Heart of Stone
"Hey, it looks like they already started!" Joey exclaimed after turning on the plasma television hanging on the wall. He placed the remote onto a plastic table set up in the middle of the barren warehouse.
Joey and his comrades were settled in a large, barren warehouse. Basic appliances such as a refrigerator, microwave, coffee machine, and even a working sink were set up in the far corner. The rest of the warehouse was filled with an assortment of vacant metal cages. The metal bars were strong enough to hold most Pokemon in the cages. The enclosures were small enough to fit a Rattata and large enough to house a Rhyperior. The dull, somber environment was livened up by the small entertainment corner set across from the kitchen. A television was hanging from the wall with low table below it. Old leathery couches were set up in front of the plasma TV, with a few metal chairs scattered around.
"That kid is already fighting the Elite Four after it has been weeks since our confrontation," Drake remarked, with a hint of resentment.
Joey was too busy raiding the fridge, taking out a pack of beer. "This warehouse used to belong to Team Rocket," Joey answered as he handed out drinks to his thirsty followers.
"As if the giant 'R' on this wall wasn't enough for us to figure it out," Ice stoically said, looking up to the obnoxious logo. He opened up little by little to the group over the days.
Drake accepted his drink with a smirk. "Friday night with the Pokemon League on TV and a pack of beer," he amusingly said, opening his drink with loud snap. He plopped down on the worn couch, sinking into its cushions.
Ice accepted his without a word, and silently drank. He stared at the screen, witnessing the final moments of Red's battle with Bruno.
"This place did belong to Team Rocket," Joey reiterated his statement.
"But what is Team Rocket doing out here in the Sevii Islands?" Drake brazenly asked.
Ice rudely sighed. "It's quite obvious that this was part of their operation of poaching. Capture the Pokemon native to the Sevii islands to sell them on the black market in Kanto," Ice gestured to all the metal cages behind them.
"Right you are my boy!" Joey enthusiastically praised. "But since Team Rocket disbanded, the remaining members deserted this place. A couple grunts decided to stick around since they had nowhere to go but I made quick work of them!" As he talked, he pulled his hoodie on and made his way to the door close to refrigerator.
"And where are you going?" Drake abruptly questioned.
Joey fixed his fussy hair. "I'm going out for a short walk," he vaguely answered, checking himself out in the reflection of the metal fridge.
"Aren't you going to watch?" Drake pointed towards the television that was at the moment taking a short commercial break.
"Don't need to," he sharply answered. "I know how it's going to end." He undid the locks on the door but stopped himself before he left. "Oh and just a reminder. Make sure to treat her with the upmost of respect when she arrives. She's…delicate? Just don't try to get on her bad side That goes double for you, Drake. I don't want to come back to find your disemboweled body ruining the floor."
"Just get out of here, already!" Drake shouted.
Standing in the trainer box was an elderly lady, maintaining her balance with the help of her crudely-made wooden cane. She propped herself on the ligneous cane, keeping a straight stance and a fierce, confident look. She patiently waited for Red to take his position on the battlefield.
She brushed back strands of her short, blonde hair away from her face, frowning. "It took you quite some time. It's not acceptable to arrive late, especially for important arrangements, young man," she sternly lectured, slamming her cane down.
Red sheepishly rubbed the back of his head, feeling guilty. "I had to run out a bit to prepare for this match, ma'am. Sorry for the inconvenience," Red timidly apologized. I've heard she had a short temper, but to be already scolding me at the start of a match is nerve-wracking, Red anxiously thought. He knew it was best to show the Agatha, the eldest Elite Four member, respect but he being late was unavoidable for him. Agatha…she will surely no doubt be a challenge. Her experiences over the years must have prepared her for all trainers.
Agatha studied him with a strict look. "So, you're the boy Oak has taken an interest," she unexpectedly said, sounding slightly disappointed.
Red raised a concerned eyebrow. "Is that so…"Red awkwardly replied, not sure how to respond to the remark.
Agatha adopted a bitter tone. "That old duff used to be a tough battler…and quite handsome," she said, looking down. She slammed her cane hard on the floor. "But that was decades ago! He's an empty shell of his former self! Nowadays, he just sits down in his lab, fiddling with that stupid Pokedex of his." She rambled on, not deterred by being broadcast on live television. "He's wrong! Pokemon are for battling not for research! Let's show him how real trainers battle!"
Red nervously gulped. Why does she have such a grudge against Professor Oak's research? And why is she taking out her resentment on me!
The referee was the one who determined when the match started. He shouted his order and both trainers released their starting Pokemon simultaneously.
Gabite was Red's choice while Agatha sent her prized pokemon straight into the first match. Agatha's Gengar hovered above ground, grinning like maniac. This Pokemon has been with her the longest and is her strongest member.
"I see you do only use those same six Pokemon," Agatha belittled Red's lack of diversity. "I took the time to study your team and found the weaknesses of each one."
"That hasn't stopped us before," Red stated. "We have ways to deal with our weaknesses. Gabite, Dragon Rage!"
"Such an impertinent young man," Agatha remarked. "You youth still have much more to learn before you can overcome the veteran trainers. Gengar, Will-O-Wisp!"
Gabite burned Gengar right as he got his order. The dragon shockwave did minimal damage, reminding Red how useless Dragon Rage is against Pokemon at this high level. Gengar lifted a finger and conjured up a bewitched flame that he flung at Gabite.
"Escape it. Go underground!" Red shouted.
-"Down I go!"- Gabite bellowed, diving straight down. The flame wisp struck the ground, scorching the Earth.
Gengar floated higher in the air. –"Heh, ground-type moves have no effects on me you idiots,"- he taunted, spinning in the air.
-"Get him with Burning Claw!"- Red shouted once Gabite was close enough.
Bursting from beneath Gengar, Gabite seared Gengar with his Flamethrower. He combined the flames with his Dragon Claw and slashed the ghost across his chest, knocking him out of the air. Gengar regained his composure before hitting the ground and floated back up.
"Those kinds of tricks won't work on us anymore," Agatha proclaimed. "Shadow Punch, Gengar. Don't let him escape. Icy Wind!"
"Dragon Pulse, Gabite!"
Gengar punched towards Gabite, hitting thin air. His shadow mimicked his movement, but the fist part shot forward like a missile and collided with Gabite's shadow. The fist materialized from Gabite's shadow and punched him in his right cheek. Shocked by being punched from his own shadow, Gabite left himself open to Gengar's Icy Wind. The freezing wind devastated the dragon, slowing him considerably.
-"Brr…"- Gabite murmured, teeth chattering. He heated himself from the inside, bringing forth his burning spirit as a dragon and launched his Dragon Pulse. Gengar faltered from the direct hit.
-"This cold is freezing me to the core,"- Gabite whined, shaking off the icicles that formed on his legs.
"He's not going to escape this one," Agatha affirmed. "Put him to sleep. Hypnosis!"
"Don't allow him. Push him back with Flamethrower," Red opposed. "We can't have you fall victim to sleep!"
-"Just a tad too slow!"- Gengar laughed, appearing before Gabite. He locked eyes with him and sent hypnotic waves directly into him. Gabite shuddered before collapsing on the ground. –"Pleasant dreams,"- he whispered.
"Give him something to be afraid. Nightmare!" Agatha ordered next.
Gengar spun around, emitting dark, malicious energy. –"Nightmares do tend to give dreams a nice bitter taste,"- Gengar's grin widened. Gabite trembled in his deep sleep, horrified by the dark visions in his dreams making Gengar chuckled.
"Now, regain back your health by eating his dreams!" Agatha shouted next.
Red gritted his teeth. "I've had enough!" Red bellowed in frustration. "Gabite, return!" Red recalled Gabite back into his Pokeball, relieving him of his torment.
Gengar's bright smile wilted into a frown. –"I went through the trouble of preparing that dream,"- he whimpered, crossing his arms.
"Oh, had enough of being played around?" Agatha wittily said.
You are a formidable trainer, Red admitted in his mind, clutching a pokeball close to his chest. He peered down at it before making his decision. "This next Pokemon will surely throw you into a loop!" Red exclaimed. His Pokeball snapped open, firing a red laser to form the body of a scrawny canine.
Agatha's smug, wrinkly face contorted into shock. "Where did you get that repugnant Pokemon!?" Agatha asked outraged by the new circumstances.
Facing Gengar was the violent, despicable Pokemon: Houndoom. He materialized with crude smirk and proud stance. He didn't look at all agitated to be ordered around by Red. In fact, it seemed as if he was eager to fight alongside Red.
"This is my Houndoom!" Red cheekily answered.
"You never had a Houndoom!" Agatha condemned him, tightly gripping the knob of her cane.
Red grinned. "This Houndoom belonged to my brother. He sadly left him behind and so he was left in my ownership. I have the legal documentation if you doubt the transaction was legitimate," he directly replied, entertained by Agatha's bemused face. "He is the reason I arrived late to this match. I had to trade him out for one of my existing Pokemon and the PC was located in the lobby."
Gengar wasn't at all shocked by the unexpected events. –"Hehe. So, this won't be a boring match after all,"- Gengar snickered, amused by the revelation.
Houndoom threateningly snarled. –"You will definitely not be laughing by the end of this,"- Houndoom scowled. –"If my trainer Ember decided to challenge the Elite Four back then, our fight would have been equal. But now, I'm going to curb stomp you!"-
Red sensed the restlessness in Houndoom. We only trained together for a few weeks…Red thought troubled. We developed a stronger connection to better coordinate during battle. I gained his respect as a trainer and a friend. Red renewed confidence in this decision. He did risk his life to save mine, Red recalled Houndoom's selfless deed. I got to place my trust in him now!
"What the hell is this shit!" Drake bellowed, crushing his empty can in his hand. "That's Ember's Pokemon. Why does he have it? And why is that mutt even listening to that kid?"
Ice kept his silence up to this moment. "Do I sense that you still have that blind admiration of Ember?" he asked in a condescending tone. He finished his beer and placed it on the table.
Drake shot a nasty glare at Ice. "I have lost all respect for Ember. To have his Pokemon taken by this kid just further strengthens my thoughts in believing Ember was never that great," he bitterly answered.
Loud banging made both men looked over their shoulder. The banging was coming from the metal door that Joey left through earlier. The knocking stopped but only for a few seconds before someone began to knock on it again.
"Is that the person that we're waiting for?" Drake dumbly asked.
Ice reluctantly got up from his chair, haven gotten comfortable. "Only one way to find out," he said, holding out a Pokeball as he approached the door.
Agatha recuperated from her sudden shock. "It makes no difference," she said, not sounding so sure of herself. "Gengar, Night Shade!"
Red had this ordered prepared even before the battle started. Houndoom was detrimental to Agatha mainly due to his dark-type being powerful against ghost-types. His most devastating move was Red's first choice of attack.
"Sucker Punch!"
Houndoom shot across the battlefield at a moment's notice. His movements were fluid, producing very little sound as he snuck up on Gengar. He dealt the cheap shot, as Gengar prepared to attack, by ramming his horns into Gengar. Gengar's tongue comically shot out his tongue like an eccentric cartoon character as he felt the hit.
Agatha instinctively clutched her cane, astounded by how much damage the move did. "This is outrageous. Gengar hit him hard with Focus Blast," she commanded, waving her wooden stick like a mad woman.
-"That really hurt!"- Gengar condemned Houndoom, growing angrier.
Houndoom jumped back, creating space between them. –"Then try and do something about. Hit me with your best Focus Blast!"- he attacked, pawing the ground with his thin leg.
"Houndoom, Dark Pulse should put this to an end," Red brazenly said.
Gengar cupped his hands, collecting blue light. He fashioned the energy into a pulsing blue sphere of light and fired it at Houndoom. The canine hopped backwards but the Focus Blast exploded below him, sending him flying backwards. He skillfully recovered from the powerful blast and repaid Gengar for the Focus Blast with his own Dark Pulse. The black beam shot across the field in an instant, striking Gengar in his right side. He lost his ability to levitate and plummeted into the ground.
A green flag raised and the referee shouted, "Gengar is not able to battle. Houndoom is the winner!" His imposing voice resonated through the speakers.
Houndoom let out a victorious howl as the crowd cheered for him. –It has been far too long since I've been in an official battle, - Houndoom realized, thrilled to be back into the fray. –And it's up against of some of the strongest trainers in Kanto…- he scoffed at his own thought.
Agatha was not too pleased with the results. She grumpily replaced her Gengar with her next ghost Pokemon. "Shut him down, Sableye!"
Standing on its two legs, the Sableye barely stood half a meter tall. His blue gemstones for eyes were his prominent features as the rest of his scrawny purple body was relatively unimpressive. He did have gemstones embedded in its front and back, varying in colors but were significantly smaller than his eyes.
He jumped up and down like an excited child, waving his sharp claws above his large head. –"Hehe, a new friend to play with!"- he exclaimed, revealing his pair of vicious, sharp teeth. Red felt uneasy as he believed this Pokemon only belonged in the nightmares of children.
"His dark-type should offset any attacks you planned to throw at him," Agatha snobbishly said, smirking again.
"We don't rely solely on dark type moves," Red proclaimed. "We can burn him into a crisp with our fire attacks. Do it, Houndoom! Inferno!"
"Detect!" Agatha sharply said.
Sableye's red gems sparkled before the Inferno reached him. He predicted the path and took jumped towards a spot safe from danger. The Inferno scorched the earth where Sableye stood, leaving behind a bitter smell.
"Power Gem for major damage!"
The gems on Sableye's back lit up with white light as he charged up the attack. The large gemstone rooted in his belly shimmered with pink light. –"Gahaha!"- Sableye insanely laughed before firing a pale pink beam of light from his red jewel. The Power Gem struck down Houndoom in a blink of an eye.
Power Gem is a rock-type technique, Red remembered the move. I can allow for it to get any more hits like that. I need to pressure it into close combat!
"Fire Fang, Houndoom!"
Houndoom's tail sharply whipped the air as he crouched low. He ran up to the impish Pokemon and clamped his teeth around its right arm. He seared the hand with his Fire Fang before letting go and jumping back to avoid a blind swipe.
"Now, Feint Attack!" Red said next.
"Hit him with Brick Break!" Agatha yelled at her Sableye.
Houndoom played Sableye like a toddler. He faked multiple approaches before finally choosing a moment to strike. His body surged with dark energy, powering his normal tackle to bypass the ghost-type. He threw Sableye into the ground but the persistent Pokemon hopped back up to his feet and dealt a strong swipe across Houndoom's chest. The Brick Break did considerable damage, forcing Houndoom back.
"Follow up with another!" Agatha screeched, seeing it was very effective.
-"Don't you dare and try to follow me!"- Houndoom yowled, letting out a panic Flamethrower. The flames kept Sableye at bay.
"Hit from afar. Octazooka!" Agatha commanded, sounding a little too eager.
Sableye formed a black sphere of black liquid in between his large claws. The power did not radiate with malicious dark energy, making Red believe it was a water base attack after all. The inky sphere pulsated before exploding in Sableye's hands with a loud bang. The ink blast shot forward with enough recoil to throw the weightless Sableye onto its back. Houndoom howled from the Octazooka explosion. Icky ink covered his body in thick amounts, considerable slowing him down.
-"This stuff is outright disgusting!"- Houndoom bellowed, shaking off the ink. It luckily didn't get into his eyes and left him blinded. He was, however, starting to feel fatigue overtake his adrenaline.
Red felt the change in mood and acted on it. "We have to do it now, Houndoom. Get past his ghost defenses. Odor Sleuth!" Red ordered.
"Bah! How is removing his immunity to fighting and normal attacks going to help you? Houndoom doesn't learn anything useful for that to work!" Agatha lambasted. "You've given up on this Pokemon haven't you?"
Red retorted with nothing and kept his focus on Houndoom. The canine had begun to sniff out the opponent. A small orb of white light appeared on his nose as he sniffed the air. With a simple twitch of his muzzle, the orb broke into various streams of light that shot forward and struck Sableye, but did no harm.
"He's low on health. Get him with Night Shade," Agatha called out to her pokemon.
"He is low on health," Red acknowledged the predicament. "Which is why it's the perfect time to use Reversal. A full power Reversal to take this match!"
This mutt can learn Reversal! Agatha thought alarmed. It was too late to retract her order.
-"Taste this you goblin!"- Houndoom roared as his injured body collected all the energy he sustained during battle. The energy swirled around his body and he took off. Sableye barely managed to raise his claws in preparation of his Night Shade when Houndoom reached him. Houndoom full-body tackled the devious dwarf, launching across the field and straight into the wall. Sableye formed a crater in the thick cement wall.
"That was completely unexpected," Agatha cursed under her breath. "That Houndoom sure threw me into a loop."
"He's my trump card for this match," Red remarked, excited with the excellent results Houndoom produced.
"Which makes want to ask," Agatha began her question as she took out another Pokeball, "why bring in a new Pokemon for the Elite Four when you have relied on your own team this entire time?"
"I need every advantage I can get for the Elite Four," Red answered in a matter of fact tone. "I asked if he wanted to and he was eager to get the chance. That's all to it. I'm not betraying my own Pokemon. I did switch him out for one of my mine that was fairly useless against your ghost types."
Agatha took a moment to ponder on Red's words. I can guess which Pokemon he replaced, she thought dismayed since she had perfect Pokemon setup for him. "Dusknoir, let's put a stop to this dog's rampage!"
Dusknoir floated above ground with a wispy tail replacing its bottom half. It resembled a ghostly Cyclops with a rotund shape. It had no facial features besides its single red eye but Red could have sworn that the jagged yellow line across Dusknoir's belly formed a devilish smirk. The brawny ghost puffed his chest out, ready to take on the task.
"Shadow Sneak!"
"Sucker Punch!"
Both attacks gave the users unfathomable speed, making the following events transpire faster than the audience's eyes could follow. Houndoom ran across the field and tackled Dusknoir by ramming his horns into him. Dusknoir's Sneak Attack was already in effect before Houndoom struck him down. Dusknoir's shadow stretched out before him, reaching behind the speedy Houndoom. The shadows shot out from under Houndoom and attacked him by surprise. The end result was Dusknoir falling onto his back and Houndoom being thrown into the air then plunged into the ground.
Red could barely be able to keep with up the action and his worries caught up to him a second late. "Houndoom!" Red shouted.
Houndoom whimpered, as he tried to get back up. –"This-must…be,"- he huffed, falling back down. –"the end,"- he groggily finished. –"Now go and win,"- he whispered with his last breath of conscience.
"Houndoom has been knocked out! Dusknoir is the winner!" announced the battle judge.
"You did more than I asked of you," Red proudly said, raising Houndoom's battered Pokeball. His fingers ran across the ridges and bumps of the Pokeball, remembering how he fantasied on where Ember traveled to get these marks. He took a moment to look up towards the screen and see the recent events in slow motion. "You have lain down the path for victory now that her plans of countering have been seriously disoriented. Charizard, pick up where Houndoom left off!"
Dusknoir kept his lone stern eye on Red as he released his Charizard. He kept his mind clear as the pain numbed his abdomen. –The mistress warned me of him being the challenger's most potent fighter. Wielding special flames that can burn fire-types,- Dusknoir recounted his preparation with Agatha.
"So, the dragon has come to play," Agatha said, slightly smirking. "Dusknoir! Show no mercy. Thunder Punch him into submission!"
"Fire Blast! He's not too quick of a fighter," Red said.
Dusknoir braced the Fire Blast by crossing his beefy arms in front of him. The flames wrapped around his body, bringing him into a fiery embrace. Dusknoir unfurled his arms, throwing off the embers in an impressive display of strength. He lurched forward and struck Charizard with his fist crackling with electricity. Charizard brought his left wing forward to block but still got staggered by the blow.
This guy may be slow, but his defense and strength is incredible, Red acclaimed Dusknoir in his mind.
"Keep it coming!" Agatha shouted, cupping her hand close to her mouth as to sound louder. "Another Thunder Punch!"
"Parry with Wing Attack!" Red ordered.
Charizard brought his right wing this to attack. He brought it forward as if he was going to use it to block the incoming Thunder Punch but lashed out at the last possible moment. Dusknoir used his left fist to attack but the Wing Attack knocked his fist back, stunning Dusknoir this time. Charizard went wild with his fire. He brought his head forward and opened his jaw to spew out a Flamethrower. The fire relentlessly doused Dusknoir from close range.
"Rock Slide and get the hell out of there!" Agatha furiously shouted, clutching her cane so hard that for an instant it looked like she was going to break the handle.
"Fly out of there!" Red formed his counter.
Charizard stopped and flew out of the range of the Rock Slide. He flew no higher than fifty feet above ground before coming back down to burn Dusknoir with even more fire. The stench of burnt rubble was a soothing, nostalgic smell that gave him the extra moral boost.
"Bring him down with us," Agatha instructed, pointing her staff at Charizard as if she was going to cast a spell at him. "Gravity!"
Dusknoir radiate with psychic energy and unleashed it once it reached its maximum level. The gravity within the battlefield exponentially increased to the point that Charizard couldn't go against it and was pulled down. He spread his wings to reduce his fall damage. He had to breathe harder due to the increased pressure and his used up more energy to even move.
-"This is new,"- Charizard remarked, bewildered by the new circumstances. He turned to Red for guidance and saw he wasn't at all affected by the increased gravity. –At least he's not in its range,- he sighed.
"Get him with Charge Beam," Agatha said. "Don't give the chance to use that Blast Burn technique!"
Red received an affirmative nod from Charizard when he asked about his well-being. "We don't need Blast Burn to win this!" Red declared. "Fire Blast then get in close with Metal Claw."
Dusknoir was also affected by the Gravity but he dealt with it better than Charizard. His belly opened up along the jagged line across his abdomen, in the manner a mouth would open, to reveal his inside was nothing more than a black abyss. Within this empty darkness was where the Charge Beam formed. Charizard took a few steps forward before being zapped by the straight, yellow beam. The Charge Beam brought him closer to unconsciousness but Charizard persisted. He fought back with his Fire Blast.
-"You're doing a splendid job of hiding your fatigue,"- Charizard unexpectedly praised Dusknoir after the Fire Blast dissipated.
-"I'm not even close to being finished,"- Dusknoir proclaimed, unhitching his enormous mouth.
-"Hah! Don't act so cocky!"- Charizard scoffed, swiping across Dusknoir's chest with a couple of Metal Claws. He ended his combo with a Flame Burst directly into Dusknoir's single eye. From Dusknoir's massive mouth, came out the most peculiar and horrifying death scream Red has ever heard. The shriek startled booth Red and Charizard.
Dusknoir closed his eyes and fell onto the ground, mouth agape. He was declared unconscious, allowing Red to keep his impressive lead.
"That was bone chilling," Red quietly remarked. "But good job, nonetheless!"
"Hmph. Your Charizard won't be standing any longer. Here's my counter to your, Charizard!" Agatha announced. "Absorb his flames and render them useless, Chandelure!"
An eerie Pokemon, that took a striking resemblance of a simple chandelier, appeared before both Red and Charizard. Its black, iron arms were curled up and supported two flames on each arm. The flames burned a sickly purple hue as did the giant flame in the middle that was the head of the Pokemon. The flames were alive as Red determined just like Charizard's Blast Burn, making him believe that Agatha wasn't bluffing and this Pokemon could absorb the fire.
"Let's start things slow as you warm up," Agatha said to her Pokemon. "Shock Wave!"
Unfurling her arms in a frantic motion, Chandelure zapped Charizard with her inescapable lightning blast. –"Not so tough now, are you,"- she hummed in a haunting feminine voice. The black stripe between her pupil-less eyes forming a crude smirk.
Charizard cringe from the pain. –"How about-you say that after taking one of my hits!"- he angrily spouted.
Chandelure deviously giggled in her shrill voice. –"With what could you possible hurt me with? Your fire attacks are useless against me!"- she proclaimed, twirling around and throwing embers around her as to show off.
"Charizard, knock her into the ground. Air Slash!" Red commanded once Charizard recomposed himself.
"Attack with your full strength, Chandelure. Shadow Ball!" Agatha called out.
Charizard acted upon his orders first with his fury. He slashed Chandelure as she prepared her Shadow Ball between her arms. The slash knocked out of her levitation and into the ground.
"Get her quick! Earthquake!" Red immediately shouted.
Charizard brought his leg down faster than Agatha could form words on her lips. He gave Chandelure a taste of a powerful super-effective move. The Earthquake had her bouncing across the field like a lifeless doll. The rumbling soon stopped and she was in quite a daze. She was too disoriented to hear her trainer's order. The bizarre energy controlling gravity finally dissipated, allowing Charizard free range of his movement.
Charizard obeyed his command with ease and composure. He flew in close with a Wing Attack and used the drive to launch his next blow. A Dragon Rage that bypassed her fire immunity and shocked her to the core.
-"What was that about my flames not able to hurt you?"- Charizard chortled.
Chandelure was knocked back into reality. –"That was a Dragon-type attack. That doesn't count!"- she barked, fuming with anger. The flame on her head increased in size and vigor. She fired a Shadow Ball, pushing Charizard back.
"Charizard! Hold on for a little longer!" Red urged his Charizard after his Blaze ability came into play. "Air Slash again!"
"Quick! Shock Wave!" Agatha brashly shouted with more vigor than any old lady should have.
Charizard lifted his right wing and swiped it across Chandelure, cutting her with it. Chandelure didn't flinch this time and shocked him with her Shock Wave. Electrocuted by the attack, Charizard collapsed on the floor.
-"That was quite a fight,"- Chandelure meekly said, pleased with his performance.
Red returned his Pokemon and enlarged a new Pokeball. "I'll counter you with my own Pokemon. Nidoking, stand by for battle!"
"Such a brute should not easily defeat Chandelure," Agatha boldly said.
"Raze the battlefield. Earthquake!" Red gave his order straightaway.
Chandelure couldn't possibly evade the Earthquake and accepted her faith. She was at Nidoking's mercy, rocking back and forth. She survived the Earthquake with a sliver of health. The flames on her head flickered, nearly going out as she floated above ground.
Agatha sighed, looking down. "Overheat," she bitterly said.
"Chandelure is almost done. Ice Beam!" Red ordered.
Chandelure's body burned brighter than before. She unleashed all of her energy without warning and in all directions. Her Overheat tore up the battlefield, scorching everything it touched. Nidoking was caught in the blast, enduring it the best he could.
The flames dissipated, leaving Nidoking with multiple burns but none were serious. He froze Chandelure with his rapid Ice Beam, picking her off with a single hit. Chandelure crashed into the ground unconscious.
"She managed to accomplish what she set out to do," Agatha gratefully said, retrieving Chandelure. "Mismagius will win this with ease. Show them how overwhelming powerful we can become!"
A thin ghost Pokemon, that closely resembled a witch, took Agatha's side. Floating above ground, the ghost deviously giggled. The brim of the large witch hat nearly covered her yellow and red eyes. She extended her long, crooked neck to get a better view of Red and Nidoking.
"Go for it my darling," Agatha commanded, imitating Mismagius's sinister aura. "Calm Mind!"
Red knew what to do in this situation as did his Pokemon. "Amnesia! Now!"
Mismagius closed her eyes and floated higher as she lulled herself into a peaceful state of mind. Nidoking, on the other hand, deliberately erased his memories for a limited time only. Both Pokemon elevated their special stats at the start of battle.
"That's enough!" Agatha abruptly shouted. "Constrict him with Psychic."
Mismagius snapped out of her trance, losing her pink glow in the process. She dashed forward, getting in close to get a critical hit. She lashed at Nidoking with a powerful psychic blast that tore at his defenses. Nidoking howled in agony, eyes clenched shut.
Red sucked in his gut, feeling Nidoking's pain through his aura senses. "Attack her now. Poison Jab!"
Nidoking ignored the pain and slugged Mismagius with his Poison Jab. She was caught off guard by the sudden recovery and couldn't avoid it. She spun around in the air, her purple cloak flapping in the twirl as if it was an actual robe and not part of her body. She pulled herself together and caught herself before she could crash into the ground.
"That was quite a surprise," Agatha delightedly remarked. "His defenses are remarkable, but it can only keep him going for so long. Shadow Ball!"
-"I underestimated your special defense boost. Amnesia does counteract my own enhancements,"- Mismagius's twisted mouth contorted in a wicked smirk. –"But I won't make the same mistake twice!"-
Nidoking scratched his head, befuddled by his own thoughts. –"Yeah, but who is my mother?"- he asked, racking his brain to remember.
"Clear your head!" Red shouted distressed.
Mismagius cackled like an old hag. –"You really decided to erase memories of your own mother?"- she hooted. –"Maybe this will help you remember!"- She twirled and chanted in a haunting tone. Her Shadow Ball formed above her head and she fired it with a nod of her head. The Shadow Ball exploded into a flurry of dark purple sparks when it collided.
-This chilling feeling,- Nidoking thought disheartened. The Shadow Ball managed to plague his mind and body with its sinister aura, lowering his defenses as the uneasiness crept into his concentration.
Agatha caught the subtle change in Nidoking's composure and sought to take advantage of it. "Energy Ball!" she shouted, slamming her cane down.
"Fight back with Ice Beam!" Red tried to counter.
Nidoking was slower than Mismagius and thus took the blow first. The dainty green ball of light struck his chest, bursting open like a full water balloon. Light poured out of the Energy Ball, dealing grass-type damage. Nidoking recoiled from the hit but he brought his thick head forward and froze Mismagius in an instant.
"Get her quick. Deck her with a Fire Punch!" Red practically jumped with enthusiasm.
Mismagius broke the ice with her psychic strength, sending shards of ice in all directions. The frost kept her slow enough to be unable to stop Nidoking. She received the Fire Punch to her ghastly face, launching her upwards.
"Enough!'" Agatha barked making Red visibly cringe. She kept her stern look but she was fuming with frustration. "This has gone far enough. Mismagius! Finish him off with Psychic!"
Red pulled at his collar, feeling the heat get to him in this crucial moment. "Poison Sting! We need to get her poisoned!"
-"I got you, Red!"- Nidoking roared, taking a deep breath.
-"Not before I get you."- Mismagius haughtily said. Her eyes flashed for a brief moment and that was the end of it. Nidoking dropped to his knees before plunging into the rough floor.
"A tad too slow," Agatha remarked, pleased with the results. She easily calmed down from anger and returned to her self-assured attitude.
"This is one is no Slowbro. Pikachu, end this as fast as you can!" Red revealed his Pikachu onto the field.
-"Oh boy, the Elite Four better put up a good fight,"- Pikachu said, proudly standing. His back was arched and his paws were clenched. He had copious amounts of electricity coursing through his body, ready to strike at any given moment.
Mismagius shook off the last of the frost, finally returning to room temperature. –"Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We are the ones who are hoping for a good match,"- she menacingly said, floating lower to the ground.
"Blind him with Dazzling Gleam!" Agatha promptly commanded.
"Pikachu, Thunder Bolt!"
Mismagius was slightly faster than Pikachu, getting her attack off first. The Dazzling Gleam flashed before hitting Pikachu square in the face. He was staggered and blinded by the light. He left a huge opening that Mismagius acted upon with a powerful Shadow Ball. The ghost attack blasted Pikachu further back.
Red couldn't let his Pikachu sustain any more damage. He figured what Agatha's last Pokemon was and knew Pikachu had the best chance of winning. "Get in there quick! Hit her on the physical side. Iron Tail!"
Pikachu opened his eyes, slightly shaken up by the beating. He locked on to the target and sprinted towards her. He ran up to her and pounced. Whirling through the air, Pikachu used his momentum to deliver the finishing blow. He clonked her on the head with his Iron Tail, driving Mismagius into the ground. She made no further movement once she settled on the field with Pikachu landing next to her.
"The victory goes to the challenger's Pikachu!"
"Down to my last Pokemon," Agatha remarked, sounding more surprise than agitated. "I'm starting to see why the old duff has an interest in you. Let's fight till the bitter end!"
"Don't get too excited. I'm just a regular trainer. I could easily lose just as you can," Red said back.
"I wish for this to end in my favor but it seems I will be at a disadvantage," she ominously said before pushing the button on her pokeball. "Drifblim, gain the strength to blow him out of this arena!"
Drifblim was a possessed hot air balloon that gave Red the vibes that this was a flying type Pokemon. Her four ribbon-like appendages swayed at her side as she gently bobbed up and down in midair. The beady red eyes unnerved Red, since he couldn't tell its expression nor where she was looking at. Her eyes seem to flow both Red and Pikachu.
"Start out with Ominous Wind!" Agatha started the round.
"Let's hit them hard from the start!" Red loudly proclaimed. "Use Thunder Bolt!"
Pikachu wasted no time in attacking. He used the store up energy to deal a rapid Thunder Bolt. Drifblim squealed in a disturbing high-pitched voice while being shocked. She wavered but easily recuperated her composure. She twirled around, releasing a dark purple gas that got caught in an ill-omened wind and made it way over to Pikachu.
-"I don't like this feeling,"- Pikachu shrank, feeling as his soul was about to leave his body in the ghostly gust.
"Don't let a little air deter you," Red tried to downplay the attack but also felt as if he was going to faint from the eerie feeling. "Try Thunder this time!"
"Increase your evasion by decreasing. Use Minimize!" Agatha said.
Drifblim shrunk in size as she slowly let out hot air from the opening bellow her. The gush of air sounded like train whistle blowing before its departure. She was half her size after the Minimize making her more agile and harder to hit. She spun to her side to avoid the Thunder, making Pikachu strike a portion of the battlefield.
"Shadow Ball!" Agatha shouted, renewed with confidence.
Drifblim brought two of his tendrils close together at the tips and molded the shadowy energy into a glowing orb. She flung the purple sphere once it reached its max capacity. Pikachu was thrown back by the Shadow Ball, clonking his head on the ground.
"Minimize even further," Agatha said.
"Pikachu, let's show them that can't keep evading us for long," Red encouraged his pokemon. "Shock Wave!"
Pikachu flipped onto his feet and ran under the shrinking Drifblim. He jumped up high and released his inescapable Shock Wave in all directions. Drifblim wildly threw its arms out and used gust to blow Pikachu back. She received another shock from a direct Thunder Bolt.
Pikachu gritted his teeth as he roughly landed. The Gust did more damage from the landing than from the attack itself. He shook off the dirt from his shabby fur coat and went to work and producing more electricity.
"Disable!" Agatha bellowed.
Drifblim's lifeless pupils flashed and created a blue aura around Pikachu. Pikachu shuddered as he felt part of his recent memory get locked up by the Disable. The glow left his body and he struggled to remember how to use Thunder Bolt.
"We have other techniques other than Thunder Bolt," Red proclaimed. "Thunder now!"
"That may be true but that's your most powerful and reliable move. Phantom Force!" Agatha shot back.
Pikachu mustered his energy to form the beginnings of a Thunder but Drifblim reacted in a way that left Pikachu speechless. Bright purple light overtook Drifblim's entire body. The light diminished until it was completely gone and left no trace of Drifblim. Drifblim completely vanished in plain sight.
I can't believe this, Red thought in shock. He couldn't find Drifblim's essence anywhere in this stadium. He looked towards Agatha for a clue on where Drifblim went but only got a smug smile. The cocky smile brought Red to his senses. "Don't get so easily caught off guard. Drifblim is bound to appear sometime," Red said to Pikachu, scanning the area once more. "Set up the Electric Field. Get ready to attack at any moment."
Pikachu recycled the Thunder to produce the controlled electric field. Red noted the field was stronger than any electric field he produced before. He is certainly getting better at controlling a larger amount of electricity, Red thought.
The field was abruptly broken by a mysterious force. Purple light formed the shape of Drifblim and the balloon-like Pokemon appeared right behind Pikachu. The ghost tackled Pikachu, unleashing the energy in the form of purple light. Drifblim crumbled under the Electric Field after the attack. Pikachu landed on his feet and turned back.
"Iron Tail! This Pokemon can't take many hits!" Red commanded.
"Drifblim, catch Pikachu with Bind!" Agatha ordered.
Drifblim struggled against the paralysis to ensnare Pikachu in her ribbons. Pikachu dodged the appendages and jumped up towards Drifblim's face. He brought down his Iron Tail directly into the yellow 'X' mark on Drifblim's face. Her face gave in like any normal balloon would and violently erupted with energy. An explosion of hot air flung Pikachu off Drifblim. He sailed across the battlefield in landed close to Agatha.
"What was that?" Red asked, covering his eyes from the sudden blast. Drifblim floated to the ground, having lost most of its hot air and settled on the ground. Pikachu lay across the ground with a daze look in his eyes.
Agatha kept her balance as she lowered her head. "That was Aftermath. It's an ability that automatically triggers after the Pokemon faints. Drifblim exploded with her remaining energy to deal major damage," she calmly answered Red's inquiry. She lifted her head to hear the verdict from the referee.
"Pikachu is unable to continue and Drifblim is out of commission! The battle goes to the challenger, Red Ketchum!" bellowed the battle judge.
"My job here is complete," Agatha finally said after the cheers died down. "I see that you're a special child. I can see why the old duff took an interest in you."
Red smiled sheepishly. "That means a lot coming from, Elite Four Agatha," Red replied.
"Run along now, child. I have nothing more to say besides I wish you the best," with that said, Agatha made her way out of the battlefield.
"Is this really the kid who thwarted all of your plans," giggled a feminine voice. She caught half of the battle and was rather pleased with the results.
"I've already told you that he was the one," Drake answered agitated. He did tried to be cool and calm when he met her but she's been mocking him ever since she came into the warehouse.
The woman looked no older twenty-five as she sat on the plastic table, watching the Elite Four challenge with her drink at her side. Her straight, brown hair reached down to the front of her shoulder and further behind her back, slightly curling at the tips. Her hazel eyes felt warm to look at but Drake now knew better to not be so easily fooled.
"He does remind of Ember," she thoughtfully said, bringing a finger to fair skin on her smooth face. She tugged at the sleeves of her Kuraisora uniform. "If he's anything like his brother, than I believe it's going to be fun playing around with him."
"So, you do plan to help us, Angel?" Ice brought the question.
She pursed her pink lips, contemplating on the question. "I can't say no to Joey anyways," she smirked. "I'll help you guys then. I'm intrigued in how things are going to play out now!"
