Chapter 46 – A Battle to Remember
I could not sleep at all that night! All I could think of was the prospect of having to battle my best friend for a shot at besting the Elite Four. So, while May and Martin slept, I decided to sneak out of the room and take a little walk. Flamefox woke up and came with me, but I let Firestorm and Inferno sleep, and I was very quiet so as not to awaken Amber or Redfur. Anyway, Flamefox and I walked to Indigo Stadium and once inside, we walked halfway up the stairs that led to the giant torch, and we just stood there, watching it burn brightly. Then I looked at him and said, "I don't know, Flamefox. This is tough! May is my best friend. I hate to see her lose. Maybe we should just forfeit." He looked down and sighed, "Vullll." Just then, an old, familiar voice asked, "And how would your friend feel about you doing that?" I turned around and asked, "Sage Li! What are you doing here?" He replied, "I have been here." He looked even more mystical than usual under the light of the giant torch. I asked him, "Then you've seen our battles?" He answered, "Yes. Both of you both truly understand Pokemon, and what it means to be a trainer." Then I told him, "I'm afraid." He asked, "And what are you afraid of?" I answered, "Losing a friend." He responded, "May knows what is at stake as much as you do. How would it make you feel if May decided to forfeit because she felt the same way you do right now?" I answered, "I wouldn't want her to do that! It wouldn't be fair to her!" He said, "Exactly! And you know, as well as I do, that if you forfeited, she would not accept the victory – and she'd be angrier at you than if she lost to you in battle!" I replied, "Knowing her, you're probably right! But how can we stay friends if one of us has to lose? Especially in such a crucial battle?" He answered, "True friends are there for each other no matter what! She will be there for you, regardless of whether you win or lose, and likewise, you need to be there for her, whether she wins or loses. I can assure you that your friendship will not end over a Pokemon battle, no matter how much is at stake. I can see it in both of your souls. You two are meant to be together – you need each other." I said, "Thanks, Sage Li. You're right! Tomorrow, I'll battle my very best, as I'm sure May will!" He said, "May is a very formidable opponent. You and I have guided her well." I laughed and replied, "This is VERY true! I never expected that girl I met in Violet City who couldn't even get her Cyndaquil to do any decent flame attacks to become such a powerful trainer! We really helped her to believe in herself as a trainer." He replied, "We all carry within us the potential for greatness. Sometimes we just need someone outside of ourselves to point it out to us, and then we must be willing to act on it!" With that, he turned around and began his descent down the stairs. I asked him, "Just out of curiosity, what made you decide to become a Sage?" He stopped, then replied, "A story… for another day. You need to get back to your hotel and get some rest for your very important battle tomorrow." Then he continued down the stairs. Flamefox and I took one last look at the bright flames of the torch, and then we, too, walked down the stairs, and left the stadium. As we walked through the Pokemon Village under the light of the moon, I saw May and Amber up ahead. "There you are! Where were you? I woke up and saw that you were gone! I was worried!" I replied, "I'm sorry. I couldn't sleep, so I decided to take a walk with Flamefox." She said, "You're concerned about our battle tomorrow." I said, "Yeah." She replied, "Don't worry about it! Let's just each battle the best we can and whoever wins, wins. No pressure." I responded, "Agreed! And we stay friends, no matter the outcome!" She looked at me and said, "Of course! It would be pretty stupid for a friendship to end over a Pokemon battle! In fact, in a way, it's better, because whoever loses can still be happy for their friend and share in their excitement over winning!" I smiled, remembering what Sage Li had just told me. Then I asked her, "So you were really worried about me?" She answered, "Of course I was! Why else would I come out looking for you?" I replied, "Thanks, May! You really are the best friend I've ever had." She said, "So are you." With that, we walked back to the hotel together, and Flamefox and Amber walked side by side, under the moonlight.
The next day, the 4 of us ate in the hotel cafeteria, as always. I felt ready to battle, but a part of me still wanted to let May win. I just tried to keep Sage Li's words of wisdom in my head. As Martin scarfed down a large stack of pancakes, he said, "Just so you guys know, I'm not advising either of you for this battle! I refuse to take sides!" May said, "That's understandable." Trevor said to Martin, "You eat like a starving man." Then he said to us, "Just remember, no matter who wins, you're both great trainers and neither of you is better than the other. So show good sportmanship." A voice then said, "That's very sound advice!" We turned to see that it was Professor Oak. And behind him was Professor Elm! "Well, this is a surprise!" I said. "We have both been watching your battles on TV and you've both done very well for yourselves!" Professor Oak told us. "When we saw that you'd be battling each other, we had to come down and see it!" Professor Elm said. May and I both replied, "Thank you!" Then I asked, "How are all my Pokemon doing?" Professor Oak said, "Very well. You've caught many potential champions in your journey." May asked Professor Elm, "How are our Sneasels?" He answered, "Amazing! I've learned so much from them! But there is still so much more we need to know." Martin asked, "Just remember, I've studied them a lot longer than you have and I know things you don't." He said, "I know. You are always the first person I call when I run into a question." Martin asked, "So any word yet on their introduction into the pokedex?" He answered, "Not yet. Professor Westwood is very picky about such things. He insists that much more studying should be done of them before they are even included in the Johto pokedex." Martin grumbled under his breath." Professor Oak then said, "Well, we'll see you at Indigo Stadium. Good luck, to both of you!" With that, they left, and we finished breakfast.
Our battle was at 1:00pm There were hordes of people lined up to get inside the stadium. No one wanted to miss this battle! The media was really hyping it! May and I actually had to shove past cameras and reporters just to get inside the arena! Soon the announcer came on and said, "This is the battle you've all been waiting for! Whoever wins will have a chance to battle the Elite Four and be this year's League Champion! Will the winner be Joseph Ehlle from Crimson Town, or May Redfield from Violet City? Both trainers are formidable! And today, they can each use up to six Pokemon!" May took my hands and said, "Good luck, Joe!" I told her, "Good luck, May!" She then ran to her side of the battle field, accompanied by Amber and Redfur, while I stood on my side with Flamefox, Firestorm, and Inferno. Martin sat on a bench against the wall on my side, while Trevor sat on a bench on May's side. The scoreboard had my May's picture on one side, and mine on the other side! It had come down to the 2 of us. The referee raised up his red and green flags and said, "Let the battle…" Suddenly, there was a lot of commotion, and a huge, Meowth-shaped balloon appeared overhead and we heard sinister laughter coming from a teenage girl on board. Then we heard the following motto, being loudly spoken by a teenage boy with long blue hair, and a teenage girl with longer red hair:
Girl: "To protect the world from devastation."
Boy: "To unite all people within our nation."
Girl: "To denounce the evils of truth and love."
Boy: "To extend our reach to the stars above."
Girl: "Jessie"
Boy: "James"
Girl: "Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light!"
Boy: "Surrender now or prepare to fight!"
And then a Meowth popped up and shouted, "Meowth, that's right!" Everyone gasped at the talking Meowth, except Martin. The three of them jumped down from the balloon and James said, "Sorry to crash the party" and Jessie said, "But we're here to steal all your strong Pokemon!" Meowth said, "With Pokemon like yours, we'll rake in big bucks for the boss!" I said, "I'll never let you take my Pokemon!" They said, "We'll just see about that!" James shouted, "Go, Koffing!" and tossed out a pokeball, releasing the round, floating, poison type. Jessie shouted, "Go, Ekans!" and released the snake-like Pokemon. I shouted, "Go Flamefox!" but Martin interrupted. "I'll handle these guys! Go, Arcanine, Persian, and Nidoking!" Jessie said, "Ha! You think you can stop us? We'll just take your Pokemon, too! Ekans, use poison sting!" Ekans leapt at Martin's Nidoking, but before it could attack, Martin commanded, "Nidoking, use tackle!" The mighty pink beast slammed the snake onto the ground before it could attack! "Now use body slam!" Nidoking hurled his large body onto Ekans and crushed it underneath! Meowth said, "I'll take care of you!" and leapt at Nidoking, only to be stopped by Persian. He said, "You think you can stop Meowth?" and began a fury swipes attack on Persian! Persian just stood there as Meowth pointlessly swiped his claws at him, and then Persian used his slash attack, knocking Meowth to the ground! James shouted, "Koffing, use smokescreen!" It replied, "Koffing!" as it released the smoke from the holes in its orb-shaped body. We all coughed as the smoke filled the arena. Martin released his Golbat, and said, "Use gust!" Golbat's wings blew away the smoke, and James shouted, "Koffing, use your poison gas!" The orb began to release its attack, and Martin shouted, "Arcanine, use flamethrower!" Arcanine launched the powerful fire attack, and ignited Koffing's poison gas. Soon, there was an explosion, and Jessie, James, Meowth, and their other Pokemon were sent flying high into the sky, with their balloon, as they shouted, "We're blasting off agaaaaiiiinnn!" and they disappeared with a "ping". Martin shouted, "And that's kickin' you're a…" Before he could finish, he realized that all eyes, and every camera, were on him! He shouted, "Uh…Golbat, haze! Now!" The Golbat released fog and Martin disappeared! The annoncer asked, "Who was that spiky haired man in the leather jacket?" He reappeared in his seat, wearing sunglasses and eating popcorn. The announcer then said, "Um… anyway, let's get on with the battle!" The referee again held up his two flags and said, "Let the battle begin!" I started off, "I choose you, Jolteon!" and tossed the pokeball, releasing my electric dog! May responded, "I choose Blastoise!" and released the large turtle-like Pokemon. I asked myself, "Why would she use a water type against an electric type?" The announcer said, "The red trainer has chosen a water type! I hope she knows what she's doing!" I shouted, "Jolteon, use thunderbolt!" May responded, "Blastoise, use withdraw!" He re-treated inside his shell, and barley felt Jolteon's attack! "Good, Blastoise! Now use rapid spin!" The large shell began spinning around, like a top, at Jolteon, and I shouted, "Jolteon, use agility!" He ran back and forth in a blur, attempting to avoid the spinning Blastoise! "Blastoise, use hydro pump!" May shouted. Torrents of water came at Jolteon and saturated him, the weight of the water forcing him to the ground! "Jolteon, try a thunder!" I shouted. "Blastoise, use dig!" May ordered. Jolteon launched lightning at Blastoise, but it missed him as he burrowed under ground. Then he shot up, underneath Jolteon! The impact of the huge Pokemon sent Jolteon airborne, and he crashed down to the ground! "Jolteon!" I shouted. He could barely move. "Finish it with bubblebeam!" May shouted. Blastoise shot out a sream of bubbles, each of which exploded upon impacting Jolteon, and he stopped moving. "Jolteon is unable to battle! This round goes to the red trainer!" the referee said. "Jolteon, return!" I shouted, as I recalled him to his pokeball. One of six lights went out under my picture on the scoreboard as the crowd cheered and the announcer said, "Looks like May's Blastoise is a powerhouse! Joe is down to 5 Pokemon!" May said, "Good job, Blastoise!" and gave him a hug. I had to think. Onix was big, but nowhere near experienced enough to take on a strong water type like Blastoise. "I choose Tauros!" I shouted, and released my big buffalo from his pokeball. He stood there, scraping his front hoof against the ground, ready to charge! "Tauros, use horn attack!" He charged at Blastoise as May shouted, "Blastoise, use your strength to stop him!" As Blastoise grabbed Tauros by the horns as he reached him, and Tauros actually pushed him back a little bit, but Blastoise had the upper hand, holding Tauros in place as he tried to push against him. "Blastoise, use seismic toss!" May shouted. Blastoise started swinging Tauros around by his horns, and then threw him. The buffalo went flying across the arena and crashed to the ground! "Tauros!" I shouted. He stood back up, full of rage! "Tauros, use take down!" I shouted. May responded, "Blastoise, water gun!" Tauros charged at Blastoise again, and Blastoise shot out heavy streams of water from the water cannons on his back. This slowed Tauros down, but he still ran against the force of the water. He forced himself through it, and hit Blastoise, knocking him down! "Good job, Tauros! Now, while he's down, hit him with body slam!" I ordered. Tauros leapt into the air over Blastoise, and crashed his heavy body onto him! Blastoise uttered out in pain. Tauros got up and circled round for his next attack. May shouted, "Blastoise, use bubblebeam!" I responded, "Tauros, use skull bash!" Tauros charged at Blastoise, and even with bubbles exploding against him, he charged through them like they were nothing! Then he leapt at Blastoise, and hit him point blank with the skull bash! Blastoise circled around a little, then fell over, swirly eyed. "Blastoise is unable to battle! This round goes to the green trainer!" the referee exclaimed. May recalled Blastoise as I ran down to Tauros and gave him a big hug, saying, "Excellent job, big guy!." One light went out under May's picture as the audience cheered, and the announcer said, "Both trainers are down to five Pokemon each!" May tossed out her next pokeball, shouting, "Go, Fierymane!" Her Rapidash materialized, and she shouted, "Use stomp!" She charged at Tauros as I ordered him, "Use earthquake!" He crashed his front hooves onto the ground and opened up a fissure that headed straight for Fierymane! Fierymane leapt over the fissure and the leapt at Tauros, hitting him hard with her stomp attack and pinning him to the ground! Tauros had already taken a great deal of damage, but still stood back up. I shouted, "Tauros, use horn attack!" He ran at Fierymane and hit her, knocking her down, but she stood back up. "Fierymane, use fire blast!" May shouted. "Tauros, watch out!" I yelled, but he was so worn out that the attack struck him, sending him crashing backwards to the ground, asll charred. We waited. He attempted to stand back up, but ultimately, crashed back down. "Tauros is unable to battle! This round goes to the red trainer!" the referee shouted, holding up the red flag. One more light went out under my name as the audience cheered, and I recalled Tauros. May ran over to Fierymane and gave her a big hug as the announcer said, "May once again has the upper hand!" I tossed out my next pokeball, shouting, "Go, Vaporeon!" As soon as she materialized, I shouted, "Use water gun!" May responded, "Fierymane, use your agility!" Fierymane kept successfully dodging Vaporeon's attacks. Then May shouted, "Use stomp!" Fierymane hit Vaporeon with her front hooves, sending her hurtling across the arena and crashing to the ground. She sttod back up and I shouted, "Vaporeon, use tackle!" She ran at Fierymane and hit her in the side, knocking her down! "Now use whirlpool!" I shouted. Vaporeon launched torrents of water from her mouth, creating a funnel, which wrapped around Fierymane! "Fierymane, no!" May shouted. When the water ceased, Fierymane lay on her side, her flames barley burning. "Rapidash is no longer able to battle! This round goes to the green trainer!" the referee said. Another light went out under May's picture as the audience cheered and May recalled Fierymane. Vaporeon jumped up at me to lick my face, as always. Then May shouted, "Go, Raichu!" and released her large electric mouse. I said, "Be careful, Vaporeon! Use take down!" May responded, "Use agility, Raichu!" Vaporeon ran at Raichu, but he moved out of the way in a blur, dodging her attacks. She shouted, "Use thunderbolt, Raichu!" I shouted, "Vaporeon, use acid armor!" She was directly hit by Raichu's attack, but was still battle ready, and I shouted, "Use bubblebeam!" She launched the exploding bubbles at Raichu, who was knocked down by the impact. Then I shouted, "Use take down!" May yelled, "Raichu, thunder, now!" Raichu took in lightning from the sky and launched it at the charging Vaporeon! She took the hit hard, and fell down! "Vaporeon is unable to battle! This round goes to the red trainer!" the referee said. I watched as another light went out under my picture, and I recalled Vaporeon as may hugged Raichu. The announcer said, "So far, this has been a very close battle!" I looked at Firestorm and said, "Go for it, buddy!" He said, "Niine!" as he entered the battlefield. May shouted, "Raichu, use thunder again! I responded, "Firestorm, use dig!" Raichu's attack completely missed Firestorm as he quickly burrowed under ground. Then he shot up from the ground, underneath Raichu, sending him flying in the air, and then crashing to the ground! He stood back up. I decided to try an attack Firestorm hadn't used much yet. "Firestorm, use fire spin!" I ordered. His body glowed as he launched the tornado of flames from his mouth. The flames wrapped around Raichu, and when they dispersed, Raichu fell down, belly first, all charred and swirly eyed. "Riachu is no longer able to battle! Victory this round to the green trainer!" the referee said. Another light went out under May's picture as she recalled Raichu and I hugged Firestorm. Then May said, "I choose Golem!" and released him from his pokeball. "Golem, use rollout!" May shouted. Golem came rolling at Firestorm, and I shouted, use agility! Firestorm kept evading Golem's rollout attacks by running back and forth in a blur. He was doing good, but I knew he couldn't keep this up forever! "Use flamethrower!" I shouted. He turned towards Golem and launched a stream of flames at him. Golem must have gotten very hot, but he kept rolling through the flamethrower attack and hit Firestorm, sending him flying, then crashing to the ground! I knew Firestorm didn't stand a chance! "Firestorm, come out of there!" I shouted. Then I said, "I choose Onix!" and tossed his pokeball. Firestorm returned to the sidelines as Onix materialized. "Golem, use your rollout on him!" May shouted. I responded, "Onix, use slam!" As Golem rolled at Onix, Onix swung his mighty rock tail at Golem, and it struck Golem, like a bat hitting a baseball, and Golem went sailing across the arena! Golem crashed into the wall, destroying it! "Golem!" May shouted. The impact knocked him out! "Golem is unable to battle! This round goes to the green trainer!" the referee said. Yet another light went out under May's picture and the crowd cheered. Then May said, "I choose Victreebell!" and released the big yellow and green plant type from its pokeball. "Onix, use tackle!" I shouted. He thrust his large body at the plant, hitting the ground with a loud crash, but Victreebell moved out of the way, missing the attack! "Victreebell, show him that the bigger they are, the harder they fall! Use giga drain!" The plant drained a heap of HP from Onix, as he stood himself back up. Then May shouted, "Now use solarbeam!" I only had one shot, as Victreebell took in sunlight, and I ordered, "Onix, use rock throw!" Onix lunged several large rocks in Victreebell's direction, hitting it with some, and knocking it down to the ground. "Now use body slam!" I shouted. "Now Victreebell!" May shouted. Victreebell released the powerful attack at Onix as he hurled his large, rock-snake body at it! It was a direct hit! Onix crashed to the ground, missing Victreebell by inches! "Onix is unable to battle! This round goes to the red trainer!" the referee exclaimed. One more light went out under my picture – only two Pokemon left for each of us! I recalled Onix, and re-released Firestorm. I said, "Firestorm, use flamethrower!" May shouted, "Victreebell, use vine whip!" Victreebell shot out its vines at Firestorm, and slapped him with them, knocking him to the ground, before he could use his attack. Then May said, "Victreebell, use solarbeam again!" I shouted, "Firestorm, use flamethrower, now!" He launched a stream of flames at Victreebell as it took in sunlight, and it fell over, charred and defeated! "Victreebell can no longer battle!" This round goes to the green trainer!" the referee said. The crowd cheered as I ran over to hug Firestorm. One more light went out under May's picture and the announcer said, "May is down to one Pokemon! For her sake, I hope it's a good one!" May recalled Victreebell, and shouted, "I choose you, Typhlosion! Win this for me!" The final evolved form of Cyndaquil appeared in the arena, looking very formidable! I ordered, "Firestorm, use body slam!" He charged at Typhlosion, and May shouted, "Use tackle!" Typhlosion held out his arm as Firestorm reached him, and hit him in the face, knocking him to the ground! He stood back up. "Typhlosion, use smoke screen!" May ordered. He filled up the arena with smoke and no one could see what was going on! "Use rollout, Typhlosion!" May shouted. Typhlosion rolled at Firestorm and hit him! I shouted, "Use your agility, Firestorm!" He tried, but it was no good! He couldn't see well enough in the smokescreen, and was hit again, and again, and again. Finally, May ordered him, "Use submission!" The attack hit Firestorm hard, and he did not get back up! "Ninetales is unable to battle! The round goes to the red trainer!" the referee exclaimed. I ran over to Firestorm and picked him up, carrying him to the sidelines, where Inferno licked him. We were down to one Pokemon a piece. The scoreboard had only one light still lit under each of our pictures! The announcer said, "It's down to one Pokemon each! Whoever wins this round will be battling the Elite Four!" I looked at Flamefox and said, "You're my most experienced Pokemon, and my best hope for winning this battle! Are you up to it?" He replied, "Vulpix!" and ran up to me. I put my hands on his back, petting his fur, and put my forehead against the curls of hair on his head. I said to him, "Don't get hurt too badly out there, okay?" He nodded, and I hugged him once more before he entered the battlefield. May shouted, "Typhlosion, use dynamic punch!" Typhlosion came at Flamefox and I shouted, "Use aglility!" He attempted to evade the attack, but Typlosion was fast, and struck Flamefox, sending him flying backwards, but he landed on all fours! "Flamefox, use body slam!" I shouted. He charged at Typhlosion, and slammed his body into his chest, crashing him down to the ground. But Typhlosion stood back up, and shook it off. "Typhlosion, use swift!" May shouted. Typhlosion launched several energy stars at Flamefox, hitting him three times and knocking him back. "Flamefox, use dig!" I shouted. He quickly burrowed underground and shot back up underneath Typhlosion, sending him flying and then crashing to the ground. "Typhlosion, use smokescreen!" May ordered. Typhlosion once again filled the arena with smoke! "Flamefox, be careful!" I shouted. "Typhlosion, use tackle!" May shouted. I couldn't see anything and said, "Flamefox, use agility!" We couldn't see a thing for a while. Suddenly, Flamefox came hurtling out from the smoke and slammed against the wall! "Flamefox!" I shouted. He fell to the ground, but stood back up! The smoke began to clear and Typhlosion just stood there. "Flamefox, use body slam!" I ordered. Flamefox charged at Typhlosion, and thrust his body at Typhlosion's chest! Typhlosion fell backwards from the impact, but stood right back up. This was going nowhere! Then, May ordered, "Typhlosion, use rollout!" I shouted, "Flamefox, use agility!" Flamefox did his best, running back and forth in a blur to dodge the rolling Typhlosion. But then, he was hit! I watched helplessly as he crashed to the ground. He stood back up and as Typhlosion rolled at him again, I shouted, "Use dig again!" He quickly burrowed underground and Typhlosion just rolled over the hole. Typhlosion kept rolling around, but I trusted Flamefox's instincts. Sure enough, he shot up directly underneath Typhlosion, sending the large fire type airborne. While they were both airborne, I shouted, "Flamefox, hit him with a flamethrower!" Typhlosion took the hit point blank, and then fell to the ground. Before he could stand back up, I shouted, "Flamefox, quick, use take down!" Flamefox ran at Typhlosion, quickly, and impacted him as hard as he could! Typhlosion was forced back down to the ground on his back. Flamefox stood, panting, nearly worn out! Typhlosion weakly stood back up! The two faced each other down! Then we each shouted the same command: "Use headbutt!" The two ran at each other and their heads collided! They both started wobbling afterwards, but Typhlosion fell over first! "Typhlosion is no longer willing to battle! The battle goes to the green trainer!" the referee shouted. I ran over to grab Flamefox before he fell over and I picked him up to hug him! The last light went out under May's picture and soon it was replaced with the word "Congratulations!" next to my picture. The announcer said, "What a close battle! But the winner of this grueling ordeal is Joseph Ehlle from Crimson Town!" The audience cheered and confetti came down everywhere. May recalled Typhlosion, and she looked devastated. I walked up to her and said, "I'm sorry, May." She just looked at me, then turned and walked away. Everyone was coming down to congratulate me, including my parents, Professor Oak, and the press, but I wasn't in the mood.
After I managed to get away from the media hype, I left the arena and searched for May, accompanied by Firestorm and Inferno, while I carried Flamefox. I found May in the park, sitting on a bench, with Amber and Redfur. She looked pretty upset. I came up behind her and said, "I am so sorry, May!" I must have startled her, because she jumped up. She turned to me and said, "It's okay, Joe. You won fair and sqare. There's no reason for you to apologize." I told her, "I kept thinking that I should let you win. I don't know – maybe I should have." Suddenly, she looked at me, very angry! "How dare you!" she yelled. I asked, "What did I say?" Infuriated, she continued, "I don't want to win my battles that way! I want to know that whoever defeated me did their very best! I want to know that they were a strong, formidable opponent! I don't want a sympathy win!" Then she said, "I want you to go and battle the Elite Four! I want you to win against them – for both of us!" I said, "I'll do my best! Thank you, May!" And with that, we hugged. Afterwards, she said, "Besides, it's not like you've shattered my dreams or anything. After all, your dream is to become a gym leader. I just want to be a breeder. This victory will help you to reach your goal a lot more than it would have helped me reach mine." I said, "I suppose so." She then said, "Don't worry about me. It was a little hard to take, but I'll get over it! After all, I DID come in second! That says a lot for me!" I put my arm around her. I was glad we were still friends, but I couldn't help thinking, I was the one who helped her to believe in herself as a trainer – and now I had defeated her in one of the most important battles of her life. I tried to cover, but inside, I felt rotten. She said, "Let's go take your Pokemon to the center. I already took mine." I said, "Yeah. Got to keep them in top shape for the Elite Four battles!" We walked there together, and after we had my Pokemon treated, we met everyone for dinner. My first battle with the Elite Four would be in a few days, long enough for my Pokemon to fully recover. I promised May I would do my best to win, for both of us, and I was intent on keeping that promise!