Chapter Eight

Davis walked into the Pokemon center dejectedly, eyes dull and mind filled with the recent loss. Kara and Tessa were there to meet him, filled with sympathy, but he just shrugged them off and left his pokemon with the nurse. Without a word, he walked to his room and closed to door behind him.

Kara started to go after him, but Tessa held her shoulder. The girl looked back at the master trainer, eyes blazing, but Tessa only shook her head.

"He needs some time alone," she reasoned, "That was a bad way to lose, and I don't think even you could comfort him now."

Kara nodded, and looked off towards the door again with a reluctant look. With a sigh, she followed Tessa out the door and across the street to a local restaurant that was catering to tournament members.

The place was packed, but they were ushered to a place in the corner that was reserved for battlers. They ordered their food quickly, and settled down for a long wait.

"What Pokemon do you think I should use against that Kellen guy?" asked Kara after a long while.

"Well, He does seem to have a good move set, and that Medicham is very powerful," sighed Tessa, "It was a shame that Davis had to lose when he was so close to the finals, but at least you wont have to battle a friend..."

"Yeah," agreed Kara quietly, "But he so wanted to win that one. I wouldn't have minded battling him, at least I know that he's honest."

"Well, the best strategy would be to use moves that are unusual for a particular Pokemon, such as Thunderbolt used by a water type," said Tessa thoughtfully, "I have a feeling that this guy is a power maniac, but he also likes to save the best for last. I'm betting that he'll use Medicham last."

"So, I'll use Strider to counter him," said Kara thoughtfully, "That ought to beat him!"

"But you have to remember that the Medicham has all those elemental punches," countered Tessa, "If he uses any of those, you'll be down for the count!"

"I'll think of a strategy," said Kara with a bold look, "But I won't tell you here, because all these people could be listening. I'll tell you tomorrow morning if I thought of anything."

Tessa nodded, and the conversation turned to more common things as the time progressed. Their food was finally brought, and Tessa thanked herself for coming here early; if they hadn't, she would be absolutely ravenous by now. They ate in relative silence.

After they had eaten, Tessa went up and paid the bill, putting a little extra in for tip. She and Kara headed back to the Pokemon center, hoping to find Davis in a better mood. The door was still closed however, and both girls knew better than to ask entry. They went to their rooms, preparing for the next day and the final battle that would determine the tournament champion.

The hallway was silent and dark, and the figure walked nervously through the shadows. One light still shone under a doorway, however, and the figure gratefully walked towards it.

With hesitation, the person raised its hand and knocked lightly on the door. A voice whispered out of the room, seemingly agitated.

"Who's there, and what do you want?" it demanded.

"Davis, let me in!" said the figure, "It's me, Kara. I want to talk about something."

"Like what?" said Davis, he sighed, "Oh, never mind. Wait a sec, will you?"

The door opened, and Kara slipped inside. Davis looked as if he had had a bad day, and seemed ruffled and tired. He looked at her with a raised eyebrow, and Kara realized that she must have been staring.

"Uh, I wanted to talk about a battle strategy..." she said hesitantly.

"And you woke me up for this why?" asked Davis tiredly.

"Come on, Davis," chided Kara, "We both know you weren't sleeping."

The boy looked at her guiltily, and Kara gently changed the subject.

"Me and Tessa both concluded that the Medicham is the biggest threat this boy Kellen has," she said in a businesslike matter, "And we also concluded that Strider would be the best choice in defeating it, but what we don't know is some moves that would give him the edge."

"That's what you want me to give my opinion on?" asked Davis.

"Yes."

"Well, Strider won't last against those element moves, so the first thing you want to do is attack first and with accuracy. I suggest you give Strider a Quick Claw," he said, "The next thing you'll need is some powerful moves that will have a good chance of giving major damage."

"I thought of Aerial Ace," said Kara, "but I don't know of any others..."

"I think, if an elemental attack does hit, you should have an attack that would deal out some punishment," said Davis, "So I think Facade would work."

"Great idea!" exclaimed Kara, "So, let's work on how we can put these attacks to use..."

It took a while to work out, but finally Kara had a good strategy to use against Kellen. She left Davis and walked back to her own room, unaware of Tessa's gaze through the trainer's slightly opened door. Tessa smiled and went back to bed, predicting the battle of the next day to be interesting, indeed.

"The battle between Kellen of Mossdeep and Kara of Mauville commences!" cried the announcer over the intercom. Slight static intertwined with his words, warping their meaning to a slight extent. "Each trainer will use three Pokemon, no switching is allowed."

"Are you ready to be annihilated?" asked Kellen, looking at Kara with contempt.

"I think I should be asking you that question," replied Kara.

The girl took a Poke'ball out of her bag, and tossed it into the air. She smiled as the Salamence roared, creating an intimidating presence.

Kellen sneered, taking out a ball of his own. He threw it into the arena with a deft movement of the hand, as if he knew who would win before the battle was even started. Kara smiled slightly as the Pokemon was released, knowing that her strategy would pay off.

Tessa and Davis were sitting behind Kara's platform, in the huge cavernous door that entered the arena. They were watching the proceedings carefully from their folding chairs, hoping that Kara would be able to pull her crazy plan off.

"Kingdra King!" cried the large, seahorse shaped Pokemon opposite the Salamence.

"Go Kingdra, use Ice Beam!" called Kellen.

"Dakar, use Dragon Dance and avoid it!" countered Kara.

The Kingdra sucked in a huge breath and shot a shimmering beam at the large Salamence, but just before it hit, Dakar leapt out of the way with a weaving dance move. With a loud roar, the dragon Pokemon twirled into the air.

"Dakar, use Dragon Claw!"

The Salamence stopped twirling in its intricate dance and shot towards the Kingdra, claws glowing bright white. The seahorse Pokemon was unable to avoid the attack in time, and the claws caught it in a direct hit. It screamed in pain, and crumpled into the dust before its trainer.

Kellen growled and threw out another Poke'ball.

"Go, Glalie," he said, "Use Blizzard!"

"Dakar, hit it first with a Flamethrower!"

Snow began to fall on the battlefield, swirling in patterns as the attack powered up. Dakar's mouth glowed fiery red, also powering up his own attack. The Glalie's attack was ready first, however, and the stinging flakes of superpowered snow sliced through the air towards the dragon Pokemon.

"Dakar!" cried Kara with fright.

It was too late, the attack had already hit and the Salamence's fire was extinguished as he fell to his knees. His eyes closed in silent pain, and he slowly fell before the onslaught.

Kara sighed and called the brave dragon back. It seemed that she would have to use her Pokemon carefully, for she could not switch... There was only one with the attacks she needed to counter this ice type.

"Go, Volcano!" she cried.

The Camerupt exploded onto the field with a challenging bellow. The Glalie clacked its solid teeth with some nervousness, ears straining to make sure it heard its trainer.

"Glalie, use Sheer Cold!"

"Volcano, Eruption!"

The rock-like, floating Pokemon opened its mouth and seemed to breath all over the arena. Ice formed on the grass and rocks on the field, slowly spreading out towards the Camerupt. Volcano growled, and the humps on his back exploded with super heated air and rock.

The attack spewed into the sky, and glowing rocks plummeted towards the earth to hit the wall of Sub-zero air. They instantly cooled and solidified, and struck the Glalie with extreme force and power. An ear tine broke from the ice Pokemon, making it wail in pain.

That wasn't all of the attack, though. Lava flowed from Volcano's back, spreading across the area and burning whatever lay in its path. The superheated air met the supercooled air, and the resulting explosion was disastrous.

Both trainers were blown back as the huge gust of air hit them with tremendous force, pinning them to the ground. Soon, though, it was past. Kara struggled up first, and ran to the podium with a fearful expression.

Both of the Pokemon lay motionless in the center of the arena, fainted. Volcano had a thin layer of ice coating his soft fur, while the Glalie had numerous burns and bare patches where ice had once been. Kara called the Camerupt back, as did Kellen for his Pokemon. With a sneer, the boy sent out his last Pokemon.

"Go, use Future Sight!"

Kara and Davis gasped as the Pokemon appeared on the battlefield. This was the last thing they had ever expected to happen.

The last Pokemon was a Xatu.

Chapter Nine

'Come on, Kara,' thought Kara as she gazed at the opponent, 'Who would be strong against such a Pokemon?'

The answer came to her instantly, though it was not one she liked at all. With a sigh and a split-second decision, she sent her Pokemon out on the field.

"Go, Sundrop! Use Crunch!"

The golden Mightyena growled and shot towards the Xatu, ignoring the glowing eyes that now lit its face with eerie light. No Psychic attack could harm her, and she well knew the fact. The Xatu finally realized that the Mightyena had no intention of halting, and squawked in fear. Suddenly, it shimmered.

Sundrop's jaws snapped down on empty air, jarring her skull painfully. She snarled, and turned to the totem-like bird that was now on the other side of the field.

"Hah, you can't hit my Xatu with physical attacks," laughed Kellen with a sneer, "You're still just as hopeless as you were before!"

'Before?' thought Kara, confused.

Suddenly, it clicked. The boy she was now facing was the same one that had defeated her with a Zigzagoon, so many years ago. Kara's anger suddenly flared, and she growled with determination. She would not lose to this boy, no matter the cost!

"Sundrop, try Taunt!"

Sundrop's eyes glowed, and a black aura suddenly appeared around the Xatu. The Psychic bird screeched in anger at the same time its trainer called an attack.

"Xatu, use Fly!"

The green Pokemon flapped its stiff wings, rising into the air and away from any attack Sundrop could use. Or so they thought. Kara decided that now was the time to use her secret weapon.

"Sundrop, aim and use Shadow Ball!" she cried.

The dark sphere of crackling energy shot from the Mightyena's mouth and flew towards the Xatu, making a direct course for the Psychic Pokemon. Suddenly, the Xatu shimmered with pinkish-white light.

"What the-?!" said Kara as the dark energy was deflected as if it was harmless.

Flying effortlessly above the arena, acting as if nothing had even happened, was a large Fearow. It screeched, and dove at the surprised Sundrop with beak glinting in the light.

"Sundrop, wait until it gets close!" yelled Kara above the bird's noise.

The golden Mightyena held her ground, staring defiantly at the diving Fearow until the bird had almost reached her. She leapt to the side, and snapped at the place where the bird would have been. Her jaws, though, closed on a bunch of feathers.

"Fear fearow!" screeched the bird in anger, flight now lopsided.

Sundrop growled, and took another snap at the creature. This time, she was able to grasp the tip of its wing and throw it to the ground, creating a small dust cloud. Suddenly, more pink light erupted from the place where the Fearow stood.

A small, fast shape flew from the dust and bowled into Sundrop, knocking the Mightyena off her feet. She staggered up, looking confused as she tried to grasp the situation.

"Linoone, use Pin Missile!" yelled Kellen with a smirk.

Kara gaped, the battle was going almost exactly as it had the first time, except for that strange, shape-shifting Pokemon. Suddenly, the answer hit her. Kellen was using a Ditto! She called out to her Pokemon.

"Sundrop, watch out!" she cried, "He's using a Ditto!"

The Golden Mightyena nodded and leapt, just clearing the barrage of sharp needles that had been fired. She swept in, keeping low to the ground as if she was stalking, and bit into the Linoone with a Crunch attack. The other Pokemon screamed, and glowed with light. Many shapes shifted through, but the creature finally stopped.

A pink, jelly-like puddle lay on the field, glaring at Sundrop with beady eyes. It suddenly glowed again, and turned into the exact likeness of Sundrop...

Kara looked at each Pokemon, suddenly confused. She decided to call out an attack.

"Sundrop, use Bite!" she called.

Both Mightyena sprang to the attack, biting into each other's coarse fur with zeal. Kara suddenly saw the strategy; if the Ditto couldn't beat an opponent, it mimicked them so that the trainer would be confused!

Well, she knew that the truth would come eventually. Kara knew just the right attack to do it, too.

"Sundrop, use Return!" she cried.

The Mightyena on the left sprang to her attack instantly, while the other looked slightly hesitant. Kara smiled, knowing that she had called the bluff, and cried out for joy when Sundrop's attack hit.

The imposter Mightyena was bowled over, and pink light bathed the arena. Once again, the Ditto lay in the center of the field, but this time its eyes were in swirls. It had fainted.

"Yeah!" cried Kara in joy, "We did it, Sundrop!"

The Mightyena barked in appreciation, and trotted up to its trainer. Kellen looked at the display of trainer and Pokemon with disgust from the other side of the arena. He called his Pokemon back, snarled, and walked out of the battlefield. The group of fan-girls did not follow.

Kara ran up to her friends. Davis stood as she approached, and was surprised when she suddenly clasped her arms around him and kissed him full on the mouth. Both suddenly reddened, and pulled away. Kara murmured an apology, and Davis just looked dazed.

Tessa, already smiling, burst out in laughter. Kara looked at the trainer with a glare, and then joined her in her mirth. As the two girls giggled, Davis looked on with confusion.

Suddenly, a nose touched his hand, and he looked down to see Sundrop looking at him. He was surprised, for the shining Pokemon had never made an attempt to get his attention before. She nosed a Pokéball on his belt, and her suddenly understood.

The boy brought Bluefire's Pokéball out, and pushed the button. The Mightyena appeared in a burst of light, and immediately moved to sit beside Sundrop. The two seemed to be conversing, so Davis left it at that. He turned back to the girls, face still slightly pink.

Kara leapt up from her seat and planted another kiss on him, leaving the boy more confused than ever. He reeled; trying to make sense of it all, while Kara again broke into giggles.

Tessa, who had been watching this display with amusement, was suddenly aware of the two Mightyena conversing quietly. She moved over to them, and asked what was wrong. The two obviously seemed to be slightly distressed, and the girl wondered why.

Sundrop looked over to Bluefire, who nodded in compliance.

"Well," she began hesitantly, "We both love our trainers, but we have a bit of a problem."

"What's wrong with Davis and Kara?" asked Tessa, confused.

"Nothing is wrong with them!" exclaimed Bluefire, "It just that we..." he looked at Sundrop with a whine.

Tessa stopped The Mightyena before she could answer. She knew this problem.

"You want to live in the wild together, right?" she asked with a smile.

"We know that it would break their hearts if they knew," sighed Sundrop, "But we long for the wild life. To run free, and catch our prey by ourselves..." she looked at Tessa wistfully, "It's all we ever wanted."

"I understand," said Tessa softly, "And don't worry. I'll tell them, and I'm sure they'll do what's best for you."

"But-" began Bluefire.

"No," interrupted Tessa, "It would hurt them even more if they knew they were keeping you from happiness. They need to know; you owe them that, at least."

The dark dogs looked apprehensive, but said no more. Tessa sighed, and walked to the two other trainers. Kara was accepting the prize from the official, so Tessa decided not to interrupt this moment. She would wait to address the problem until they were all rested and relaxed, back at the Pokemon center.

"So, what did you want to talk to us about?" asked Kara with a puzzled expression.

They were sitting in Tessa's room, reclining in the comfortable chairs that were placed against the wall. Davis sat with his legs over the edge, massaging Bluefire's back with his feet. Kara sat in a more traditional style, with legs crossed. Sundrop sat on the floor next to her, looking nervous and strained.

"Well," said Tessa from her place on the bed, "I wanted to talk to you about Sundrop and Bluefire."

"What about them?" asked Davis with sudden interest.

"Well, they decided to talk to me right after Kara won the competition," started Tessa with a nod to Kara, "and they brought up a subject I think you should hear."

Davis moved to sit straight in his chair, focusing his full attention on Tessa. Kara looked strange, as if she was worried and terrified at the same time.

"As you know, both Sundrop and Bluefire were originally wild Pokemon who lived in the wild ways. Recently, they have been feeling a longing to go back to the wild and live there."

"But why?!" cried Kara, "They've had the best life we could give them. What else could they possibly want?"

"They want Freedom..." sighed Davis with understanding, "I can relate to that."

"Exactly," said Tessa, "I mean, it wouldn't be like you'd never see them again. You could easily visit whatever area they decided to live in."

"But Sundrop's been my friend for so many years!" said Kara, "We promised each other that we would be the best battling partners in Hoenn, and stay that way forever!"

"You've accomplished that goal and far more," said Tessa with a smile, "Considering that both your pictures are now in the battling hall of fame."

"What!?" exclaimed Kara with disbelief, "Since when?"

"Since your last battle," said Tessa, "That results in the most tournaments won by a single person in the span of one year."

"It does?" said Kara, still in a daze.

"Heh, I'll be pulling to beat that record," said Davis with a grin.

"Oh, be quiet," retorted Kara, smiling, "You know you can never beat me. I'll just use my charm to convince you to lose!"

"Come on, back to the subject," sighed Tessa with a smirk, "Will you two be willing to let your best friends go to their own future?"

"I will," said Davis softly, "If Bluefire wants it, then he can go. He needs to lead his own life."

Kara started to say something, and then hesitated. She turned to Sundrop, and suddenly reached down to hug the soft, yellow fur with tears in her eye. She sobbed, and the Mightyena stood with a sad expression.

"Sundrop!" sobbed Kara, voice muffled by the fur, "Sundrop, if you can, tell me on your own. You don't have to have Tessa; just tell me!"

There was a long pause.

"I need to go," said a soft, strange voice in Kara's ear.

The girl looked up in surprise, and met the large, soft red eyes of the shining dog. The Mightyena whimpered, and nuzzled the girl.

"I need to go, Kara," she said.

Kara nodded, eyes bright with tears of both joy and sadness.

"Okay, Sundrop. You can go."

Kara and Davis waved in the soft orange light of evening. A light fog hung over the area, reflecting the light so that the twilight was brighter than it should have been. Two shadows flitted through the mist, frolicking and yapping as they made their way into the distance.

Their sight blurred as tears obscured their vision, and the two trainers wiped them away. They turned to each other, and Kara smiled sadly.

"Well, I'm sure they'll have a happy future..." she said.

Davis nodded, and slipped his hand into hers as they turned to watch the rapidly receding figures in the distance.

"And so shall we," he said, smiling.

By: AzureF
Started: Oct 1st 2003
Ended: June 29th 2004