Dis was almost blinded by the pouring rain. He looked up nervously for the Salamence, but he could see nothing in the oppressing darkness. Suddenly, a bolt of lightning split the sky, and he saw the huge, terrifying form hurtling towards him through the rain.
He shrieked and jumped to the side, feeling the dull impact in his feet as the Salamence gored the ground with its claws. The rain pounded the ground harder, and the wind howled through the battlefield. Through another flash of light, he saw his opponent struggling to take off in the high winds.
Dis took his chance. He charged forward, extending the razor-sharp claws on his front feet, and slashed the Salamence mercilessly. Roars of pain echoed above the thunder as the dragon Pokemon desperately tried to lift into the air and get away from the ferocious Absol.
Dis growled and leapt away as he prepared to use Razor Wind. The attack was tripled in power by the raging storm, and the slice of superpowered wind could clearly be seen as it cut across the rain. It hit the Salamence with a shrill whistle, making the dragon howl in pain before the sound was abruptly cut short by thunder. The next flash revealed the fainted Pokemon lying motionless in the arena.
A faint yell could be heard over the wind, and the Salamence disappeared in red light. A burst of shimmering particles flew from the next challenger, and Dis boldly turned to face the new arrival.
Sundrop analyzed the situation immediately, noting the Absol standing in the middle of the field. Her eyes, better adapted to dark light, could see more easily in the pouring rain, giving her the advantage over the disaster Pokemon.
She howled, a chillingly haunting sound, and charged at her opponent. Trying to listen to her trainer would be useless now, as even her ears would not be able to hear the voice over the wind. She grinned and charged forward in a Take Down. The Absol didn't see her until the last minute, when lightning flashed and illuminated her shining coat, but it was already too late.
The Absol was thrown into the air, flying raggedly through the rain and landing hard on the waterlogged ground. He staggered to his feet, teeth bared in a half snarl, half gasp. His eyes began to glow as he powered up a Razor Wind attack, but the Mightyena easily avoided the supercharged gust of wind as it ripped past her and hit the stonewall beyond.
Another playful howl escaped her lips as she moved in again. She jumped, slamming the Absol into the ground as she executed a Return attack, but one of the disaster Pokemon's flailing claws caught her jaw, ripping a jagged gash down her face. She yelped in pain as she jumped back, ready for another attack, but the Absol had already fainted.
A beam of red light engulfed the Absol, absorbing it back into its Poke'ball. Another flash of lightning sent out a blinding burst of light, reflecting off the new Pokemon and Sundrop's shining coats.
Sundrop looked up at the floating Pokemon, wondering what it was. She milled around nervously, and was surprised when the new opponent shot straight for her. It seemed to know where she was, even through the pouring rain and high winds.
She tried to avoid the mysterious Pokemon, but it showed a nimbleness she never would have guessed it could have. Sundrop began to run from the nameless creature, but was bowled over by a powerful Mega Punch. The dark dog yelped and turned to face her nemesis with a snarl.
The sky blue Pokemon floated calmly, waiting for her to attack. She growled and leapt forward, ready to use a Take Down.
Her jaws caught the foot of the strange Pokemon as she leapt, bringing it to the ground before it could dodge. It squeaked in alarm, and she bared her teeth savagely. Sundrop opened her mouth wide, ready to finish the Pokemon with a Crunch attack, but her mouth was slammed shut by a flying stone. She cried out in pain, cringing as a barrage of flying stones followed her across the arena, battering her flanks as she ran.
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning sliced through the sky, it's intense light blinding everyone on the field. Sundrop felt the searing heat ripple across her body, and she didn't even remember hitting the ground after being blasted into the air. The last thing she saw before fainting was the worried look of the mysterious Pokemon as it floated above her.
Kara looked into the dawn as the last shreds of the storm disappeared over the horizon. She ran her hand over her arm, mind filled with worry for her Pokemon. The mute, pastel colored room she was boarded in didn't help her mood, and she sighed in frustration.
She jumped at a knock on the door, almost crying out before realizing what it was.
"Who's there?" she asked.
"It's me, Tessa," came the reply.
"Oh, come on in, the door's not locked,"
The pastel blue door opened and the esteemed Pokemon trainer entered, worry lining her face as well. She sat on the bed beside her friend, looking out the window.
"How're your Pokemon?" she asked.
"I'm not sure," sighed Kara, "everyone but Volcano and Sundrop are fine. Those two are still in intensive care..."
Kara suddenly began to sob, covering her face with her hands. Tessa sat beside her, a reassuring force, until the tears were finally used up. She took a tissue from the box beside the bed and gave it to her friend, silent in her comfort.
"Thank you," mumbled Kara, "but why would you be visiting me? Aren't your Pokemon still injured?"
"Only one; Dis is still in intensive care, but he's strong, he'll pull through."
"That was the battle of a lifetime, though, wasn't it?"
"Yes, it was," sighed Tessa, "That was one of the biggest storms I've ever seen, and we're lucky it didn't do more damage than it did."
"Since Dis is still here, what Pokemon are you going to use for your next battle?" asked Kara, beginning to show some of her old curiosity.
"Hmm… Good question," said Tessa, "But one easily solved. Can I use the PC here?"
"Go ahead, it's over there," shrugged Kara, pointing to the computer.
Tessa strode to the PC, logging into her home computer. She was surprised to find Lavender, her newly evolved shiny Nidorina, on the screen.
"Hey, Lavender. Where's Orange? She's usually on the computer at this time."
"She's out with Twilight," grimaced the Nidorina, "I have computer duty today. So, what can I do you for, Tessa?"
"Well, Dis isn't going to be battling for quite some time, so I need a replacement Pokemon. Who do you think would do the best in a high-level competition?"
"Well, we all know the obvious answer to that question, but if you want to train some slightly lower level Pokemon, I'd say... Igloo would do the best."
"Great idea!" exclaimed Tessa, "Thanks, Lavender, I'll be getting back to you later. Hope you guys are keeping the house clean."
"You know we are," grinned Lavender, "Hey, and tell Dis we all hope he pulls through alright, 'kay?"
"I'll be sure to," smiled Tessa, "Bye!"
The computer clicked off and Tessa turned back to Kara. The young girl smiled, shaking her head in confusion.
"I still don't know how you do it. It sounds so weird when you talk to Pokemon like that, because I only get half of the conversation!"
"Someday, you may learn how to understand the language," said Tessa.
"Yeah, in my dreams..."
"Well, dreams can come true... mine did."
Kara smiled and nodded.
"Hey Tessa, I have an idea!" she exclaimed.
"Yeah?"
"After the competition is over, why don't you come to Fallacy Manor? I could do a few paintings of your Pokemon, and you could tell me that story you talked about telling me a year ago!"
"That's a great idea!"
The two friends smiled and shook hands on it, when suddenly a voice came on the intercom.
"Kara of Mauville, Kara of Mauville! Please come to the front desk immediately!"
"Better get going, Kara," prompted Tessa, "I have to go get ready for my next battle, but I'll come back to see how things are doing later today, alright?"
Kara nodded and sped out the door, almost running into people in her haste. Tessa sighed and shook her head, rolling her eyes in amusement and understanding. She closed the door as she left, striding to her own room to talk to Lavender about her new battler.
"Hello, Kara!" said Nurse Joy as she saw the young trainer walk to the front desk, "I have some good news for you!"
"Really?" asked Kara hopefully.
"Yes, I'm happy to say that both of your Pokemon are going to be fine!"
"Oh, thank you!" exclaimed Kara, relieved, "How are they?"
"Well, Volcano is up and about, showing no sign of permanent injury, but Sundrop will take a while to recover fully."
"What? How long?"
"She's still a little shaky from being so close to that lightning strike, and she'll have a permanent scar on her muzzle from a nasty gash, but she's otherwise alright and should be able to battle in another week."
"You had me worried there for a second, Nurse Joy!" sighed Kara, "Will I be able to see them?"
"Yes, I'll show you to their room," answered Nurse Joy, "Follow me!"
The nurse grabbed a key from under the counter and walked down a long hallway. Glass windows on either side of the hall showed the intensive care units, where seriously injured Pokemon were treated. Kara looked around nervously, but stopped short at one window. Nurse Joy looked back and stopped as well.
"Is that Tessa's Absol?" asked Kara, looking at the battered Pokemon through the glass.
Nurse Joy nodded; worry lining her face as she looked at the Pokemon.
"Yes, he's not doing too well," she said, "He battled beyond his strength, and there's not a lot we can do for him."
"He looks terrible,"
"Yes, but he has a better chance of recovering than some we've seen here." sighed Nurse Joy, "I feel sorry for Tessa, she stayed right by his side all night. She only went to her room because I told her that she had to rest for the battle today."
"That's so sad... she even came to comfort me about my Pokemon..."
"Yes, well, we'd better go see them now."
"Oh, yeah!"
Nurse Joy led Kara to a room at the end of the hall. The door was the same, dull pastel blue of all the doors in the Pokemon Center, but with a small Chansey image inscribed on the wood.
Kara opened the door, and was happily greeted by Volcano as he ambled up to her. She smiled, hugging his neck, and looked around for Sundrop.
The shining Mightyena was lying on the bed, staring out the window at the trees and flowers growing around the building. Kara called to her gently, and her ears suddenly perked up. She looked back and yipped in surprise and joy, running clumsily to her trainer.
"How are you two?" asked Kara hugging them both, "I hope you guys get well soon, so we can go home and have a nice welcome back party!"
Sundrop howled, and Kara suddenly noticed the jagged line of stitches running down her muzzle. She gasped in surprise.
"What happened to you?" she said worriedly.
The shining Mightyena whimpered sadly, reaching up to lick her trainers face.
"That's the gash she got during the battle; we can't prevent it from becoming a scar." answered Nurse Joy.
"Well, at least it wasn't worse..." sighed Kara, remembering Tessa's Absol.
"Yes, you were lucky," said Nurse Joy. She smiled as she looked at the happy Pokemon, "Well, I guess you can take them back to your room..."
"Really!?" exclaimed Kara.
"Yes," answered the Nurse, "But they can't leave the center for at least four days."
"They won't, Nurse Joy, I'll be with them the whole time."
"I think he's waking up!" said a voice the Pokemon recognized.
"Tessa?" he said weakly, struggling to open his eyes and move enough to see his trainer through the sharp pain he felt across his entire body.
"Don't move, Dis, you're not well enough yet."
"I can still speak a bit," he panted, "And I can listen, so start talking."
"You did wonderfully, my friend, but you were already weakened by the time Kara's Mightyena came on the field. Argh, I really should have been trying harder to speak to you!" lamented Tessa, sounding upset.
"Don't blame yourself," comforted the Absol, "It's my fault, I knew I was battling beyond my strength."
"You almost died, Dis!" wailed the trainer; "I wouldn't have been able to live with myself if something had happened!"
"But I didn't!" said Dis sternly, "So pull yourself together! You're not one of the best trainers in Hoenn for nothing!"
"I lost the battle today, though," sighed Tessa, "Igloo didn't do quite as well as I thought he would, and we were all worried about you. I guess our mind wasn't on the battle..."
"Winning isn't everything, and it's always nice to let someone else have their chance in the spotlight." said Dis, smiling.
"Yeah," said Tessa, "I'm just glad you're okay. You'll be in here for about a week, though."
"Ugh, I hate hospitals."
"It's for your own good, my friend, so suck it up and enjoy the rest while you can. Don't think I'm going to take it easy on training because of a little speed bump!"
"You know you will," grinned Dis.
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean I have to admit it!"
"You should go, now. See to the others, I'll be fine."
The Absol smiled as the door closed with a soft click, already feeling better than he had a few minutes ago. He closed his aching eyes and fell into a deep, soothing sleep.
Tessa stood outside the window, relief plain on her face as she gazed at her Pokemon. She turned a dial by the door, dimming the lights in the small room to allow the Absol a better rest.