Adventures in Hoenn
Chapter Forty-One: Alex VS. Drake Part Two and a Surprise Match
*Alex's p.o.v*
Brendan, his family, May and I made it back to Drake's ring. Drake and I agreed to a one-on-one match. I was tense. Drake could summon any kind of Dragon-type Pokémon. My palms sweated in anticipation. We picked our Poké Balls.
''GO!'' we both cried as we tossed the Poké Balls. Out of Drake's came a large winged dragon similar to Dragonite except that it was bipedal and had large red wings and a fiercer appearance. I summoned Swampert. Swampert's eyes lit up in fear and he started to tremble.
''Swampert, are you okay?'' I asked concerned.
''NO! I'M NOT OKAY! IT'S A SALAMENCE!'' Swampert said with horror on his face.
''What's wrong, tough guy? Intimidated?'' Salamence snarled as he came closer. Swampert screamed as high as I'll ever hear him scream and ran behind me cowering.
''Did something happen to cause you to be afraid of Salamences?'' I asked Swampert.
''Y-yes,'' Swampert answered as his voice shook. ''It all goes back to when I was still a Mudkip..''
*Flashback (Swampert's p.o.v)*
''Mommy, can we go to the lake today?'' I asked my Swampert mother. I was at the age equivalent to a six year old human.
''Sure honey,'' my mother replied. ''Let's go.'' We then walked out of our home inside a forest cave. The air was thick with summer heat. Of course, us Mudkips need to stay moist so we don't dry up and die. That's why we live as close to water as possible. Thankfully, we lived near a beautiful lake. It was only a ten minute walk to the lake. We reached the lake and I jumped into the water. ''Stay close, dear!''
''Yes, mommy!'' I yelled as I frolicked about in the clear water. My mother set up a picnic with delicious fruits such as apples, bananas, and watermelon. I swam through the water back and forth with sheer joy in my heart. ''I wish my friends were around to spend time with me.'' It was thirty minutes when my stomach started to rumble. ''I'm going to get some lunch.'' I met with my mother on the shore.
''Did you have fun, sweetie?'' my mother cooed.
''Uh-huh! Now, I need some more energy to do MORE swimming!'' I said jumping up and down excited.
''Well, dig in, dear!'' my mother giggled. ''Just don't go back into the water before thirty minutes passed!'' I gobbled down the food quickly in an ignorant bliss. Suddenly, a shadow passed overhead. My mother looked up and was aghast.
''What is it, mommy?'' I asked as I looked up. I saw a Salamence circling over head eying us with hunger.
''Mudkip, run back to the cave,'' my mother whispered. I was still looking up in fear. ''GO!'' I instantly took off towards the cave without thinking of anything else. I dove into the cave and shuddered in fear. After about ten minutes, I walked towards the mouth of the cave. My mother was nowhere in sight. I heard the sound of thundering footsteps coming towards me. I shrunk back and barely saw the Salamence coming out of the bushes. Blood dripped from his mouth.
''I swear I saw a Mudkip run this way,'' the Salamence said. ''Hmm, oh well. I'm full anyways.'' The Salamence then yawned and took off for the sky. I peeked out of the cave and ran out of the cave and back towards the lake. When I reached the lake, I was horrified at the sight I saw. My mother was lying on the ground with blood seeping out of vicious holes left by bites and claw marks. Her throat was also ripped out. ''MOMMY! MOMMY! WAKE UP!'' She didn't respond. Tears filled my eyes until I sobbed hysterically. I pressed myself up against my mother's dead body and sobbed in despair.
*Flashback end (Alex's p.o.v)*
''Oh,'' I said shocked. ''I'm so sorry, Swampert. That's a horrible thing to go through.''
''Thank you, Alex. But the damage is done,'' Swampert asked pleadingly. ''Do I have to fight him, Alex?'' I thought for awhile.
''I don't know what to say, Swampert. Do you want to try and face your fears?'' I asked. ''I think it would be good for you. That Salamence isn't going to kill you. I won't allow it.''
''Um…I g-g-guess I could try,'' Swampert finally said. Swampert got into a battle position but was still afraid.
''Are you ready?'' Drake asked.
''Yes. Let's fight!'' I responded.
''Then Salamence, Aerial Ace!'' Drake commanded. Salamence flew towards Swampert at a high speed.
''Swampert, Waterfall!'' I ordered. Swampert climbed up a stream of water. As Salamence followed Swampert up, Swampert flinched allowing Salamence to hit him with its claws. Swampert then fell to the ground. ''Are you okay, Swampert?''
''I'm scared stiff but yeah,'' Swampert answered as he got up.
''Salamence, Fire Blast!'' Drake yelled. Salamence blasted Swampert with a fire ball doing significant damage.
''Swampert! Don't give up!'' I encouraged.
''Well, YOU'RE not the one with a tragic past are ya?!'' Swampert snapped annoyed.
''Looks like your Pokemon League journey ends here, Miss,'' Drake condescended. ''Salamence, Dragon Claw!'' Salamence's claws glowed and elongated as he flew towards Swampert who shuddered, balled up, and braced for the hit.
''SWAMPERT! YOU CAN DO IT!'' I shouted desperately. Swampert cringed as Salamence drew near. Salamence rose his claws and was about to hit Swampert. I closed my eyes expecting the worst when suddenly, Swampert grabbed Salamence's claws with his massive hand. Drake, Salamence and I were stunned.
''I…have had…ENOUGH!'' Swampert roared. Salamence's face quickly sprouted a smirking smile.
''Now this'll be interesting!'' Salamence commented. Salamence tried to slash Swampert with his other claws but Swampert grabbed those as well. Salamence grew nervous in response.
''Push on, Salamence! Hyper Beam!'' Drake shouted. Salamence charged up his beam.
''Swampert, Hydro Pump!'' I retorted. Swampert blasted Salamence in the face with water canceling his Hyper Beam.
''Not bad, fishie,'' Salamence said genuinely impressed. ''But, the battle has just begun!'' Salamence tackled Swampert putting them in a wrestling match.
''Swampert, Ice Punch!'' I commanded. Swampert's right fist became encased in ice. He then punched Salamence in the gut knocking the wind out of Salamence. Salamence laid on the ground catching its breath. ''Now, Rock Slide!'' Salamence summoned an avalanche of boulders and dropped them on Salamence as it got up. Salamence was knocked out!
''Hey, I did it!'' Swampert said surprised. ''I overcame my fear!''
''Congratulations, Swampert!'' I yelled happily as I threw my arms around him.
''Way to go, you two!'' Brendan yelled equally happily.
''Congratulations, Alex, Swampert,'' Drake said clapping. He then helped Salamence out of the rubble and they came up to us.
''Thank you for the match, Drake,'' I said bowing.
''You have a lot of courage to overcome your fear, Swampert,'' Drake said petting Swampert. Swampert chuckled in response. Salamence then came up to Swampert and held out his claws for a shake.
''Good going, Swampert,'' Salamence complimented smiling. Swampert smiled and shook Salamence's claws. I smiled and nuzzled Swampert lovingly in response.
''I'm so proud of you, buddy,'' I cooed.
''Thanks, Alex. I'm happy that you're my Trainer because I wouldn't want anyone else,'' Swampert responded smiling.
''Aw, you're so sweet, Swampy,'' I said in a motherly tone. I then kissed Swampert on the cheek causing Swampert to go wide-eyed and turn red in response.
''What was that for?!'' Swampert said embarrassed as he rubbed his cheek.
''Just a friendly kiss,'' I answered continuing to cuddle Swampert. Swampert stuck out his tongue disgusted in retaliation groaning. Everyone else laughed at our ''adorable'' moment.
*Brendan's p.o.v*
May, my family, Alex and I stood before the counter proudly.
''Congratulations on your progress, you two. You demonstrated your Pokémon's' powers to their fullest,'' the counter lady complimented. ''Now, for your next challenge, you shall now fight…'' The lady pressed the button on the counter. A question mark appeared next to my picture. My palms sweated and my heart raced in anticipation. The picture that appeared made me go wide-eyed and my heart practically stop in shock.
''ALEX?!'' I practically screamed.
''ME?!'' Alex did the same in almost perfect unison. My family and May were equally surprised. Alex and I looked at each other in disbelief.
''Yes. Only one of you can fight the Champion. The one who moves on will fight the Champion. The battle will be the day after tomorrow at 7:00 pm,'' the lady explained. ''Good luck!'' The lady then closed the desk and walked off. Alex and I stood there still trying to get over the shock.
''How…could I fight the one I love?'' Alex and I muttered quietly at the same time. We looked at each other sadly. ''I-I don't know what to say,'' we stuttered at the same time. We stood before each other trying to smile.
''Well…there's something you don't see every day,'' I said trying to smile.
''Yeah…quite an…*gulp* eye-opener,'' Alex said scratching the back of her head.
''So, um, good night?'' I asked.
''Yeah, good night,'' Alex said quietly. We walked up to each other, hugged and kissed repeatedly. I squeezed Alex tightly uttering a satisfying groan. Alex and I then walked off in opposite directions.
''Brendan? Are you okay, dear?'' my mother asked. I stopped in my tracks.
''Yeah, sure. Just a little tired,'' I answered not looking back. I then continued on my way to my room. Why Arceus, why? I thought sadly. Can I bring myself to defeat my own girl friend?
Hey guys, BigBossMan again! Hope you enjoyed this new chapter. Just so you know, I'm moving to my college dorm tomorrow. I don't start school until September 30th but I'll be busy doing activities on campus. All I can say is that I'll do my best to bring you new chapters and stories. There are about 4 or so chapters left that I have planned. Please, continue to read, share these stories with your friends, check out my current poll, and I'll see you later! Bye! :D