Erika and her pokemon had been tired after their last battle, so Mac, Zoe and Nate had checked into the nearby pokemon centre and were looking forward to a good nights sleep.
Mac let the hot water run down his back, enjoying the feeling of the water, soothing his tired body. Throwing a towel around his waist, he walked to the mirror, stuffing his hat on his wet hair.
On the mantelpiece lay his ribbon case , conveniently left open so that Mac could gaze down at his two glorious ribbons. Beside it sat Mac's pokemon egg.
Mac took the egg in his hand and felt the heat from within. The egg was still a mystery and Mac had no idea what it was or when it would hatch.
Mac released Pachirisu and Corphish, (Sandslash and Ivysaur were in the pokemon centre healing up after all their battles).
The squirrel and the crab looked expectantly up at Mac.
"I just wanted to say thanks," he said sheepishly.
Pachirisu returned his gratitude by shocking him slightly. Mac dropped his towel, in surprise, causing both pokemon to hide their eyes in embarrassment.
Zoe combed her dark hair behind her head and twisted it through a hair band, making a spunky pony tail. She posed in the mirror to make sure that she would look good, even asleep.
She looked down at her bedside table which held her third badge; the rainbow badge.
Still, however happy she might be about beating Erika the empty place where the cascade badge might have gone still twisted her stomach in knots.
"But I've improved since then, I know I have…" Zoe whispered to herself before switching off her bedside light and snuggling under the covers.
"Are you ready for tomorrow?" Asked Nate, Turtwig and Charmeleon sitting on the floor in front of him. Both pokemon nodded avidly.
"Turtwig, this is going to be our first battle together, I hope you're feeling confident."
Turtwig agreed happily and then took a bite out of the bed sheet. Nate hastily returned Turtwig and then said goodnight to Charmeleon.
Rolling onto his bed fully clothed Nate began to think about his brother.
Logan must have fought these battles once. Nate wondered, just wondered, whether he was better at this stage than Logan was. With that happy thought in mind, Nate prepared for bed.
"This will be a two on two battle," announced Erika. "I will use Victreebell and Vileplume!" She threw out her familiar fighters and Nate eyed them up and down.
"Turtwig, Charmeleon, lets do this thing!" Turtwig and Charmeleon appeared in a flash of white light.
"Let's go! Turtwig use tackle!"
Turtwig charged at Vileplume, head down. Turtwig was getting closer and closer when suddenly it was thrown to the side by a vicious vine whip from Victreebell.
"Charmeleon, fire spin!" Ordered Nate, Charmeleon opened its mouth and coughed out a spiral of flames towards Victreebell and Vileplume.
"Vileplume, petal dance!" Vileplume shoot out a flurry of pink flowers, they quickly burned up in the fire spin but managed to negate both attacks.
"Victreebell, slam!"
"Turtwig, bite!"
Victreebeel charged at Turtwig, but the little bulb pokemon opened its jaw and clamped down with ludicrous strength. Victreebell squealed in pain.
"Now Charmeleon, Metal Claw!" Charmeleon's claws glowed brightly as it darted towards Victreebell.
"Vileplume, Solar Beam!" Shrieked Erika. Vileplume lowered its flower and the centre glowed brightly. At the same time Charmeleon drew closer and closer to the immobilized Victreebell. It was a race against time, who's move would work first.
Charmeleon's claw slammed into Victreebell and at the exact same time Vileplume's solar beam hit the red dragon in the side, throwing it to the floor.
"Keep it up Nate, don't give in!" Yelled Zoe from the sidelines.
"Turtwig, Razor leaf! Charmeleon, Flamethrower!"
Turtwig unleashed a whirlwind of leaves and Charmeleon set fire to them with a jet of flames.
"Victreebell, take the hit!" Victreebell leapt in front of Vileplume and took the flames without even flinching.
"Now Vileplume, use petal dance!"
Pink petals slammed into Turtwig and Charmeleon throwing both pokemon to the floor.
"Victreebell, synthesis!" Victreebell's whole body glowed as it healed itself.
"Nate! Don't let her keep healing herself!" Warned Mac.
"Charmeleon? Turtwig? You ok?" Asked Nate, worriedly. Turtwig and Charmeleon struggled to their feet, but they were both clearly ready for more.
"Vileplume, Petal Dance! Victreebell, Razor Leaf!" Roared Erika, not giving Nate a chance to regain his thoughts.
"Charmeleon, flamethrower!" Nate blurted out and the red dragon unleashed a curl of red hot flames.
"Now Turtwig, Leech Seed!" Yelled Nate, relying on instincts.
Turtwig squeezed a seed from the bulb on its back and shot it at Vileplume. The seed hit Vileplume and stuck to its chest. Suddenly it unleashed long whip like vines that encompassed Vileplume and began to sap the flowers strength.
"Nice one Nate, you can do it!" Cried Mac.
"A good strategy Nate," smiled Erica, "but you haven't won yet!"
Victreebell unleashed a long vine and before Charmeleon or Turtwig had a chance to dodge it, it had ensnared them both.
"Vileplume, solar beam!"
"Nate, look out!" Gasped Zoe.
"Get out of there guys!" Warned Nate.
Turtwig and Charmeleon struggled against the vines, pulling at the tight, green ropes. But they were too strong. The beam shot forth from Vileplume's petal and smashed into both of Nate's pokemon, sending them flying.
Nate bit his lip nervously, it definitely wasn't looking good for him.
"Turtwig, use synthesis!" Begged Nate.
Turtwig's leaf glowed as it restored its health.
"Vileplume, Victreebell, hit Turtwig while its charging!" Demanded Erica. Both of her pokemon unleashed tornadoes of leaves and sent them spiralling towards Turtwig.
"Charmeleon, help Turtwig!" Begged Nate.
Charmeleon leapt in the way of the attacks, using its body to shield Turtwig from harm.
Nate gritted his teeth, Charmeleon wasn't looking in great shape now and he wondered how long the red dragon would last.
"Charmeleon, smokescreen!" Said Nate suddenly and Charmeleon let out a cloud of thick smoke, obscuring all four pokemon from view.
"Turtwig, tackle! Charmeleon, metal claw!"
Both attacks found their mark and for once Erica's pokemon were the ones to stumble and fall.
"Yes Nate!" Cheered Mac and Zoe.
"Now Vileplume, stun spore!" Retorted Erica.
Nate gasped as Vileplume shot out a cloud of yellow, immersing Charmeleon and causing it to stumble to a halt.
"Now Victreebell!" Screamed Erica.
Nate couldn't do a thing as Victreebell charged towards his immobilized Charmeleon. Charmeleon was thrown through the air by the force of the impact and landed on its back.
"Charmeleon is unable to battle!" Announced the judge.
"Turtwig, razor leaf!" Yelled Nate, eager for revenge. The leaves crashed into the already weakened by leech seed Vileplume. Vileplume tottered for a moment and then slumped to the floor.
"Vileplume is unable to battle!"
Leader and challenger returned their unconscious pokemon, telling them how well they'd fought.
Now it was just Turtwig versus Victreebell.
"Turtwig, I know you're new to my team, but we can win together!" Encouraged Nate.
"Victreebell use vine whip!"
"Turtwig, dodge!" Ordered Nate. Turtwig leapt out of the way of the vines, ducking and diving to avoid each and every one.
"Victreebell, sleep powder!"
Turtwig was drowned in purple powder. As the powder dissolved it left the figure of Turtwig, slumbering happily on the grass.
"Turtwig, no!" Whined Nate.
"Victreebell, get right in close and use leaf storm!"
Nate, Zoe and Mac gasped. They all knew that Turtwig wouldn't survive a leaf storm from up close.
"Turtwig, you have to wake up!" Begged Nate, but Turtwig was remaining deep in sleep.
"Turtwig, you can do it. Come on!" Screamed Nate as Victreebell got closer and closer.
Victreebell reached Turtwig. It began to charge up, preparing to unleash its most devastating attack. Suddenly, Turtwig's eyes burst open. The little grass pokemon leapt into action, clamping its jaws down of Victreebell's body, startling it completely.
"Yes Turtwig!" Laughed Nate. "Now tackle Victreebell into the tree!"
Turtwig raced towards the tree, Victreebell squirming in its mouth. Turtwig slammed into the tree, crushing Victreebell against it.
"Victreebell is unable to battle! Charmeleon and Turtwig are the winners!"
Erica returned her pokemon with a sigh and then walked over to Nate holding out the glimmering Rainbow badge.
"You fought brilliantly," she smiled, "I give you this Rainbow badge as proof of your victory."
Nate beamed, slotting the badge, alongside his other three, in his badge case.
"You've really bonded with that Turtwig," she smiled.
Turtwig agreed, nibbling affectionately at Nate's ankles.
"I can see the two of you going far!" She said and Nate and Turtwig grinned at one another.
"Thanks Erica, I just know we will go far!" promised Nate.
Mac, Nate and Zoe were walking along the cliff path, admiring their prizes from Celadon city. Two badges and a ribbon.
"This egg is about to hatch," said Mac excitedly, holding the egg tightly in his hands, "I just know it!"
"Let me hold it!" Asked Zoe, trying to grab the egg from Mac's hand.
"No, Zoe, I can't trust you!" Yelled Mac, pulling it out of her grip.
"C'mon let me hold it!" Begged Zoe, jostling Mac in her attempt to grab it.
Mac held the egg high above his head, far out of Zoe's reach.
"No way Zoe, you're bound to drop it!" He said, content that Zoe couldn't reach it. Nate was watching the two of them sheepishly, not wanting to get involved.
"Let me hold that damn egg!" She screeched at the top of lungs, pushing Mac backwards.
Mac stumbled on an uneven rock and his ankle twisted beneath him. He toppled to the floor, his arms waving, the egg flying high into the air…
Mac gasped. Zoe gasped. Nate gasped. As the egg flew through the air and over the edge of the cliff…
CLIFFHANGER!!
Hope you enjoyed! (Sorry its been so long!)