Here's another chapter! This one should be good, it has a surprise at the end of it.
Daozang: Oh yeah, those two will likely be the main rivalry.
Arcana of the North: Wait no longer!
Duskzilla: Hm, good idea!
My Wunderwaffle iz missin: Yup, that's just how they are.
Darkhammer: Don't worry, I have big plans for his character. Just be a little patient, and you'll see.
Pokemon Academy: Beginning of Beginnings
Chapter 20
"Why is it so hard to find some damn berries?" Cynthia exclaimed.
"I don't know, I guess there aren't that many growing around here…" Sango said, shrugging. "Still, with the presence of Grass Type pokemon in these woods, there have to be SOME trees that have Persim Berries."
"Well, you said that pokemon can sniff out the kind of berries they like best, right?"
"Yup."
"Awesome! That means Tristan can find some of 'em pretty easily, right buddy?"
"Bre!" Tristan said, nodding.
Sango and Cynthia were leading the group, with Blake following behind them.
"It feels like we've been out here for hours," Blake sighed. "I don't think anyone else is even still looking."
"More Sceptile for me, then!" Cynthia said, smiling. "Tristan, go! Find some berries!"
Tristan raised his head, sniffing the air. His head lowered, and he ran off into the bushes.
Cynthia and Sango quickly followed after him, Blake not far behind.
Tristan ran forward, making a beeline straight for a large pile of berries, Cynthia right on his heels.
Sango, however, pulled back, realizing just fast enough what was going on.
The ground gave out from under Tristan and Cynthia's feet, and they plummeted into a large hole.
Nikita timidly peeked out over the hole's edge, only to become crestfallen at what she saw.
"…What are you doing down there?" Nikita asked.
"I was looking for Persim Berries!" Cynthia exclaimed. "What the heck?"
"…It was a brilliant trap to capture grass pokemon," Nikita explained, smiling. "I just used the Persim Berries to draw Sceptile into the pit, and then I could capture one."
"Yeah, well, you captured me!"
"I know that…"
Sango reached into her bag and withdrew a rope, tossing it down to Cynthia. Cynthia and Tristan climbed at, Cynthia turning and leering at the girl.
"Don't you know it's dangerous to set traps like that?" Cynthia demanded. "I could have gotten really hurt!"
"Didn't you compliment her pit last time?" Sango asked, Cynthia turning slightly pink in embarrassment.
"Sh-shut up!"
"I like your idea," Sango said, smiling. "It's pretty creative!"
"Really?" Nikita asked, her face brightening.
"Hey, guys."
Everyone's heads turned to see Blake.
"Sceptile."
Blake pointed at the large green pokemon, standing on a tree branch, staring down at them.
'Do you honestly think something as great as myself would let itself be caught in such an amateur trap?' the derisive look in its eyes seemed to say.
"Alright, Tristan, let's go!"
"No way, I'm gonna catch it!" Nikita cried. "Magnolia, come out!"
Nikita tossed out a pokeball, which her Bellosom emerged from, smiling.
"Well, this will go well," Blake sighed.
"Hey Blake, I was wondering something," Sango said.
"Yeah?" The two sat down on the grass, underneath one of the shady trees while Cynthia and Nikita tried to catch the Sceptile.
"Why isn't spore working?!" Cynthia's voice exclaimed.
"It's a grass type, powder moves don't work on grass types," Nikita informed her.
"Since when?!"
"Why isn't your Solosis any good at fighting?" Sango asked, looking down at the squishy green pokemon in her arms.
"Well, see, it's not really mine," Blake admitted.
"It isn't?"
"Damn it, it keeps dodging bullet seed! Tristan, try going in for a mach punch!"
"No, see, it was actually a gift," Blake said.
"Oh, from a giiirlll?" Sango teased, channeling her inner Cynthia.
"Yeah."
"Whoa, seriously?" Sango asked, surprised.
"Damn it, detect has gotta be the most stupid move I've ever seen!"
"Yeah, she didn't have any skill at raising pokemon, so she wanted me to take care of it…" Blake said, rubbing the green pokemon. "But that was a while ago… I haven't seen her in a long time…"
"Oh, I see…"
"Still, it seems like Uni doesn't want to grow stronger…" Blake said. "She doesn't seem to like fighting very much."
"Yeah, I know the feeling," Sango said, nodding.
"How did that thing break through Magnolia's reflect in one hit?!"
"You know, you gave me some pretty good advice before, and you seem to be okay at raising pokemon, so why don't you want to be a trainer?" Blake asked.
"Ever since I was a little girl, I've wanted to be a Pokemon Ranger…" Sango said, staring up at the sky, smiling. "I mean, fighting pokemon is fine and all, but I don't like to see my pokemon get hurt…"
"I understand that," Blake said, nodding.
"Tristan, stop getting hurt already and beat that stupid thing!"
"But it's more than just that," Sango said. "See, my dad… he's… um… have you ever seen Indiana Jones?"
"Of course."
"He's kind of like that. See, my mom died when I was very little, and my dad was always travelling around from one place to another, so he would leave me with relatives and I would go months without seeing him."
"That sounds tough."
"No, but it wasn't," Sango said, smiling. "See, he'd always send me letters from wherever he was at the time, and he would always bring back a souvenir every time he came back. It was so cool. Other people's parents were just boring old pokemon trainers and what-not, but my dad was exploring the tallest mountains and the deepest oceans looking for ancient pokemon relics."
Sango's face flushed a little.
"See, my dad, he's… kind of my hero…"
"So that's why you want to be a ranger?"
"Yeah!" Sango said, jumping to her feet, holding her hand out in a triumphant fist. "But not just any ranger. Top Rangers have the permission to do as they like and take on any missions that interest them, they're free agents! As a Top Ranger, I would be free to travel the world, discovering new mysteries and challenges! Finally, my dad would be able to take me on his explorations, and we'd be able to spend more time together as a family!"
Suddenly feeling embarrassed by her outburst, Sango sat back down.
"Why won't this thing faint already?!"
"Um, sorry about that," Sango said.
"No problem," Blake said, shrugging. "Your goals are better than mine, at any rate."
"What do you mean?"
"To be honest, I don't really have a big reason why I wanted to become a pokemon trainer…" Blake explained.
"Huh?"
"I guess, it's just because of my brother. Ever since I was a kid, my brother was the most amazing trainer I'd ever seen. He'd almost never lose, it was like he was invincible."
"Is this Sceptile invincible or something?"
"How does it know dragon claw?!"
"Whoa…" Sango said, impressed.
"So, ever since I was a kid, I always wanted to be stronger than my brother," Blake admitted. "It… did not go well. And here I am."
"What's wrong with that?" Sango asked, confused.
"Oh my god! NOT AERIAL ACE! NOT AERIAL ACE!"
"Well, I mean…"
"If you want to beat your brother, I think that's a fine goal," Sango said, smiling. "If you have an image of what you want to do, then you'll do fine."
"Thanks," Blake said. "But I don't think it's just about that…"
"No?"
"I guess… I just want to be stronger, that's all."
"Huh… Well, I-"
Cynthia and Nikita walked back over to them.
"How did it go?" Blake asked.
"We're giving up," the two said together.
"So, should we head back?" Sango asked. "It's getting late."
"Not to mention the European National Tournament Finals going to be starting soon," Blake added. "So we need to head back if we want to catch it on TV in the common room."
"Holy crap! I forgot about that!" Cynthia exclaimed. She threw the pokeball and caught a Caterpie, running at top speed back over to the classroom.
Sango and Blake sighed, following after her, while Nikita went to go look for her own pokemon.
Cynthia burst into the Bulbasaur House, panting. Everyone living in the dorm was packed around the large TV, the stadium onscreen.
"Did we make it?" Cynthia asked, panting.
"Just in time," Julia said, nodding. "It's about to start."
The three of them pushed their way to the front of the crowd, plopping down in front of the TV.
"Come on, Kanone…" Blake turned his head to see a crowd of girls wearing "Kanone Harker" shirts, staring at the TV excitedly. He rolled his eyes.
"I'm excited…" Kitty said shyly, curling up next to Julia on the couch.
"Tension is rising in the stadium!" The announcer shouted excitedly. "For today is the much anticipated rematch between previous Euro Champion Kanone Harker, and the runner-up, Casey Daymar!"
Kanone was standing on the stadium floor, smiling like he wasn't about to fight in the match to determine the European Champion. He ran his fingers through his short brown hair and waved at the camera, smiling cheerfully.
A swoon rose up from the members of his fan club.
"Kanone!" his opponent, a girl with short brown and gold streaked hair and dark eyes, shouted. "Today, I've finally prepared to get my revenge!"
"Really?" Kanone asked, his brown eyes flashing in anticipation. "I wonder, Casey, how much stronger have you become since our last battle? Hopefully you put more effort into your training than into deciding your wardrobe for the match."
Casey looked down at her clothes, a pair of jeans and a yellow shirt. Her cheeks flushed.
"Now, let the match begin!" the announcer declared. Kanone reached into the pocket of his long brown jacket, and tossed out a pokeball.
"Maron!" Casey shouted. "Use earthquake!"
Her Chestnaught roared, holding her hands up, and pounding the ground. A shockwave of energy shot through the ground, knocking Kanone's Blaziken off of its feet.
"Phoenix," Kanone declared. His Blaziken looked back at him, panting, exhausted and injured.
"Casey's Chestnaught's powerful attacks aren't giving Kanone a chance to counterattack! If she can keep up this pressure, Casey will be up three pokemon to Kanone's one!"
Phoenix' eyes narrowed at the Chestnaught, flames bursting out from his arms, the flames turning blue.
"Burning Wing," Kanone ordered.
Phoenix leapt into the air, blue flames encasing his body.
"It seems that Kanone's Blaziken has triggered its 'Blaze' ability!" the announcer declared.
Flames shot out from Phoenix' body, forming the shape of a burning blue bird. The blue bird shot at the Chestnaught, hitting her head on, setting her body ablaze.
The flames died down, Maron nearly unconscious, but still standing. Phoenix, damaged from the recoil of the powerful combination of Flare Blitz and Brave Bird, collapsed to the ground.
"Excellent job, Maron," Casey said, smiling. "It seems all those EVs we invested into your defense came in handy."
Casey checked her information, and frowned. "Still, you're not in very good shape. This battle isn't over yet."
"Unbelievable! Kanone only has one pokemon left!" the announcer shouted. "Will we have a new European Champion after today?"
"No way…" one of the girls in Kanone's fan club said, worried. "Kanone can't… lose, can he?"
"Oh man, I am so psyched!" Cynthia said, shivering with excitement. "Damn it, I wanna battle so badly now, I can't stand it!"
"I don't think it's over yet," Julia said, frowning.
"He'll win," Blake said matter-of-factly, everyone turning to him in surprise.
"This is just a game to him," Blake said, frowning. "Look at that smile on his face. He's barely been taking this seriously."
"He does look kind of… laid back…" Sango said, nodding.
"My brother has always been like that," Blake said, frowning. "The kind of man who never shows when he's in a bad situation. No matter what, he always has that calm smile on his face, like he's got everything planned."
"He's your brother?!" Cynthia exclaimed. Everyone turned to look at him in shock.
"Didn't you notice?" Julia asked, confused. "The two of them have the same name."
Everyone nodded in agreement, feeling stupid for not realizing it sooner.
"…Cool…" Kitty said, smiling. Suddenly, she winced in pain.
"…Whoa, are you okay?" Cynthia asked, turning to look up at Kitty, who was holding her head.
"Yeah, I guess it's just too much TV," Kitty said, smiling. "Just a headache is all…"
"You seem to have grown much stronger," Kanone said, returning Phoenix to his pokeball. "I must say I've thoroughly enjoyed this match. Even so…"
Kanone took out a pokeball from his belt, smiling.
"It still isn't enough… More… until I become the strongest, I will not ever stop."
Kanone tossed the pokeball up into the air.
"Cut through everything standing in the way of my path, Sammy!"
A Samurott emerged from the pokeball, howling.
"Of course," Blake said, nodding. "It's over."
"Let's go!" Kanone said, his eyes flashing in excitement. Sammy jumped up onto her hind legs, and withdrew both of her shell swords.
"Maron, don't give her the chance!" Casey shouted. "Bullet seed!"
Maron opened her mouth, firing a barrage of seeds at the water type.
"Sword dance," Kanone ordered. Water surged around Sammy's blades, whipping the seeds out of the air as she danced.
Sammy charged forwards, her blades flashing.
"Spiky shield!" Casey ordered. Maron covered her body with a shield of spikes, Sammy jumping above her.
She shot down, propelled by a blast of water, bringing her water blade down on Maron's shoulder, knocking her unconscious.
"Return," Casey said, returning Maron to her pokeball. "Now, Blitzer, go!"
Casey tossed out a pokeball, which an Electivire emerged from, electricity crackling.
"Casey's fifth pokemon is an Electivire!" the announcer declared. "This might be dangerous for Kanone's Samurott!"
Kanone's smile still hadn't left, however.
"Thunderbolt!" Casey ordered. Electricity charged between Blitzer's antenna, and fired at Sammy.
Sammy swung her blade, releasing a shockwave of water that carved through the lightning bolt and striking Blitzer, knocking him backwards. She took the initiative and shot forwards, blades raised.
"Quick attack!" Casey ordered. Blitzer shot to the side, fist raised. Electricity charged through his hand.
Blitzer hit the ground with his fist, a pillar of lightning erupted from the ground, shocking Sammy with a blast of electricity.
Sammy fell to the ground, shaking.
"Thunderpunch!" Casey ordered. Blitzer raised his fist, electricity charging through it.
Sammy leapt to her feet, swinging her blade at Blitzer to counter the punch. Sammy jumped back, swinging her swords, blades of water firing at the Electivire, causing Blitzer to cry out in pain.
"Thunderbolt, one more time!" Casey ordered. Blitzer fired a powerful bolt of lightning at Sammy.
Sammy shot forwards, water coursing around her body. The electricity struck her, surging through the water and increasing its power. The empowered aqua jet attack smashed into Blitzer, Sammy shooting past him, Blitzer crying out in pain from the cuts inflicted by Sammy's blades.
Blitzer collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
"Damn," Casey said, frowning.
"Kanone has managed to close the gap between him and Casey! Not only that, his Samurott doesn't even seem to be winded!" the announcer shouted in awe.
"Kyaaaah!" Kanone's fan club let out a screech of joy, everyone clenching their ears.
"Hey, guys, keep it down," Julia said, glancing over to Kitty, who was holding her head in pain.
"Nessie, go!" Casey shouted, tossing out a pokeball, which a pink Lapras emerged from.
"Oh, a shiny!" Cynthia said, her eyes shining.
"If that Lapras has water absorb, it'll be hard for that Samurott," Nick observed.
Sammy charged at the Lapras, blades raised, swinging at the Lapras.
"Nessie, use freeze dry!"
Nessie opened her mouth, freezing ice breath shooting out, hitting Sammy head on. Ice began to coat Sammy's body, freezing her solid.
"Whoa…" Cynthia said, shocked. "That move looked really strong! But I thought water types resisted ice moves?"
"Freeze dry is a special exception."
Cynthia turned to see Will standing behind her, frowning.
"Its super effective against water types," Will said. "My Lapras knows it as well."
"Cool," Cynthia said, surprised.
"Now, Nessie, use thunderbolt!" Casey ordered.
Electricity surged through Nessie's body, and fired it at Sammy.
The ice around Sammy's body cracked, and she broke free, dodging the electricity, and hitting Nessie in the torso with her blade, knocking her off of her flippers.
Sammy charged forwards, energy surging through her body. She struck Nessie with her blades at full force, unleashing a powerful superpower attack, knocking Nessie unconscious in one hit.
"I-I don't believe it…" the announcer said, shocked. "Kanone Harker came back from behind with an amazing run, and once again established himself as the European Champion!"
Kanone waved to the crowd, a charming smile on his face. The crowd roared in applause, as his fan club squeed in glee.
"Oh man, that was so cool!" Cynthia exclaimed. "Okay, someone, battle me!"
"Blake!" Blake closed his eyes as the members of Kanone's fan club swarmed around him.
"Can you get me your brother's autograph?"
"Can you invite him over to give us some training advice?"
"He's so strong!"
"I wanna have his children!"
Sango looked at the swarm of fangirls around Blake, chuckling. I can definitely see how growing up around that might be troubling…
Definitely. Kanone is quite the powerful trainer.