~ Chapter 100 ~

Battle Aboard the Boat

"Niya never let it be known, nor did she ever flaunt it, but besides me, she was one of the strongest trainers in our group, especially during Sinnoh. Her Pokémon were stronger than she let on, and were higher levelled that I had originally assumed of someone who was a Coordinator. Niya was not foolish, and she understood the importance of battles in Contests, and how they could make or break your previous appeal. Just because a Pokémon battle at this level doesn't last long, doesn't reduce the skill required to fight at this level, and train your Pokémon this well. She also understood, as the niece of Fantina, a Gym Leader and Top Coordinator, the importance of having Pokémon that are both beautiful, but also strong. Niya used to say: 'strength is a form of beauty in and of itself.' She wasn't wrong. It was a lesson Lyss soon learned, too actually…"

Sam and Niya had prepared to battle.

Some of the crew had come up top to witness the battle.

This ferry was special, reserved for challengers of the Pokémon League, so when a battle happened, it was usually involving some of the strongest trainers in the Sinnoh Region.

Niya had a reputation, and so did Sam.

People weren't going to be missing this.

Niya and Sam had agreed.

They would battle with their teams, in reverse; one versus one.

The last Pokémon they caught, down to their first Pokémon.

Once a Pokémon was taken out, they'd both swap to their next Pokémon.

The goal was to win the most rounds out of six.

It was a bit unorthodox, but not unheard of.

It was definitely the first time Sam and his friends had tried this, and likely wouldn't be the last.

The battle had started with Sam's Lucario and Niya's Glameow.

Sam called for Force Palm.

But Niya was ready, and immediately sent her Glameow in for a Sucker Punch, striking Lucario was it prepared its attack.

Lucario was struck, though and while the damage wasn't serious, it was enough for it to flinch and give Glameow an opening to attack again.

Glameow went in for a Slash attack.

Sam called out to Lucario through their mental connection.

Lucario was annoyed, and the Slash stung, but the damage wasn't severe, and Lucario was ready to press on.

Supressing the anger that came from the stinging pain, Lucario went for another Force Palm on Glameow, who dodged using Faint Attack to slip behind Lucario and strike the Pomemon from behind.

The Faint Attack shoved Lucario forward, causing the Pokémon to stumble over.

Sam calmed his Pokémon.

Lucario was good at separating emotion from the fight, and Sam knew, of all his Pokémon, Lucario was one of the best to be left to its own devices, besides perhaps Empoleon or Garchomp.

Niya knew she wasn't doing massive amounts of damage, she was whittling away at Lucario's health slowly, almost teasing or toying with the Pokémon before she finished it off.

Sam needed to put a stop to that.

Before Glameow could strike again, Sam had Lucario strike Glameow with a Force Palm as soon as the Pokémon got in close for another attack.

This time, Lucario was ready, and ended up striking Glameow right in the face, sending the Pokémon spiralling back as Niya stumbled to realize that her ruse had been shattered and her plans had been destroyed.

While Glameow was flying back, Lucario shot off a quick Aura Sphere, which slammed itself into Glameow, downing the Pokémon temporarily.

Enough time for Lucario to finish it off with another Force Palm…until Glameow swapped places, disappearing as Lucario came close, and went in for another Faint Attack from behind.

But Lucario, without Sam's instruction, was able to turn around and slam his still active Force Palm into Glameow's face again.

This time, the Pokémon flew back and was downed…out for the fight.

Sam and Niya recalled and thanked their Pokémon, and then prepared their next choices.

Alyssandra's eyes shined with pride, both for her best friend, and for her boyfriend.

Out of respect, Jeremy, Pikachu and Alyssandra didn't cheer outloud for one side or another.

They supported both sides, but weren't picking one or the other.

Their next two Pokémon came onto the makeshift field deck.

Garchomp and Drifloon.

An interesting match up, but Sam had a plan.

So did Niya.

The lack of dirt battlefield meant Sam was restricted from using Dig or Earthquake.

Dig would burrow through the deck and destroy the ship, Earthquake wouldn't fair much better.

But Crunch was Dark Type, and Super Effective against the Ghost and Flying Type Drifloon, but first, Sam had to get close.

"Garchomp, Dragon Rush!" cried Sam.

Garchomp roared and charged in a blur of blue, dragon-shaped light, getting in close to Drifloon.

But before it could slam itself into the small Pokémon, Drifloon threw up a shining bubble around itself.

It has used Protect.

Garchomp, the unstoppable force, met an immovable wall, and bounced off with the force of its own attack turned on it.

Garchomp roared at the bubble and lashed out with its tail at Drifloon, but the Protect attack held.

Garchomp waited on Sam's orders; watching, snarling, waiting for the Protect to wear off.

Sam didn't notice Niya's smile, and watched coyly as Garchomp snarled, gnashing its teeth together, slamming its tale into the deck as it taunted Drifloon.

Sam had to sigh.

Garchomp could easily get caught up in its emotions, getting riled up in a match and forgetting to think rationally.

Sam hoped this wouldn't get to Garchomp today.

Suddenly, the Protect wore off, and Sam had Garchomp pounce with a Bite attack.

As Garchomp's teeth crunched around Drifloon, the Pokémon started to inflate.

Garchomp, angry, refused to let go.

Drifloon started to fly up above the boat.

Sam realized something was going on, and Garchomp needed to get out there.

He called out to his Pokémon, but Garchomp refused to listen and bit down harder.

Drifloon seemed to be in pain, but refused to give up.

Then, as it floated high above the boat below, Niya called for Explosion.

Drifloon began to glow, and suddenly, it exploded.

The Pokémon was fine, but the light it was producing exploded, right as Garchomp was biting down on the Pokémon.

Garchomp fell to the ground, falling onto the deck with a thump, smoking, unconscious, but alive…just unable to fight.

Garchomp had been done in by its own stubbornness.

Drifloon floated back down to the deck and collapsed, also unable to battle.

Garchomp had passed out and hit the ground first, and by Pokémon League rules, Niya had technically won that round.

Sam sighed, apologizing to Garchomp as he returned her to her Poké Ball, and then looked at Niya who returned her Drifloon to its Poké Ball as well, thanking it, and apologizing for using the Explosion tactics.

Drifloon was tough, and Sam knew how tough a full evolved Drifblim could be.

Niya had earned that round.

"Sometimes it's not about how strong you are," called Niya, "It's about how much you can surprise your opponent. A little bit of flash and bang doesn't hurt either."

"Clearly," snorted Sam, "Shall we continue?"

"Please," smiled Niya with a small bow.

The two prepare their next Pokémon.

Rampardos versus Cherubi.

Cherubi had the type advantage, but Rampardos had the strength and speed behind her, as well as several moves up her sleeve that could deal with Grass Types.

The two Pokémon were released on deck.

Rampardos, under Sam's command, didn't give Cherubi a chance to breathe.

Cherubi loosed a Miracle Leaf, but Rampardos, still charging towards Cherubi, blasted through them with a Flamethrower.

Niya called for Cherubi to use Sunny Day.

A small ball of light rose up from Cherubi and flew up into the air.

Like a giant ball of flame, the light ball light up the entire area like a small sun.

During the day, it would have intensified the sunrays in the area, at night though…this was what it did.

It intensified Fire Type moves normally, but could be used as a back-door way to speed up and intensified the power of Solar Beam, which drew upon the sun for its power.

At night, Sunny Day was an asset, even more so than during the day.

It also reduced the cool down time and charging time between Solar Beams to almost nothing by intensifying the solar power.

Sam knew what was coming however, as soon as he saw the Sunny Day.

"Cranidos! Halt!" cried Sam.

Rampardos skidded to a stop as Cherubi unleashed a massive blast of Solar Beam.

But Sam knew how to counter it.

As he knew, Sunny Day also intensified the power of Fire Type moves, and Sam was using that to his advantage.

Sam had Rampardos use everything she could, and throw it into a Flamethrower to counter the Solar Beam.

The two energies collided, solar powered grass energy and fire energy.

The deck lit up with the massive explosion of light that erupted at the centre of the boat.

The heat was intense, and the people were forced to shield their eyes and faces and look away.

As the heat abated, so did the attacks, and as they did, Rampardos had won out.

The Flamethrower had over powered the Solar Beam, and had caused severe damage to Cherubi, rendering the Pokémon unable to battle further.

Cherubi collapse, still sizzling, and was recalled to its Poké Ball and thanked by Niya.

Niya sighed. "I shouldn't have cut that so closely," she noted, "I knew about Flamethrower, and how you seem to pull your Pokémon's true potential out of your ass at the best times. Your timing is impeccable, if frustrating."

Sam smiled. "I learned from the best."

Niya snorted. "If I was the best I wouldn't be here struggling to defeat you."

"I said that I learned from the best, but that doesn't mean I didn't surpass it," laughed Sam.

Niya simply chuckled and released her next Pokémon.

Buizel.

Sam released his Luxray.

The type match up worked in Sam's favour this time, almost terrifyingly so.

Niya knew this was coming, but still refused to give up.

She had accepted this challenge, and even if the type match-up was against her, that didn't mean she couldn't win.

Niya wasted no time to attempt to gain the upper hand.

First Buizel burst into an Agility, then struck out with a Razor Wind.

Blast of white energy-like wind shot forth from Buizel, coming at Luxray from all angles as the Pokémon shot between different situations on the field.

Luxray was struck by several of the attacks as it tried to dodge, then blasted the remainder of them away with a massive Thunder attack.

The attack slammed into the deck, protecting Luxray and even slamming into part of the deck beside Buizel, knocking the Pokémon aside, and ending the small Buizel's high-speed flurry about the battlefield.

Buizel rolled and skidded across the deck, being knocked aside by the lightning.

Sam had Luxray jump on the opportunity to attack once more.

While Buizel was down, Luxray charged at Buizel, grabbed the small Pokémon within its mouth and unleashed a terrible Thunder Fang attack.

The brutality and efficiency of Luxray had always fascinated Niya.

Even now, as she returned her unconscious Buizel to its Poké Ball, and thanked it for battling.

"You've been training your Pokémon hard," she sighed, "Your Luxray is fantastic. Terribly strong…it's admirable."

"Thank you," Sam bowed his head slightly, "I've taken pride in him. Valentina showed me just how strong a Luxray can be…I'm glad I could live up to those expectations."

Sam's Luxray had always been a powerhouse, even when it was younger and unevolved.

But now, it had become an effective hunter, stalker and attacker.

True to form for a Pokémon as regal and powerful as Luxray.

Sam thanked Luxray and returned him to his Poké Ball.

Only two Pokémon left a piece.

Staraptor and Combee.

Staraptor had the advantage of typing and speed.

Niya was starting to regret this match up.

Even if she could take out Sam's Empoleon at the end with her Roserade, Sam had still scored more points than her.

Four out of six knockouts would be enough to win Sam this match, which, at this point, he was well on his way to.

But Niya wasn't giving up now.

Even if she lost this round, she wasn't giving up until all of her Pokémon were down for the count.

Her aunt would have wanted it that way.

Sam released his Staraptor, and Niya released her Combee.

Combee let out an Ominous Wind, trying to slow down or halt the oncoming onslaught of Staraptor.

Staraptor's coming attack was slowed by the change of winds, but Sam was able to overcome the change of wind, for however slightly.

Staraptor barely took a scratch from the Ominous Wind, and was still primed and ready to attack.

Sam called for a Brave Bird, having Staraptor rush right up to Combee, attempting to strike and attack the enemy Pokémon with swifteness and brutality.

Unfortunately, it would damage Staraptor to use this move, so Sam was limited in its use.

Staraptor slammed into its opponent, flaming blue with light and flame.

Combee was struck and went flying back…and collapsed from the damage of the attack.

Brave Bird did a lot of damage to the user, but also to the opponent.

Staravia seemed to be exhausted, but holding in there.

Staraiva was Sam's oldest Pokémon, technically.

For all he had captured it after he had received his Piplup, officially, Starly was the Pokémon he had met first.

Wounded at the edge of Lake Verity, together they teamed up to fight off what was now Alyssandra's Glameow.

Because of this Starly, Sam had met Professor Rowan, had received his Piplup, and had gone on a Pokémon Journey that was about to come to an end in a few short days.

Months of practice, battles, troubles, injuries, victories, defeat, friends and enemies…all of it was about to come to a head.

Sam owed it to his Pokémon to win this fight, and every fight going forward.

Sam thanked Starly—for more than the Pokémon could ever possibly know—as he returned him to his Poké Ball, and then grabbed the last Poké Ball.

By all means, Sam's oldest official Pokémon.

His first Starter.

The Pokémon he had started the adventure with, albeit for a short amount oftime until he captured Starly.

Niya sighed as she released her Roserade.

"How long do you think this fight will last?" asked Jeremy.

Alyssandra shrugged. "Not much longer."

Niya started with a Magical Leaf, not giving Empoleon a chance to breathe.

Empoleon dodged, rolling to the side with a squawk.

The Pokémon retaliated with Ice Beam, which Roserade countered with a Shadow Ball.

The Ice Beam and Shadow Ball collided, exploding into a sparkling rain of ice shavings and a dark wind.

Empoleon charged in at Roserade with a Drill Peck, running, jumping, and spinning like a drill to slam its pointed beak into Roserade.

Roserade started charging up a Solar Beam, riding the coat tails of the Sunny Day from earlier.

It was just fading out, but Niya was able to use the last few seconds to charge up the Solar Beam quickly, and blast it at Empoleon as it corkscrew dived into Roserade.

But Sam wasn't having it, having Empoleon blast the Solar Beam with an Ice Beam, pitting Ice energy against solar-powered Grass energy.

Once more, the type match up worked in Sam's favour.

The Sunny Day wore out, the Solar Beam sputtered out, and the Ice Beam struck Roserade, knocking the Pokémon back.

Next, Empoleon unleashed a Hydro Pump before Roserade could strike with a Venoshock—though a lose Venoshock caught Empoleon in the side, causing the Pokémon to cry out.

It wasn't grievously wounded, as its Steel typing resisted the Poison typing, but damage was still damage.

Empoleon and Sam synced up their unspoken mental link for this battle.

Without calling out a single attack, Empoleon had staggered Roserade.

One more strike would end it.

Loosing another Hydro Pump, then freezing it with an Ice Beam, the giant torrent of ice slammed into Roserade, nearly knocking the Pokémon from the boat.

As Roserade slid across the deck, Empoleon went for its signature finisher—Drill Peck.

Slamming its beak into Roserade, Empoleon finished off Roserade with it spinning attack.

It leapt back from Roserade's crumpled form and stood next to Sam, squawking triumphantly.

Sam returned his Empoleon to its Poké Ball with great thanks, and Niya did the same with her Roserade.

She sighed. "You've got me beat," she admitted, "I have nothing left to teach you…though I suppose I've known that for a while. Once you beat my aunt…even I couldn't do that consistently or as quickly as you did…I knew you'd get stronger than me one day…still it's a proud day when your student finally surpasses you."

Sam beamed proudly as the crowd around him cheered.

Niya had been the best mentor Sam could have asked for.

She was a good teacher, teaching with patience, but a tough love that was necessary.

She was supportive, and pushed you to do your best at the same time.

Niya was always willing to help Sam and Alyssandra through any problem they had.

"Thanks, teach," smirked Sam.

"Now don't get lazy!" demanded Niya, "Don't stop practicing! You may have beat me, but you better not think the Elite Four won't eat you, chew you up, and spit you out like a piece of gum! Don't go getting soft now!"

"Yes, teach!" laughed Sam.

Now he felt it. Now he knew in his heart what he should have known all along; but it had taken until now for him to feel it.

Sam was ready for the Pokémon League.