Fists of Fury
Red sat alone on the red cushion bench, back pressed against the cold steel wall. He checked the time, seeing it was getting close to six o'clock. He turned his attention to his surroundings.
He was in a moderate sized square room bare of any furnishing. More benches outlined the rest of the room with a single vending machine in the far corner recently restocked with snacks. Across from Red was a counter jutting out of the wall. On the other side of the counter was a small, empty room. A single red button on the desk could be used to call the Pokemon Center's nurse.
The nurse was absent for the time being but he had need for her, yet. He was about to enter the first match of the Elite Four so there was no need to have his Pokemon healed. They all did receive a short checkup by the kind nurse and all were in top condition.
He sat alone in the room but not too long ago, most of his friends and family were in the room to give him encouragement. Leaf lectured him on the four Elite Members while Blue and Emily repeatedly told him to not lose or they would consider their time wasted on him. Red begged for Blue to train with him to which he begrudgingly agreed in the end and Emily was simply happy to help him. Their time training was lengthen due to the Pokemon League wanting to give people enough time to buy their tickets. His mother and Professor Oak offered him encouragement.
It's time, Red thought after hearing his name being called over the intercom. He straightened his trademark red hat and set out for the arena. The room was connected to the hallway leading up to the open field, making the trip short.
Red entered the official Pokemon battlefield of the Kanto League on Indigo Plateau. The size of the stadium was significantly larger than one used for the tournament yet all the seats were completely filled. It would be hopeless to try and search for his friends in the stands so Red marched on.
"Entering the field is challenger Red Ketchum!" announced a voice over the stadium speakers. The applause for Red was deafening. He was believed to be the underdog in the challenge as it always has been with Elite Four challengers.
Red took a look at the sky only to find it was closed off with a high ceiling. The stadium lights illuminated the field, shining bright on his figure walking up to his respective spot. The spot he took all seem too real for him. He has seen this battlefield shone off many times in television and documentaries of the league's history.
This is the place I dreamed of being, Red merrily thought, smiling. To become one of the trainers who got the chance to challenge the Elite Four. He looked across from him to see his first obstacle was already at the scene.
"I am Bruno of the Elite Four!" announced the shirtless man in a commanding voice. His only piece of clothing was the trousers of his karate gi tied around his waist with a black belt. He struck an exaggerated kung fu pose, flexing his well-built body and whipping his black ponytail. "I have always trained to the extreme with my Pokemon. Weightlifting! Running! Fighting! My rigorous training can bring people and Pokemon closer. That is how we became strong. Can you match our overwhelming power?"
Red blinked in disbelief, caught off guard by Bruno's question. He didn't prepare an inspirational speech like Bruno but he tried his best to sound assertive. "I've come this far with my own Pokemon. I'll gladly test my Pokemon and our bond against your Pokemon," Red shot back.
Bruno kept silent, maintaining his pose straight and without quivering. "Hmm? I see no fear in you," Bruno finally spoke. He returned to his neutral standing position with wide grin. "You look exceptionally determined. That's perfect for battle! Are you, Red Ketchum?"
"Ready for battle!" Red sharply shouted, holding up a Pokeball.
The referee for the Pokemon League stepped in to share the standard guidelines. Receiving no questions about the rules, the blonde man held his two flags over his head. "Release you Pokemon and battle!"
Red had his mind made up on whom to send out first. He flicked his wrist, releasing his sharp-eyed Pidgeot onto the flat arena. He wasn't going to mess around with the Elite Four and went with the safe option of having the type-advantage.
Bruno threw his own Pokeball pretty high, making his own Pokemon appear a few seconds later. The Pokeball snapped open to release a new Pokemon that instantly invoked melancholy in Red. A Lucario took Bruno's side and immediately adopted a fighting stance. It looked determined as Brom's Lucario did, but the similarities between the two ended there. This Lucario had a lust for battle and fickle look in its eye as he has been waiting long for this moment. Brom's Lucario showed patience and fortitude during battle, keeping a calm and calculating mind.
"This is your first league match. Show the world your unlimited strength. Unleash it all now!" Bruno's voice boomed over the arena.
Red remembered everything that Brom's Lucario was capable off. "Pidgeot, stay sharp. Remember to fly out of its melee attacks and avoid the Aura Spheres," Red instructed his Pokemon.
"Extreme Speed!" Bruno shouted with gusto, slamming a foot down.
Lucario appeared before Pidgeot, who was in mid leap to escape into the skies. The jackal-like Pokemon brought his steel paw into Pidgeot's underside and uppercutted him with all his force. He hurled Pidgeot up and followed up with an inescapable Aura Sphere that blasted Pidgeot further.
Pidgeot whipped out his large wings to slowdown his ascent in flung forward with his Dart Pierce technique. He dashed towards Lucario at blinding speed, making it hard for the Aura Pokemon to keep track of him. Even when the trained Lucario detected where Pidgeot appeared, after he vanished momentarily, he failed to react fast enough. Pidgeot tackled Lucario with his adept combo. Flying backwards, Lucario panicked and flailed, completely overwhelmed by the surprise attack.
The moment presented itself. Red used the time to enact his strategy for this new foe. "Bring his attack down, Pidgeot. Feather Dance!"
Pidgeot puffed out his chest, knowing all too well that reducing Lucario's attack would be incredibly helpful in this situation. The earlier Extreme Speed knocked the wind out of wind and it sent spiraling upwards for quite a long distance. –"I'll reduce to strength to that of a pup!"- Pidgeot swore, pouncing at Lucario. His wings took on a brilliant, yellow glow and showered Lucario with heavy feathers.
"Don't get caught in this pitiful trap! Evade!" Bruno half-spat, shouting at his Pokemon.
Lucario hopped back onto his feet but wasn't able to roll out of the way in time. The feathers sparkled as if they were covered in glitter and clung onto Lucario's body. The feathers sticking to Lucario lost their yellow radiation, passing on their intended effects onto Lucario. –"It's going to take more than this to hinder me!"- Lucario reprimanded, eyes heavy with exhaustion. He did feel his strength has begun to fail him but let out a roar in rejuvenation. The feathers that have yet to reach him where blown away by a weak aura blast from Lucario.
"Attack from the special side," Bruno demanded. "Nasty Plot! Then blow them away with Flash Cannon!"
Red couldn't help but feel surprise at Bruno's sudden change in tactics. He always thought the man as a hard headed brawler that would have continued to fight with the physical attacks to prove it wouldn't be enough to beat him. He was banking on that but Bruno has shown to have changed a bit since his last Elite Four challenge.
Lucario jumped back a safe distance from Pidgeot, and began to conjure up devious ideas for Pidgeot and his trainer.
I can't allow this to go on for too long, Red firmly thought. He heightened his aura senses, focusing on both Lucario and Bruno. "Brave Bird!"
Lucario sensed a sudden disturbance in the force. He felt a certain life form released his aura. That massive reservoir of aura he failed to sense before was the foe's trainer. He was lost in the excitement at the start of his first battle that he failed to notice the young boy's blossoming skills in aura. He would have called the boy an Aura Guardian if he could speak since this was the level of strength they had. His awe tore him away from his concentration and stopped his Nasty Plot. He easily fell victim to Pidgeot's powerful Brave Bird
"What's the matter with you?!" Bruno bellowed infuriated.
This is the Bruno I was hoping to see, Red thought relieved. A man who gets caught in his emotions and gets easily angered. It would at first seem frightening to any other average trainer since that energy could be the driving force for their Pokemon but Red saw it as a weakness. Bruno must have his mind too clouded for rational thinking.
"Tch! Heal Pulse right away!" Bruno made the rash decision to heal.
Lucario wasn't in the safe position to heal but tried his best to heal himself. Pidgeot followed through with his next set of orders which was to Brave bird again. Lucario was tackled into the ground again by Pidgeot but this time he didn't get right back up.
"Lucario! This was your debut! How could you mess it up so bad!?" Bruno incredulously shouted, his voice dissolving into obscene and intelligible ramblings.
"This is a great start, Pidgeot!" Red praised his Pokemon. He did keep in mind that this was Bruno newest and weakest Pokemon as to not bloat his ego too much. "Now, gain back your health with Roost!"
"This not going to be like any other battle you had before!" Bruno roared, returning his Lucario and sending out his next Pokemon. "Steelix, bring this place down!"
Tearing up the battlefield with his immersive weight and size, Steelix appeared on the battlefield. His presence alone could make all flying type Pokemon cringe in fear. He was the only non-fighting type on Bruno's team for good reason. He was the counter for the flying and psychic type Pokemon who think they can stomp Bruno's team.
-"How is that you don't tremble in my presence?"- Steelix asked, perturbed by Pidgeot's confident demeanor. He faced many Pidgeots in his lifetime and none could get past his hardened defenses.
-"You're just one giant snake. Birds prey on snakes and your NO exception!"- Pidgeot boasted.
-"Is that so! Then I'll make repent for babbling all that incoherent nonsense,"- Steelix hammered his booming voice into Pidgeot's skull. He lifted his tail and swept it across the ground.
"What the Hell?!" Red screamed as dirt and rubble was thrown at him from Steelix's Iron tail. He felt as if the entire stadium shook from Steelix's attack. "Let's show them why you're still sticking around," Red shouted towards his Pokemon who managed to avoid by taking off into the skies. "Melt their defenses! Heat Wave!"
It's time to put this to work, Pidgeot thought energized. He dedicated a lot of time to learning the technique with the help of Blue's Arcanine. He needed to learn a move that differed from his usual Normal and Flying type moves and this was great for dealing with Steel types.
-"This is why I was so cocky!"- Pidgeot bellowed, blasting Steelix with hot gusts of wind. The searing air was exhaled from Pidgeot's beak but was amplified by his swift wing flaps.
"Steelix, don't let this warm breeze deter you. Your iron will is all that we need to overcome our weaknesses," Bruno encouraged, profusely sweating from the warmth. "Break the heat now! Sandstorm!" He dramatically roared to the skies, puffing up his chiseled chest in a pompous manner.
Resisting the heat was easy for Bruno to say but Steelix was the one with the weakness to fire. His energy was quickly sapped from him as the Heat Wave continued. He violently shook his body to release clouds of sands. The dust rapidly converged to become a noisy sandstorm in the middle of the stadium.
"We can't fight them in this extreme weather," Red said, figuring out that the Sandstorm negated the Heat Wave. "Break down this Sandstorm. Whirlwind!"
-"Beat this sandstorm with an even stronger storm,"- Pidgeot said, amused by the situation. He flew slightly higher before unleashing the tempest. His gales were strong enough to bend and break oak trees in a sparse forest. The winds pushed down to disrupt and disperse the Sandstorm in one fell swoop.
"Stealth Rocks!" Bruno shouted his next action.
Steelix slammed his tail into the ground, launching the Stealth Rocks onto Red's side of the field.
"You know what to do next," Red called out to his Pokemon. "Break up those pesky rocks with Defog."
"Stop them! Dragon Breath!"
Steelix reared his massive head back to fire. His Dragon Breath escaped his mouth a moment too late. Pidgeot neatly fired his Defog faster than Steelix could take aim. He successfully dislodged the Stealth Rock, alleviating the pressure Bruno tried to enforce on Red. The incredible blast of breath struck Pidgeot.
"Pidgeot!" Red shouted. His Pidgeot crashed into the ground when Red thought the attack wasn't all that powerful. It dawned to Red that Pidgeot was afflicted with a status effect. "How did you get Paralyzed?" Red asked incredulously.
"Dragon Breath has a one-third chance to give the defending Pokemon paralysis," Bruno answered Red's question with a disapproving look.
What's with the serious tone all of the sudden? Red thought unnerved by Bruno's stare that reminded him of the glare certain teachers would give him when he misbehaved.
"It's our moment! Give it your all! Rock Slide!" Bruno violently shock his fists. Red couldn't think of way to escape in the time it took Bruno to blabber his passionate words.
"Break free and fly out of there." Red could only hope for his Pokemon to break out of the paralysis.
Pidgeot failed to do so and was buried under the Rock Slide in a matter of seconds. Steelix blasted the rocks away deftly with a second Dragon Breath. Free from the rubble was an unconscious Pidgeot, lying flat on the ground.
"That's the way this is done!" Bruno rejoiced, reveling in his moment of redemption.
Red promptly returned his fallen companion. He didn't put much strategy into his counter pick. "Vaporeon, get ready to battle!"
The light gathered on the field to form Vaporeon's tiny body. She didn't shirk from the challenge being a Steelix. She readily knew it was her best matchup for this battle.
"Let's start out safe. Please use Aqua Ring," Red told his Pokemon.
-"Better safe than sorry,"- Vaporeon agreed, spitting out a thin stream of water. The blue water glistened in the stadium's lights as it slithered around her like a live Ekans. It connected to form a floating ring around Vaporeon that continuously healed her. This was a technique that Vaporeon recently uncovered in her training sessions and mastered it quickly.
"We don't fear water!" Bruno claimed. "Steelix is not one to fall so easily to a simple shower. Crush her with your jaws. Thunder Fang!"
"Acid Armor!"
Steelix lunged at her, mouth agape. He caught her in his massive mouth, biting down on her with his Thunder Fang. To his surprise, the small aquatic Pokemon fought with her incredible defenses. The bite did a considerable amount of damage but it was much less than he anticipated doing.
-"Blargh!"- Steelix's body shook, spitting out the Vaporeon. He slithered back, writhing in intense pain.
"What!? I didn't tell you to let her free!" Bruno howled at his Pokemon.
"That was a nice Water Pulse," Red praised his Pokemon's actions.
Vaporeon's body trembled from the electric shocks coursing through her. –"I had a clear shot for a critical hit,"- Vaporeon responded shaken. Her tremors calmed after the Aqua Ring began to slowly heal her.
"Steelix, don't stand idling as she regains health. Heavy Slam!" Bruno angrily commanded. His muscles bugled as his fury grew stronger.
"Hydro Pump, now!" Red called out.
Steelix coiled up, preparing to launch himself at Vaporeon. His body produced a harsh metal ring as steel collided with steel. The giant snake's sluggish movement was his downfall as he was doused with the Hydro Pump. He let out a mighty roar before crashing down onto the earth, shaking the ground.
"Steelix is unable to battle. Vaporeon is the winner!" called out the Pokemon League referee.
"That should teach you to think my Vaporeon is one to be underestimated!" Red jeered.
-"You got that right!"- Vaporeon barked.
"Don't get cocky yet kid!" Bruno shouted back. "The Elite Four are not ones to be easily beaten. It's time I show my true fighting strength. Hitmonchan would be the one to knock that into your skull!"
Appearing on the torn up battlefield was the Punching Pokemon, Hitmonchan. Prancing side-to-side on his nimble feet, the boxer rapidly jabbed the air. His punches swatted the imaginary foe at blinding speeds. A person needed to focus intensely to catch a glimpse of its punch movement.
-"You would do nicely as a punching bag,"- Hitmonchan said invigorated.
"Don't just stand there! Comet Punch!"
Red decided on the best course of action. "Shadow Ball," Red simply ordered.
Hitmonchan sprinted, boxing gloves pulled close to his body. He used his forearms to block the Shadow Ball, momentarily stunning him. Sidestepping the next Shadow Ball, Hitmonchan lunged forward with a punch. He released a fury of punches, each connecting with Vaporeon. His assault continued until he realized the hits were doing minimal damage.
-"Is that all you got,"- Vaporeon huffed, disappointed by the weak punches.
-"Impossible!"- Hitmonchan bellowed right before being swamped with a Water Pulse.
Vaporeon's defenses should be able to deal with any physical attack this guy dishes out, Red confidently thought. "Quick Attack!"
Vaporeon chased down Hitmonchan and tackled him into the ground. Her body shimmered, slowly healing from the Comet Punch.
Is this guy really considered the best fighting Pokemon trainer? Red thought bemused. He expected a challenge but Bruno has been showing that the Elite Four were a mere joke. His fight with Giovanni was tougher than this. He couldn't help but feel like he deserved to be cocky in this situation.
"The gloves are coming off!" Bruno shouted. He needed to salvage the dignity of his Pokemon and his worth as a trainer. "Thunder Punch then Power-up Punch!"
Hitmonchan hopped from one foot to the other, making it difficult for Vaporeon to predict from the side he will attack. He didn't drop his gloves as Bruno said but charged them with electricity. He feinted left, tricking Vaporeon into jumping into the right. He drew a powerful punch, slipping it right into her side.
That Thunder Punch did way more than I anticipated! Red thought befuddled.
"Drive him away! Hydro Pump!" Red immediately ordered. "Don't let him get a chance to land a Power-Up Punch."
The electrifying punch sent Vaporeon rolling on the ground. She didn't spend much time on the floor and bolted onto her feet. An eruption of water blasted Hitmonchan far away from her.
"Get back right in there!" Bruno eagerly shouted, raising a proud fist. "Mach Punch!"
There was little Red could do to stop the attack. It was too quick to evade. Hitmonchan appeared before Vaporeon to slug her with a glowing fist. Fast as lightning, Hitmonchan walloped Vaporeon with his next punch. The last punch threw Vaporeon onto her back.
That was the Power Up Punch, Red realized, seeing Hitmonchan's strength gradually increase. "You're holding up well, Vaporeon," Red acknowledged Vaporeon's defenses. "Hydro Pump again!"
"You have the power now to crush mountains!" Bruno shouted in an over-the-top manner. "Detect and Focus Punch!"
Hitmonchan skillfully avoided the incoming Hydro Pump with Detect. He focused all of his strength into his right fist, shimmering with incredible power.
"Quick Attack," Red humbly ordered.
Vaporeon tackled the boxing Pokemon in a flash. Hitmonchan staggered backwards, losing his concentration. Vaporeon hopped back and collected purple matter on the tip of her nose. Throwing her head forward she launched the Shadow Ball directly at Hitmonchan's head. The Shadow Ball exploded on contact, knocking Hitmonchan onto his back.
"That's the way to win!" Red said overjoyed, calling out the knockout before the ref could make the call which he soon did, handing the victory to him.
This is going south really fast! Bruno thought alarmed. I know Lance told me to that this would be a tough fight but to have him sweep half my team so far with only one Pokemon fainting is ridiculous. Even with all that training I did before this event! Bruno failed to say that he used most of his time training his own body than preparing his Pokemon for battle. But these kinds of battles are why I joined the Elite Four. Only the best trainers come to challenge me here!
"We need to make a comeback!" Bruno shouted, shunning out the negative thoughts as his master told him. "Machamp, you'll be the one to do so!"
The prized Pokemon of the Elite Four Bruno finally made his appearance. It scowled menacingly and flexed all four of its muscular arms in anticipation.
-"Oho! The challenger that wishes to become Champion of the Elite Four,"- Machamp smugly said. –"I've been training hard for this match not to only defeat you but to take the role of champion for myself!"- he laughed.
Vaporeon tilted her head in confusion. –"Why haven't you tried to fight for the spot then?"- she posed the question.
-"It's because we still are not yet confident enough to take on Lance,"- Machamp brazenly answered. –"So, if we're not ready to take on Lance, then certainly you won't stand a chance!"-
"Enough waffling around," Bruno gained his Pokemon's attention. "Pummel her with Close Combat!"
"Water Pulse! We might get the confusion this time!" Red ordered.
Vaporeon fired her attack first as Machamp had to approach for his technique. The Water Pulse simply bounced off Machamp's brawny frame, doing minimal damage and no confusion. The fighting Pokemon recklessly charged at Vaporeon to unleash an all-out assault on her, beating her with all four arms. Vaporeon cried in pain at every punch Machamp dealt out. A final blow sent her bouncing across the ground and she down and out.
This is Pokemon is on a whole other level than those other three! Red thought to himself, feeling like the real challenge was going to start now. Fine then. Machamp is one of the top four Pokemon I should be looking out for in this Elite Four challenge. I need every advantage I can get over him.
"Charizard, standby for battle!"
"Type advantage after type advantage," Bruno muttered under his breath. "We are not in the least deterred by your Charizard. Punch him with the strength of an explosion! Dynamic Punch!"
"Fire Blast him. You're not going to have much trouble hitting him!"
Machamp charged at Charizard with no regard for his well-being all while he focused all of his destructive power into his lower left fist. The harsh red glow in his fist didn't peter nor waver when Machamp ran straight into the Fire Blast. He emerged with multiple burn marks but none lasted long enough to effectively hinder his physical attacks. He attacked Charizard with full force, ramming his Dynamic Punch straight into Charizard's gut.
True to its extravagant name, the Dynamic Punch was lively. The energy contained in Machamp's fist practically exploded. The powerful blow was weakened by Charizard's resistance to fighting but it didn't stop the attack from racking his skull, successfully confusing him.
-"I bet you never been hit by such a strong punch,"- Machamp gasped, drenched in sweat from the heat and focus he had to muster to perform the Dynamic Punch.
"Come on, Charizard! Air Slash! He's right in front of you!" Red raved as his Charizard aimlessly staggered about.
"Don't stop there! Close Combat!"
Charizard had moment of clarity during his confusion and whipped his left wing forward. He slashed Machamp diagonally, slicing him with Air Slash. Machamp had his weak defenses go down lower thanks to Close Combat making the super effective attack even more damaging. He visibly flinched from the gash stretching from his left shoulder down to his right hip.
"Slash!" Red hoped to get Charizard in time.
Charizard's muddled mind heard the order and he attacked the quailing Machamp with his sharp claws. The attack struck Machamp but he quickly recovered from this cut and slammed two fists into Charizard's head. The Close Combat shook his skull, returning him back into his confused state.
"You got him now! Cross Chop!" Bruno chortled, seeing Red hopelessly shout commands at his Pokemon to no avail.
-"Not so hot now!"- Machamp mocked with a grin. He caught Charizard's arm as he tried to scratch him with a Metal Claw and threw him back. He crossed all four arms of his in front of him, forming an 'X' shape that shimmered with light and power. With this pose, he attacked Charizard with his Cross Chop, dealing substantial damage as he scored a critical hit.
Charizard cried after taking the fighting move. His head cleared, he escaped Machamp's physical attacks by flying out of reach. He needlessly roared before breathing his Flamethrower, burning Machamp.
"You can't escape from. Machamp, show him that he's not safe anywhere! SMACK DOWN!" Bruno practically yelled his order.
Machamp struggled to keep his arms up against the Flamethrower. He dropped his defenses, allowing the flames wash over him inflicting burns on him. He reached down and plucked a hefty rock from the ground. Tossing it up to test its weight, Machamp felt it was perfect for the job. He took careful aim at Charizard, and then with one quick motion, he threw the stone with great precision.
The rock struck Charizard's side, causing him to cry in pain. He lost control of his body leading him to fall straight into the ground.
"Nothing is able to escape us!" Bruno proclaimed to the skies.
-"I'm not done yet,"- Charizard snarled, climbing back onto his feet. The furious red aura burned around his body.
-"Such vigor,"- Machamp gawked, excited by the challenge. –"Is your will as strong as ours. Do you have what it takes to defeat us?"-
He's low on health but so is Machamp, Red saw the glimmer of hope he had. No Blast Burn since that will be overdoing it and it's best to save it for the next match, Red rationalized. He gave his order to his awaiting Charizard. "Go for it, Charizard. Don't hold back. Fire Blast!"
"We can't back down from this challenge!" Bruno exclaimed, adopting a fighting stance as if he was ready to charge in. "SUPER-POWER!"
Machamp's strength was temporarily boosted by the Superpower, wielding tremendous strength. His body outlined in a light blue aura, Machamp somehow seemed more menacing and stronger than ever before. He flexed his bulging muscles that could pop out of his body at any given moment. The display of strength was short-lived.
The Fire Blast was too large for Machamp to dodge but he wasn't planning on evading it. He charged straight into the fire again with his newfound strength. The Fire Blast imploded, severely burning the Elite Four Pokemon. Machamp emerged from the flames burned to a crisp. He collapsed, letting out a shocked gasp.
-"Pfft. Reckless Idiot,"- Charizard muttered.
Bruno graciously accepted this defeat, letting the crowd cheer for Red without his shouting. "That was an excellent display of manliness. You will prevail in our next challenge," he thoughtfully said. Taking out his next Pokeball, Bruno returned to his wild persona. "We won't let Machamp down, Hitmonlee!"
The famous Kicking Pokemon sprang into action. He immediately began with a frenzy of wild kicks into the air, showing off his stretchy legs and the incredible reach they had.
-"Hitmonlee…last one I fought helped me evolve,"- Charizard reminisced in the days he cried on having such a pudgy body.
"Fake Out!" Bruno abruptly commanded.
"Wait! Charizard, Blast Burn!" Red sharply cried, flailing his arms.
A flash of white light escaped Hitmonlee's right hand. The flash was small and brief but Red caught it with his heightened senses. The Hitmonlee held something in its claws and it activated at the start of the battle.
Charizard prepared his body to fire off the Blast Burn. Hitmonlee appeared before him in a bat of an eye. His hands came together to form the Fake Out in Charizard's face. The thin, sharp wave of air slashed Charizard across his face, forcing him to flinch and collapse onto his back.
That Fake Out was much stronger than any normal Fake Out, Red wondered. Charizard barely entered Blaze so he had enough health to take one Fake Out. What Hitmonlee held in his hand at start gave him that boost.
Red felt no harm in asking. "What was that item Hitmonlee held, Bruno?" Red asked right after returning his Charizard.
Bruno smugly grinned, crossing his arms. "You caught it? It happened so quick that I thought you wouldn't have noticed," Bruno said intrigued. "Since, you saw it…it was simply a Normal Gem. Whenever a Normal attack is used, the gem is absorbed and greatly boosts the attack."
"Which is why it was enough to take out my Charizard at this range," Red realized. I guess he does employ some strategy into his tactics, Red gave Bruno credit. "We better watch out for more tricky tactics, Gabite!"
The Pokeball snapped open to release Gabite.
-"It's time to show the world our power and become champions!"- Gabite thundered in his boastful voice.
-"Don't get to cocky yet, kid,"- Hitmonlee retorted. –"We also have our eyes on the prize and we are not going to give it up so easily!"-
"High Jump Kick!"
Hitmonlee jumped on its spring-like legs straight into the air. At his peak he could have easily vaulted over a seven meter pole. His oiled body glistened under the stage lights, blinding some of the spectators. Gravity quickly took him down and he stretched out his extendable leg like a bungee cord.
"Just Dragon Pulse," Red ordered, undisturbed by Hitmonlee's short demonstration of his skills.
Gabite, squinting from the bright lights above him, coughed up a last second Dragon Pulse that successfully hit its mark. The blue ball of energy burst on contact, blasting Hitmonlee in his broad chest. The Dragon pulse set him off course and made him miss his mark. He painfully crashed to the right of Gabite, skidding across the rough ground, only to stop a few meters away from his opponent. His was face down in the ground not moving a single muscle.
He will definitely feel that next day in the morning, Red cringed. And that blunder cost him nearly half of his health.
"Rolling KICK!"
Hitmonlee bolted to his feet, catching Gabite off guard. He spun around to roundhouse kick Gabite. Gabite instinctively blocked the blow aimed at his noggin with a single claw. The kick was lacking strength and merely pushed him slightly back. Hitmonlee spun around a second time, extending his foot further to reach. His incredible reach surprised Gabite, who lowered his guard. The kick sent him spinning around like a top.
"Don't waste any more time. Mega Kick!"
"Watch out, Gabite," Red called out to him.
Acrobatically hopping towards Gabite, Hitmonlee approached with his Mega Kick ready. With a rising kick, he struck Gabite as if he were a football. Gabite bounced across the field, coming to painful stop in the middle of the field. He sorely moaned and struggled to get back up.
Bruno saw the opportunity for his chance to make a comeback. "Strengthen that spirit of yours, Hitmonlee. Bolster to strength to those of gods. Use Meditate!" Throwing his fist into the air, Bruno's spirit burned brighter than before.
"Are you well enough to continue?" Red tended to his Pokemon's injuries first.
Cracking his back, Gabite turned towards his trainer. –"I still got energy in me. Let me beat this…bendy-straw man!"- Gabite said back, fully restored in spirit.
Red grinned at his enthusiasm. "Then head straight for him. Dragon Rush!"
Gabite rushed towards Hitmonlee, who stood perfectly still. Balancing on one leg, Hitmonlee took a strange pose as he meditated. His mind grew clear as he searched for the power within him. His body resonated with a blue aura, slowly increasing his attack.
-"Oof!"- Hitmonlee sputtered. He knew he shouldn't have been shocked to see a Gabite throwing himself at him at full force since he left himself open, but he too deep in his mind to remember he was in battle. With his head slammed into the ground, Hitmonlee nearly lose conscious at that moment.
-"How's that for power!"- Gabite spat. He escaped the assault with no injuries.
Bruno studied his Hitmonlee. He has spent years with them so it was no surprise that he can figure out when they were on the brink of blacking out. "You have done well, Hitmonlee. Let's go down so easily, yet. Take him down with SUB-MISSION!" Bruno roared.
"Gabite, don't let him get to you. Dragon Rage!"
The distance between Gabite and Hitmonlee was no more than a few meters. With a couple long, loping strides, Hitmonlee reached the dragon before it could even react to its order. He smoothly avoided the Dragon Rage from close range and caught him from behind.
Gabite struggled to free himself form the hold. –"Let go-of ME!"- Gabite wailed, flailing his arms.
-"I will if you survive this,"- Hitmonlee grunted in deep, masculine voice.
Compressing his legs, the springs released their mechanical energy, launching both him and Gabite into the air. Gabite wildly thrashed as they flew up but Hitmonlee kept his grip. When they came back down, Hitmonlee twisted back to have them land head first into the ground. He also did a twirl, sending both of them spiraling back down. Gabite did little to fight back as he became disoriented by the spinning. Both met their demise as they crashed back down.
Flopping on the ground like dead weight, both fighters lay across the field motionless. The reckless act knocked out Gabite and Hitmonlee, leaving it now to 2 to 1 Pokemon remaining.
"You set the stage for our retaliation," Bruno praised his Pokemon. "We are standing firm!"
"I still have two Pokemon left," Red reminded Bruno. "And this guy is going to put a stop to your fighting Pokemon. Show them what you're made of, Nidoking!"
"Hah! Poison-types pose no threat to me," Bruno declared. "Not when I have you, Hariyama!"
A foreign Pokemon that Red never seen before took the spotlight. It's wide mass overshadowed Red's heaviest Pokemon. Standing on its two feet was a large, hulking fighting Pokemon that sternly resembled a sumo wrestler. He waved his enormous, orange hands as if he was entering a standoff against an opponent in a traditional karate movie.
It was times like these that Red wished he could use his Pokedex to gain more information. It was forbidden since it would give him a greater advantage than other trainers.
-"Being larger than me doesn't make that much scarier,"- Nidoking admitted. He was more amused by Hariyama than frightened.
"Act now and Earthquake," Red acted first.
"Don't make light of his size," Bruno tersely warned; "Hit them fast and hard. Bullet Punch!"
Hariyama surprised both Red and Nidoking by sprinting towards them at blinding speed. He clobbered Nidoking with multiply punches in a matter of seconds. Nidoking took the Bullet Punch then reacted with an Earthquake. The quake caused Hariyama to collapse onto his back, rocking him back and forth along the rumbling floor.
Red gave out his order once the shaking completely seized. "Poison Jab! Get him poisoned."
Hariyama gracelessly rolled back onto his feet. He received the sharp jab to his large gut, grunting in pain. He forcefully shoved Nidoking back, clutching his stomach. He felt luck as to not get poisoned.
"Do it now. Body Slam!" Bruno abruptly shouted.
Hariyama pounced at the chance. Nidoking yelped before being crushed by Hariyama's body. A small shockwave shook the ground as Hariyama landed his Body Slam. After a brief moment of stillness, Hariyama peeled himself off Nidoking.
-"Grr…This better have been worth it,"- Hariyama grumbled. He doubled over in pain as the poison strengthened within him.
-"I can barely move,"- Nidoking howled in anguish. He struggled to get up back up. His muscles would lock up at any attempt to move.
"Have you been paralyzed?" Red asked shocked. Body Slam does have the chance to do so, Red recalled.
Bruno smiled through the ordeal. "It's a shame you don't have the Guts ability or we could use this poison to our advantage," he remarked. "But we can use their status for our own gain. Smack him good with Smelling Salts!"
"Ice Beam! Try to recuperate from the paralysis," Red said.
Hariyama blocked the incoming Ice Beam with a single hand. He clenched his hand into a fist, breaking the ace. He proceeded to slam Nidoking upside on his head with a broad hand. He repeatedly slapped Nidoking in various parts of his body in quick succession.
"Nidoking, create some space. Rock Slide!"
The hit were hard-hitting but every blow slowly relieved him of his paralysis. A final slap to his neck and Nidoking finally reacted. He pounded the ground, pushing back Hariyama with the Rock Slide. He flexed his sore muscles, completely revered from the paralysis.
"You're cured of your paralysis?" Red uttered in disbelief.
-"Those punches of his set my muscles back into their correct positions,"- Nidoking nodded.
"That the downside of using Smelling Salt," Bruno explained. "The attack does double the usual damage but rids the victim of paralysis."
"That's completely fine with us," Red said right back. "Nidoking, Focus Energy. You're low on health so let's make this next attack count!"
"Hariyama, get up and attack Nidoking!" Bruno eagerly commanded. His Pokemon threw the boulders off his body as his foe prepared his technique. "Run right back in there and Force Palm. That should stun them long enough for a Heavy Slam this time!"
"Strike now!" Red shouted, dramatically throwing out his hand towards the foe. "Horn Attack!"
Nidoking allowed Hariyama to get closer before sprinting towards him. He lowered his, pinpointing Hariyama's weak point. He lunged forward towards the Force Palm to stab Hariyama in the middle of his chest. Both tumbled back down together.
Both trainers held their breath as the referee walked to the fallen Pokemon.
"Double knock out!" he shouted. "Out of usable Pokemon, Bruno has been defeated. The victory goes to Red Ketchum from Pallet Town!"
Bruno let out a disheartened sigh, returning his Hariyama. "My job is done. I've lost so I have nothing more to say," he solemnly said to Red. His confident grin soon returned. "Go on and face your next challenge!" he walked off the arena.
He brought it close at the end but I guess having new Pokemon gave him a slight disadvantage, Red determined. The rest won't be as easy as this. Red collected his thoughts and walked back into his waiting room to prepare for the next match.
