~ Chapter 105 ~
Elite Four Flint!
"Flint and I were what Volkner called 'kindred battle spirits.' He and I battled in similar yet differing styles. The two of us were so alike, and so different. We had met an equal match against one another. I still remember and cherish my battle with Flint, and I still respect the hell out of that man. He has a man who lives and battles truly for the thrill of the battle, the rush of blood and adrenaline that mix together to invigorate the soul, body, and mind in the moment. It was not about victory or defeat. It was about thrill and excitement. Though, I had heard rumours that he had once had only two Fire Type Pokémon on his team. Valentina supposedly put an end to tha quickly after becoming Champion."
Sam sat in the waiting room beneath the stadium. He chugged the bottle of water and doled out some healing to his Pokémon. Empoleon was exhausted, and was guzzling down water, Poffins, and was lathered in the Full Restore healing spray.
Lucario's burn was healing well after the Full Restore, and he was recovering his energy well.
Rampardos was mostly recovered, having the most chance to rest since her last battle.
Sam sighed.
His grandfather raised an eyebrow. "You tired already?"
"Why wouldn't I be," snorted Sam, "Then again, I've got nothing on my Pokémon. They're out there doing all the work."
Aurelio nodded and grunted in agreement. "Can you manage?"
"Of course, I can," replied Sam, "How about you guys?"
Sam's Pokémon replied with a hearty cacophony of cheers and roars and sounds.
They didn't seem ready to give up either.
Which was good, because Sam had no idea how he was going to deal with Flint.
A Fire Type master.
Sam had three Pokémon that could deal with Flint's Pokémon, but Empoleon was down for the count and still recovering from the battle against Bertha.
The Hydro Cannon had drained a lot of Empoleon's energy. There wasn't much more he could do right now, he still needed time to recharge.
Sam sighed.
"Looks like it's down to you two," he said, pointing to Garchomp and Rampardos, "I'm sorry to rely on you so heavily."
This time Sam was talking to Rampardos.
He'd used Rampardos up until now, and Rampardos would be relied upon again going forward.
Flint had five Pokémon that needed dealing with.
At least the whole battle wouldn't rest on Rampardos alone, and Garchomp was still fresh to the fight.
A bell rang above Sam's head, notifying him that his break was about over.
"I'd be careful, relying too much on a single Pokémon," warned Aurelio.
"I don't have much more of a choice," shrugged Sam, "Not until Empoleon has recovered.
"I shall inform you of when that is," added Lucario, "He has insisted that I do."
Empoleon squawked.
Sam could only smile.
He thanked and recalled his Pokémon and stood up from his bench.
The platform shook and shuddered and slowly moved itself back up the track towards the field.
"I can't wait until we're ready to face the Elite Four!" fawned Barry.
"We'll have to get there first," frowned Lucas, suddenly realizing how much farther he and his friends had to get to this level.
"To think, when we do, we could be fighting the Elite Four to get to Sam," smirked Barry.
"To think, in a few short hours, we could be taking marching orders from that kid," added Byron.
Volkner grunted.
"Something wrong, Volkner?" asked Gardenia.
"Flint's been my friend for a long time," he explained, "We travelled Sinnoh together for years, getting strong enough to sweep the Elite Four. Bertha royally handed us our asses, but Cynthia offered him the job of Elite Four, and I got offered the Gym Leadership."
"There a point to all this, Volkner?" chortled Byron, smirking at his fellow leader.
Volkner shrugged. "This kid is an unstoppable force. He fights like a hungry Sharpedo. Second he smells blood, he'll strike, and keep striking until you're down. Flint fights like a raging inferno, burning everything and anything down to ash with intense heat and all out flaming attacks. It'll be interesting to see the two fight. They've got their work cut out for them—both of them."
"That they do," smiled Cynthia, remembering her days as Champion over this very Elite Four.
Palmer shook his head. "Sam's got this!"
"Ever the optimist," smiled Nancy.
"It's gotten him burned before," mumbled Professor Rowan with a sly smile.
Cynthia shot Professor Rowan a look, while Palmer's cheeks turned a light shade of pink.
"If there's one thing Sam does well, it's balance proper Pokémon care with ruthless battle tactics," added Gardenia.
"He cares for and loves his Pokémon. That's very evident," agreed Roark.
"They wouldn't fight as hard for him if he didn't," shrugged Byron.
"Volkner's right about how he fights," added Fantina, "Ruthless, without mercy."
"You have to be if you want to get this far in the League Challenge," shrugged Cynthia, "The year I started, there were two hundred hopefuls who all wanted to be Champion. Fifteen earned all eight badges. Seven went as far as the Elite Four. No one could topple them."
The creaking of gears and wheels signalled that the machinery was bringing Sam's challenger box back up from the waiting room, up to it's position atop the crane-like arm that lifted the box above the field.
The third match was about to begin.
As Sam's box locked into place on the crane arm, as the arm leaned forward, perching him above the battlefield once more.
Sam stepped forward towards the edge of the challenger's box, his grandfather behind him—though no one else could see him.
Flint was already standing in his box, waiting for Sam with a beaming grin on his face, smile going ear to ear.
Flint looked excited.
Sam smiled.
In truth, he was too.
After Flint, only Lucian stood between him and Valentina.
Of course, Valentina was a mountain of her own.
Sam was excited too, to battle Flint. He heard legends of how strong Flint was.
It was like battling a raging inferno, someone once put it.
Sam was ready to extinguish that inferno.
Smirking, the two squared off as their match was called to begin.
Both tossed out their Poké Balls with fervour and speed.
Flint released his Houndoom, and Sam released his Garchomp.
The dragon-shark roared and glared at the Houndoom, who snarled at his opponent.
The two Pokémon seemed perfectly poised to tear each other apart, feeding off their trainers' eagerness and energy—only the restraint and commands of their trainers held them back.
"I thought you were going to use Rampardos?" asked Aurelio, surprised to see Garchomp on the field.
"I feel like this is the better choice for now," explained Sam, "Garchomp is faster than Rampardos. Trust me on this."
"I don't distrust you," smirked Aurelio, "But you'll need more than a gut feeling to win this match. You'll want to make sure you make the right choices too. Nothing more soul-crushing than losing so close to the Champion."
"What would you know about that," chided Sam, "You made it in one sweep."
Aurelio blushed proudly. "Yes, well," he fumbled, "I had Rowan there with me. You're doing this solo."
Sam sighed and shook his head, turning back to the battle at hand.
He had a snarling Houndoom to deal with right now.
Flint frowned slightly. He had his work cut out for him here, with a type disadvantage.
He had never been a man who could easily hide his feelings—he was truly a raging inferno. Hard to miss, full of passion, with no hiding the truth of it all.
But despite his frown and healthy concern, he did not flag or lose hope. His concern was a healthy and natural thing to have—he'd need to be careful, swap up his strategy to avoid being careless and losing.
But it only fuelled his desire to battle more.
Houndoom started with a Sunny Day.
Though the middle of the night, Sunny Day could be used—as Niya once had—to create a small orb of light that intensified Fire Type moves, their strength, and intensity.
Niya smirked. "Hopefully he's learned since last time."
Houndoom roared and continued executing Flint's finely crafted plan.
First, Houndoom shot several small globs of a sticky, dark purple refuse at Garchomp.
Then, followed up with a Dark Pulse, that shot a wave of dark energy across the batterfield in an outward circle, with Houndoom as the epicentre.
Sam smiled.
A wave of sludge above, dark energy aiming straight for Garchomp in the middle, and Sunny Day boosting any coming fire attacks.
Flint wasn't holding back.
But neither was Sam.
He sent Garchomp underground, avoiding the wave of flames and darkness.
Flint wasn't dumb, however.
He had Houndoom blast the battlefield in flame, keeping Garchomp underground and unable to surface to attack.
"He can only keep this up so long," shrugged Aurelio.
"Yeah, but the same goes for Garchomp," concluded Sam, "She can only breath for so long down there before she runs out of air and needs to surface. A fully grown Garchomp can easily hold its breath underground for twenty minutes."
"Now the question is, how long can that Houndoom hold out with that much flame?" wondered Aurelio.
Sam shook his head. "I don't want to be pushing Garchomp to her limits so early in the match. I need Garchomp…I'll likely need her against Valentina as well."
"You bring up a fair point," sighed Aurelio, "You may have to acqueise and take a hit? Garchomp as resistance against fire. A little damage in exchange for taking out the Houndoom?"
Sam had to agree.
Then again, a plan came to him.
Sam called for an Earthquake, causing the field to churn and crack.
Houndoom was forced to call off its attack and jump about between the highest points of the churning field, to avoid being sucked in and damaged.
"Now, Garchomp, use Dig!" cried Sam.
Garchomp shot from the doughy field, slamming its dirty coated body into Houndoom.
Houndoom buckled as it was sent flying by the Dig attack.
Sam wasn't letting up.
"Dragon Rush!" called Sam.
Energy eveloped and cloaked Garchomp in the shape of a majestic dragon.
With a roar, Garchomp shot through the air, flying at speeds faster than a jet, and slammed into Houndoom.
Houndoom let out a roar.
But refused to give in.
Flint called for Flamethrower.
The Sunny Day boosted the flame's powers and sent a torrent of fire straight into Garchomp.
Houndoom hit the ground, but Garchomp flew back, roaring as the flames tickled at it's skin and stomach.
Garchomp was not severely wounded, nor burned, but the initial pain had been jarring—and enough hestitation for Houndoom to come back.
Houndoom didn't have the type advantage, but it had the stamina.
With a roar, he launched a purple ball of sludge at Garchomp.
Sam's Pokémon was just barely able to dodge the attack as it came in, splasing across the field, painting it purple.
It smelled noxious and foul and caused Garchomp's eyes to water and stomach to falter—even Sam's nose was offended from up in the challenger's box.
Houndoom launched another Sludge Bomb at his trainer's urging.
Then again, and again.
Houndoom was rattled from the Dragon Rush and the Dig, and his aim was off, always narrowly missing his opponent, splashing the ground behind, beside, or nearby with the noxious, fuschia, liquid.
Garchomp shook her head, perturbed by the smell.
Sam caught that.
Sam realized what Flint was trying to do.
Flint wasn't trying to have Houndoom hit Garchomp.
He was trying to surround Garchomp and unnerve the Pokémon with the smell of the toxic sludge.
Garchomp, blind from the noxious fumes, tearing up, wretching, and sick to her stomach, would be too helpless and blind to notice Houndoom winding up for a massive Flamethrower.
Sam wasn't going to let that happen.
Sam called for another Earthquake.
Houndoom was just barely able to dodge the whirlpool of shaking, shattering, churning earth once more, but the noxious, stained field was churned under, thinned and diluted with dirt, and banished to down below the field.
With the smell gone, Garchomp's eyes returned to normal, and her stomach quelled its tumultuousness.
With a roar, Garchomp shot beneath the ground again.
Flint screwed up his face.
He had not expected his plan to be seen through so easily.
Though he refused to give up.
Garchomp burst through the ground, launching another Dragon Rush attack.
This one brought Houndoom to his knees with a baleful roar, knocking the Pokémon back to the edge of the arena.
As Houndoom skidded to a halt, Garchomp roared triumphantly.
Garchomp was tired, but not done yet.
And neither was Sam.
Though, neither was Flint.
Gritting his teeth, with the biggest smile on his face, Flint graciously recalled Houndoom, and prepared his next Pokémon.
Sam had but taken down the first of five Pokémon. There was still the rest of the fight.
Flint grunted. "Let's get some speed on the field," he smirked.
Sam gripped the railing of his challenger's box. What the hell else did Aaron have up his sleeve?
A Flareon.
Sam was shocked to say the least.
Definitely faster than Houndoom, but as fast as a tunnelling Garchomp?
Sam was thankful regardless—it was better than a Drifloon, or a Steelix, or a Lopunny.
Legend had it that Flint used to use those Pokémon on his team back in the day, before Valentina made him change it.
Those were truly lawless days.
Flareon started off with Quick Attack.
Garchomp just barely dodged.
This Flareon was fast—too fast.
Flareons were not known for their speed.
Then Sam saw it, around Flareon's neck, a necklace with a claw.
A Quick Claw.
This item helped Flareon move faster, boosting its speed and allowing it to attack before Garchomp, closing the gap between their speed.
Garchomp roared as Sam told the Pokémon to dive down beneath the dirt.
But Flareon found a way to chase Garchomp underground.
Loosing small balls of dark flame, Flareon sent the attack down in the tunnels after Garcomp.
Will-O-Wisp.
If it landed, it wouldn't hurt Garchomp, but it would burn her, slowing her down like a thorn in the foot, and weakening hurt going forward. Sam wouldn't be able to heal without wasting a turn or waiting between rounds; that attack couldn't land.
Sam let Garchomp weave and manoeuvre underground, trying to avoid the Will-O-Wisp. It could only follow her for so long—Garchomp just needed to outlast the attack.
Or maybe.
The trick WASN'T to outlast.
Maybe the trick would be to subvert expectations.
Sam thought quickly, changing his plans based on his new idea.
Flint smiled, watching as Garchomp tunnelled about the field frantically trying to avoid the burning flames of Will-O-Wisp.
Flareon was ordered to send more into the holes and tunnels beneath the field.
Flint was going to flood Garchomp out of the tunnel with the flames—or else tire the Pokémon out and have the flames catch up with her.
Either way, Flint was prepared to win this round.
And yet, Sam smiled as Garchomp zig-zagged across the field, twirling and spinning and tunnelling beneath the dirt.
Then, the field trembled, and Sam's smile grew wide.
Flint narrowed his eyes. He was suspicious.
He had right to be.
Garchomp burst from the ground, knowing full well what to do—the only other Pokémon other than Empoleon or Lucario that could take non-verbal commands.
Garchomp popped up behind Flareon, glowering down at her opponent.
Flint had Flareon prepare to use Overheat, but the stadium started to shake and crack, revealing Sam's plan.
The field crumbled beneath it's own weight, collapsing into a pit, taking Flareon down with it.
As Flareon fell into the newly created pit caused by the intricate network of tunnels created by Garchomp, Garchomp closed the pit in on Flareon, churning and shaking the field with Earthquake, before diving back into the ground with Dig.
Flint watched in shock as Garchomp dove back into the ground.
Silence filled the field—all quiet as the churning ground ceased.
Only the distant sound of tunnelling and roaring could be heard beneath the ground—then nothing.
Flint cried out for his Flareon.
As if on queue, Garchomp burst from the ground once more, dragging an unconscious Flareon with it, tossing the Pokémon at its feet, and roaring triumphantly.
Volkner sighed audibly. "That Garchomp brought me to my knees as well," he grumbled, "There's no shame in it. She's perhaps even more ruthless than her trainer."
"Sam is a cunning trainer," agreed Rowan, "I have no doubt he's holding back Garchomp's real ferocity."
"They're not easy Pokémon to train," smiled Cynthia, "Incredibly headstrong and often feral to the last. They're not easy to capture, and even after you do, there's little difference between a wild Garchomp and a tame one—if you can even use the word tame."
"Garchomp wasn't much different as a Gible, to be honest," added Niya, "Sam was her favourite chew toy back then."
Cynthia winced sympathetically as if reliving a memory. "Never a fun experience—even with a Gible."
"I'd say it's a testament to his skill that he's been able to train that Garchomp as well as he has," smiled Palmer, "Though I can't be surprised; skill is in his blood."
Flint stared in shock as he saw his Flareon laying on the field. He was alive—Garchomp wasn't a monster—but the defeat had been decisive and quick.
Flint's shoulders hung a bit as he recalled and thanked his Flareon.
He frowned as he reached for his next Poké Ball.
He needed to start getting serious.
Now he knew what Sam was capable of—a shame it took two rounds to realize his full potential, but no matter.
Sam recalled Garchomp to his side of the field and looked her over from the challenger's box. She didn't seem wounded, just tired.
She would be done after this round—she could keep going, and Garchomp would likely desire to, but Sam didn't want to completely exhaust all his Pokémon. He needed them for Valentina, Garchomp needed to catch her breath.
Flint was smiling too much, however.
Sam didn't like it.
He was hiding something up his sleeve.
Rapidash was Flint's next choice.
A surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one.
Sam was familiar with Rapidash—as familiar as one could be when he had owned one and ridden them most of his life.
A mono Fire Type Pokémon, they had a decent attack and were decently fast, especially when properly trained.
Their Bounce attack surprised many people, though not Sam.
It was when Rapidash aimed to recharge Sunny Day that Sam remembered something he had learned long ago.
"Garchomp, dive!" cried Sam as fast as he could.
Rapidash gathered light energy around it as a ball of flame and fire raised itself above the field, replacing the sun and powering all Fire Type moves in the match for the next little while.
Rapidash had an odd ace-in-the-hole against Water, Rock, and Ground Types.
It was something Sam had read over a few years back when trying to find ways to make his Rapidash, Grey Flame, something of a pinch hitter around the ranch, by teaching him moves that no one would expect.
As if on queue, Flint's Rapidash let out a massive Solar Beam attack.
A burst of yellow light energy shot from the majestic Fire Pokémon, and tore up the field, causing dirt and dust to fly everywhere.
Garchomp's Dragon typing would save her from Super Effective damage, but Solar Beam still wasn't a move you wanted to take head on, Super Effective or not.
Garchomp could only burrow so deep—eventually he'd run into the metal walls of below the dirt of the field. They were still inside after all.
The Sunny Day tore through the field, ripping up dirt, dust and bits of debris that showered into the air, some raining down on the stands and challenger's boxes.
Sam's Lucario forced himself from his Poké Ball and shattered the large chunk of hard earth that was flying at Sam. It exploded in a wave of dust and dirt, spraying Sam, the challenger's box and half the field in dirt.
Cynthia's Garchomp and Palmer's Milotic were able to save those in the crowd, showering them in a light dusting of earth.
Valentina's Staraptor saved her end the Elite Four, crying out triumphantly as the blue-crested Pokémon swooped above the field and returned to his trainer.
Valentina and Bertha shot Flint a stern look, who merely chuckled sheepishly.
"I may have overdone it a bit," he smiled, turning back to the fight, "But was it worth it?"
Lucian sighed and brushed the dust and dirt from his shoulders and lap.
Aaron spat up pieces of dirt and dust he felt crunching in his mouth.
Silence fell across the field as everyone watched and waited to see if Garchomp was out for the count.
Rapidash breathed heavily, snorting and nickering as he waited for his opponent to surface.
Garchomp shot from the ground with the speed of a jet, blowing wind across the stadium.
Roaring, Garchomp slammed her tail into Rapidash, then charged after the Pokémon, slamming into it again with the force of a raging dragon.
Dragon Rush.
Garchomp snarled and roared, gnashing her teeth and she beat her chest in triumph.
Rapidash lay unconscious, in a similar manner to Flareon.
Sam barely had enough time to prevent Garchomp from dragging Rapidash under to keeping thrashing it—unlike with Flareon, that wasn't the point of this tactic.
Sam needed to swap Garchomp out.
She was getting tired…and vicious.
And Sam was starting to wear out too—he didn't have the mental fortitude right now to keep surpressing Garchomp's feral tendancies.
Flint worriedly withdrew his Rapidash and was visibly relieved when Garchomp left the field as well.
Sam felt a bit embarrassed that he had allowed Garchomp to rampage, even just a little bit. It might reflect poorly on him and his skills as a Trainer.
It might also reflect poorly on his ability to keep the Champion title.
"You did well," Aurelio reassured Sam as he grabbed for his next Pokémon. He patted his grandson on the back, "Your tired from three back-to-back battles. You hald control of Garchomp for as long as you could hold it. There's no shame in it."
Sam nodded. Something in him still felt a bit down. He had no issues before with Garchomp. Usually he could keep hold of Garchomp without issue, but after that last battle with Rapidash, things were becoming a struggle. Sam could mentally feel his connection with Garchomp slipping.
His grandfather had a point. Sam had never battled this many times in a row with such a short break in between, and he hadn't gotten much sleep the night before, adding to his exhaustion.
Sam let out a short exhale and refocused himself.
He would work on his connection to Garchomp later—after he'd made Champion and beaten Valentina.
Steeling himself, Sam grabbed his next choice of Pokémon.
Not his original choice, but something in Sam's gut told him this Pokémon needed to be on the field right now.
Flint released his Magmortar, while Sam released Rampardos.
Rampardos roared as she was let loose on the field, but unlike Garchomp, she wasn't going to go on a murderous rampage at the drop of a hat.
Flint had too big of a smile on his face.
Sam narrowed his eyes.
He was planning something.
The Sunny Day twinkled its swan song as it began to fizzle.
Magmortar raised its arm cannon and began to take in light and energy.
Shit.
Sam figured it out just—hopefully not a moment too later.
"Rampardos!" cried Sam, "Dodge it, quickly!"
Rampardos snorted and charged, strafing off to the side so that she charged at an awkward angle.
Rampardos were known for charging in fast, but straight lines. Moving left and right, and turning, were not particularly their forte.
Sam and Rampardos had worked out a way to get over that slight hitch in their makeup.
By getting down the proper footing, Rampardos could quickly, if a bit clumsily, strafe while still moving forward.
She could still charge forward at a moderate pace, while being able to dodge oncoming, ranged and beam attacks—which typically struck in a straightforward fashion, rarely moving left or right themselves.
Rampardos was able to charge-strafe aside just in time as a massive blast from Solar Beam tore up the field again, spraying more dirt and debris across the field.
Once more, Pokémon were called upon to defend people from being harmed.
"Flint!' cried Bertha.
Valentina wore a face that was somewhere between annoyed and amused. She didn't know whether to chastise Flint or laugh alongside him.
His passion in the heat of battle was admirable and infectious—if a bit dangerous and unsafe.
Flint had refused a recess between the last round and this one to fix the field—partly because Garchomp's Earthquake had smoothed it out a bit, but also because Flint didn't like taking breaks in the middle of suspenseful battles.
He may not have a choice after this round.
Magmortar smiled as wide as Flint as the Sunny Day sputtered and died.
He was packing some heavy hitting moves, and the Sunny Day meant that Magmortar wouldn't have to recharge on this turn.
Sam gritted his teeth.
It was a good thing that Rampardos could dodge as quickly as she did, or Sam would be short a Pokémon.
But now Sam still had to fight.
Rampardos let loose a torrent of large rocks as she shot Ancient Power across the field towards Magmortar.
Magmortar seemed to sneer as he melted the rocks with Flamethrower. Magmortar were known for living in volcanic craters and could could shoot flames hotter than lava.
As proven, just now.
The molten rock flopped and dripped to the field, sizzling and smoking as it cooled upon the dirt.
Magmortar roared and shot another blast of flame at Rampardos.
Not Super Effective, but definitely dangerous just the same—especially at that temperature.
Rampardos was able to avoid the flame—just barely—and snorted as she bowed her head on Sam's command, glowing with psychic energy, and rushed at Magmortar with a Zen Headbutt.
Dust flew up into the air as Rampardos charged like a train at her opponent.
Magmortar seemed to be specializing in ranged attacks.
The best thing to do against a main ranged opponent was close the gap and hit them where they can't strike back.
Zen Headbutt collided with Magmortar, who couldn't move fast enough to escape the rampaging Rampardos.
Magmortar stumbled and skidded back but remained standing as he took the attack.
Magmortar wasn't going to be an easy push over.
But Sam also could risk Rampardos charging in for a headbutt too often.
The first thing Sam learned when he received his Cranidos long ago, long before she became a Rampardos, was that Cranidos and their line were prone to tunnel vision.
Prolonged charge and headbutt attacks caused tunnel vision in these Pokémon, making them vulnerable to attacks from anything but directly—sometimes even direct attacks or counters.
They became so focused on charging and their targets, the blood rushing to their head, and the adrenaline rushing through their body, putting them on the path to do the one thing these Pokémon lived for and did best—smashing things with their skulls to defend themselves and show dominance.
Pokémon could be tamed, controlled and reasoned with, but they were always and would always remain a part of nature, and true to their own.
Few trainers could ever really remove the wild from a formerly Wild Pokémon.
Yet another difference between Pokémon bred in captivity and in the wild.
Flint was not having a fun time here.
Sam had the type advantage with Rampardos, so Flint would have to settle with whittling away at Rampardos's stamina while Rampardos did the same to Magmortar.
He called for Magmortar to dodge another Ancient Power, then aim for a Thunderbolt.
Rampardos took the hit head on, snarling, but otherwise mostly unperturbed by the attack.
Magmortar aimed another Flamethrower.
Flint was just going to keep hitting until Rampardos fell.
Fine, time to fight fire with fire.
Sam called for Flamethrower.
Opening her mouth, Rampardos roared as a torrent of flame shot from her jaws and clashing with the intense flames of Magmortar's own Flamethrower.
The flames clashed, erupting into a messy torrent of heat and embers.
A wall rose up from the point where the two attacks clashed, flames reaching up to sky as the two sides emptied their strength and passion into the Flamethrowers.
Sam smiled.
The flames were completely obscuring the two Pokémons' view of each other—something that worked in Sam's favour as he thought it over.
Sam reached out to Lucario, relaying the plan, and having Lucario relay that plan wordlessly to Rampardos.
"Is this legal?" asked Lucario.
"There's nothing against psychically communicating with your Pokémon. I checked," reassured Sam, "Just in case I'd need to do it. We did it earlier."
"Using telepathic communication with a Pokémon that's on the field is different from using me as a go-between," warned Lucario.
"It came into debate a few years back," explained Sam, "Sabrina of Kanto's psychic abilities first triggered the debate, and the recent appointment of twin psychic Gym Leaders Tate and Liza in Hoenn reconfirmed the decision. It is not cheating to communicate telepathically with your Pokémon or other partners, as it is still feasible for opponents to counter, dodge and otherwise avoid the incoming attack."
Lucario did not agrue further and rushed to pass on Sam's plan to Rampardos before the flame cover was lost.
Lucario made it just in time, and rocks start to shift and levitate across the field.
Keeping up the Flamethrower, and struggling to move the rocks, Rampardos slowly let the flames taper out as she hurled the rocks towards Magmortar.
The two Pokémon ceased their attacks, tiring out and exhausting themselves, right as the large rocks from Ancient Power flew through the dying flame wall towards Magmortar.
Magmortar was not able to dodge, and the large rocks crashed into the Pokémon, sending him flying back and collapsing to the ground.
He struggled to get back up, swaying as he tried to force himself back up to fight Rampardos.
Sam pressed the attack, sending Rampardos in for Zen Headbutt.
Rampardos charged at Magmortar, who was struck and flew back, but still refused to fall.
Lashing, out, Magmortar loosed a Thunderbolt as commanded, catching Rampardos straight on.
Rampardos roared as she was shocked but wasn't critically injured by the attack.
Rampardos tried to charge again, but again, Magmortar lashed out with Flamethrower.
It was a weaker, smaller attack that left Rampardos with a burn but not much else.
Once more, Rampardos's skull collided with Magmortar.
Magmortar grew weaker, falling back.
He forced himself to stand.
Flint called out to his Pokémon, concerned—but he couldn't withdraw Magmortar. The rules only allowed Sam to make subsitutions. Magmortar was there until he defeated Rampardos, or he himself was defeated.
Let out a weak cry, Magmortar steeled itself and raised it's cannon-like arm. But not for Flamethrower or Sunny Day.
Sam recognized this beam.
Hyper Beam.
Again, not Super Effective against a Rock Type like Rampardos, but still highly damaging.
Magmortar would be unable to attack for a bit after he fired off Hyper Beam, but in his current condition, he didn't have much to lose regardless.
Sam needed to stop the Hyper Beam and quickly.
Burned, Rampardos was attacking at half strength, and weakening with each turn.
Magmortar had succeeded in chipping away at Rampardos's health and she was tiring—she wasn't weak, but if Sam prolonged this fight too much, she'd get there.
He needed to end this fast, heal his Rampardos and prepare for Flint's final Pokémon.
Sam sent Rampardos in towards Magmortar, but not for a Zen Headbutt.
Sam was going to end this, upclose and personal.
Brick Break would be Rampardos's move of choice.
Niya had called Sam an idiot for teaching a Fighting Type, chopping move to a short-armed Rock Type like Rampardos—she claimed he'd never need the move.
Sam made sure to look directly at Niya with the biggest smirk as Rampardos prepared to attack using said move.
Normally, when using Brick Break, the Pokémon would strike with a chopping motion of the hand—it was a well-known Fighting Type attack.
But in Rampardos's case, her skull was just as good at breaking bricks as a Fighting Pokémon's strike.
Powering up her skull, she slammed it into Magmortar.
Magmortar cried out and collapsed.
Its Hyper Beam never fired, and its hopes of winning dashed.
Flint merely frowned as he recalled his Pokémon.
He thanked Magmortar profusely for fighting so hard.
Magmortar had done his best…but now Flint had one hope left to turn the tide of battle.
Meanwhile Sam recalled Rampardos.
She was burned, tiring, and starting to get tunnel vision from the charging.
But who would Sam send out, he had no idea.
"Send me," called Lucario from the Poké Ball.
"What?" Sam was bewildered.
"Send me out," demanded Lucario.
"Why? You're a Steel Type. You'll get your ass handed to you out there," warned Sam.
"Send me!" cried Lucario, "Trust me. I must go out there."
Sam sighed.
He had a feeling he was going to regret this…but he had to trust his Pokémon.
"Fine," acquiesced Sam, "Just…be careful out there."
Sam released his Lucario.
Flint released his Pokémon, determination clear on his face.
"You knew," accused Sam, looking straight at Flint's Infernape.
"I knew," admitted Lucario, "I knew, but telling you would be illegal. Empoleon is not yet strong enough to return to the fight and is still weak to Fighting Type moves. Rampardos is weak to Fighting as well and was tiring. Garchomp is getting too riled up, and you're not currently at the mental capacity to keep control over her for much longer—you need a rest. I may be weak to fire, but I'm fast, and I can fight back against Infernape's Fighting moves."
"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" asked Sam, still not completely convinced that this was the best idea.
He was so close to Valentina and didn't want to lose a Pokémon so soon—he didn't know how much time he'd have for them to rest up and heal, even with the items he brought along.
"I thought you trusted me," smirked Lucario.
Sam didn't respond; he shook his head and relented. "Let's get this fight over with then, shall we?"
"Hey Sam!" cried Flint from across the field.
Sam looked up at his opponent, leaning over the railing as he scanned the field and his opponent.
"I just want you to know," continued Flint, "No matter how this ends, this has been a good fight. I respect your and your style. You're strong; damn near ruthless! I love it! I knew I chose the perfect person to bring Volkner back out of his slump…it's an absolutely pleasure and honour to witness those skills now in person!"
Sam smiled. "Battling you has been like battling an unstoppable force. I know why you're so high up in the Elite Four now. It's been an honour here as well!"
Staring each other down with challenge, determination, and respect.
"Infernape, Mach Punch!"
"Lucario, Force Palm!"
The two Pokémon rushed at each other, their fists colliding.
The two attacks bounced off one another, causing a shockwave to blow across the field, kicking up dirt and dust.
Once again, Flint had refused allowing a recess for the field to be fixed—the flames of passion could not be quelled, lest they die out; as per his words.
Lucario and Infernape flew backwards from the force of their colliding attacks, and several people in the stands were nearly knocked backwards into the row behind them.
Professor Rowan righted his jacket, brushed his hands through his hair and stroked his beard and moustache back into cooperation. "What a match," he whistled.
Alyssandra pushed her hair back out of her face. "That's some raw power," she added.
"This close to the Champion, would you expect any less?" smirked Cynthia.
She would know best.
"Lucario, Aura Sphere!" called Sam.
"Flare Blitz, Infernape!" retaliated Flint.
Infernape cloaked himself in a corkscrew of flame and threw himself at the coming Aura Sphere.
Most Pokémon would try to block or outrun the sure-fire Aura Sphere.
But Flint was an absolutely madman, and his Infernape was just as insane and brave as he was. Sam had a feeling this Pokémon had been with Flint the longest. It had likely been his starter.
Something in Sam felt an emotional ping—he had a similar connection with his Empoleon.
The Flare Blitz crashed into Aura Sphere, grinding against one another before dispelling both attacks.
But Infernape had closed most of the distance between him and Lucario and revved up another Flare Blitz.
Lucario wasn't able to dodge fast enough and got clipped in the side by Flare Blitz.
It wasn't a direct hit, but it sent Lucario fly back, and caused some decent damage.
Lucario landed on his feet, sliding back as he tried to regain his footing.
He gritted his teeth.
He had sustained a burn again, and the pain was coursing through his body like fire had replaced his blood.
"Are you okay?" asked Sam.
"I'll survive," smiled Lucario.
"What are you smiling about?" asked Sam.
Lucario chuckled. "Flare Blitz," he grunted as he stood up to his full height, "The move has a chance of burning the foe, and it sends you crashing into your opponent at high speeds."
"I see this," said Sam flatly.
"But it comes at a great cost," explained Lucario, "The user takes recoil damage every time they use it."
Sam looked at Infernape to find Lucario spoke true. Infernape looked exhausted, and yet hadn't taken a single hit. His stamina was waining from the recoil he had taken.
He had used the move twice.
Once to close the gap between the two Pokémon and stop Aura Sphere, which had caused recoil at the cost of stopping the attack—Sam had wondered if it might've been smarter to just take the attack and wondered if Flint had realized that after—and a second time for a strike on Lucario.
Lucario was burned, and had sustained some decent damage from the attack, but Infernape was looking just as worn out from the recoil.
It was likely there wasn't too many Flare Blitz's left in Infernape going forward.
All Lucario had to do was outlast and bring down the last of Infernape's strength.
Easier said then done.
Infernape was running low on stamina but wasn't anywhere close to giving up.
Neither was Flint.
Infernape might've been slowed, but he wasn't slow enough.
Infernape closed in for a Thunder Punch.
"Lucario!" cried Sam.
Lucario was ready.
He fired off an Aura Sphere that caught Infernape in the face. The move sent Infernape flying backwards, skidding across the ground before Infernape bounced and landed on his feet, shaking off the move.
Lucario didn't let up, closing the gap as Infernape tumbled and bounced, coming in for a Force Palm.
Infernape roared, fangs barred, as he let loose an Earthquake that churned and spun the field like dough in a mixer.
Lucario jumped, avoiding being sucked into the earth below, and fired off a Dark Pulse across the field as he leapt into the air.
Infernape jumped to avoid the Dark Pulse, only to be caught by a second Dark Pulse mid-jump, as Lucario let out another attack.
Infernape had already jumped, exerted the energy, and chosen a height, and as Lucario began to float downwards, he let lose a Dark Pulse that would catch the rising Infernape.
The wave of black energy collided with Infernape.
It didn't do much damage, but it knocked the Pokémon back and off balance, dazing Infernape as it fell back towards the field.
Lucario took the time to strike.
He could feel the burn searing through his side, gritting his teeth as he moved—the movements grew more painful as he moved. Each move causing more and more pain, searing through his flesh.
He needed to keep going.
Just a bit longer.
Lunging into the air, straight towards the falling Infernape, Lucario pushed himself to the limit to slam his Force Palm right into Infernape's side.
A shockwave shot outward from where Lucario's palm touched Infernape, and Infernape bounced like a rag doll into the air, before falling back down once more, slamming into the field, unconscious and unable to battle.
Lucario landed, falling to one knee, snarling in unbelievable pain.
His vision swam, his eyes teared, then the warm embrace of a red light.
Poké Ball.
He was going back into his Poké Ball.
He could rest, he would heal…it all went black.
Flint slumped over the railing as he thanked his Infernape and put the Poké Ball away.
There was silence.
No one made a noise.
No one said a thing.
Flint just cracked a small smile.
He whistled in amazement.
"Burned right down to cinders," he muttered as he looked at Sam.
With that, he turned, the referee calling the match in Sam's favour, and sitting himself back down in his seat next to Lucian, still smiling at Sam while those in the crowd cheered.
Sam could harldy believe what was happening as the challenger's box shook and withdrew from the field, pulled back and sliding back down into the floor for a temporary recess.
"Thank you," Sam said, broadcasting his thoughts to his Lucario through the Poké Ball.
He pulled a Max Revive and Full Restore for the burn the small crate he had at the back of the challenger's box.
