Chapter Seventeen – Violet City
Joshua
Eve was in a mood.
"Prince of sodding Tricks indeed!"
"Will you give it a rest?"
"You pushed me in!"
"It's the Trick House! You're supposed to play tricks! Besides, you still took second place, didn't you?"
Eve pulled a face at him. Earlier that day they'd come across the Trick House. The Trick House appeared every year on tour from Hoenn, though no-one ever really knew where it would appear. This year the House featured a sailing segment at the end of the course – the King of Tricks had howled with delight when Josh sabotaged the other boats and pushed Eve into the lake halfway across.
"Traitor," Eve said accusingly. Josh wished the bus would turn up. Eve had been calling him things like that for the past twenty minutes.
"Eve, we couldn't both win," he said wearily. "And that's 'Traitor, Your Highness', thank you."
"Since when are you a fan of airs and titles?"
"Hey, hey! I earned this crown!"
Eve snatched at the absurd plastic crown the King of Tricks had given him; Josh swatted her away with difficulty. They were still squabbling half-heartedly when the bus to Violet City arrived.
Violet Castle looked down on the city from the summit of a steep hill. The city spread south and west along the ancient Ecruteak road like a broad river of slate-tiled roofs. Along the streets, the lampposts were lighting up with a soft yellow glow. The Industrial Revolution had passed the town by, as had the Commercial Revolution after it. People came for the nineteenth-century architecture in the uncluttered city centre, for the Violet City Gym, to see Sprout Tower and Violet Castle. Violet City was very much a tourist town.
It was another couple of hours before the bus pulled into the terminus next to the Magnet Train Station. Josh could tell that Eve didn't really want to stay at the Pokémon Centre. Instead they headed round to the Silver Hind Inn on the south side of Castle Hill, away from the noise and bustle of the city centre. The inn itself was an old building, renovated and modernised. It was relatively inexpensive, but Josh convinced the manager to cut a slice off the cost of the room anyway – she, in turn, appeared to be determined to fill the room rather than lose any business to her rivals.
After dinner, Josh stepped out to the inn's hot spring to unwind. The spring was an elegant rectangle overhung with cheri trees, their boughs hung with coppery leaves and ivory white flowers. He gingerly waded into the steaming waters, settling down at the far end, where the occasional pale petal fluttered down from the foliage. He took a long, slow breath, savouring the quiet and the heat drawing the tension from his body.
His thoughts idly turned to the imminent Gym battle. The Violet City Gym was a Flying-type Gym; and that posed an awkward problem. In theory Screwball should be able to dominate the Gym, but Josh had a deep suspicion that the Leader would have a counter-strategy for Electric-types … and he wasn't convinced that Fionn was ready for a Gym battle either.
"See Case, I told you there'd be no-one around," a boisterous voice drawled. Josh's head snapped up. Oh no. I recognise that voice.
Tyler Bradshaw sauntered out into the garden, smiling like a meowth in an unguarded dairy and – oh bloody hellfire! - not using his modesty towel.
Tyler noticed Josh sitting in the hot spring. "Hey, I know you!" he said. "Casey, check it out! I crushed this guy a couple of weeks back!"
A girl appeared from somewhere behind Tyler, haphazardly wrapped in a towel. Her body appeared to be built out of gentle curves - something that was all too apparent through the thin towel – but with unstyled black hair and bored, half-lidded eyes.
"Hey, hey!" Josh objected, both annoyed and embarrassed. "Single gender here, push off!"
An expression of indignant disdain creased Casey's exquisite face. She shrugged lazily at Tyler and headed back inside.
"Quite the buzzkill, ain't ya," Tyler said, striding out into the spring. "So trainer, you got any better yet?"
"We've got better," Josh said shortly, trying not to pay him much attention. He was beginning to wish he wasn't so naturally observant.
"Yep, I got three Badges now," Tyler said, stretching methodically. "How 'bout you, trainer, you manage to win a Badge yet?"
"Bradshaw, either sit down or use your damn towel! I didn't travel this far to look at another man's gizmo!"
Tyler just laughed and spread his arms. "Hot is hot, trainer! You don't have to be queer to appreciate it," He threw himself down in a corner of the spring. "Speaking of which, you shouldn't'a got rid of Casey. She has great C's."
"I'm sure she has," Josh said dismissively.
Tyler was quiet for a moment. Josh closed his eyes and tried to let his thoughts wander. How would Lorelei deal with an awkward type match-up?
"So how much better have you got?" Tyler said, abruptly derailing his train of thought.
Josh sighed, heavily. So much for relaxation. "Battle me and find out."
"You saying you want a rematch, trainer?" Tyler said, grinning at him. "After what happened last time?"
"Take it or leave it, Bradshaw. I've got plenty of things I could be doing."
"Alright, grommet, if you want to be blown out that bad," he laughed. "On one condition. It's gotta be a half-battle."
Josh paused for the briefest of moments. Three-on-three … Fionn does need the practice. "Fine."
"Well, alright then," Tyler said carelessly. "Tomorrow morning, at the Battle Club."
Josh drummed his fingers restlessly on the tiles. He decided to give up on the hot spring; the moment had been ruined, he wasn't going to be able to relax now. He retrieved his towel from the tiles and started to head back inside.
"Going already?" Tyler said.
"I've got work to do," Josh said shortly, trying to walk slantways, and wishing the towel was bigger.
"Hey trainer!" Tyler called after him. "You're a five outta ten back there, max. You should tone up those cheeks."
Damn this small towel.
"Well! It's not been a good week for the PM." There was a peal of laughter from the studio audience. Josh was watching the TV, at least in theory. This evening he just wasn't in the mood. Eve was dragging a brush through her hair on the couch next to him.
"... that painfully choreographed attempt to eat a sausage roll like an Ordinary Fellow -"
Theirs was a double room; a sleeping alcove at either side, a small living area in between. Josh pulled off his glasses and rubbed his eyes.
"What's up?" Eve asked. "This show had you in stitches last week."
"I guess it's been a long day."
"Maybe you should have spent more time at the spring – ow!" Eve said, tugging at a knot. "You're supposed to come back de-stressed."
"Couldn't relax. Bradshaw saw to that," he grumbled.
"Ow. Who's Bradshaw?"
"Oh, I didn't tell you, did I?" Josh said. "Bradshaw's this guy I battled on Route 33, the same morning we met in Azalea Town, as it happens. To sum it up, he was cocky – well, arrogant, really. A Dewford Gym student."
"Oh, that type – ow! Damnit!" Eve said.
"Eevee, let me help. You're going to rip your hair out that way," he said mildly. "I'll be gentle, trust me."
Eve protested vaguely, but handed over the hairbrush anyway. Patiently teasing the tangles out of Eve's hair was oddly relaxing, sanding off the edge of his bad mood. He told her about the battle, and Tyler's ungracious taunting afterwards.
"... so out he strolls, the salt-stained braggart, no towel, and proud of it. Turns out he remembers me and the battle both," he sighed. "Somehow I ended up challenging him to a rematch."
"Aww. Someone's finally getting competitive," Eve teased.
"I'd like to beat him. You know he actually rated my ass when I left the spring? Hey trainer, five outta ten!" he said, affecting Tyler's smug drawl. "I mean who does that at a hot spring – can you believe it?"
"Don't know. Strip your 'jamas off and I'll give you a second opinion."
"Eve!" Josh complained.
"Oh alright," Eve said. "I agree, it was a barbarous way to behave. Listen, why don't you borrow my Pokédex? Another string to your bow, huh?
"No … no, I want to win with my own skills and tools. But thank you."
"I understand," Eve said serenely.
Josh carried on running the brush through Eve's hair. After a while she closed her eyes, and he wondered if she was falling asleep.
"Josh, um …" Eve began, "I've got a favour to ask."
Oh no. "You're not getting a back rub as well," he joked.
Eve smiled weakly at him. "Listen, um … the Tigerlily Tourney's going to be held in Goldenrod City soon, and I want to compete in it."
"Well, sure, we can go to Goldenrod City next if you like," Josh said. "That's hardly a favour, though."
Eve went quiet again, either thinking or drowsy. "It's a women's tournament," she said. "The most prestigious women's tournament there is, really. No Joy has ever won it. I want to be the first."
"Then I'll support you to the end, bud."
"The problem is, after the heats the tourney is a Doubles tournament."
It steadily dawned on Josh that Eve was edging her way to asking her favour. "Eve … what are you suggesting?" Josh said carefully.
"Just hear me out," Eve said quickly. "We know each other's battle style, we get on well enough to act as a team … I don't have enough time to find and train with a new partner. I can't do it without you."
"Eevee …" Josh began in disbelief. He wouldn't have thought she was at all serious, were it not for her initial hesitancy.
Eve looked at him with tired blue eyes. "I know it's petty, but I really want to at least try and win," she said earnestly. "I want to win for the glory of it, to bring honour to the Joys for something not to do with the professions. And my mother would have to acknowledge it."
Josh's heart sank a little. He stroked her hair absently, forgetting the brush for a moment. Disappointing Eve was the last thing he wanted to do – but there were so many ways this madcap idea could go very badly wrong.
"Eevee, I'm sorry, I can't," he said reluctantly. "I wouldn't dare. Eve, think about it. You're asking me to convincingly pass as a girl."
"Oh," Eve said, crestfallen. Crestfallen, but with a kind of stoic resignation, "I knew it was a big ask." She gave him another tired smile.
There was a comfortable silence. "Do you want to finish your hair yourself?" Josh asked.
"Mm-mn," Eve replied.
Josh gave her a brief smile of his own. They didn't say anything for a while. They didn't need to.
The Battle Club field was an indoor battlefield, which was probably just as well. The morning outside was dull, and overcast. Josh stepped into the trainer's box, looking grimly up at the assembled spectators watching from the balconies - teenage trainers of varying ages for the most part. Casey was there, leaning languidly on the rail. Eve was off battling on another field, though she had offered to come and be his support.
He looked askance at the TV camera suspended from a web of four wires above the battlefield. As he watched it, it swivelled round and focussed on his expression. He supposed, reluctantly, that it was something he was just going to have to get used to. Pokémon battles were regularly televised, after all, from the Gyms as well as the Battle Clubs.
Focus. Indomitable as a glacier. He made himself take deep, regular breaths, tuning out the crowd and clearing his mind.
"Spectators! Trainers! Your attention please!" the club referee shouted, having taken his place. "This Club Battle between Tyler Bradshaw of Dewford Island and Joshua Cook of Mulberry Town is about to begin! Each trainer will use three pokémon and both may substitute freely!"
"You can still back out, trainer," Tyler said, grinning. Josh folded his arms and ignored him.
"Begin!"
"I know you're ready for this," Josh murmured. "Fionn! Battle's on!"
"Alright, Meditite!"
An unfamiliar blue-and-white pokémon materialised on the field, no more than a couple of feet high, with a curious onion-shaped head. It sat quietly in a lotus position, its large eyes closed. Hmm. Probably safe to assume its a Fighting-type. Josh glanced at Fionn fidgeting in the air. Better keep her occupied.
"Will o' Wisp," he ordered.
Pale bluish flames appeared in the air in front of Fionn, shining faintly as if they weren't entirely real. She sent them whizzing towards Meditite, crackling eerily as they went.
"Detect," Tyler called. At the very last minute Meditite dodged the barrage of wisps, leaping high over a couple and sidestepping perfectly around the others. It lifted its skinny arm, eyes shining blue, and made a sharp shoving gesture. Fionn squealed in alarm as the Confusion attack flung her backwards. She instinctively faded from sight.
So, it's a Psychic-type as well? Thank you. "Ominous Wind, Fionn dear. Whenever you like."
"Wait for it, Med. Patience, dude," Tyler said. Fionn's disembodied laughter echoed through the hall. Seconds ticked past. A shadow of doubt crossed Tyler's face – Josh suppressed a smile. Can't Detect an attack you can't see coming.
Fionn reappeared in front of Meditite, took a quick breath, and rooted it to the spot with her Ominous Wind. Meditite let out a strangled cry and shuddered in distress. Pleased with herself, Fionn giggled happily.
Tyler was less amused. "Meditite, Psycho Cut," he shouted, pointing dramatically. With one fluid movement Meditite swept its palm down in a chopping motion. A purple crescent formed in its wake, slicing through the air, slashing into Fionn with such force that her form momentarily dissolved into a dark bluish haze. She didn't even have time to shriek before she fainted dead away.
What on earth just happened?
"Misdreavus is unable to battle," the referee called over a scatter of cheers from the spectators. "Meditite wins!"
The shock must have shown on Josh's face. "Two words, trainer: Pure Power," Tyler laughed.
Damn, damn, damn! Flighty though she was, Fionn's tricks could have caused Tyler any number of problems. With a little more time she could have set up a Future Sight and brought Meditite down with Destiny Bond … damn.
"Alright," he said levelly. "Screwball, take over!"
The TV camera zoomed in on Screwball. Screwball stared back just as mechanically.
"A Steel-type? Bummer," Tyler said, shaking his head. "Ok, Med -"
"Metal Sound," Josh interrupted. Screwball emitted an awful screech, like a steel comb being dragged across rusty iron. Meditite yelled and covered its ears, the watching trainers groaning in sympathy.
"Oh, man … bring that kook down!"
Meditite made a grabbing gesture with both hands, its eyes shining blue again. It made a whirling motion, psychically wrenching Screwball towards itself. Up came its palm, as if commanding a halt. Screwball made contact with a soft thud. For a moment, nothing happened.
"Mag?" Screwball buzzed uncertainly.
"Thunder -" Josh started. There was a dazzling blast of greenish light. The dark silhouette of Screwball spun drunkenly, wailing in distress. Josh hurriedly shielded his eyes against the glare.
"Aargh! Charge Beam!" he roared.
There was a blaze of yellow light, the crackling fizz of an Electric attack followed by a dull boom. Black smoke billowed up.
"Whoa!" Tyler exclaimed, indistinct beyond the smoke as it cleared. Meditite was lying in the centre of a scorch mark.
"Meditite is unable to battle! Magnemite wins!"
Josh let out a sigh of relief. Pull yourself together, man! With effort he forced himself to calm down and concentrate.
Tyler recalled his meditite. "You did great," he told it. "Huh. This is better practice than last time. Well you won't beat this – Harley, you're up!"
Harley turned out to be a tough-looking sandshrew, leaner than usual for its species, with short, chisel-like claws. Its dull brown armour was covered in scratches and healed spun through Josh's mind. If sandshrew was Tyler's second choice then the third pokémon was probably machop, and either way Screwball would be at a type-disadvantage.
"Magnet Bomb," he ordered cautiously. Screwball appeared to launch the screws on the front of his body - they flashed in the harsh halogen lights as they homed in on their target.
"Defence Curl!" Tyler called. His pokémon curled into a tight armoured ball just before the Magnet Bombs struck home, detonating with a blue flash. Harley didn't so much as flinch.
"Ride out the wave, babe," Tyler said. "And roll on out!"
Uncurling briefly, Harley built up some speed with a few quick bounds before curling into a Rollout.
"Sonic Boom. Blast it away."
The Sonic Boom crashed over Harley like a thunderclap. The TV camera above rattled in the passing shock wave, but the sandshrew kept on coming unhindered.
"Alright, Rock Smash!" Tyler yelled. Harley came to a sharp halt just under Screwball; it leapt straight up, swinging its chisel claws. There was a rending bang – Screwball screeched like stereo feedback – Harley landed and leaped again.
"Dodge it!" Josh yelled, too late. Harley hammered Screwball with a second Rock Smash, knocking it out of the air with a crash.
"Magnurrr …" it droned, struggling to rise off the ground. There was actually a puncture in its steel shell.
"No," Josh said firmly. "Screwball, return."
The referee nodded in agreement. "Magnemite is unable to battle. Sandshrew wins!" he called amid cheers and whoops from the spectators.
"- that guy's boned -"
"Tyler's, like, so cool!"
"Three Badges to one, no contest -"
Josh squeezed his fist tight. He was acutely aware that he was on the back foot with two pokémon down, and in fairly short order. Tyler had the momentum in this battle; only tenacity and wits would turn the tide now. "Your tenacity is all I'll need," he told Bulbasaur through his Poké Ball. "It's just you and me, old friend. Battle's on!"
Bulbasaur sized up his opponent with a dour look. He didn't need to be told to be patient – he just sat back on his haunches and watched Harley carefully. Harley stared back with black eyes, poised on all fours like a coiled spring.
Neither trainer made a move. Tyler looked entirely relaxed, smiling up at Casey leaning on the balcony. Josh mentally went over everything he could remember about sandshrew during the lull. No rash moves. The camera above panned back and forth.
After what seemed like endless minutes it became apparent that Tyler was prepared to wait for as long as it took. Maybe I can trick him into making the wrong move.
"Growth," he said. Tyler's attention snapped back to the battle, indecision hovering on his face. Got you. You have no choice but to try and stop me now.
"Oh, no you don't! Harley, cut down that Growth with Rollout!"
That sandshrew's quick, Josh thought, watching it streak across the field. "Vine Whip!"
Bulbasaur barked an affirmation and lashed down at the speeding sandshrew. In his haste he missed by inches – Harley slammed into him head-on and circled away.
[Ow! Damnit!] Bulbasaur growled.
"Concentrate, Bulbasaur! You can do it!"
Harley swept in from a different angle. Bulbasaur extended his vines, took aim, and attacked. The first strike glanced off Harley's armour – the blow set it teetering precariously – the second hit it with a strong backhand strike, throwing it out of its Rollout. Bulbasaur took the initiative and charged, but Harley recovered fast, brandishing its claws. Bulbasaur hurriedly pulled up short and backed off rather than get caught in a brawl.
"Switch out your pokémon, Tyler!" someone shouted.
Tyler laughed amiably. "No worries, girl! Harley doesn't wipe out easy. Show the good people your Sandstorm!"
"San'shrew!" Harley said, curling into a ball again. It spun rapidly on the spot. Sand boiled up from nowhere, lifting in the sudden wind and filling the battlefield with whirling, stinging particles. The thick brume of sand quickly obscured Bulbasaur from sight; Josh could hardly see Tyler on the other side of the battlefield.
The shadow of sandshrew suddenly appeared in the blowing sand. It lashed out at Bulbasaur and disappeared into the storm, the dull brown of its scales blending into the sand. Almost immediately it reappeared from a different angle, attacked, and faded away. Bulbasaur tried to chase it with his Vine Whips, but Harley was even quicker than before.
Sand Rush, Josh thought, watching Harley patiently strike and fade away. Its claws trailed the telltale green after-image of Fury Cutter. There must be a weakness somewhere. The strength of the Sandstorm was constant; it didn't gust and billow, but whirled constantly over the whole field.
Tyler wasn't watching the battle. He was complacently talking to the spectators, confident in his sandshrew's abilities. One of the watching girls threw a paper airplane down to him – the Sandstorm caught it and shredded it, the pieces circling the field several times before they were tossed aside.
Josh stared at them. Thank you.
"Release Sleep Powder, Bulbasaur. Make it a big one."
Bulbasaur growled fiercely, as much to focus himself as in defiance. His Sleep Powder mushroomed into the air, where it was instantly seized by the storm. The glittering blue powder mingled with the sand, leaving Harley with nowhere to hide.
"No way!" Tyler yelled, seeing the strength of the Sandstorm slacken off. Harley reappeared in the weakening storm, swaying from its efforts to stay awake. "Come on, babe, stay with it!"
It was no use. Harley fell flat on its face, dead to the world. [Haha! Got you, you grubby devil!] Bulbasaur said, laughing his harsh, choppy laugh.
"Bulbasaur," Josh warned. "Leech Seed!"
His pokémon dropped a couple of Leech Seeds onto Harley's unresisting back.
"Uh," Tyler said vaguely, wrong-footed. The hall was filled with the clamour of the spectators. Some of them were cheering, others were shouting contradictory advice. Josh had Bulbasaur use Growth to keep him off-balance.
Harley stirred lethargically, to the shouted encouragement of its trainer. With effort, it got to its feet. The Leech Seeds disentangled themselves from it and returned to Bulbasaur. Harley stumbled and collapsed. There was a collective cry of dismay.
"Sandshrew is unable to battle! Bulbasaur wins!"
Josh allowed himself a small sigh of relief. Evidently, Tyler had learned craftiness at the Dewford Gym, damn him. Drifts of sand lay heaped on the field – Bulbasaur sat stock-still, mimicking his own composure. The hardest part of the battle was imminent, and they both knew it. Beneath all his chilly thoughts of strategy, Josh was glad that Bulbasaur was his last pokémon, for the last match.
"Alright …" Tyler said in a low voice, "you've had some fun, trainer, but you're not going to beat me! Let's go, Machop!"
The hollow bang of the opening Poké Ball rang clear across the field. Machop brandished its heavily-muscled arm at Bulbasaur, fingers curled into a tight fist.
"Focus Energy!" Tyler ordered. Gone was his laid-back demeanour.
"Growth!" Bulbasaur's bulb glowed with inner phosphorescence. The phosphor-glow burned bright and healthy, yellow firefly-motes swirling around his bulb.
"Bullet Punch!"
"Tackle!"
Darting in close, Machop sidestepped Bulbasaur's Tackle and rushed his flank, bringing its hand down in a Karate Chop. The attack missed Bulbasaur's neck, instead striking the thick bone of his forehead.
"Sleep Powder," Josh said, pulling back the initiative.
"Get out of there, Machop!" Tyler yelled.
"Take Down!"
Bulbasaur charged through his own Sleep Powder and tackled Machop hard, sending it flying while it was still trying to escape from beneath the powder cloud. Sand sprayed in its wake; it rolled to one knee to dodge a Vine Whip. Bulbasaur was in no mood to give any time to recover.
"Get it together!" Tyler called, his fists raised and clenched.
"Ma!" Machop grunted. It sprang up to its feet, flanked Bulbasaur and threw a pair of Bullet Punches – one smacked into Bulbasaur's side, the other thumped into his bulb. The sound of the impacts was worryingly loud – Bulbasaur tried to spin to face his attacker, only to find that Machop had anticipated that and moved with him. Down swept its hand again, the Karate Chop slamming into his collar.
"Agh!" Despite himself, Josh couldn't help but let out a stifled cry. He was sure he'd heard something crack when that Karate Chop struck. That looked like a critical hit. If he'd learned anything at all from Eve, then that blow hurt Bulbasaur more than he was letting on with his grunt of pain. With Bulbasaur's triple Growth still in play there was still a chance to win … but the match was quickly turning bitter, and brutal.
Better finish it first, then. "Vine Whip. No respite. I know you can do this!"
[Can, will!] Bulbasaur bellowed. With a sudden fury he lashed his Whips down on Machop. Surprised by the sudden fury of his assault, Machop took several stinging blows before it could bring its arms up to block.
"Keep on blocking! You've done this before!"
Bulbasaur refused to ease the onslaught. His Whips snapped down fast and hard, too quickly for Machop to seize them. Its defence was incredible – despite the power in Bulbasaur's Vine Whip it was somehow managing to endure the attrition.
Josh was running out of options. Tyler wouldn't fall for another Sleep Powder ploy and Leech Seed wouldn't make enough of a difference at this point. He could see that Bulbasaur was trying to favour his right side, likely as a result of that critical hit. His right vine swung at Machop's upper body. It brought its forearm up to block – Bulbasaur suddenly changed direction and struck at its leg. Machop howled and dropped down on to one knee. Follow it up!
But trying to maintain that barrage of Vine Whips had taken its toll on Bulbasaur. Tired, he paused for breath, and Machop seized its chance.
"Sleep Powder!" Josh desperately ordered. Tired as he was, Bulbasaur only managed to release a vague mist of powder.
"Dual Chop! Come on, finish it!" Tyler yelled. Heedless of the Sleep Powder, Machop struck Bulbasaur across the jaw with the first blow, dropped down and chopped his legs from under him with a follow-up backhand. Bulbasaur landed heavily – Machop slipped aside, spun and hammered a powerful kick into his ribs. Bulbasaur tumbled a quarter of the way back across the field, carving a furrow through the dunes.
"Bulbasaur!" Josh cried out. Stay calm. Stay icy. Can I still win this? Should I still win this? Bulbasaur was outmatched by Machop. Josh wanted to beat Tyler, really wanted it, they'd come far and pulled it back during this battle but -
But it's my responsibility to think of my pokémon's health first. No matter what I want.
Bulbasaur slowly regained his feet, watched intently by the referee. [Sorry, Josh. My Sleep Powder wasn't strong enough.]
"No apologies," Josh said, and made up his mind. He raised Bulbasaur's Poké Ball, "I know you did your best."
[No!] Bulbasaur barked. [No! I can do this! I can still give you this victory.]
"You …" Josh said. His arms hung limp at his sides. He wants to give me a victory, he thought vaguely.
Pay attention, a thought came, unbidden. A green glow was building in Bulbasaur's bulb – not the soft phosphorescence of Growth but brighter, stronger … it shone through the velvety forest green of his bulb, flickering strangely, like sunlight seen though linden-leaves in high summer.
[Time to settle with you!] Bulbasaur growled at Machop. Machop gave him an incredulous look, and burst into derisive laughter. Bulbasaur's vines shot out – the laughter died in Machop's throat when Bulbasaur seized it around the torso. Machop's eyes narrowed. It grabbed hold of the vines and pulled, intending to haul Bulbasaur to the ground.
But this time Bulbasaur had the mastery. He hoisted the struggling machop into the air and held it there for a moment, looking grimly up at it. With a sudden blur of movement, he slammed Machop into the field. A great cloud of sand blasted up.
"No-oo!" Tyler yelled. The sand settled. The field beneath Machop had splintered under the force of the impact. Tyler looked at this pokémon in disbelief.
"Machop is unable to battle! The victory goes to Joshua Cook of Mulberry Town!" the referee announced.
"Goddamnit!"
But Josh wasn't listening, because Bulbasaur was glowing pure white. Transfixed by the beauty of the living light, in that moment nothing else mattered. Bulbasaur grew larger, his body growing into a mature form. Great frond-like leaves unfurled gently from his bulb, which elongated into an elegant flower. With a final burst of white sparks, the light cleared. Ivysaur stood blinking on the field. The four fronds of his new leaves were a handsome deep green, his scales as shiny and supple as they ever were. But his bulb had become a shapely golden yellow flower.
He evolved. Bright, glad joy flooded Josh's heart. He rushed to his pokémon and smiled, completely and sincerely, at him. Ivysaur had kept the starburst pattern on his brow.
[How do I look?] he said. His voice was deeper, too.
"How do you feel?" Josh countered mildly.
[I feel … I feel great. Really great.]
Remembering a promise he'd made in the Heartwoods, Josh threw his arms around Ivysaur. "I love you buddy."
[What's got into you? You're not usually like this.]
"Yeah, well maybe I should be."
[Yeah, well, lucky for you I love you too,] Ivysaur said. [I'm exhausted, Josh.]
Josh fumbled for his Poké Ball. "Return, buddy. Next stop for you is the Pokémon Centre."
The recall beam whined, and Ivysaur de-materialised into a red blur. Only then did Josh realise that he'd won the battle.
"Good God, he actually managed it -"
"That's not fair! Tyler's got three Badges!"
"It was your dumb paper plane that gave him the Sleep Powder idea, idiot!"
I won because I paid attention. Somehow, next to Bulbasaur evolving, it didn't matter so much. Tyler had already disappeared – stormed off, for all Josh knew. The spectators were beginning to drift away in their twos and threes. The TV camera was watching him.
Josh stood up, and raised the Poké Ball in triumph.
Someone landed heavily on his back and threw their arms around his neck. "Guess who!"
"Eve!" Josh tried to snap. He grabbed hold of Eve's legs to stop her weight from pulling his head off. "Way to ruin my moment there."
"No I didn't. Now you're on TV with a pretty girl on your back."
"Someone thinks highly of herself."
"You said it, buddy."
Josh sniffed her arm. "You're sweaty."
"Yeah," Eve said matter-of-factly. She gave him a quick squeeze. "Well done, you! That was a great battle. You're like, so totally righteous."
"Don't you start talking like that," Josh said, though inside he was blushing with pride. "Are you planning on getting off me any time soon?"
"No. I like it here. Come on, let's go get crêpes to celebrate! Oh, wait wait wait, I almost forgot something. Hey fangirls!" she yelled up at the balcony. "Bradshaw looost, Bradshaw looost!"