5. Determination
I stayed in bed the entire morning, feigning sleep when Dawn tried to get me to join them for the day. I had resolved to stay away from Ash while they were still here, even if it meant never leaving this room.
Reuniclus tried several times to argue some reason or other why I should go out, but I just ignored it. Reuniclus was determined, though, and it eventually resorted to using Psychic to lift me out of the bed and dump me on the floor, at which point it let loose a stream of angry gurgles and burbles.
"Fine, I'll get up. But if you so much as form an atom of a thought about contacting them again, I swear I'll put you in a Poke Ball so fast you won't even have time to use Teleport."
Reuniclus murmured assent; it was just immensely glad that I was leaving the bed.
Its vow still didn't stop Reuniclus from reminding me about the rematch today, though. While I was languishing in bed, it had scanned a few people's minds and confirmed that Bello had managed to get the battle into the stadium at midday that day.
A debate raged inside me. On the one hand, I wasn't really looking forward to digging through the Archives again. On the other, there was a chance that I would meet Ash and the others at the battle, and I didn't know how much more emotional stress I could take. Finally, I decided to go to the battle. It would be a welcome distraction from my research, even if Ash was in it.
I was surprised to find the stadium almost packed full. Ash and Bello's last battle must have been pretty exciting if all these people came to watch them battle again. Reuniclus and I managed to squeeze in next to a little girl and her Lillipup on the lower level, behind the blue corner so it was less likely that Ash would spot us. Reuniclus and the Lillipup quickly struck up a conversation. The Lillipup's owner giggled and told me, "Lilli always likes to yap other Pokémon's ears off."
"It's okay," I said with a sly grin. "Reuniclus is used to it from all the rants it has to endure from me." The girl and I laughed and I couldn't remember the last time I felt carefree like that.
The announcer's voice boomed over the loudspeakers. "Welcome ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, citizens and visitors of Monaltia alike!"
The crowd erupted and the announcer had to wait a minute before the din died down enough for him to speak again. "For the first time in the history of the Festival of Peace's battle tournament, the victor and runner-up will be battling in a public rematch! Are you excited?"
I found myself adding my own cheers to the resulting clamor. I realized that I was eager to watch Ash battle again and see what new strategies and Pokémon he had acquired in the two months since I had left. It had been one of my favorite parts of traveling with him and the others, to watch them grow and learn new skills in their respective professions.
"I don't think our battlers need much introducing," the announcer continued, "but in the red corner, here's our victor, Bello Nocten from Opelucid City!"
A group of girls not that far away from me squealed as Bello stepped out into the arena. He was dressed to impress with a white dress shirt, black pants, and a dark purple coat with a swirling symbol printed in silver on the back. He kept his hands in his pockets, acknowledging the crowd with a wink that made the other girls swoon and me roll my eyes.
"And in the blue corner, let's welcome the challenger, Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town!"
Ash received as much support as Bello as he took his place on the field, but he didn't wave at the crowd. He just focused on Bello, and I knew he was already in battle mode, trying to guess his opponent's plans. They had already battled once before, but since I had left without seeing any part of the battle, I had no idea what Bello might throw at Ash beside his Chandelure.
The announcer explained the rules, which were the same as the regular tournament: two Pokémon each and the Trainer whose Pokémon were both unable to continue lost.
"Are you ready to battle, everyone?" the announcer hollered.
The spectators' enthusiastic response made the answer obvious.
"Then let's battle!"
Ash turned his hat backwards and sent out his Pokémon first. "Go, Serperior!" His Poké Ball released a gorgeous green serpentine Pokémon at least seven feet long. So Servine had evolved into Serperior. I wondered if its attitude was even worse now; no matter how much of a brat the Grass-type Pokémon was, though, I knew for a fact that its loyalty to Ash would never waver.
Bello smirked. "Showtime, Chandelure." I raised an eyebrow when the spooky chandelier emerged, spinning around once in a blur of purple flame before hovering a few feet off the ground. Not a favorable match for Serperior, and Chandelure was also what I thought to be Bello's most powerful Pokémon. Looked like Bello wanted to get this battle over with quickly.
The two Trainers must have had microphones on them, because we could hear every word they said as Bello asked, "Take my advice, Ash, and just accept that I won," and Ash taunted, "Why? Are you scared I'll beat you?"
"I'm just trying to save you from the biggest embarrassment of your life."
Ash grinned. "The only one who's going to be embarrassed is you after I win! Serperior, use Aerial Ace!"
Serperior launched itself at Chandelure with a speed I didn't think possible for a Pokémon of its size, a clear aura surrounding it as the move activated. Ash must have trained Serperior especially for that. He had his clever moments every now and then when he wasn't just acting on every single impulse that came to him.
Bello and Chandelure weren't expecting Serperior to be so fast either because before either human or Pokémon could do anything Serperior had slammed into Chandelure so hard it smacked the wraithlike Pokémon into the wall behind it. Serperior swiftly backed up to the middle of the arena to prepare for Chandelure's counter-attack.
"Flame Burst, Chandelure," Bello instructed, as calm as before.
Chandelure shook itself and then launched several fireballs toward Serperior, who automatically ducked and slid to avoid them but as the fireballs hit the ground they exploded into several tiny flames that peppered Serperior's back and flank, leaving what looked like painful singe marks.
The burns only seemed to irritate Serperior, though, as Ash called out, "Leaf Tornado!" Serperior summoned a whirlwind of leaves and flung them at Chandelure. The attack covered a wide area so even though Chandelure tried to move out of the way it still endured a bunch of sharp leaves.
Ash didn't waste a moment and ordered, "Follow up with Poison Tail!" Serperior closed the space between it and Chandelure in the blink of an eye and its tail, now glowing purple, crashed down on top of the reeling Pokémon.
Chandelure cried out for the first time and automatically hurled a Shadow Ball that thrust Serperior away and into the ground. Bello looked a little vexed as he commanded, "Shadow Sneak."
Chandelure melted into a shadow that slid across the ground and under Serperior, who was slowly picking itself up from the small hollow in the earth it had created. Chandelure half-emerged from the shadow behind Serperior and smashed into the Regal Pokémon. Serperior was sent flying a few yards, sliding along the battlefield and sending up a cloud of dust.
"Fire Blast," Bello said, grinning.
Chandelure fully emerged and after a moment of gathering power it unleashed a wave of fire at Serperior.
"Watch out, Serperior!" Ash cried out.
But Serperior was still stunned from the combo and the Fire Blast hit it full on, engulfing the Grass-type in a great blaze. When the flames dissipated, Serperior was covered in burns, every inch of it singed. There wasn't a green spot to be seen on it. But Serperior, although clearly in pain, raised its head and fixed its gaze on Chandelure, which had returned to its end of the battlefield.
So stubborn, I thought. Just like its Trainer.
Ash was grinning from ear to ear. "Let's go, Serperior! Giga Drain!"
Serperior and Chandelure both began to glow green. Small orbs of light materialized around Serperior and then zoomed across the arena and swirled around Chandelure, which dropped a couple feet in the air. The orbs returned to Serperior, which glowed even brighter and when the light faded, some, but not all, of its burns had disappeared and the Pokémon looked revitalized.
"Leaf Tornado, Serperior!" Ash shouted.
Chandelure was once again caught in a cyclone of leaves but with a word from its Trainer it began a small Fire Spin. Whirling around in a circle of flame Chandelure burned away the remaining leaves first and then collided with Serperior, new burns blooming on its body.
"Let's finish this," Bello declared. "Inferno."
Chandelure shone a fierce shade of red and with a loud cry it cast a huge firestorm at Serperior. Ash looked on helplessly as the Inferno overwhelmed his Pokémon, who emitted a keening cry from within the flames. When the attack finally faded, Serperior lay on the ground, severely burned and clearly knocked out. The announcer made it official by proclaiming, "Serperior is unable to battle!"
Ash called back the unconscious Pokémon, murmuring, "You did great, Serperior." He looked down at Pikachu, who was sitting at his feet. "Your turn, buddy."
Pikachu nodded and scampered out onto the battlefield, its cheeks sparking as it took an offensive stance.
After checking that both Trainers were ready, the announcer shouted, "Begin!"
"Will-O-Wisp, Chandelure." Bello made the first move this time. Chandelure shot out several blue fireballs surrounded by wispy purple flames. I knew that he was giving Chandelure time to recover from the exhausting Inferno.
"Dodge with Quick Attack!" Ash responded. Pikachu dashed off into a zigzag pattern, using the move's power to jump around the tongues of flame.
"Now follow up with Iron Tail!" Ash called out.
Pikachu's tail shone brightly as the Mouse Pokémon whirled it around and slammed it into Chandelure. This time Chandelure was clobbered into the ground, creating another crater.
"Thunderbolt!" Ash commanded.
"Get up!" Bello yelled at the same time, clearly agitated.
"Piiikaaachuuuu!" the Electric-type Pokémon cried as it zapped Chandelure with a vicious bolt of electricity.
Chandelure screeched as the Thunderbolt's power zipped through it. Pikachu kept the electricity flowing for a few moments before letting up. Chandelure hung in the air for a moment, and then collapsed, slightly smoking and twitching.
"Chandelure is unable to battle!" the announcer declared. "Both Trainers are now down to their last Pokémon!"
Bello regained his composure as he recalled Chandelure. "That was just a warm-up," he said. "Now the real battle starts. Go, Haxorus!"
A yellow and black armored monster sprung from the Poke Ball. Blade-like tusks protruded from its head and it bellowed an aggressive battle call, its tail lashing back and forth.
I knew that Pikachu was more powerful than it looked after eight years of training with Ash, but I felt scared for it. This Haxorus was a vicious Pokémon. I wouldn't be surprised if Bello used it only in the toughest battles, although that meant he saw Ash as a worthy opponent and the thought made my heart involuntarily warm a little.
Ash just gritted his teeth and Pikachu emitted a few sparks. Neither of them would stand down, even if the odds were stacked against them. Some called it foolish stubbornness, but I saw it as admirable determination. It was one of the things that drew me to Ash.
"Begin!"
"Dragon Claw, Haxorus!"
"Iron Tail, Pikachu!"
Haxorus's front claws and Pikachu's tail glowed as they charged at each other from their respective corners. Pikachu jumped and swung around so that its tail met Haxorus's claws, but Haxorus was more powerful and swiped Pikachu away. The Mouse Pokémon was thrown into the wall like Serperior had done to Chandelure at the very beginning of the battle and a small groan could be heard from the crowd.
But Pikachu picked itself up, shook its head, and ran back into the middle without delay and a small cheer went up. "You okay, buddy?" Ash checked.
"Pika."
"Awesome! Let's keep it going with Volt Tackle, then!"
Pikachu set off at a steady pace, cheeks flickering and then igniting and creating a cloak of electricity around its small form. Pikachu sped up into a sprint and crashed into Haxorus. There was enough power behind the attack to actually knock the much larger Pokémon off its feet and onto its back, electricity crackling around it.
"Now Thunderbolt!"
Haxorus had barely lifted its head when it was jolted with one of Pikachu's signature Thunderbolts. The Dragon-type Pokémon jerked about as the electrical energy surged through it. Pikachu finally let up and leapt back, preparing itself for Haxorus's reaction.
The Axe Jaw Pokémon clambered to its feet and let out an infuriated roar. It looked to its Trainer, who instructed, "Use Slash." Haxorus roared again and rushed at Pikachu, its tusks brightening.
Haxorus lowered its head as it grew close and Pikachu simply leapt over it, scurrying along the giant's back to end up behind it. Ash seized the opportunity and ordered, "Volt Tackle again!"
Still sparking from the last bout of attacks, Pikachu quickly charged up and crashed into Haxorus from behind, using the monster's momentum to send it hurtling into the wall.
Bello was no longer trying to stay calm, let alone keep a neutral expression. "Dragon Pulse, Haxorus!"
Haxorus roared and as it did it released waves of Dragon power that buffeted Pikachu, knocking it off its feet and sending it several yards across the arena with each pulsation.
"Come on, Pikachu," I muttered.
"Discharge!" Ash yelled.
Pikachu released all of the remaining electricity in its body in an intense flare that reached across the arena to Haxorus. This time some of the electricity lingered around Haxorus, who struggled to step forward, snarling in frustration.
"It's paralyzed!" the Lillipup girl exclaimed.
"Now the strongest Iron Tail ever!"
Pikachu had plenty of time to gather power in its tail as it dashed across the arena. Haxorus's claws began to glow as it tried to summon another Dragon Claw, but it couldn't swing its claws around before Pikachu reached it. The Mouse Pokémon swung around several times in the air before slamming its tail into Haxorus's head.
Haxorus flew into the air and landed at its Trainer's feet.
Pikachu's cheeks sparked as it prepared another Thunderbolt, but Ash called out, "Wait." Pikachu looked back at him and turned off the attack.
"Get up!" Bello growled at his Haxorus, but the monster just gave a low moan and didn't move.
Haxorus was done.
"Haxorus is unable to battle! Ash Ketchum is the winner!"
The entire stadium erupted into a massive round of applause and cheering. Pikachu jumped into Ash's waiting arms and the pair laughed. "We did it!" Ash declared.
I smiled and melted into the crowd, slipping out of the stadium a moment later.
No one saw Bello's icy stare as he watched his opponent celebrate.
AN: Woooo everyone likes a good battle, right? Hope y'all enjoyed the action! I think you can guess that things are gonna get a little intense from here on out. I can't wait to post the next chapters! As always, favorite, follow, review!
And if it's your cup of tea, why not check out my Narnia fan fiction I'm working on right now? Just head to my profile and start reading "To Move the Stars" - it's gotten good feedback so far (even though I only have 2 chapters up at the time of posting this) so I promise it won't disappoint!
Thanks again everyone! ^_^