Chapter 31
Best Two out of Three
The hour lunch break went by fast, and all of my pokemon had a very large meal, which was provided free of charge by the league. News reporters were all over me and Arcanine, taking pictures of the first "Solo Winner" as they called him. It was strange how alike we are. I like steak, he likes steak, I hate reporters, he hates reporters. But, with what Travis said I couldn't think about anything else during that time. Did Shonna really still care about me? If it was true, and she did, then why would she leave me? Why wouldn't she get in contact with me? Heck, I stayed at home for almost six months. She knew where I lived; she could have called, left a message, even mailed something. But, I haven't heard from her in a year. How much could she possibly care about me?
After the lunch I struggled to push those thoughts aside as I went to the pokecenter. The mass of trainers didn't help anything constantly asking, "Why did you hit him?" and, "What did he do?". I swear, people get on my nerves so bad. I honestly feel that stupidity isn't a condition, it is an illness. If people wish to get over it they will, but until then I just want people to stay away from me. Is it that hard to see that I don't want to be bothered?
***_-Scene Change-_***
The sun was bright as I stood on my podium. Lance was nowhere in sight, and the fifteen minute announcement just rang. I looked down, ignoring the crowds talking and constant bickering. The stage had already changed during the one-hour break. It was now a forest field. A dirt pokeball ring in the middle, grass on the outside barrier around it, and large trees covered the rest. I had been lucky up until now. So far there wasn't a water field, which was what I was worried about for this battle. I need all the help I can get to beat Lance, and if it was a water field, that would render his Fissure attack useless. Now he has the advantage. A fire type with Fissure, covered by trees and foliage is an ambush waiting to happen.
I looked up to the sky, watching the clouds float on by. "I wonder…"
"Pi?" Pichu said, jumping up on my shoulder. He tilted his head, giving me a questionable look as I looked back down.
"Nothing." I said, trying to rid my emotions. "I was just thinking of an old friend." Pichu's ear twitched as he turned his head to the other side of the arena. I looked over the rim of my glasses and saw a blurry figure, black and red, walk up to the podium. I lifted my head and with one finger pushed my glasses up on my nose. "And let the games begin."
"Thank you, ladies, gentlemen, gamblers, pokemaniacs, super nerds and all you other trainers I don't want to mention! Welcome to the final match of today!" The announcer called out. "Today, right now, we will be crowning the victor of the finals, as well as the one who will proceed to the Johto Elite Four, and have the opportunity to be crowned Pokemon Master!" The crowd roared, and it was right then that I realized the stands were almost full. Wow, I must have been so caught up with Shonna that I didn't even notice people piling in. "This is what you all have been waiting for. The final match between the Kanto League Champion, and the Kanto Pokemon Master of last year, Kyle gray, against the ex-member of the Johto and Kanto Elite Four, Lance, is about to begin. Many of you have been waiting all day for this, while others just arrived. Nevertheless, this match will be one for the record books, folks!" The announcer paused for drama. "For those of you who have just come in, let me recap for you. Lance, on the right side, blew right through the preliminaries yesterday using only his Charizard!" The announcer paused as the audience cheered. "While Champion Kyle Gray used only his Arcanine to take down all six of the last challenger's pokemon, here in the semi finals!" Again the announcer paused and I heard screaming and cheering coming from behind me. I turned my head, looking up at the crowd. So many people were waving, yelling, and holding up signs.
I smiled, shaking my head as I turned back to the field. "As you can see," The announcer continued. "The stage has been set at a forest stage. The rules are simple. Each player will have six pokemon to use, when one trainer knocks out the other's pokemon, they get a point. When a trainer gets six points, or when one trainer loses all their pokemon, the winner will be decided. The first pokemon choice will be made in unison, as to keep this battle as fair as possible. Trainers! Are you ready?" I looked to Lance blankly as we stared each other down. "Please choose your pokeball, now!" I kept my eyes fixed as I grabbed the pokeball from my belt. I held it in my hand as my eyes narrowed, watching him do the same, holding an ultra ball. "Trainers! Three! Two! One! Begin!"
We both threw out our pokeballs onto the forest stage. Umbreon was quick to vanish in the trees, hiding under the foliage as Lances Dragonite took to the air. "Astonishing!" The announcer called out. "We know that Dragonite well. Lance has used it to pull out of some tight places in the last few matches. But Kyle's pokemon choice was too fast for our cameras to catch. Until it shows itself we have no way of knowing what he chose!"
The crowd cheered as the Dragonite looked around the trees frantically trying to find Umbreon. "Draaa!" It called out as it began to flying down to the trees.
"Stop!" Lance yelled. Dragonite stopped in mid flight, just like its trainer commanded. "Don't go in there you fool!" He scolded. "It's a trap! If you go in there you wont have my eyes to help you!"
"Hmm…" I smiled, looking down and seeing the trees move with the slight breeze that was blowing through the stadium. He might not know where Umbreon is, but I do. "Now!" I called out. "Circle and use your Sand Attack!"
Dragonite and Lance watched on as dust began to form up on the ground. It slowly rose, soon covering the trees in a slight dusty cover, and then formed a dust storm over the treetops. The few people in the front row covered their eyes, coughing, trying not to look in the sandy cloud that was slowly covering the field.
"Enough!" Lance screamed. "End this! Hyper Beam!"
"Look out!" I screamed as Dragonite opened its mouth. A white light appeared in front of the dragon as it charged. The light grew as the energy ball took form. In one swoop the ball shot off, blasting through the dust and causing it to clear for a split second. I saw the trees, warp and bend under the pressure of the attack, then, once again covered in a cloud of dust. We waited as the dust settled, not making a move or a sound. When the dust did go down a section of the trees were splintered, broken, and even missing, exposing a crater where they once were. Leaves were fluttering around like confetti, but I didn't see Umbreon.
"Yes." I smiled, pointing up to the sky. "Shadow Ball and then move!"
"Shadow Ball?" Lance questioned. In the midst of trees a dark purple ball of energy shot out and into the sky. "Its his Umbreon! Look out!" But Lance was too late. The ball of energy hit Dragonite right in the back. Dragonite winced, reaching around to his back to hold his injury.
"Raaa!" It screamed, spinning around and forming another Hyper Beam. This one shot out, striking some trees on the opposite side as before. The same thing happened. The dust settled, and there was nothing there but a crater.
"Shadow Ball again!" I called out. Once again a ball of purple energy shot out from one of the two patches of trees left. The ball flew up, but Dragonite saw it. It tried to smack it away with its tail, but took damage as it did. The ball flew into the other set of trees, destroying them.
"Nowhere left to hide!" Lance laughed. "Hyper Beam!"
"Its time for our new trick, Umbreon! Do it, now!"
"Draaa!" Dragonite charged up another Hyper Beam, this one draining more energy than the previous ones. The energy ball grew large as it released it, shooting down and demolishing the remaining trees. Once the dust settled, it was just like the other times. All that was left of the once forested field was now broken logs, falling leaves, and wood splinters inside of four craters. I watched as everyone looked around.
"Where could Kyle's Pokemon be?" The announcer called out. "Is it hiding? If so, then where? How could a pokemon stand up to an attack of that magnitude?"
"I would like to know the same thing." Lance grit his teeth. "Dragonite. go check it out."
The dragon looked back to its trainer, then fluttered down to the stage floor. It walked over to the pokeball battling area, glanced around and snorted. It then looked down to its feet, kicking a tree log as it roared. "Drraaa!"
"Now!" I screamed. "Bite!"
The ground under Dragonite began to crumble it fell into a hole. Umbreon leaped out of the ground from behind it, and latched onto the back of its neck. Dragonite called out in pain as it shook and twisted its head.
"Seismic Toss!" Lance screamed. Dragonite narrowed its eyes as it took off into the sky, Umbreon still latched onto its neck.
"Last Resort!" I ordered.
The two flew into the air, high over the stadium, Umbreon still biting down and holding on. I watched his eyes glow red as his yellow stripes turned into a bright orange. Dragonite flew higher and higher, taking them both out of sight. When they came back into focus I saw Dragonite flying down at an extreme rate of speed, heading straight for the ground in a kamikaze type drop. Umbreon, however, was almost done charging his attack. Both pokemon were covered in a dark purple sphere as they passed between me and Lance. We both watched in fear as the Last Resort Attack detonated right above the ground of impact. The force sucked air in, and then blasted it back, almost knocking us off of our stands. A light shortly followed, which was blinding to look at. I covered my eyes, shielding them from what looked like the sun. When the light vanished, I heard the crowd go quiet. I opened my eyes, and when they focused I saw both Umbreon and Dragonite laying on the beat up field, knocked out.
"What a show!" The announcer called out as the crowd began to cheer again. "Turns out the stealthy Umbreon and the powerful Dragonite were both taken out at the same time. This means that both trainers will gain one point, and lose a pokemon. Trainers, throw out your next pokemon when ready!"
"I'll start this one!" Lance yelled as he picked his next pokemon. "Go Aerodactyl!" The ball flew into the air as the prehistoric pokemon appeared. The bird flapped its wings as it stayed in the air.
"Aiirrr!" It called out.
I smiled. "One for one." I then took a pokeball off my belt. Over my glasses I looked at him. "And another one." The ball flew from my hands as it hit the ground. The ball bounced and then opened up. In a red light his sword like arms appeared.
"Buuu!" Kabutops roared, spreading his arms. He then lowered his head as he placed the tips of his blades on the ground, pulling them back to him. When he did the few branches of trees that were under him began to have the bark peel back on them.
"What a selection we have here today!" The announcer said. "Two prehistoric pokemon, both of which are very valuable to collectors and historians alike! What a rare sight to see!"
"Rare indeed." Lance said under his breath. "Kyle Gray losing, that is." He then looked to the sky. "Steel Wing! Now!"
"Kabutops! Defend!"
"Buu?" Kabutops tilted his head as he looked at Aerodactyl flying down to him, wings spread wide. A smile came across Kabutop's face as he spread his arms wide as well. "Buuu-tops!"
"Oh no." I slapped my forehead with my sweaty palm.
"Pi?" Pichu tilted his head as he looked at me from my shoulder.
"Will I ever be able to break him from that?" I looked back up to the battle. Aerodactyl was flying down at Kabutops, roaring as its wings began glow. Kabutops just stood there, arms held open wide like an idiot. This is just like the last time. He is trying to use his Aerodactyl as a meat shield. A kamikaze attack. I then smiled. "But he doesn't know about Kabutop's condition. Kabutops!" I yelled. "Give it all you can got with that hug!"
Aerodactyl swooped down low, striking Kabutops with its wing, but instead of hitting him in the chest, its wing struck Kabutops's left sword. The friction caused Aerodactyl to wince as Kabutops wrapped his other sword around Aerodactyl's back.
"Buu!" He said with a smile as he hugged the bird tighter. His swords cut deep into the bird's back as Kabutops wrapped his other arm around it. Aerodactyl called out in pain as it took to the air, carrying Kabutops with it.
"Now!" I screamed. "Kabutops! Use Hydro Pump!"
"Hyper Beam!" Lance called out.
"Oh come on!" I screamed to him. "Does every one of your pokemon know that move?"
"What's it to you!" He screamed back. "I'll win this, and I don't care how!"
Aerodactyl flew into the air and then went into a nosedive, Kabutops still hanging on. They both began to take a deep breath, focusing their energy as they came closer to the ground. About fifty feet above the ground is when both attacks were released. Both pokemon opened their mouths, releasing the power of their stored up energy. Aerodactyl was hit hard in the face with a Hydro Pump, while Kabutops was hit in the face with a Hyper Beam. The power from the attacks was so great that both pokemon were blow away from each other. Kabutops hit the ground first, sliding into a knocked down tree as his swords drooped behind him. Aerodactyl was next, hitting the ground with a thud and bounced up from the recoil, smacking into the stadium wall. Both pokemon struggled to stand as they lifted their weary legs, stumbling to the center of the field, Kabutops using his swords as a crutch.
I looked up and saw the ref lift up the two flags he was holding, and blew a whistle. He then lowered his hands, crossing them over his chest as thrust the flags in the air again.
"Astonishing!" The announcer said. "The ref has declared both pokemon unable to continue!"
"What?" Lance screamed out. "That's a load of crap! Aerodactyl is fine! Right?"
"Ar… Ar…" Aerodactyl huffed as it struggled to flap its wings.
I didn't say anything, I just looked down to Kabutops, who was having just as much trouble as Aerodactyl. I then glanced back up to Lance who was yelling at the ref.
"Let it go!" I said, pulling up Kabutop's pokeball.
"What?" Lance said, looking at me. "I refuse!"
"If you are stupid enough to not see your Aerodactyl is done for then leave it out. I don't care." Pushing the button on my pokeball I recalled Kabutops. "But I know when enough is enough."
"Rrrr." Lance grit his teeth.
"Even though the ref has called this match a draw Lance refuses to recall his pokemon!" The crowd began to boo as the announcer spoke. "Will Kyle allow this?" I looked to the ref, smiling as I gave him a thumbs up. In return the ref gave a flag single to the announcer. "Alright. It looks as though Kyle Gray will forfeit this match, making the score two to one with Lance in the lead!"
"Boooo!" The crowd roared. "Boo! Take it out! Its over! That shouldn't count! Get a brain! Boo!" They screamed.
"Alright, so I guess its my turn." I said, grabbing the pokeball off my belt. "Come on out Scizor!"
"Sciz!" The red bug hissed as he appeared on the field.
"Finish this fast with Slash!" I screamed.
Before the announcer could even comment on my choice of pokemon, Scizor took off, flying right at the downed bird. His speed was incredible. Nearly as soon as I issued the attack he was over there. I need to remember that for later on. He lifted up his claw, opening it slightly to get the pointy edge exposed before slamming it down. It cut through the ancient pokemon's skin, piercing to the bone as it fell over, knocked out.
"In a show for pure speed," the announcer started. "Scizor has taken down the already weak Aerodactyl only a nanosecond after Kyle issued the order. This one will be a hard one to top."
Lance recalled his pokemon as he reached for another. He smiled, as he pulled back some of his red hair that was being blown in his face. "Come on out, Dragonite!"
"You have got to be kidding…" I said as a second Dragonite floated in front of me. Well, I guess that does make since. Last time we fought he had a Dragonair and a Dragonite. Perhaps the Dragonair evolved.
"Dragonite!" Lance called out. "Wing Attack!"
"X-Scissor when it's close enough!"
Dragonite flapped its wings as it flew down. Scizor, ready for the attack, crossed his arms as the dragon grew closer. Dragonite's wings began to glow as it turned sideways, lining up its wing with Scizor. Right before it hit, however, Scizor jumped out of the way, releasing the X-Scissor attack on Dragonite's face.
"Draa!" The Dragonite cried as it put its hands to its face. It then slammed into the ground, sliding on its belly before it came to a stop.
"Iron Head!" I called out.
"Flamethrower!" Lance screamed.
Scizor took off after the downed dragon in a headfirst head-butt. As Scizor's attack was about to hit, Dragonite pushed itself off the ground and flew into the air. Scizor flew right under Dragonite as it let out a Flamethrower attack.
"Sciz!" Scizor cried as he slammed his feet into the ground, sliding to a stop outside of the fire attack. He looked up, taking aim on Dragonite as he took off, flying at great speed. He tightened the muscles in his neck as he slammed his head into Dragonite's gut.
"Slam!" Lance called out. When he did Dragonite grabbed Scizor around the waste. It held him over its head as it flew down to the ground.
"X-Scissor as much as you can, Scizor!"
Scizor crossed his arms, slashing into Dragonite time and time again. Dragonite winced as it came closer to the ground, still hanging on to Scizor, but one too many X-Scissor attacks weakened its grip. Right before it plowed into the ground Scizor was able to break away. He slid on the ground, slamming his pincers into the dirt to slow him down. Dragonite, however, flew full force into the ground. Dust and smoke covered the air as the stadium shook.
Scizor turned his head and spat, standing up as green blood began to appear on his red shoulder. He was burnt and banged up, but he still wanted to fight. When the dust settled a crater was visible on the field. Cracks were formed on the inside of it where the knocked out Dragonite laid.
"And another one down!" The announcer said.
"Heh." I chuckled. "And another one bites the dust."
"Okay, well, how about this!" Lance screamed. "Say hello to your old friend, Kyle!" He quickly recalled the Dragonite as he threw out his fourth pokemon. The ball hit the ground, bounced and then opened. The red light formed into a large snake like form, and before it was even visible, I knew what it was.
"Gyyyaaaarrr!" The mighty Gyarados roared as it twisted its head, baring its fangs. The stadium shook as it slammed its tail on the ground, making some of the fans grip onto their seats for support.
"Lance's legendary Gyarados is not a stranger to this battle field!" The announcer called out. "This same pokemon was the downfall of many trainers that challenged the Elite Four before Lance gave up is position!"
"Scizor!" I screamed. "Watch out! That thing is like our Gyarados! It knows Flamethrower!"
"Sci…" He nodded, glancing around the arena to get a feel for the leftover scenery.
"Gyarados!" Lance called out. "Start with Ice Beam!"
Well that's a new one. I looked around the arena while Gyarados was charging up the attack. There wasn't much around, just some scorched trees and some fallen leaves, which left Scizor standing wide open. I quickly looked back to the battle. "Scizor! Keep dodging left!" I saw him look to the left, and then back to Gyarados. I know what he is thinking, and he's right. I don't have a plan, but having a bluff is better than nothing.
Gyarados's mouth was completely covered in ice when he released the attack. It shot out, heading for directly for Scizor. The only drawback was that Scizor was much faster. He dodged it with ease, heading to the left as I said. But, astonishing to me, the beam of ice didn't dissipate and vaporize on impact with the stadium wall, or the knocked over trees. Instead it covered them in a thick sheet of ice. As Gyarados kept covering the field in ice, it struck me.
"Scizor!" I screamed. "Zigzag with an Iron Head!"
On command Scizor knew exactly what I meant. He bolted over to the stadium wall opposite of Gyarados. The serpent redirected his attack, blasting it at Scizor as he dodged, launching himself over to a stump. When the Ice Beam grew closer to him still he took off to a tree truck. The ice was beginning to cover the entire field, but Lance didn't seem to notice, or care. In the final jump Scizor slammed his head into Gyarados's jaw. The water dragon's mouth was forced shut by the attack, causing the Ice Beam to shoot out of its nose, freezing the rest of its face.
As Scizor landed safely on a stump the dragon slithered backwards, slipping on the ice under it as it fell on its back. Its head hit the ground, shattering the ice as it struggled to stand upright, but again it fell.
"Iron Head!" I called out.
Scizor took off, flying at a great speed, ready to end this battle right now. As he got closer to Gyarados it opened its mouth. Out from the ice crystals that had formed on its teeth came a blast of fire that was much greater than a Flamethrower. The Fire Blast attack consumed Scizor, covering the bug type pokemon completely. I watched as Scizor emerged out of the flames, still flying, but he was soon beat down by a mighty swing of Gyarados's tail. He was hit like a baseball down onto the ice, cracking it on impact as he slid to my side of the stadium.
"What a show!" The announcer called out. "Lance pulled out on top in this battle! For some time it seemed as if he was on the ropes, but he pulled back up in the knick of time!"
"Hmm…" I said, recalling Scizor. Pushing my glasses up further on my nose I watched Gyarados blow some flames out around him, melting the ice so he could slither without falling. Lets see. Ice on the field, with Gyarados sitting in a puddle of water. I glanced over on my shoulder as I gave Pichu a smile. "Well, little bud."
"Pi?" I looked at me.
"Are you ready?"
"Pi! Cha!" He said as he did a fist pump motion.
"Alright." I smiled, picking him up in my arms as I spoke to him softly. "You remember our little trick?"
"Pi." He said with a grin as he nodded.
"That's my little bud." I grinned, placing him on the railing as I ruffled up his hair. "Now get out there and throw them for a loop!" With that Pichu took off down the pedestal. Landing on the field as he slid on the ice gracefully, like a figure skater.
The audience was in an uproar with this. Many women and girls were cooing while men and trainers were pulling their hats off screaming.
"Well, this certainly is… a... um…" The Announcer said, trying to pick his words wisely. "An odd choice. Very seldom do we see an un-evolved pokemon this far in the league."
"For good reason." Lance said as he threw his arm out in a command. "Ice Beam!" I began to smile as I watched the figure of Pichu, standing in the middle of the ring, begin to slightly flicker. The beam shot out at Pichu, but the mirror image was able to dodge it, moving, or rather, skating away with ease.
"Argg… Again!" Lance ordered, and again, Pichu dodged.
I tried to concentrate on the battle, making sure to look genuinely concerned. If I don't then Lance will catch on, and then it's all over. "Dodge!" I said. "That's right! Keep dodging!" The Ice Beams kept going around and around until Lance had enough.
"Fine!" He screamed. "If ice doesn't work, just burn the darn thing!"
Gyarados released a Fire Blast at Pichu, but it did nothing more than melt all the ice around the fake him as it dodged. Gyarados was getting angry, releasing more and more fire attacks that were only melting the ice he had formed. After a few minutes the dragon was huffing and puffing, blowing out smoke as he looked at the Pichu that was standing in the water, waving and laughing at him.
"What a plan!" The announcer called out. "It would seem that Kyle has used his Pichu as a diversion to weaken the mighty Gyarados and use up all of its attacks!"
Not quite. I grinned as I watched the real Pichu cling onto a falling tree under Lances podium, directly behind Gyarados. Pichu was looking at me, nodding, telling me he was ready to attack. I darted my eyes up to Lance and then back down to Pichu. Pichu then nodded again as he began to charge his attack.
"Hey Lance!" I called out with a chuckle. "I thought you said you were stronger this time around!"
"What?" He screamed back.
"Your cousin Clair was more of a challenge than you!" I watched his gaze shift from the battle as he focused directly on me. I then nodded, to Pichu, who leaped from the podium. The fake Pichu, who was in front of Gyarados, vanished. Gyarados was shocked, and didn't know what to think as the real Pichu landed on his head.
"What?" Lance screamed, looking back down to the battle, but he completely missed that Pichu had moved.
"Pi…" Pichu grinned as he began to cover himself with a bright yellow light. "CHUUUUU!" A mass of electricity shot through Gyarados, then through the puddle he was in, and from there it went all over the stadium. The electrical currents moved up the poles, sizzling the lights and the scoreboard. They flickered, but came back on as Gyarados fell to the ground, knocked out. Pichu jumped back, standing tall as his figure became a slightly transparent form once more, using his Double Team attack.
"Amazing!" The announcer called out. "That little Pichu was able to take down the mighty Gyarados with only one hit! I wonder how he will fair against the next pokemon?"
Lance smiled as he recalled his Gyarados. "I don't know how you did that Kyle, but this one you wont beat." He held the pokeball to his chest as he grinned. "Once again, you should know this one too!" The ball flew out, and in the red light unmerged another flying pokemon. I groaned as I looked to the sky, seeing something that I didn't expect.
"Draaa!" The Dragonite roared.
"Great." I groaned. I knew that one right off. That was the one he had last year. I glanced back up, looking at the fake Pichu begin to taunt the flying dragon. "Well, it's not over until it's over."
"Dragonite!" Lance called out. "It's a sitting duck! Hyper Beam!" I watched as Dragonite didn't move, instead it stared at the fake Pichu blankly. "Dragonite! I said Hyper Beam!" But it completely ignored his order. Instead it began to dart its eyes around the arena, scanning for something.
"Oh crap!" I screamed. "Pichu! It knows! Quick, multiply!"
"What?" Lance gasped as he looked down to the field. The one fake Pichu instantly turned into hundreds. Every foot of the field was covered in Pichus. They were running, jumping, standing, taunting and some were even standing on the walls and flying in the air.
"I have never seen anything like this!" The announcer called out. "This is spectacular! I don't know what to-" The announcer then went quiet as he spoke to someone behind him. In a short time he came back on. "It would seem that Kyle is using his Pichu's Double Team attack!"
I rolled my eyes. Couldn't that guy just stay stupid? Nice was of announcing my attack! Idiot.
Lance then grit his teeth as he watched all the Pichu jumping all over the place. "So that's it? It was all a trick!" His cape blew in front of him as he grabbed its cloth and threw it back. "Twister the whole area!" Lance called out. "We'll get all of them with one sweep!"
In the mess I had also lost track of Pichu, but my guess is, so had Dragonite. The dragon charged up the attack as it began to flap its wings. Wind built up as a small twister began to form in front of it. Before long the twister turned into a raging tornado. The spiraling wind was intense, and I could barely stand up on my podium. I watched as one by one the Pichus began to disappear, leaving only one on the left hand side of the field.
"That's it!" Lance screamed, pointing to Pichu. "Hit it! Now!"
I watched the tornado inch its way closer to Pichu as it touched down on the field. The winds began to pick up leaves, tree limbs, and also the leftover water. My eyes opened as an idea came to me. It was a long shot, but it's better than nothing. "Pichu! Use your most powerful Thunder attack!"
Pichu began to charge up as the twister came closer and closer to him. The attack was growing, and taking everything with it. Sparks began to fly in all different directions from Pichu as the winds picked up. The limbs around him began to get sucked up in the tornado. Rocks were hitting him, muddy water was everywhere, but he still kept charging. When he turned a bright yellow was when he was picked up off the ground. He was twirled in the twister, thrown all over the place. Tree trunks were hitting him, rocks were smacking him, but in the middle of the storm, a ball of light formed. In an instant the tornado was covered in a bright light. Electricity bounced around everything, shooting from the sides of it, blasting into the air, and sizzling all over the place. A massive beam of light then shot out of the center of the twister, traveling up and striking Dragonite in the air. The dragon winced as the Twister attack stopped. Both pokemon fell to the ground, knocked out.
"And again both pokemon are knocked out!" The announcer called out. "That little Pichu surpassed all of our expectations! Taking down two pokemon when it finally fell! It is now two against one with Kyle in the lead!"
I looked down to the ground at Pichu. That little guy sure is something. I said, grabbing the last pokeball off my belt. I guess I am like all my pokemon, in some way. Me and Pichu are both underdogs, but we never let that hold us back. I then released the pokeball, as my Dragonite fluttered in front of me. "And you are proof of our narrow escapes." I smiled as I touched her on the nose remembering back to when she evolved. She smiled back to me as I pet on her head.
"I don't think I have ever seen so many of the same pokemon in one battle before!" The announcer said as my Dragonite flew down to the knocked out Pichu. She picked him up, and carried him back over to me, laying him in my arms. "And not just any pokemon either, the super rare breed of dragon, Dragonite! The one found naturally only in the Kanto Region! If you are a pokemon collector, this has been a battle you certainly do not want to miss!"
"So, your old Dragonite, huh?" Lance called out.
"Yeah!" I screamed as Dragonite landed on the field. "You're not getting cold feet are you?"
"Please!" Lance laughed. "You are talking to the Dragonite master! I have raised more Dragonite than any other pokemon."
"Yeah, well there is a difference between you and me." I smiled.
"And what's that?"
"You can raise and train as many as you want, that doesn't mean you do it right!"
"Hmph." Lance smiled as he pulled out his last pokeball. "Pretty big words coming from someone that is going to lose! For your information I have a few attacks up my sleeve! Some that haven't been seen in almost a century!" The ball flew onto the field as his Charizard stood. It was a lot bigger than I thought it was before. As it stood it was a whole head taller than Dragonite.
"Take to the air!" I screamed. "It's going to use Fissure!"
"Hmph." Lance chuckled. "Wrong again, Kyle! I'm going to show you something that a trainer like you would appreciate more than Fissure! Charizard! Use Overheat!"
I watched, unsure of what to make of this new attack, or old attack, heck, I don't know what it is! I have never even heard of it! Dragonite took to the air as the Charizard slammed his feet into the ground. Its claws gripped the dirt, causing the ground to crumble under it. It roared, as heat began to radiate from its body. Its eyes began to glow red as it opened it's mouth.
"ZAAARRRD!" Out from its mouth came a beam of fire like none I had ever seen. The light was so bright it was blinding, and the heat was so intense I felt the hair on my hand and arms began to burn. Dragonite, in the air high above the stands, tried to avoid the attack, but wasn't successful. She was hit by the full blast of the attack, and cried out as she began to fall to the earth. The light diminished and the fire stopped when she hit the ground. The water that was once on the field was now evaporated, and all the tree stumps, logs, and leaves, were all scorched and burned. Dragonite was lying there, in the ashes, knocked out.
The audience was speechless, and so was I. For a few second not even the announcer knew what to say. I looked at the devastation that the attack left. Nothing on the field was left without a scorch somewhere on it. But, what really grabbed me, was the fact that the Charizard acted like it took damage from the attack as well. It was breathing hard, and sweating like crazy. It began to flap its wings, cooling off its body as it rested. What kind of a fire attack would do so much damage to the user? Charizard, one of the most powerful fire types in the world is acting like it was hurt by its own fire attack! That doesn't seem right. That doesn't make sense!
"What… An… ATTACK!" The announcer screamed out as the crowd did as well. "Never in my life have I ever seen a fire attack so destructive! The score is now five to five! Each trainer is down to their last pokemon! Folks, you don't want to miss this!"' The announcer was pulled away from the mic for a second, but then reemerged again. "Folks, my boss told me to announce our policies on damages or physical injuries that are, have been, or will be obtained during this battle, to those in attendance of this event. Since this is a voluntary act to participate or observe, you the viewer and attendee are viable for your own conductivity. We take no responsibilities for any injury or destruction of personal property. View, and participate at your own risk." There was another pause. "These rules have been posted at the ticket booth as well. Now! Back to the fight!"
"Now who's getting cold feet, Kyle?" Lance screamed.
Charizard was beginning to breath normally again when I recalled Dragonite. I grit my teeth as I pulled the pokeball off my necklace. "Alright. You wanna play? Lets play!"
I threw the pokeball out on the field. It hit the ground and out from it came Arcanine. The wind whipped through his hair as he glared at the fire dragon that was breathing hard on the other side of the ring. He snorted out embers as he scraped his foot on the ground.
"Iron Tail!" Lance called out.
"Heat Wave!" I screamed.
Charizard took off after Arcanine, flapping its wings as he built up speed. Arcanine bared his teeth as he growled. Embers sizzled from his mouth as an orb of heat resonated around him. Charizard flew right up on him. It flapped its wings, turning over in the air as it brought down its massive tail onto Arcanine's Heat Wave shield. The shield burst into flames as Arcanine reacted, jumping up and latching onto Charizard's tail. He bit down hard, twisting around and slamming the dragon on its back. After slamming Charizard in the ground Arcanine jumped into the air, sliding to a stop behind the downed dragon.
"Raaa!" He snarled as he kicked in Extreme Speed. In a flash Arcanine was over at Charizard, wrapping his teeth around its neck.
"Iron Tail!" With that Charizard's tail began to glow again. The dragon swung and struck Arcanine in the side, throwing him off of it. Arcanine did a flip in the air before turning over and landing on his paws, sliding to a stop on the other side of the arena.
"What a match!" The announcer called out. "From the first pokemon to the last, these trainers have been neck and neck, going one step forward only to fall back again! Only time will tell which one of these two power houses will be standing in the end!"
"I know which one." Lance said as he grinned.
I opened my eyes wide as I saw him raise his hand, the same way he did when he used his Charizard before. "Arcanine!" I screamed. "Jump!"
"Fissure!" Lance called out.
Charizard roared as it slammed its hands in the ground, shaking the stadium when it did. Arcanine jumped when the shock wave hit his foot. He launched himself high in the air, but Charizard hadn't released the full attack yet. I watched as Arcanine began to fall back down to earth, and Charizard grinned. Just then it pulled the ground apart, creating giant crevasse that crumbled the ground and sucked knocked over trees into it. Arcanine was falling straight down, into the gulch.
I gotta think, I gotta think! I screamed to myself. "I got it! Arcanine! Flamethrower!"
I watched him build up speed as he opened his mouth. Flames began to shoot out as he aimed them down, blasting them into the open gap. I grit my teeth, but then opened my eyes wide as I saw my Arcanine fall into the chasm. The crowd went silent, and everything went calm.
"That's it!" Lance called out. "Close it up!"
"No… No!" I screamed. "Arcanine! Arcanine!"
"Chhhaaaarr!" Charizard groaned, gripping the ground as he forced the two half's back together. The earth began to move closer together. The stage was shaking, and the crowd was still silent. I wanted to look away as the gap shortened to only eight feet or so, but I knew I couldn't. I gulped, preparing for the worst. Suddenly I felt something, something… warm. Fire began to shoot out of the small gap as it closed. It was only about a foot gap in the earth when the ground began to crumble. Out from the rubble shot up Arcanine, followed by a mound of flames.
Charizard looked to the air, shocked and confused as the crowd cheered. The flames diminished as he slowed down, and began to fall. Charizard tried to conjure up another Fissure, but Arcanine hit the ground with an Extreme Speed, taking off and slamming into the dragon. Charizard was thrown back into the wall, cracking the concrete on impact.
"Again!" I screamed.
"Iron Tail!" Lance called out.
Arcanine took off once more, kicking in his speed as Charizard swung its tail. Arcanine dodged with ease as he smacked into the fire dragon again, slamming it into the adjacent wall. The dragon struggled to get up as Lance screamed out commands. But once again, and for the last time, Arcanine slammed into Charizard, knocking it out.
"And that's it!" The announcer called out as the crowd stood and cheered. "What a comeback! Kyle's Arcanine came back from the line, almost out for the count, and then pulled up for the win!"
Lance recalled his Charizard as the podiums lowered. Arcanine ran up to me, licking me on the face as I held Pichu in my arms. "Hey, boy." I said with a laugh. "You did great. Nice job!"
"Yeah…" Lance chimed in. "Nice job." He tilted his head as he spat in my direction.
"Come on, man." I said in a half laugh as I stuck my hand out to him. "Don't be like that. It was close, real close."
Lance stared at me smug as he shook his head. "Just to think, I gave up my title to get beat in the finals."
"Hey." I smiled; taking the hand I held out to him and smacking him on the back with it. "For a minute there I thought you had me."
"Hmph." He halfheartedly grinned. "Wipe the floor with them tomorrow."
"What?" I asked, laughing, not believing what I heard. Was he really rooting for me?
"Yeah." He turned as he began to walk away. "If you get beat out there then it'll make me look even worse."
I smiled, watching him leave as Arcanine stood beside me. "Yeah, will do." Even though we might not get along, we still have a lot in common. It may just be something we share, but what he just did meant more to me then a simple handshake could ever do.
***_-Scene Change-_***
After the cheering fans and TV crews were out of my face I dumped my pokemon off at the center in the arena. Turns out that the stage took so much damage that tomorrow's fights will be held in the adjacent stadium. Which is fine with me, because it is just a little bit bigger than the one I was at today. After they were healed I headed out the door, jumping on Arcanine and making a mad dash back to the Champion Housing Grounds.
It was then that I realized just how comfy the leather couch in the living room was. I had my feet propped up on the glass coffee table, shoes off, and reclining on the couch. The TV remote was in my hand, and, like a full fledged couch potato, I was flipping through the channels.
"Do you have a car?" A commercial asked.
"No." I answered before changing the channel.
"Look here! No more grass stains!"
"Yyyyyye-p."
I heard the door open and a bag hit the floor. Bill yawned and stretched.
"It's the pooper scooper picker upper!"
"I bet it is."
I heard footsteps come up behind me as I was flipping through the channels. "What are you doing?" Bill asked.
"Talking to the TV." I answered, very melancholy.
"Why?"
"Why not?"
"Well," Bill walked around the couch, sitting beside me. "For one, your battle with the Elite Four is tomorrow. Shouldn't you be out training?"
"Bill, me and my pokemon have been training for two years. One day off isn't going to hurt anything. In fact, its actually healthy." I changed the channel again as I looked over at him. "I want them to be fully rested and ready to go tomorrow. I know they are going to do great, they don't need any more training."
"Well okay. You're the trainer."
"Heh," I chuckled, changing to yet another channel. "Darn right I am."
"Do you have trouble getting up?"
I paused for a minute, holding the remote up, but then lowering it back down to listen to the commercial. "Well, I am pretty lazy."
"Have you fallen at least three times in the past month?"
"Phtt!" I laughed. "I fall three times a day, you ol' fart!"
"Do you have trouble getting to work?"
"Work, huh?" I put a finger to my chin. "I haven't been to work in two years."
"If you have answered yes to any of these questions, You Need To Listen Now!"
I scooted closer in my seat. "Yes old TV man! What is it?"
"You need a Power Chair!" Right then it showed this dirt old man riding around in what looked like a motorized wheel chair.
"Oh my gosh!" I said, jumping up. "Bill! I know what I want!"
"Oh please." Bill rolled his eyes.
"I can see it now!" I threw my arms up in a wiping movement. "I would never have to walk again!"
"You don't have to walk now." Bill groaned. "You have a motorcycle that goes faster than anything in existence."
"But can I take it to the bathroom?"
"Heck, I don't know. That thing is so advanced it might even have a toilet pre-installed."
I thought about this for a minute. "Really?"
"Arrg… Kyle, Kyle." Bill stood up, taking the remote away from me as he sat back down. "You need to watch something good. My guess would be that you haven't actually watched TV in over six months." He began to flip through channels as I sat back down as well. "Ah, here we go." He said with a smile.
On the screen I saw what looked like a spaceship in the void of space. It was in the distance, but then came closer and went of screen. "Our ship… the Interceptor. Our mission; to discover new forms of life, planets and solar systems. To travel, where no man has traveled before." Then, in the blackness of space appeared the title. "Star Check!"
"What?" I threw myself back in the couch. "Come on! Star Check? That thing came out when our parents were kids."
"So, it's still good. Just give it a chance."
"Hmph." I crossed my arms as the phone rang. I sighed, standing up. "I'll get it."
"Hey, get some popcorn while you are up!"
"Yeah, yeah." I walked over to the very regal looking phone that was on the miniature lamp table. "Hello?" I asked, picking it up.
"Kyle?" A familiar voice said on the other end.
"Yes? Who's calling?"
"Yes, Kyle. This is Professor Oak. Tell me, how is the soon to be Johto Champion fairing this fine afternoon?"
"I'm doing good." I said, turning around to watch the TV in the other room. "Just chilling in the Champion Housing with Bill."
"So Bill is there with you. Fantastic! I didn't see him on the video feed they showed on the television today."
"Oh, so you watched the battle?"
"Of course I did! Everyone in Pallet and Viridian was watching your battle! It is certainly hard to believe but your popularity around here has skyrocketed since last year." There was a slight pause before he continued. "Speaking of which, Kyle, because of your popularity there have been several people today dropping by the lab to see your pokemon. And since there is a certain one that we don't want to be seen… well…"
"I understand." I said, looking over at the clock hanging on the wall. "But how can I pick it up from you. There is no way I can track down there to Pallet town and come back in time for the fight tomorrow."
"Not a problem, I have everything prepared for you."
My eyebrows narrowed as I titled my head. "Wait, wha-?" I was cut off when the doorbell rang. "Hang on, Oak, someone is at the door." I placed the phone down on the table as I walked over to the door. Placing my hand on the knob, I opened the door. Who was standing on the porch surprised me and made me jump. "What the?"
"Chan-sey!" The big pink Chansey said as it held out a pokeball in its hands. The pokemon was wearing a white apron, and a white nurses hat. "Chan-chan-sey!"
"Umm… okay… thank you." I took the ball out of its hands.
"Chan-chan!" With that the pink pokemon jumped away, hopping down the stairs of the porch and bouncing down the road.
"Hmm…" I shut the door as I walked back in. "This ball doesn't look like any of mine." I flipped it over, inspecting it. It was an ultra ball, but the strange thing of it was there wasn't an engraved barcode or item identification number on the back. I picked the phone back up. "Oak, I'm back."
"So, I assume that you received the item that I had transported to you?"
"This ultra ball is yours?" I asked, holding it up and inspected it.
"No. That ultra ball is yours."
"I don't understand." I said. "I had all my pokemon transferred over to regular pokeballs."
"You see, that ultra ball contains your… Unmentionable pokemon. Because there was a dramatic increase of visitors at the lab I had to keep that wonderful specimen contained. Since I couldn't kept it here at the lab, I swapped the old pokeball out for a new ultra ball." I held the ball in my head, inspecting it. "That ball you have I personally made. There are no identifications on the item. However when you use it at the pokecenter it says that the pokeball belongs to you. Also, if you ever end up using it on one of those new kinds of poke-healers, the ones with the pictures of the pokemon, then the image will come up as a black box."
"Nifty. But, wait." I looked at my belt, and then checked my necklace. "I still have my six pokeballs on me."
"I also modified that ultra ball to count as number 0 on your team. So, you can actually have 7 pokemon on you at once. Number 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. It will be just like when you first caught that pokemon back at the Sea Foam Island."
"Thanks Oak." I smiled, putting the ball in my pocket.
"Kyle!" Bill yelled out. "Come on! Get that popcorn! This is the best part!"
"I'll be there in a minute." I called out to Bill. "Thanks for everything Oak. I gotta go." With that I hung up the phone.
***_-Scene Change-_***
The show was okay, but I wouldn't give it anything more than that. Though I would have to say, for it being sixty years old it had pretty good animation, also the actors were great. But, it just wasn't my thing. Pichu finally woke up from his nap, eating almost the whole bowl of popcorn. I don't even think he watched the show. He was too busy covering his face in butter.
It was getting late, so me and Pichu headed back to our room. We both washed up, and then went to bed. "You get rested up." I said with a smile. "We're waking up early tomorrow." I yawned, falling on the bed as Pichu did the same thing. "Even though the battle doesn't start until 12, we still need to beat the crowds." I turned over, raising my hands up as I clapped them, turning the lights out. "That is so freakin' cool."