Chapter Seven: One Month Later...
"Hey, look at this!" exclaimed Kara, holding a newspaper in Davis' face, "There's a tournament near here that's open for registration!"
"Really?" said the boy, reading the article with interest, "Do you think I should enter?"
"Well, if you don't, I certainly will!" said Kara, "I've been itching for a good tournament for a week!"
"Why don't we both enter?" offered Davis, "That way, we'll both be able to see how well we've improved."
"Good idea!"
"So, where's the registration at?"
"Same place it always is," answered Kara with a wave of the hand, "The Pokemon center!"
"Well, shouldn't we be heading out there?"
"Might as well," said Kara, "I don't think I could fit in another minute of training!"
The two friends filed out the door, grabbing their bikes on the way. Before they could pull out of the driveway, though, a sharp bark made them look back. Sundrop and Bluefire had shot out from behind the house, and were now racing each other to the trainers.
Kara smiled and bent down to smooth the fur of the lightly panting Mightyena. The Pokemon looked up at her, but something was different about her eyes; once so adoring of everything about Kara, they had turned into a more feral nature. Sundrop no longer acted like a pampered house pet, but like the battler she really was. The change worried Kara slightly, for Sundrop had been her best friend since she had first bought her.
Davis was also noticing a change in Bluefire. The Mightyena was much more expressive than he had been since the boy had first found him as a Poochyena, and he seemed to like staying out of his Poke'ball for days at a time. It was quite strange.
"Hey, Sundrop," said Kara, "Do you want to come along?"
The Pokemon barked once in reply, and Kara chuckled. The girl got back on the bike, and all four headed off toward the town.
They passed the rows of yellow corn, the stalks just starting to burst open at the seams from the bounty inside. Kara had noticed the Sundrop always seemed to slow around this area each time she passed it, and so adjusted her speed automatically.
As she had guessed, the shining Mightyena paused slightly in her trot to stare at the long rows of gold and green. The midday sun reflected off the Pokemon's shining coat for a few seconds, casting an eerie reflection on the ground around her.
There was a change in the Mightyena's gait as well; she trotted closer to the ground with her head lowered, almost as if she were stalking prey. This was a difficult behavior to get used to on Kara's part, for she always felt as if Sundrop were stalking her, though it was certainly not the case.
It didn't take long to reach the Pokemon center, and soon both Kara and Davis were registered for the tournament. They stayed in the center for a while, talking with other trainers about battle strategy and Pokemon in the area. Suddenly, Kara thought of something. She walked over to the phone on the counter, wondering silently.
Kara punched the numbers, and waited as the phone beeped in its boring, monotone way. Suddenly, she heard a click and knew that it had been answered.
"Hello?" said a girl's voice.
"Hey, Tessa!" said Kara, "It's me, Kara."
"Oh, Kara!" exclaimed the trainer, "How have you been doing?"
"Great!" said Kara enthusiastically, "Did you know about the big tournament near here?"
"There's a tournament?" asked Tessa with a surprised snort, "I didn't hear about it at all!"
"Well, me and Davis both entered into it, and I was wondering if you would like to come?"
"I'll definitely be there!" said Tessa, "But I'm not going to enter. I'll just watch this one."
"Fine with me," said Kara, "I look forward to seeing you there!"
"I look forward to seeing you battle!" laughed Tessa.
The phone clicked, and Kara set it back in its place. She ran back to Davis and the Pokemon, alight with the news. They were sitting silently at a table, looking out the window with thoughtful expressions.
"Hey guys!" said Kara, "I have some news! My friend Tessa will be coming to the tournament to watch us battle!"
"Tessa?" asked Davis as Sundrop barked appreciatively, "You mean the Shiny Assassin?"
"One and the same!" laughed Kara.
At the Tournament...
"The battle between Davis of Mossdeep and Kellen of Cherrygrove commences!" boomed the announcer, "Both trainers may use three Pokemon, no switching is allowed. Let the battle begin!"
The extremely dark haired boy opposite Davis smiled, revealing perfectly white teeth. There seemed to be a fan mob of girls behind him, and they cheered with crazed expressions as he called out his first Pokemon. One even fell into a swoon! Davis rolled his eyes at this, and waited to see the Pokemon that would emerge.
The red glow faded from the battlefield, and a large, round form took shape. It had the appearance of an overgrown Poke'ball, but the colors were switched. Two beady eyes looked out menacingly, and a giant smirk crossed the Pokemon's round face.
"Elect lect trode!" it cried in a buzzing voice.
Davis furrowed his eyebrows; this was going to be a tough battle. He considered which Pokemon he had would work best against such an adversary, and finally touched upon one who may have an advantage.
"Go, Shiftry!" he yelled, throwing the plant Pokemon's Poke'ball out onto the field.
The Electrode and its trainer grinned widely as Davis' Pokemon gave it's battle cry. Davis just smiled and looked confident.
"Go Electrode!" said the other trainer, "Use Swift!"
Stars began to form in front of the now glowing Pokemon, and Davis quickly called out an order.
"Shiftry, use Dig to avoid it!"
As the stars shot across the battlefield, the Shiftry began to spin its fan-like leaves. It leapt towards the ground, drilling into the soft earth with ease.
The Electrode looked around nervously, confused and frightened at this dangerous turn of events. It rolled crazily, trying to find its opponent.
"Now!" yelled Davis when the Pokemon had paused.
The earth beneath the electric Pokemon shuddered, and suddenly, Davis' Shiftry exploded from the dirt, slamming into the Electrode with devastating power. When the round Pokemon had finally stopped rolling, its eyes were in swirls.
The other trainer snarled and his mob booed. He pulled out another Poke'ball, an angry expression locked on his perfect face.
"Go, Magcargo!" he screamed.
Davis knew that unless his Pokemon could score a direct hit, the fire Pokemon would defeat them easily. He hurriedly thought out a strategy, hoping that it would work.
"Shiftry, use Dig again!" he called.
"Magcargo, Harden!" cried the other trainer.
The fire Pokemon took on a glasslike sheen as the Shiftry drilled into the ground once more. It stood it ground, tense and ready to brace itself for impact when the attack came.
It didn't take long; Shiftry exploded from the earth much like it had with the last attack, but this time it hit the almost solid, burning wall that was the Magcargo. The Shiftry shrieked in pain, waving its burning palm fan hands in an attempt to quell the flames.
"Magcargo, use Flamethrower!" called the boy, Kellen, with a victorious look.
The fire Pokemon turned with surprising speed, fire spewing from its mouth in an endless torrent of pain. When the flames had finally died down, the Shiftry was unconscious. Davis called him back with anger.
"Go, Dragonbane!"
The heavy Sealeo bounced onto the arena, whiskers twitching as it scented burned grass. It caught sight of the Magcargo, and roared a challenge.
"Magcargo, use Rock Throw!" said Kellen smugly.
The snail-like Pokemon's eyes glowed white, and the earth around it condensed to form a huge boulder. Using the mysterious power, the Magcargo flung the rock at the ice-type Pokemon opposite it.
"Dragonbane, try to dodge!" called Davis fearfully.
The giant Sealeo tried to move out of the way, but it was no use. The rock was too large, and Dragonbane was too slow. It hit the Pokemon broadside, knocking the wind out of him and causing him to shudder in pain.
"Dragonbane, are you all right?" asked Davis worriedly. When the Sealeo nodded in answer, he smiled, "All right then, use Water Gun!"
Dragonbane turned to face the Magcargo, and let out a huge jet of water that hit the fire Pokemon with a hissing squeal. When the smoke had finally cleared from the arena, the Magcargo was lying on its side, eyes in swirls.
"Return," called Kellen. He took out another Poke'ball and kissed it for luck, "Go, Medicham! Use Thunderpunch!"
The fighting Pokemon burst out of the Poke'ball with a quick jump, flashing towards the Sealeo with its hands sparking. Davis didn't even have time to cry out before the attack hit, sending sparks flying all over the battlefield.
When it was safe to uncover his eyes, Davis looked up to find that his Sealeo had fainted. His eyes widened in fear, he had no Pokemon that would have an advantage against this opponent. In fact, he only had one that was not weak to it! With a shaking hand, he threw his last Poke'ball into the field.
"Go, Wanderer! Use Mach Punch!"
That, at least, would give him a first hit. The Breloom came out on the arena with feet flying. He rushed forward, delivering a strong punch to the Medicham's cheek.
The other Pokemon barely even flinched. It looked menacingly at Wanderer, eyes glowing.
"Medi Medicham!" it cried out.
"Use Fire Punch Medicham, then finish this battle with Psychic!"
The fighting Pokemon's hands glowed with burning power, and it reached back to deliver a devastating blow to the Breloom. Wanderer was thrown back by the force, and landed weakly in the dirt in front of Davis, blood leaking out of its mouth and a dark burn staining its hide.
Suddenly, the Medicham's eyes glowed an ominous red, and the Breloom was engulfed in the glow. Wanderer was lifted into the air, and then thrown against the ground with extreme force, creating a small crater where it had landed. The Medicham began to power up another attack, but its trainer stopped it.
"No, Medicham, I think this battle is over..."
And it was.