Well, here's the second chapter of this story of mine. This is split into two parts, as I figured it takes about a year and a half to go round each region and compete in each League. This also features my first battle scene, so hopefully its OK.
Enjoy!
Year 2, part 1
The referee raised the red flag in my opponent's direction, at the same time proclaiming to the stadium:
"Poliwrath is unable to battle! Arcanine wins this round!"
I sighed, recalling my water-type to its Pokéball. I couldn't believe Alan's fire-type had defeated it. To be fair, Poliwrath had taken down Alan's Golem and Blastoise in a row, and had been getting worn down. That last Thunder Fang had just been too much for it. I was now down to my last Pokémon, as was my opponent, and friend. I knew we could overcome the type disadvantage, we'd trained so hard to for the past few weeks. Plus, his Arcanine had been pretty worn down by that last Submission by Poliwrath.
'This is it,' I think, grabbing my last Pokéball, 'Do or die.'
I throw the ball forward, yelling, "Heads up! Venusaur!"
My starter appeared on the battlefield, yawning as it starts to warm up. It's grown a hell of a lot since I started my journey. It was now a massive, saurian beast, with an equally large flower on it's back, though this didn't give me the hayfever I had been dreading. I could hear the crowd gasp, they clearly thought this was a bad move. But I had trust in my Pokémon.
"Ready pal?" I call out to it.
"SAUR!" it affirmed.
Across the battlefield, I could see Alan smirking, He thought he had this in the bag.
"Bad move Dave, now it's gonna cost you. Arcanine, Flame Wheel!" he commanded to his large, canid fire-type, which proceeded to run at Venusaur, its body coated in a circle of flame.
"Double-edge." I called, at which Venusaur started to run on a collision course with Arcanine. They both struck each other. I knew Venusaur would take more damage from Flame Wheel, plus extra recoil damage, but the power of Double-edge might just tip the scales in our favour.
Both Pokémon bounced away from each other. Venusaur was starting to get tired, but Arcanine was panting heavily. Hopefully another few attacks would do it…
"Razor Leaf!" At this command, Venusaur thrashed the flower on it's back, causing multiple, sharp leaves to fly at Arcanine. But Alan saw it coming, issuing another order.
"Heat Wave!" A stream of hot air was expelled from Arcanine's mouth, stopping and incinerating the leaves racing toward it.
Alan was looking agitated, he wanted this battle to be over, which explained his next order, "We're gonna have to make our attacks stronger buddy! Use Sunny Day!" Arcanine tilted its head up, and howled.
"AROOOOOOOOO!" As it did so, a golden stream rushed upward, from its mouth, toward the sun. It connected, and we all felt the effect. It was a LOT hotter, and the sunlight was so intense, my glasses instantly darkened. Alan had also put shades on at this.
"Now!" he cried, "Max power Flare Blitz!"
My eyes widened, if that connected, Venusaur was in serious trouble. I looked down at my friend on the battlefield, and saw that my grass-type was glowing green, its Overgrow ability starting to take effect. In particular though, I saw a glow in the centre of the flower on its back. I then remembered the latest attack Venusaur had learned, while we were doing our individual training for the tournament.
I looked up, to see Arcanine running full pelt down the battlefield, wreathed in flame, straight at Venusaur. It was now or never.
"Let's do this Venusaur! SolarBeam!" I shouted with all my might. The glow within the flower intensified, and a bright white beam shot straight out, connecting with Arcanine, who was only a few metres away at the time. A large explosion ensued.
While the smoke was clearing, I looked at Alan, who was staring right back. He nodded at me, and I nodded back, each of us thanking the other for this battle.
I then looked down and couldn't believe it. Venusaur and Arcanine were both sprawled on the floor, completely knackered. Then, slowly, I saw Venusaur move a little. It struggled, but managed to lift its massive bulk on all four legs, whilst breathing very heavily indeed. I looked across and saw Arcanine attempting the same feat. However, when it had finally stood up, it collapsed again, too tired to do any more.
I had won…
Year 2, part 2
Dave defeats Alan, only to be knocked out in the semi-finals. All three friends are commended for doing so well in their first League competition. After hearing from Professor Oak about the neighbouring Johto region, complete with new species of Pokémon to catch and train, they leave all of their Pokémon with him and journey to New Bark Town to compete in the Johto League. When they arrive, they receive new starter Pokémon from Professor Elm in to help them on this new journey.
"So you're the three brilliant Pokémon trainers I've heard so much about from Samuel," said Professor Elm, welcoming us into his lab.
"Err, I guess so sir." replied Alan, looking a bit downcast at this.
"Well, top 16, 8 and 4 in your first Pokémon League tournament is nothing to be sniffed at, let me tell you!" the professor enthused, trying to lift the sombre mood that had hung over Alan since the battle between him and I in the Indigo League. The battle that I had won, and he had lost. The loss that had sent him out of the tournament.
"Thank you for saying that sir," said Laura, also trying to lift the mood, "you're very kind for thinking we're that good."
"Well, I hope you're that good, because this sort of thing does not happen very often. Only exceptional trainers get more than one starter Pokémon given to them. If people want more than one, they usually have to catch one in the wild, and they are quite rare out there."
"Yes sir!" I shouted, ripping off a salute in jest of his pseudo-serious speech, "We'll be sure to make you proud of entrusting these starter Pokémon to us to raise, sir!"
Everyone in the room laughed at that. I was proud of myself for lifting the mood that was hanging on Alan.
"Now then," said Elm, "to business. As you know, there is a grass-type, a water-type and a fire-type starter Pokémon. Do you know which of you shall have which Pokémon?"
Alan looked at Laura and myself, "What do you think guys? Same order as last time?" he asked.
"Yeah, I'm okay with that." answered Laura.
"Me too." I replied.
"Great! If I remember correctly from the matches I saw on TV, Dave has the grass-type, Laura the fire-type, and Alan the water-type, yes?" enquired Elm.
We all confirmed that, and he left to get the Pokémon. He returned a few minutes later with three Pokéballs. "Here's your new Chikorita Dave." He says, handing me a Pokéball.
I release the Pokémon inside. It's a small, light green creature with small, dainty legs, a collar of green stubs, large red eyes, and a large leaf atop its head. It looks at me, and with a small "Chiko!" jumps into my arms and nuzzles into my chest. I look over at my friends and see they're having equal success with their new Pokémon. Alan's is a small, blue crocodilian, and Laura's is a similar sized blue and cream creature with a long snout and flames on it's back.
"Looks like we've got our new partners guys." I say, laughing with them.
Well, that's 'Year 2' taken care of, next chapter soon, probably tomorrow. Stay tuned!
Dave