=Chapter 55, The Masquerade=
*Dear Arky, its been a while since I've written to you. Preparing for these matches have been time consuming, especially with my 'newest' team member Saphia. The Garchomp was recently, 'given' to me by a young boy, slightly younger than me if you remember who me and Karen kept on meeting over the course of our journey. He didn't try to form a bond or care for his Pokemon as you taught me to, and it was clear when our two teams met on the field in our first match. After the battle he tried to rematch me saying I cheated, but after I finally showed him Harold's and my effort when it came to learning and understanding Mega Evolution, and the power of our bond, his Garchomp had no hope of winning. After revealing this fact, he tossed Saphia's ball at us and said he didn't need a 'useless' Pokemon, and that he'd become champion and prove me wrong.*
*I spoke to an official about the incident, and they permitted me to keep Saphia's Pokeball without surpassing the six team limit for the duration of the league, however I would not be permitted to use her in battle unless I handed one of my Pokemon to a staff member before my matches, and can retrieve them after the match. Saphia is 'exceptionally' powerful already, she's had many trainers in the past, so many she lost count of how many times she's been traded. It's so weird having her on my team, having her watch my team as we practice and train for our matches, she just sits quietly for the most part as we train, watching my team and especially Harold. I think she wants to understand how he and I have gotten so powerful.*
*Sara, however, has been feeling uncertain and feeling uneasy recently. We know that Viridian is a part of this competition, and that he is going to use this to test the Shadow Pokemon. But there's something else she senses, she doesn't know what it is, but she just feels something is wrong. She told me that she doesn't like not knowing anything, despite how much she resists the temptation to read into the minds of those around us, she keeps trying to find, to sense, to 'feel' what it is that she feels uncertain and uneasy about. She knows something is going on, something or someone is out there…*
*She just can't 'see' them.*
(Jacob's PoV)
"Latias, double Dragon Pulse!" He yelled as she soared past him while being pursued by an Altaria which was also launching purple beans of dragon energy at her.
"Laaaaaa!" She yelled as she turned on a dime, floated backwards and launched her own Dragon Pulse now.
Both attacks connected and an explosion resulted from the two attacks, causing a large explosive ball of fire which sent a minor shockwave that pushed his clothes and nearly made his hat fly off. Yet when it ended Latias pushed through the smoke and launched another Dragon Pulse point blank at the Altaria before it could retaliate. Within seconds of being hit the Altaria fell to the ground in a collapsed heap, eyes swirling and unconscious.
{Altaria is unable to battle, the winner is Jacob Beryl!}
"Yeeeea!" He yelled happily as Latias excitedly soared into him to hug him in celebration.
"Lalalatias~!"
He chuckled as he rubbed her head in congratulations as the platform was lowered, allowing Sara to rejoin him and reconnect with his mind again. As they descended the crowd cheered and applauded for his victory, with Kenna and Kora cheered him on off to the side.
(That was our fourth victory Jacob!) Sara said proudly. (One more, and we're in the final bracket!)
"Don't scare me anymore than I already am." He replied sheepishly as the platform lowered to the basement and they got off.
They walked to the waiting area where trainers were standing around watching the brackets on a giant screen, some with their Pokemon and others alone. He stood with Sara and watched the screen as it showed his victory, and then highlighted his opponent, who had yet to be decided. While he waited, he sighed and pulled up Coral's Snag Ball, and then her old Luxury Ball.
He just checked in on Electra before the battle, and she informed him some good news, and some bad news regarding the Snag Balls. The first was that she traced where they were being constructed and informed local authorities and managed to shut them down. The bad news, she still could not find a way to separate Coral from the Snag Ball. She had tried 'everything to find a technical solution, but nothing had worked.
So, they had tried a more 'frontal' approach, during the break times he enlisted the help of some trainers and their Pokemon to help break or destroy the ball, thus freeing Coral from its influence. Coral had not been feeling her old self since she was snagged, while not hating or disliking him, she was disgruntled and frustrated in her words and actions. So to attempt to free her, he asked a few trainers to help, and many were willing to help, but none had succeeded.
A Machamp tried crushing the ball in between all 'four' of its mighty muscle filled hands, but the ball didn't so much as budge. An Alakazam tried to crush the ball using its psychic powers, powers that even Sara lacked, but shook its head sadly. A trainer even called out his sleeping Snorlax on top of the ball, but the ball simply sank into the ground. Multiple Magnetons tried short-circuiting the ball continuously for an hour, but it resisted their efforts.
It seemed the Snag Ball was nigh indestructible, leaving Coral to suffer its effects.
(Don't worry Jacob, we'll find a way to free her.) Sara told him warmly.
"I hope so Sara… I just can't take seeing her suffering like that." He said as he put Coral's ball on his belt, and her old ball in his backpack. "I want my friend back Sara… I don't want to see her suffering so much. I miss Coral the way she was."
He felt Sara's emotions ever so slightly shift as he mentioned Coral, but she quickly returned her emotions to normal.
(She'll get back to normal Jacob, we'll find a way." Sara said politely.
"I hope so Sara."
"Hey look, they're announcing the last battles before the bracket!" Someone shouted, causing them to look up simultaneously.
He quickly found his picture and name, and next to his image was a trainer wearing a strange 'mask' on their face, with the name 'Masquerade'. Instantly he recognized who his future opponent was, as the same individual who he met in the underground Pokeblack Mark, who purchased Coral for a million. Who forced him to battle an illegal match on a bet, and whose friend slipped him and Sara a snag ball to help save Arky the Arcanine.
"Masquerade?" He asked quietly.
"Oh man you are so doomed." Someone muttered to him. "That guy is 'mad' strong, he has swept every opponent with a single Pokemon so far."
"Not to mention he only qualified a few weeks before the cutoff period, and if I remember, he blazed through all eight of the gyms in the region in just under a month."
"Wait, 'all eight' gyms in a month?" Jacob repeated in amazement.
(Is that even possible?) Sara asked in disbelief.
"Yea we don't know how he qualified so quickly, but he qualified." They said again. "Either way your boned buddy, I don't think your going to win against him."
He and Sara looked at the screen again to look at their next opponent, and all they could think, in unison, was what they were going to do against this opponent?
(Do you think its true?) Sara asked in fear as they got up to leave. (About him sweeping aside all opponents with one Pokemon?)
"Either it's a very powerful Pokemon, or they have a close bond with their Pokemon that he's using to win… like me."
(Even with your bond with Harold, you never could accomplish that feat.)
"Which means… we'll need every bit of power that our bond can give us to even stand a chance." He replied.
(All we can do is do our best-)
"And whatever happens, happens-"
(Regardless of whether we win or lose-"
"At least…" He muttered as he looked at Sara in surprise.
(We tried…) She replied 'just' as surprised.
"Did we just…"
(Complete each other's sentences?) She said with a smile.
"I take that as a yes."
She nodded.
"When did that… happen?"
(Well… it happens after a while Jacob.) Sara replied with a nervous smile while they continued to leave. (All Gardevoir after they connect deeply with their trainer's mind for an extended period of time, eventually our own minds become a mirrored image to our Trainer's.)
"Is… that 'good'?" He asked nervously.
(Yes-yes its perfectly normal, its extremely healthy!) She said instantly, sensing his fear for 'her'. (It's a normal part of my species' line. We connect deeply to our trainers, it's a natural part of our evolution when we reach the final stage that our minds slowly shift to become a mirrored form of our trainer's. This only happens if 'we' perceive our trainer's mind to be healthy for us… so it's alright.)
However, she smiled and offered her hand which he took, and used her other to pat his hand reassuringly.
(Do not fear Jacob, I am still 'me', I am still Sara, the same Sara that you met as a Ralts and is your friend. This does not affect how 'I' think as an individual, you have not harmed me or my growth, it just means that we think more 'alike'.)
He was quiet as she let his hands go before, he asked the 'big' question to her, something he had not been able to do since journeying with K.
"So, do you like jelly filled donuts?"
(With Pecha Berry juice!)
"So, then our first destination-"
(Is to the donut shop they have-)
"And order a baker's dozen to celebrate our victory!) They declared in unison as they turned the corner to head to the donut shop.
And Jacob smacked face first into the back of a trainer, resulting in him falling backward onto his butt.
"Oh, I'm sorry si-"
He stopped when he realized the person, he smacked into was wearing a colorful suit split into two different colors, and turned to face him to reveal a mask worn on his face covering all of his features minus his mouth.
"Y-y-you?" He stammered.
Masquerade as he was called, walked forward with a smirk as Sara frowned in dislike, but went ignored as he bent down and held out his hand for Jacob to hold.
"My apologies, I really should not have been standing where I was, else that would not have happened sir." He said sweetly.
Jacob took the offer and was helped up, but suddenly was yanked a bit closer to him so he could whisper into his ear…
"If I were you, I'd not let the fact that we know each other slip… remember, you're a 'good' little trainer, and good little trainers… don't go underground…"
He was very quiet as he looked at him.
"Why are you doing this, I thought you…"
"I said 'good' trainers don't go to the underground, I think that says everything about me." He hissed as he patted him on the shoulder with a cruel smile. "So… keep your knowledge to yourself, if you want to 'stay' a good little trainer."
He then smiled sweetly again and said in that same sweet voice from before, "So you're going to be my opponent in the next battle?"
"Uh, yea." He replied as politely as he could, but inside he and Sara were both uneasy with him.
"Well far be it from 'me' to treat you like an enemy when its not even time to battle!" He chuckled as he quickly wrapped his arm around him and pulled him forward. "How about I buy you a little dinner, as my way of apologizing for making you fall flat on your bum!"
"Uhm, sure…" He said, unable to really reject him while Sara followed behind, glaring daggers at Masquerade the entire time.
Half an hour later he was sitting in one of the trainer dining halls that allowed trainers priority service and even massive discounts. While he and Sara chowed down on 'Jelly Filled Donuts' as Masquerade's treat, he simply drank from a cup of steaming tea. There was so much activity in the dining hall that nobody paid attention or even could hear what was going on at their table, which was a very quiet discussion about each other's lives.
"So why did you and your friend help my party down 'there'?" He asked.
"Mhmmm… this tea is delicious you should try some!" He replied with a sigh of content and a smile. "You should really try some, its good for your health!"
"I will after you explain why you helped us."
"Sigh, if you insist…" He replied with a fake sigh of disappointment. "I just wanted some money, there you go, the big mystery, the brilliant master plan, the glorious declaration from the criminal mastermind to his nemesis and his brave band of heroes. My great evil scheme laid bare for you and your Gardevoir to hear. Are you satisfied now little boy, must every action 'every' adult does have to have some grandiose backstory or genius stratagem behind it? Some of us just want some more 'coin' in our back pocket."
"You helped me rescue a Pokemon just so you could win a bet?" He stated coldly.
"Pretty much~!" He chuckled. "Speaking of our little 'wager'… do you still have your pretty water snake in that Snag Ball?"
"Yes… why?"
"Would you like my help in breaking her out of it~?" He asked quietly.
At those words he and Sara suddenly were more 'focused' on Masquerade.
"How can you know how to free-" He tried to ask, but once again the man held a finger up to her and smirked.
"Remember what I said, good little trainers don't go 'there', that says all you need about me."
With that Masquerade smiled as he finished his drink and sighed contently before pulling out a coin, with the face of a Latios on one side, and the image of a Pokeball on the other.
"How about a 'bet'." He chuckled. "I flip this coin, and if you guess right… I'll help you get her 'out' of the ball. Guess wrong, and you'll have to sweep me in tomorrow's match for me to free her."
"You want me to 'wager'… my friend's freedom… on a coin toss or a battle?" He asked incredulously.
(Don't do it Jacob, he's probably just trying to rile you up!)
Masquerade smirked as he positioned his hand, positioned the coin and then 'flipped' it into the air, and caught it in one hand, turned it over while hidden, and then held it out for him.
"Heads… or Tails… you have nothing to lose, well, nothing you aren't 'willing' to lose anyway." He said giddily. "Or don't call, walk away, it makes no difference… how long do you think your Pokemon can maintain herself in that sphere? I know about those balls you know; I know what happens to a Pokemon's 'long term' health if they stay stuck inside of it. Perhaps you want to find out?"
He glared at his hands before he thought about Coral's health. He didn't know if he could trust Masquerade, but he had at least 'helped' them when he could have easily turned on them or used them even 'more' than he already did. Coral's health was more important to him than some stupid little coin toss wager, and he only said if he lost then he would have to 'sweep' Masquerade in order for him to help them.
"Heads."
Masquerade smiled as he moved to raise his hand, before quickly lowering it again and asking giddily, "Final answer?"
"Yes, final, heads!" He snapped.
Instantly Masquerade raised his hands and revealed the coin was…
Heads.
He swore that Masquerade's grin grew even 'wider' at that sight. "Lucky you… you win…" He said as he stood up and put some money on the table while signaling a waitress. "Well, come along then, let's get this hum dinger started!"
He walked off with a spring in his step as he left the table, while he and Sara got up to follow him.
(He lost the bet on purpose.) She told him.
"What?" He whispered as he followed.
(Think, don't talk…) She told him again. (Yes… he had three coins in his hand, I used my powers and sensed them. He hid two coins in the folds of his wrist's clothes and changed the coin mid toss. When he asked you if you were sure about your selection, he changed the coin without you knowing, even 'I' didn't see him change it until just after he did.)
'Three coins, why would he need three unless-'
(One was a normal coin-)
'One was double heads-'
(And the other was double tails'
'Why would he throw his bet on purpose?' He asked her.
(I don't know, unless he 'wanted' to lose on purpose to help us?)
That didn't make much sense to him, why would this guy act the way he did… and then deliberately help him while acting so mean. But as he followed Masquerade to an empty field he sighed and just took the help he was given, but keep on his guard with this guy.
"Now then, since we're alone, send out your Milotic and hand her ball over to me." Masquerade said with a smile once they were alone.
He took out the Snag Ball and released Coral, who instantly appeared with a defiant grunt, looking around as if expecting something and seeing Masquerade. Instantly she growled and was about to attack him, when Jacob gripped her neck to calm her down.
"Calm down girl, calm down… he's here to help." He whispered.
"Miloooooo…" She growled furiously.
"The ball please." Masquerade said with a grin with his hand outstretched.
Sara levitated the ball over to him, still glaring at him with distrust.
"The funny thing about these Snag Balls, is that they aren't so easy to 'break out' of but they can 'steal' very effectively 'any' Pokemon they encounter." He said with a smile as he twirled it on one hand. "They are built of far sturdier materials than normal Pokeballs are, making them near indestructible. This is because each one carries a charge which creates a forcefield around the ball, not enough to be noticed but enough to protect them from being destroyed, and it activates when enough pressure to destroy the ball is applied. However, if you happen to know the 'exact' frequency the balls are charged with…"
He reached into his pocket and put on one-handed a glove, snapped his fingers, and showed an electrical surge taking place on his gloved hand.
"And you send an equal surge of electricity along the opposite charge at the same time as applying pressure…"
He placed the ball in his hand and started squeezing, and within two seconds, the ball snapped and broke to pieces.
"Voila, your milotic is now 'free'."
Thinking quickly, he pulled out Coral's Luxury Ball, pointed it at her and said, "Coral Return!" and pressed the button.
Instantly the ball sent out a red beam which connected with Coral, and she instantly was pulled into the ball with a resounding 'ping'. He then pressed it again and sent Coral out once more, causing her to appear with a cheerful coo and wrapping around him to nuzzle and shower him with affection.
"You're free of the snag ball Coral!" He yelled happily as he rubbed her forehead warmly.
"Milooooooo!" She cooed happily.
Sara smiled warmly as the two enjoyed their reunion, and once he had managed to separate himself from her, he turned to thank Masquerade for his help. But once again, Masquerade showed his contrasting personality by walking away with the words, "Remember what I said, good little trainers, don't go where they don't belong." He said with a chuckle. "You and I never met before today, don't forget… unless you don't want to be a 'good' little trainer anymore."
(Masquerade's PoV)
He walked down a pathway near a park where several Trainers and their Pokemon were lounging around, those that were defeated obviously downtrodden but recounting their journeys to passersby and of course their teams. They also had an air of 'freedom' in their voices as they no longer had to fear about what was going to happen to them, so they could joke and make bets about who would likely win and fight the Elite Four to fight the Champion of the region. Those that were still in the competition were going through intense training regimes to prepare for the next rounds and the future battles to come in the Pokemon League.
He pretty much ignored everyone as he walked down, contemplating what he was going to do next, when his Pokegear rang, which he responded to instantly using his real voice instead of the 'masked' voice he just used for the boy.
"What is it?" He asked.
"This is Anita, the boss just finished yelling at me, we need to move faster with the project after all the recent failures!"
"Yes, you telling Viridian to bring that Arcanine with us while we transferred everything from the facility to another one was a bit of a slip up. But it was more Viridian's mistake to challenge someone in an underground battle and risk losing it to a Snag Ball they got from somewhere." He chuckled half-heartedly. "Losing that Arcanine made us lose our inside agent in the police force, and with that take down of the Underground facility, well things aren't looking too good for us. So, what do I owe the pleasure of this conversation little girl?"
"I've got orders from the boss; we need you back for the next phase of the operation tomorrow."
"You do know I have a match scheduled tomorrow, and Viridian and I are testing the Shadow Pokemon…" He replied nonchalantly.
"Lose it, I need you back here for my plans. Besides, you aren't even using the latest ones, the two you brought are Stage 1 Shadow Pokemon, at least Viridian is using are Stage '4', and as I told the boss they aren't 'ready' to be tested outside of the lab!"
"But…" He stammered furiously, his hand shaking in anger as he squeezed the Pokegear tightly.
"I don't care about your reasons for participating in the league alongside Viridian, or why you insist on participating in this competition without the latest Shadow Pokemon I've developed and not even 'using' them to begin with, but I've already told the boss your situation and if you aren't doing anything I can use for my research, he wants you to track down how to summon 'him'! I'm taking a big risk enough with Viridian, but with you I have nothing to learn or-"
"I'm facing Jacob Beryl!" He said instantly. "He knows the secret we want… let me battle him and get that knowledge at least!"
"Jacob… you mean that 'boy' I encountered and did some private research about? What makes you think you can get the knowledge without him realizing it. His Gardevoir is going to be on guard protecting his mind every second even when asleep, not to mention the mental defenses and barriers it will no doubt have placed subconsciously around his mind to protect against psychic intrusion. Even if you 'can' get access to his mind, once an intrusion is detected in his mind it 'will' react violently to push you out and preserve his mental state. Gardevoirs are among the 'most difficult' Pokemon to get past when it comes to attacking a Trainer directly, they never let their mental defenses down for even a second."
"I can do it!" He growled. "I know all about Gardevoir and how they work, I know how to get around one. Just let me battle him tomorrow at least! Between me and Viridian 'I' have a perfect record for getting the job done, so let me do this!"
There was silence as he waited for her answer, before she replied, "You have until 'after' your battle, then come back, no excuses."
With that the call ended.
"Tchk." He spat angrily as he stormed off.
(Sara's PoV)
She floated off to the side of their hotel room while Jacob told all of his team members about how Coral's no longer bound to the Snag Ball. She had quickly turned back to her old self, the friendly modest and cheerful Milotic that Jacob had befriended as a Feebas.
Karen and her team had gone to congratulate him on his victory, and listen in on how he managed to free her.
She wasn't as 'keen' to hear that Jacob had met Masquerade again, and that the masked man had essentially blackmailed him into keeping quiet as well as force him to let him help his Milotic. But it was also strange to her, and Segan who heard as well, that he'd thrown his bet to help them.
She had been very curious as confused about him as well, like before she'd tried to touch the mind of the masked man, but she had been met with a nearly impenetrable barrier to keep her out. The Gardevoir had tried all she could, but her powerful mind could not even find the tiniest crack, the slightest emotion, 'anything' to touch or grasp so as to learn more about who he was behind the mask.
"Alright we have a big battle tomorrow everyone, so let's get to sleep!" Jacob said loudly, after they spent a few more hours celebrating their victory and Coral's freedom.
She smiled and watched as his team, including the new Saphia, were recalled into their balls. She however wasn't feeling too tired, and so asked Jacob if she could spend a bit longer watching the night sky.
"Alright but don't take too long Sara, we need to be ready tomorrow." He said as he turned the light off and went into the bedroom.
(I will Jacob, do not worry.) She replied warmly as she floated to the window and opened it to go to the balcony.
She took a deep breath and enjoyed the cool night air, looked up at the moon and wondered about her future, not for the first, and not for the last time. What would she and Jacob do after all of this mess is done, and when the Shadow Pokemon were no longer a threat? Would Jacob go to other regions, would he retire, do something else? What of the rest of his team, what would they do, would their family, their team, would they just separate and never see one another? Would they stay together?
(Jacob, I meant what I said when I said that I would be your shadow forever more from that day on.) She declared warmly. (Your mind is healthy and ideal for me and my growth as a Gardevoir. I cannot separate from you now that my mind has connected so deeply to yours. It is not 'impossible', but the pain of never being with you again is enough to drive most of my kind insane. We need to stay with whoever our minds connect with, in order to keep growing healthily, be it our trainer… or our mate.)
She sighed as she pushed those thoughts out, she can't force herself upon him, he wasn't ready, he wasn't even old enough to consider the prospect and truth be told neither was she! Also, she wasn't sure if they should be a thing either, it was one thing to have a close bond with a human as her friend and Trainer, it was needed to have a healthy growth as a Ralts. It was another to bond so deeply with said human, that she…
She shook her head and closed her eyes, better to not think of that yet, Jacob wasn't looking that far yet and neither would she.
She sighed and took a good long look at the moon, admiring its silvery glow and the beauty of the night and how calm it made her.
Then she felt a surge of emotion nearby, of deep sadness and anger!
Turning she looked around to the source, and floated over to the neighboring balcony to peek into it, there she saw a human male sobbing and pounding the couch in frustration and sadness, while behind him a heavily robed individual stood by.
Thinking carefully, she used her powers ever so much to shift the window open so she could listen in.
"Why do we have to do this!" The man yelled furiously through tears. "We've finally made it, after all this time of waiting, of slaving, of doing EVERYTHING we've done… and we have to throw it all away?"
The robed individual leaned over and did something that she couldn't see, but judging by how they moved their arm, it appeared they had patted his shoulder comfortingly.
"I know… I know… we had no choice…" The man cried sadly. "But why… why… we've waited for so long… for this chance! Years… 'years'… why can't we just… go as far as we can!?"
She listened to the words and felt the emotions, she felt how sad they were, how in pain they were, whoever they were they were deeply heartbroken over something, but she didn't dare try to listen any further. She used her powers and closed the window, and floated back over to where Jacob's room was.
She didn't know who they were, but she hoped something good would happen to them, to help balance out their mind's negative thinking. Such horrifying despair and pain she felt, for that brief period of time…
She couldn't imagine any living creature enduring that much suffering for even a day.
The next day arrived for her and Jacob to greet. After a morning breakfast for his entire team they left the hotel with Segan while Karen groggily slogged toward her room in passing.
"I hate night battles, good luck Jacob boy!" She muttered with a low high five, before going into her room and closing the door.
"She is not a night person." Segan muttered.
"Indeed." Glace agreed.
(Karen had it rough last night, she spent too much time the night before partying and she barely won her match an hour ago.) She explained to Jacob.
"Sara, no peeking into people's mind, you promised!" He chided her.
(I didn't peek, she's so tired her mental barriers are all down, she's literally screaming to every psychic in range what happened to her!) She said.
They left the hotel and headed to the arena where thousands of people were hollering and clamoring to get into for the best seats. While Jacob went to the 'trainer's' entrance, he released Kora and Kenna so they could go with Segan and act as his cheerleaders on the sideline while he kept Suicune with him to be a part of his 'official' team. Saphia's ball was also given to Segan as Jacob didn't want to bring her into a battle until they had more time to 'learn' about each other.
After that they walked into the arena's basement where all of the competing trainers were waiting. Most of the competitors for the league challenge had been weeded out, so where earlier in the week there were 'hundreds' of trainers waiting in the massive waiting room, all packed together at one point like Magikarps, now she saw there were less than sixty or so at any time.
Among them she saw, was 'Masquerade' who was smirking and walking from the waiting room toward the battling towers in the company of a league official.
"Good luck Jacob in our match!" He called as he passed, before adding, "You're going to need it!" with a laugh.
She glared back with Jacob as Masquerade walked around a corner and left the waiting area.
(I don't like that man.) She told him. (I don't trust him, I don't like him, and I don't know why he's so interested in us.)
"Neither do I Sara, neither do I." He replied.
(Jacob's PoV)
When it was time for him to go to the raising platform for his battle, he walked with Sara to the blue stage as he was instructed to do, and waited for it to be raised. When it wasn't raised for ten minutes, he looked at the official standing nearby for an explanation.
"A minor delay, the opposing trainer has some cosmetic items on their Pokemon that we're checking for any illegal activity involving them." They explained after talking on the radio.
"Cosmetic items?" He asked himself before looking at Sara.
(Is that unusual?)
"No, some trainers like to have cosmetic items on their Pokemon, like say a hat or maybe a hairpin or something like a ribbon, but nothing like that should give an advantage in a Pokemon Battle."
After a few more minutes of waiting the league official gave him the thumbs up and the platform started rising. He and Sara looked skyward as the ceiling opened up and watched as they were raised into the stadium.
{We apologize for the delay everyone, after a minor issue inconvenience we're ready to begin the next match!} The announcer shouted eagerly. {Welcome to the final elimination round before the bracket, introducing our first competitor, the boy with the shiny cheerleader Jacob Beryl!}
He nodded to Sara and she teleported to ground level, as the crowd cheered and screamed for the start of the match to begin, as a psychic inhibitor field activated.
{And introducing his opponent, the mystery man himself, Masquerade!}
Opposite him, he saw the red platform rising with Masquerade on it as the crowd started chanting 'Masquerade, Masquerade, Masquerade'! Masquerade himself was busy juggling Pokeballs for the crowd's amusement, two Ultra Balls and a Pokeball.
{Trainers, call out your first Pokemon to begin the match!}
Jacob took out Ivan's ball and released his Mightyena with a loud, "Ivan, you're up first!"
Ivan the Mightyena landed on the battlefield and roared for the battle to begin.
"Roaawwwwr!"
Masquerade was a bit slower in selecting his Pokemon, but he stopped juggling after a second, and nonchalantly tossed an Ultra Ball into the air without declaring who was being sent out.
In a flash of light, a Tauros wearing a mask over its face. It stomped its hooves and snorted angrily as it stared at Ivan while Ivan growled and bared his fangs intimidatingly.
"A 'mask'?" He asked.
{Our first battle will be Mightyena versus Tauros, begin the match!}
-Beeeeeeeeeeeeeep-
"Ivan Howl!"
Ivan closed his eyes and breathed in deeply before snapping them open and roaring at the top of his lungs, "Aroooooooar!"
"Tauros Take Down!" Masquerade called out.
"Roooooo!" Tauros shouted as it ran forward and leveled its horns toward Ivan who braced himself for Jacob's next command.
"Ivan jump over them!"
"Rawr!" Ivan yelled as it leapt up and jumped over the Tauros by using its face as a jumping platform.
"Now Howl again!"
Ivan landed and turned around, closed his eyes and Howled loudly yet again as the Tauros turned around to charge him yet again, while Masquerade ordered it to go into another Take Down.
"Now Thunder Fang!"
"Graaaaaaawr!" Ivan growled as his teeth crackled with electricity. "Rrrawwwr!"
"Mrooooooo!" Tauros shouted back defiantly as both pokemon charged one another.
Both Pokemon connected their attacks as Ivan bit heavily into Tauros' face, while Tauros managed to ram heavily into the Mightyena. Ivan was sent flying but managed to land on his feet and quickly regain his fighting stance, but Tauros had to collide with Masquerade's platform in order to stop itself. It also turned to show tiny specks of electricity flicking off the Pokemon, indicating it was Paralyzed, yet it only seemed to snort in anger and roar 'furiously' before charging 'again'.
{Uh oh, I think that last hit might have been a critical one, despite the intimidating attitude from Mightyena, Tauros's Anger Point must be 'boiling' now!}
"Get ready Ivan!"
"Rarw!" Ivan barked back as the Tauros stampeded onward.
"Tauros Take Down attack!" Masquerade shouted enthusiastically.
"Mroooooooo!"
Jacob waited until it lowered its horns to bear against Ivan, then he shouted, "Jump and Crunch!"
Ivan jumped up, brought his fangs down, and crunched 'heavily' into the hide of the Tauros, causing incredible pain to the Pokemon and forcing it to veer off course and smack headfirst into the platform Jacob was on this time. The attack collided and he felt his platform shake almost violently for a second, as sparks of electricity erupted from the damaged platform. Yet Ivan jumped off while Tauros was down for the count.
{Tauros is unable to battle, Mightyena is the winner!}
The crowd cheered as Masquerade recalled his Tauros with a smile, almost like he didn't 'care' that the first win went to him.
{What an explosive battle right off the bat, sparks are 'flying' in this match as Jacob runs 'circles' around Masquerade's opening Pokemon. But we know this fight is only just starting, and that is actually the first time we've seen this Tauros from the masked battler, will he bring out his signature Pokemon or is he saving the best for last?}
"Ivan return for now!" Jacob called as he brought his Bite Pokemon back, and then sent out his next Pokemon, "Roran your up!"
In a flash Roran his Swellow soared out onto the field with a defiant call, "Swelloooooow!"
Masquerade smiled as he began juggling the two remaining Pokeballs, before tossing up the other Ultra Ball and sending out in a flash of light…
"Gryaaaaaaaaaaawr!"
A Gyarados, wearing another mask to cover its eyes and face, but it was still a Gyarados.
"Another 'mask', does every Pokemon this guy have, have a mask on?" He asked out loud.
The Gyarados snarled and snapped its mighty jaws at Roran who gulped nervously but stared defiantly against it.
{The next round will be Swellow against Gyarados, it is still 'three' Pokemon to two despite the swap from Jacob Beryl, Begin the Match!}
-Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeep-
"Roran get in the air and use Focus Energy!"
"Swellow!" Roran cried as he took off and focused himself with his eyes closed.
"Thunder Wave Gyarados!" Masquerade shouted.
Gyarados growled before launching several waves of electricity through the air from its mouth at Roran, which connected just as he finished focusing his energy. Moments after it connected Roran had to quickly flap to maintain his altitude as he was suffering from minor bursts of Paralysis now, yet instead of struggling Roran seemed to grow 'stronger' from the attack.
"Roran Brave Bird!"
"Swellow!" He screamed as he soared higher and his body started glowing. "SweeeeeeLOOOOOOOOOOOW!"
Roran dive bombed Gyarados and slammed into the mighty behemoth which screamed in agony from the attack while Roran looked back in pain and exhaustion. Gyarados collapsed to the ground in a heap and dust.
{Gyarados is una-}
"Graaaaaaaaawr!" Gyarados hollered in fury.
Gyarados rose up from the ground and launched a Hyper Beam at Roran, who dodged at the last second.
{The match continues, Gyarados is still able to fight!}
"Keep dodging it Roran!" Jacob yelled as Hyper Beam after Hyper Beam was launched from the mighty Pokemon.
"Swell…" Roran chirped as he tried to dodge the attacks, but his wings were starting to flap with strained effort.
It was the paralyzing effect of Thunder Wave, sooner or later it was going to cause his bird to stall in the air and then Roran would be defenseless.
"Hyper Beam that Bird until you hit it!" Masquerade called out happily.
"Gyaraaaaaaaaaaaaa!" His Gyarados roared in response, and unleashed 'another' Hyper Beam which missed.
As Hyper Beam after Hyper Beam was launched from its mouth, the crowd cheered and applauded as the attacks kept missing, even going so far as to connect with the stands which were protected by an energy field to prevent missed attacks hurting anyone.
{It's incredible that this Gyarados is able to fire off Hyper Beams without needing to recharge, the stamina it must have is amazing to be able to pull off such a feat, this fight is getting truly intense!}
Something was wrong as he watched Roran flying in circles, trying to get away from the Hyper Beams and stay ahead of the attacks. He knew firsthand, from two examples, that Gyarados is a very powerful Pokemon capable of incredible feats the angrier it gets. But Hyper Beam was a move that drained 'all' of the user's stamina to power it. No matter how much strength a Pokemon had, once it used Hyper Beam it was going to need time to regain strength before it could use it again. This Gyarados however, was spamming the move without pause or break, its anger and rage must be powering it but even 'that' would not give it such strength to keep this up forever.
But he had other things to worry about as Roran's paralysis 'finally' affected him, and Roran fell out of the sky to land in a heap, exhausted and in pain.
"Roran!" Jacob called.
Gyarados turned, tired and exhausted, to roar as Masquerade ordered it to use Thrash now. It launched itself into a furious frenzy, speeding toward his bird lying on the ground.
"Roran get out of there!" He yelled as loud as he could.
Roran hobbled on his legs, hopping and trying to get airborne as his wings struggled to flap hard enough from the Paralysis. Yet just before Gyarados could connect with its Thrash attack, he took to the air and got out of the way, right as Gyarados slammed headfirst into Jacob's platform, which shook and sparked again as it was struck by an even 'more' powerful attack.
"Aerial Ace it now!"
Gyarados looked up for Roran who had started flying circles around the enraged titan, and in one fell swoop swiped down and struck Gyarados across the face, before quickly striking 'again', and then landed on the ground, tired, but still conscious as Gyarados collapsed to the ground in a heap.
{Gyarados is 'unable' to battle, Swellow is the Winner!}
As the crowd cheered Jacob recalled Roran so he could rest up, and sent out Ivan again, who waited for the third and final Pokemon of Masquerade to be sent out.
While the crowd began chanting a word that grew louder and louder with each second that passed. "Sweep, Sweep, Sweep, Sweep, Sweep, Sweep, Sweep, Sweep, Sweep, Sweep, Sweep!"
Masquerade smiled as he spun the last Pokeball he had on his index finger, almost savoring the moment and putting the crowd on edge and getting them to chant louder and louder as they all awaited the 'final' Pokemon he had. It was obvious that 'this' was the Pokemon they were eager to see, the one which would 'sweep' as they chanted. The other two were just teasers, throw away Pokemon, this was his 'ace' up his sleeve.
"Let's go GALLADE!" Masquerade shouted as he launched the ball into the air with flair and enthusiasm, sending out a bipedal Pokemon with green blade-like arms, a reddish-pink spike through its chest, a white lower body and green upper torso…
And a 'mask' on its face, covering its expression.
"Gallade… isn't that a Pokemon similar to Gardevoir." Jacob said in surprise as he felt through the strained psychic link Sara's surprise as well. "Her parents were a Gardevoir and a Gallade, so this is why Masquerade is so confident in his victory?"
{The battle will be Mightyena versus Gallade! The match is still three to one in favor of Jacob, BEGIN THE MATCH!}
-Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep-
Gallade stood tall, placed one arm behind its back, and held out the other forward, as if inviting his opponent to attack it, and otherwise stood still while Jacob ordered Ivan to Howl.
"Aroaaaaaaaaar!" Ivan howled loudly, and growled at Gallade, who again stood still.
"Gallade, use Power Up Punch!" Masquerade commanded.
Gallade simply nodded, but did not move.
"Why isn't he moving?" He muttered to himself in confusion. "Ivan Howl again!"
Ivan nodded and howled once more, boosting his attacking power and riling himself up for battle, but still the Gallade made no move to stop him, not even flinch at the sound.
"Why is he just standing there, Masquerade ordered him to do a Power Up Punch, but he's just standing there…" He muttered.
It was obviously a trap, they were waiting for Jacob to attack, but he had to attack if he was to win this fight, and he at least had all three of his Pokemon to fight with, two revealed and a third he could change if needed. "Ivan Thunder Fang!"
"Rawr!" Ivan barked viciously, his teeth crackling with electricity again. "Rrrrrrrawr!"
Ivan charged headfirst toward the Gallade, ready for anything that the Gallade may try, and Jacob waiting for the Gallade to make a move, any move! If it did something, he could call off Ivan's attack so that they could change tactics if needed thanks to all of their discipline training.
Yet just as Ivan reached the Gallade, leapt up and went to bite 'heavily' into the Gallade, and 'still' their opponent didn't even twitch…
In the blink of an eye, it was 'over'.
Ivan was sent spiraling backward from a devastating punch thrown at lightning speeds, with the Gallade's arms having swapped positions, with the one being held behind its back now pointed forward and the other behind its back.
Ivan tried feebly to get back up, but collapsed from the strain.
{Mightyena is unable to battle, Gallade is the winner!}
"Sweep, Sweep, Sweep, Sweep!" The crowd cheered as Jacob called back Ivan.
{Incredible, its over in 'one punch'! Without even 'moving' Masquerade has wrested control of this battle into his hands, and is now fighting back with 'dominating' performance~!}
"Roran your up!" He called out and sent his Paralyzed and tired Swellow.
Roran appeared in a flash of light, who stared defiantly and ready for battle, knowing that this was going to be a struggle either way.
{The battle is going to be Swellow versus Gallade, begin the match!}
-Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeep-
"Roran take to the air!" He yelled. "Go for Focus Energy!"
Roran took to the air as he ordered and focused himself again, gathering energy and concentration to deliver the critical blow he needed.
"Gallade Power Up Punch!" Masquerade called out.
Gallade nodded again, but did not move an inch from where it stood.
Roran opened his eyes and watched from the air as Gallade stood still, not looking at the flyer above it or attempting to defend itself or brace itself for whatever attack Jacob called out.
Jacob meanwhile was studying both Masquerade and Gallade, both were mirroring each other's stances, neither looking at the other or focusing on him or Roran. They almost seemed like they didn't 'care' what they were planning or what they might do. So, he chose to use the one attack that even if he tried to counter, he couldn't avoid taking the full 'brunt' of the attack.
"Roran, Brave Bird!"
"Swellow!" Roran chirped in understanding, as he soared high above, his body becoming bathed in fire-like energy, and then soared straight for Gallade without fear or hesitation. "SweeeeeeLOOOOOOOOOOW!"
Like before, the Gallade didn't flinch, didn't move or attempt to shield itself from the attack.
And like before, it was over in a 'flash'.
"Sweelloooooooooooo!" Roran screamed in pain as he was punched off course and sent careening into the stadium wall in a crumpled heap.
"RORAN!" Jacob screamed in fear and panic, while the league judges went over to check on his Swellow's condition.
After a few seconds they signaled that he was alright but unconscious and unable to battle, allowing Jacob to recall him into the safety of his ball.
{Gallade is the 'winner'!} The announcer cheered to the roars of 'sweep, sweep, sweep'. {Incredible, this fight is becoming a reverse sweep for Masquerade, are we going to see another sweep from the masked man or is Jacob going to find a way to turn this battle around?}
"That is one disciplined Pokemon…" He muttered in shock as Gallade stood still, like a statue. "Hang on… is that mask giving his Pokemon an advantage?"
He turned and touched a button to call up a league official onto a screen to talk to.
"I want to call into question my opponent's Pokemon, I think that mask his Pokemon is wearing is giving him an unfair advantage!"
{I'm sorry but there's no foul play going on, the reason for the delay to your match was because of those masks your opponent has on his Pokemon. We've checked and there is nothing wrong with them to give his Pokemon an unfair advantage.}
He nodded in understanding and apologized for the inconvenience while the crowd continued to cheer and wait for the third and final pokemon to be called out. Thinking carefully, he knew his options for who he could send out. A direct assault in close combat wasn't working against this Gallade, so that meant Harold was out of the question. Which meant he had to go ranged to have a chance, and while he knew Latias, Suicune or Sara would make a perfect candidate, he set his decision based on the species of his opponent's Pokemon.
"Sara!" He yelled down to the ground, leaning over the platform to his Gardevoir waiting down below for his call.
She looked up and nodded, before setting her expression and teleporting to the field at his command.
(Sara's PoV)
She stared at her counterpart across the field, the 'Blade' Pokemon to her 'Embrace' Pokemon. She knew this wasn't going to be easy, but she had some advantages over this opponent compared to the ones she's battled in the past. Her opponent didn't seem keen on moving from his spot, preferring to wait for attacks to come to 'him' and then countering in some way.
She had watched from the sidelines how strong their opponent was, this Gallade had timed its attacks 'perfectly'. It also had lightning quick reflexes, and powerful strength to boot. It also had a powerful psychic mind, able to block her out from understanding how it feels and preventing her from gaining anything more than the absolute 'minimal' feelings, and even then she could gleam nothing more than its sheer determination to 'win'.
{The final battle, Gardevoir versus Gallade, begin the match!}
-Beeeeeeeeeeeeeep-
"Sara Calm Mind!" Jacob called.
She nodded and closed her eyes, calmed her mind and gathered her mental energies to increase her strength, to the point where she could sense a drop of water off in the distance falling into the glass of a person seemingly in another city it seemed.
While she gathered her powers, Masquerade had given his Gallade orders as well.
"Gallade Leaf Blade!"
She ignored him as she sensed her opponent didn't move, so he was following the same plan as before, waiting for her to strike before counter striking in some manner.
"Energy Ball!" Jacob called now.
Her eyes snapped open as she gathered the natural energy around her, condensed it into a sphere and launched it with her psychic powers at the Gallade. The Gallade responded as before, slashing with its powerful arms and using nature energy as well to slice her sphere in two and dissipate the energy before it could hurt him.
(So that's how its going to be huh?) She declared in an open psychic voice to her opponent, as Jacob ordered her subconsciously to keep up the attack. (Let's see how you handle 'this' then.)
She raised one hand and created another ball of nature energy, launched it, while using the other arm to gather more energy for a second ball and then proceeded to launch 'that', while her first arm repeated the second's and created a third ball to be launched. She sent a barrage of Energy Balls against the Gallade who continued to slash and slash at them, countering them and cutting them down before they could cause harm.
Seeing she was making no progress her eyes began glowing as she unleashed 'more' psychic energy and began launching her attacks faster and faster in a bid to outpace her opponent's counters.
{Things seemed to be growing even MORE intense folks as Jacob's Gardevoir unleashes a seemingly unending barrage of attacks in a bid to take down Masquerade's Gallade from a distance, unwilling to close the gap and risk a frontal assault! How long can Gallade keep this up?}
"Gallade Shadow Sneak!"
She felt Jacob's worry spark for only an instant, but she used that worry and automatically teleported away from the rapidly approaching shadow from Gallade, dodging the attack, and resuming her assault without pause.
"Again!"
Once more Gallade's shadow extended and she teleported away, sensing the attack before it could connect, and resumed her unending offensive while her powers continued to flow from her bond with Jacob.
"Psyshock attack!"
She didn't skip a beat as she launched two energy balls simultaneously, while psychically creating rocks of energy behind her target and launching 'them' at Gallade too. Gallade however seemed to have sensed the attack with equal speed, using one arm to slice the two energy balls at the same time and using the other arm to shield itself from the psyshock attack from behind.
Both attacks were blocked in a resulting explosion as she saw behind the mask's lens the Gallade's eyes glowing just as brightly as hers. She barely saw the glow, but she knew that her opponent was also calling upon the close bond with his trainer as she was calling upon hers. They were equally matched.
(He's good… his bond is as strong as mine.) She commented as she teleported away to avoid the surprise Shadow Sneak attack that had been hidden in the explosion launched against her. (We're both calling upon the full power of our bonds with our trainers to fight this battle… that's how he's able to react so quickly to any attack!) She commented again as the Gallade blocked another surprise Psyshock attack she made as she was teleporting away from the Shadow Sneak. (It also explains how he can deliver such devastatingly powerful attacks with precise hits, delivering critical blows and defeating my fellows in one shot each.)
The air became still as she and Gallade watched each other, waiting for orders from their trainers to figure out how to defeat the opponent.
(We'll get nowhere at this point, Jacob knows that, we're too evenly matched, if I let him get too close, I'm finished, and if he can't touch me then he's at a massive disadvantage. I can dodge his only 'ranged' attack in a heartbeat, but he can slash all of my attacks and block them just as easily. I need something else to give me an advantage…)
She thought about an idea as she waited for Jacob's command, and knew that she was expending some of her mental strength shielding Jacob's mind, even if it was off limits by the psychic inhibitor of the platform. If she lowered her defenses around him and all but severed her tie to his mind she could bring nearly her full psychic powers to bear against this Gallade, it was obvious that they were doing the same, using a portion to shield their trainer's mind. That might be all she needed to win this battle.
"Sara use Calm Mind!"
She nodded and closed her eyes to focus her mind and strengthen her psychic powers, and finally took the risk and severed her psychic powers from Jacob's mind, only maintaining her connection to him by the tiniest thread, not enough to feel his mind, but enough that she didn't fully sever her link to him. Now with her psychic powers fully under her thrall she opened her eyes and readied herself.
"Shadow Sneak Gallade!"
"Sara, Teleport and use Mystical Fire!"
She vanished the instant Jacob finished speaking, just before Gallade could connect with his attack, and created a circular ring of fire which launched a fireball at Gallade. While her species could not learn Mystical fire naturally, she had been shown how to perform it days ago from a Delphox who's trainer lost in their match, and was more than willing to teach her a new trick.
Now she launched her new attack with the massive store of psychic power she had from two calm minds and her focusing her excess strength from protecting Jacob's mind. Because of this the fireball which normally was about a fourth the size of the circular flame symbol cast by a Delphox, was now 'twice' the size of the circle and flying toward the Gallade.
Gallade actually lifted his head in 'surprise' at the size of the attack and had to use both arms to slice at the attack to cut it away from him, resulting in two massive explosions and smoke. This allowed her to launch simultaneous Energy Ball attacks from both arms, directing them toward the Gallade who was not ready to block either of them, at the same time as sending a pair of Psyshock attacks from other directions.
She smirked as he had no way to block all of these attacks.
Then just before the attacks connected, she saw him shift his weight on one leg, before all four attacks connected in a resounding explosion that blocked Gallade from view.
But she was not hoping it was over, she kept her defensive stance ready. Suddenly she felt a shadow fall over her and looked up before teleporting a split second later out of the way of Gallade as he tried to strike her with a Leaf Blade. She reappeared, and stared with her glowing eyes as her opponent stared at her now with faintly glowing eyes behind his mask.
{HE-HE MOVED!} The announcer screamed in shock while the crowd roared in excitement. {This is the first time 'ANY' opponent has forced Masquerade's Gallade to move, no opponent in this tournament thus far has been able to even 'touch' his Gallade, let alone force it to 'move' and dodge an attack! I didn't think this match could any more exciting but these two have just added new numbers to the dial!}
(Sara's and Jacob's PoV)
Jacob stared as Sara pulled off that series of attacks, amazed that she could manage that when he subconsciously wanted her to do what she did without having to verbally say it. She must have felt his thoughts through their bond because she could not communicate to him via their psychic link 'nor' did he say his plan out loud.
Yet it still wasn't enough, despite her powerful psychic power, she still couldn't touch that Gallade.
"Well, this just got more exciting didn't it?" Masquerade called from the other side of the field.
He looked up to see Masquerade clapping his hands together with a proud smile.
"You're the first so far to have made my Gallade be 'forced' to actively dodge an attack… I guess that means we can't take you lightly anymore." He called with a low clap, before he stopped and smirked. "Then that means we can stop holding back and take this battle more seriously. I wanted to wait until the bracket, but you aren't going to let us win so easily, so let's do this Gallade, LEAF BLADE!"
Instantly Gallade charged forward with surprising speed as both his arms extended and let off green nature energy, heading straight for Sara who was waiting for his command.
"Teleport and use Psychic Attack!"
Sara vanished and launched several powerful waves of psychic energy at Gallade, who turned and leapt over, dodged under, or narrowly avoided connecting with the attacks. Then he lunged forward and tried to strike Sara with his arms, and severed her body in 'two', only for her two halves to vanish as she reappeared and launched a powerful ball of green energy at Gallade.
"Sara get away and ready a Mystical Fire!"
She nodded, vanished, and reappeared to prepare another Mystical Fire.
"Psycho Cut Gallade!"
Gallade nodded and ran at her with his arm-blades wrapped in powerful blades of psychic energy.
"Now Sara, switch to HYPER BEAM!" He ordered right as he got in range.
"WHAT?" Masquerade yelled in surprise.
Sara's eyes were still glowing brightly as the ring of fire vanished, replaced by a tiny ball of kinetic energy she was rapidly gathering from the energy going into the Mystical Fire, then she launched it forward into Gallade who was running toward her too fast to 'dodge' the attack.
The attack exploded, five times as strong as 'anything' the Gyarados had managed to create, and for a brief moment, Gallade looked 'shocked' at the attack rushing toward him at speeds he couldn't match…
Before he was just 'gone' in an explosion of energy and power that erupted and carpeted the field, obscuring everything and everyone in a massive ball of smoke and destructive power.
"GALLAAAAAAAAAAAAADE!"
The explosive energy sent massive rippling shockwaves which smacked into his damaged platform, short-circuiting the systems and damaging it even more. He barely held onto the platform while his hat was flung off his head to go landing somewhere. He looked up and around for Sara, wondering where she was and saw her appear out of the smoke, breathing 'heavily' and gasping while clutching her chest and barely holding herself up with one arm on the ground, but Gallade was nowhere to be seen.
"GALLAAAAAAAAAAADE!" Masquerade screamed as he watched him leap over the platform and land on the ground, rushing for the epicenter of the smoke. "I'M COMING GALLADE!"
{Masquerade return to your platform or you will be disqualified!}
"DISQUALIFY ME THEN, I DON'T CARE!" He shouted back as he ran into the smoke. "GALLADE, GALLAAAAAAAAAAADE!"
{Uh, due to regulations, Masquerade has been disqualified due to disobeying Pokemon League Rules, therefore Jacob Beryl wins!}
He pushed the button and lowered his platform so that he could go to Sara, who wearily rose up to stand by him and felt her re-establish her connection to him.
(That… attack… was too much!) She panted. (I don't think, even the 'league' was prepared for an attack of that magnitude.)
"But is his Gallade okay?" He asked as he ran into the smoke to try and help Masquerade find his Gallade, accompanied by Sara who floated wearily behind him.
After a while the smoke began to dissipate and 'eventually they found Masquerade holding his Gallade in his arms. His Pokemon was covered in psychic cuts and bruises, leftover damage from the explosive damage of the Hyper Beam, but Gallade was at least 'breathing'.
"He's alright… he's alive…" Masquerade muttered as he held his partner in a relieved voice.
"We need to get him to a Pokemon Center!" He said instantly, but Masquerade was already standing up while wrapping his Gallade's arms around his neck so he could carry him on his back.
"I can handle that… don't worry about me." He said warmly as he moved to leave, before turning and offering a hand to him. "A well fought battle Jacob, my only wish is that it could have lasted longer."
Jacob glanced at his hand before shaking it in gratitude, no longer thinking bad of him, not after how he reacted to his Gallade's plight. Sara was in agreement, if a Gallade could be his Pokemon, and if they shared such a deeply powerful bond, then he couldn't be a bad person.
"Thank you Masquerade."
Masquerade smirked and saluted him, "Make sure you win for us, good little trainer!" before he turned and started leaving to roars of enthusiasm and cheers from the crowd.
(Masquerade's PoV, half an hour later)
He left the stadium and walked down a pathway heading to the Pokemon Center, checked to make sure nobody was watching them, before letting his Gallade climb off him so he could stand upright on his own. He breathed normally and stretched his neck a little, as if it were stiff after he was forced to play dead for such a long time.
"Did you get it?" He asked.
His Gallade nodded and re-established his psychic connection, sharing the memory of the moment it had copied, thanks to all of the damage done to Jacob's platform damaging and disabling its protective field keeping psychics from affecting the trainers during battle.
He closed his eyes and smirked as he looked at the memory.
"With jewel bright and borrowed might from the spirits of the departed…" He recited as he watched the memory of Emerald, reciting the ritual to Jacob's ears. "Through sacred right, in thy great sight, my life as well I offer… I summon thee, to aid this fight, and save us from disaster…"
He grinned with vicious mirth as he listened to the words that Emerald tried so hard, so very hard to keep out of their hands, the words, the ritual words handed down though the bloodline of those descended from the Draconid People, whom none know if they still exist, and now only the ritual words exist in the mind of one boy, who learned them from a woman who died over fifty years ago after receiving them herself. She tried everything to stop them from finding them, she tried her very best, but in the end even her 'best efforts' were futile! Now he knew of the ritual words to summon 'him'…
"Realize them upon this world, for this I do summon thee…" He laughed as he knew the words would not work for him, but laughing that he now knew how to summon the great dragon of Hoenn. "RAYQUAZZA!"
He looked to his Gallade and smirked, "Mission accomplished, I told them, I get results!"