Tirtouga swiftly enters the nearest hole, as well as Shieldon, Kabuto, and Lilleep.
Cel appears beside me, holding Sam's pinnie, and a small cannon goes off.
"AND LOOK AT THAT, NOT EVEN FIVE SECONDS IN AND ONE OF THE CONTESTANTS IS ALREADY OUT! BETTER LUCK NEXT YEAR, AQUA!"
I bolt in, and see Tirtouga struggling to carry my bag to me.
I also notice Lileep creeping up behind her, vines quietly slipping out and into the ground.
"JUMP!" I call, but it's too late.
She throws the bag at me as vines come up from under her, strapping her to the ground and damaging her quickly.
I snatch the bag out of the air, grabbing the first pokeball I feel.
Harriet leaps out, assessing the situation in less than a second, and she fires an Ember at the baby fossil pokemon, causing it to fly back.
I bend and snatch Tirtouga, before hopping onto Harriets back.
"Get us out of here!" I call, and she nods, cantering away from the middle.
I risk a look back, and see Nareen and Prim already in hand-to-hand combat, both trying to get one up on the other so they can grab their pinnies, and Kabuto and Lileep are fighting alongside as well. I notice that only mine and Rayna's bags are gone.
I can't see Rayna, though, which scares me a little.
"Cel!" I call, and she blips in front of me, keeping pace with Harriet.
"Take her, get her to safety." I hand the unconscious fossil pokemon to her, and she nods, blipping away.
"Alrighty, Harriet! How's a battle sound?" She winnies in excitement, adjusting her path to quickly bring us back around.
I feel a disturbance behind me before I see it, and I jump out of instinct, turning.
I see Rayna, riding Pikki, as they struggle to gain height again.
I reach into my bag, feeling for a specific pokeball, as they dive bomb me again.
I land, HARD, and roll, releasing Belle.
"THUNDER!" I call, and she quickly summons a wicked bolt of lightning, slamming it into Pikki as thy get close.
Pikki shakes herself, quickly climbing again, but I notice she's a lot slower than before.
"Here!" I throw the Ampharosite at Belle, who quickly catches it and attaches it to her forehead.
"MEGA EVLOVE!" I call, and there is a bright flash.
Dirt from the ground summons around her, forming a large sphere, and soon it disperses, dropping the new and improved Bellwether onto the ground with a gentle thud.
Her wool from her previous evolution is now formed around her in a magnificent mane, that flows behind her even though there is no wind, and there are multiple orbs throughout her wool-tail that are alight with energy and power.
Pikki swoops in, and before I can call an attack, Belle summons a large wave of purple fire, and sends it careening into the flying type.
It engulfs Pikki, and I watch in horror as Rayna falls off, and plummets to the ground.
"HARRIOT!" I barely finish my sentence, and Harriot leaps over me, and catches Rayna roughly, before she hits the ground.
She brings her around, and I quickly take her pinnie.
"Cel?" She appears, grabs Rayna, nods, and dissappears again, appearing again to quickly grab Pikki as well.
Belle flashes again, turning back to normal, and staggers.
"Sorry babe. I didn't mean to-" I'm cut off as she launches a thunderbolt at me. I quickly dodge, fearing the wors, and hear a pained grunt behind me.
I flip around, and see Francis, twitching as the effects of paralysis sink in.
"Good call!"
"I try. That felt... interesting." She passes me the mega stone again, and I return it to the bag.
I look around, and notice that Nareen and her pokemon are all gone, and Prim is healing her pokemon at the other side of the arena. She returns Francis, and heals him as well.
Two more cannon shots go off.
"Does that mean... we win?" I ask, and the PA comes on again.
"DOWN TO THE FINAL TWO ALREADY! TO DETERMINE THE WINNER, EACH OF THE REAMINING TWO CONTESTANTS MUST BATTLE A TRAINER OF THEIR MENTOR'S CHOICE. IF THEY BOTH WIN, BOTH WILL BE CROWNED VICTOR. BUT IF BOTH LOSE, THE WINNER IS DETERMINED BY OUR POINT SYSTEM. GOOD LUCK!" Two battle platforms are lifted out of the ground.
I grab all my stuff, making sure all my pokeballs are attached to my belt, and head over to the first platform.
Me and Prim both step up, and see who we are battling.
Prim's opponent is a tall young man, with short auburn hair and lots of freckles. His glasses are tilted, making him look boyishly cute, and his shirt is a red and green plaid tank top, and his shorts are blue cargo.
"ADAM!" Prim screams, sobbing as she hug the boy.
"Hey sis. How's it going?" He laughs, but I see the tear fall from his eye as he holds Prim.
I look over to my side of the field, and see my opponent.
It's...
Mom?
"MOM?!" I run forwards, embracing her, and she laughs/cries into my shoulder.
"Hey baby. Hey." She kisses my hair.
"I have to battle... you?" I ask, and she nods.
"I love you Cole, but don't think I'll go easy on you." She whispers, and I nod.
"I wouldn't want anything else. Good luck." I kiss her cheek, and head back to my side.
"THIS WILL BE THREE ONE ON ONE BATTLES, EACH TRAINER IS ALLOWED ONE POKEMON ON THE FIELD AT A TIME, AND IF ONE IS KNOCKED OUT, BOTH TRAINERS MUST SEND OUT A NEW POKEMON."
I nod, choosing three pokemon. I'm not sure whether she will be using her own pokemon or not, so I pick mine around the idea that she might not be.
"ON THE BELL, YOU MAY BEGIN."
Cel appears beside me, sitting gently on my shoulder.
Need my help on this one, Cole?
"I'll be fine, but thank you, Cel." She nods, but doesn't leave my side.
A loud bell can be heard throughout the arena, and we all send out our first pokemon.
"Go, Missy!"
"Apophis!"
Both pokemon land gently, and Apophis immediately starts summoning the power of Dragon Dance.
"Feint Attack!" Mom calls, and Missy dissappears.
"Surround yourself with Dragon Rage!"
Apo twirls in place, spewing fire in all directions around him.
There's a pained Mrow! as Missy is hit by the dragon fire, throwing her back.
"Hone Claws!" Missy nods, ducking backk using Feint Attack again, and sharpening her claws on a nearby boulder.
"Don't \let her boost her attack! Apo, use-" I'm cut off as he jumps forward, his claws coming down on her with vicious accuracy, and I watch as dragon fire flares as he hits.
"Dragon Claw!" I finish the attack order, and he leaps into a backwards somersault, landing hard, and I notice three long gashes along his chest. Missy must have gotten a Slash in.
"Shadow Ball!" Mom calls, and Missy begins charging her ghost type move.
"Apo, use Dragon Tail!"
Apo jumps forward, and as Missy fires the ball of paranormal energy, he slams it back at her with his tail, which is infused with draconic energy.
There is a loud explosion, and dust clouds form.
I wait with held breath for the dust to settle, and...
Missy is unconscious, laying by Mom, and Apo is... struggling to keep himself up, but he's awake.
"AND PURUGLY IS OUT FOR THE COUNT... TRAINERS, PLEASE SEND OUT YOUR NEXT POKEMON!"
We quickly return our weakened pokemon, sending out the next two.
"Perry!"
"Cleo!"
Cleo lands quickly, kissing my cheek before running to her spot, and Mom's Raticate, Perry, hurries over to.
He waves at me, a goofy grin on his face, and I laugh as I wave back.
"BEGIN!"
"Super Fang!"
"Faint Attack!"
Perry lunges forward, his teeth glowing, as Cleo dissappears.
Perry whips around, sinking his teeth into her flank as she tackles into him from behind.
She calls out in pain, as she jumps back towards me.
I notice she is limping considerably, as Perry launches into his next attack.
"Cleo, use Sucker Punch!"
She quickly slams her tail into Perry's face, stunning him long enough for her to push him away.
"Counter!" Mom calls, and my eyes go wide.
Perry slams his tail into Cleo's side, throwing her back into me, and knocking me over.
"You okay?" I ask, and she nods, but falls over when she tries to stand.
"No your not." I return her, and Perry is returned as well.
"WE ARE NECK IN NECK! THE NEXT BATTLE IS THE TIE BREAKER!"
My heart breaks as Mom sends out her final pokemon.
"Aspen!"
The Piloswine lands gently, and I watch as he recognizes me.
And I watch in horror as Belle lands in front of him.
She turns to me, her eyes full of pain, and I shake my head.
"I didn't know..." I start, but she shakes her head.
"Mom? Is that you?" He charges forward, flying into a hug, and I watch as Belle starts to cry.
"Don't be sad, mommy! I'm tough now, I can take a hit!" He assures her, and she nods.
"Don't you hold back on me now, okay Aspen? Show me just how strong you are, okay?" He nods vigorously, and she steps back.
"Same for you, mom! Don't hold back!" She nods, but I can tell she will.
Mom's eyes are pained as well, having guessed what the conversation was about.
"Aspen, start it off with Powder Snow!"
"Thundershock, Belle!"
Belle stands back, summoning dozens of small bolts of lightning, and watching as they slam home.
Aspen doesn't move.
"Aspen? Are you okay?" Mom asks, and he nods.
"What was that, mom? I've seen you knock Golducks into the ground! I've watched as you singlehandedly defeated the Sinnoh Champion's Milotic! I've witnessed as you throw grown pokemon around!" He looks ready to cry, but Belle nods.
"I love you Aspen... but... I can't." With that, Belle walks back to me, and returns herself.
"WE HAVE JUST BEEN INFORMED THAT THE PILOSWINE IS THE... UNOFFICIAL OFFSPRING OF AMPHAROS, SO WE ARE ALLOWING THE CONTESTANT ONE MORE CHANCE."
I nod, waving to the PA, as I send out Mannix.
"Your new! Nice to meet you!" Aspen bows, and Mannix bows back.
"Nice to meet you as well. Good luck!"
"Powder Snow!"
"Karate Chop!"
Still looking a little dim-hearted, Aspen sends a wicked mini-snowstorm at the Psychic/Fighting type, who masterfully dodges, and slams a hand into Aspen's coat, producing a grunt of pain.
Mannix jumps back, but gets caught by an Ice Beam, which throws him down. I notice that there is now a thick ice-block attached to his foot.
"Manny! Double Kick!" He nods, seeing my plan, and jumps.
He swiftly slams the hardened ice into Aspen's side, causing him to topple over.
"Aspen! Mist!"
Aspen summons a dense mist around him, obscuring himself from Mannix's line of sight.
"Earthquake!" Mom calls, and Mannix's eyes go wide.
"Get UP!" I shout, and he instinctively floats himself a few feet off the ground as the earth begins to shake and rumble.
"Track him down with Miracle Eye, then use Psy Wave!"
His eyes go bright pink as they search the mist, when suddenly, a rock flies out and slams Mannix right in the face.
"Was that..." My question is answered as Mamoswine trumpets.
I go to order another attack, when a bright white light envelops Mannix, and soon, where Meditite was floating... Medicham stands.
"Manny..." I laugh in amazement, as he jumps into action.
I notice Belle released herself, and is standing silently next to me.
Manny flies straight into Aspen's face, landing a wicked kick and punch combo, before back-flipping, and going into a crossed legged float as he zips around.
Aspen is way to slow to keep up, and when Manny lands his final attack, Aspen sighs under the pressure, and topples.
Mom returns him, and the crowd goes wild.
I look over, and see Prim has sent out her final pokemon, Francis.
"THE WINNER IS COLE, NOW WE JUST WAIT FOR..."
Everyone goes silent as Francis slams a devastating Superpower into his opponent, a Staravia, and it knocks the opposing pokemon into the ground... where it doesn't move.
"EVERYONE, PLEASE GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THE VICTORS OF THIS YEAR'S TEAM RACE! COLE AND PRIMROSE, FROM TEAM PLASMA!"
Everything is silent for a moment...
Then the cheering kicks in.
"Please, accept these as a token of our pride..." N hands me a small box, and inside is... a small patch.
I cry instantly when I see it, and N has to catch me to stop me from falling.
"So what are your plans now? After your trip, I mean?" Kai asks, and I shrug.
"By winning the TeamRace, me and Prim are automatically executives... so... I'm not sure. Probably get my own place. What about you?"
"I fly back with Mom and Dad tomorrow, before starting at Rocket! Nareen said she'd help to get me started!" He laughs, and I hug him.
"Thats great, Kai. Really great." Mom and Dad enter, their bags behind them.
"Do you have to leave?" Mom asks, and I nod.
"Now that I have some spare time, I... I need to be alone. Me and my pokemon, on... an extended vacation." I explain softly, and they nod.
"Well, if you ever find yourself near Kanto, come visit!" Mom cries, kissing my forehead, and I laugh.
"Of course I will. I love you guys." They say their goodbyes, and I head out the door.
"Cole!" Prim is running up the stairs, her red executive headband holding her newly dyed green hair out of her face.
"Hey!" I hug her, and she shakes her head.
"Why don't you come with me? My family would love to officially meet you!" I laugh, but shake my head.
"I have a lot of thinking to do, Prim. I love you to death, but... I need some time to myself." She nods, sighing, and a hand claps my butt.
"Hey sweet cheeks!" Cosmo laughs, and I chuckle.
"Hey. Just heading out, will you be here when I get back?"
"Got a job down by Kalos, but I shouldn't be too long. Sky's already on the plane, he's ecstatic." With that, he hugs me, and takes off.
"You better come back, sweet cheeks! We need more eye candy around here..."
I laugh, and Prim kisses my cheek before heading upstairs to see Kai.
Since we got back, she's been helping him to train while I've been... busy.
I hike my bag of clothes up, and prepare for the last goodbye.
Rayna, Matt, and Nareen left as soon as the race was over, and with promises to meet up again soon, we had tearful goodbyes.
"Hey." I greet him outside, but he just shakes his head, and kisses me.
"Are you positive you don't want me to come?" He asks in between kisses, and I shake my head.
"I'm sorry babe, I really am, but I need time to... figure myself out. Find out what I want to do." He nods, and leads me to the jet.
"Are YOU sure about this? You won't need this at all?" I ask, and he shakes his head.
"I've got a few extra, plus, this helps me keep an eye on you. Don't get into any trouble." He leans in, and I kiss him passionately.
I get on the plane, my hand running gently over the patch on my bag as we take off.
I've gone over it a million times, but it still calms me.
It's the only picture I have of Effie.
The necklace around my neck warms slightly as the plane lifts off the ground.
AN~
Thank you all for following Cole's story right to the finale. I don't say the end, because this is only the beginning! There will be companion stories and maybe even a sequel, but for now, it was time to end it. I left it with lots of unanswered questions FOR A REASON! Jeez, trust me a little! Haha! Anyways, please review, and let me know what burning questions you had/have, and I'll make sure to address them as soon as possible! Again, I can't thank you enough for those of you who stuck around even though my posting has been so... sporadic. Have a great day, everyone!
Love,
~Austin