Chapter 18: Too Much

I walked out into the arena. I didn't feel good. I was dizzy. If Master Black was Jared, the current champion of the Unova Conference, then did Team Cataclysm have other famous trainers amongst their elite rank? As of right now, it seemed very plausible. You had to be one hell of a trainer to win like Master Black did in the last round.

I got to my side and turned around to face my opponent. Kat was her name. Not going to deny, she was pretty cute. She seemed to be around my age and she was really tall, like almost my height. She had brown hair down to her shoulders and brown eyes. She wore blue denim skinny jeans and a white tank top under blue jean jacket. She gave me a sweet smile. I awkwardly smiled back.

"So you're my opponent today?" she asked. "This will be fun! Go Blissey!"

Kat sent out a round, pink and white Pokemon with what appeared to be an egg in a pouch on its belly and small, white wings on its back.

"Alright then..." I said rather nervously "Go Donphan!"

I hadn't used Donphan in a long time, not since Johto, but he always was a reliable partner. That's why, when I registered my back-up Pokemon, I chose him amongst others. I also decided to try out something new in this round. Since the rules allowed us to choose any six of the twelve Pokemon we registered at the beginning, I decided to use some of the other Pokemon I haven't been using during the whole course of this challenge.

"Donphan, use Roll Out!"

Dophan curled into a ball and launched itself at Blissey. Blissey was known to be a Pokemon with incredible stamina, though very poor defenses, so maybe I could end this part of the battle quickly.

"Blissey, use Light Screen!"

Blissey put her tiny hands in front of her and created a large wall. Donphan rammed right into it. The wall held up well as Donphan kept rolling into it faster and faster. Finally, when Donphan put in enough effort, the wall broke and Donphan was able to hit Blissey with his attack. Donphan then rammed Blissey again. And again. And again and again., each time the attack getting more powerful. Blissey seemed to be heavily damaged, but still standing and very ready to battle.

"Blissey, use Egg Bomb!"

Blissey took the egg it was carrying and threw it at Donphan. When it landed, it exploded, hurting Donphan.

"Donphan, use Earthquake!"

Donphan slammed his two front legs hard on the ground and generated a powerful shockwave that shook the whole arena. Blissey took even more damage and appeared to be on its last leg.

"Blissey, use Softboiled!"

Blissey's egg bounced back into her pouch and then began to glow yellow. When it got back into her pouch, Blissey also began to glow yellow and the signs of battle Blissey had disappeared. She was fully healed.

"Donphan, use Roll Out again!"

Donphan rolled into a ball again and charged right at Blissey, hitting her. He then did a complete 180 and hit her again. He kept doing this for awhile until he came to a stop and unrolled himself. Blissey had once again taken a lot of damage, but seemed to be in fighting shape.

"Blissey use Double-edge!"

Blissey charged at Donphan with full force, slamming into him, but also hurting herself in the process. Blissey was really damaged now. I knew one good attack could finish this round.

"Donphan, let's finish this with Giga Impact!"

Donphan began to charge at full speed as orange streaks surrounded his body. He hit Blissey dead on and sent her flying. Blissey landed and couldn't get back up. Kat recalled her.

"Well that was intense, but don't count me out just yet! I still have five Pokemon left! Let's go Rotom!"

Kat sent out a large orange refrigerator that seemed to have purple electricity surrounding its body and an odd face on top. Now, I knew how Rotom could change forms and its type depending on what form it took, but I had never actually faced a Rotom. They're supposed to be an incredibly diverse Pokemon. Given that it was a refrigerator, I guessed that it was part ice type in this form.

I was right.

"Rotom, use Blizzard!"

"Donphan, use Earthquake!"

Donphan slammed his front legs on the ground, creating a powerful shockwave again. However, Rotom seemed to be unaffected by this attack. It had the ability Levitate. Crap. Rotom then let out a powerful blast of ice that hit Donphan. Donphan went down instantly due to the type advantage. I recalled him.

"Let's go Gengar!"

I sent out my Ghost-type Pokemon. He appeared with his usual large grin and looked at his opponent with glee. He was always a Pokemon that enjoyed good fights.

"Rotom use Ominous Wind"

Rotom created a gust of Dark Wind that hit Gengar, but Gengar appeared fine when it subsided.

"Gengar, use Hypnosis!"

Gengar let loose a light pulse that hit Rotom. Rotom begin trying to fight off sleep, but just couldn't manage it. It eventually gave in and fell asleep.

"Now, use Nightmare!"

Gengar created a horrible imp-like creature out of darkness and then sent it hurling at Rotom. It hit Rotom and then went inside of it. Rotom appeared to be incredibly disturbed by what had just happened, and remained asleep.

"Now, lets finish this with Dream Eater!"

Gengar created an apparition of himself that he sent at Rotom. It passed right through Rotom and then went straight back to Gengar, giving Gengar some energy he lost form the Ominous Wind. Rotom was still asleep and heavily damaged. Eventually, the Nightmare, which, oddly, wasn't the dream Gengar seemed to have eaten, took its mental toll on Rotom, causing it to be completely unable to battle. Kat recalled it.

"Well, that is one powerful Pokemon there, but I think I can still get this. Let's go Ninetales!"

A beautiful, white furred fox Pokemon with nine orange tipped tails appeared. Ninetales was always such a mysterious, yet majestic Pokemon. I kinda wish I had captured one, but I was content with Blaziken as my Fire-type Pokemon.

"Ninetales, use Will-o-Wisp!"

Ninetales fired little orbs of blue fire at Gengar. When they hit, Gengar was given a really bad burn.

"Now, use Hex Ninetales!"

Ninetales's eyes began to glow red as Gengar became surrounded in a red aura. Gengar seemed to be in serious pain. The burn only served to make the attack more powerful. When the red aura faded, Gengar was really badly damaged, but still able to fight.

"Gengar, use Shadow Ball!"

"Ninetales, Flamethrower!"

Gengar created an orb of shadow and launched it at Ninetales. At the same time, Ninetales let loose a steady, powerful stream of fire from her mouth. Gengar got hit by the flames and went down. The Shadow Ball hit Ninetales dead on, but she shook it off easily. I had to recall Gengar and send out my next Pokemon.

"Alright, let's go Reuniclus!"

The oddity that is Reuniclus appeared. It appeared as if it were a small humanoid inside green goo that formed arms and a protective layer over it.

"Alright Ninetales, use Flamethrower!"

Ninetales let loose another powerful stream of flames from its mouth. Reuniclus moved its arms in front of himself for protection. The flames didn't seem to affect him much.

"Reuniclus, use Psyshock!"

Reuniclus let loose several orbs of Psychic energy. The orbs were then sent flying at Ninetales, hitting her from all directions. Ninetales got back up, still willing to fight, but very badly damaged.

"Ninetales, use Inferno!"

Ninetales let out another powerful stream of fire from its mouth, but this one seemed to have more intensity. The fire began to spread in all directions, completely surrounding Reuniclus. It took a long time, but the Fire eventually died out, and there was Reuniclus surrounded by a yellow, glass wall. He had used Light Screen to protect himself from the powerful fire.

"Now, Reuniclus, use Psychic!"

Ninetales's body became cloaked in a blue aura as Reuniclus used his psychic powers to lift her up into the air. He then slammed her into the ground several times. Ninetals didn't get back up. Kat recalled her.

"Well, things are getting interesting, huh? Guess I'm going to have to really go all out then! Come on out Milotic!"

A long, serpentine Pokemon with long red extensions coming from her head and a tail that was covered in red and blue scales. She was truly what legends say about this Pokemon, a beautiful sight to behold.

"Reuniclus, use Future Sight!"

"Milotic, use Aqua Tail"

As Reuniclus's eyes glowed and he sent a burst of psychic energy into the air, Milotic's rushed up to Reuniclus and whipped him with her tail surrounded by a veil of water. Reuniclus got back up, still willing to fight .

"Reuniclus, use Hidden Power!"

Reuniclus's eyes began to glow white as several white orbs formed around him. He then launched the orbs at Milotic. Reuniclus's Hidden Power, as I learned from some man in Mistralton City, is actually a Grass-Type move, so, hopefully using this move would deal a good amount of damage to Milotic, but not enough to take it out.

"Milotic use Hydro Pump!"

Milotic let loose a powerful jet of water from her mouth right at Reuniclus. The powerful blast sent Reuniclus flying backwards. Reuniclus didn't get back up this time. I recalled him.

"Alright then, let's go Luxray!"

Luxray pounced onto the field with a very regal appearance. He started to generate a small amount of electricity for a bit of intimidation.

"Luxray, use Swagger!"

Luxray's eyes glowed red as he stared at Milotic, causing her eyes to glow red, as well. This caused Milotic to become confused. She tried to lunge at Luxray, but instead hit her head on the ground, injuring herself.

"Milotic, try and shake it off and use Ice Beam!"

Milotic, trying not to hurt herself, fired a beam of ice energy at Luxray, hitting him.

"Luxray, use Thunder Fang!"

Luxray opened his mouth, which became covered in electricity, and rushed at Milotic. Luxray then bit down on Milotic, sending electricity throughout her body. The attack seemed to be pretty painful, causing Milotic to become very weakened.

"Milotic, use Aqua Tail again!"

Milotic covered her tail in a swirl of water. However, due to her confusion, she hit the ground face first again instead of hitting Luxray with her tail. She knocked herself out. Kat recalled her.

"Guess I really need to pull out the big guns now huh? Let's go Steelix!"

A large snake made of what could only be steel boulders materialized. He seemed to be as tall as the highest stand in the arena. Steelix was a huge Pokemon, making me and my Luxray seem miniscule compared to it. But I knew I could beat it, I just had to in order to move on and stop Team Cataclysm. This Steelix wasn't even Kat's last Pokemon, though...

"Luxray, use Swagger"

"Steelix, use Iron Tail!'

As Luxray tried to use the move to confuse Steelix that worked so successfully with Milotic, Steelix's tail came slamming down on top of Luxray. When it moved away, Luxray was badly damaged.

"Steelix, now, use Dig!"

The massive Pokemon dug his way underground, causing tremors across the arena. Luxray was completely helpless as Steelix emerged from underneath him and rammed him into the air. Steelix then completely emerged and slammed Luxray onto the ground with his tail. I recalled him.

Now I only had two Pokemon left for this match. I figured one of them would be completely useless against Steelix, so that left it at...

"Go Lapras!" I shouted.

Lapras appeared. She looked up at her opponent, ready for a long battle.

"Steelix, use another Iron Tail"

"Lapras, use Ice Beam!"

As Steelix's large tail came crashing down on Lapras, Lapras sent out a large beam of ice energy. This caused Steelix's tail to never hit her, avoiding damage completely.

"Now Lapras, use Water Pulse!"

Lapras sent a ring of water crashing onto Steelix. Steelix seemed to be hurt. A large, Steel-type Pokemon like Steelix had good defenses, that's for sure, but mostly against physical attacks. If I could use a lot of supper-effective special attacks, like Water Pulse, then I knew I could easily beat this giant.

"Steelix, Stone Edge!"

"Lapras, use Hydro Pump!"

Steelix created a large ring of stones around him and then launched them at Lapras, hurting Lapras. I forgot Rock-type moves were still good against Lapras's Ice-typing. Meanwhile, Lapras sent a powerful jet of water aimed right at Steelix. It hit Steelix pretty hard, damaging him a lot, but not enough to count him out just yet.

"Alright Lapras, let's finish this with Brine!"

Lapras fired a powerful stream of water that hit Steelix. Since Steelix was already badly damged, Brine's power was doubled. The large snake Pokemon came crashing down with a loud thud, shacking the whole arena. Kat recalled her massive Pokemon.

"Well then, I got one left huh? Hehe, guess its good I have you then! Let's go Sceptile!"

Kat's Sceptile materialized with a cocky grin on its face. Now, Lapras's battle with Steelix left her pretty weak, so Kat's Sceptile could easily knock her out, but, we both had a type advantage here. I could exploit Sceptile's weakness to Ice-type to win. However, Sceptile could easily finish Lapras off soon, so I needed to act.

"Lapras, use Ice Beam!"

"Sceptile, use Leaf Blade!"

Lapras fired another beam of ice energy. Sceptile, however, dodged it easily as he ran up and slashed Lapras with the leaves on his arms. At the last minute, Sceptile was grazed by the Ice Beam, causing some damage, but Lapras was now out cold. I recalled him.

"Alright then, we both have one Pokemon left. Its down to this then... Let's go Ninjask!"

I sent out my small Bug Pokemon, ready to end this fight quickly. Suddenly, a burst of Psychic energy fell from the sky and engulfed Sceptile. Reuniclus's Future Sight attack finally hit.

Sceptile got back up, still willing to fight, but also badly damaged, as opposed to Ninjask, who has yet to be injured in this battle. Looked like the ending was in sight.

"Sceptile, use Night Slash!"

Sceptile came charging at Ninjask with the leaves on his arms glowing a dark purple. He slashed at Ninjask, but Ninjask was too fast for him. His attack had completely missed.

"Ninjask let's finish this battle! Use X-Scissor!"

Ninjask's forearms glowed purple as he made an X shape with them and charged right at Sceptile. When he reached his opponent, Ninjask uncrossed his forearms and slashed Sceptile right across the chest. Sceptile went down. The match was mine!

The crowd began to cheer as Kat recalled her final Pokemon. I can't believe it. I had made it through the first round of the tournament! It seemed impossible, but it was true! I was closer to the finals, and closer to beating Team Cataclysm and stopping them from whatever it was they were up to.

Speaking of Team Cataclysm, I guess this means that I'm facing Jared in the next round... I had already lost to him once, but this time, I couldn't lose. I just couldn't! Not for the sake of what appeared to be the whole world. More importantly than that, I had to beat him for Kai and Lyss...

I met Kat in the center of the Poke Ball, which made up the center of the arena. She congratulated me on winning then gave me her Pokegear number and said something about wanting to learn to raise Pokemon as tough as mine. I don't quite remember much, honestly, because I was getting dizzy again. I think it had to do with how close that match was. If I had to struggle that much against Kat, who was, admittedly, an amazing trainer (I mean seriously, she raised a Steelix and a Milotic! Those are two Pokemon that require a lot of patience to raise!), then I don't know how I could do against someone like Jared... let alone the rest of the Cataclysm Royals...

Given the current Tournament Brackets, it looked like I had the possibility of facing three of the Cataclysm Royals. There was, of course, Jared, or Master Black, as he now goes by, who I will surely be facing in the next round.

Then there was Red. Red scared me in all honesty. He's the one that ripped Kai and Lyss away from me, as well as the one who made Roland beat me up. If he was that ruthless, I could only imagine his battle style. I wouldn't have to wait long, though, because his battle was later in the day.

Then there was the leader herself, Catalyst. She was just as fearsome as Red. I don't know why, but she gave off an air of fear. She was going to face Hanna very soon. I hope Hanna can pull through in this match.

As I walked back through the tunnels to exit the arena, I passed by her. Catalyst. She seemed so elegant, yet so very, very deadly. One wrong move, and she would likely end me right there.

"Are you the boy that all my Royals keep telling me about? The one who seems to show up where the Legendary Pokemon appear?"
I froze in terror. She was speaking directly to me.

"I-I guess so.." I stuttered

"Well, your friends are fine, we've been treating them well. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a match. Winning this match will put me one step closer to my goal." Catalyst said as she strutted on past me.

"Wh-what is your p-plan anyways?" I said. I don't know how I was able to get it out of me, but I did.

Catalyst stopped in her tracks.

"We intend to destroy all human life. This world will belong to Pokemon and humans will cease to exist."

And with that, she continued to walk out of the tunnel.

I fell to the ground, completely dizzy. Catalyst's words were etched into my brain. It was the single most disturbing thing I had ever heard.

I knew then that Team Cataclysm really needed to be defeated. Not just to get my two friends back, but to save humanity, it seemed. But could I trust that that was actually their grand plan? Or was there something more to it? And then, what do the legendary Pokemon have to do with it all?

I got back up, my head still buzzing and my body still dizzy from what I just heard. I made my way to the stands where I could watch the next match.

A/N: Hello fans and other readers! I hope this next chapter is exciting and that it clears some stuff! We're so close to the end now! Very soon, we'll see it all unravel! On a side note, the prequel to this story, titled "The Colour Red" has been started, and I'd love if people would PM some OCs to help that story develop. The information for that can be found in the story itself, as the information on my profile needs to be updated. So, as always, please review and tell me what you think or if I can make any improvements, and I hope you enjoy! :)