A Love -Hate Relationship
33
From The Heat Of Passion Comes A Burning Victory!
A/N: This Fan Fiction is based on the Galar region and games (Sword/Shield) featuring CanonXOC It based on the GAMES and NOT the anime version.
"Bah! I over slept!" Hop gasped as he rushed through the audience trying to find his seat.
"Over here!" called Marnie, waving over the gasping young male who was apologizing o some disgruntled audience members in the crowd.
"I was so knackered after my fight with Kabu- I passed out in my room!" he said, "What did I miss?"
"Nothing yet." said Marnie, "Anani hasn't even stepped out yet."
"That's a relief..." said Hop, "Still it's amazing she's willing to jump straight into an intense battle on that ankle of hers-"
"Mm- And that's not even the most amazing thing today!" said Marnie, "You will never guess who is here to watch the show with us!"
"What are you talking about?" said Hop. Marnie simply motioned her head to gesture Hop into looking into the seat next to her as she leaned back revealing Bede in the last seat. Leaning back, folded arms and his feet crossed on the back of the chair in front of him.
"Snap a pic why don't you?" he stated, "It should last longer."
"YOU again!?" Hop huffed, "What are you even still doing here!?" he asked, "Didn't you already get your Gym Badge like-yesterday!?" he stated, "Get gone already!"
"Shut up, it's about to start." said Bede and all Marnie could do was muster out a shrug of the shoulders and insist Hop take his seat.
XXXXX
Anani could hear the crowd just outside the tunnel as she stood alongside Kabu. Preparing to enter the field with him.
"I'm glad to see you've healed up nicely." said Kabu.
"I...thank you?" she blinked, "But how did you know about that?"
"Ah, of course." he chuckled, "You were pretty out of it by the time I found you lot." he said, "It's not surprising you wouldn't remember much." he stated, "That aside...let's show them a match of blazing passion and glory, hm?"
Anani blinked a few times and simply smiled, nodding just as the two began to take their steps out onto the battle field.
"This is a battle between Gym leader Kabu, our man of fire-" said the ref, "And Gym Challenger Anani, who has won up to two badges so far..." he stated, "Now let's see if she can manage a third!" the ref nodded," This will be a three on three battle...BEGIN!"
"Every trainer and Poke'mon trains hard in pursuit of growth in strength and victory." said Kabu,"That being said, it means your opponent is also working hard to win." he stated, "In the end...a winner is decided by who can better muster their true potential!" he declared, "Let's go! Ninetales!"
"A Ninetales!" Anani gasped.
They're so pretty...
She smirked.
Still...if its a battle of foxes he wants...
"Go!" she threw out her Poke'ball and out came Punkoon the Linoone."
"Linoone?" Bede scoffed, "Pff...this should be interesting..."
Meanwhile Hop and Marnie exchanged glances and let out a snicker. They were beginning to pick up on Anani's way of battling, and they knew what was coming next.
"Let's start things off with Night Slash!" said Anani and Linoone thrust forward and made a clean slash at Ninetales.
"Not a bad move." said Bede, "With a move like Night Slash, Critical hits land more easily." He blinked, "Though she may have been better off saving that for his last Poke'mon rather than his first."
"Maybe she's trying to end this quickly?" said Marnie.
"That will prove to be a Rookie mistake." said Bede.
"All right Ninetales!" Uses Will-o-wisp!"
As fire surrounded Punkoon, it instantly became burned and suddenly the illusion was distorted.
"Wh-" Bede blinked, "It was...a Zorua!?"
"Figures." Marnie chuckled.
"She ad Shifty sure became close friends." Hop laughed.
"That won't stop us!" said Anani, "Pull through it Shifty, and use Shadow Ball!"
"Ourua Ruaaa!"
The small fox yipped and took to an aerial attack of spitting a black blob at Ninetales.
"Ninetales is unable to battle!" said the Ref, as the nine tailed fox took a direct hit into a clean knock out thanks to the lingering mass effect of Night Slash, making the next hit a critical.
"The Winner of this round is Challenger Anani and Zorua!"
"Huh...guess I underestimated that girl." said Bede.
"Never underestimate Anani!" said Hop.
You don't have to tell ME that...
Bede thought to himself as he thought back to his first battle with Anani and huffed.
"Not bad!" said Kabu, But can your little fox stand up against the big dogs!?"
The Audience cheered as he tossed out Arcanine.
"What do you think, Shifty?" said Anani,"Can you keep going?"
"Ourua!"
Zorua yipped and stood firmly on its burned leg. Determined to go on a bit longer.
"Incredible..." said Marnie, "Her Zorua is cute AND fiesty!" she giggled.
"Yeah," Hop chuckled, "Now that I'm looking...Shifty is a lot like Anani, isn't he?" he blushed, "Maybe that's why they make such a good team. Cute and deadly."
"Well you know what they say..." said Bede, "Like trainer like Poke'mon...or...something like that, yeah?"
"Yeah..." Hop blinked, "Wait-What!?" He shook his head and sent his gaze over to Bede who blushed and hissed out a "Shhh!" Before entirely avoiding Hop's Gaze and solely focusing on Anani's battle.
This time Hop and Marnie both blinked and exchanged a glance with each other. Marnie snickered meanwhile Hop only became more confused.
"Try things again with Night Slash!" said Anani.
"Ourua!" the fox responded and moved quickly in on the attack.
"Hurry Arcanine, use Agility!" said Kabu.
Thanks to Arcanine's quick speed the dog Poke'mon managed to dodge the fierce attack. He moved quickly in circles around the small fox who couldn't manage to keep up.
This isn't good...
Anani thought to herself.
"Shifty!" called Anani,"Jump up and use Shadow Ball on the ground!" she demanded.
"WHAT!?" this time all three of Anani's spectators gasped.
"What is she trying to do!?" said Bede.
"Don't ask me!" said Hop, "This is a new one for me-"
The fox did as commanded and leapt up aiming its Shadow Ball attack directly in the middle of the circling Arcanine.
"Caaaaaaannn!" the puppy cried as the explosion sent him flying back.
"INCREDIBLE!" said the Ref, "Challenger Anani used Zorua's Shadow Ball to slow down Arcanine!" he declared, "What will she dow next!?"
"That was amazing!" Hop Beamed, and even MArnie clapped on that one.
"Clever tactic!" said Kabu, "But it won't help you!" he said, "Arcanine, as Zorua comes down, use Bite!"
As the small box fell, it tried to move out of range but the burn on its leg made it wince and it landed directly in the jaws of Arcanine. As the fox let out a pained yelp, Arcanine then tossed the small fox into the air.
"Now use Flame Wheel!"
Unable to move, the fox tooka direct hit and slammed back against the wall, now tired and battered.
"No! Zorua!" Anani cried.
"Oooh~ That has got to hurt~!" Bede said smugly with a smirk.
"Poor Zorua!" said Marnie.
"A lot of Gym trainers tend to give up once they reach Kabu." said Bede with a shrug, "Because of how powerful he is." he explained, "Of course, it was a breeze for me...but I mean, I get it." he said.
"It's not over yet!" said Hop as he gripped tightly to the edge of his seat.
Come on, Anani...
He thought to himself.
You can pull out of this!
"Zorua is unable to fight!" said the Ref, "The winner of this round is Gym leader Kabu and Arcanine!" the crowd cheered relentlessly.
"Come on back, Zorua!" said Anani as she called back her Poke'mon and smiled, "You put up a good fight..." she said to the ball, "Thank you."
She stood with new found determination.
"Punkoon! I choose you!" she said as she sent out her Linoone.
"I see..." Bede blinked, "So that's the real Linoone of hers then." he said, "Not that he will fare much better than that silly Zorua."
"Don't underestimate Punkoon before you've seen what he can do!" Hop huffed.
"With Anani...a lot of things may surprise you." said Marnie.
Bede blinked as he listened but didn't acknowlege any of it. He simply folded his arms and waited for what was to come.
"Use Will-o-wisp!" said Kabu.
"Told you." Bede shrugged as the Linoone took the burn.
"Don't you dare take that lying down!" said Anani.
"Huh?" Bede blinked as his eyes widened while a new wave of determination took place in a flash of her Magenta eyes.
"Punkoon, use Take Down!" she said, "And put your whole body into it!"
and he did.
With every ounce of strength in its burned body Linoone threw himself fully into the Arcanine, tripping him up until he fell with a hard thud into the dust.
"Arcanine is unable to battle!" said the Ref, "The winner of this round is Challenger Anani and Linoone!"
Bede let out a soft gasp as he moved up in his seat.
"Impossible!" he stated.
To have enough strength in him to knock down that Arcanine that's way out of his weight class...
"The bigger they are, the harder they fall!" smirked Anani.
"Now that's what I call lighting a fire in your belly!" Kabu laughed, "This is my last Poke'mon..." he stated, "Let's go, Centiskorch!"
"Punkoon! Return!" said Anani, "Bloo...it's on you!"
"Well, well...a Drizzile." Bede blinked, "Probably the smartest move Anani has pulled all match." he scoffed as he flipped his hair.
"Can't you be impressed by anything!" Hop huffed, "She's winning! This is the last battle!"
"Hmph."
"This is the last match..." said Kabu, "Let's make it last!" His eyes flared, "GO! GIGANTIMAX!"
"Sounds good to me~" Anani smirked, "GO! DYNAMAX!"
The final fight was intense. Steam and rain filled the stadium blended together by the heat of Passionate will and the rumbling of pure grit and determination.
But there could only be one winner...
"Now Bloo..." said Anani, "MAX GEYSER!"
The final blast was firedm and Centiskorch fell in defeat.
"Centiskorch is unable to continue!" said the ref, "The winner of this round is Challenger Anani and Drizzile." he declared, "The Match goes to Challenger Anani!"
"ALL RIGHT!" Hop and Marnie screamed as Anani turned to the crowd and waved. Needless to say Bede was left speechless. He truly was impressed...of course he would never admit to that...he simply smiled and clapped along with the crowd in his own silence.
"When there are great Poke'mon...a Great Trainer is usually standing behind them." said Kabu, "It's no surprise that you won." he smiled, "I am often regarded as the first road block of the Gym Challenge." he chuckled, "And yet, you defeated me." he grinned, "Clearly talent has surpassed experience here!" he stated as he and Anani walked to the center of the field together, "I know that you and your Poke'mon will grow to be a fine team." he said,"...You're gonna go far, kid!" with a satisfied smile, the two clasped hands in a firm and fully satisfied gripping shake.
XXXXX
The Fire Badge shined just as brightly as the previous two and Anani felt nothing but pride. She smiled as she rubbed at her ankle.
I don't think I could have gotten this far without your help, Bede...
She thought to herself.
I owe you one...
"Anani!" Hop beamed as he threw himself at his friend in a tight embrace lifting and spinning her around into a fit of shared laughter.
" I KNEW You could do it, mate!" he beamed, "That natch had me at the edge of my seat!"
"Thanks Hop." she laughed softly.
"I don't think matches can get any more wicked than that." said Marnie, "Let's get you and your team fixed up." she said, "It's about time we prepared and stocked up for our next destination!"
"So our next destination should be Hammerlocke." said Hop as he looked through the map while they stood by the entrance to the Wild Area.
"We have to go through The Wild Area in order to get there, don't we?" Marnie blinked.
"Yep." said Hop.
"So then we better get going~"
"Huh?" Hop blinked and Marnie was just as confused while the three of them exchanged glances, wondering where the 4th voice was coming from.
"YOU, AGAIN!?" Hop gasped as Bede stood in the light. He wore a side smile with a cocked hip as he brushed his fingers through his hair.
"Well...are we going? Or do you plan on dallying here all day?" he asked as he passed through the group.
"Who says you're coming with us, mate?" Hop asked. His face was not amused.
"I think it's better I do." said Bede, "Considering it seems whenever I'm not around, your dear friend Anani winds up screwing herself in some way shape or form." he shrugged.
"That won't happen because I'm with Anani!" said Hop, "She'll be fine!"
"But will she though?" Bede blinked, "Because every time I was saving her life you were nowhere to be seen!"
"Say what now?" Hop leered at Bede as he sighed and shook his head while he shrugged.
"Don't ask me." said Bede, "To be honest even I don't know why I'd even bother...it's not like either of you will make it though the Gym Challenge anyway, so why do I care?" he sighed, "I suppose I wouldn't feel right about someone's passing if I knew I could have prevented it..."
"You're being a bit dramatic about that, don't you think?" said Marnie rolling her eyes.
"Call me what you will." Bede shrugged," I think the one with the real problem here is the Champion."
"Excuse me!?" said Hop.
"All I'm saying is the Champion must have been off his rocker to endorse the likes of you." Bede shrugged, "Especially a cluts like Anani who can't even walk properly...let alone Hop here who can't even throw a poke'ball properly!"
"Rubbish!" said Hop, "More like you don't recognize greatness when you see it!" he huffed as he pulled Anani gently back by the arm and placed her behind him with folded arms, "My throws are the greatest and my Bro is the Finest Champion the world has ever seen! I'm not gonna stand here and listen to you insulting him!" he huffed, "And more than that, how dare you smear Anani!?" he asked, "If she's such a bother then why are you bothering to stick around, Yeah!?"
"You really are tiresome..." Bede sighed, "If it bothers you to have me around then why not battle me over it?" he stated, "Over there, yeah!?" he rolled his eyes, "Maybe that will help you finally understand just how weak you are."
"You're on, then!" said Hop, "You smear Anani and yet I happen to know that you lost to her!" he smirked as Bede twitched and let loose a low grumble while his cheeks rosed up.
"I'm her greatest rival." he stated, "If she can beat you, then I know I can too!"
"Hmph!" Bede scoffed, "You prattle on about Anani and the Champion and whatnot..." he blinked, "Have you not a thing of your own to show?"
Now Hop was irritatted. His eyes narrowed and he clenched his fists.
"Hop..." Anani blinked and placed a small hand on his shoulder, which he tenderly brushed off.
"You and Marnie stay here." said Hop, "This is something I'm gonna take care of on my own." he stated, "I'll show this wally my real skill in battle!"
"But Hop-" Anani tried to rush after him but she was held back by Marnie who shook her head.
"Sometimes...boys just need to be boys." she explained, "The best thing you can do for Hop right now...is be here waiting for him when he comes back."
Anani blinked a few times and sighed with eyes raised in the distance while she watched Hop's back fade further and further away...
To Be Continued