battle. It's a meditite, and I don't think it wants to hold hands.."
Vicky was tapping her foot impatiently, muttering something to her meditite. Spoink was still curious. "I don't have hands, Dom.. and what's so special about that floating monkey? I'm a psychic type.. shouldn't my attacks be effective against another psychic? I'll kick his BUTT!"
Dom hadn't thought of that. "Well.. yeah.. but it goes the same way for Vicky's pokemon.."
Spoink sighed. "Alright, I'll try my best! Let's kill some meditite ass! Spoi!"
Vicky noticed that Dom was ready, and spoke up. "Finally! Are we ready, then?"
"Sure are! Ready spoink?"
"Ready to kill!"
"I take that as a yes! Okay.. psybeam, spoink! Aim for the eyes so it will break concentration!"
Vicky was doing an odd sort of dance that looked ritualistic to Dominic. "Calm Mind, meditite! Focus on your inner strength!"
Spoink hopped forward on his spring, posistioning his pearl under the light. Glowing a bright purple, the pearl released a blast of energy that shot straight toward meditite's eyes. Meanwhile, meditite sat still, meditating in mid-air, and began to glow a strange, blue, shade. Just as soon as it had begun, it stopped. This was when the psybeam hit it square in the face.
"Alright!" Dom yelled. He flipped open his pokedex, where sprites of both spoink and meditite were shown. According to his pokedex, spoink was at full health, and the psybeam had taken off 25% of meditite's health. However, meditite had boosted it's special attack and defense when calming it's mind. Descisions, descisions..
"Spoink, try another psybeam!"
Vicky was watching everything without the use of a pokedex.. it was as if she knew everything that was going on without using any devices. "Alright, meditite, give him some confusion!"
Spoink, who was extremely hyper, bounced around the floor and shot another of it's energy beams. Meditite, however, simply floated upward until it reached the ceiling of the room. Here, it opened it's eyes for the first time. Glowing black, the meditite spun around, throwing black shadows in every direction. One of these shadows struck spoink in the side. Spoink began to spin around, attempting to catch his balance.
"Oh, no! You're confused, aren't you, spoink?" Dom yelled.
Spoink merely fell onto it's side, twitching. "Kill.. meditite.. dead.. psycho.."
"Obviously.."
Vicky laughed. "Ahahaha! You're pitiful pokemon will be confused for awhile now. I can wittle down the things health now!"
"Er.. spoink, try to psybeam as hard as you can! Please, I know you're a little stunned by that attack, but give it your all!" Dom yelled to the dazed purple pig.
"Meditite!" Vicky said. "Another confusion!"
Spoink was still twitching as he got hit with another shadow-like attack. According to Dom's pokedex, spoink was now at 35% health, while meditite was still at 75%. He had to get up.. now..
"Finish it off with a high jump kick!" Vicky screamed.
"Huh?" Dom said. "Meditite isn't a fighting type."
Vicky smirked. "Or so you thought. Just watch as my pokemon knocks yours out."
Meditite landed swiftly on the floor, where it extending it's seemingly always folded legs. Running, suddenly, towards the stunned spoink, meditite extended it's leg and jumped into the air. Dominic winced, thinking it was all over, but just when all hope seemed lost..
Spoink shook itself awake from what was probably a state of shock and extreme confusion and looked up. Seeing meditite flying towards him, he rolled away with one, swift motion. "AHAH! Thought you could keep me down, eh? Well now I'll blast you to psycho bits! MUAHAHA!" Spoink bounced high into the air, spewing a huge beam of energy into meditite.
"Spoink, I think I just fell back in love with you!" Dom yelled. "One more and I think he's out!"
Spoink once again bounced high into the air, dodging another kick from meditite. Vicky looked like she would have a panic attack if things went any more unexpectedly.
"You got it, Dom, buddy!" Spoink screamed like a maniac. "Let's.. KILL!" He shot one last psybeam, which struck the enemy right in the eyes. Meditite, folding it's legs in one last movement of strength, fell to the ground, emitting a small humming noise.
"We won! We won!" Dom yelled, running to pick up his pokemon. He lifted spoink above his head and spun around, smiling and laughing. "We CAN win! I knew it! Wattson was just a little tougher than we had expected, but we.. we beat the Winstrates!"
"We killed that psycho-pokemon's ass, Dom!" spoink yelled. "I feel so much stronger! Do you think I'll evolve?"
Dom set the pokemon down and looked at Vicky, who was recalling her fainted meditite. "I hope so, spoinky. Maybe after a few more battles."
"Alright! If I evolve, we can kick some more poke-ass and show them all how good we really are!"
Dom chuckled. "You bet! Time to come in, though. I think I should talk with everyone else."
"Yeah, yeah.. see you soon!" Spoink hopped willingly into his pokeball, which Dom set back onto his belt. He then ran back to his partners, who were cheering, jumping up and down.
"You were amazing!" Brenna said, hugging him closely. "Seriously, I have never seen a battle like that, Dom. Amazing."
Alex couldn't help but hug Dom, either. "Dominic, buddy old pal, you have just won the respect of me and everyone else in the room. If I could battle like that.. well.. I would've won.. but that's besides the point.."
Even Jeremy looked impressed. "That sure was exciting, Dominic. Your spoink is so cool!"
Dom could only beam. When he finally found words, he could only talk about the meditite. "That thing was.. scary!"
Brenna smiled, brushing her hair from her eyes. "I've only seen a meditite once or twice, but only in books. I should get one myself, if I ever come across it. Truly amazing pokemon, aren't they?"
"I'll say! But.. we beat them and we get to stay here, now. That's the best, isn't it?" said Dom.
Alex was overly excited. "Exactly. But great job, bud. You'll be the league champ, I can see it in your eyes!"
Dom laughed. "Stop shitting me!"
As the four went back and forth together, the Winstrates all approached. Victor was the first to speak. "You four are indeed a worthy opponent as a group. I am impressed by each of you, and I suspect you will each succeed in whatever you want if you set your minds to it."
Victoria nodded. "I'll be interested to know what the future has in store for you four."
Vivi wasn't so impressed. "They aren't that great.. are they? Mommy? Daddy?"
"Oh, no.. you are a great trainer, too, dear," said Victor. Alex rolled his eyes.
"Indeed, I, too, am interesting in following your careers," said Vicky. "Especially yours, Dominic. I see great things for you."
Dominic found himself blushing. "Then.. I'll try to make it worth your attention."
The Winstrates continued in informing the foursome of their living accomodations until the storm ended. Dom, Brenna, Alex, and Jeremy were happy to be protected from the harsh weather, and that they wouldn't have to battle for at least another day. While the Winstrate family carried on with their business, the foursome sat together around a large coffee table in the second-story living room. Brenna, with a map unfolded on the table, explained the route they would take from the house. Before reaching the next gym-city, they would encounter a desert, a volcano, and one hell of a long walk.
As Brenna closed up the map, all four heard the sound of the doorbell. Alex ran over to the door and pressed his ear to it. Barely, he could hear the voices coming from the lobby.
"We just want shelter from the storm.."
Alex fell back onto the couch and laughed until he couldn't breathe.
Dominic's eyes widened. "To a battle?"
"Yes!" Brenna looked behind them, as if noting the nearest exit. "These people are insane! Unless we really want to get our butts kicked, we hafta go!"
Jeremy's lower lip quivered. "What if they hurt my.. my flaaffy can't go through that again.. I.. I.."
"Will you all just be quiet?" Alex said, taking out his pokeball. "I bet these guys have weak pokemon. I mean, a family of trainers? Sounds too good to be true."
As Brenna turned away silently, a man from across the room stood up, calling out to the group. "Greetings, weary travelers! Seeking shelter from the storm, I take it? Well, you have chosen no better pace to come! Allow me to introduce myself. I am Victor Winstrate. And yourselves?"
Dominic glanced at Brenna, who already had her hand clasped around a pokeball. "I'm Dominic Jenkins, from Fortree City."
"Brenna Jasthons from Slateport."
"Alex Blackstone from Cinnibar Island."
At this Brenna turned swiftly to Alex. "You never told us that!"
"Shh.. let Jeremy speak."
Jeremy was still shaking. "Jeremy Woodbridge from Ecruteak City."
Dominic nodded. "What exactly do you want with us?"
Victor came forward from the table, walking toward the foursome. "We offer you shelter.. if you will offer us a battle."
"A battle?" said Dominic, trying to sound surprised. "Which one of us to you want to battle?"
Victor tapped his fingers together. "All of you."
This truly shocked Dominic. "What?"
"My family and I have been training nearly every day for the last few months. Sadly, we've had nobody but ourselves to battle with. It would be a great pleasure to have a four way battle with you four."
Brenna looked horrified. "Dominic! We can't do this! They are CLEARLY way stronger than all of us!"
Dom scratched his head. "We'll do it."
"DOMINIC!"
Alex grinned. "Alright, Dom!"
Victor smiled, also. "Then here is how we will work this battle. One by one, you will come up to face one of us. Normally, I would say you win only if you defeated each of us, but for today let's say the winner of three out of four battles will prevail. Who dares go first?"
Dominic, Brenna, Alex, and Jeremy looked at eachother. Simultaneously, they shoved Jeremy out into the center of the ballroom. He yelped. "Guys! Now I know how you really feel.."
"Just do your best, Jeremy!" Alex hollered. Turning back to Dom and Brenna, he whispered, "The kid doesn't have a chance."
Victor clapped his hands. "Our butler shall be the judge. Come forward, Batsford!" The butler walked into the room wearing a small whistle around his neck.
"I am ready to judge the battle!"
"Alright, you ready, boy?" said Victor, pulling a pokeball from his pocket.
"Ye..ye..yes?" Jeremy said, taking out one of his own pokeballs.
"OK then! Go, zigzagoon!"
"Come on, flaaffy!"
Victor's small, rat-like pokemon scuttled around it's trainer, making small barking noises. "Zig! Zig! Zig!"
Jeremy was clearly nervous. "Okay.. flaaffy? Thunderbolt!"
"Quick attack, zigzagoon!"
Jeremy's medium-sized pink sheep let out a "FLAAFF!" before it's wool started to produce sparks. The sparks shot toward zigzagoon, but the brown rat dodged the shock with a quick spurt of speed. It shot at flaaffy, who was struck in the side.
"That's right, zigzagoon! Now, bite it!"
"No! Flaaffy, you hafta shock that thing!"
Before flaaffy could find it's balance again, zigzagoon buried it's small, sharp teeth into flaaffy's wool. Flaaffy shrieked and, without warning, exploded into an electric frenzy. Zigzagoon, fell back, slightly fried.
Dominic was caught by surprise, watching from the sidelines. "Woah! Looks like your flaaffy has a little defense mechanism, Jeremy!"
Jeremy was as much in shock as the toasty zigzagoon. Victor seemed determined. "Get up and tail whip that sheep!"
"Flaaffy, do whatever you just did again!" Jeremy said, fists clenched.
Flaaffy wobbled up, sparks still emitting from it's wool. It shot out a smalled bolt of lightning at zigzagoon, and it contacted with the rat's tail.
"ZIG!"
Victor was looking scarily defeated. "This isn't supposed to happen! Zigzagoon, focus energy and headbutt!"
Jeremy was smiling, jumping up and down. "Flaaffy, just another thunderbolt and I think we got him!"
As zigzagoon started to glow red, flaaffy shot out another one of it's lightning bolts. Just as zigzagoon lowered it's head, it fell, electrified beyond it's capacity. Jeremy could not have looked more surprised and proud.
"Amazing! I would have never even thought.." Alex said, quite confused.
Victor growled. "You will not find my other family members quite so easy to defeat. I have been working, and have not as much time to train.. come back, zigzagoon." The zigzagoon exploded in red energy and flew back into it's pokeball.
Dominic tapped Brenna on the shoulder. "I think theyre going to go in difficulty order. I think the last will be the most difficult."
Brenna sighed. "In other words, I should go next?"
Dom smiled patting her on the shoulder. She walked out into the middle of the ballroom, shivering. Jeremy walked back to the sidelines, greeted by a number of high-fives and congratulations. "You did awesome!" said Dom.
"I totally don't think you're weak anymore, little dude!" Alex said. They all turned to look at Brenna, who was ready for battle. A tall woman in an elegant dress had made her way out from the table.
"Greetings, darling!" the woman said. "I'm Victoria! I doubt you'll be able to make MY pokemon faint! Go, rosalia!"
Out of Victoria's pokeball sprung the smallest pokemon Brenna had ever seen. She could have easily mistaken it for a rose, with it's blooming head and leaves.
"Alia! Who, praytell, is this, Victoria?" the pokemon said. "Whoever she is, I can tell her pokemon aren't too strong. Look at her! She has no confidence!"
Brenna turned red. "No confidence? My milotic could eat you! Go, milotic!" Out from Brenna's pokeball flew the enormous shape of a sea-serpent. It was easily the most beautiful pokemon any of them had ever seen. With it's large, red eyes and it's blue/scarlett scales, the milotic left everyone in the room in a trance. Dom even took out his pokedex to find out more.
(Milotic. Gentile pokemon. Milotic have been called some of the rarest pokemon in the world, next to the legendaries. Their exquisite beauty and entrancing manor leave other pokemon often in a stupor. Although milotic are most comfortable in the water, they are easily adapted to battle on land. Many say the sight of a milotic can resolve year-long battles, and they have become a well-known symbol of peace.)
Alex giggled. "That thing is amazing! Good luck Brenna! We all want you to win!"
Dominic couldn't help but stare. Ever since meeting Alex, him and Brenna had been in a constant fight. Now.. Alex was cheering for her? Maybe Dom's pokedex was right: the sight of Brenna's beautiful milotic was enough to resolve problems.
"Thanks, Alex.. I think." Brenna said from across the room. "Now, water pulse that ugly little flower, milotic!"
"Whatever you want, Brenna," the milotic said softly, in a serene and magical voice. Inhaling deeply, the gorgeous pokemon suddenly shot from it's mouth a stream of water. The water contacted with both Victoria's rosalia and vicky, herself. Rosalia spun around in a daze, muttering something softly, then fell to the floor. The flowers on rosalia's hands were wilting quickly.
Brenna screamed. "Omigosh! In one shot? You.. I'm sorry to say it, but I underestimated you, milotic! Oh I love you so much!" She ran up to her giant pokemon and threw her arms around it's neck, not able to make it all the way around.
"I've been longing to do that for awhile," milotic said, winking at Brenna. "Can we eat soon? I fear I might be slightly hungry. You don't mind, do you?"
Brenna was beaming. "Whatever you want." She recalled her pokemon and marched confidently back to the sidelines. "Beat that, suckers."
Although milotic may have ended Brenna and Alex's feud momentarily, it was back in full force. "I WILL beat that! You can count on my growlithe beating whatever they bring out next."
"In one shot?" said Brenna, with a sly smile. "I doubt it."
"Rrr.. you just wait," Alex said, marching out into the center of the room. "Just watch how easily I bet them!"
A girl about Jeremy's age marched confidently out from behind the table. "I'm Vivi, and you might as well surrender now. You're way too cocky. Cocky trainers never win."
Alex had had it. "Oh yeah? And now are you going to bring out your little level five pokemon on me?"
"In fact," Vivi said, withdrawing a pokeball, "I was thinking of my level 25 marill."
Alex gulped. "Right.. growlithe.. go?"
From both pokeballs came similar sized pokemon. One, an orange dog with angry eyes, the other, a round, blue mouse with a balloon for a tail.
Growlithe barked. "You sent me out here against a water-type? Alex!"
"Sorry, growlithe.. you're my highest level."
"Yeah, well.. I hope I don't get all wet.."
"It's okay, you won't!" yelled Alex. "Quick, tackle it!"
Vivi remained calm. "Marill, water gun!"
As growlithe charged, full strength, toward marill, the small blue pokemon shot a stream of crystal-clear water from it's mouth, without as much strength as milotic had. From the sidelines, Dominic noticed that marill's once round, squishy tail had now gone flat.
Growlithe was struck right in the forehead. He let out a menacing howl. "Argh! I'm all wet now! Alex! Say the word and I'll rip this thing to shreds!"
"Yes!" Alex screamed. "Yes! Rip it to shreds! Bite! Bite!"
Vivi still seemed as happy as can be. "Dodge it, marill, then give him another water gun."
Growlithe was chomping his razor sharp teeth toward marill, who stood incredibly still. Just as Alex figured his pokemon would sink it's teeth into marill, the blue rat jumped high into the air. Before it even landed, it had shot another burst of water into growlithe's face.
"Lithe..argh..Alex I can't take that much longer. My body's cooling down too much!" growlithe moaned.
"Okay.. um.. try to incinerate it, then! Ember!" Alex yelled.
"One more water gun and that thing is out, marill!" said Vivi, who was already prepared for victory.
In an instant, both pokemon had shot their respective elements at eachother. In the middle of the field, the fire and water came together. Now, it was a matter of who could outlast the other.
"Come on, growlithe! Use all your strength!"
"Marill, just a little more and you.."
And just like that, marill DID give a little more. Growlithe's flames were devoured by a flow of water bigger than ever. Growlithe was drenched, and he fell to the floor, exhauster and washed out.
"GODDAMNIT!" Alex screamed. "GODDAMNIT, GODDAMNIT, GODDAMNIT! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!"
Brenna, from her spot, merely chuckled and pointed. "Good job, Mr. Strong- Trainer!"
Vivi giggled and trotted over to her marill, giving it a hug. "Looks like I'm just a little more powerful than you!"
Alex quickly scooped up his growlithe and tossed one of his pokeballs at Brenna, seething with anger. "Shut it! I don't want to hear anything from you! That battle was CLEARLY a type-disadvantage for me. You can't call me a bad trainer because my fire pokemon was defeated by a water-type!"
Brenna seemed to ignore this. "I believe this means that you, Dominic, must win the next battle for us to get out of this whole fiasco. You ready?"
Dom sighed, but Brenna thought she caught a hint of confidence in his tone. "What with Jeremy and you winning, I don't think I can let you guys down," he said, walking out into the now-familiar ballroom battlefield. Trying to decide which of his pokemon to use, the final Winstrate also walked towards the center, if not with more difficulty. She was clearly the strongest of the family, as well as the oldest. Her beady, aged eyes looked over Dominic, sizing him up.
"I am assuming you are the strongest of your group," she said. "As am I. I have been training for much longer than the rest of my family. Allow me to introduce myself.. my name is Vicky Winstrate."
Dom gulped. He was starting to seriously doubt that he was stronger than his teammates. "I'm Dominic.."
"Excellent. Shall we begin the end? Come out, meditite!"
Vicky tossed her pokeball onto the floor, and a small grey and blue form was emitted. Dominic scratched his head, pulling at one of his black spikes. He had never seen the thing before, and didn't know whether to bring out Zappy, who was stronger, or barboach, who had been given an unfair match at the Mauville Gym. Then again.. gulpin was his least experienced pokemon, and he really wanted spoink to evolve..
"Well, boy? Are we going to battle or not?"
Dom found it hard to speak. Why was he so choked up? This was his chance to show his teammates that he was actually a good fighter, not someone who lost gym battles. He brought out his pokedex and aimed it at the blue and grey pokemon, who now seemed to be meditating in the air. Why he hadn't done this in the first place? He certaintly was out of it today..
(Meditite. Meditation pokemon. These small pokemon live high in the mountains, putting themselves through rigorous meditation exercises constantly. Because they can never hold their concentration long enough for their satisfaction, they are constantly forcing themselves into stronger, longer routines. Meditite survive on one berry a day until they evolve, and are propelled only by their need for inner satisfaction.)
Dom snapped his pokedex shut. "Damn.. that's amazing.." What pokemon of his could possibly go against a pokemon that strong and confident? None of his pokemon had a particular advantage over psychic types.. "Alright.. go spoink!"
Dominic's pig-like pokemon materialzed onto the floor and looked eagerly around. "Hey, Dominic! What's up for today? Poink! How about I open a can of whoop-ass on this.. what is that thing?"
Dom hadn't remember his spoink sounding so violent, but he smiled. "Don't get too excited yet, spoink.. this might be a tough battle. It's a meditite, and I don't think it wants to hold hands.."
Vicky was tapping her foot impatiently, muttering something to her meditite. Spoink was still curious. "I don't have hands, Dom.. and what's so special about that floating monkey? I'm a psychic type.. shouldn't my attacks be effective against another psychic? I'll kick his BUTT!"
Dom hadn't thought of that. "Well.. yeah.. but it goes the same way for Vicky's pokemon.."
Spoink sighed. "Alright, I'll try my best! Let's kill some meditite ass! Spoi!"
Vicky noticed that Dom was ready, and spoke up. "Finally! Are we ready, then?"
"Sure are! Ready spoink?"
"Ready to kill!"
"I take that as a yes! Okay.. psybeam, spoink! Aim for the eyes so it will break concentration!"
Vicky was doing an odd sort of dance that looked ritualistic to Dominic. "Calm Mind, meditite! Focus on your inner strength!"
Spoink hopped forward on his spring, posistioning his pearl under the light. Glowing a bright purple, the pearl released a blast of energy that shot straight toward meditite's eyes. Meanwhile, meditite sat still, meditating in mid-air, and began to glow a strange, blue, shade. Just as soon as it had begun, it stopped. This was when the psybeam hit it square in the face.
"Alright!" Dom yelled. He flipped open his pokedex, where sprites of both spoink and meditite were shown. According to his pokedex, spoink was at full health, and the psybeam had taken off 25% of meditite's health. However, meditite had boosted it's special attack and defense when calming it's mind. Descisions, descisions..
"Spoink, try another psybeam!"
Vicky was watching everything without the use of a pokedex.. it was as if she knew everything that was going on without using any devices. "Alright, meditite, give him some confusion!"
Spoink, who was extremely hyper, bounced around the floor and shot another of it's energy beams. Meditite, however, simply floated upward until it reached the ceiling of the room. Here, it opened it's eyes for the first time. Glowing black, the meditite spun around, throwing black shadows in every direction. One of these shadows struck spoink in the side. Spoink began to spin around, attempting to catch his balance.
"Oh, no! You're confused, aren't you, spoink?" Dom yelled.
Spoink merely fell onto it's side, twitching. "Kill.. meditite.. dead.. psycho.."
"Obviously.."
Vicky laughed. "Ahahaha! You're pitiful pokemon will be confused for awhile now. I can wittle down the things health now!"
"Er.. spoink, try to psybeam as hard as you can! Please, I know you're a little stunned by that attack, but give it your all!" Dom yelled to the dazed purple pig.
"Meditite!" Vicky said. "Another confusion!"
Spoink was still twitching as he got hit with another shadow-like attack. According to Dom's pokedex, spoink was now at 35% health, while meditite was still at 75%. He had to get up.. now..
"Finish it off with a high jump kick!" Vicky screamed.
"Huh?" Dom said. "Meditite isn't a fighting type."
Vicky smirked. "Or so you thought. Just watch as my pokemon knocks yours out."
Meditite landed swiftly on the floor, where it extending it's seemingly always folded legs. Running, suddenly, towards the stunned spoink, meditite extended it's leg and jumped into the air. Dominic winced, thinking it was all over, but just when all hope seemed lost..
Spoink shook itself awake from what was probably a state of shock and extreme confusion and looked up. Seeing meditite flying towards him, he rolled away with one, swift motion. "AHAH! Thought you could keep me down, eh? Well now I'll blast you to psycho bits! MUAHAHA!" Spoink bounced high into the air, spewing a huge beam of energy into meditite.
"Spoink, I think I just fell back in love with you!" Dom yelled. "One more and I think he's out!"
Spoink once again bounced high into the air, dodging another kick from meditite. Vicky looked like she would have a panic attack if things went any more unexpectedly.
"You got it, Dom, buddy!" Spoink screamed like a maniac. "Let's.. KILL!" He shot one last psybeam, which struck the enemy right in the eyes. Meditite, folding it's legs in one last movement of strength, fell to the ground, emitting a small humming noise.
"We won! We won!" Dom yelled, running to pick up his pokemon. He lifted spoink above his head and spun around, smiling and laughing. "We CAN win! I knew it! Wattson was just a little tougher than we had expected, but we.. we beat the Winstrates!"
"We killed that psycho-pokemon's ass, Dom!" spoink yelled. "I feel so much stronger! Do you think I'll evolve?"
Dom set the pokemon down and looked at Vicky, who was recalling her fainted meditite. "I hope so, spoinky. Maybe after a few more battles."
"Alright! If I evolve, we can kick some more poke-ass and show them all how good we really are!"
Dom chuckled. "You bet! Time to come in, though. I think I should talk with everyone else."
"Yeah, yeah.. see you soon!" Spoink hopped willingly into his pokeball, which Dom set back onto his belt. He then ran back to his partners, who were cheering, jumping up and down.
"You were amazing!" Brenna said, hugging him closely. "Seriously, I have never seen a battle like that, Dom. Amazing."
Alex couldn't help but hug Dom, either. "Dominic, buddy old pal, you have just won the respect of me and everyone else in the room. If I could battle like that.. well.. I would've won.. but that's besides the point.."
Even Jeremy looked impressed. "That sure was exciting, Dominic. Your spoink is so cool!"
Dom could only beam. When he finally found words, he could only talk about the meditite. "That thing was.. scary!"
Brenna smiled, brushing her hair from her eyes. "I've only seen a meditite once or twice, but only in books. I should get one myself, if I ever come across it. Truly amazing pokemon, aren't they?"
"I'll say! But.. we beat them and we get to stay here, now. That's the best, isn't it?" said Dom.
Alex was overly excited. "Exactly. But great job, bud. You'll be the league champ, I can see it in your eyes!"
Dom laughed. "Stop shitting me!"
As the four went back and forth together, the Winstrates all approached. Victor was the first to speak. "You four are indeed a worthy opponent as a group. I am impressed by each of you, and I suspect you will each succeed in whatever you want if you set your minds to it."
Victoria nodded. "I'll be interested to know what the future has in store for you four."
Vivi wasn't so impressed. "They aren't that great.. are they? Mommy? Daddy?"
"Oh, no.. you are a great trainer, too, dear," said Victor. Alex rolled his eyes.
"Indeed, I, too, am interesting in following your careers," said Vicky. "Especially yours, Dominic. I see great things for you."
Dominic found himself blushing. "Then.. I'll try to make it worth your attention."
The Winstrates continued in informing the foursome of their living accomodations until the storm ended. Dom, Brenna, Alex, and Jeremy were happy to be protected from the harsh weather, and that they wouldn't have to battle for at least another day. While the Winstrate family carried on with their business, the foursome sat together around a large coffee table in the second-story living room. Brenna, with a map unfolded on the table, explained the route they would take from the house. Before reaching the next gym-city, they would encounter a desert, a volcano, and one hell of a long walk.
As Brenna closed up the map, all four heard the sound of the doorbell. Alex ran over to the door and pressed his ear to it. Barely, he could hear the voices coming from the lobby.
"We just want shelter from the storm.."
Alex fell back onto the couch and laughed until he couldn't breathe.
