AUTHOR'S NOTE: Greetings, readers! Here is Chapter 48 of the continuing adventures of Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu as they continue their journey through Kanto. Blue makes one more appearance in this chapter as he continues to battle Tristan's Pokémon. As always, please feel free to read and review, and remember, feedback of any kind is always welcome.

TEASER: Tristan and Blue's battle has reached an electrifying climax! Who will come out on top when Pikachu faces off against Blue's Jolteon?

Chapter 48: FACE OFF, PART 2

(Music Cue: A Fight! Real vs. Copy Pokémon (as heard in "The Ancient Puzzle of Pokémopolis"))

Last time, Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu were all preparing to hit the road to the Indigo Plateau, site of the Pokémon League competition when who should appear but Tristan's rival, Blue. Blue challenged Tristan to a full six-on-six battle, and he agreed, but this time, they were to battle before a huge crowd inside the Trainer House Stadium in Viridian City where winning Trainers will receive automatic entry into the Champion League where the Elite Four await any victorious Trainers. Tristan started things off with his Pidgeot while Blue led off with his newest Pokémon, Exeggcute. Exeggcute's Leech Seed and PoisonPowder turned into a dangerous threat for Pidgeot, and so Tristan was forced to recall it. But he didn't let that stop him from using Charizard, who won the first round with relative ease. However, Blue's second Pokémon, Cloyster defeated not only Tristan's Charizard, but his Venusaur as well. Luckily, Pikachu was standing by. It immediately got into the battle and finished Cloyster off with a powerful Thunder attack. Right now, Pikachu is locked in battle against Blue's Sandslash, who is not only immune to Electric attacks, but is full of powerful attacks as it launches a Poison Sting attack directly at it. Will Tristan find a way to mount a comeback and enter the Champion League? Or will he have to stick with his original plan? This battle is just beginning, so stay tuned!


(Music Cue: Danger! Pikachu! (as heard in "Mild 'n Woolly"))

Sandslash's Poison Sting attack was still being fired directly at Pikachu.

"Dodge it, Pikachu!" shouted Tristan .

Pikachu jumped over Sandslash's Poison Sting attack.

"How pathetic," said Blue. "I was just using Sandslash's Poison Sting as a distraction so I could do this..."Sandslash, Slash attack!"

Sandslash jumped into the air and used its sharp claws to strike Pikachu, giving it major damage and causing it to hit the ground hard. The ensuing crash caused a cloud of dust to form.

"Pikachu!" cried Tristan.

"Sandslash's Slash attack hits hard!" boomed the announcer.

When the dust cleared, Pikachu had struggled to its feet.

"Are you okay, Pikachu?" called Tristan.

Pikachu strained and nodded.

"Tristan, Pikachu's at a huge disadvantage! Maybe you should switch Pokémon!" advised Hillary.

She's right, thought Tristan. Pikachu's Electric attacks aren't working on Sandslash. "Pikachu, return!" called Tristan.

Pikachu came back to Tristan to rest up for later on in the battle as Tristan gently stroked it.

"All right, Blue, it's time for a surprise," said Tristan as he threw his next Pokéball and threw it. "Lapras, I choose you!"

Lapras materialized from the white light that shot out of the ball.

"Tristan has substituted his Pikachu for his Lapras!" boomed the announcer.

"So, a Lapras, huh?" said Blue. "It figures you'd try and make things right with a Water-type. Okay, Sandslash, Swift attack!"

(Music Cue: Rocket Powered Disaster)

Sandslash spun around again, but this time powerful bright stars came out from the quills on its back.

Lapras got battered by the stars one by one.

"Don't take that, Lapras, fight back with your Water Gun!" commanded Tristan.

Despite being battered by Sandslash's Swift attack, Lapras shot a powerful stream of water at Sandslash and scored a direct hit.

"Lapras's Water Gun hits its mark!" boomed the announcer.

"Keep it up, Lapras, you're doing great!" commended Tristan.

Lapras continued to soak Sandslash to the bone with its Water Gun.

Blue began to get more and more frustrated.

"Lapras's Water Gun is really making a dent in Sandslash's stamina," remarked Hillary. "If Tristan keeps this up, he may be able to turn this match around."

"We're not done!" shouted Blue. "Okay, Sandslash, jump and use your Slash attack!"

Sandslash jumped over the water and used its sharp claws to strike Lapras hard.

"Lapras!" exclaimed Tristan.

Pikachu exclaimed, too.

"Lapras gets struck by Sandslash's Slash attack!" boomed the announcer.

"Follow that up with Fury Swipes!" instructed Blue.

Sandslash used its sharp claws to score multiple direct hits on Lapras repeatedly. Sandslash's arms were like a cyclone spinning round and round.

"Sandslash's Fury Swipes attack has left Lapras at a standstill!" boomed the announcer. "Is there a way out of this mess?"

"Okay, Lapras, it's our turn to jump now," said Tristan. "Give Sandslash a Body Slam!"

Lapras jumped off the ground as high as it could, much to everyone's shock. Sure enough, the massive weight of Lapras came down on Sandslash hard, giving it heavy damage.

"Incredible!" boomed the announcer. "Lapras's impressive jumping ability has helped score a huge direct hit with Body Slam!"

"Sandslash!" cried Blue.

Sandslash had a dazed expression in its eyes. It had been knocked out.

"Sandslash is unable to battle...Lapras is the winner!" declared the referee as he raised his green flag in the air.

The crowd exploded in cheers.

"Despite Lapras taking on a few attacks from Sandslash, it still managed to come out on top!" boomed the announcer. "And now, Blue has three Pokémon remaining!"

Blue returned Sandslash to its Pokéball. "Well, it seems that your Lapras has gotten stronger, but we'll see how you handle this!" said Blue as he took out his fourth Pokéball and threw it. "Ninetales, I choose you!"

Ninetales emerged from the white light that shot out of the ball. It had golden white fur and nine tails, just like its name said.

"Blue's fourth Pokémon is a Ninetales!" boomed the announcer.

"That must mean that his Vulpix evolved," said Hillary nervously.

"Begin!" shouted the referee.

"Lapras, Water Gun attack!" commanded Tristan.

Lapras prepared to fire another powerful stream of water in Ninetales's direction.

"Go, Ninetales, Roar!" instructed Blue.

Ninetales emitted an ear-splitting shriek at Lapras, causing everyone in the stadium to cover their ears.

Lapras suddenly transformed into red energy and shot back in one of Tristan's Pokéballs.

(Music Cue: Raid!)

But just then, a white light emerged from Tristan's pocket, and Pidgeot materialized from it, taking Lapras's place. It looked very tired and was still feeling the effects of Exeggcute's PoisonPowder.

"How did Pidgeot get out of Tristan's Pokéball on its own?!" gasped Hillary.

"Talk about a turn of events!" boomed the announcer. "Ninetales's Roar sent Lapras back to its Pokéball and made Pidgeot take its place! However, Pidgeot appears to be exhausted from its eggs-tremely difficult battle with Exeggcute!"

"Ha ha ha!" laughed Blue. "That was funny!"

"No, Blue, that wasn't funny!" protested Tristan. "Pidgeot's exhausted!"

"I know," replied Blue. "I should do this more often."

"Pidgeot, Quick Attack!" commanded Tristan.

Pidgeot sped toward Ninetales with a white line trailing behind it.

"Ninetales, Quick Attack, too!" yelled Blue.

Ninetales charged at a speeding Pidgeot. The two Quick Attacks collided with neither Pokémon giving an inch.

"Despite what happened in its battle with Exeggcute, Pidgeot holds its own against Ninetales!" boomed the announcer. "But will it have enough power to win?"

Suddenly, Pidgeot began to feel the effects of the poison, causing it to weaken even further.

"Uh-oh!" gasped Hillary.

That was the chance Blue had been waiting for. "Ninetales, Ember attack!" he ordered.

Ninetales shot multiple little orange balls of fire from its mouth at Pidgeot, giving it some real damage.

Pidgeot would have been able to withstand the attack easily had it not been for the poison, plus the additional damage it had to endure, but instead it was pushed back.

"Ninetales hits hard with Ember!" boomed the announcer.

"Pidgeot, no!" cried Tristan.

Pidgeot collapsed on the ground with a dazed expression in its eyes. It had been knocked out.

"Pidgeot is unable to battle...Ninetales is the winner!" declared the referee as he raised his red flag to a roaring crowd.

"Despite its strong will, Pidgeot's battle with Exeggcute was the contributing factor to its untimely defeat!" boomed the announcer. "And now, both Trainers have three Pokémon remaining!"

Tristan returned Pidgeot to its Pokéball and held it close to him. "You did your best, Pidgeot, and I'm very proud of you," he said, and he put his Pokéball back in his pocket. He was confused as to why Blue chose to battle his already weakened Pidgeot when he could have fought hard to beat his Lapras. He was beginning to get suspicious. "Why did you do that, Blue?" he asked him.

"I just thought I'd try and win by battling a weakened Pokémon," answered Blue.

"What a coward!" said Hillary disgustedly. "Blue just wanted to battle Pidgeot so he could score an easy victory instead of flexing his muscles and fighting like a man!"

"You should be ashamed of yourself, Blue," scolded Tristan. "I never thought you would take such a cheap shot at my Pokémon."

"It was fair," smiled Blue. "You just don't realize that's part of my strategy."

"Well, strategy or not, I'm going to make sure you lose after pulling that little stunt!" said Tristan as he threw his next Pokéball. "Blastoise, I choose you!"

Blastoise emerged from the white light that shot out of the ball. It looked strong and ready for action.

"Tristan's sixth Pokémon is Blastoise!" boomed the announcer.

"Yeah, that should get Tristan back in the game!" said Hillary.

"Begin!" shouted the referee.

"Ninetales, Quick Attack now!" commanded Blue.

(Music Cue: Battle! Kanto Trainer Battle (version 2 (as heard in "Entei at Your Own Risk")))

Ninetales sped off toward Blastoise with a white line trailing behind it. It successfully rammed into Blastoise, but Blastoise's weight bounced it backward.

"Whoa, using straightforward attacks on Blastoise only end up hurting my Pokémon!" grunted Blue.

"Blastoise, use your Ice Beam attack on the field!" instructed Tristan.

Blastoise shot an ice-cold beam of energy from its mouth and turned the whole battlefield into a sheet of ice, leaving Ninetales with nowhere to go safely.

"Tristan keeps his cool and uses Ice Beam to freeze the battlefield!" boomed the announcer.

"Ninetales, can you do a Quick Attack?" asked Blue nervously.

Ninetales tried, but its paws slipped on the smooth, icy surface, and it fell down to the ground hard on its side.

"Uh-oh, could Ninetales have lost its balance?" boomed the announcer.

"Now that was cold," remarked Hillary.

"Ninetales, use your Ember attack to try and melt the ice!" shouted Blue.

Ninetales fired multiple fireballs from its mouth and aimed them all over the field, but all it accomplished was creating a thick fog.

"Would you look at that!" remarked the announcer. "Trying to warm up that ice-cold battlefield with an Ember attack was all it took to make steam as thick as split pea soup!"

"Oh, no, now I can't see anything, said Blue worriedly as he frantically looked for Ninetales and Blastoise.

"Hydro Pump!" ordered Tristan.

Blue gasped in shock as two powerful blasts of water came out of the fog and struck Ninetales directly, sending it backward. "Ninetales!" he cried.

Ninetales collapsed on the ground, knocked out from taking that big blast of water.

"Ninetales is unable to battle...Blastoise is the winner!" declared the referee as he raised his green flag to a roaring crowd.

"Blastoise found the perfect opportunity to attack just as Ninetales was blinded by that thick fog!" boomed the announcer. "Blue has two Pokémon left!"

Blue returned Ninetales to its Pokéball. "Well, well," he said. "So your Blastoise is a lot stronger than I first thought." He took out his fifth Pokéball and threw it. "Kadabra, let's go!"

Kadabra emerged from the white light that shot out of the ball. It had a star on its forehead, plus one spoon in its right hand, and a tail.

"Blue's fifth Pokémon is a Kadabra!" boomed the announcer.

"So, a Psychic-type this time," said Hillary. "I wonder what attacks Kadabra knows this time."

"Kadabra, use Psychic attack!" commanded Blue.

Kadabra's eyes glowed bright red as did Blastoise's outline. Kadabra's powerful Psychic attack was lifting Blastoise into the air.

"Blastoise seems to be having some trouble with Psychic!" boomed the announcer.

When Blastoise was high in the air, Blue commanded, "Go, Kadabra, toss it down!"

Kadabra's eyes stopped glowing and Blastoise was falling fast.

"Blastoise, use your Hydro Pump and aim it towards the ground!" ordered Tristan.

Blastoise fired two blasts of water from its cannons at the ground. Sure enough, the force of the attack was strong enough for Blastoise to land perfectly on its feet.

"What?!" exclaimed Blue.

"Blastoise's Hydro Pump has negated any damage from Psychic, causing it to make a safe landing!" boomed the announcer.

"Fine, then use your Psybeam!" shouted Blue.

"Blastoise, Ice Beam!" commanded Tristan.

Kadabra fired a mysterious colored beam from its hands while Blastoise fired an ice-cold beam of energy from its mouth. The two attacks collided with neither side giving an inch.

"Both beams have collided, but which one will come out on top?!" boomed the announcer.

"Blastoise, maximum power!" yelled Tristan.

Blastoise increased the power of its Ice Beam attack and successfully pushed Kadabra's Psybeam back as it scored a direct hit, freezing it solid.

"Blastoise, use Skull Bash now!" shouted Tristan.

Blastoise's head glowed in a silver aura, and it rammed into a frozen Kadabra, knocking it out cold.

"Kadabra is unable to battle...Blastoise is the winner!" declared the referee as he raised his green flag to a cheering crowd.

"Blastoise's Skull Bash has put an end to Kadabra's battling for the day!" boomed the announcer. "Now Blue has only one Pokémon left. The question is: what will that last Pokémon be?"

"I've got a bad feeling about Blue's last choice," said Hillary nervously.

Blue returned Kadabra to its Pokéball. "So, you've trained your Pokémon very well, much better than I thought," he remarked, "but this time, no mercy." He took out his last Pokéball and threw it. "Jolteon, go!"

Jolteon emerged from the white light that shot out of the ball It looked like an evolved version of Eevee, but its yellow body had spikes all over.

"Blue's last Pokémon is Jolteon!" boomed the announcer.

"I knew it," said Hillary. "Blastoise and Lapras are both Water-types, and they're weak against Electric attacks, plus Pikachu is exhausted. I just hope Tristan can turn this around."

"All right, Tristan, I was just playing with you," said Blue, "but playtime's over...Jolteon, Thunder!"

(Music Cue: The Copy Pokémon Awaken!)

Jolteon began charging up electricity in its whole body.

The entire stadium began shaking violently.

"Jolteon's electricity is shaking up the entire stadium!" boomed the announcer.

Jolteon immediately shot a powerful yellow bolt of lightning at Blastoise and struck it full force, giving it major damage.

"Blastoise!" exclaimed Tristan.

"Jolteon's Thunder attack scores a direct hit, causing problems for Blastoise!" boomed the announcer.

"And that's just the beginning," said Blue. "Now it's time to turn up the heat!"

Jolteon turned up the power of its Thunder attack, causing Blastoise to take even more damage than when it first got hit.

"Jolteon shows no mercy as it continues to strike Blastoise with its Thunder attack!" boomed the announcer. "Is there any way Blastoise can escape Jolteon's onslaught?"

"This is bad!" said Hillary. "Tristan's gotta do something or Blastoise is through!"

"Quick, Blastoise, use Dig and get away from Jolteon!" commanded Tristan.

Blastoise somehow shook itself free of Jolteon's Thunder attack and quickly dug its way underground.

"Unbelievable!" boomed the announcer. "Blastoise somehow managed to find enough willpower to escape Jolteon's attack, and now it's disappeared!"

Blue grumbled in frustration.

"What's the matter, Blue?" taunted Tristan. "Are you annoyed because Blastoise is powerful, or have you not realized that you haven't been the only one training his Pokémon?"

"Careful, Tristan," said Hillary to herself. "You haven't won this battle yet."

"What will Blue do?" boomed the announcer. "Jolteon has no idea where Blastoise's attack will come from!"

"Now, Blastoise!" shouted Tristan.

Suddenly, Blastoise appeared from out of the ground and struck Jolteon head on, giving it serious damage.

"Jolteon!" gasped Blue.

"What a shocker!" boomed the announcer. "Jolteon was taken by surprise by Blastoise's excellent digging skills, and now this battle is anything but over!"

"Blastoise, go underground again!" commanded Tristan.

Blastoise immediately dug its way underground and got ready for its next attack.

"Blastoise has disappeared once again!" boomed the announcer.

"Okay, Tristan, we're not falling for that little trick again!" seethed Blue. "Jolteon use Thunder in the hole Blastoise dug in!"

Jolteon charged up its electricity in its body and shot a pulverizing blast of it into the newest hole.

"Blastoise, you've gotta get out of there, fast!" cried Tristan.

The ground cracked under the pulverizing pressure of Jolteon's Thunder attack as the blast continued to follow its way to Blastoise. Unfortunately, Blastoise was too late, for it emerged from underground as it got hit with a devastating blow.

"Blastoise, no!" yelled Tristan.

The attack continued on, and then it finally stopped after what seemed like forever. Blastoise looked like it was standing still, but in its eyes, it knew somehow that it had lost, so it fell forward to the ground, knocked out.

"Blastoise is unable to battle...Jolteon is the winner!" declared the referee as he raised his red flag in the air to a roaring crowd.

"Despite Blastoise scoring a direct hit, Jolteon's Thunder attack proves too much in the end!" boomed the announcer. "Tristan has two Pokémon left!"

Tristan returned Blastoise to its Pokéball and held it close to him. "Thanks a lot, Blastoise," he said. "You'll be okay real soon." He put Blastoise's Pokéball away, took out Lapras's Pokéball, and threw it. "Lapras, come on out!"

(Music Cue: Kanto Champion Battle)

Lapras materialized from the white light that shot out of the ball.

"Lapras is back for a repeat performance!" boomed the announcer.

"Begin!" shouted the referee.

"Jolteon, Pin Missile attack!" commanded Blue.

Jolteon's hair turned into sharp needles and it shot a barrage of them in Lapras's direction.

"Jolteon starts out with a Pin Missile!" boomed the announcer.

"Lapras, Ice Beam!" ordered Tristan.

Lapras shot an ice-cold beam of energy at Jolteon's Pin Missile, cancelling it out.

"Now, Body Slam!" shouted Tristan.

Lapras jumped high into the air and landed on Jolteon; however, Jolteon's spiky hair caused Lapras to get off of Jolteon as it winced in pain.

"Lapras!" cried Tristan.

"That was smart...not!" said Blue.

"Whoa, now that was painful!" boomed the announcer. "Lapras thought that it would be safe from Pin Missle, but didn't count on Jolteon's spikes doing some damage anyway!"

"Now what'll Tristan do?" said Hillary nervously. "If Lapras doesn't get in a hit without taking damage, he'll never beat Blue!"

"Lapras, try your Ice Beam attack again now!" ordered Tristan.

Lapras fired another ice-cold beam of energy at Jolteon.

"Dodge it!" instructed Blue.

Jolteon jumped into the air and successfully avoided Lapras's Ice Beam.

"Lapras's Ice Beam may be cold, but Jolteon's making it even colder for Tristan's chances of victory!" boomed the announcer.

"Okay, Jolteon, let's not draw this out any longer, so use Thunder," said Blue.

Jolteon charged up its electricity in its body, causing the stadium to shake again. Then it released another pulverizing blast of it at Lapras.

"Lapras, get out of there!" yelled Tristan.

But it was too late, for Jolteon's Thunder attack had scored a huge direct hit, giving Lapras serious damage.

"Jolteon's Thunder attack hits and hits hard!" boomed the announcer. "This could be the end for Lapras!"

"This can't be..." said Tristan. He could only watch helplessly as Lapras kept taking the brunt of Jolteon's Thunder attack.

"Turn up the power, Jolteon!" said Blue.

Jolteon increased the power of its Thunder attack, giving Lapras even more damage.

For a while, Lapras just stood there as if nothing happened, but afterwards, it collapsed on the ground, knocked out.

"Lapras is unable to battle...Jolteon is the winner!" declared the referee as he raised his red flag in the air to the cheering crowd.

"Like Blastoise, Lapras suffered from Jolteon's pulverizing Thunder attack!" boomed the announcer.

Tristan returned Lapras to its Pokéball and held it close to him. "Thanks a lot, Lapras," he said. "I'm very proud of you." He then put his Pokéball away and turned to Pikachu. "Well, it's you and me. Are you ready, Pikachu?"

Pikachu nodded and ran onto the battlefield to face Jolteon.

"Tristan brings Pikachu back into battle for a repeat performance!" boomed the announcer. "Has it recharged its batteries enough to face Jolteon after facing off against Cloyster and Sandslash?"

"This is not looking hopeful," said Hillary nervously. "Pikachu's taken on a lot of damage already and the odds are not in Tristan's favor."

"Go!" shouted the referee.

"Pikachu, Thunderbolt now!" ordered Tristan.

(Music Cue: Cross the Stormy Sea)

"Pikachuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!" yelled Pikachu as a powerful yellow bolt of electricity shot out from its body at Jolteon and struck it, but Jolteon just stood there unfazed by the attack.

"Pikachu begins with a Thunderbolt, but Jolteon doesn't seem to feel the shock!" boomed the announcer.

That's right, thought Tristan. Jolteon's an Electric-type, too, which means Pikachu's Electric attacks aren't going to help very much. I've gotta think of something else, but what?

"Okay, Jolteon, give Pikachu your Thunder attack!" instructed Blue.

Jolteon charged up the electricity in its body and shot a powerful bolt of it at Pikachu and struck it. Unfortunately for Pikachu, Jolteon's Thunder attack was more powerful than both it and Tristan realized.

"Pikachu may be an Electric-type, but it seems to be taking some damage from Jolteon's powerful Thunder attack!" boomed the announcer.

"Pikachu, use your Agility!" commanded Tristan.

Pikachu ran toward Jolteon, moving from side to side. All the while, it briefly disappeared from one side and reappeared on the other.

"Two can play at that game," said Blue. "You heard what Tristan said...use your Agility, too."

Jolteon ran toward Pikachu, doing the same things as Pikachu did.

"Jolteon is matching Pikachu's Agility move for move!" boomed the announcer. "These two Pokémon are really going at it!"

"Now, Jolteon, use Thunder!" commanded Blue.

Jolteon shot another powerful bolt of electricity at Pikachu, who seemed to take the hit.

"Pikachu, use your Thunder attack, too!" shouted Tristan.

"Pikaaaaaaaaaaaa-chuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!" yelled Pikachu as it shot a powerful yellow bolt of electricity of its own at Jolteon and struck it.

"Pikachu and Jolteon strike each other with Thunder!" boomed the announcer. "I've gotta tell you, folks, these two Pokémon have their pride on the line!"

"Jolteon, Pin Missile attack!" commanded Blue.

Jolteon's shot a flurry of needles from the spikes on its body.

"Pikachu, dodge with Double Team!" ordered Tristan.

Pikachu quickly made illusory copies of itself, successfully avoiding Jolteon's Pin Missile.

"Shoot 'em all down with Thunder, Jolteon!" instructed Blue.

Jolteon charged up more electricity in its body and fired a flurry of powerful yellow bolts at the copies, making them all disappear. Sure enough, the real Pikachu was found, and it was struck hard.

"Pikachu is struck once again by Thunder!" boomed the announcer. "How much more punishment can Pikachu take?"

"Let's finish this once and for all!" said Blue. "Jolteon, use Thunder at maximum power!"

Jolteon charged up the last of its electricity in its body and shot it at full power at Pikachu.

"Pikachu, use your Thunder attack with everything you've got!" shouted Tristan.

"Pikaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-chuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!" yelled Pikachu as it shot a powerful bolt of electricity at Jolteon's Thunder.

The two attacks collided, creating an explosion so powerful that it knocked both Pikachu and Jolteon back.

Both Tristan and Blue covered their faces so the smoke wouldn't get into their eyes.

When the smoke cleared, both Pokémon were still standing, but panting heavily as they tried to catch their breath.

However, Pikachu's legs were very wobbly, and it collapsed on the ground, much to Tristan and Hillary's shock.

"Pikachu!" cried Tristan.

Pikachu lay motionless on the ground. The explosion from the two Thunder attacks had knocked it out.

"Pikachu is unable to battle...Jolteon is the winner!" declared the referee as he raised his red flag in Blue's direction. "The victory goes to Blue from Pallet Town!"

The crowd exploded into cheers as Tristan's picture disappeared from the board and the word CONGRATULATIONS! appeared with Blue's picture still on it.

"He does it!" boomed the announcer. "After a fierce full battle, Blue and Jolteon have clinched the match here in the Trainer House Stadium! Blue will now proceed to the Champion League!"

(Music Cue: Tears After the Cloudy Weather)

Tristan quickly rushed to Pikachu, who still lay on the battlefield. "Pikachu, are you okay?" he asked as he carefully picked it up. "Please say something."

Pikachu slowly opened its eyes and gave a weak reply to Tristan.

Tristan gently cradled Pikachu in his arms as tears began to come out of Tristan's eyes. "You did your very best, Pikachu, and for that, I thank you."

Pikachu smiled and gave a tired, but happy, reply.

"Yeah!" gloated Blue as he jumped up and down. "I finally beat Tristan!" Then he said to Tristan, "So, pal, am I great or what?"

But the only thing on Tristan's mind was his injured Pikachu, and he didn't give a reply. Tears continued to fall from his eyes.

"Well, Tristan, I'm moving on up and ahead!" said Blue. "By checking my Pokédex and battling you, I can see which Pokémon are strong and how they evolve. It turns out that my team is strong while your team is weak. I'm going to the Champion League to boot out the Elite Four! As for you, you can enjoy the Pokémon League Competition, and I know that's for losers only. Smell ya!" He laughed as he started to walk away.

"Stop right there, Blue!" demanded Hillary as she ran in front of Tristan. She was most offended by Blue's remark.

Tristan looked up and saw Hillary confronting Blue.

"How dare you talk to Tristan like that!" scolded Hillary. "He showed his Pokémon compassion! Did you not see how badly hurt Pikachu and Tristan's other Pokémon were, huh?!"

"They just lost one battle," retorted Blue.

"One battle?!" exclaimed Hillary. "Tristan may have lost one lousy Pokémon battle, but at least he hasn't lost his heart...not like you, Blue Oak! You've spent so much time looking at your Pokédex and raising strong Pokémon that you've forgotten what being human is really about!"

Blue seethed in anger at Hillary's words.

"Tristan was getting ready for the Pokémon League when you came," continued Hillary. "He accepted your challenge because he loves to battle, and his Pokémon love to win for him. They all did their very best because they're all his friends, and all you can say to Tristan is that he is a loser?!"

Blue got even more angry.

"Tristan's got a heart and he has me...her little sister," said Hillary. "He also has friends that will stand by him through thick and thin. And what do you have at the end of the day, Blue?"

Blue just stood there.

"Answer me!" she demanded.

Blue turned around. At last, he said, "I finally have my revenge." And he walked away, quite unconcerned.

Now it was Hillary's turn to seethe in anger. Keep fooling yourself, Blue, she thought. Tristan is a far better Trainer than you'll ever be. She continued to look at Blue walking away from them as Tristan sadly continued to hold Pikachu gently in his arms.


And so, Tristan's full battle against Blue in the Trainer House Stadium ends in defeat. How will Tristan recover from his loss? And will this make him lose confidence in himself in the Pokémon League Competition? Stay tuned...

TO BE CONTINUED...