The Webs We Weave
The battle for third place took place after the second semifinals. A veteran trainer from Johto fought Blue for the third spot. It was a close battle up until the end where Blue's Blastoise demolished the rest of his opponent's team, beating him with two Pokemon left to use.
Both Red and Emily watched it from the trainer's lounge. Vaporeon had her well-deserved nap in Emily's lap before being woken and taken to the Pokemon Center. They both went to the top floor of the stadium after their visit to the clinic. At the top there were no seats so there weren't people to bother them both. Emily sent out her entire team to enjoy the show. Red sent his out as well to watch the spectacle.
It was the grand performance the league put on for the audience right before grand finals. This year they got poplar idol from Sinnoh to sing. She performed along with the famous circus crew from Johto. She sang her most popular song from this year on the stage as the circus performers executed their routines across the field.
Red and Emily talked strategy for his next match but they mostly stayed silent to enjoy the show. Once it ended, Emily bade Red good luck before returning to her seat. Red gave quick pep talk to his Pokemon to raise their spirits right before the heated match.
Nighttime came so the stadium lights came on. Red entered the area when they came on, nearly blinding Red with its bright light. It gave him the chance to get a good look at his opponent for the finals.
This trainer was no stranger to Red. A rival born from a misunderstanding and continued due to their conflicting beliefs. He knew he was here but he never showed up where Red was. He didn't even bump into him on the streets of the Indigo Plateau, or in the stadium where the championships were held and not even in the trainer's lounge. It almost seemed to Red that he was avoiding him but he chalked it up to coincidence. There was no reason to hide from him and even if he did, he couldn't hide now.
Standing across the battlefield from Red, stood the stoic Paul.
The crowd were heavily bias this round as they cheered for Red the most when the battle judge asked if he was ready to battle. The people weren't so excited to cheer for Paul, who was obviously indifferent to the matter.
They have to pick a new favorite and the people unanimously agreed that Red should be the one. He did defeat Blue but it just fueled their love for Blue since they want him to at least lose to the man who won the tournament. Paul was also displayed as a ruthless, cold trainer creating an easy character for the audience to loathe.
"Let the battle between Kanto's Red Ketchum and Sinnoh's Paul Hirako begin!"
"Pikachu, let's win this!"
"Heracross, standby for battle!"
Paul took a second to analysis Pikachu before coming to a conclusion. "How could I take a trainer who still hasn't evolved his Pikachu seriously?" Paul rhetorically asked. "Is it because you're afraid it will lose its value as a spikey-eared Pikachu once it evolves into a regular Raichu like all those other Pikachus."
Red couldn't count the many times a trainer went up to him and gave him a trade offer for his Pikachu. Over the time he spent with Pikachu, he became jaded to the fact that he was somewhat special. "He is special. He doesn't need to evolve to become the best. He is here to prove his special traits not by his looks but by his strength!"
"All it takes is a Thunderstone," Paul coldly replied. "It might have given you the edge in this battle."
-"Enough of your yapping. You're not one to talk during a battle so show us what you got!"- Pikachu interjected. Heracross didn't mind the banter and didn't even take offense by Pikachu's rude outburst.
"We got lucky so don't mess this up," Paul exclaimed to his Pokemon. "Aerial Ace!"
Lucky? Aerial Ace! Red thought to himself to shock to think of a reason as to why Paul would use a flying-type attack on Pikachu.
"Thunder Bolt, Pikachu! Be wary of what Heracross does next." Red warned.
Heracross unfurled his two, thin wings rapidly flapping. He flew straight for Pikachu who fired his Thunder Bolt. With a tormented face he endured the hid and charged straight at his foe. He vanished at it was usual for Aerial Ace and appeared to the right of his target. Pikachu knew the deal and set up a Shock Wave to catch him.
-"Nggh!"- Heracross grunted, charging straight through the electric blast. He tackled Pikachu, flinging him into the air. Heracross crashed into the ground after losing control of his body.
Pikachu quickly recovered from the blow.-"That hardly tickled me,"- Pikachu lied, getting back up with his back covered in scrapes. He chose to ignore the pain on his backside and focused on his counterattack. He knew the struggling pose Heracross did all too well. He was fighting to make some movement.
"He's paralyzed, Pikachu!" Red exclaimed, realizing immediately after his Pokemon.
Paul showed no real concern on his side. "Close Combat him now. You better hit this!" he coldly ordered.
Red gritted his teeth, sensing the increased strength in Heracross. "Volt Tackle, Pikachu! Give it your best shot!"
Pikachu charged straight into the immobile Heracross with his Volt Tackle. Heracross broke out of his paralyzed state for a brief moment. He used the time to meet Pikachu with a fury of blows. Electricity shot in all directions, blinding the crowd with its bright flashes.
What strength! Red thought amazed. He almost could feel the force the blows dealt through his sensing. He didn't use any move to increase his attack…unless.
"Your Heracross had the Guts ability!" Red exclaimed. "It bolsters Heracross's attack if he is inflicted by a status." He saw the pieces fall together. That's why he said he was lucky to face against my Pikachu. He had the chance to get paralyzed. He used Aerial Ace to have a sure chance of making contact.
-"That is some attack boost,"- Pikachu wheezed. The punches were stronger than any punch that he felt in his life. He didn't let it incapacitate him and returned to his starting position.
Paul didn't comment on Red's claims and instead took the offensive. "Pin Missile."
Pikachu was bombarded by a volley of Pin Missiles, each enhanced by Heracross's vast attack stat. The rain of yellow needles ended on the unfortunate event of Heracross succumbing to his paralysis.
"This is your chance, Pikachu. Get in close and Mega Kick!" Red eagerly called out.
"Earthquake! Don't let that rat get near you!" Paul let his Pokemon know failure was not an option.
Heracross fought and succeeding breaking out of the paralysis. He pounded the earth, creating the overwhelming shockwave. Pikachu was a few feet away and he jumped onto the one place he knew it was safe to land on. He kicked Heracross in the head with Mega Kick, abruptly ending the Earthquake. Pikachu jumped into the air, firing a Thunderbolt.
"That's the spirit. Now it time for you to finally unleash a Thunder on this dangerous threat," Red exclaimed.
Heracross moaned and groaned but he still managed to get back onto his feet. He was still free from the paralysis and able to move around. Heracross had the chance to strike Pikachu but Paul said nothing in response to Red's continued assault.
"What's the deal?!" Red shouted. "Your Pokemon is getting thrashed and you haven't made the attempt to help him." He pointed to the battered Heracross heavily breathing in his last moments of the round.
"I have no obligation to explain to you," Paul boldly declared.
"But you do have an obligation to your Pokemon!" Red barked back.
Paul finally expressed emotions in the form of annoyance. "And he knows exactly what's going on," he rudely retorted. "I've seen you battle throughout this battle and I cans see that your still the child who believes in such idiotic things."
"You've been watching me…so you must have believed I would be the one to face you in the finals," Red conjectured.
"I use my time to gather information on every possible trainer," Paul dismissed Red's claims. "And from what I saw, you should have lost in that first match. It doesn't matter now since I'm going to beat you!"
-"That's enough you intolerable jerk!"- Pikachu shouted. He lit up the night sky with his Thunder technique. The lightning bolt flashed across the sky, coming down on the immobile Heracross.
Heracross took the attack and managed to stay standing conscious. He had a shocked face as electricity coursed through his body. -"My purpose has turned into fodder for Paul,"- Heracross weakly said. He collapsed onto his back.
Paul recalled him the instant the ref made his judgment. He sent out another Pokemon in silence. No intro for his Pokemon
This Pokemon Red recognized from Paul's last match. It was his Honchkrow that had a peculiar ability. The rare ability, Moxie, gave him the guaranteed chance to increase his attack after a taking out a Pokemon. Is that why he let Heracross fall? He didn't prove himself good enough to take out Pikachu so he let him faint to let his Honchkrow get the easy knockout, Red grimaced, reaching to his belt for a Pokeball. But Pikachu could possible take him out. One Thunder and it could bring Honchkrow to the ground. If Pikachu gets defeated after that then I can just send out my fastest Pokemon to take him out in his weakened state. Red pulled his hand back from his belt, feeling Paul's concentrated eyes on him.
"Pikachu, Thunder again," Red ordered first.
-"I can do this"- Pikachu refreshed himself, building up the energy to strike again.
"Sucker Punch," the blunt order sank Red's hope of achieving what he wanted.
Honchkrow snuck up on Pikachu before he could attack. He lashed out with his black wing, hitting him on the back on his head. Pikachu fell forward into the ground, fainting as he hit the terrain. Honchkrow's strength grew as he flew back towards his trainer. Honchkrow cringed as some of his life was sucked out of him. That was when Red noticed the familiar purple orb in Honchkrow's claw; a Life Orb.
Red regretted his decision to stay in as he returned his Pikachu. He wanted to berate Paul for his harsh treatment of his Heracross being reduced to fodder for his Honchkrow but he kept it in knowing it wouldn't do him good now. He held out another Pokeball, releasing his new counter to Honchkrow.
"Acid Armor, Vaporeon!" Red immediately ordered.
Vaporeon stood still to raise her defenses with Acid Armor.
"Brave Bird," Paul simply called out, needing to get in as much damage as he can before she could buff herself.
Honchkrow flew straight into Vaporeon with his Brave Bird fiery cloak. Tackling Vaporeon without hesitation, Honchkrow felt like he was attacking a pile of bricks. He was met with much resistance thanks to Vaporeon's physical defense boost. The collision had both Pokemon collapse on their side.
"Wish Vaporeon," Red commanded. "You can stall him out with your healing if he keeps this up!" Red sensed that Honchkrow lost a good amount of health from the recoil from both the Brave Bird and the Life Orb. The hazards were increasingly wearing him down.
"Tch! Interrupt with Night Slash!" Paul bellowed at his weary Honchkrow.
Honchkrow ignored all of his injuries as he was taught to and attacked the susceptible Vaporeon. He flew closer and barely reached a meter away from her before he got flashed with white light. He blindly swung his black wing picturing where Vaporeon should have been standing before the flash. The Night Slash score a hit, slashing Vaporeon's side, emitting black sparks. The Life Orb boosted his attack but it also took his diminishing health.
Honchkrow pulled back, regaining his vision. An Ice Beam struck his other wing, encasing it in a block of ice. He carefully landed and pecked at the ice with his sharp beak.
"He's close to being finished, Hydro Pump!" Red called out.
"Get her! Sucker Punch!" Paul decreed.
-"This Hydro Pump will it end you!"- Vaporeon shouted.
Honchkrow couldn't Sucker Punch Vaporeon as he still had ice on the tips of his feathers that prevented him from flying. He squawked as the water struck his prominent chest, feeling as if he was struck by a train. He was washed towards his trainer who looked down on him in disgust.
"That should've done it," Red exclaimed, witnessing Honchkrow get back up on his quivering talons. He hung on to life by a thread, holding on through pure will. Paul's Pokemon actually have motivation to keep on fighting despite the way he treats them, Red thought, feeling somewhat sadden.
"You survived," Paul brusquely said, not looking at all surprised. "Then make yourself useful and use Tailwind."
Red gritted his teeth. "Is that all you have to say to your own Pokemon. He fought to keep himself conscious. He's incredibly focused right now to fall over and give up."
-"Yeah, you could try acting a little nicer,"- Vaporeon added scowling.
-"He doesn't need your needless cry for change,"- Honchkrow adamantly spoke for his trainer. –"He can be demanding but it's all for the chance to have us become stronger."- He lifted his wings to his side, extending them to their full length. A sudden gush of wind rushed past him from behind.
Vaporeon wasn't going to let Honchkrow continue his spiel on his trainer as to give him time to set up his next plan. She interrupted him with a brisk Ice Beam. She aimed it directly into his prominent plumage, freezing part of his beak. He shattered the ice when he crashed into the ground forward.
"Honchkrow has no energy left to fight. The round goes to the Vaporeon!" announced the keen referee. His decree was received with cheers and applause from the crowd.
Paul bitterly muttered something to the Pokeball of his retrieved Honchkrow but Red couldn't hear over the lively crowd. He threw another Pokeball but not before shouting, "Standby for battle, Torterra!"
This has to be Paul's Sinnoh starter, Red gawked at the massive size this Pokemon now had.
Four thick, sturdy helped to spread out Torterra's enormous weight across the surface area. The tortoise-like Pokemon had a large shell to cover its back. The shell had its own small ecosystem completed with a stumpy oak tree and three spikes resembling a short mountain range. Green grass covered the rest of the shell packed with hardened dirt held in the shell by the thick, stony rim outlining the outside of the shell.
-"This must finally be the finals,"- Torterra grumbled in a thick voice resonating like a drum. His head was low to the ground so he had to look up high to see the scoreboard for the current match.
-"You look quite scary for your size,"- Vaporeon admitted her worries. –"But you seem much nicer than the other guys."-
Torterra returned his gaze to Vaporeon. –"I've been the longest with Paul. I'm not in the least stressed as the rest. I've gone used to him as the others are pretty new to his tactics."-
-'But they're so strong!"- Vaporeon gasped. She had to train harder than the others since she hatched to match their level but these Pokemon were already strong without a trainer.
-"Paul is only interested in the strong,"- Torterra shortly answered. –"But I can't say much more since you're leaving."- His beady red eyes looked beyond Vaporeon.
"Come back, Vaporeon. This will not go in your favor," Red reasoned with Vaporeon who returned with a firm nod. "Let's go, Charizard!"
Charizard announced his arrival with a loud roar to the heavens. It was the finals and he needed to have his energy running at full speeds.
-"Was that really necessary,"- muttered Paul's Torterra.
Charizard looked down at his opponent's head, breathing in the adrenaline. –"It's all I need to get into my zone before I burn you to a crisp,"- he eagerly replied.
-"But it looks like we won't be battling,"- he said sounding bored. Torterra shortly turned into red light before being pulled back into his Pokeball. Another Pokeball opened up to take his place.
Standing on his two legs appeared a hulking, furry Pokemon taller than his Charizard by a few inches. The ape-like Pokemon had black stripes stretched across his shaggy, yellow fur. Two red-tipped tails crackled behind resembling live wires cut straight from a telephone line.
That has to be the final evolution form of Elekid, Red reckoned having never seen this Pokemon before. The resemblance was there so he went with it being an electric-type. And now I can't switch!
"Wild Charge, Electivre!" Paul yelled over the stream of air, wanting to get the most out of the Tailwind.
"Fire Blast!" Red shouted.
Electivire had the Tailwind double his existing speed, reaching Charizard before he could breathe out fire. Blue sparks flew between his pair of antennas, forming the Wild Charge around his body. His shoulder tackle electrified Charizard and flung him onto his back.
"Control yourself!" Paul stressed, seeing his Pokemon stop to cringe in pain as his shoulder trembled from the collision. "Electric Terrain, now!"
-"Control the pain,"- Electivire calmed himself in a temperate tone, flexing his hurt shoulder. The wire-like tails on his back bored holes into the ground. Electricity was pumped straight into the ground, allowing it to spread across the ground, electrifying the surface.
"Charizard, get out of there," Red bellowed.
-"I don't need aura sensing skills to know that this is bad,"- Charizard scoffed in a playful matter. He recovered from the Wild Charge and took off into the air. He finally took a fresh breath once the Electric Terrain stopped right before where Red stood, not shocking him or Paul.
Warm light engulfed Charizard, restoring some of his health back. The instant heal left Charizard eager to fight. Rejuvenated, Charizard lashed out with a swift Flamethrower, burning Electivire and scorching the soil around him.
"Use your increased speed to your advantage. Electro Ball!"
Electivire cupped his hands, sparks sprung from his antennas, and the Electro Ball instantaneously formed. It was easily twice the size of the Electro Ball that Emolga managed to conjure up in the earlier battle. The danger it posed to Charizard had him resort to drastic measures. The Tailwind increased the velocity of the Electro Ball to the point that Charizard couldn't possibly avoid it.
"Burn it, Charizard!" Red bellowed.
Charizard eradicated the Electro Ball with his best fire technique, Blast Burn. The flames disrupted the ball of electricity and came down on Electivre, trapping him in the inferno. The fire shortly dissipated leaving a burnt Electivire in its wake. Charizard lost his strength to fly and gently floated to the ground.
-"Tch! Gah!"- Charizard sputtered after small shocks ran up his legs. The Electric Terrain continued but at least the Tailwind petered out.
"After that attack, the Charizard is always incredibly weakened," Paul relayed his observation to Electivire. "Catch him with Electro Web before he regains his strength."
Electivire was littered in burns, limiting his striking power. He ensnared his foe in a net made entirely out of electricity. The Electro Web convoluted and shrunk to capture the Charizard.
"Now, Wild Charge before the Electric Field runs out," Paul ordered next.
"Break Out! Fire Blast," Red urged him to fight.
Charizard was slowly regaining his strength to fight but it was quickly being sapped by the Electro Net and Electro Field. His blaze ability activated and he put it to good use by breathing out a perfect Fire Blast. The Electivre followed through with his orders even if it meant to leap through the Fire Blast. He headbutted Charizard, shocking him with over 20,000 volts of energy.
Charizard stood still for a long few seconds. His body toppled over backwards. Not even the small electric charges in the floor could wake him up. Red swiftly returned his Charizard not able to withstand his Pokemon getting hurt after being knocked out.
"That was awfully reckless of you, Paul," Red muttered. "Forcing your Pokemon attacking straight on despite being covered in burns."
Paul kept his stoic face. "I don't need someone as incompetent as you to criticize me. That special fire that you have used throughout the tournament weren't really all that amazing and wanted to prove that to everyone."
Red gritted his teeth. "Prepare to go on a rampage, Nidoking!" Red announced. Nidoking appeared on the field surprised by the amount of electricity coursing through the ground and he harmlessly absorbed it.
Nidoking cracked his stiff neck, studying his opponent. –"I see what I got to do,"- he said to himself. Barely able to stand and he's and electric to boot!
"You know how to end this," Red gave his Pokemon the chance to act on his own accord.
Paul was more controlling on his side. "Don't give him the chance! Psychic then Ice Punch! Strike him under his chin to avoid those poisonous spikes!"
-"Not a chance!"- Nidoking proclaimed, slamming his foot down. The devastating Earthquake rocked Electivire's world. The earth shook and his world went blank. The Electro Field dissipated after the shock.
"Electivire is in no condition to battle! Nidoking is the winner!" his judgment came swift after the Earthquake settled.
"Not even a Psychic," Paul grumbled, not stressing too much over the matter. He lobbed a Pokeball into the air. The ball cracked open to release a fearsome foe.
-"How many of these did we fight before, Red?"- Nidoking vainly said, realizing that it was a regular Ursaring. Mt. Silver was crawling with these grumpy bears. They posed little threat after the first week, he gloated in his mind.
"There's something wrong with this one," Red said, sounding anxious.
-"You're really making such a fuss over this guy?"- Nidoking shortly recalled his statement. The Ursaring was breathing heavily, his entire body quavering despite him just being released. –"Are you alright there?"-
Ursaring clutched something his right paw, keeping it close as he nearly doubled over in pain. He strained one eye open to keep his vision on Nidoking. –"You should be watching your back,"- he spattered.
Red recognized the symptoms. "Did you really go as far as to poison your Pokemon before the match? Did you even take him to the Pokemon Center?" Red hastily asked growing angrier by the second.
Paul raised an eyebrow, sincerely surprised by Red's reaction. "You really have no clue what is going on," He sighed. "In Ursaring's claws he holds the Toxic Orb. It gives the wielder the poison status upon entry."
-"Is this your sick way of countering my poison?"- Nidoking asked appalled by the extreme measures Paul has taken.
-"That not it you idiot,"- Ursaring answered, gaining back his motor functions.
"You would hurt your own Pokemon with poison during battle?" Red asked, confused and irritated.
Paul simply pointed towards his Ursaring feeling better. "This guy is special. Caught him just for this ability; Quick Feet. Doubles his speed when poisoned," Paul revealed.
-"And this poison doesn't gradually increase in intensity like yours does,"- Ursaring added.
"Now drastically increase your strength with Swords Dance," Paul nearly shouted his command.
"Rock Slide, Nidoking. Stop him at all costs," Red pleaded.
Nidoking flung his Rock Slide at the Ursaring but he was far slower than the Ursaring. His increased speed allowed him to instantly use Swords Dance and prepare with Brick Break. He dodged the final few boulders, escaping with minor injuries. The poison continued to hurt him despite having grown accustom to it.
"Use this strength to its full potential. Façade!" Paul called out.
"Façade increases in strength when afflicted with a status," Red whispered to himself. He saw the resourcefulness in Paul's setup. Poison his Pokemon to get the speed boost and then increase his attack once he was faster than his opponent. Façade provides a good STAB attack for Ursaring in his poisoned state. Another hard-hitting Pokemon on Paul's team, Red thought not surprised.
-"I will like to take on that strength head on!"- Nidoking brashly declared.
"You're getting excited Nidoking," Red remarked. "Then meet him with a Poison Jab in one arm and a Fire Punch in the other."
Ursaring, being the fastest, made the first move. His body surrounded itself in the fiery orange aura making his body shine. He made the effort to charge at Nidoking at full speed. With his superior strength, he simply overpowered the Drill Pokemon. Ursaring took the Poison Jab, dismissing the poison, and unleashed his energy.
-"Where is the power coming from?"- Nidoking shouted, thrown to the side. A Slash across his chest stopped him from loudly cursing. He shoved his burning fist into Ursaring's jaw, throwing the Hibernating Pokemon off balance.
"All that blood running is accelerating the poison," Red stated his observations. Since Ursaring's assault, his health declined rapidly as opposed to standing still. The poison was the key to winning this. "Avoid confrontation, Nidoking if you can. I know it's not your style but his strength will easily win over yours. Play it safe!"
-"Fine by me,"- Nidoking spat on the ground. Ursaring moved in to attack but Nidoking used his Ice Beam to freeze his feet to the ground.
Paul felt like the match would drag on for too long. "End it now with your strongest attack. Thrash, now!"
The poison grew more potent as Ursaring became enraged. His power now seemed greater than when he used Façade. His strength easily got him out of the ice shackles.
The raw strength terrified Red. "Nidoking, I need…what are you doing?"
-"Playing it safe,"- Nidoking sheepishly answered. His own body was taking on harsh red glow that came with Thrash. His anger was boiling, bolstering his own strength.
"I told you to avoid confrontation," Red said feeling betrayed by his own Pokemon.
Nidoking looked over his shoulder. –"Trust me. I know what I'm doing,"- he calmly said, his voice growing raspier.
Red had his mouth opened but he held his tongue. His inner turmoil seized and accepted Nidoking's decision. "Then go for it. Thrash!"
-"That's it. Don't try and hide from me!"- Ursaring roared. He ran up to Nidoking clawing him with his bear paws. Nidoking grabbed one of his arms then the other. –"What are you doing you buffoon!?"-
Nidoking flung the captured Ursaring arms down and came in for quick embrace. His arms couldn't meet up in back to lock and complete his crushing hug. He used his newfound strength to keep Ursaring in a hold, not letting up for anything.
-"Let go of me! This is a fight! You're a coward!"- the various slurs from Ursaring didn't faze Nidoking and kept his hold firm.
"Ursaring, get out of that hold and Thrash him. Your poison will continue to weaken you in that state," Paul chided. "Snap him into two!"
Red was at a loss for words. Nidoking kept his focus through Focus Energy and transferred the strength into a bear hug. He couldn't lose if Ursaring couldn't hurt him. The poison was doing the work for him, sapping away at Ursaring's strength. Nidoking also faced repercussions such as the notion of losing energy by trying to keep the monstrous bear in place.
"Nidoking, watch out!" Red warned.
Ursaring headbutted Nidoking on his side of the face to avoid the deadly horn. Nidoking lost his grip and his foe. Ursaring clobbered Nidoking with the remaining time he had left from Thrash. A final slash across his face sealed his fate.
Nidoking collapsed weary from exhaustion. Ursaring became confused but soon fell to his own poison. He fell forwards right next to his rival, hand still holding onto the Toxic Orb.
"That was incredibly bold of you, Nidoking," Red said to his Pokemon. "But I'm still grateful for your work. You did well."
"Both Pokemon have been knocked out," announced the ref. "Return your fallen Pokemon."
Paul and Red did so, with Red praising his Pokemon's hard work and Paul giving the Pokeball a small, dissatisfied frown.
"Release your Pokemon now!"
Red released his Pidgeot, internally celebrating that Paul sent out his Torterra. The lumbering ground Pokemon seemed too slow to be able to keep up with Red's Pidgeot. He still kept his collected demeanor despite the favorable odds since this looked like Paul's best Pokemon. Paul showed some respect for the sluggish grass giant.
-"So it's this tool that we are fighting against,"- Pidgeot remarked.
"We'll start out with Air Cutter," Red said. His Pidgeot obeyed, taking flight.
"Seed Bomb."
Torterra opened his maw the moment Pidgeot spread his wings a wide as he could. Torterra fired multiple glowing green seeds while Pidgeot shot blades of air back. The Air Cutter was canceled out by the Seed Bomb, colliding and exploding in midair. Stray Air Cutter slashed across the back of Torterra while Pidgeot easily avoided the Seed Bomb.
"Stone Edge," Paul commanded.
"Avoid it at all costs, Pidgeot. Double Team."
Pidgeot used Double Team to create multiple copies of himself in the sky. Sharp rocks floated around Torterra before he fired them like bullets, trying to find the right one.
"Drop it," Paul interrupted. "Rock Polish instead, Torterra."
If I recall correctly, Rock Polish augments the users speed, Red remembered. It doubles their speed stat.
"Pidgeot get him quick before he does! Get their quick with Dart Pierce!" Red swiftly ordered.
The many clones of Pidgeot came down on Torterra, each leaving behind a streak of white light due to the Quick Attack. A soft red glow overtook Torterra, giving a smooth, shiny coating. The Rock Polish was interrupted by the real Pidgeot tackling the back of him, making the Double Team clones disappear.
"You got him now. Giga Drain!" Paul exclaimed.
The three spikes on Torterra's back flashed with bright green light. The Giga Drain shot out from the stone spikes, catching the shocked Pidgeot. The Giga Drain strengthened its grip on Pidgeot, draining him of his health to replenish Torterra's. Pidgeot could do no more than struggle in his binds feeling the parasite suck out his energy.
"Leech Seed him," Paul blandly said.
Red racked his brain for a crafty way to escape but he couldn't find one. "It looks like you will have to escape through brute force, Pidgeot. Brave Bird!"
The sturdy tree on Torterra's back shook, launching several ripe seeds at Pidgeot. The Leech Seed sprouted the moment they touched a feather on Pidgeot's body, spreading leafy vines to coiled around and drain even more of his health. The thin vines were decimated by the fiery aura Pidgeot formed. He thrashed and broke through the Giga Drain. The green energy was torn apart by the Brave Bird, leaving Torterra vulnerable.
-"This is payback!"- Pidgeot trilled, ramming his entire body into Torterra with his Brave Bird.
"Great work, Pidgeot," Red praised. "Now regain some health with Roost!"
"Cover the area with Grassy Terrain," Paul said not bothered by Pidgeot escaping.
Red figured the move was similar to Electric Terrain. "Don't land, Pidgeot! Fly up high!" Red ordered alarmed.
A green shockwave shot out from beneath Torterra's feet. Pidgeot escaped before he could be affected but was annoyed that wasn't able to recuperate health back. The field flourished with healthy grass, spreading across the arena yet kept the chalk outline untouched.
The grass is healing Torterra, Red felt distraught. "Brave Bird, again!"
"Harden!"
Torterra's exterior sharpened its defenses, weakening the Brave Bird. Pidgeot bounced right off Torterra's shell. Torterra retaliated with a flurry of leaves all fired from his young oak tree. The Razor Leaf slashed Pidgeot's sides, shooting him out of the sky to land in the grassy arena. His body laid limp.
"Pidgeot is unable to battle. This round goes Torterra!"
"You did well, Pidgeot!" Red recalled him back.
"Did well? He had the type advantage yet he lost still," Paul criticized. "You must see that type-advantage won't help you against me."
"I see so my next choice is…You get to finish this up, Vaporeon!" Red shouted, releasing his water Pokemon again onto the field.
-"Hah, so we do get the chance to fight!"- Vaporeon excitingly exclaimed, surprised to see Torterra again but in such a scruffy state.
"Vaporeon," Paul couldn't help but utter in astonishment.
-"Oh this grass seems to be healing me,"- Vaporoen remarked, pawing the glowing grass under her.
Red was quite stunned to see the healing process in action on his Vaporeon. "How is that possible? It's healing her?" he asked.
"Of course it heals. I knew you would think it would be dangerous and tricked you into not having your Pidgeot land," Paul revealed. "But now that you know, Torterra remove the Grassy Terrain.!"
"Ice Beam, him!" Red instructed.
Torterra fired another green wave of energy and this time it was to make the grass disappear. The battlefield was returned to its dirty barren state devoid of any plant life.
There was very little Torterra could do to stop Vaporeon form attacking. The Ice Beam shot throw the array of leaves Torterra tried to stop it with and struck on the tip of his dark nose. Ice formed over his broad head, shattering a second later. The smashing noise deafened Torterra, sending him into complete darkness. The ground broke up from his weight collapsing onto it, forming a circular crater for him.
-"…That was it?"- Vaporeon blinked in disbelief.
"A ground and grass type" Red determined. "Ice was simply the perfect answer."
"Torterra is incapable of continuing. The round goes to Vaporeon!" his judgment assembled the crowd to cheer for Red who brought Paul to his last Pokemon.
Hints of anger broke through the façade that Paul worked to keep up. It was no use doing so since Red could sense the pent up frustration in the boy. It was clear that his Torterra was on Pokemon he cared for dearly. The only one who he showed genuine interest.
That Pokemon must represent something significant in Paul's life…perhaps his starter? Red believed, studying Paul take his time to recall his Torterra. Red dared not comment on this event, fearing that Paul will burst.
"Gliscor, standby for battle," Paul announced his last resort.
A Pokemon that Red thought it greatly resembled the tiny Gligar appeared with its toothy grin. It stood on his two, purple legs before jumping back onto his extensive segmented tail. To balance his weight onto his tail, he stretched out his arms carrying pincers for hand. The bat-like wings extended with his arms catching his equilibrium.
-"It's finally my turn to shine,"- Gliscor giddily said, glancing at the scoreboard. –"I also happen to be the last one. I better make this an excellent closing act!"-
"Isn't this Gliscor incredibly weak to water attacks?" Red sharply asked.
"That didn't stop you from sending out your Vaporeon on my Torterra," Paul severely retorted, gaining an approving look from Red seeing he made a fair point. "Taunt the Vaporeon. We can't let her setup a Wish."
Red couldn't use any support technique at Vaporeon's disposal so he went straight into attacking it from its weak side. "Ice Beam, Vaporeon."
Fueled by the anger the Taunt bought onto her, Vaporeon fired a haste Ice beam. She gave the bat-like Pokemon little time to react, freezing his entire head. Gliscor banged his head with a heavy claw, shattering the ice.
"Don't let her land another hit on you!" Paul fervently demanded.
-"It won't happen again! Because that really hurts,"- Gliscor apologized, his cheeks going numb from the cold.
"Let's make certain it doesn't happen again. Sandstorm!" Paul coldly ordered, cooling down from the outburst.
-"It's time for me to win!"- Gliscor cried, forming the abrupt Sandstorm. The storm reached the edges of the marked battlefield, hiding both of them from view.
"This is not going to stop me!" Red hollered over the Sandstorm. I can still sense him but Paul can't…should my aura skills be banned from this tournament, he complicated. I mean Lance had similar skills so he if he wanted to ban it from tournaments he would have done so long ago. Wiping away the guilt of possibly cheating, Red kept his focus on Gliscor. The vampire-like creature took flight, riding the wind with his flimsy wings.
"Acrobatics!" Paul ordered next.
"Vaporeon, get ready!" Red prepared his Pokemon, perceiving Gliscor descending upon her. She heightened her senses at his behest. "Above you! Ice Beam him quick!"
Vaporeon resisted the sand particles grazing her body every second of her present life. She lifted her head, seeing what Red told her was true. A dark figure was dropping down on her. She sliced through the Sandstorm with her precise Ice Beam, impaling the shadowy shape.
-"I missed!"- Vaporeon howled. The form disappeared and Gliscor appeared to the right of the mysterious figure.
-"Wham, Gotcha!"- Gliscor surprised her. His body was radiating a light shade of blue, giving him the nimbleness and grace of a trained Crobat. He attacked Vaporeon straight on with a powerful clout with his heavy claw.
"Vaporeon!" Red shouted distressed. You had a clear shot! Why did you shoot to the left of him? He wished to ask her. She couldn't have made such a huge error that close even in this weather. Unless there was trick I didn't see.
Red tuned out his Aura sensing and looked straight into the desert storm. Gliscor was close by after thwacking her. He saw with his own eyes that Gliscor's figure was slightly off as to where he originally sensed him. It's all an illusion! I remember now. Some ability that makes it harder for you to see it during a sandstorm.
"I'm sorry Vaporeon," Red felt the need to apologize. "I didn't know he had this ability." He calmly returned his fainted Pokemon. He held the Pokeball tightly in his hand. "It's all up to you, Gabite!" Red shouted.
Gabite entered the fray, instantly surprised by the swirling sandstorm. His form flickered, creating an illusion in the storm.
"Wait, does this mean you also have that sand ability?" Red dumbly asked, completely forgetting that his Pokemon even had a special ability. His Pikachu and Nidoking had abilities affecting Pokemon who came in contact. Charizard had his boost his fire attacks when weakened and Vaporeon absorbs all water attacks. Pidgeot's is only useful when confused and Gabite's ability only activates in a sandstorm.
"Ice Fang!" Bellowed Paul.
"Watch out, Gabite! Burning Claw!" Red alerted Gabite of the presence gliding down onto him.
Gliscor sank his fangs into Gabite only to find out it was just thin air. A Flamethrower scorched his back and a pair of claws were raked across his wing span. He grunted, flying straight out of there.
"Drop the Sandstorm," Paul hastily commanded. "It's not going to help anyone if you two can't hit each other. We are going to have to wait for someone to attack which gives the other the advantage, leaving this to an unavoidable stalemate."
That was some solid points, Red pleasantly thought to himself. The howling of the wind came to soothing stop, revealing the two Pokemon made for this kind of weather.
Gliscor attacked one more, baring his vampire-like teeth. Ice coated the sharp teeth earning it the name Ice Fang. Gliscor successfully landed his Ice Fang onto the pseudo dragon-ground type. Gabite swiped slashed Gliscor, getting him off his shoulder now encased in ice.
-"That makes us somewhat even,"- Gliscor remarked. He was in a worse state than Gabite but his soul burned as bright as Gabite's.
-"The power of Dragons gives my strength!"- was what Gabite shouted before surprising Gliscor with a critical Dragon Pulse.
"It mustn't go like this much longer," Paul bitterly said, anger seeping into his tone. "We should not lose to this senseless Gabite. Gliscor, focus on him and don't try and pull any of your antics. Land this Toxic!"
This Gliscor is certainly different than the rest, Red noted, feeling no need to tell Gabite to dodge. He must have certainly caught it before this tournament. Is this Gliscor's strength really that great that Paul would use it in Grand Finals with no proper training?
-"Hold Still!"- Gliscor foully requested, vomiting vile poison from his mouth.
-"Ask nicely!"- Gabite unintelligently retorted. His nimble frame gave him the ability to escape the Toxic and approach Gabite with a Dragon Rush.
"This is outrageous!" Paul exclaimed, aiming his frustration on his Gliscor. "Your high defenses should be no match for this lowly Gabite's attacks. Not even its evolved form Garchomp should be able to lay a scratch on you!"
"A Physical wall you say, heh," Red snapped his fingers. "Dragon Rage, Gabite! Show him the power of you legendary Dragons!"
Gabite jumped back, evading the poison barb on Gliscor's tail that tried to hit him. –"I may not know where I'm from but the dragons there must be great. I will show them I'm just as good as they are!"- Gabite boasted.
-"You don't even know where they so how are going to impress them?"- Gliscor lambasted. He held a claw to his trainer, waving it. –"And do go talking like I'm that easy of getting rid of. I still am able to fight!"-
Paul collected himself after his outburst. "Win this now. End it all in one hit! Guillotine!"
Guillotine, the one-hit KO move, Red panicked. He can really end it with one hit!
-"Come at me!"- Gabite provoked. He engulfed Gliscor with his Dragon Rage, putting it all into those brilliant flames.
Gliscor's right claw accepted the responsibility of delivering the Guillotine. It contained all the power to knock out Gabite, shining bright even within the Dragon Rage. Gliscor flew straight through the flames, claw outstretched. The claw quickly came down onto Gabite's cranium.
-"Noo!"- Gabite bellowed. Thumped on the head with Gliscor's massive claw, Gabite collapsed onto the shabby battlefield.
Red held his breath, glancing over to Paul's slowly twisting expression. Paul's expression contorted into shock then exasperation and finally composure.
Gliscor crashed into the ground, skidding across the rough terrain. His body torched, clawed, and bruised, Gliscor painfully fainted. Gabite shook off the wooziness and stood up.
The Guillotine glow disappeared right before it clonked Gabite on his head. He fainted before he could get his attack in. I guess I owe luck to some extent on this victory, Red evaluated. Something that will surely piss off Paul even more.
"Gliscor is unable to battle. Gabite wins thus giving the victory to Red Ketchum!" decreed the Pokemon battle judge.
The stadium erupted with cheers. Everyone in the bleacher stood up from their seats to congratulating him. They cheered even lower when Red ran up to his Gabite and brought him into a touching embrace. Streamers and confetti shot from the top of the stadium, showering the victors. Fireworks lit up the night sky. It was pure bliss for Red but not for Paul.
Paul had that poker face but deep inside he was furious. He stomped out of the field without a word just like Blue did. Red hoped to have a talk with him but it would have to be after this event.
-"Are we champions?"- Gabite asked slightly confused by the celebration.
Red sensed the confusion and knelt to his level. "We won the tournament. We showed everyone we're the best in this tournament and should now be given the privilege to fight and become the Pokemon Champion!"
-"So we still have to fight to become champion,"- Gabite grumbled.
"Cheer up! Wave at the crowd and soak in the victory. You have come a long way Gabite…thank you friend," Red said.
Gabite's sharp eyes swelled with tears. He pounced on his trainer bawling. He did sneak a few soft bites from his trainer's head seeing it was his chance to do so in the heat of the moment.
"You deserved this win just like the rest of the team," Red chuckled, waving at the camera crew running into the field to get a closer picture of him and his emotional Gabite.
A/N: There's the tournament. Hope it didn't take too long to write and that you guys enjoyed this arc. It was fun to write but it's not to move on to the long awaited Elite Four. Next chapter will be the coronation and also the perspective of a different character.
Thanks for reading guys and take care!
