Chapter 18: Match One: Part Two

Entilza: Well that was fun.

Shadow Entilza: Maybe for you. You cheated!

Entilza: No, I just used one of my secret abilities.

Shadow Entilza: You call controlling the daemon in my sword and having it try and attack me FAIR!

Entilza: Yes.

Shadow Entilza: Fine, but could you at least take off these chains? (Indicates chains that tie him to a stone wall.)

Entilza: Maybe, if I get a good review for this chapter, and if you apologize one million times. And the fire ball launcher will be counting.

Shadow Entilza: Sorry Aurora, but I'll be occupied for a while. (Start chanting 'I'm sorry').

Reviewers:

RoseOfTempest: Yes, poor Tyler. I'm glad you like the fight. I might have a chapter or two dedicated to other fights. Tell me any match-ups you want to see.

Sakura and Hikaru both circled each other up in the air. Hikaru made the first move.

"Phantom Wings!" She called and her wings seemed to double and the second set flew from her shoulders to impact on the Shield card.

"Nice try Hikaru, but not much can get through Shield."

"I know. I also know that using all these cards is taking a lot of your energy. I just have a feeling that you'll run out of energy before me."

"We'll see. Remember, I'm different from the me you've seen on TV. I have a lot more energy. Try this. Time Card! Freeze Hikaru!" The Time card stopped time around Hikaru and she was frozen. "Arrow Card!" Sakura fired a string of arrows which…passed right through Hikaru?

"Nice try," Hikaru said, appearing behind Sakura. "I thought you'd try that, so I created a hologram of myself and went invisible. Now you're in trouble," she said, grinning. She fired a huge energy blast at point blank range. Both girls were sent flying but Hikaru landed on her feet.

"Now that hurt," Sakura said, getting back to her feet. She was covered in dust from the arena floor. "Ok, time for something new. Dash Card! Sword Card!" Sakura ran as a blur toward Hikaru. She drew her sword at the last possible moment and slashed at Hikaru, opening up a long wound on her leg. She cried out in pain.

"Oh my. Now that was a good move," Professor Oak said.

"A good move? My child just got injured!" Marie said.

"Don't worry. I told you no one gets killed in this tournament. Any injuries either of them sustain will be healed after the match."

Meanwhile, the Mew Mews were still 'playing' with Tyler. After a rather long game of twister, due to the girls enhanced balance and flexibility in their animal forms, they had decided to take a swim. A pool was located just outside the main room. Tyler was wearing a pair of standard swimming trunks Zoey had given him. The rest of the girls had their own suits: a yellow one piece for Kiki, a blue one piece for Corina, a green two piece for Bridget, a purple bikini for Rene and a red and yellow bikini for Zoey.

"Come on Tyler, I'll race ya!" Kiki called. Tyler lost of course. His specialty was track and running. Then Zoey did a cannonball and got a good water fight going.

Back at the battle Hikaru got back at Sakura for her hit with a wave of energy that smashed her to the ground and caused one of her lips to release a thin stream of blood.

"Come on! Is that the best you can do?" Hikaru taunted. Sakura allowed a look of frustration to cross her face.

"Not even close!" She replied. "Freeze Card!" She said, sending a blizzard at Hikaru. She teleported out of the way, only to find a stream of fire in her path. She barely managed to form a shield in time. She felt the searing heat until finally it ceased.

"Wow! Sakura's stepping it up," Kuwabara said.

"Yes, it would seen Sakura wishes to finish Hikaru right away," Hei replied. "Now let's see if she can pull it off."

"Enjoy that?" Sakura asked.

"Yeah, I think it helped my tan," Hikaru replied. "Now take this! Crimson Rain!" She called, sending a series of massive red energy blasts at Sakura. Though the Shield card blocked the attacks from connecting, Sakura was still driven backward hard into one of the arena walls. The crowd came to their feet, cheering at the massive blow.

Sakura slowly got back up to her feet. She'd used most of the Shield card's power to block Hikaru's attacks, so there hadn't been much to cushion the blow against the concrete wall. Her back was killing her, but she wouldn't give up. Hikaru was still in the air, her ebony wings seemingly absorbing the sunlight.

"You all right there?" She asked.

"Just fine," Sakura answered, trying to ignore the pain in her back.

"You know there's no shame is admitting defeat against a better opponent," Hikaru called down, her wings shinning bright crimson.

"Show me a superior opponent and I'll consider it," Sakura called back, flying up at Hikaru with the help of the Fly and Dash cards.

"As you wish!" Hikaru called out. "Scarlet Storm!" She cried, her wings releasing a flood or bright crimson energy that slammed into Sakura. The Shield card's barrier shattered and the energy wave hit Sakura full on. She fell to the dirt below, her impact leaving a large crater. The crown went wild. Many had seen the first, and in their opinion, best match of their lives. Then the bell sounded, announcing the end of the match. Sakura was completely out of energy.

Hikaru floated to the ground and walked over to Sakura. She was struggling to stand. She was completely exhausted. Hikaru extended her hand and Sakura took it. As she helped Sakura up the crowd sent up another cheer.

"Oh man, that was a great match! Sakura and Hikaru both gave it all they had. And now they end the match with a friendly handshake," Kuwabara remarked.

"Indeed," Hie replied. "Hikaru will move on to the second round." Down in the arena both girls were walking toward the exit.

"Good match," Sakura said. Hikaru smiled.

"Same here. You really are strong," Hikaru said.

"Let's go get cleaned up and then hit the arcade. Keros been bugging me for days to try and beat him at a new game."

"You're on," Hikaru said.

Back in the stands Hikaru's parents were amazed at the battle they had just seen.

"My, that was certainly, unique," Marie said.

"Yep. I'm just glad Hikaru won and that no one got hurt," Russell said.

"Indeed. Now then, I'm going to be giving a lecture on the basics of Pokemon training. Would you two care to come?" Professor Oak asked.

"I suppose," Marie replied. Russell just nodded.

Meanwhile, back in the real world, Derek, in Steven's body, appeared inSteven's house and began going through photo albums, home movies and other things. Even though he had Steven's body, most of Steven's memories were gone. That meant he would have to learn about Steven's life from scratch. Still, he had time. He knew where the rest of Steven's family was.

"Hikaru's power will be mine," he said. "And that is a promise."

How was that? Well, Hikaru won her first match, but will her luck hold in the second round? Who will she face? Any suggestions? Will Derek learn enough to be able to masquerade as Steven? Stay tuned and find out. Well, see ya in the next chapter, and don't forget to review!

ENTILZA