[Cues: Climb Up! and Get the Last Chance! ~ White Land [F-ZERO X]]

The Outsider's Insurrection

Indigo Iliad

Chapter 101: Vs Bruno! Gauge Your Guts!

Translated Pokémon Speech

Pokédex Entries/Computerized Voices/Flashbacks

Reference to an Accessory in the Games

-o-

(Indigo Plateau | June 7th | 10:00 a.m.)

He had spent time to brief meditate on the steps to the next room. That and heal his Pokémon before steeling himself. Crimson deftly walked into the second room.

[Cues: Sonic Battle OST – Holy Summit]

The second room had an arena surrounded by rocky terrain. Six pillars of stones were at the large arena with three on each side. The room had a sandy color scheme to it as on a big boulder sat Bruno, the man most Fighting-type trainers sought to emulate. The aura within him was strong, Crimson could sense. Crimson could see that Bruno's studded bands on his wrists and ankles were weighted. He rose up and jumped down into the arena.

"I am Bruno of the Elite Four! Through rigorous training, people and Pokémon can become stronger—without limit. I've lived and trained with my Fighting-type Pokémon! And that will never change! Crimson, I have been watching you. You glide with air of skill to your craft. This I can respect. You know why you're here…and I know why you're here. Be warned…you were grinded to dust by our superior power. Hoo hah!" Bruno said as Crimson nodded before as they took their sides on the arena.

The marquees on the wall were lit and it was time to battle once again.

[Cues: Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix OST – Ryu Stage]

"Onix, to battle!" Bruno said sending out the massive Rock Snake Pokémon.

Jett was sent out to combat Onix only for both sides to look each other in the eyes before commanding both of their Pokémon to use Earthquake. They both unleashed their attacks with both heavily damaging the other. Onix went out due to STAB and Jett due to getting a crit. Both returned their Pokémon while glaring at the other. Bruno wordlessly sent out a Lucario, one with a Focus Band around his head.

"Shit." Crimson thought before saying, "Rhint, it's soaking time!"

Rhint came out with a roar as the battle was on with Bruno having Lucario open with Extreme Speed. The blitzing attack nailed Rhint in the jaw as Crimson opened for Rhint to use Aura Sphere.

"You can wield aur-"

"Surprise asshole!" Rhint said before slamming an Aura Sphere in Lucario's face.

"Clever. He's managed to teach his Blastoise how to command aura. This will be difficult." Bruno thought as Lucario was sent into the ground before getting up.

"Revenge!" Bruno said as Lucario growled with anger while glowing orange.

"Hydro Canon!" Crimson said going for the nuclear option.

Rhint glowed blue as his aura flared before pointing its cannons at the opponent and firing an extremely powerful jets of water from each of the cannons and his mouth at the opponent. It was a clash of attacks, both evenly matched in power with Lucario trying to cleave through the water. Lucario pushed halfway but the torrent of water ultimately got him. Panting, Rhint retracted into his shell to rest. A soaked and livid Lucario got up well aware he was on his last limbs, the Focus Band having saved him. Bruno called for him to use Extreme Speed to close in on Rhint before using Revenge. Lucario wasted no time nailing Rhint with that punch he wanted to give him so badly.

Just one problem. Rhint was sent hurdling into one of the pillars bouncing off of it…and speeding right back at Lucario in mere seconds.

"Aura Sphere!" Crimson said as Rhint's limbs and head came right out the shell, sphere in head.

"Well played." Lucario said.

The sphere was slammed into Lucario and down he went. Bruno returned Lucario without a word as Crimson did the same.

"You're going quite well." Bruno said mirthfully. "Let's see if you can keep this up! Let's go, Hitmonchan!"

The Punchy Pokémon was sent out already doing a few jabs in the air, eager to fight. Crimson was opted to go for Marquesha, who happily dropped a beat before readying to fight.

"Hitmonchan, Bullet Punch!" Bruno said as Hitmonchan blazed out with fists that glowed bright red.

She braced for impact before eating that punch from Hitmonchan. It stung, the steel had rattled her body, but she held onto consciousness. She was not going to let one punch take her out.

"Metronome." Crimson said as Marquesha waggled her fingers.

It was quiet for a moment before opening her hand and fired a bright pink beam that collided with Hitmonchan sending him crashing through the pillar and into the wall. Hitmonchan hit the ground, knocked out.

"What the hell was that?" Crimson asked.

"That move was Fleur Cannon, a Fairy-type move. One that lowers the user's Special Attack by two stages. It's also a signature move of a legendary." Dex Bulma chirped as Bruno awkwardly returned Hitmonchan.

"Yeah, that's right! How do you like them apples?!" Marquesha boasted.

"Marquesha, we got lucky. There's little to boast." Crimson said before Bruno sent out his next Pokémon.

[Cues: Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix OST – M Bison Stage]

Bruno, a bit perturbed by that loss, decided to send out the big gun. His Machamp, the hulking Pokémon still had the belt of a Machoke and was on level 65.

"No. Don't switch me out. Let me at him." Marquesha said cracking her knuckles. "I may not last the whole round, but I want to put a dent in this guy. Come on, big guy! Hit me with your best shot!"

"Brave words for a pipsqueak, fairy girl." Machamp said towering over her. "I won't miss…I never do."

"No Guard." Crimson thought before steeling himself.

"Machamp. Poison Jab." Bruno said as one of Machamp's arms began to glow a sickly purple.

Machamp rushed her but Crimson called for Marquesha to punch parry with Drain Punch. Both punches clashed both emitting sparks of energy with both Pokémon reeling from the pain of their attacks.

"Marquesha, Moonblast!" Crimson said as Marquesha's eyes glowed pink for a second.

"Oi, asshole! Miss this!" Marquesha said before her free hand to form a glowing pinkish-white sphere.

Bruno had called for Machamp to come down with Cross Chop which he used on her with his free arms. Marquesha screamed from the pain, but held to what strength she had left to smash the sphere in Machamp's face creating an explosion sending Machamp skidding. Marquesha fell on the back…out cold, but peaceful in knowing her Expert Belt would add to the damage.

"Thanks, Marmar." Crimson said returning her before looking at his Dex thinking, "Ok, she managed to take half this guy's health."

He sent out Morticia immediately having her use Psychic bombarding Machamp's mind.

"Machamp, use Rock Slide." Bruno said as Machamp summoned rocks from above to fall.

They homed in at her and Crimson called for her to use Hypnosis before bracing for impact. Morticia got pelted with rocks, but Machamp ended up falling asleep. Morticia phased out from the rock pile clearly angered. She almost did not need Crimson to tell her Dream Eater as she sapped at Machamp's energy before securing the win and gaining the levels.

[Music Ends]

"Morticia, you good to fight?" He asked her.

"I am." Morticia said giving a thumbs up.

Bruno picked up Machamp to carry him out of the ring before thanking Machamp for his hard work and returning him. He was down to one Pokémon, but he sighed.

[Cues: Pokémon HGSS OST - Indigo Plateau]

"You have proven yourself strong. And it would be futile to continue this fight. I have lost." Bruno said to Crimson's surprise. "My job is done."

He turned away from him as the door forward and after handing Crimson the prize money.

"Go face your next challenge." Bruno said steadfastly.

Crimson wordlessly returned Morticia and walked towards the door.

"Do not make my decision one in vain." Bruno said quietly as Crimson nodded before disappearing from Bruno's sight.

It was a quiet walk forward as he revived his fainted Pokémon and healed up everyone on his team. The next challenge awaited.

(A/N: Ironically, Bruno is half and half on the matter of him being a challenge. Crimson had a safe number of advantages, but plenty of variables could go wrong. But at the end of the day, Crimson was able to take the win. Next is Agatha, which is actually going to be rather interesting.)

[Cues Ending Theme: Street Fighter II Arcade Music - True Ending Theme - CPS1]