AUTHOR'S NOTE: Greetings, readers! Here is chapter 49 of the continuing adventures of Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu as they continue their journey through Kanto. Tristan and Hillary's grandparents make an appearance starting in this chapter. As always, please feel free to read and review, and remember, feedback of any kind is always welcome.

TEASER: Tristan self-confidence has been shattered after his devastating loss to Blue; however, his grandmother may have the cure for him to restore his fighting spirit...and that's a battle against...her!

Chapter 49: THE IDES OF DEFEAT

(Music Cue: Prayer)

It was a beautiful evening at the Pokémon Center in Viridian City. The sun was getting ready to set; however, Tristan's spirits were sinking with it. He had lost a pretty tough full battle against his arch-rival, Blue, in the Trainer House Stadium, and was keeping a very close eye on his Pokémon, particularly Blastoise, Lapras, and Pikachu, who were all seriously injured by Jolteon's Thunder attack. All six of Tristan's Pokémon were being looked at by Nurse Joy and Chansey.

Hillary wandered by. "You're still here, Tristan?" she asked.

Tristan nodded. "I let my Pokémon down today, sis."

Hillary now felt sorry for Tristan. "Maybe some food will cheer you up. Come on, let's go to the cafeteria and get something to eat."

"No thanks," sighed Tristan sadly. "I'm not hungry."

"Not hungry?!" exclaimed Hillary. "Tristan, this isn't like you!"

"I know, but I just can't stop thinking about how my Pokémon got hurt in today's battle," said Tristan.

"I'm sure they'll be fine, Tristan," insisted Hillary. "Now, start putting yourself back together and let's eat, okay?"

Tristan just sighed. He didn't mind losing, but he felt that his pride was hurt, especially since he knew that he and his Pokémon trained very hard to win his eight badges.

Now what do I do? thought Hillary. There has to be a way to help Tristan somehow, but how?


As Tristan keeps a close watch over all his Pokémon after his resounding loss against Blue in the Trainer House Stadium, he knows that he has to find the answer inside himself. Will he find his heart, and will he be able to find enough courage to get his fighting spirit back?


"Oh, hi, Hillary," said Veronica, Tristan and Hillary's grandmother on the video phone a few minutes later. "How are you doing?"

"I'm doing much better than Tristan," replied Hillary. "In fact, I'm rather worried."

"Worried?" asked Veronica. "Is something wrong?"

Hillary nodded. "Tristan lost a tough full battle against Blue in the Trainer House Stadium today, and now, it seems like he's totally out of it. All of his Pokémon have been seriously injured, particularly Pikachu, Lapras, and Blastoise. His other three Pokémon have injuries, too, but they're not as serious."

"Can I speak with him?" asked Veronica.

"He's keeping a very close eye on his Pokémon and refuses to move," answered Hillary. "He won't eat, he won't rest, he won't even talk to me."

Veronica understood the predicament. "It sounds like Tristan wasn't the only one who's lost a sense of pride."

"What do you mean, Grandma?" asked Hillary.

"What I mean is that Tristan's Pokémon love to win, and they've battled and trained for a long time trying to get those eight badges," explained Veronica. "And when they got injured the way that you say they were, I think they lost a sense of pride, too."

"So what do we do?" asked Hillary.

Veronica gave the matter a lot of thought. At last, she said, "I'll talk to your grandfather about it and see what we can do. In the meantime, I think it's best to give Tristan some space for now."

"Okay," replied Hillary. "Thanks, Grandma."

"You're welcome, dear," smiled Veronica.

The video transmission ended.


Meanwhile, back at Tristan's house in New Bark Town in the Johto region, Veronica saw her husband, Eric, walk into the living room and sit next to her.

"How are things with the kids, dear?" asked Eric.

Veronica sadly lowered her face. "Not good," she answered. "Tristan lost a tough battle and he's lost his battling spirit."

"That doesn't sound like the Tristan we know and love," remarked Eric. "From what I hear, he's always been psyched to battle. What do you propose we do?"

"We pay a visit to him," replied Veronica. "We'll go to Viridian City first thing tomorrow and I'll battle him."

"But you can't battle him," protested Eric. "All you have is Eevee."

"Correction, dear," said Veronica. "I have a strong Eevee, plus the one I got from Amy recently. And I have a very good feeling that a good battle with Tristan will get his fighting spirit back."

"Let's hope so," replied Eric.


Tristan kept a watchful eye on his Pokémon all evening. He kept thinking about how his Pokémon were defeated, specifically when Jolteon defeated Blastoise, Lapras, and Pikachu single-handed.


First, he thought about how Blastoise had used Dig on a surprised Jolteon. Then, Jolteon cleverly used the second hole Blastoise dug to score a huge direct hit on it.

Next, he thought about how Lapras got pulverized from Jolteon's Thunder attack. Then, just to add insult to injury, Jolteon upped its power, knocking it out.

Finally, he thought about how Pikachu and Jolteon squared off against one another with Thunder attacks, which created the huge explosion. It was a close standoff, but Pikachu collapsed from exhaustion.


Even though he and his Pokémon did their best, Tristan felt that he somehow felt responsible for the defeat.

"Tristan?" asked a voice.

Tristan turned around to see Nurse Joy, who seemed very concerned.

"What's the matter, Tristan?" asked Nurse Joy. "You haven't said a word all evening. Are you okay?"

Tristan just sighed. He was in a pretty tough predicament.

"Would you like something to eat?" asked Nurse Joy. "I brought you some pizza."

"No thanks," sighed Tristan. He was still thinking about his tough loss in the Trainer House Stadium. "Are my Pokémon going to be okay, Nurse Joy?"

"Your Pokémon are going to be just fine after a good night's sleep," smiled Nurse Joy. "Perhaps you should get some food and some rest, too."

"What do you mean?" asked Tristan. He was still puzzled.

"Pokémon aren't the only ones who need to recharge every once in a while," explained Nurse Joy. "Sometimes, after tough battles, Trainers need to recharge too. After a little sustenance and a good night's sleep, you might feel different tomorrow."

Tristan didn't think much about the food, but at last, he said, "Okay. I guess I am a little hungry."

"That's the spirit," smiled Nurse Joy as he handed Tristan a plate full of pizza. "And remember, if you need anything, I'll be nearby." And she walked away.

Tristan felt better after that, and he started to chow down on the pizza that Nurse Joy brought him.


Later, after he finished his pizza, Tristan quietly checked on his Pokémon through the glass window. They were all fast asleep. Then, he whispered, "I hope you can all forgive me." Then he walked away from the window and quietly opened the door to the bedroom. Hillary stirred in her sleep as the door quietly closed behind Tristan, who got into bed and fell fast asleep.


The next morning, Hillary was the first one up. She got dressed and quietly opened the door and walked out. She looked at Tristan, who was still sleeping, and quietly closed the door behind her. "Being a Trainer must be really hard work," she whispered to herself.

She walked over to the lobby where Nurse Joy and all of Tristan's Pokémon was waiting. Pikachu happily jumped into Hillary's arms while Venusaur, Charizard, Blastoise, Pidgeot, and Lapras happily greeted her.

"Good morning, Hillary," said Nurse Joy. "Did you sleep well?"

"Good morning, Nurse Joy," replied Hillary. "Yes, I did."

"Where's Tristan?" asked Nurse Joy.

"I think he's still asleep," replied Hillary.

"And I think I know why," said Nurse Joy. "Tristan stayed up late last night to keep an eye on his Pokémon."

"So that's what happened," said Hillary.

"Why don't you and the Pokémon have some breakfast in the cafeteria?" suggested Nurse Joy.

"Good idea," replied Hillary. She turned to the Pokémon. "Come on, guys, let's get something to eat." She and Pikachu excitedly led the Pokémon to the cafeteria while making sure that they didn't cause any confusion.


A little while later, Hillary and Pikachu happily sat together at the table to eat their breakfast while Venusaur, Charizard, Blastoise, Lapras, and Pidgeot sat on the floor to have theirs because they were too big to be at the table.

"Are you enjoying your food, guys?" asked Hillary.

All of Tristan's Pokémon replied happily.

"Hmmm," said Hillary to herself. "I wonder where Tristan is. He's missing out on this great breakfast."


(Music Cue: Route 1 The Road to Viridian City (M18B))

Tristan finally emerged from the bedroom with a big yawn. He hadn't slept so well and for so long in a long time. Dealing with a big loss could take a lot out of almost anyone. He walked to the window where his Pokémon slept the night before, but the room was empty. He walked up to the front desk where Nurse Joy was waiting.

"There you are, Tristan," smiled Nurse Joy. "Did you sleep well?"

"Good morning, Nurse Joy," replied Tristan. "Yes, I did. Have you seen Hillary and the Pokémon?"

"They're all in the cafeteria eating their breakfast," answered Nurse Joy. "Your Pokémon are all feeling better. Would you like to join them?"

"I sure would, Nurse Joy," said Tristan. He was feeling much more cheerful. He dashed off to the cafeteria to join the others.

Hillary saw him run in. "There you are, sleepyhead," she said.

"Hi, sis. Hi, guys," said Tristan.

Pikachu happily jumped into Tristan's arms, feeling much better.

"It's nice to see you, too, Pikachu," said Tristan. He turned to his other five Pokémon. "How are you all doing?"

The Pokémon replied happily.

"I'm sorry you all got hurt in yesterday's battle," said Tristan. "Can you forgive me?"

The Pokémon nodded happily.

"Thanks a lot, guys," said Tristan. "I'll try and do better as a Trainer."

The Pokémon understood Tristan's feelings; they knew he was very kind.

Presently, Veronica and Eric, Tristan and Hillary's grandparents, entered the cafeteria. "Good morning, kids," they said.

"Hi, guys!" said Hillary excitedly as she ran to hug them.

Tristan was surprised. "Grandma and Grandpa?" he said. "What are you guys doing here?"

"We heard about your loss from your sister," explained Veronica. "She was worried about you, so she talked with me. And when your grandfather heard, we figured that we should go to Viridian City. I want to see what I can do as a Pokémon Trainer...against you."

Tristan was confused. "You want to battle...me?"

"So, do you accept?" asked Veronica.

Tristan thought about it. "Well, I guess I could use a battle to try and get back into it," he replied. "But first, I should think about eating some breakfast, too." He got himself some toast from the counter.

Veronica smiled. "It looks like he's starting to get back into it already." She turned to Eric. "He's gotten his appetite back, too. Maybe we should join the kids and the Pokémon."

"That's a good idea," replied Eric. "Tristan has certainly put together a great collection."

And they sat down to breakfast themselves.


After breakfast, Veronica and Eric led Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu out to a practice battlefield in the back.

"I don't uderstand, Grandma," said Tristan. "What are we doing here?"

"Like I said before, dear, I want to battle you," answered Veronica. "We'll use one Pokémon each. I think I should warn you that I used to be a very good Pokémon Trainer back in my day, but today, I consider myself an Eevee trainer." She took out a Pokéball. "And this Eevee is the one you know, so let's...go!" She threw the Pokéball.

Eevee emerged from the white light that shot out.

Tristan was shocked. She's right! he thought. That's the same Eevee that has kept us out of trouble all this time!

"No way!" gasped Hillary. "I never knew that Grandma could use that Eevee to battle."

"Your grandmother is a very skilled trainer," remarked Eric to Hillary. "Even though she's semi-retired, she still battles like a true champion."

"Which of your Pokémon will you choose, Tristan?" asked Veronica eagerly.

Tristan suddenly remembered the promise that his parents and grandparents made when he and Hillary moved to New Bark Town.


"Maybe when Tristan receives his starter Pokémon in a few years, he can have a battle with you," said Veronica.

"We'd like that," replied Bill.


Tristan knew that this wasn't a battle against his parents, but his grandmother would be a good substitute. He turned to Pikachu, who stood right beside him. "Pikachu, are you ready?"

Pikachu replied and eagerly jumped in front of Tristan, ready to battle Veronica's Eevee.

"So, you've chosen Pikachu," said Veronica. "It looks plenty strong, but let's see if you've trained it well."

"Oh, you'll see, all right," replied Tristan.

"Let's get started," said Veronica. "Eevee, Tackle attack!"

(Music Cue: Kanto Wild Pokémon Battle)

Eevee charged toward Pikachu full-body style.

"Dodge it, Pikachu!" ordered Tristan.

Pikachu jumped out of the way just as Eevee was about to land a hit.

"Now, Pikachu, use your Thunderbolt!" commanded Tristan.

Pikachu launched a yellow bolt of electricity at Eevee.

"Well, that's a strong Thunderbolt," remarked Veronica. "Eevee, use your Quick Attack!"

Eevee ran from the Thunderbolt with a white line trailing behind it. Then using the momentum, it rammed into Pikachu hard.

"Pikachu!" cried Tristan.

"Whoa, did you see that?" gasped Hillary.

"I sure did," replied Eric. "Your grandmother used Quick Attack as both a dodge and her next attack. I hate to admit it, but she hasn't lost her touch."

"Pikachu, can you get up?" asked Tristan to Pikachu, who was lying on the ground.

Pikachu easily got back to its feet.

"That's the spirit, Pikachu!" commended Tristan.

"Interesting," said Veronica. "Your Pikachu has taken on Eevee's Quick Attack and is still ready to battle. I may not be a Gym Leader, but you have certainly earned my respect."

"Thanks, Grandma, but this isn't over yet," replied Tristan "Pikachu, use your Quick Attack now!"

Pikachu charged toward Eevee with a white line trailing behind it. It successfully rammed into it, scoring a direct hit in the process.

"That's fast!" remarked Veronica.

Tristan nodded. "When it comes to speed, Pikachu is as good as the best."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that if I were you," warned Veronica. "Eevee, try a Sand-Attack."

Eevee recovered and used its hind legs to kick up sand, which got into Pikachu's eyes.

"Pikachu, are you okay?" asked Tristan.

Pikachu tried hard to shake the sand out of its eyes, but to no avail.

"Well, now what, Tristan?" asked Veronica. "Pikachu can't use its eyes to see what's happening."

"Grandma's really giving Tristan a tough time," remarked Hillary to Eric. "Grandpa, isn't there a way for Tristan to turn this around?"

Eric didn't reply. He just kept watching the match.

Tristan waited for Veronica to make her next move, but with Pikachu unable to see from Sand-Attack, he had to be extra watchful. If I don't think of something, Pikachu's gonna get creamed, he thought.

"I know you battled bravely, Tristan," said Veronica, "but it's time for me to end this match. Eevee, finish Pikachu off with Quick Attack!"

Eevee charged toward a blinded Pikachu with a white line trailing behind it.

As Eevee inched closer, he shouted, "Pikachu, use your Quick Attack to jump up!"

(Music Cue: Kanto Gym Leader Battle)

Pikachu immediately jumped straight up off the ground with a white line trailing behind it, and somehow avoided Eevee's Quick Attack.

"No way!" cried Veronica.

"Now, Pikachu, dive straight down, GO!"

Pikachu turned in a 180-degree angle and dove straight down on a surprised Eevee.

Eevee tried to dodge the attack, but Pikachu's Quick Attack was too fast, and since it was so high up off the ground, the damage Pikachu dealt to it was doubled.

"My goodness!" gasped Veronica.

"Unbelievable!" said Hillary. "How did Pikachu land a direct hit while it was still blinded?"

"Interesting," remarked Eric. "Tristan's acting as Pikachu's eyes."

"Really? But how?" asked Hillary.

"Eevee's Sand-Attack may have blinded Pikachu, but Pikachu and Tristan share a real close bond," explained Eric. "So when Pikachu was blinded, Tristan acted as Pikachu's guide and they communicated using their hearts."

"Using their hearts," repeated Hillary. She was awestruck at how things were turning out thanks to that turn of events.

"Eevee, Tackle attack!" commanded Veronica.

Eevee did another full-body style charge at Pikachu from the left.

"Pikachu, aim a Thunderbolt attack straight to your left!" instructed Tristan.

Pikachu turned directly to its left, and, still blinded, shot a yellow bolt of electricity at Eevee, scoring another direct hit on Eevee.

"Eevee!" cried Veronica.

"Tristan's battling instincts are really kicking in!" remarked Hillary. "He's doing a great job of acting as Pikachu's eyes and battling at the same time! Now that's what I call teamwork!"

"I think we're starting to get our Tristan back," replied Eric.

Tristan smiled. Sure enough, this was exactly the kind of thing that always got him excited. He was having the time of his life battling his own grandmother in a good hard battle.

Veronica smiled, too. "All right, Tristan, you've had your fun. Now, it's time for me to have mine. Eevee, Take Down attack!"

Eevee charged toward Pikachu full-body style, but in a more powerful way.

"Pikachu, Double Team!" instructed Tristan.

Pikachu quickly made copies of itself.

This time, Eevee was the one who couldn't see the real Pikachu. It stopped dead in its tracks.

"Now, Quick Attack!" ordered Tristan.

All the Pikachu zigged and zagged in multiple directions at once, but soon, Eevee got sideswiped by the real Pikachu. The copies all disappeared.

Veronica was surprised, but amazed. "Very impressive," she said. "I just love the way this is turning out. But as you know, two can play at this game. Eevee, use your Double Team!"

Eevee quickly made copies of itself.

"The copies are everywhere!" grunted Tristan. "Use Thunderbolt on all of them, Pikachu!"

Pikachu blindly shot multiple yellow bolts of electricity at all the Eevee. Sure enough, all the copies disappeared, but so did the real Eevee.

"Now where did it go?" said Tristan as he frantically looked around. He gasped in surprise as he saw that Eevee had cleverly jumped into the air to avoid Pikachu's Thunderbolt.

"Quick Attack now!" ordered Veronica.

Eevee quickly dove straight down on a defenseless Pikachu with a white line trailing behind it.

Pikachu was hit hard by Eevee's Quick Attack. It collapsed and fainted.

"No, Pikachu!" gasped Tristan.

Veronica smiled. She had won the match. "I guess that's it," she said and turned to Eevee. "Well done, Eevee. That was very nice work."

Eevee gave a happy reply despite all the damage it took.

Tristan quickly rushed over to Pikachu. "Pikachu!" he said. "Are you okay, buddy?"

Pikachu gave a tired, but satisfied reply.

"You were great, Pikachu," said Tristan.

"And so were you, dear," replied Veronica as she and Eevee walked up to Tristan. "That Pikachu of yours has been trained well. I have to say, you gave us a real challenge."

"Thanks, Grandma," replied Tristan. "Although, I didn't expect to beat you so easily."

"I used to be the champion of this region," explained Veronica.

Tristan and Hillary were surprised. "You were?" they said.

Veronica nodded. "I was a traveling trainer, just like you are," she explained. "I went from League to League and challenged the Elite Four, plus the champion of each region. But when your mother was born, I had decided to retire from being a champion and gave it to someone who was worthy enough to earn that title."

"Wow," said Hillary. "Tristan, you were battling a former champion. And you didn't even know it."

"I know," replied Tristan.

"But because you didn't know, you gave an exemplary performance," commended Eric. "I think you're now ready to take on the Pokémon League Competition."

"What do you mean, Gramps?" asked Tristan.

(Music Cue: To the Hopeful Sky)

"A Trainer learns more from his defeats than his victories," explained Eric. "When you lost to Blue, it was hard for you to accept it, especially since you had trained hard to win and earn those eight badges, but it didn't seem that you were learning much just from having victories, and you didn't know what a major defeat was like; however, since your grandmother was a trainer back in the day, we both figured that you could have a battle with her to help get your spirit back and learn from that experience."

"Well, now I know what I need to do," said Tristan. "We'll just have to train harder...right, Pikachu?"

"Pikachu!" replied Pikachu happily.


A few hours later, after Pikachu was fully recovered, Tristan and Hillary got ready to go to the Indigo Plateau.

"Well, it's time for us to go, guys," said Hillary. "Thanks a lot for coming."

"I couldn't have gotten back into battling if I hadn't battled you in the first place, Grandma," added Tristan.

"You don't have to say your goodbyes to us just yet, kids," said Veronica.

"Why not?" wondered Hillary.

"Because we have decided to go to the Indigo Plateau with you," answered Eric.

"You have? All right!" said Tristan excitedly.

"Now you'll have more people rooting for you in the Pokémon League!" added Hillary.

"All right, kids, let's get going!" called Veronica. "We'll use my car!" She led a happy Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, and Eric to a car that had been parked right next to the Pokémon Center.


And so, with Tristan's battling spirit restored, he and Hillary prepare to embark for the Indigo Plateau, site of the Pokémon League Competition. And with their grandparents joining in on the fun, it's sure to be an extra special occasion as their journey continues!

TO BE CONTINUED...