Chapter 35
"Ahem! Where were you?!" The fiery brunette woman bore down, hands on hips.
"Elaine! … I … errr I … ah" Amber gulped, startled like a deer in headlights she didn't know what to say to the older trainer.
"Meowth got your tongue, squirt?" Gary Oak appeared. "Don't worry Amber, she tends to have this effect on people." He gently leaned on Elaine as the annoyed woman gave the legendary pokémon researcher some serious side eye.
Amber was lingering at the reception, awaiting the next round draw as Elaine and Gary happened upon her.
"I stood around waiting and waiting for you and Janine to come congratulate me on my flawless victory but seems neither of you came to see me battle! Only Gary here came to see me. Gary of all people!"
"Thanks for that." Gary drawled with sarcasm. Elaine grinned back at him cheekily.
The young teen's face fell. "Janine lost … She left with her father. I haven't seen or heard from her since. I'm not sure if she'll be sticking around for the rest of the competition." Amber spoke quietly, she still couldn't believe what had happened.
"I saw." Elaine replied sadly. "I was really hoping to see her afterwards, make sure she was ok and all. That battle was brutal. Man if I get that Anon guy …" Elaine smashed her fist into her open palm.
Gary and Amber sweat dropped.
Elaine's scowl turned into a jubilant smile. "But hey congratulations to you Amber! That battle against Rosa was something else, you were amazing! I was cheering so hard at the end I thought I'd lose my voice!"
"Pity the battle didn't last a bit longer." Gary teased. Elaine merely offered him a small growl in reply.
"You guys saw me battle?"
"Sure did, wasn't going to miss that now, was I? Someone has to keep their promises around here." Elaine winked. Amber blushed with embarrassment that she hadn't.
"In all seriousness, you really were great squirt. I'm tipping you to go all the way." Gary ruffled his honorary niece's hair.
"Erm what about me?!" Elaine put her hands on her hips.
"The statement speaks for itself. You just got lucky."
"Lucky?! You have some nerve!"
Interrupting the pair before a fight broke out Amber pointed over to the round 2 draw.
"Alright! I'm on the water field, againstttt this guy." Amber pointed to her picture and next to it was a young man with sandy brown hair.
"I'm on the ice field, against this lady. My battle is mid-morning, what time is yours Amber?"
"Hmm let's see … I'm mid-morning too!"
"Oh no! That means you won't be able to come see me battle again!" Elaine exclaimed.
"Or you me …" Amber replied sadly.
Gary gulped and sweat dropped. He started quietly retreating backwards He knew exactly where this conversation was going and didn't fancy getting trapped in that!
"Who will you watch battle, Gary?" Elaine turned only to see an empty spot behind her. "Gary? GARY?! … … Ugh. Men." Elaine rolled her eyes.
Amber giggled then looked at her next match. Water field, alright that suited her perfectly.
"Well Amber. Let's do our best." Elaine smiled and the two bumped fists.
The next rounds came and went seamlessly. Amber progressed through her battles on the water, ice and grass fields without incident. Finally, it was down to the final 16 of the Indigo League competition.
Amber, Elaine and Anonymous had all made it through, with the latter developing quite the bad reputation amongst the competing trainers, all his wins and landslide victory resulting from cold ruthless tactics and odd refereeing decisions. The fan base was split in half between being repulsed and rooting for the unorthodox upstart.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, we are now down to the final 16 of our Indigo League competition. Please give it up for our remaining trainers!"
The crowds in the stadium went wild as the trainers entered the field, ready for the final tournament draw. Anon was met with both boos and cheers but he remained stoic, unphased by the spectator's reactions. Amber and Elaine were the last two trainers to emerge from the tunnel and the crowd went berserk for them.
"I see you've won the hearts of the nation." Elaine commented to Amber as she waved to the stands.
"Me? How do you know it's not for you?" The teen replied, waving also.
"Honey, I've done a lot of these things and I 'aint ever received an applause that loud. It's definitely all for you. Enjoy it kid."
Amber smiled. She'd never known such recognition. She liked it.
Ash, Misty and the Master trainers all cheered at the finalists and of course most couldn't help but cheer extra loudly when their family member emerged.
"She looks right at home down there doesn't she." Ash beamed with pride seeing his daughter in the final top 16 of the league.
"Just like her father."
Ash turned to see Misty and Brock smiling warmly back at him.
"Pika Chu." Pikachu nodded in agreement. Ash acknowledged the compliment and went back to viewing the line-up.
The draw began and the trainers watched with bated breath as they were paired up. Amber's match came up in the first bracket. Elaine's battle was the in fifth and Anon seventh.
"Alright we didn't draw each other yet." Amber and Elaine exchanged a subtle fist bump.
The mystery trainer glared at the line up in disgust and then over to Amber and Elaine. He narrowed his eyes before walking off the field before the final sixteen presentation was over.
The action didn't go unnoticed by the other trainers, who whispered amongst each other. Amber and Elaine looked to each other. Their expressions serious as their eyes went back to the retreating character.
He was trouble. That was clear.
An announcement came out over the tannoid system.
"Attention to our final sixteen, after your battle has finished, win, or lose, it is a requirement that you do not leave the Indigo Stadium. Defeated trainers are expected to remain in the locker rooms backstage until the completed end of the tournament. This is a League requirement."
"All competitors have to stay?" Lance leaned forwards and looked to Ash bemused. That was a new rule. Ash looked back and shrugged, he hadn't made the ruling, it was all new information to him too.
"Must be the Goodshow corporation bringing in some new twist this year to keep things interesting. Maybe exhibition matches?" Brock reasoned.
"Or some kind of special celebration?" Misty chimed in.
The Elite Four and other Gym trainers shrugged and looked amongst themselves. Guess they'd find out at the end of the tournament.
The battles raged through the day, every trainer giving it their all to an audience of thrilled spectators. As the quarter finals came to an end, four remaining trainers flashed up on the screen.
Amber. A teenaged boy around her age. Elaine and Anonymous.
Amber would be in the first battle against a teenaged boy and Elaine was next, going up against the mysterious trainer.
Elaine steeled her eyes and grinned. "Finally. I'll get to show that bully what a real trainer is."
"I hope you wipe the floor with him." Amber nodded in agreement, looking up at the screen. His tactics hadn't changed during the competition if anything his attitude had become even worse.
"Oh, I'll beat him alright. For Janine and for all the other trainers he's wronged in this tournament! His league journey ends with me in the semi's. That I promise!" Elaine clenched her fist.
"I have every faith!" Amber smiled at her friend. "Well, I better get ready for my battle."
"Good luck Ambs. I'll be cheering for you."
"You too Elaine. See you in the finals!"
The two friends clasped hands and shook in an agreement.
Unbeknown to the pair, the mysterious trainer was leaned up a wall nearby, in earshot of the conversation between the two semi-finalists. He flashed a cruel smirk showing off his canine teeth.
"Our next battle trainer needs no introduction! Kanto's very own AMBER KETCHUM!"
The crowd roared with appreciation for the minor celebrity, as she took her place on the battlefield.
Amber blushed hard, though thoroughly enjoying the hype, she couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed at the attention too.
"Next in the arena, we welcome Freddie from Goldenrod City. A familiar presence on the Johto circuit, this promising young trainer has placed highly over the past few years in the Silver Conference. This is his first time competing in the Indigo League Competition and so far has delivered us some amazing performances. This shows promise of being a most thrilling match!"
A teenage boy, around the same age as Amber appeared on the opposing square on the battle area. He stood a few inches taller than the opposing red head, clad in baggy khaki combat trousers, black and white sneakers, a black t-shirt under a dark red sleeveless hoodie top.
"Don't think I'm intimidated just because everyone knows your name Amber Ketchum! I'm not so green to these things!" With that the trainer readied his pokéball ready. His hair was dark and messy. Burning burgundy eyes lit up his determined face. This trainer was playing to win.
Amber was taken aback for a split second. She looked at her opponent and took in his expression with awe, before smirking with confidence, that was fine by her, she was playing to win too. "I wouldn't want you to be!"
Freddie frowned slightly.
"Strap yourselves in ladies and gentlemen as this semi-final match is about to get underway!"
Amber released her first pokémon "Go Electabuzz."
"Magmar you're up!"
Electabuzz began posing as usual, adopting the Bolt stance, and then jumping into handstands.
The opposing Magmar turned his head, unimpressed the show boater before him.
"Electa?" Electabuzz stopped his display and frowned. He didn't like being ignored. "Electabuzz!"
"Magmarrrr" The fire pokémon turned his head towards his competition and glared.
The two evenly matched pokémon squared off against each other. Electabuzz settled down and became unusually serious in the presence of this new fire rival.
"Electabuzz Thunderbolt!" "Magmar counter with Flamethrower!"
The attacks hit in the middle creating a small explosion. Neither pokémon harmed.
Their output matched our output … Amber mused. This semi final match wouldn't be easy.
The match began, each pokémon launching and dodging evenly powered up attacks.
Amber gritted her teeth, watching another move get blocked, as Magmar's intense fire attacks cancelled out her Electabuzz's equally intense electric attacks.
This guy … it's like battling a mirror … a mirror of fire … Well time to smash that mirror! "Electabuzz use Electric Punch!" Electabuzz clenched his fist, crackles of electricity sparking off it.
"Magmar use Fire Punch!" The pokémon's list lit up, surrounded by flames.
The two pokémon punched each other full force, each hitting the others face at the same time. Fire burned Electabuzz, whilst electricity ran through Magmar, paralyzing him.
The two pokémon stood firm, neither budging. A gust of wind blew through the field and both pokémon fell to the floor at the same time. Eyes swirling.
"No way!" Amber gasped. She recalled her fallen friend and thanked him for the battle hard fought.
"One punch … impossible!" Freddie also recalled his feinted pokémon and thanked in kind.
"Both Electabuzz and Magmar are unable to battle. Red Trainer Freddie and Green Trainer Amber are down to 5 pokémon each." The referee held up both of his arms, signalling both pokémon we're out of the match.
"Wow … your Magmar packed quite the punch. That was awesome Freddie!" Amber called out.
Freddie stood slightly dumbstruck. "Yeah … it kinda was …" He snapped out of his stupor and retorted. "But I think you just got lucky with that one! Now this one you won't find so easy Red!" Freddie growled out across the field as he pulled out his next ball.
Amber frowned slightly, she was trying to be nice, did he have to be a jerk? Oh well guess she wasn't here to make friends …
Next Freddie released his Alolan Marowak. Amber followed with her Alolan Geodude.
"I like this guy's style! I kinda hope he wins this." Dusty beamed watching the competent fire trainer on the battle arena before him.
The Fire Gym Leader turned to see the glaring eyes of Surge, Misty, Gary, Daisy, Lily and Violet boring into his soul. If looks could kill … Dusty sweat dropped and laughed nervously. He turned back to the match and gulped, still feeling the burning glares in the back of his head.
The battle raged, the two trainers matched each other pokémon for pokémon, each trainer barely getting an advantage over the other as their moves and battling styled countered perfectly against each other. Magnemite not standing a chance against Slugma, whilst Lanturn dominated Magcargo. Jolteon getting in a faction of hit points over the opponent Flareon before being instantly knocked out by Typhlosion.
Man, this guy is something else. He really knows what he's doing. But then again so do I!
This girl isn't just a name after all, she's the real deal … but then again. So am I!
"Ok Raichu. It's all down to you." Amber released her final pokémon. "I'm counting on you Raichu."
"Rai!" The mouse pokémon nodded and stared up at the towering Typhlosion before him. He sparked his cheeks, showing he wouldn't be intimidated by the size difference.
"Raichu, raindance! Let's get that field advantage!" Amber called out, as Raichu raised it's paws up, causing the sky overhead to cloud over and darken.
"Pfft. You'll have to do better than that! Ty, Sunny Day!" Freddie instructed his pokémon, not missing a beat.
The field move instantly countered out the rain, losing Amber her field advantage.
Great … now I've got no way of using Splishy Splash. But we still have a ground move! "Raichu dig!"
"A ground move. Cute. Typhlosion use Lava Plume, make the area around you too hot to handle!"
"Ty!" The fire type spurted out plumes of lava around the battle area, heating the arena floor to molten temperatures.
Raichu burst out the ground, not being able to take the heat not hitting his intended target.
I should have known a fire type trainer would know how to counter ground moves … Ok Amber remember you're an electric trainer! Time to play to our strength!
"Raichu, Electro Ball! Let's beat this guy with our lightning and speed!"
"Alright now we're talking!" Freddie nodded his head. "Ok let's fight fire with fire, Typhlosion Bulldoze through the attack!"
The volcano pokémon rushed forwards, meeting some resistance at the start from the hurtling electric ball as they made contact, the powerful pokémon pushed through with the ground move, disintegrating the electric bomb with ease.
Amber grimaced. "Ugh. Nice move, but we can counter ground moves too! Raichu Floaty Fall!"
"Floaty wha?" Freddie squinted his eye as Raichu powered up the ground, spring boarding himself high into the air and out the way of the on-coming ground attack, then somersaulted mid-air and barrelled straight down into Typhlosion in an impressive arial assault.
Typhlosion took the hit, but got back up and growled. "Tyyyphlosionnn." This pokémon was far from down and out.
"You didn't think an electric trainer like me wouldn't have a plan against ground moves, did you?" Amber teased her opponent.
Freddie smirked. "Well, that's something new, credit where credit's due for that one Red. But we have some tricks of our own too!"
Amber and Raichu both smirked this was getting really interesting. And fun.
"Wow! What a battle! I've never seen anything like it!" Ash was on the edge of his seat, thoroughly enjoying the match.
"It reminds me of your battle against Leon all those years ago." Brock noted.
"It does?"
"YES! That epic climax of Pikachu vs Charizard! Ah it's just like it!" Misty agreed enthusiastically.
"Fire vs Electric. Powerful moves, neither one having an advantage over the other. It makes for exciting viewing that's for sure!" Gary agreed with the trio.
Once against the to and fro of electric and fire raged across the arena, the crowds glued to their seats, not uttering a word as they watched the spectacle before them. But nothing could go on forever and both pokémon were running out of juice.
Raichu stood panting hard, opposite him Typhlosion also stood slumped catching his breath. Both pokémon's coats roughed up and dirtied from the hard-wearing battle.
"Raichu, one last Electroball! Give it everything you have!" Amber cried out in desperation, she knew this was all Raichu had left to give, it had to count!
Freddie in the exact same position called out to his fire type. "Ty, Lava Plume!"
The pokémon launched their last desperate attacks with everything they had, a rampaging ball of electricity hurtled across the area, to be countered against a plume of molten lava. The attacks collided and battled against each other for dominance resulting in an explosion, knocking back both pokémon in the aftershock. Smoke and debris clouded the battlefield.
Both trainers stood with bated breath.
As the dust settled, Typhlosion was shown to be down on the ground, unmoving from the last attack. Raichu, battered from the last attack, slowly but very unsteadily rose to his feet.
"Typhlosion … NO!" Freddie cried out to his fallen friend. But the pokémon remained unresponsive.
Ash, Pikachu and Misty grasped hands, had she done it?! Had their little girl won her semi-final round match?
Raichu still standing, began to wobble.
Come on Raichu hold it tagetha pal! In the stands, Surge gripped the chair in front of him, his intense grip causing it to crack.
"Hey!" Erika turned around in alarm as her chair was being dismembered by the giant ex-military man. Surge sweat dropped and held his hands up in apology at the grass gym leader.
Amber looked desperately at the ref, yet to raise his flag and then out on the field at her dear pokémon, fighting to stay up. Raichu …
"Oh no!" Amber cried out. The exhausted mouse pokémon had fought to stay up with all his might but succumbed to his fatigue and gravity. He hit the floor hard and didn't get back up.
"Raichu …" Amber's eyes watered.
The referee raised his arm. "Raichu is also unable to battle. This match ends in a draw."
The two trainers stared at each other dumfounded. A draw?
The crowds all gasped. A draw? Nothing like this had happened before!
"Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a stalemate here! Please allow a short intermission whilst the officials confer."
Amber and Freddie glanced at each other and then back over to the officials. What would happen?
"Oh Mew! I've never seen anything like this! Have you Ash? Brock?" Misty looked over to her husband and friend. The two shook their heads.
"Have you Lance?" Ash questioned his predecessor, who also shook his head. A draw was a new one to him too. All the trainers leaned forwards with anticipation of what would happen next. Would they call in Amber's favour?
The referee called the trainers over and presented 6 pokéballs.
"Ok trainers. Pick a ball. In here is a mix of starter pokémon. Choose one at random."
Amber and Freddie both picked up a pokéball at random and took their positions. Both took a deep breath and released their random pokéballs.
"Cynnnda." "Bulbbbaaaasaur."
Freddie pumped his fist as Amber slumped slightly. Great. Of course, he got a fire type and I got a grass type …
"Oh no! Like poor Amber!" Daisy cried out seeing her niece at a big disadvantage.
"Don't worry Daisy, Bulbasaur maybe a grass type but it is one tough pokémon! And she knows my Bulbasaur inside out. Amber hasn't lost this yet." Ash pumped his fist. Come on kiddo! You can beat the odds, I know you can!
Amber took a deep breath. Ok Bulbasaur, Bulbasaur … I know this pokémon … we can't afford to be too pokey tho, otherwise we won't last against that Cyndaquil's fire. Not with Freddie calling the shots …
"Bulbasaur start off with Toxic!"
The Kanto starter launched a blob of toxic sludge that slapped onto Cyndaquil, poisoning the fire type hard.
Freddie frowned. "Cheap move! But this battle won't last long enough for that poison to matter! Cyndaquil use Flamethrower on Bulbasaur!"
"Bulbasaur, you have to dodge it!"
Cyndaquil unleashed a flamethrower directly at Bulbasaur, the grass type leaped out the way, as was commanded but wasn't quick enough to avoid the attack, the flames singeing his bulb leaving a burn.
"Bulbasaur use Absorb."
The grass type pulled in energy from Cyndaquil, recovering from the previous fire attack.
"That will only save you for so long, Cyndaquil use smokescreen."
The fire type let out billows of smoke, concealing him from sight. Bulbasaur looked from left to right in a state of confusion.
"Now Cyndaquil, come at Bulbasaur with Flame Charge!"
Cyndaquil burst from the smoke cover, flames engulfing his body as he smashed into Bulbasaur. The attack was brutal and sent Bulbasaur reeling. Cyndaquil faltered slightly, the poison in his body starting to take effect.
"Bulbasaur use Veno Shock!" Amber cried out in one last ditch effort.
The attack hit, causing Cyndaquil to cry out as it reacted with his poisoned status, he fell to the ground but shakily got back up again, his back blazing with flames.
"Cyndaquil finish this with one last flamethrower!"
"Bulbasaur dodge it one more time!"
The fire move was unleashed, but with the burn on Bulbasaur's back, the grass type of too slow to dodge. The attack hit and Bulbasaur fell to the ground, slightly charred and eyes swirling.
The ref raised his arm. "Bulbasaur is unable to battle. The battle and the match goes to the Red Trainer, Freddie."
The crowd roared as Freddie stood tall and proud soaking in the victory.
Amber slumped to the ground … she'd lost. Her Pokémon League journey … was over.
Ash said nothing and stood up. He left the viewing area with Pikachu tailing close behind him.
"Ash?" Misty called after her husband. Surge nodded at Ketchum as he watched him leave.
Daisy, Violet and Lily burst into tears and wailed at their niece's loss. "It's like not fair!" "Why couldn't she draw a water type against that fire bully?!" "Fixed it was fixed!" "WE CALL DO OVER!"
Freddie and Amber walked towards each other and met in the middle of the field. Slightly at a loss for words.
"That was."
"Yeah."
Amber took a deep breath and put on a brave face. "Congratulations on making it through to the final, Freddie. You battled really well. Amazing in fact. You … deserve this." Amber held her hand out. She was bitterly disappointed but was mature enough to handle the loss with some dignity.
"You battled really well too, and honestly it was luck really at the end. The minute I selected that Cyndaquil it was all over for you."
"Well, I mean … yeah, I guess I was at a type disadvantage with that Bulbasaur. If I'd had picked a water starter, maybe you'd be congratulating me instead."
"Hmm. I don't think so, fire is my specialty and Cyndaquil was my first ever pokémon. I know everything about it. The outcome would be the same."
"Well, I suppose there's that, but I am the daughter of a water expert an all. I think I'd have fared pretty well."
"That's your mom. Not you." With that Freddie turned around and walked off, leaving Amber speechless.
"Humph. What an attitude." With that Amber walked off. As she left the field, reality started to sink in. She'd lost. Her league adventure was over. Just like that.
A sadness began to take over as she entered the backstage locker rooms. She slumped down on a bench and held her face in her hands. I worked so hard. My pokémon had worked so hard. Training, getting strong, travelling around beating all those gyms, battling Team Rocket … and for what? For it all to be … over? Just like that?!
"It isn't over. Not for you. This is just the beginning."
Amber looked up. "Daddy?!"
Ash smiled warmly. Pikachu perched faithfully on his shoulder jumped off and bounded over to his favourite friend.
Amber happily received the electric mouse allowing him to clamber up onto her shoulder and rub against her face.
"Can you … read minds?" Amber gulped looking back at her father.
Ash laughed out loud. "No. No, I can't, but I've been here. I know exactly how your feeling, what you're thinking. I've experienced it all."
"I don't remember you experiencing losing." Amber grumbled glumly.
"Ooooh. Trust me I have. More times than I like to admit. Do you know how many league tournaments I entered before I won one?"
"Um … I don't know. Your second?"
Ash shook his head. "Try 6. Amber, this was your first ever competition and you finished in the top four! That's incredible! You know where I finished in my first go, in this very tournament?" Ash's voice went to a quiet grumble. "The top 16." He placed a firm hand on his daughter's shoulder "You did amazing out there, I'm so proud of you."
The two hugged.
"Thanks Daddy." Amber, tears in her eyes began falling.
"Pika!"
"And you too Pikachu." Amber beamed, the tears in her eyes clearing, she fussed her friend. He could always cheer her up.
A referee entered the room disrupting the tender moment. "Sorry to interrupt, but Master Ketchum you're required back in the viewing area, the next semi final match is about to begin."
"Oh I see." Ash held his arm out as Pikachu ran up back onto his shoulder. He turned to is daughter. "Coming to watch Kiddo?"
The ref intervened. "Sorry Master Ketchum. All contestants must remain in the locker rooms till the end of the tournament. It's a league requirement.
Ash frowned slightly. "Really? Why? What is this all about?"
The referee shrugged his shoulders slightly and opened his hands gesturing that he was none the wiser either.
"It's ok Dad. You go, I'm happy to watch Elaine from here."
"You sure?"
"Yeah, this way I'll get to greet Elaine first hand when she wins." The teenager forced a smile.
Ash smiled softly at his daughter before giving her one more hug goodbye. "I'll see you later then. We'll have a big celebration later! You've earned it. Grandma Delia is already cooking up a storm for you back home!"
Amber grinned. Now that did cheer her up!
Ash, Pikachu and Amber said their goodbyes as the Master and his pokémon left to go back to the stands.
An announcement came out over the arena.
"Now ladies and gentlemen the excitement isn't over! We welcome to our arena our second semi-finalists. Elaine from Pallet Town Kanto vs Anonymous, who wishes to remain … well anonymous!"
Amber looked out from backstage to the field as her friend and the mysterious man took their places. Now this will be a match!
Author Note: OHMIGOD! Amber's out? Did anyone see that coming? Well please stock around because Ash is right, this isn't the end for our heroine. Once again, I'm apologising for the length between posting! I actually had to re-write the entire ending of this story as I found a much better flow for the story. A few more chapters remain - Thanks for reading
