~ Chapter 103 ~
Elite Four Aaron!
"Aaron's battle was memorable because it was my first but it wasn't my hardest Elite Four battle. That would go to Bertha, or maybe Lucian…at least in Sinnoh. In the years to come, I'd meet stronger. Don't even get me started on Agatha or Lorelei. Oh well, that's a story for another time…"
The elevator raised Sam up to the battlefield.
He took several deep breaths as he was raised to the open field.
He looked up and saw the stars shining down on him from above. The nightsky was beautiful.
The field before him was three times as large as any field he'd ever battled in. It was dotted with different obstacles and mini-environments; small ponds, rocks, patches of grass, a small trench in the field—even electrical currents running between tesla coils along the edge of the field.
"They've rebuilt this place since I've been here…it was never this fancy," smiled Aurelio, "You're lucky."
Sam didn't respond.
His stomach jumped.
He didn't feel lucky.
He looked to his left and right and saw his friends and family sitting in the stands to his left.
On his right were several officials from the Pokémon League and journalists from newspapers around the country.
In a small viewing box on the other side of the field sat the Elite Four, each in an ornately carved seat that denoted their type specialization.
At the far back of the box, centered and raised on a dais atop an ornately carved throne, sat Valentina, the Champion of Sinnoh.
The elevator kept going, bringing Sam up to his own raised challenger's box above the field.
Sam and his grandfather stepped forward into it and Sam put down his crate of Full Restores and Max Revives, and then turned to the field.
The official Pokémon League judge stood in a raised box above the field as well, his box raised up atop a crane as everyone got into position.
Sam felt his mouth go dry.
Thank goodness the challenger's box came equipped with a small fridge full of water and other drinks, and small snacks.
Sam would be in this challenger's box until he defeated the Elite Four and Valentina, or until they defeated him.
At least he wouldn't starve.
A small chair would fold down out of the wall of the challenger's box to allow Sam a place to sit while he took breaks between matches.
At least there was that.
Sam took a deep breath, and with an approving nod from his grandfather, stepped up to the edge of the challenger's box, facing the field.
"The challenger Sam Accardi of Twinleaf Town approaches," cried the referee, "Does the Elite Four accept his challenge?"
The four members of the Elite Four stood up and accepted, in unison, Sam's challenge.
"Then may the first defender step forward," continued the referee.
A man of average height stepped forward. He was slim, skinny like a stick, with long arms and green hair. His hair was part bowl-cut, part art-piece, with a single tuft sticking straight up in the air like a blade of grass—his hair was not so differently coloured from the grass either.
He wore a sleeveless black tank top with orange lines on it, orange skinny jeans, and white sneakers.
He looked young, but his eyes betrayed his youth—he was not as green as his hair. He was an Elite Four for a reason, after all.
Aaron of the Elite Four stepped forward into his challenger's box, and smiled across the field at Sam.
"I stand first of my brothers," he stated, "Aaron of the Elite Four, Master of Bug Type Pokémon."
Bug Types.
Sam had Staraptor to deal with most of the Bugs coming at him soon…if need be he also had Rampardos.
The Rock typing would do great damage against Bug Types, especially since a lot of Bugs were also Flying or Poison Type. Rampardos had Zen Headbutt for the Poison typing. Flamethrower would help a lot too.
"Then, the competitors may release their first Pokémon," explained the referee, "Only the challenger may make substitutions. The challenger may not leave his challenger's box unless he wishes to forfeit, or has been defeated. In the case of serious emergencies, medical professionals can be dispatched for humans and Pokémon."
The referee looked at Sam. "Does the challenger accept these conditions?"
Sam nodded. "Since I left Twinleaf."
"Does the defender?" asked the referee, turning to see Aaron.
"Always!" laughed Aaron.
"Then let the match begin!" cried the referee.
Sam and Aaron tossed their first Poké Balls into the air.
"Go Yanmega!" cried Aaron.
Sam went for Staraptor.
Not a bad match-up to begin with.
Yanmega was Bug and Flying Type, Staraptor was Normal and Flying Type.
Staraptor had the type advantage too.
Sam's confidence brimmed.
Aurelio smiled.
Sam went in for the attack, calling for Aerial Ace, a fast, decently strong move that could get Staraptor in close to Yanmega for more attacks later.
Aaron smiled and called for Double Team.
Staraptor immediately passed through several fake doubles, turning, shocked, to see several more doubles come from behind to strike with Bug Buzz.
A buzzing noise formed from the Yanmega, turning into dangerous red soundwaves that aimed right for Staraptor.
It wasn't about knocking Staraptor down in one hit; it was about wearing it down with quantity over quality.
Tiring it out by having the Pokémon strike at false images and fast moving shadows…then striking from behind with sound.
Sam had things figured out, and not a moment too soon.
It was a common tactic with Bug Type users.
"Staraptor, dodge! Fly up into the air and avoid the attack!" called Sam.
Staraptor was able to heed Sam's warning quickly, and was able to dodge the Yanmega's attack.
As Sam looked over the state of the battle, he came to remember what he learned about Double Team back when his Staravia knew it.
Only the original cast a shadow.
Taking the time was about to cost Staravia some damage from an Air Slash attack, but the damage wasn't severe, and now Sam had a way through Yanmega's wall of doubles.
Smiling, Sam called on Staravia to focus on the ground, looking for the one that cast a shadow.
Staravia picked up on the original within seconds, and charged at the Yanmega original, cloaked in harsh light, striking with a Brave Bird.
Yanmega was thrown back, and the doubles disappeared as Yanmega's focus was broken.
Sam didn't let up.
He followed Brave Bird up with an Aerial Ace, slicing Yanmega in the side with its wings and beak, and then Staraptor spun in the air, it's wings glowing, and it windmilled into the Yanmega, slamming the bug Pokémon into the ground.
Yanmega was severely weakened, but wasn't done yet.
Angrily, Yanmega buzzed back into the air, buzzing frantically, but struggling to hold itself off.
Aaron called for a Bug Buzz, but Sam had Staraptor dodge the sound waves, zoning back in on Yanmega for another Brave Bird.
The glowing Staraptor slammed itself into Yanmega, slamming the Pokémon back into the field…and ending this round of the match.
Unconcious and unable to battle, Yanmega was returned to its Poké Ball, and Aaron's confident look wavered slightly.
"You're as good as they say," he smiled, looking at Sam, "I better not underestimate you again. But that's only the first Pokémon I have, and I'm only the first member of the Elite Four. Can you keep this up?"
"That's why I'm here," smirked Sam.
Cynthia chuckled. "Aaron's confidence is strong…sometimes it got too strong. It seems as though it's been tempered a bit since I was Champion."
"Missing the Championship, Cynthia?" teased Palmer.
Cynthia shot Palmer a sideways glance. "No more than you miss human companionship, I'm sure."
Nancy and Rowan bit back a small smirk.
The constant fueding between Palmer and Cynthia had been a staple in their lives for years.
Sadly, Palmer, while changed, had always been wild and impetuous…and quick to pull up stakes and run off, headlong into the next great escapade. This was often done at the expense of Cynthia's heart and their relationship.
Palmer left for long periods of time, without writing, or calling, and would often whirl back into town like a hurricane without so much as a warning, promise to stay and settle down, only to blow out with the north wind as soon as things got stale and boring for him.
Palmer had become one of the strongest trainers in the world for it. He had built up a massive corporate empire of Battle Frontiers across three regions.
But all at the cost of his oldest friend…and the woman he had loved; now he payed the price for his carefree youth in his adulthood.
Palmer sighed and shrugged. He put up with Cynthia's harsh words…hoping one day she'd believe his new sincerity and they could mend their relationship.
The referee called the round in favour of Sam, and Aaron sent in his next Pokémon.
Scizor shot from its Poké Ball and was raring to go.
Sam withdrew his Staraptor, calling the Pokémon back to the box.
Staraptor landed on the edge of Sam's box, and Sam pet the Pokémon its head. It looked tired, a bit hurt, but nothing some rest in a Poké Ball couldn't fix. Not Full Restore territory yet.
"Go rest," smiled Sam, returning Staraptor to his Poké Ball, "I'll leave this one to Rampardos for a bit. I'll call you when I need you next."
Sam put Staraptor's Poké Ball back on his belt, and grabbed Rampardos's Poké Ball.
"Rampardos?" asked Aaron.
He was completely stunned.
A ground-based Pokémon, against the flying, fast Scizor.
Rampardos hit like a truck, but it's speed and mobility were not what it was known for.
Scizor on the other hand, was not a slow Pokémon, and had the Bug and Steel typing—the Steel Type would prove an asset against Rock Type Pokémon.
Aaron smiled, as if he had already won.
But everyone who knew Sam's Rampardos, or knew Sam well enough, smiled quietly to themselves—they knew what was coming.
"Scizor's typing makes it's only weakness Fire!" exclaimed Professor Rowan, "What is Sam thinking!"
"Give it a minute," smiled Alyssandra.
Sam sent Rampardos in to smash into Scizor with Zen Headbutt.
Aaron smirked and sent Scizor in for an Iron Head attack.
The two Pokémon drew closer together, looking as if they would smash into each other at top speed.
Zen Headbutt wouldn't do much damage with Scizor's resistance.
But it didn't need to.
Sam's plan was far more insidious.
Scizor's head glowed white as it charged in to slam its glowing, hard-as-iron head into Rampardos.
But at the last second, as the two Pokémon drew close, Sam called for a Flamethrower.
Rampardos stopped just in time, raised her head, and bathed Scizor in a wave of flames.
The Scizor cried out, and Aaron did as well, surprised and worried as his Pokémon took double Super Effective fire damage at point blank range.
Rampardos roared as it upped the intensity of the flames, and didn't let up until Sam finally called the Pokémon off.
Rampardos snorted as she returned to Sam's side of the field, leaving an exhausting and still smoking Scizor on the ground, collapsed and unable to battle.
"I think that was the fastest Sam has ever finished off an opponent," smirked Jeremy, "His Rampardos is getting faster."
"It's almost terrifying," laughed Niya.
"He…planned that?" asked Professor Rowan, "To fake out his opponent like that?"
"Just like the old man," smiled Palmer, "He would pull the same shit. You thought you were fighting Gyarados and next thing you know it's breathing fire and shooting lightning at you."
Rowan laughed.
Even Cynthia let out a chuckle.
Palmer hid a smile, his eyes lighting up like pair of candles, though he did his best to hide it.
Nancy smiled. "He was always good at making you prepare for the unexpected…and then ruining those plans by planning around them. Seems Sam has picked up on that."
"How…?" asked Aaron, sagging a little as he recalled his Scizor. He had underestimated Sam, not once, by twice, and he was slowly paying the price. He couldn't afford to make that mistake a third time.
He was down two out of five Pokémon. At this rate, the battle wouldn't last much longer. Aaron needed to be smart.
Gritting his teeth, the hair on Aaron's neck started to stand on end as he felt the eyes of his peers watching him; watching him get his ass kicked by a teenage upstair from Twinleaf Town.
Sam was clever, he was smart, his Pokémon were strong, well trained, and their methods were unorthodox.
Aaron had not expected him to come this prepared to the Pokémon League.
Most people came here with Pokémon who were strong, but they didn't innovate. They expected to treat all problems like nails, and their Pokémon like a hammer.
The overconfident trainers, who overestimated their skills…and were completely destroyed by their defeat, left to wallow in it as their identity shattered.
There were those who came with innovation…but the innovation was too much. Too much unorthodoxy, not enough optimization or efficiency, and their relationships with their Pokémon were lacking.
And yet…here came Sam.
Prepared, confident but not overconfident, close with his Pokémon, unorthodox and innovative but not to the point where his Pokémon were hindering themselves etiher.
Not since Valentina had Aaron run into a trainer like this…Sam had a legitimate chance at this—and that scared Aaron. Defeat was not something an Elite Four member was accustomed to. They were some of the strongest trainers in their region…and they didn't get main challengers who beat them.
Aaron took a deep breath and sent in his next Pokémon. A Heracross.
Bug and Fighting Type.
Sam could easily get the upperhand here with Staraptor.
Sam recalled Rampardos, thanking the Pokémon, and sent Staraptor back out onto the field.
Aaron smiled a bit.
"Staraptor, Aerial Ace!" cried Sam.
"Night Slash!" called Aaron.
The two Pokémon closed in together.
Staraptor looked tired, but the rest in the Poké Ball helped.
As the two Pokémon neared each other, Aaron smirked and had Heracross change it's attack strategies.
Instead of Night Slash, Heracross swapped to Close Combat, and began striking Staraptor with kicks and punches, bringing Staraptor down from the air as it continued to get pummeled on the way down.
Sam gritted his teeth and called for a defensive tactic.
"Staraptor! Use Steel Wing to defend yourself!" cried Sam.
Even though Staraptor continued to fall under the oppressive attacks it took less damage as Heracross continued to batter at its steel-hard wings.
Staraptor was able to struggle out of the damaging cycle of Heracross's Close Combat and flew off into the air, circling ahead like a vulture, wounded but ready to keep fighting.
But Aaron didn't let up, as Heracross stamped the ground, and summoned rocks from the earth of the field.
Using Stone Edge, Heracross raised the blade-edged swords up into the air, and started hurling them towards Staraptor.
But Sam wasn't getting caught off guard again.
Sam called for another Steel Wing, and had Staraptor fly towards and above Heracross.
Spinning and twirling through the air, Staraptor pulled off several spins that sliced through the sharp rocks, sending them fall back to the ground, crashing into the ground like asteroids shaped like spears.
Heracross slipped side to side quickly to dodge its attack being turned back on it.
The crashing rocks shook the field, kicking up dust.
Staraptor took advantage of that, swooping low to the ground to attack through the dust before it settled. It slashed at Heracross with it's wings several times, doubling back to make a second pass, using Aerial Ace.
By the time the dust had settled on the ground, Heracross was unable to battle, and a tired, wounded Staraptor was called back to Sam, landing on the edge of the challenger's box, being sprayed down with a Full Restore.
Sam looked at Aaron with a smile.
Aaron merely gawked in disbelief.
He was down three out of his five Pokémon, with only two left: Vespiquen, and Drapion.
Aaron hastily recalled Heracross, took a deep breath, and sent out Vespiquen. His penultimate hope, and one of his favourite Pokémon; he had had Vespiquen since his youth, and the two had trained for years together to perfect their style.
Vespiquen had even become queen of her own Combee hive that lived on this island…and now they would come in handy.
Smiling, Aaron waited to Sam to make the first move.
Sam's eyes narrowed. "A trap?" he asked.
Aurelio shrugged. "Possible," he replied, "Most opponent's don't sit and wait for you to come to them, unless they're stupid, or that's what they want. And considering he's so young and has been an Elite Four since Cynthia was in charge…he's no idiot."
Sam nodded. "It'll be a stand-off until I attack, won't it?"
"Trappers only want you to spring their trap," nodded Aurelio, "The only way to proceed is to spring it it seems."
"Sometimes you need to make a tough decision…I'll try not to get you too hurt, Staraptor, I'm sorry," said Sam, patting his Pokémon on the back, "I promise I'll pull you back as soon as it's sprung…I just need to see what he's planning, and no one else can get in as close as fast."
Staraptor nodded, understanding what Sam needed of him, and took off into the air.
Sam sent Staraptor in, aiming for a simple Aerial Ace at Vespiquen.
But within seconds, a swarm of Combee rushed into the field and formed an impenetrable wall of hexagons and honeycomb Pokémon.
Attach Order.
Sam was willing to be that Attack Order, and Heal Order would follow this up, in no particular order.
Lovely.
"Defend Order," confirmed Alyssandra, "I had to fight a hive of Combee because of that move one."
Alyssandra recalled her misadventures, lost in Eterna Forest, alone with her Pokémon, being hunted by Team Galactic.
She had come across a lone Vepiquen, who had turned out to not be alone at all. She was merely keeping her hive in hiding, and within seconds Combee swarmed Alyssandra and her Pokémon at the behest of their hive queen using Attack Order.
Alyssandra ended up catching thirty Combee to finally get the Vespiquen, and then spent the rest of the day running from Team Galactic, until she reached the Old Chateau in the forest.
That place was a whole other story.
"Hey, is that legal?" demanded Jeremy, "Bringing other Pokémon into the field that aren't your main team?"
"The League has made the exception for Vespiquen," explained Niya, "As some of it's most signature moves require a hive, the League has allowed Attack Order, Heal Order and Defend Order. No doubt they'll be next."
"Let's hope Sam's realized that," added Nancy, "Though, I'm sure by now he has."
"If he hasn't I'll have to send my Vespiquen after him," smiled Alyssandra jokingly.
Right as Staraptor's attack collided with the wall, the Pokémon pulled back on Sam's orders.
Within seconds, the Combee rushed to their aid of their queen, buzzing and humming angrily as they were commanded by their Queen to attack the Staraptor.
Sam called Staraptor quickly.
He wasn't risking Staraptor being harmed badly before this battle was over.
There was still one more Pokémon after Vespiquen.
Sam subbed Rampardos back in, smiling. He had a plan to deal with the Combee.
"He plans to burn his way through the Defend Order?" wondered Palmer, "Can he muster enough fire power? A well formed shield of Combee is almost impenetrable!"
Again, Sam's friends smiled.
"Give him a minute," they reassured.
"He's always got tricks up his sleeve," sighed Gardenia, "That Cranidos probably knows a second move it shouldn't, but somehow can learn."
"Most definitely," smirked Volkner, "This kid pulls tricks out of his ass like some kind of magician."
Rort gave a sharp laugh.
There wasn't a Gym Leader there who wasn't in agreement with Volkner's observation.
Rampardos kept shooting Ice Beam at the flying wall of Combee, causing them to defend, then attack, and as they attacked, Rampardos continued to burn and freeze his way through the Combee.
Rampardos didn't slow or stop, and continued his assault.
Occaisionally, some Combee would swoop in and strike at Rampardos, and though he felt some damage, he was able to ignore most of it, being naturally resistant to Bug Type moves.
Sam smiled as, after what felt like an eternity, the Combee returned to their queen…showing that only a few remained of the hive, as the rest had fled—injured and returning to the hive to recouperate—or had collapsed on the field, littering the battlefield with unconscious, slumbering Combee.
Sam smiled at Aaron.
Rampardos was heaving, and exhausted, but she had one more good shot in her.
Vespiquen, too, was tired, but Sam had faith he and Rampardos could take down the Bug Queen before Rampardos herself collapsed.
Smiling, Sam called for one final Flamethrower.
Rampardos gathered her breath, and blasted a torrent of flame towards Vespiquen.
Not having enough Combee left to defend herself, the Pokémon panicked and took the hit.
Rampardos eased off the Flamethrower after a few moments, and the entire arena watched in awe as Vespiquen teetered and fell to the ground.
Aaron called back his Pokémon before she could hit the ground, and gritted his teeth. He was down to his last Pokémon, and his confidence in himself was shattered.
Sam sprayed Rampardos down with a Full Restore, helping ease the Pokémon's wounds and exhaustion, and then hugged the giant Pokémon.
He thanked Rampardos for her hard work, and returned her to her Poké Ball for a rest.
Sam rummaged through his Poké Balls, selecting his next Pokémon, though it was no surprised what he chose—against a Bug Type user like Aaron, Staraptor would be the obvious choice to finish this battle.
Smiling, Sam released his Staraptor, the Pokémon screeching onto the field and soaring above everything, spinning circles about arena, showing off and peacocking around.
Sam looked at Aaron.
Still gritting his teeth, Sam's opponent released his final Pokémon, defeat clear in his eyes.
Sam had shattered his spirit.
"Breaking your opponent's spirit is just one way to guarantee victory in a battle," smiled Rowan, "Aurelio taught me that one…it seems a bit cruel, but morale is as important to a Pokémon battle as strength."
Palmer and Cynthia smiled as well, remembering Aurelio and Rowan passing this knowledge down to them.
Even Nancy chuckled. "He was always a ruthless opponent," she sighed, "But when you wish to be the best, you have to strike the hardest."
Palmer nodded.
Sam sent Staraptor in for a Steel Wing, his opponent being a Drapion, he didn't trust the safe position he had seemingly placed himself in.
Sure enough, Aaron attempted an Ice Fang through his Drapion, and under normal circumstances, that was a smart tactic.
But Sam's Steel Wing guarded against the Ice Fang, shattering the attack as Staraptor jammed it's hardened wings into Drapion's mouth to jam the attack.
Now that it was close up and personal, Staraptor's true attack could begin.
First, Aerial Ace—Staraptor ducked back and dived back in, slashing at Drapion, damaging the Pokémon severely, then again with another Aerial Ace.
And while Drapion teetered on the edge of it's limits, Sam sent Staraptor in for a Brave Bird attack.
Though Staraptor himself took damage, Drapion was finished off quickly and decisively, as Aaron's soul seemed to shatter with Sam's victory.
Drapion hit the ground, and Staraptor returned to Sam for healing, praise and a return to its Poké Ball for a rest before the next match.
There was a moment of silence as everyone stared at the field.
Sam had won his first Elite Four battle.
Then, the referee called the match in Sam's father.
Everyone roared and cheered from the crowds.
Sam beamed proudly as his grandfather patted him on the shoulder in congratulation.
Even the other Elite Four and Valentina clapped from the Elite Four Box across the field.
The referee called for a recess, and Sam's Challenger's Box retracted and lowered itself to the ground like an elevator.
He had done it.
He had taken the first step…and yet it only got harder from here on out.
Three more tough battles lay ahead, and yet, another lay just beyond them.
Once he reached Valentina, he still had to defeat her.
Sam prayed he could, though his confidence lay with him.
Only time would tell.
