Part 5: Against the Odds
William exited the Pokemon center, his path leading him through the streets of Azalea towards a small house to the north. Wisps of black smoke were winding upwards from its chimney while a few young men and women worked outside with a large bird Pokemon holding a stick between its feathers. His heart was racing rapidly as he tried to think of what he was going to say, after leaving Mahogany town he didn't think he would hear from his father for quite some time. The inside of the house was quaint, and smelled strongly of smoke. Will quickly recognized the figure of his father, speaking with a man behind an old register.
"Excellent, I expect then that your delivery will arrive within the week?"
"But of course Mr. Ardelis, we thank you for your business here!" With a sideways glance Mr. Ardelis saw William, waving with his hand to follow as he stepped back out into the sunlight.
"Dad… What are you doing here? How did you even know that I was?"
"I didn't," cut in Mr. Ardelis, speaking in the tone of a man on business, "it was really just a coincidence. There were several shipments that I ordered from Azalea Logging last month and I wanted to compare samples with some of the Norths' competition. Fine work that they do down here, always have."
"Oh. So then you weren't trying to stop me?"
"There is nothing here to stop William. My business is now complete, and you and I are heading home. We'll take the company plane back to Mahogany town, flights only around forty-five minutes maybe an hour."
"No dad. I'm not going back home with you. Not this time." For the first time, Mr. Ardelis seemed to stop and weigh his son's words.
"William, understand I am trying to be patient with you but this so called venture of yours is not going to happen. I will not allow for it."
"I'm not asking for your permission; I am doing this of my own free will!"
"Is that so? Tell me then son how is it you plan to manage your finances out there in the world when you have no money or source of income? You certainly won't be receiving any from me."
"I've got enough money saved away that I have earned working on my own father. I'll make it work out as I go along!"
"Yes but you're going to blow all of your starting funds on a ferry ticket. Sinnoh is not right around the corner William." Will flashed a ticket from his pocket.
"Don't need to I've already got one. A birthday gift from Grandpa."
"Ahh yes, of course Willow is involved in this. William, you are not your grandfather. You are my son; you are a member of the Ardelis family with responsibilities to uphold. You don't have time to waste playing games with pets when there's a business to be run."
"Yes, but that's YOUR business! I know that you built it up yourself, and that your proud but dad there is so much more to life than making money!" Mr. Ardelis resumed his walk, acting as if Will had said nothing.
"There's nothing left here for you to say William. We're leaving… Now," he added finally with threatening eyes. Will wasn't sure what to do. There was some strange force that seemingly wanted him to bow down to his father's wishes and simply go. But the thought of eking out his existence inside some miserable factory made his guts squirm with disgust. Yet years of experience had taught that nothing he could say would move his father at this point. Few things would. Suddenly, an idea sprang into his mind.
"Wait. What if we made a deal?" Mr. Ardelis' brow furrowed.
"A deal?"
"Yes, an agreement based on an outcome. You want me to come home and work in your business fine. I will agree to doing just that, based on one determining factor."
"Oh? And what might that be?" Will smiled, he had managed to get a hook, but could he reel it in?
"You have to defeat me in a Pokemon battle, plain and simple. If you win, we do things your way. If I win, I am free to pursue whatever path I choose.
It seemed time slowed as Mr. Ardelis considered the proposition before him. Then much to Will's surprise he nodded.
"This I can agree to, so long as I am allowed to dictate certain rules regarding the match. I am no fool William, you've had plenty of one on one training with that Sneasel of yours. Agree to this, and I will accept.
"Countering one deal with another deal? You really do think everything is a business don't you," joked William. Mr. Ardelis only held out his hand.
"Do you accept?"
"Fine, but they can only be minor alterations to the rules, nothing over the top."
"Then it's a deal."
Over the next forty minutes Will explained his situation to his grandfather as well as the professor who agreed to stay and watch the match.
"It will be fine! The ferry won't be leaving for Sinnoh until mid-day tomorrow anyway so we can afford to stay one more night. Still I must say Will, this is a pretty big moment your throwing up into the air. What will happen if you lose?"
"There's no way I am going to lose to my old man, especially not at Pokemon battling!" laughed Will. His father could make up any rule he wanted, when it came down to it he just wouldn't have enough experience to get him through the fight. Pryce on the other hand, said nothing. Instead choosing to sit quietly in the corner as the professor and his grandson discussed locations and travel stops for his trip to Sinnoh.
It had been decided that the match would take place that night, right at sun set. This of course Will knew was so that Mr. Ardelis could obtain Pokemon of his own to use during the battle, seeing as how he didn't possess any himself. Will and Sneasel were waiting in their room of the Pokemon center discussing strategies for the upcoming match when Pryce entered.
"Well hello there Sneasel! Looking nice and strong tonight now aren't we?" The pokemon gave a sharp smile before jumping up onto the bed. Pryce took a seat, scratching playfully with its ear. "William, I wanted to talk to you about this match."
"No need to worry gramps, I've got this battle locked down. Trust me, Sneasel and I will be fine!"
"Oh I know that you two will do splendidly! I've seen you at work in my own gym remember? It's your father I am worried about. From the sound of it he didn't even try to turn down the agreement. For all that he may be, your father is not a fool. He wouldn't be doing this unless he was confident that the odds were in his favor."
"Exactly! See he can't look at it any other way other than with numbers and such and that's what will be his downfall," said Will with a smile, "all his business expertise won't be of use in the arena."
"Perhaps not, nevertheless it never hurts to have some luck on your side," said Pryce handing Will a small necklace with a curved claw as its pendant.
"What's this?"
"Oh just a bit of a good luck charm," winked Pryce, "have Sneasel hold on to it during the battle." He looked out the window, noting that the sun was near the horizon. "Well then, looks like it's about time."
The two headed outside to the Pokemon centers back where an empty battle field had been prepared. Bugsy was there, wearing a referee shirt over his scout outfit while the professor was sitting on some old looking bleachers. Mr. Ardelis stood already waiting on the other end of the field.
"Best of luck out there kid. You'll do great!" whispered Pryce before joining on the stands.
"As gym leader of Azalea, it is both my honor and privilege to be the official in charge of this match!" shouted Bugsy raising a red and green flag high in the air. "As referee it has also come to my attention that this match will carry special rules which are to be explained now."
"Thank you Mr…. Bugsy," said Mr. Ardelis taking a few steps forward, "my son and I have come to the agreement that the winner of this match will be determining the next crucial steps of his future. That aside, I have also been given permission from my son to modify the conditions of this battle to even the playing field. These are my terms. Firstly, my son cannot use any Pokemon that belong to his grandfather. In fact, he shall only be allowed a single Pokemon for this match. I on the other hand, shall be using three. Should his Pokemon be knocked out at any point in the battle, I am victorious. The same should he KO all of mine. Secondly, there is to be no help or advice offered during the battle from any external party here with us today."
Bugsy looked surprised over these terms, though Will ignored him. three against one were bad odds, but still possible. Had it been any more he knew that he could have openly refused it but this was within the realm of possibility.
"Very well then. This shall be a one vs three battle with no substitutions! Victory will be achieved when either trainers party has been completely knocked out. Trainers ready? And Begin!"
With that both trainers released their first choices in a spectacle of light. Sneasel appeared smugly on the field, Pryces good luck charm wound around its forearm. Meanwhile, the large bird Pokemon Will had seen earlier that day came out upon his father's side, brandishing a long green stick.
A flying type up first? But he must of known that I would use an ice type. Oh well" thought William with a smile. His father on the other hand gazed sternly back.
"This son, is Farfechetd. Useful to the people here as an excellent wood cutter. He assists the men and women of the lumber yard when they need to clear trees away from Ilex forest. Now he shall help me make you see sense.
"Alright that's enough! Sneasel Ice shard!" The dark Pokemon was quick as a bolt, swiping its claws through the air and launching icy bullets that bombarded the bird pokemon.
"Farfetched! Use slash!" Will was surprised to see that the bird had indeed withstood the speedy attack. With a flutter of its wings it launched itself, brandishing its stick like a sword before slashing it across Sneasles body. It may have been a direct hit, but sneasel barely flinched. Will knew that they had to be worlds apart in level.
"Sneasel return the favor now with night slash!" The claws on sneasles hands became engulfed in a dark aura as it retaliated, raking Farfechdt up its side. This was too much for the fowl pokemon to take and it collapsed to the ground, its endurance having been exhausted.
"Farfetchd can no longer battle! Sneasel is the winner!" Mr. Ardelis recalled his pokemon without a word. "When you run a business, it is important to acknowledge that there are multiple levels of support. To the worker out in the field all the way up to corporate, every one's job matters. Now then, Machop! You're up next!" Another flash, this time a small grey pokemon took the field.
"Shoot... Machop is a fighting type, which means he has the advantage on two fronts," Will thought. He would need to end this phase of the battle quickly.
"Trainers ready? And begin!"
"Alright Sneasel! Ice punch!" the Pokemons curled fist turned a vibrant blue as it charged towards its opponent.
"Machop! Counter with low sweep!" The fighting Pokemon stood waiting until Sneasel launched its fist, ducking low whilst sweeping its leg. Sneasel was caught by the attack and fell hard down upon its back. "Now follow up with Karate Chop!" The brawler pokemons hand flashed for moment before coming down upon Sneasels chest.
"Two fighting type moves back to back?!" Will felt panic building in his chest. His pokemon may be at a higher level than his fathers, but that would not stop effective moves from dealing out a tremendous amount of damage. Sneasel would only be able to endure so much.
"Ice shard and make it fast!" Sneasel unleashed a flurry of bolts which struck machop in the face causing it to back away. "Good now get out of there!" With graceful acrobatics Sneasel returned towards Will's side of the field.
"Well now William, that's three techniques I have witnessed. Ice punch, ice shard, and night slash. Only one left, yet you seem hesitant to call upon it. I wonder why that is." Will couldn't help but smile.
"Watch out father, your starting to sound more like a trainer more than a man of business."
"I disagree. It is important always to know where you stand in life. That unknown technique of your pokemon is like an unknown factor in a business deal. Never make a deal unless you can see every angle, and ensure as I have that you come out on top."
"Is that so? Well I hate to disappoint your formula but we are not losing this battle!"
"You've already lost, it's only a matter of time. Take a good look at your opponent William. Machop is a strong, sturdy, reliant creature. Everything I would want to see in a good employee. The people here use Machop to a great extent. They help in the movement of trees felled by Farfetched. There is no need to pollute the environment with large machines when a Pokemon can handle the work just fine."
"The way you talk about Pokemon father does not sound enticing. If you treat your workers with the same view that you have here, then you only see tools!" A new emotion was broiling in Will's gut now. Disgust. "Sneasel sweep to the left and use Ice shard!" Sneasel was off in an instant, crossing to the left side of the arena whilst letting lose many icy arrows toward its foe.
"Break them all with karate chop!" the brawlers aim, Will had to admit, was spot on as it broke every single one of Sneasel's shards. However, in its distraction, Sneasel had managed to close in. This time would be different.
"Ice punch go!" Sneasel was behind Machop before the fighting Pokemon knew what to do and as Sneasel's frozen fist struck, Machop found itself covered in a thick layer of ice. Rather than give a command Mr. Ardelis put his head down, hand raised to his temple. Will realized that he had given up on this one. "Ice shard one more time!" Mist covered the battlefield as the icy bolts struck Machops frozen figure. When it had settled the brawler had fainted.
"Machop is unable to battle, Sneasel is the winner!"
"Now we come to the end of this little mishap," said Mr. Ardelis recalling his Pokemon, "are you ready William?"
"Just go already!" Will shouted. His father was acting far too sure of himself.
"If you insist, now then Growlithe, wrap this up!" Another bright flash, and their final adversary stood before them. A puppy like Pokemon of bright orange covered with black stripes.
"A fire type…"
"Indeed Willaim. See once Machop brings the wood back to the station, it is Growlithe who begins the process of transforming the tree into high quality charcoal. They can safely control the flames, as you are about to see."
"Trainers ready? And Begin!" Mr. Ardelis was the first to make a move this time.
"Flamethrower!" Growlithe took a deep breath before releasing a steady stream of fire straight towards Sneasel.
"Dodge it! Move to the right! That's it, just stay ahead of the flame while closing in!" Sneasels speed managed to keep it ahead of the fiery deluge, but Will knew they had to be careful. One wrong move and he could lose, but they would have to take a chance. "Alright now Sneasel use poison jab!" Sneasels claws glowed a dark purple before being jabbed into the fire pokemons side. The puppy let out a yelp, but Mr. Ardelis only smiled.
"Flame Wheel!" There was nowhere to go. Even Sneasel couldn't escape when this close to the enemy. Growlithe spun its body while breathing fire, transforming into fierce flaming saw that charged right into Sneasel. There was an explosion of smoke, choking the two Pokemon from sight. Will felt his heart stop.
"Please, don't let this be over"
"Well would you look at that," Said Mr. Ardelis with a bit of a scowl. The smoke had cleared away, revealing both Pokemon to still be standing. Sneasel looked as though it might collapse at any given minute, while purple sparks crackled around Growlithe's body. "Looks as though you managed to poison my Pokemon. See how an unknown factor can jeopardize a deal? No matter, Sneasel has performed admirably and I commend you on your raising of it. However, he clearly cannot withstand another attack. Growlithe flamethrower!"
"Sneasel, dodge it!" But the Pokemon was to exhausted. Instead it stood jaw clenched. This was it. They were going to lose.
At this point the sun had fully set, and the moon had risen from beyond the far off mountain ridge.
Pryce gave a sly smile as a pulsing light filled the battle arena. Growlithe halted in its attack, and the two competitors stood in awe. It was an evolution. Sneasel's body was changing and when the light cleared it possessed a full crown of blood red feathers, larger claws, and a more muscular body. It had become Weavile.
"Finish it Growlithe! Flamethrower quickly!" Cried out Mr. Ardelis, panic now coursing through his voice. The fire type obeyed and unleashed another stream of bright flames. Weavile however, smiled as large icicles formed in its hands. Then with a mighty leap it rose high into the air up above the impending attack.
"I know this technique!" Will realized, as Weavile launched the icicles down on its foe. "Icicle crash!" Mist engulfed the field as the attack struck, and as it cleared the puppy Pokemon was revealed fainted upon the ground.
"Growlithe can no longer battle! Game set! And the winner of this match is Will of Mahogany town!" shouted Bugsy happily. Mr. Ardelis appeared dumbstruck.
"This can't be happening. I had planned everything out accordingly! Sneasel can't just evolve on its own! It's not like normal Pokemon!"
"Very perceptive!" said Pryce as he made his way over to Wills side. "For a man who claims to dislike battling, you sure do know quite a bit about Pokemon. See I knew that you would play dirty. Your son gave you the opportunity to level out the playing field, an honorable decision. You on the other hand took it to the extreme. You tried to extort your own son! Well I wasn't going to just stand by and watch you rip away everything my grandson loves. So, I gave him a little boost."
"Grandpa, I don't understand." Said Will. He was as amazed at the outcome as his father.
"Well its quite simple William. That charm that I provided you and Sneasel with before the battle was an object known as a razor claw. When held by a Sneasel at night, it causes the Pokemon to evolve into Weavile."
"Then you violated our agreement!" Said Mr. Ardelis with a bit of a smile, "it was stated that Will was to receive no help from you during the battle!"
"Not quite right sonny. I never spoke up once during this battle. See I gave that charm to William before the battle had even begun. In that sense, I gave him help BEFORE the battle and therefore have made no violation of your so called contract. Or are you about to go back on your own words, Mr. Ardelis? I sure should hope not. After all, whether you realized it or not, your battle attracted quite a bit of attention."
Will saw that his grandfather was right. Many citizens of Azalea had appeared in the stands. Among them was the man that his father had made deals with earlier that day.
"I may not be an expert at business. But a man who doesn't keep his word is not the type of man I would want to deal with," said Pryce with a wink. The old man had played his own game, and now Mr. Ardelis was trapped.
"Ahem… Very well then. I will honor the terms of the deal. William, you are free to go," said his father bitterly. He returned Growlithe to its Pokeball, before handing all three over to one of the workers from Azalea lumber, then left without another word."
"Will! That was some show you put on for all of us! I couldn't be more proud of you," said Pryce giving his grandson a hug. "You and Weavile sure have come a long way since that day in the ice path. I know that you will be just fine during your travelers, and that someday you will be one of the best ice specialists this world has ever seen!"
Wills head was swimming. It was like he was floating in some kind of dazed dream. It wasn't until they had finished up healing at the Pokemon center, and that he was lying in bed with a full moon shining down on him and Weavile that he felt ease come over him. He scratched behind his Pokemons ear, smiling with one thought.
We're on our way