Chapter 59

Cherry couldn't remember anything about the stadium from her first visit. She remembered Eric's battle against the human Mightyena and Crobat that Farin used, but entering and exiting the stadium was a blank. Mark and Maple didn't mention it to her either. Whatever happened, it was traumatizing enough for her to block it out.

She remembered her second visit. But mostly she just remembered being angry at all of the hidden assassins in the crowd. A stupid, paranoid idea, she realized, but not all that far gone from her current attitude. The assassins were still there, hiding amongst the normal tournament-goers, but this time was different. This time she wanted them to come out.

The Charmander-girl had spent all day chasing down Aipom. They were small fry, barely even worth her time anymore. She had learned Fire Fang, but she had not yet attacked anything with it. She was tired of fighting mere Pokémon; she wanted the part-human kind that Maple got to fight. To her dismay, there were no random challengers as she climbed the steps with Mark and Maple.

Eric and Lily had chosen not to come. Both of them, along with their human Pokémon, were exhausted from training with Aurum. They had managed to defeat Mortem and Billow, but Nails remained as solid as ever. Aurum refused to give them pointers and insisted that they find their own way. But without a type advantage, there was almost nothing that they could do to break through the human Ferrothorn.

Aurum hadn't been pleased that Mark had decided to skip training for the evening. He grumbled something about a lack of discipline, but he let them go anyway. Later, Mark had realized that Cherry must have made quicker progress than what Aurum had expected. Fifty Aipom in a single day was a feat to be proud of. They deserved a little rest. Mark was just thankful Aurum didn't use the fishing pole on him.

He did, however, give him something more to think about.

With Cherry's speed training completed, it would be up to Mark to decide how to train her next. Speed was crucial for most anything a Charmander could do on a battlefield, but there were five other ways to improve a Pokémon's abilities and each one had its own advantages and disadvantages. It was common practice to maximize the capability of Charmander's attacks, but anything he planned depended on whether or not Cherry could evolve. Which there were still no signs to indicate that it was even possible. In all likelihood, Shinobi still far outstripped her abilities. And the human Ninjask ninja would be next to impossible for Maple to defeat. Mark needed Cherry to have any hope of winning his next match.

The stadium was sparse compared to most matches they had been to. It was the final match in Round One and a night match at that, but Maple felt a little sad that Kim wouldn't have much of an audience. As the three of them settled into their seats, she overheard a conversation from the row ahead of them.

"Oh, the trainer's a bitch, but wait 'til you see the Vaporeon-girl."

"You think she'll use her?"

"It's her strongest, she has to."

"Is she really that hot?"

"Just wait, man, just wait. It's better to see her for yourself."

It didn't make much sense to Maple, but they must have been talking about Sprinkle. Kim had mentioned her human Vaporeon before, but they still hadn't met her. The thought of meeting another human Eevee evolution was exciting, but she was too worried about herself and Mark to be in very high spirits.

She had been half sick with worry for most of the afternoon. The realization that Mark hadn't touched her in days weighed heavily on her. No hand-holding, no hugging, nothing at all. Why did he stop? When did he stop? Did she do something wrong; something that made him angry at her? What could it be?

And what did it mean?

Trying to distract herself, she looked around the stadium. Was it just her or were there mostly men in the stands? She hadn't noticed anything strange like that in any other matches, but…yeah, it was mostly men. Strange.

Don't worry about why they're cheering, just try to enjoy it.

That was what Kim told herself, but she couldn't stop herself. Who are they really cheering for? she thought. But what difference did it make? She was the trainer and Sprinkle was the human Pokémon. By all rights, she should be happy that Sprinkle was famous, right? Of course she should be! Sprinkle wouldn't be famous at all if it weren't for Kim!

Still, nobody in the streets begged her for Volt's autograph and barely anyone knew Cotton even existed.

Kim's head hurt. What was she doing? She had a match to focus on. Last night, she had looked the guy up. Blake Numens was his name. It wasn't a name she knew, but it would be a bad idea to just dismiss the guy. He wasn't a member of the Four, but she had lost to a similar nobody three years ago.

Blake Numens looked like a non-descript nobody too. There was a small cleft in his chin, but that was the most distinguishing facial feature he possessed. Brown hair, brown eyes, average height. Kim couldn't positively say she could pick him out in a police line-up.

Nevertheless, he knew her. Well, he knew her in the way that everybody else seemed to know her.

"You're Sprinkle's trainer, right?"

"Yeah," Kim sighed, already eager to beat the crap out of this guy.

"I remember you…" He nodded as he let go of her hand, "you lost in Round Two last time."

"I prefer to remember the win," Kim returned, "but thanks in advance for not wanting Sprinkle's autograph." There was a limit to how many times a day she could watch her scrawl her name. Especially when Sprinkle could barely read what she was signing. She was hot and she was a good battler, but that was about all she had going for her.

"I see…" Blake nodded, "must be lonely, being in her shadow."

"Hey, no offense if I don't feel like pouring my heart out to a complete stranger, but can we get on with this?" Kim snapped. Even if the guy was trying to be nice to her, he was being a moron about it.

"Oh, yeah…" the guy drew back, shocked by her harsh words, "sure…let's get..." He trailed off as Kim turned and stomped away.

Dammit, calm down! she thought to herself, you want to be a bitch forever? That made it worse. For the hell of it, she glanced at the crowd.

There, see? You're not alone. True enough. Six rows up, she spied Maple's long, leaf-like ears, bobbing as she cheered for her. Next to her were Mark and his newest little Charmander-girl.

Feeling like a fool, Kim put a hand up to her face and smirked. At least there was one group in the crowd that was here for her and not Sprinkle.

Would they stay that way? Or would the spotlight shift to Sprinkle, like it always did? Tonight was the night to find out.

Relatively calmed by the presence of Mark and Maple, her thoughts shifted back to the battle. Her opponent knew her. More importantly, he knew that this was not her first tournament. If he knew that, then he knew what she used. Volt and Sprinkle had fought alone three years ago. But they weren't alone now.

Kim reached for one of the Pokéballs at her hip. Cotton may not like it, but she was part Pokémon, like the rest of them. Kim knew that, deep down, Cotton could be as fierce a competitor as any of them. It would just take a little extra convincing.

"GO!"

Light. A white flash of light.

Not good.

That meant her worst fears were coming true.

Kim was calling her out into a battle.

Something had gone wrong. Something had to have gone wrong.

Volt and Sprinkle were always so strong. They didn't need her. What could she do that they couldn't? If it had been tough enough to beat them, then what hope did she have?

Cotton was trembling when she emerged onto the field. The roar of the crowd made her legs feel wobbly. She stood there, small, timid, scared and vulnerable. Her saucer eyes darted everywhere as she began hyperventilating. She stopped when she saw the scoreboard. Three lights on this side…three lights on the other side. It was the start of the battle. Not the end, not the middle, but the very, very start. Kim had picked her first.

She sat down hard on the ground and clutched her knees.

"Cotton," Kim's voice came from behind her, "Cotton…sweetie?"

You gotta be gentle with her, Kim remembered Volt's advice. She didn't know until she saw their opponent, but now she was certain that there would be no way to win without Cotton.

Across the field stood a human Electivire. He was big, broad-shouldered and heavily muscled. The lower half of his jaw, except for his chin, was covered with a jagged, bright yellow beard. It matched the hair on his head, as well as his yellow and black tiger-striped jacket. His stout, but strong legs were adorned with the same black and yellow design, as were his gloves. Twin black tails, tipped in red, peaked overtop of his shoulders. He looked less like a human Pokémon and more like a man who had simply put on an Electivire's skin.

Electivire, just perfect. Kim's opponent had planned on defeating her with a single human Pokémon. As a Vaporeon, Sprinkle's defenses were legendary, but an Electivire would plow straight through her. Volt would do no better and his electric attacks would only make it more powerful.

That left Cotton. And their only chance at a victory.

"Killowatt, Fire Punch," Blake ordered. A Jumpluff was hardly anything to be afraid of.

"Cotton, sweetie…" Kim started again, the Electivire-man now charging straight for Cotton, "you have to use Sleep Powder…"

The tiny girl didn't respond, but just continued to tremble and hug her knees.

"Cotton, please…" Kim pressed her hands together and prayed, "For me?"

The Jumpluff-girl peered across the field at the oncoming Electivire-man. He was big, strong and probably tough. But he looked slow. He was getting closer, but she still had plenty of time.

But he was going to hurt her. Even at nineteen-years-old, she was a child compared to the man rushing at her. He could pick her up and toss her like a doll. What hope did she have against someone like that?

Kim sounded so desperate, though. She was always angry, always yelling, always swearing…Cotton couldn't handle that. But this time Kim was…nice.

"O-okay," she said, shakily, "if you think I can."

"I do," Kim nodded, "I really do." She didn't know whether her pride or her terror was stronger, but she had no choice but to stare at the tiny Jumpluff-girl and wait.

When Killowatt was within just three yards of her, Cotton jumped straight into the air. The Electivire-man skidded to a halt and peered up at her. She began to float down, light as a cotton cloth. She began to spin in place, scattering pollen that glittered orange in the light of the setting sun.

Below her, Killowatt blinked a few times, trying to force himself to stay awake. But soon his head began to sway and he pitched forward. He landed face-first into the dirt. As Cotton landed by his head, he rolled over and began to snore loudly.

"Sleep tight," Cotton chirped happily down at him. Up close, Kim could see that she was no more than a third of his size.

Kim let out a burst of relieved laughter. Too close. Far too close. But now Cotton was ready for battle. Whatever her next opponent was, she could handle it.

Through the microphone, Kim could hear Blake swearing indignantly at his snoozing Electivire. It was his best shot at victory and now it was out of commission. He wasn't officially finished, but most trainers viewed it as the next best thing. However, it would be illegal for Kim to put a second one to sleep. Sleep Powder could help Cotton in a pinch, but it wasn't something she could rely on for everything. It was time to try something different.

"Alright, Cotton," Kim whispered, "make a Substitute." Even with Killowatt sleeping peacefully and dead to the world, Cotton was allowed to attack. Except attacking wasn't Cotton. Instead, she made her Substitute in silence while Blake recalled Killowatt and switched to a new human Pokémon.

This time, a human Glalie appeared across the field. Kim couldn't determine gender, since the figure was garbed mostly in a loose-fitting black robe. Its face was obscured by a face-mask made entirely of ice. Two small, black horns jutted from the corners of its head. Its blue eyes stared at the small Jumpluff-girl with a gaze as cold as the ice covering its face.

"Ice Beam, Frostbite."

"Leech Seed."

Once again, Cotton would only have one chance to do this right, but if she did then another one of Blake's Pokémon would fall and the match would all but belong to Kim.

The Jumpluff-girl bounced into the air. Her light weight let her float through the air like a flower petal caught in a whirlwind. She could move quickly and she was within range well before the Glalie was ready to attack her. She created a single seed, half the size of her pinky finger in her palm. She threw it at the Glalie, hitting it squarely in the chest.

But she couldn't get out of the way fast enough to avoid the spray of freezing water it shot at her. The Substitute body froze on contact, tumbled over and shattered into nothing, while Cotton herself appeared a short distance behind it. By that time, the seed on the Glalie's chest had sprouted. A small, vine-like plant rapidly grew to cover Frostbite's chest.

As Cotton bounced backwards, the vines flashed red for a brief second and Frostbite cringed, clutching at the vines. But whenever the human Glalie tried to wrench them free, it cried out in fierce pain. Removing them by force would be futile. Instead, it fired another Ice Beam.

Cotton squeaked in alarm, raising a Protect barrier only moments before the super-cooled water would have hit her directly. Instead, it splashed around her, freezing the grass before beginning to melt away.

But now Cotton could only run. She bounced from here to there, all over the field. But the Glalie was amazingly accurate, its Ice Beams always right behind her. Another Substitute shattered as Cotton fled. The vines rooted in Frostbite's chest continued to flash red every now and then.

"Hmm…" Mark looked down at the field, listening to Cotton's frightened squeaks as she fled from the Glalie. Sleep Powder, Leech Seed, Substitute, Protect. That was everything Cotton was capable of. There were no attacks. No way for her to directly damage her opponent.

"Wait, I get it," Mark declared.

"Get what?" Cherry asked, "I don't understand what's going on. Shouldn't she attack him?"

"She doesn't have to," Mark shook his head, grinning as he broke down Kim's tactic, "she's already hit him with Leech Seed."

"So?"

"Leech Seed drains the energy of the Pokémon it hits," Mark explained, "but it also gives that energy back to the Pokémon that used it. That means that if Cotton just runs and uses Protect and Substitute to defend herself, then all Kim has to do is sit back and wait for the Glalie to run out of strength." Clever. Very clever.

More than that, it was perfectly suited to Cotton. The last time Mark had seen the Jumpluff-girl, she was terrified to fight, even if it meant risking their very lives. With a strategy like this, all she had to do was run. Run and survive. And Leech Seed would take care of the rest.

And Kim's opponent might never guess what she was up to. Cotton's frightened squeaks and shrieks only distracted the Glalie and its trainer from their true goal. Before long, Cotton would win this fight.

Just a little bit more, Kim thought, just a little bit more…

This was the problem with fighting with Cotton. Kim's nerves were constantly shot. One misstep and the entire strategy would go up in smoke. The process was guaranteed to work, once it got going, but it took forever. The sun finished setting and the stadium's floodlights came on while Cotton still bounced around the Glalie.

Both of them were exhausted. The Glalie probably only had a few more Ice Beams left in him and Cotton was still fighting only because of the sapped energy from Leech Seed. But Cotton had the advantage. The Glalie had started coughing up blood two or three Ice Beams back. One or two more and he'd be finished.

Cotton was empty, though. She wouldn't get another chance to use Leech Seed and she was too exhausted from the Glalie to continue. Kim could switch to Sprinkle at any time, but she had to know what Blake's third human Pokémon was. Her only choice was to leave Cotton in.

At last, the Glalie hit its wall. Its knees buckled and it sank to the ground, spitting blood across the wet grass. Cotton landed twenty yards away, her small body shaking as she panted. The Leech Seed vines flashed red one last time and Frostbite collapsed while Cotton stood up straighter.

"You're good," Blake admitted, through the speaker, "you're very good." Frostbite vanished from the field.

"Feel free to give up," Kim taunted, "you know what I've got left."

"True," somehow Blake was still confident, "but you don't know what I have left. Molten!"

"Huh?" Kim looked down to see a male, human Blaziken across the field. His fire-red vest was open, revealing a tightly muscled core. His long legs were not far behind and his pants were covered with a similar shade of red with orange flames that rose just above the knee. A small crest topped his forehead and his hair was long and a pale shade of blond.

"Finish her, now! Flamethrower!" Blake shouted.

Cotton stared at the flames in dismay. She had no more Substitutes left in her and there was no time to raise a Protect. She couldn't stop the flames from reaching her. She let out a high-pitched squeak and cringed away from the wall of fire. She shut her eyes tight, but the heat was everywhere. She whimpered and wailed, praying for it to be over.

Then, somehow, it was.

Bewildered, she looked around, blinking away her tear-filled eyes.

"Hey, cutie…" a coy, flirtatious voice sounded overtop of her.

Kim had switched at the last moment, using her next human Pokémon to block the attack and save Cotton.

With her eyes still blurry from her tears, Cotton flung herself at the leg of her savior and clung to it for dear life.

"SPRINKLE!"

AN: I always feel rusty after I haven't been able to write for a while.

Ah…SubSeeding. It's a fun strategy, if you've never seen it. It is tough to pull off, though, and Cotton's moveset is incredibly vulnerable to Taunt. Still, it works REALLY well for her.

Speaking of Cotton, though, I should probably change her name. you know, since there's a Pokémon called Cottonee. It's just a thought…and another sign of when I started this story.

Anyways, you will FINALLY see Sprinkle next chapter! She's a character that I've wanted to write since this story began. I even delayed her introduction because I had it so well planned out to be done during the fight. Will I get it up by Tuesday, like I want to? Time will tell.

Either way, I still thank you very much for reading and I hope to see you again soon!