Chapter One Hundred and Two: Fiery and Furious
The crater seemed to have grown in an instant. Alaska felt no more significant or important than a loose stone as she gazed around the barren landscape; the cracked rocks, the uneven ground, the jagged slopes that now seemed so far out of reach. It astounded her to think of the processes that had created Cinnabar. Images of the eruption, the bright red flames that looked like Hell on Earth, danced through her mind; how Alaska wished the lake would split open again, and those flames would drag her away to whatever purgatory waited below.
The mountain felt huge, but there was no avoiding Blaine and Hestia. Alaska felt their presence no matter where she looked. Neither one had spoken for a while – seconds, minutes, Alaska had lost track – but she knew they would be talking to one another, and there would only be one topic up for discussion.
Alaska had convinced Blaine to come out of hiding and enter into a war that could potentially kill them all. He had said he wanted to battle her to help hone her skills. What must they be thinking now that two of her Pokémon had fallen, and the latter had barely touched the proud and powerful Delphox?
You're giving them more power than they deserve, she told herself. Alaska had never felt this way about any of the other gym leaders; even when she'd faced Sabrina and Janine, she had felt more at ease then than she did now. Strategy and victory had come naturally, yet every time Alaska saw Blaine smile, she just wanted to scream, not at him, but in rage at her own failures.
If I was not here, I hope you realise Hestia would be able to hear all of this.
Alaska nearly jumped. She said nothing aloud but gazed at the clouds, looking for that familiar hint of blue, but all she could see was smoke. I told you to stay out of this, she thought, looking back the way she had come, wondering if Latios was watching her right now.
And I thought you knew by now that we are still connected regardless of what you want, he retorted. Maybe that is why you're angry. Maybe that is why you feel so determined to win this; to show you are still the same, that you don't need me or Leaf or anyone else to help you succeed.
It's not that.
Perhaps not, but I doubt you would realise if it was. Perhaps you feel you owe it to Sandy to win, to show she was right in following you, that Butterfree did not die for nothing. Or you want to show your siblings you are actually strong enough, that they should have included you and Paige when you were younger.
I swear to Arceus, if I could be rid of you –
If you want my honest opinion, it's all those reasons and none of them. What has happened over the last week has made you doubt yourself. You've felt true loss – a loss in life, not on the battlefield – for the first time, and it has shaken you more than you realise. The war is closer than it ever was, and for all your bravado and reassurances you have realised you are not ready for it. Winning against Blaine won't change that. He is not Gideon, he is not fighting in order to destroy you; a win here is not on the same level. Yet if a blind old man frightens you, you lack the conviction to defeat someone who is a real threat.
Alaska hated that she knew he was right. What do you suggest then?
You have won six of these battles already. How? Each one in your own way, each time doing something differently. Whatever contradictions and neuroses are powering you today, ignore them. Think about why you are battling, think about what you want out of it. Think of how you have won before and what winning meant, and you will find the way.
Alaska felt the pressure on her brain soften and she was more alone than ever. She had not realised until now how quiet it was inside her head, all the voices too far away to reach her now. It was simply her and Blaine on this mountain, and she somehow needed to win.
Think of how you won before. Alaska had considered her previous battles while strategizing, but what use would they be? Blaine would know how she had won, he would know her style, and that meant he would have tricks up his sleeve.
But… doesn't being unpredictable mean you can't really predict it?
Alaska smiled to herself. For days she had been fretting about what Blaine had planned and how he would counter her, but there was no way to counter her. Janine had tried with her Nidoking, but that had backfired. Alaska had tried to plot and scheme in the past, but hadn't she always worked best when she had no idea what she was doing?
What did you say to Emily when you left? Alaska's fingers reached for the Great Ball at the bottom of her pocket, remembering how Nadia had destroyed Celadon Gym and won Alaska the badge. Go big or go home – and I didn't come here to play nice.
"She lives!" Blaine's crackled voice echoed once again, nearly making Alaska jump. "Finally, we can carry on. What little strategy do you hope to use this time?"
Alaska grinned and shrugged, letting the Great Ball slip through her fingers. Blaine would be expecting Nadia, she was the only type advantage she had left, and on that she could expect a counterstrategy to be in place. Think of how you won before.
Blue energy spooled onto the crater, illuminating the rocks for a moment before Frances' orange form took shape. "Para?" she murmured, staring curiously between Alaska, Blaine and Hestia, wondering where she was.
Her confusion was nothing compared to that of Blaine and Hestia. The two were slack-jawed, never looking more alike than they did now. Whatever they had expected, a Bug and Grass type was surely the bottom of the list, and Alaska was pleased to have finally left Blaine speechless. Now to just make this work.
It took a few moments for Blaine to regain his composure and flash that smile again. "My, my, Alaska, when I heard the stories of your audacity and intransigence, I thought they were too good to be true. I see now that they undersold you."
"Everyone underestimates me, until I prove them wrong – or right, usually I do both at the same time," Alaska said, shrugging.
Blaine chuckled and shook his head. "We'll see how long that holds you. Psychic."
"Cling onto the ground and ready Solarbeam."
Frances looked spooked, the reality of her situation dawning on her. Quivering, she dug her legs in and braced for impact, one eye tentatively watching Hestia as she swung her staff around.
Alaska had anticipated this. Psychic attacks were Hestia's strong suit, and it seemed typical of Blaine to try and defeat a Bug Pokémon with a type it is strong against.
Yet she had nothing to fear so far; the air shimmered around Frances as psychic energy slammed into her, but the Parasect held her ground, refusing to give in so quickly.
Her mushroom was pulsating, the extreme heat of the crater and exposure of the sun already readying her attack. "Fire at the lakebed," Alaska commanded.
"What are you thinking?" Blaine roared. "This is still an active volcano!"
Alaska smirked. "I don't see any lava, do you?"
Blaine bared his teeth and turned to Hestia. "Block it!"
Perfect. Alaska said nothing as she watched Frances unleash her strongest attack, the gleaming green beam exploding from the tip of her mushroom with such force Alaska felt the heat of it on her arms.
The attack shot across the lake, but only made it halfway before it hit Hestia's Psychic, the air shining pink where the two attacks met. Yet Alaska had hoped for that; instead of hitting one spot, the attack spread across the pulsating barrier, two lime green fingers that grew until they struck opposite sides of the lake. The boulders that lined the water cracked, huge chunks breaking off and tumbling into the water with a hiss.
"Run and use Seed Bomb."
Frances looked incredulously at Alaska. "Para?" she whimpered, eyes turning back to the limited earth between her and the steaming lake.
Alaska could feel the fear radiating off of her, a tangible wave of terror that played on her own doubts, but there was no other way. "Frances, do you trust me?"
The Parasect looked back, and it took her a beat too long to give a brief, uncertain nod.
That's reassuring. "Let me rephrase – do you think I would put you in harm's way?"
"Sect?"
"No, of course I wouldn't! You won't overcome your fears if you don't try – you have to jump in there and give it your best shot!" Alaska smiled, hoping this came across as encouraging, but Frances only seemed to quiver more.
From across the lake, Blaine's raspy laugh echoed. "Never is there a more telling sign that a trainer has lost the plot then when their Pokémon starts to fear their next command. Face it, Alaska; shock and spectacle won't win you this one. Mystical Fire, now."
Hestia smirked as she stepped forwards, already spinning her staff in her hands. The flame at its tip swirled until it became a blur, a giant flaming circle that seemed to exist on its own.
Alaska knew that hit could be enough to bring Frances down, and she fell to her knees so she was at her Pokémon's level. "If that hits you, you're toast – literally, you'll be mushroom toast, chargrilled and ready for dinner. You can either sit here and take it, or you can take a leap and trust me, just this once."
Frances' wobbling, shaking eyes flickered between Alaska and the circle of fire, deciding whether she wanted to try her luck with the rock or the hard place. It was only when Hestia swished her staff, sending the halo of hazy fire on its way, that Frances acted.
"Paraaa!" she wailed, sprinting the last few metres towards the crater and plunging in.
Alaska ran to the edge, half expecting her title as world's worst trainer to be confirmed by the sight of a tangerine mushroom bobbing in the acidic water. Instead, there was Frances screeching as loudly as she could manage, hobbling frenetically from rock to the rock as she charged towards the other side.
"Aim at the ground!" she bellowed, but she wasn't sure if Frances had heard her; her screech, high and constant and echoed, seemed to fill the entire crater. The fact she was still alive seemed a fluke; Alaska had no idea how hot it was in the lake, but the steam and bitter smells wafting from the water suggested it was close to boiling.
Yet there was Frances, moving faster than Alaska had ever seen her go. There were just enough rocks for her to jump between, and her fear seemed to be fuelling every frantic leap she made. Alaska could remember the Paras she had first met months ago that had been afraid of the darkness she lived in; this was likely more terrifying, but the fear seemed to be keeping her alive.
It was, however, preventing her from attacking. The rocks Frances was leaping between would have sunk under a larger weight, and it was only the Parasect's light-footedness that kept her afloat. Moving quickly left little time to think about attacking, something that Blaine seemed to realise.
"Flamethrower," he ordered with a solemn smile, the grin of a man who took little pleasure in the cruelty he had to inflict.
That's all he sees us as; a dying idea that needs to be put out of its misery. Let's see how he likes it when his beloved Delphox crumbles. "SEED BOMB, NOW!"
"PARAAAA!" Frances wailed back. It was a frustrated, loaded cry that could have meant a dozen things – rejection of Alaska's demands, exasperation at her situation, reluctant acceptance of her fate – but whatever she was trying to say, Frances followed it up with a frenetic leap towards solid earth. As her wriggling body squirmed in the air, the tip of her bulb pulsated, and a large green seed shot towards Hestia.
The Delphox swung her staff, ready to bat it aside, but the moment the two made contact, the seed erupted, a blast of energy pushing Hestia backwards. She stumbled, losing her balance for a moment before planting her staff into the ground.
She appeared more flustered than hurt, but it took Hestia a moment to regain her composure, time that allowed Frances to land and catch her breath. It would have been the perfect time to counter, but Alaska had a feeling Hestia wasn't as vibrant as she wanted to seem.
Blaine looked tense as well, his teeth bared and his shoulders hunched and taut. "Psychic, blow her back into the lake!"
"X-Scissor – aim for her feet!"
Frances' claws quickly began to glow, and before Hestia could move, a shining green X was hurtling for her legs. The Delphox blocked with her staff, but the force of the attack was enough to knock her over again.
Alaska struggled not to smile, her suspicions basically confirmed. "Get in close and use Solarbeam!"
"Cockiness will be your downfall," Blaine snarled from across the lake. "Your Parasect will need to charge – and there's nowhere for her to hide! Flamethrower!"
"I don't want her to hide," Alaska snapped back. "I want her to defend – now, grab her staff!"
Frances scuttled forwards immediately, her legs flailing as she leapt towards Hestia. Fire flickered at the tip of her staff, and Hestia swung it around, hoping to strike before Frances could reach her. The Parasect saw it coming and dodged, the flaming jet passing her by centimetres, and giving Frances the chance to grab the staff from the side.
Her pincers tightened and Frances tugged, trying to pull it out of Hestia's grip. The Delphox's growl echoed across the crater, and she firmed her own grip and tried to yank it back. It was noble, but Alaska could see Hestia was at the disadvantage; she was on her knees trying to regain her balance, while Frances was made for low heights and had no problem using her six legs to their full potential, all while the green glow around her mushroom brightened.
"Psychic!" Blaine roared.
Hestia's eyes flashed pink immediately, and the air around Frances shimmered as her enemy tried to fling her off. Alaska winced as multiple invisible attacks battered her Pokémon, but Frances refused to let go, digging her legs into the hard earth.
Just a few more seconds and her Solarbeam will be ready. Hang in there, just hang on…
Suddenly, Frances' whole body began to glow. She squirmed in discomfort, but there was nothing she could do as she began to rise, psychically lifted up by an exasperated Hestia. Frances maintained her grip, but now that Hestia was able to rise to full height, that meant the Parasect's bulb was now pointing into the sky.
If she lets go, she'll have a better aim, but then Hestia will be able to block… if she doesn't let go, the attack will never hit… Alaska watched carefully, wondering how to time this, what would have the lowest risk factor. There was only a split-second advantage, and Frances was clearly on the verge of erupting…
"Let go!"
"Psychic!" Blaine roared, grinning with triumph.
Alaska could only cross her fingers as Frances fell to the ground, the glorious beam erupting at the same moment as Hestia pulled her staff closer to her.
The luminous beam was greener than the lake and brighter than the sun; Alaska had forgotten how much power her little Parasect could produce when pushed, and for a moment she forgot herself, mesmerised by the pulsating beam as it washed over Hestia.
Frances didn't relent, firing everything she could muster, yet it wasn't long until her bulb stopped shaking and the Parasect stumbled backwards, exhausted and depleted.
And there, standing over her, was Hestia. The Delphox smirked as she held onto her staff, holding it high above her head. Her fur seemed untouched and her posture fully composed, no signs whatsoever that the attack had affected her.
Alaska saw Frances' body slump with despair, but she was unconvinced. "You looked strong and poised after Shelley hit you with Surf, but that attack hurt more than you let on, didn't it?" she said. "You stumbled after a simple Seed Bomb and you let X-Scissor bring you to your knees. I'd stop pretending if I was you, and just admit defeat."
Hestia's eyes seemed to flicker at the very suggestion that she was lying, and as if to prove it, she lowered her staff and pointed the flaming tip towards Frances. There it hovered for nearly ten seconds, a long, stretched out silence in which both Pokémon waited for the other to flinch, and only then did Hestia collapse to the floor.
Internally, Alaska screamed with delight, but she remained silent as she raced to the edge of the lake, trying to get a better view of Hestia's situation. Blaine was already moving in, and he uncomfortably crouched down and extended a hand to his Pokémon.
"Hestia will no longer battle – the match stands at two-all."
"Aren't you going to withdraw her?"
"I would be blind if I did that," Blaine hissed, heaving Hestia to her feet. "I am sure you would relish the opportunity, but I am not going to hand over this victory that easily."
Alaska wanted to argue, not for the sake of it but because she knew she was for once entirely in the right. Yet as Hestia hobbled away from the lake, slumped against Blaine's wiry frame, it was clear she was in no shape to interfere in the battle. There's only one battle that's important at the moment, and it no longer involves her.
There was silence as Blaine led Hestia towards a boulder currently untouched by the battle. Once she had made herself comfortable, Blaine lingered beside her, the bubbling lake filling the silence caused by their internal conversation.
Alaska longed to know what battle strategies they were discussing, what Blaine would do now that his best Pokémon was done, but she left them to it. Frances had to be her priority, and Alaska was relieved that, despite the exhaustive rush to cross the lake, the Parasect looked healthy and ready to battle.
She didn't take any direct hits except for Psychic. She won't be able to manage much, but there's still hope for us yet.
"That was some impressive battling," Blaine suddenly called out. He turned away from Hestia and strolled casually back towards the lake, his lips curled in a manner that blurred the lines between smirk and snarl. "In all my years I don't think anyone has ever dared to use a Parasect against me, or any Bug-Grass type, for that manner. You really are a beguiling creature, aren't you?"
"That's a new one. Most people opt for other b-words to describe me."
Blaine laughed. "I can imagine, I've got a few on my mind at the moment. But let us leave the insults until the end of this match, shall we – who knows how we'll be feeling in, oh, I don't know, ten minutes time?"
Alaska went to retort, but was silenced by the click of a Poké Ball opening; Blaine had casually dropped the ball by his feet, and now sparkling yellow energy crackled around him. Frances jumped at the sudden appearance of a new foe, and unhelpfully scuttled away as the energy took a massive shape.
Even before it finalised its form, Alaska could tell this was going to be a huge Pokémon. Not necessarily by height – Blaine's glasses were still visible over the top of the shining beast – but it was wide and round, built like a bodybuilder with long, thick cylinders for arms.
The image struck a chord with Alaska a moment before her suspicions were confirmed. The light faded and a Magmortar stood in Hestia's place, looking like a giant cartoon flame with its swirls of red and yellow fur. It stared at Alaska with bulbous lips that clashed horribly with its thick, flame-like forehead, but even though it had the face of a child, it had arms built for warfare.
They're basically cannons. Alaska had seen Elite Four members fight with Magmortar in the past, and knew those yellow, pillar-like arms were a major risk. The firepower on them will be immense; if I leave Frances out here, she's going to be toast.
The Parasect seemed to have come to the same conclusion; whatever confidence she had built up earlier had vanished, and she stood quivering at the edge of the lake, arms held limply over her head like some threatening religious cross. One hit and she would be blasted into the lake – though maybe that's a good thing…
"Make this quick, Hephaestus – Lava Plume!"
"Jump and use Toxic!"
Alaska was right to be concerned: Hephaestus may be bulky, but the Magmortar moved with surprising speed. He sprinted across the crater, closing in on the distance between himself and Frances, all while aiming his arm at her. His clawed hand seemed to retract inside his body, and Hephaestus' bloated grin turned sinister as his arm expanded, an orange glow emanating from within.
For a moment, it seemed like Frances was going to sit there and take it. She made no attempt to move, only quivering as the towering creature lumbered towards her. Alaska wanted to scream, but bit her tongue. You must know what you're doing…
When Hephaestus was only feet away, Frances suddenly jumped. "PARA!" she wailed, launching herself towards her enemy. The move stopped the Magmortar in his tracks, and he remain rooted in shock as Frances wrapped her legs around his expanded arm.
"Sect Sect!" Frances' bulb quivered, and she emitted a spray of toxic ooze right into Hephaestus' face. He roared and tried to throw her off, but the damage was already done.
"YES, THAT'S MY GIRL!" Alaska punched the air in celebration, savouring the early victory. She waited just long enough for Frances to know she was proud before pulling out her Great Ball. You've done your part – now it's time to rest, she thought as Frances vanished into blue energy.
Alaska had to move quickly. Hephaestus was glowing a sickening purple as the poison spread through his body, but he still could cause serious damage before the Toxic took its toll. Alaska could only see one way she could bring him down without harming her own team, but knew it was a risk. I'm counting on you, so don't let me down, she thought as she replaced Frances' Poké Ball with her final challenger.
Red light lit up her side of the crater, but the glow was nothing compared to the sparkle of Bluebell's shining mane once she took form. Her dazzling blue flames looked entirely out of place amongst the barren crater, and the Ponyta seemed to know; she looked haughtily around, gazing contemptuously at the scene before she saw Blaine.
"Nyyy?" Bluebell looked confused, whinnying uncomfortably as she turned on the spot. When she spotted Alaska, she paused and tossed her mane, her unease turning feisty.
"I know you used to belong to him, but your my Pokémon now, and I need you to win this battle for me."
"NYYY!" Bluebell tossed her mane and reared, her front legs flailing just inches from Alaska's face.
I knew this was a bad idea, but what choice do I have? Darwin's too risky, and there's no way Nadia would be able to cross that lake. She's my only choice, but she needs to realise we're on the same side.
"Thunder!"
Bluebell stopped rearing and turned at the sound of Blaine's voice, just in time to realise the blast of electricity was coming for her. She jumped out of the way, forcing Alaska to do the same least the Thunder fried her; the bolt slammed into the crater floor, cracking a rock in two and filling the air with static.
Alaska stared at the point of impact barely feet from where she had been standing and took in jagged black scorch mark. "Fucking hell," she muttered, and tried not to imagine what it might have done to her. "You should have warned me, I left all my rubber outfits back on the boat."
Blaine chuckled and shrugged. "It was a wise move sending out a Pokémon with Flash Fire – my options are fairly limited, if clearly effective. Thunder, hit her with both barrels."
"MORTAR!" Hephaestus flexed his arms as he retracted both of his hands, causing his limbs to expand and engorge. His whole body began to glow yellow, and sparks crackled around him as he readied his attack.
Yet Bluebell didn't move. She simply stared across at her former comrade, shocked and confused that he had just tried to electrocute her.
"Flame Wheel, come on!" Alaska yelled. Bluebell looked at her for a moment but still didn't move, her heavy, quivering eyes locked on Blaine. "You have to attack him, that's the only way you can stop him."
"Nyyyy… nyyyyyy!" Bluebell shut her eyes and stumbled backwards, as if ignoring it would make it go away.
There was a thunderous clap from deep within Hephaestus, and the Magmortar braced himself as he raised his arms and fired; two beams of electricity that glowed as brightly as the sun burst from his arms and shot over the water, converging together as they neared their target.
"BLUEBELL, YOU HAVE TO MOVE!" Alaska screamed. "HE'S NOT ON YOUR SIDE ANYMORE, YOU HAVE TO FIGHT BACK!"
"NYYYYY!"
"FINE – AGILITY!"
Bluebell's body began to glow, and just before the Thunder hit, she turned and sprinted in the opposite direction. Her blue flame became a blur, and Alaska tried to track her movements, but as the Thunder exploded she had to shield her eyes against the blinding flash.
When the light cleared, for a moment Alaska thought she had lost Bluebell as there was no sign of her on her side of the lake. Only when she heard the Ponyta's whinny emerge from within the lake did Alaska realise her Pokémon was sprinting over the bobbing rocks, her enhanced speed helping to launch her from one to the other as she hurried towards her former trainer.
Oh great, I'm such a shitty trainer they're now defecting mid-battle.
"Quick-charge Thunder, aim for the water," Blaine commanded.
If Hephaestus felt the same connection to Bluebell that she seemed to feel for him, he didn't let it show. His pouty face was blank as he raised his arms and fired short bursts of electricity in rapid succession. They exploded against the steaming water, creating giant ripples that forced Bluebell to jump even faster.
"Nyyy!" Whether it was confusion or fear, Bluebell's distress was clear. The attacks were forcing her to double back, leaping closer to the eastern edge of the lake and away from her target.
"Flame Wheel, you have to get across to him!" Alaska yelled, but her commands were ignored once again. She's going to drown if she stays there – why are you refusing to listen to me!
"Mortar Mag Mag!" Hephaestus rapidly spun his arms as if charging them, and then fired two mini-Thunders that were bigger than the rest.
Alaska could see it coming, but there was nothing she could do; the electricity hit the rock Bluebell had just leapt to and erupted, blasting her foothold away and flipping her into the air.
"NYYYYY!" Bluebell looked set to sink into the water, and Alaska pulled her Poké Ball out, ready to withdraw her before that happened. Her finger was just pressing the button when Bluebell suddenly burst into flames, and the moment before she hit the water, she curled into a ball.
"Yes, I knew you could do it!" Alaska cheered, a wave of relief filling her with life.
Bluebell spun rapidly over the surface of the water, the speed of her Flame Wheel just enough to keep her afloat. The green surface burned orange as she whirled across to Hephaestus, a flaming blur that seemed intent on hitting its target.
"Thunder!" Blaine barked, and Hephaestus reared forwards to meet Bluebell, his body already glowing.
"Stomp!" Alaska roared. She had no idea if Bluebell would obey her or not, and watched intently as the Flame Wheel rolled back onto land and sped towards the Magmortar.
"PONNYYYYY!" The flames retreated back into Bluebell's mane, returning it to its normal periwinkle blue, as she spun out of the wheel; hoof-first, she careered towards Hephaestus, carried on by the momentum of Flame Wheel, and struck him on the head just as he raised his arms.
The crunch of hoof-on-head echoed, and immediately Hephaestus toppled backwards. The crackle of electricity faded, replaced by the purple glow of Toxic, and Alaska knew the point was hers.
"Well-played," Blaine called as he withdrew the Magmortar, barely waiting for it to hit the ground. "I was worried for you there for a second, but I should have known that luck always seems to be on your side."
Alaska felt the rush of victory vanish. "That was more than just luck. Frances and Bluebell defeated him fair and square."
"Oh, I accept that. Your combinations work well, when you actually put thought into them. The rest of the time, it seems a reliance on playing the right cards at the right time does you wonders, doesn't it?" Blaine smirked, a cockier smile than his normal malice. "You'll need more than a lucky Toxic or the benefit of Flame Body to defeat me though; Hephaestus was there to draw out your final Pokémon, and now that I know your team, I know just how to defeat you."
Blaine let the Poké Ball roll towards Bluebell, the red light spooling out centimetres from her. The Ponyta stumbled backwards to avoid looking at the blinding light, but as the energy began to take shape, her gaze was pulled back towards her opponent.
A strange look took residence in her eyes, and Alaska felt her chest tighten. Bluebell looked distraught, trying to back away but also stretching her neck towards the new Pokémon, torn between what to do. What the fuck has Blaine done to her?
It became clear as the light faded. Rich cream fur coated a lean, muscular body, the contours and definitions visible from across the lake. Fire burned brightly on the creature's back, stretching from the sharp horn on his head down to a billowing inferno where his tail should be.
Had the flames been blue rather than red and yellow, it would almost a magic mirror copy of Bluebell; instead, her shining fire looked meek and decorative in the shadow of the raw strength of the Rapidash that towered above her. Bluebell herself both cowered and smiled meekly at her opponent, but when she tried to approach him, the Rapidash simply tossed his mane and cantered backwards.
Bluebell's hurt was palpable, and Alaska felt her victory slip away, the pieces falling into place. "You sent her own father to battle against her?"
Blaine's smile stretched from ear to ear. "Did you not attempt to use Janine's own grief over the death of her Nidoqueen against her in your last gym battle? This is no standard war we're fighting, Alaska; this whole battle has been personal since the moment you fell into that cave in Viridian Forest. If you don't think Gideon and Amanda will use family and friends against you before this is over, you have not been paying attention. Now Apollo, use High Horsepower!"
Alaska had no time to process the change in circumstances; she should have known Blaine would have a trick up his sleeve for the end of the match, but a familial face-off was the last thing she had predicted, and her steady bravado slipped away from her.
What little admiration Bluebell had left vanished as the Rapidash reared up, body emitting a sharp yellow glow. There was no regret or reluctance on Apollo's part as he brought his hooves down; Bluebell's fear was clear, but still she made no attempt to move away from her father, even when the hooves slammed into her face.
She whinnied painfully as she was sent flying across the field, hitting the ground with a hard thud that caused her to roll for another metre. Her gangly limbs flailed as she fell, and Alaska winced, just imagining a broken limb coming out of this.
"Take a break!" she called, and felt a moment of relief as Bluebell disappeared inside her Poké Ball; she needed a few minutes to process what was happening and come up with a new strategy. That was if she got a few minutes, as Alaska only had one option left.
"Oh excellent, I was looking forward to this," Blaine cackled as Frances reformed on the field. "I was starting to feel peckish, a bit of mushroom soup would go down just nicely."
"Soup's going to be all you can handle once we've knocked your teeth out," Alaska snarled. "Toxic!"
"Flare Blitz!"
Frances fired her purple ball of ooze towards the lake, but Apollo was not waiting to receive her attack; body erupting into flame, he cantered back to where Blaine was standing and then surged forwards. As the ooze exploded meekly against the earth, the Rapidash leapt over the lake, soaring across the boiling pool in one swift move. His entire body covered in fire, it would have been one of the most majestic things Alaska had ever seen if it didn't also mean the end of her Pokémon.
"Effect Spore!"
The command was hollow and desperate, and Frances knew it. With nothing else to do, she turned and gazed at Alaska with such contempt for trying to order her to use her ability, she didn't even look back at Apollo until he was upon her.
Alaska hobbled backwards to escape the wave of heat that emitted from the collision. She had never felt so involved in a battle before; she could feel the ash in her hair and on her skin, which was slick with sweat as heat from the lake met the unmissable glare of the sun.
Yet her problems were nothing compared to Frances'; the fire cleared to reveal the Parasect lying unconscious on her side, her limp limbs swaying meekly in the breeze.
Alaska said nothing as she withdrew her from the field. Thanks for trying, she thought, still surprised and proud that Frances has lasted so long. It had been a smart play, but Alaska had known that her type combination would only go so far.
So much for unpredictability. Alaska had been kidding herself: her style had worked against other gym leaders as they had let it get under their skin, but Blaine was as tough as the rock that surrounded them. Defeating him would require pure strength, but those cards were stacked in his favour.
There was little in the way of unpredictability she could play with now. She only had one Pokémon left, and Bluebell's skills were no match for her father's. Alaska watched Apollo as she dawdled swapping Poké Balls; the Rapidash trotted cockily in circles before her, the light prancing at odds with the flexing muscles in his legs, showing no signs of injury from the Flare Blitz blowback. He's a powerful Pokémon, I can see why Blaine wanted to breed him. High Horsepower, that move has some grunt behind it. And he has no care for his child. Bluebell clearly got her haughty spoiled genes from her mother.
"Are you considering forfeiting?" Blaine yelled. "It'd be quite beneath you, but honestly, I don't see any other choice for you at this stage."
Alaska sighed under her breath. Forfeiting sounded like the perfect option right now, but she was not going to give Blaine the satisfaction; he was flashing that irritating smile once again, and Alaska would not rest until she had wiped it from his face.
There has to be a way around this, you've always found it. You just need to draw it out of Blaine.
Finally, Alaska pressed the button on her Poké Ball; red light spilled out and Bluebell shuddered as she took form once again. Her earlier battle seemed to have taken little toll on her – her flames were tall and bright, and her stance as solid as ever – but her physical prowess would only get her so far this time. This battle was as much about emotions as strategy, and it didn't take long for Bluebell's eyes to focus on Apollo.
"Nyyy?" Bluebell cantered forwards, her eyes wide and pleading. Did she want to know why her father had kicked her? Did she want to know why he had let her go with Alaska? Did she want to know if she missed him? There was clearly a question in her whiny, but whatever it was, Apollo was in no mood to answer; he tossed his mane and stepped backwards, keeping a steady distance between the two.
Oh you poor thing. Alaska had rarely felt much sympathy or pity or frankly any emotion for Bluebell so far; the Ponyta felt as reluctant about this partnership as she did, after all. But even Alaska's battle-scarred heartfelt something for her newest Pokémon, standing there confused and alone as her father readied to battle her. And somehow, she has to defeat him.
Blaine was not as swayed by sentimentality. "High Horsepower!" he barked.
"Agility!"
Bluebell looked to Alaska as if seeking clarification; was she really expecting her to battle her father? The Ponyta wobbled on the spot, clearly not sure how she should be reacting, but her father made the decision for her; Apollo made a noise closer to a grunt than a neigh as he reared back, hooves glowing and ready to strike.
He brought them down, but at the last moment, Bluebell wasn't there. She became a streak of yellow and blue, sparks trailing behind her as she sped towards the other side of the lake.
"Rapiiiiii!" Apollo brayed as his hooves rapped against the earth. He turned, looking for his daughter, and the second he spotted her he began to run as well.
"Keep running – Agility!"
"Wild Charge!"
Alaska felt small in the knowledge Flash Fire was a common ploy used against Blaine, but Apollo's counter was more worrying than Hephaestus'; he turned into a yellow blur, crackling with energy as he launched himself towards his daughter like a glowing golden rocket. It wasn't enough to catch Bluebell, her spindly legs a blur as she fled her father's attack.
She can avoid him as long as she keeps up her speed, but the only way she can beat him is if she scores a direct blow. And what's the bet Flash Fire is his ability as well? That left Alaska and Bluebell with only one move to play with, but that meant a battle of the hooves – Stomp versus High Horsepower, daughter and father fighting to see who could kick the hardest.
"Don't let her get away – chase her down and use High Horsepower!"
Blaine's in the same boat then; Wild Charge and High Horsepower, no other cards to play. The pieces were falling into place, but Alaska couldn't see the complete picture yet. Alaska held back her move, doubtful that Bluebell would listen to it anyway, and focussed on Apollo.
She watched as the Rapidash scaled the lake again, cutting diagonally across so that he landed within metres of Bluebell. The Ponyta stopped sprinting at the sign of her father, but what admiration she had felt before was gone; there was only fear in her eyes now, a terror that was keeping her locked in place as the golden hoof came towards her again.
"Counter with Stomp!" Alaska cried finally.
The last-minuteness of her order seemed to have an effect on Bluebell; she reared backwards, her own hoof shining white, and brought it up towards her father. There was a thud as the two moves collided, but whatever Alaska had hoped for was literally pushed aside; Apollo's kick had more power, and Bluebell could do nothing but wail as she toppled over.
"Nyyyy!" Lying on the ground, she wildly tossed her mane, trying to swing herself back upright, but her fear was causing her to flail, stopping her from getting a solid grip. It was hard to tell if she was injured or just terrified, whatever pain she was feeling indecipherable in her cry.
She can't win this, there's no way. Alaska could see her options spread out before her, and nothing seemed to lead her to victory. Apollo was faster, stronger, and had the emotional upper hand, and all Bluebell was willing to do was run.
"I have to be honest, Alaska," Blaine called, his drawl bored and obnoxious as it pulled her from her thoughts, "I was really expecting more from you. Clearly, if you're our great hope, there's little hope for any of us. High Horsepower, finish this."
Alaska's chest tightened; she was about to lose and would have to watch her own Pokémon be crushed by her father in punishment. Already, Apollo was moving into position, stepping back so there was some distance between him and his daughter, giving him plenty of room to run up and ensure success.
I'm sorry, Bluebell, I'm sorry, there's nothing we can do. Alaska saw Bluebell writhing on the ground and struggled to hold back her emotions, not just for the Ponyta but for all her Pokémon. They had come so far and gone through so much, but it had all led to this, failure at the final hurdle. If I can't defeat Blaine, how the fuck am I going to lead you all against Gideon?
Winning against Blaine won't change that. He is not Gideon, he is not fighting in order to destroy you; a win here is not on the same level.
Alaska looked around. Was Latios speaking to her again? She paused, searching for that feeling in her brain, but there was no pressure this time; she was simply alone with her own memories.
If a blind old man frightens you, you lack the conviction to defeat someone who is a real threat.
Alaska stared at Blaine, taking in the way he was holding himself; there was no malice or glee on his face, just a resigned, vacant expression made worse by his dark glasses. Yet his body seemed tense, half turned towards Apollo while his head was cocked towards Alaska. She looked past him to Hestia, and exhaustion made her reactions slow, the Delphox too slow to look away.
He's waiting for me to do something. He's waiting for my final move.
Forget about the war, forget about everything except the battle. Think of how you have won before and what winning meant, and you will find the way.
An idea came to her, and Alaska started running before she had finished her thought. Her legs still ached from the climb and she could feel her sweat-drenched pants rubbing her thighs as she sprinted, but still she ran as if everything she had fought for depended on it.
This is more then a gym battle. This is more than a badge. This is more than just one victory. Blaine wanted to see a warrior, and if that's what he wants, it's what he'll get.
She jumped before she was certain what she was doing. It was only in that moment she was airborne that Alaska considered the consequences, but it was too late to change now. The moment she spent soaring through the air seemed to last a lifetime; Alaska saw Bluebell's shock like a manifestation of her own subconscious; she heard Blaine screaming in the distance, his words lost in the wind; she saw Apollo's bitter, determined expression as he brought his hoof down, only for it to turn to shock as Alaska appeared between him and his target.
The hoof struck her stomach, and suddenly the slowed-down world switched to fast forward. Alaska groaned as her breath escaped her, and barely noticed as she was sent careering through the air, the force behind the attack enough to send her flying for metres towards the edge of the mountain.
Her breath returned only as she landed, sucking in dusty, humid air as she rolled like a broken ragdoll across the crater. She felt the pain of impact in every part of her body, but mainly in her midriff where it felt like a bomb had detonated and reduced her organs to jelly.
By the time Alaska had stopped rolling, all her strength had escaped her. She lay meekly on her back, feeling her arms and legs bruising, willing her brain to stop flailing about in her head. The sun shone right in her eyes, but Alaska lacked the energy to shield them, simply shutting them against the glare and basking in the neon yellow glow that burned through her eyelids.
"What in the name of Arceus did you think you were doing?"
It had only been seconds, but when Alaska opened her eyes, she felt like she'd had a little nap, but the sight of Blaine looming over her was more like a nightmare. "Oh, is that not how you're supposed to forfeit a battle? My mistake, lesson learned."
"Apollo could have killed you!" Blaine roared, his spit soaking her face. "I should have known those stories of your stupidity and recklessness were too good to believe – you're a thousand times worse than any bit of gossip could ever prepare one person for."
"I shall have to take that as a compliment."
Blaine turned away and screamed out into the world. It echoed across the crater, hanging in the heavy air for what felt like minutes. By the time the ghosts of his anger had gone, Blaine sighed and turned back to Alaska. "Seriously, what was the point of that little performance?"
Alaska forced herself to sit up, grimacing through the pain that was like fire in her stomach. She would feel this for days to come and wondered if she would be able to walk with this on top of her busted leg. She looked around for Bluebell, tempted to get a ride from her, and that was when she saw them.
Bluebell had made it back to her feet, and the fear she had worn moments ago was gone. Instead, she looked serene as she nuzzled her father, her head stretched to its limits to greet his, while Apollo had put aside whatever stoicism he had felt and was caressing his daughter with the side of his head. It could have been very different if Bluebell had taken the attack, and Alaska smiled, accepting every bit of her pain.
"A lot of people may think I'm not up for this battle. They probably think I'm too reckless, that I don't think things through properly – too unpredictable for whatever's coming my way. But there's one thing you can always count on; if someone comes for one of my Pokémon, I am going to do everything in my power to protect them. Even if that means taking the hits for them."
Alaska turned to Blaine, and even though she knew there was nothing behind his glasses, she could feel him judging her through Hestia's vision, taking in this strange girl that had come into his life. "You told me this was just a simple gym battle, but I knew you were testing me, judging me, evaluating me, whatever you want to call it. I don't care if you think I'm a terrible trainer or not or what you think of my strategy, I wanted you to see that I can win things my way – even if that means losing."
"You think this is winning?" Blaine scoffed. "Jumping in front of an attack like that? That could have killed you."
"Maybe. But you're the one who said that you wanted a warrior in this fight, not a little girl pretending to be a hero. I know that's what you were looking for today – the thing that makes me different than Red or Leaf or Kris, something that can't be proven by a simple gym battle."
Alaska grabbed hold of Blaine's cane and hauled herself up so they were eye-to-eye. Her busted leg screamed in pain and her stomach felt like it might tear, but Alaska persevered, focusing all her energy on Blaine's withered face. "Strength. Cunning. Tenacity. Drive. Did you find what you were looking for?"
Silence gripped the crater. Even the wind seemed to have vanished, sensing the tension in the air and having no part in it. The Pokémon, who had gathered nearby, made no movement as they gazed across the pair. Alaska could see Hestia out of the corner of her eye but she did not look at her, her eyes locked on Blaine, wanting him to see that he had no power over her, that he would have try harder to find her limits.
Finally, Blaine cackled. Alaska had not been this close to him before, and it was strange how his sun-weathered, wrinkled face seemed so much younger when he laughed. It was worse experiencing his laugh full force; the gym leader was basically roaring, the sound stretching across the entire mountaintop and spooking Bluebell enough that she moved behind her father.
"You really are a piece of work, Alaska," Blaine said eventually, sighing deeply as the last of his mirth vanished. "I have never met anyone quite like you in my life. God, I'm glad it's you that's been cursed with all this and not someone many sensible."
Alaska frowned, not sure if this was meant to be a compliment or an insult. "Does that mean I passed your test?"
"And what test would that be; the gym challenge, or the one about our future together?" Blaine let that hang in the air before he flashed her his smile. "I haven't decided yet, let me dwell on all this for a few more minutes." He yanked his cane from out of her grip and turned towards Hestia, shaking his head. "Sweet Arceus, jumping in front of a High Horsepower, who would have thought."
"How is that an answer?" Alaska snapped, limping after him. "Don't just leave it there, make up your mind, you old bastard!"
"Tch tch, swearing won't get you anywhere," Blaine tutted, putting an arm around Hestia as the pair walked away, leaving Alaska, Bluebell and Apollo standing on their own.
"And where exactly do you think you're going?" Alaska yelled.
Blaine glanced over his shoulder, smiling coyly back at her. "I've got something to show you if you've stopped having a tantrum. Come along now," he added, clicking his fingers, "or would you rather not see what Gideon's been looking for all this time?"
