A/N: To all my fans and readers, I would just like to say, Merry Christmas!
And here is the chapter you have been waiting on for so many months! I hope you like it.
Chapter 32
Lucky Number Four
"Kyle! Kyle!" I heard a woman's voice call for me. I turned around from my toys on the grassy lawn, looking back to the house. "Kyle! Where are you?"
"Oh no." I hurriedly picked up my pokemon action figures from the ground, the ones that I had just won at my elementary school for getting an A on my math test. They were cheap little dolls, but at the time I didn't care. I just always wanted some pokemon, even if they were only toys.
I fumbled with the toys, putting them in my book bag as I ran back to the house. The porch was white, freshly painted the day before by my brother and I. I put my foot on the stairs, climbing up, and then running up to the door. I turned the knob, pushing it open as I ran inside. "Here I am, Mommy!" I put on a smile, running up to her as she stood in the kitchen, looking back at me with a frown. "Mommy, Mommy, you wont believ-" I was stopped abruptly by a hard smack to the face. I fell to the ground, looking back up to her with tears in my eyes.
"You worthless little maggot!" She screamed at me. "I just got a call from your teacher! How dare you bring pokemon into MY house!"
"But, Mommy. They're just toys!"
"And where are they?" She insisted.
I paused for a moment, knowing that if she found them she'd throw them away. "I… lost them… on the way home."
"Hmph." She snorted, picking up my bag and unzipping it. She turned the book bag upside down, letting all the contents, even the toys, fall to the floor. "Lost them, huh?" She then bent down, grabbing my hair in her fist as she picked me up off the ground. I screamed in pain, crying and yelling out, but no one heard me. She then carried me like that over to the window facing the porch, shoving my face on the glass. "You see that? The mud you left on my white porch?" I looked out the window, seeing footprints on the white porch, leading up the house.
She then pulled me away from the window, and threw me on the ground. I began to cry louder, cowering in a corner. "You will never amount to anything! You stupid child! You are worthless!" She then went into the kitchen, but came back to me shortly after. I heard her footsteps stop in front of my face. I opened my eyes to see the pokemon toys I had won fall to the ground in front of me. I reached my hand to grab them, but as soon as I did her foot came down on them, crushing them into pieces in front of me.
"Toughen up you little wussy!" She hissed at me as she walked away. "You deserved ever bit of that! You idiot."
I stayed in the floor crying, looking at the broken pieces as my older brother came up to me.
"Hey! Stupid!" He yelled at me, kicking me in the ribs. I looked up to him, and was amazed. He looked like he did when he was 18, but he is only four years older than me. I then looked down at myself, and to my astonishment I wasn't 7 anymore, heck, I wasn't even downstairs, I was in my room.
"What, are you retarded too?" He screamed at me as he kicked me again. "I'm talking to you!"
"What?" I asked, standing up as I grit my teeth. "What is it, Brandon?"
"I like that shirt." He said with a grinning smile. "I want it. Take it off."
"What?" I jumped back, looking down at my shirt. It was grey and blue-stripped button up shirt, one that I had just bought the day before. "No, you pompous dickhead, go get your own!"
"Listen you scumbag!" He screamed at me. "Give me that shirt, now!"
"Or what?" I asked with a cocky smile. I had been in many fights with him before, pretty much everyday, so I knew how we fought and I knew how to win. I turned my body sideways, giving him less of a target, and me more of an area to dodge and attack.
"Or this!" He screamed, throwing a punch at me, which I dodged. I then grabbed his wrist, and punched him in the gut with everything I had, but, it didn't do anything. It was almost like I was punching a pillow. He threw another punch, so I dodged and tried to punch him in the face. But, once again, I didn't do anything. I felt my arms start to become confined, I couldn't move. I tried my hardest, but I couldn't even walk.
"I'll show you who's the boss around here!" Brandon said, picking me up over is head as he walked over to the window in my second story room. "Now next time I want your clothes you better give them to me!" With that he threw me through the window. Shattered glass was everywhere, falling with me as I grew closer to the ground, head first. I closed my eyes, waiting for the impact-
"CHUUUUUU!"
"Ahhhhhh!" I screamed, rolling out of bed as I hit the floor hard. I jumped up, ready to throw another punch, but instead of being at my house I was in my room at the Johto Pokemon League. I sighed, taking a deep breath as I sat back down on the master bed.
"Pi?" Pichu ran up to me, climbing on my shoulder as I smiled.
"Thanks, bud." I said, putting my hand behind my head. "I don't know how you woke me up, bu-" I stopped as I felt my hair. I then stood up, walking over to the vanity mirror in the room. "Oh, you got to be kidding me." In the mirror I saw that every hair on my head was standing up, and sparks were shooting between them like in one of those old evil scientist movies.
"Bwahaha!" I laughed, looking in the mirror. "Wow! You really did a number on me didn't you Pichu?"
***_-Scene Change-_***
I shoved my feet into my black shoes, grabbing the laces as I pulled them up tight, tying them in a knot. My frayed blue jeans fell around them as I stood, pushing my glasses further up on my nose. Pichu ran from the nightstand, jumping over to the vanity in the room, and then leaped on my shoulder. I was wearing my old green jacket, the one that I started my journey with back in Kanto, the one that I ran away from home in. Under that was my newer black button up shirt that I bought not too long before that incident with Ricky in Mount Silver. I closed my eyes and trembled as I thought of his dying face, crying out in pain as he was crushed under those rocks. "I swear!" His words echoed in my head. "I'll make you pay! You will pay!"
"No." I said, shaking my head as I opened my eyes back up. "No. Not now. You will not haunt me now." My eyes darted over to the vanity sitting adjacent to the bed. On it was my regular belt and the one I drape around my waist with my pokeballs on it. I grabbed the latter, buckling it and let it hang loosely around me, the pokeballs facing my right side. I then walked over to the nightstand, taking a deep breath as I reached for the pokeball necklace that was laying on top of yesterdays newspaper. "Well ol' pal." I said as I slipped the necklace on. "Another day, another battle."
***_-Scene Change-_***
We walked downstairs, glancing into the living room when we hit the bottom step. Bill was sitting in the recliner, and had his laptop connected to the plasma screen TV, he was watching episodes of Star Check.
"Hmph." I grinned as I walked up behind him. This is going to be good. "Hey Bill!" I said, making him jump as he turned around.
"Oh, hey Kyle." He then turned back to the show, watching it with his eyes glued.
"Ah, I remember this one." I lied.
"What?" Bill jumped. "You saw this one?"
"Oh yeah." I nodded, still lying through my teeth. "I saw it on TV. One of those, "Best Moments" or something."
"Really? That's strange, they said this was only shown on the collector's edition box set."
"So have you seen this one?"
"No!" He said excited. "But don't tell me!"
"Ahh, so I can't tell you that Johnny Boy dies."
"WHAT!" Bill jumped up. "No way!"
"Oh yeah." I nodded. "They said it was the most brutal episode ever. So bloody that they couldn't show it on TV."
"Oh man!" He spun back around as he planted himself back in his seat. "Oh man! This is going to be good! Johnny Boy is goi… Wait a minute!" He then jumped back up. "There's no Johnny Boy in this show!"
"Oh Bill!" I laughed as I slapped him on the back. "You need to loosen up. Oh yeah, the reason I needed to see you was to find out what kind of pokemon the Elite Four has."
"You mean you haven't checked yet?" he asked as he ran to his computer, turning off the episode as he opened up the Internet. "It's only two hours away and you haven't even looked up their types?"
"Well, that's why I have you." I said with a smile as I sat down on the couch, watching the TV display his computer monitor as he surfed the web.
"Well, I'm not going to be here forever Kyle. You need to learn how to look this stuff up yourself."
"Oh come on." I laughed. "If I know you, you have the PC set up to do updates on itself. Heck, I bet that system is self-efficient. I bet you don't even need to do updates on it." I leaned forward, watching the screen. "Why don't you go to Hoenn with me after this?"
"Hoenn?" He looked at me blankly. "Are you serious?"
"Of course!" I said. "Its not like there is anything else for me to do here."
"Oh, Kyle." He shook his head. "You are right. I have the PC System set up to do automatic updates and system settings for two months, but that time has already ran out. For two months I have been tailing you all over Johto." He went silent for a while. "Kyle, you're my best friend. I would do anything for you, but I have work to do. As of now I am backed up to my neck with papers to file and information to program in. There is no way I could even think about proceeding with you to the Hoenn region."
"But, Bill, I-"
"I can't!" He scolded, looking at me. "I'm sorry, but I cant." We both were quiet for a while until he brought up the pokemon of the Elite Four on the screen. "Alright, first challenger is Will, the one who replaced Lance." The screen brought up a picture of this very feminine looking man with purple hair, a black mask, and a purple casino jump suit. "His types are all Psychic with Flying, Water, Ice and Grass as a second powers."
"So, it looks like Umbreon is a good match up there."
"I would think so." Bill then went on to another image, this one, was all too familiar to me. "This is Koga, Ex-Member of the notorious Team Rocket, and former leader of the Poison Gym of the Kanto Region. His battling types are-"
"All Poison with Bug and Flying." I cut in. "Best to use a Fire type"
"Wow, nice job." Bill then went on down the list, to yet another face I knew.
"Bruno." I said. "All Fighting with a monster of an Onix as a back up. Strongest pokemon is a Machamp, but he is really slow. Best to use Pidgeot and Gyarados."
"Man. You got this down."
"Helps that I have already fought him before." I smiled. "What's the last one?"
"The last one is…" he clicked on another link, bringing up this image of a younger looking girl, in her twenties or so, with long light blue hair and a yellow tank top. "This is Karen. She is Agatha's granddaughter as well as her replacement."
"What happened to Agatha?" I asked. "Did she retire?"
"Well…" Bill paused as he read. "It doesn't say on here, but I heard she passed on."
"Man, that's sad."
"Cycle of life I suppose. Anyway, this one might be a little more difficult."
"How so?" I asked.
"Well, I guess it would be easier for you to see." Bill clicked another link, bringing up a list of pokemon. "These are the pokemon that make up her team."
"Hmm…" I examined the pictures. "Umbreon, Gengar, Houndoom, Murkrow, and Vileplume. That's so strange. A Dark, Ghost, Fire, Flying, and Grass?"
"They are all dark as their second type." Bill said. "With the exception of Gengar, which was Agatha's powerhouse."
"You mean it's the same one?"
"Yep."
"Crap… But, that does make sense I suppose. After all, I guess a ghost cant die."
With that Bill closed the lid on his computer. "Well, we better get going if we want to make it there before the crowds.
"I think it's too late for that." I said with a smile as I stood up. I walked past him, making my way to the window as I pulled back the curtain.
"Why do you say that?"
"Because we already have a news crew outside the house."
***_-Scene Change-_***
The streets leading to the stadium were so packed that we ended up not even taking them. Lines of people were piled around everywhere, and not to mention TV crews, but from several hundred feet above the ground it was hard to tell them apart.
"Is it acceptable to fly into the arena instead of entering the front gate?" Bill screamed to me as he held onto my shoulders. Dragonite was flying nice and slow, making sure not to startle him, but I didn't think it was helping anything. Bill has always seemed to be scared of riding on anything that didn't have a seat belt or an air bag.
"I don't see why it wouldn't be!" I screamed back to him. "After all, there's nothing like making a grand entrance, right?"
"Piii!" Pichu screamed, as he held on tight to my hair.
"Ahh!" I whined. "Pichu! Stop! You're pulling my hair out!" I then turned my head back to Bill. "Hey Bill, unzip my book bag and put Pichu in it!"
"Okay!" I felt him move one hand off my shoulder and unzip the bag. Then I felt Pichu's little paws release my hair as the bag zipped back up.
"Thanks Bill. And Pichu! Don't worry! I'll let you out when we get there!"
"Piii!" I heard a muffled Pichu say from my back.
"Why did you bring your book bag with you today, Kyle?"
"I don't know." I said as Dragonite began to turn sidewise, heading down into a nosedive. "Something told me that I needed it today! Hold on!"
"Ohhh Crraaaappp!" Bill screamed, holding on tight. Dragonite tucked in her wings, making us accelerate faster. We were going straight down, heading for the open roof stadium that everyone was pouring into. From above I could see the field come into view. It was rocky, with some hills and grass. Almost like a mixed field. But then something else caught my eye. On the sides of the open roof I noticed a gridded structure that was folded in. Does the roof on this stadium close making it sealed off? I guess that would make sense. After all, what would they do in the rain or snow? They would need to close it.
Bill stopped screaming when Dragonite opened her wings. She slowed down, going back in a vertical stance as she fluttered over to Bill's seat that we had bought the previous day. There were already audience members there, and they all went quiet as Dragonite came closer.
Dragonite stopped right above Bill's seat, letting him climb off. When I knew he was in his seat I gave Dragonite a pat on the head. "Thanks." I said with a smile. "I'll probably be needing your help today, girl." With that I touched the pokeball to her back, making her vanish inside as I fell through the transparent red light. I landed in my seat, with one foot on the flat part of the seat and the other resting on the backrest.
The audience then stood and started cheering as I heard the announcer call out over the speakers. "It would appear that the Kanto Champion, and challenger for today, Kyle Gray has just made his entrance. And what an entrance it was!" I turned around, still standing in the seat. When I looked over my shoulder I saw that this stadium was much larger than the one I was at yesterday. It was laid out in the same way though, that is with the seats anyway. But the thing that really caught my attention was the four massive plasma screen TV's that they had hovering over the field in a square formation.
"Wow." I said, looking at the TV as it zoomed in on my face. "That's cool."
"Yeah, you're on TV." Bill said. "One would think that you would have grown accustomed to that by this time."
"No." I shook my head as I looked down to Bill. "I mean the hovering TV's. I wonder how they do that?"
"It is very simple, actually." Bill said, holding up a finger as he spoke. "The league has specially trained Abra, Kadabra, and Alakazam that uses their telekinesis powers to hold up large objects. By doing this they can also predict attacks and move the televisions out of harms way so the League doesn't suffer from any lost technology expenses."
"And what a special treat this is!" The announcer called out. I turned my head to look at the TV zoom in close on Bill. "Not only do we have the famous Pokemon Master from Kanto with us today, but we also have an even bigger celebrity! Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the world famous, Bill!"
"What?" Bill jumped as he looked at the screen.
"What?" I laughed. "After all, I figured you would be used to this by now." I said in a mocking voice as I laughed.
"Yeah, well laugh it up." He said as he stood from his seat. "Would you like to be escorted to the pokemon center? I could be of some assistance."
"Yeah…" I laughed as I walked in front of him. "If I ever get attacked by some nerdy girl that turns out to be a computer virus I'll let you know."
"The nerds are not the ones you need to watch out for." Bill said as he darted his eyes. "It's those crazy anime ones… Those people are more like test subjects instead of humans."
"Alright, then I changed my mind. If I ever get attacked by an icon of an anime girl that ends up being a virus then you'll be the first one to know." Bill then went quiet. Oddly quiet.
We walked out of the seating area and down the hall, the whole time walking and shoving our way past, ignoring everyone. The pokemon center was packed, but it was better to heal my pokemon now rather than later. Lord, it might just take me an hour to get through the line!
Luckily, all the people in there were not healing their pokemon, instead they were just there to try to get a glimpse of me before I made my way to the field. Shoving my way past I was able to get in and out of there rather quickly, but it still took up about thirty minutes just getting back to my seat. When I sat back down I looked over at Bill, who was still being very quiet.
"Bill? You okay?"
"That would be sooo hot!"
I jumped a little, confused. "What?" I looked to where he was staring, but there wasn't anything over there, just some concession stands. I looked back to him. Do I really want to know what he is thinking about?
"A virus!" He said. "That infects your computer with pictures of anime girls!"
"Oh my gosh!" I screamed at him as I slapped my self on the forehead. "I can't believe you are still thinking about that! You know I was kidding, right?" I then paused. "Wait, that wasn't what I said anyway."
"Yes, but I improved on what you said." He smiled.
I shook my head. "Bill, you need to go on a date."
"I have been on a date!"
"I mean a real date! Not some stupid cyber chat."
"What's wrong with that?" He said defensively.
I just shook my head. "Nothing Bill, nothing at all. I'm just saying, I gave you a girl's number yesterday, I think you should at least give her a shot." Suddenly a trumpet sounded over the speakers of the stadium as music began to play.
"It is now 12-o-clock!" The announcer called out. "For the past three days trainers from all over the Johto, Kanto, Hoenn and even Sinnoh have been gathering together and battling for the coveted title and trophy of the Johto League Championship, and the opportunity to be claimed Pokemon Master!" The crowd cheered when the announcer paused. "There were many contestants this year, but one has stood out above them all. One trainer among hundreds has passed all the obstacles that has been placed in front of him, and only this one will be given the chance at the title of Pokemon Champion of the Johto League!" Once again, the crowd cheered. "The battle that will be taking place today has been highly anticipated since his victory last year at the Kanto League. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, Pokemon Master of the Kanto League, live and in person, Kyle Gray!" I watched as the camera zoomed in on me from my seat in the stands. The crowd cheered, roared, and yelled from all discretions. "Kyle Gray, please make your way to the stage at this time!"
"Hmph." I smiled as my book bag began to bounce around on my back. I laughed a little as I took off one strap, swinging it around and unzipping the pocket that held Pichu. "Did you think I would forget about you, litl' bud?"
"Pi-cha!" Pichu smiled as he jumped out of my back and right up on my shoulder. "Pi, Chu!" He called out, pointing to the stage.
"That's right bud." I stood up from my seat, walking over to the railing as I put one foot on the bar, overlooking the stage. "It's our time to shine." With that I grabbed a pokeball off my belt, releasing Dragonite as Pichu and I rode on her back to the podium.
"Show off." I heard Bill huff as I took off.
"Pi?" I heard as I saw Pichu look back to Bill, and then up to me. "Pi? Pi-chu?"
"Oh, its nothing." I said with a smile. "Bill was just wishing us luck." I lied.
"Pi-CHA!"
Dragonite flew us to our side of the podium, where once again I thanked her and fell through her transparency as I recalled her. I landed on the stage with Pichu on my shoulder, knelling down to cushion the fall. The crowd cheered as I slowly began to rise up. My eyes were closed, and in the darkness of my eyelids I could see the sun shining through, making a somber red color. I took a deep breath, and then narrowed my eyebrows as I opened my eyes. This is it. This is what I have fought for. They said it couldn't be done, but I did it. Six months later, here I am. At the Elite Four, battling my way for the trophy. But… I looked down as my mind wondered back to the thought of Shonna leaving, sailing away from those docks one year ago. "No." I said, shaking my head. "No! I wont let that distract me! She left me! She's gone!"
"Heewww, having lill' love problem, honey?"
What was that? I looked up to see the same guy from the picture before, Will. He was walking up the stage on his podium, opposite mine. His purple hair blew in the wind as slowly adjusted his black Zorro looking mask on his face. "Because, honey, she doesn't know what she's missin'."
"Eahh…" I gave a grossed out look. Is this guy really a member of the Elite Four?
Soon enough, my question was answered when the announcer spoke. "And there he is! Please welcome the newest member of the legendary Elite Four trainers, Will." Will then took a bow as he threw out a red rose to one of the swooning girls in the stand.
"Ohhhh!" They all cooed.
"Oh please." I rolled my eyes.
"Pi…"
"Though this member is new to this elite group, I would like to say that he passed all the qualification test with flying colors! Ladies and gentlemen, the stage has been set, and in just a few moments I will announce the rules!"
I stood there, over looking the field as the announcer went quiet. Over the speakers I heard a trumpet sound, then a band, playing an old orchestra song that is played at the beginning of every league competition that I have ever seen. The crowd stood, but my eyes were focused on one thing, the trainer that stood in front of me.
When the song died down the announcer spoke again. "In this league challenge the Elite Four members are only allowed to use five pokemon. The challenging opponent, however, may use up to six."
"Hmph. That's different." I smiled.
"The members of the Elite Four may not switch their pokemon until they are unable to battle. The challenger may switch at any time. Each field that the challenger will be battling on has been chosen by the member he will be facing for that round. If the challenger is able to surpass every member of the Elite Four then he will be crowned the Johto Pokemon Champion." The crowd roared as a referee came onto the field. He walked over to the left hand side of the field, stood on a small stage and was then raised high up above. He then raised up his flags, one gold, one silver, and gave a signal. "Okay folks! This is the time we were all waiting for. The match between Kyle Gray and the Johto Elite Four will begin…. NOW!" The ref then blew a whistle as both Will and I reached for our pokeball.
"I suppose I should make the first move." Will winked as he spun his pokeball on his finger. He then gave it a small toss as it opened up, releasing a Xatu on the field.
"Piiiii?" Pichu tilted his head, as did I, as we looking over the railing at the funky looking bird.
"Well, you don't see one of those very often. A Johto special I think." I scratched my head as I put back the pokeball I had in my hand.
"Pi! Picha!" Pichu said, looking at me as he pumped his little arms.
"No." I said to him as I thought. "I know what you're thinking, and your electricity would be good against a bird, but I don't know what all it knows." I then smiled as I patted him on the head. "Don't worry, you'll get your turn." I then looked back up as I grabbed another pokeball from my belt. "I know I shouldn't use him now, but when you're in a pinch you play your trump." I threw the ball out, and in a red light stood my glimmer of hope in this battle.
"Breeeee!" Umbreon roared.
"It would seem that Kyle is going with his Umbreon for this battle. It would appear that he is going for the type advantage against Will."
"You are so predictable, honey." Will said with a wink.
I got a cold chill up my spine as I winced. Eww….
"Xatu! Use your Silver Wind!"
Silver Wind? "Umbreon! Look out! That's a bug type move!"
I saw Umbreon's ear twitch as Xatu began to flap its wings. It flapped them faster and faster as a silver mist began to cover over its body.
What am I going to do?
"TUUUU!" The bird screamed as it took off, flying at Umbreon with silver dust flowing closely behind.
"Sand Attack!" I screamed.
Umbreon ran around in circles, creating a small mini gust attack full of sand. Xatu flew right into it, stopping its attack as the sand began to collect the silver pollen, sending it right back at Xatu. Umbreon jumped to the side, evading the dust as Xatu frantically tried to get the dust and powder out of its eyes.
"Now! Shadow Ball!"
"Ummmm!" Umbreon opened his mouth wide, forming a black orb. The yellow marks on his body began to glow. Xatu opened its eyes just as the attack was being released.
"Night Shade!"
"Xaa!" Xatu's eyes began to turned bright red, and just a few inches in front of its face, the Shadow Ball attack stopped. A dark mist began to emanate from the birds body, encompassing Umbreon's attack.
"Dodge Left!" I screamed. And just in the knick of time Umbreon jumped out of the way. I couldn't tell what was going on, because of the black mist that covered over the small portion of the field. But when the smoke like substance lifted I saw the rock behind Umbreon had shattered. The only thing that was left was a singed black crater, which looked just like an impact from a Shadow Ball.
"What a start off!" The announcer called out. "Xatu took some damage from the clever thinking of Kyle Gray, using a Sand Attack to temporarily blind the bird pokemon. But then it came back with Night Shade, sending Umreon's own attack back at it! What a great opening!"
"Not good." I said gritting my teeth.
"Pi?" Pichu looked up at me.
"Distance attacks are no good, bud. That attack can turn it all around."
Will and I both stood, looking out on the field at our pokemon, neither one making a move. There has to be a way around that. That thing seemed to be effected by the sand in its eyes, so it relies on its vision, maybe?
"Enough waiting, darling!" Will screamed. "Xatu! Wing Attack!"
"Umbreon!" I screamed as the bird took off after him. "Take a dive!"
Xatu built up speed as its wings began to glow a bright white. Umbreon stood strong, leaning his front half down close to the ground, ready to pounce. When Xatu flew by, however, Umbreon slid on the ground, rolling over and letting Xatu fly over him. He then used his rear legs to kick Xatu in the stomach, making the bird fly beak first into the dirt. Dirt flew into the air around the bird, as well as it its eyes.
Umbreon rolled back over, jumping to his feet.
"Bite!" I screamed. With that Umbreon ran over to the downed bird, grabbing its head in his mouth. Xatu squirmed, but Umbreon kept it at bay with a paw on its chest. "Now! Shadow Ball!"
"Broon!" A dark orb covered over the two pokemon as Umbreon's yellow rings began to glow. Soon the orb vanished, and in the mist of the darkness stood Umbreon, with one paw still on top of Xatu.
"Astonishing!" The announcer called out as Will recalled Xatu. "Kyle was able to beat the flying psychic ability of Xatu with some quick last second planning."
"Well, Sugar, this next one will give you cold chills." Will said as he kissed one of his pokeballs. "Come on out, Jynx!"
"And yet another pokemon you don't see everyday."
"It looks like the next pokemon up to bat is Will's Jynx!" The announcer spoke. "This pokemon has a cold personality, despite its very appealing appearance!"
Appearance? Yuck! With that, I stuck out my tongue.
"Jynx!" Will called out as he blew a kiss to her. "Use your Lovely Kiss!"
"Umbreon! Close your eyes! Feel out its attacks!" Umbreon closed his eyes, taking a fighting stance. If he doesn't see her blow a kiss it wont have an effect.
Jynx put a hand to her lips, pushing them together as I saw Will grin. "Now!" he called out. With that Jynx pulled her hand away, forcing out, not a kiss, but a Hyper Beam attack!
Oh crap! "Umbreon!" I watched as his ears shot up, he then jumped to the left, but not quick enough. The Hyper Beam hit his back leg, making him swing around and slam into the wall.
"Oh, ho, ho!" Will giggled. "Looks like your Umbreon is falling head over heels!"
"Pi-cha!" Pichu called out to Umbreon in worry.
"Umbreon!" I screamed. "Forget what I said, use your eyes!"
"Now, my beautiful Jynx! Use your Blizzard!"
"Umbreon! Last Resort!"
"Jyynnnxxx!" It yelled as she began to cross her arms. Ice crystals formed around her, and then small pieces of snow fell.
"Ummm!" Umbreon roared, making a purple sphere form around him.
The blizzard attack released, freezing the grass blades in the path. The snow and ice shards struck Umbreon's purple sphere, chipping away at it as it slowly pushed him back. He dug his claws into the ground beneath him, trying to maximize the traction to stop him from sliding. The attack was brutal, freezing everything around Umbreon as it began to crack and chip his shield.
"Breee-ON!" In a last ditch effort Umbreon jumped in the air and lowered his shield, concentrating what was left of his attack into an orb. He released it into the attack, shooting it at Jynx. Jynx looked up, moving the blizzard attack straight up to Umbreon as the dark orb curved around the snow, striking Jynx. Umbreon was hit with the Blizzard, freezing his back legs in the air as the Last resort attack struck its mark. Jynx was covered in a purple light as it screamed out in pain.
"Jy-nx!" It screamed as it fell over, unconscious.
Umbreon fell from the sky, striking the ground, knocked out as well.
"We have just witnessed the first one of the challenger's pokemon being knocked out." The announcer announced. "As of now the challenger has 5 pokemon left, while Will has 3. This battle seems to be one sided, but can Will turn the tables on the previous pokemon master?"
"Oh, you better believe I can turn this around!" Will spun on his toes as he grabbed another pokeball. "Go! Xatu!"
"Eah…" I groaned as I saw the bird on the field. "I swear, does everyone this year have more than one of the same pokemon?" I then began to think. Those things use their eyes far too much. Also, since Umbreon is out of the picture, and, since it is a bird… I looked over to Pichu. "Bud, looks like I'm going to need your help again."
"Pi?"
I smiled. "Do your little trick. Get that thing to knock itself out."
"Pi-cha-chu?"
"I don't care." I laughed. "Just have some fun, and don't get seen."
"Pichu!" Pichu jumped from my shoulder, running down the rail as it entered the battlefield.
"It would seem that Pichu is Kyle's next choice." The announcer said. "I wonder what Kyle has in store for us now?"
"Sending a mouse against a bird?" Will said. "What a lovely tactic. Trying to sway me by using your little advantage trick!" Will yelled out to me.
Huh?
"Honey! You use that trick far too much! Xatu! Sense it out!"
"Well crap." I looked down to the field, seeing the real Pichu standing in the middle of the field, not using his double team attack. Hey, that gives me an idea. I smiled as I yelled out to Will. "Well! It looks like you found me out! I guess that fake Pichu doesn't fool you!"
"Pi?" Pichu turned his head, looking back up to me confused.
I looked down to him, giving him a wink as I grinned. He then grinned back, nodding his head as he looked to Xatu.
"Well, Pichu! I guess it isn't working!" I yelled. "Come on out!" When I said that Pichu used Double Team, making a fake Pichu run out from behind my stage. The fake ran in front of the bordering wall, sticking its hands in the air, "Pichu!" it yelled.
"Ha!" Will screamed. "There it is! After it Xatu!"
"Axxx!" the bird called out, spreading its wings as it flew after the rodent. The fake Pichu stood still, and when Xatu got close enough, it leaped, souring into the air, making Xatu fly beak first into the wall behind it.
"Ax! Ax!" It whined as it shook its head.
"Now!" I said. "Thunder Bolt!"
In an instant the real Pichu made a quick dash over to the fake one, taking its place as it released a massive Thunder Bolt attack into Xatu. The bird wince, and then fell over, knocked out. Before it hit the ground, the real Pichu was back over to where he was before, leaving the fake there, standing on Xatu.
"As we have seen before, this Pichu may be small, but it packs a Biii-i-igg shock!" The announcer said, drawing out the 'big' part.
"Well, it looks as if I am down to my last two balls." Will said, holding two pokeballs in his hand as he smiled.
I felt my stomach turn as I stuck out my tongue. Oh my gosh, I'm going to be happy when this battle is over with.
"Go!" Will through out one of the balls, making it hit the ground and releasing a Slowbro.
"Slowbro, darling, start off with your Foresight."
"Slow…" Slowbro said as his eyes began to glow purple.
"Pichu! Double Team isn't going to work any more!"
"Pi?" He looked at me confused as the fake Pichu vanished.
"Ahh! I see." Will said. "You did end up tricking me anyway, making your fake Pichu look like the real one. No mater. Slowbro, use Future Sight."
"Pichu! Be on the look out! That attack can hit at anytime!"
"Pi!" Pichu took a fighting stance as he looked around the arena. I saw him look over to some of the nearby boulders that were on the rocky grass field.
I got it! I snapped my finger. "Pichu! Quick Attack off the rocks!"
"Pi! Chu!" With that Pichu took off in a streak of yellow, bouncing off the rocks around Slowbro like a pinball machine would.
"Slow…" Slowbro glanced, looking around as his purple eyes faded back to its regular white. Pichu was fast, too fast for the slow pokemon to keep up with, and before long, it became confused. "Slow-ow-ow!" It spun its head around.
"Slowbro!" Will called out. "Use your Mega Punch!"
Slowbro then shook his head and closed his eyes. I saw his hand turn into a fist as it began to glow white. "Slooow!" It yelled, swinging is fist around after the yellow blur, but in its confused state, it swung its hand around, striking itself in the face.
"Whoa!" I laughed. "I've never seen that before."
"Slooowww!" Slowbro said, stumbling as it began to use the attack again, and, like before, it attacked itself.
"Oh no!" Will gasped as his Slowbro fell over, knocked out by its own attacks.
"It looks like Slowbro is down for the count!" The announcer called out as the audience roared. "In a show of speed and quick thinking over slow thought, Pichu and Kyle were able to win the battle without landing one attack! Lets hope that Will's next pokemon can make up for its lost team mates!"
"My next one will send you away crawling!" Will laughed. "Come on out, Exeggutor!" He threw the pokeball out. It hit the ground, and then opened, showing the giant egg-plant tree standing amongst the Quick Attacking Pichu.
"Now!" I screamed. When I did Pichu leaped off the boulder behind Exeggutor, landing right on its back. The eggs at the base of the leaves looked down at Pichu as he grinned.
"Chuuuuu!" Pichu released a massive volt tackle attack, shocking plant and making it scream, but doing little damage.
"It doesn't matter how big it is," Will commented. "An attack like that won't hurt my Exeggutor!"
I was about to issue another attack, but from behind Will, I saw the few clouds that had blown over, began to separate. Well that was weird. In the sky I saw a small purple dot, which seemed to get bigger. "Oh no…" I spoke under my breath when I realized what it was. "Pichu!" I screamed. "Pichu! Behind-" But it was too late. By the time I was able to warn Pichu about the Future Sight attack it had already hit. The attack came in a large purple beam of light that struck Pichu as he was still shocking Exeggutor.
"Pii!" Pichu cried out.
"Egggs!" Exeggutor winced.
When the attack was over, PIchu fell off the plant pokemon's back, knocked out.
"Well! That was certainly a surprise ending!" The announcer called out as I recalled Pichu back to his pokeball. "It would seem that the electric mouse was hit by an attack that Slowbro used before it was knocked out! Now the score is 1 to 4, and Will's chances of winning are slim, his Exeggutor has already taken a lot of damage!"
Really? And sure enough, it had. The plant pokemon was breathing hard, and half of the eggs on the top of its trunk were already knocked out. No way, that thing must be weak. I mean, I know that it has been a while since last year, and I have trained… some, but I remember the Elite Four in Kanto being a lot tougher than this. I just don't get it, it's a grass psychic type, and it was hit was an electric attack, and a psychic one. Why did it take that much damage? I shook my head. "Oh well," I chuckled. "Lets take this guy out quick." I said with a smile as I grabbed a pokeball off my belt, tossing it out onto the field. In a read light appeared Scizor.
"Zor!" He screamed, spreading his wings as he slammed his feet into the ground.
"It would seem that Kyle is going with a Bug type against a Grass type!" The announcer spoke. "I wonder if the type advantage will be enough?"
"Scizor!" I called out. "Plow it with X-Scissor!"
"Sciz!" In a streak of red Scizor took off, flying at the weakened grass pokemon. He hit Exeggutor in the front with an X-Scissor before pushing off of it and landing on a wall. Scizor then bounced off the wall and hit it in the side, doing the same thing and landing on the adjacent wall. Three more times Scizor continued the attack, hitting Exeggutor so fast it didn't have time to react. Before long, the plant pokemon fell over, all of its faces knocked out.
"Siz…" Scizor spat as he put one of its feet on Exeggutor's trunk.
"That's it!" The announcer called out as the podiums lowered. "That's it! That's it, folks! Kyle Gray has just beaten Will! Kyle will be continuing to the next member of the Elite Four!"
When the podiums lowered to the ground I looked up, seeing the four televisions over the stadium focusing on Scizor, then focusing on me, and then on Will.
Will walked by Scizor, recalling Exeggutor as he did. Scizor watched him, then crossed his arms, and walked beside Will. We three met in the middle of the field, on top of the painted pokeball. Scizor glanced at me as he walked by. I don't know, but I could have sworn he was wearing a grin.
"Kyle, darling." Will said, bringing my focus back on him. "That was a lovely battle, honey."
"Yeah…" I halfheartedly smiled. "You're a very good trainer." I lied.
"Thank you." He said as he offered his hand to me in the customary handshake. "That really does mean a lot coming from you."
"What do you mean?" I asked as I shook his hand. "You are part of the most elite group of pokemon trainers in Johto."
"Yes, but, I only got in because I'm friends with Karen." He then paused as he looked away. "You see, darling, Lance pulled out only a week before the people started registering for the tournament. They didn't have time to bring in a real trainer to compete, and the gym leaders that they asked turned them down. So, I got in because I was the only one that qualified. You see…" He then looked at me in the eyes. "I have been admiring you from a distance for a very long time. I have dreamed of the day I would meet you! I am such a big fan of your whole story! How you came out of Kanto with nothing and now you have everything!"
"Well… umm…" This guy's getting wierd. But… that last comment… "now you have everything." I frowned. "I wouldn't say I have everything..."
Will then looked at me up and down. "Well, I said you do." He winked.
"Al-right!" I said loudly, turning around to walk away. "Nice meeting you! Have fun! Good battle! Cherie-o! Oh-ov-wa!" I then looked over at Scizor. "Lets get away from him!" I pushed his pokeball to his chest, sucking him in as I ran to the field entrance.
"Well! Kyle must really want to get his pokemon healed up!" The announcer called out.
"Yeah, lets stick with that story."
"Audience, the next battle will begin in thirty minutes, or whenever both trainers return to the field!"
I ran through the doorway, entering into the dim lit hallway with lockers.
"So." A mans voice said from behind me. "Mr. Gray."
I jumped, spinning around to see a ninja dressed in a red cape. He had dark blue spiky hair, and I knew right away who it was. "Gosh, Koga! Don't scare me like that."
"And here I thought you knew I was a ninja." He smiled as he kicked himself off the locker he was leaning against. "And I also thought you would have gotten stronger in this year and a half that you haven't fought me in."
"What are you talking about?" I questioned, pointing out to the stadium. "I just creamed Will like he was nothing."
"For good reason young one. He is nothing." Koga then stood up tall, looking down on me as he slowly crept into the shadows of the adjacent hallway. "That child is nothing more than a youngling that received his first pokemon. A small fish in a big pond. I, on the other hand, have been training nonstop for my future in the Elite Four." With those final words he vanished into the shadows. "Be ready Kyle." His voice echoed. "We three will be much more of a challenge."
"Phft." I laughed, brushing him off as I ran down the hallway, making my way to the pokemon center. But still… he is right. I haven't been training my pokemon. I have three new pokemon, and that's it. I'm mostly relying on the power I had last year to pull me through this year. I stopped running, listening to the echo of my footsteps dissipate in the dark hallway. "He's right. I'm not much of a trainer. I haven't trained at all since last year. I guess… it all goes back to… her." I began running again, thinking back to the girl that stole my heart. The one who took it, held it tight, and then left it to rot on the wooden dock covered in sea salt. Everything was for her. It always was.
***_-Scene Change-_***
I was standing on my side of the stage when Koga made his appearance of the other side. To my surprise, the pokecenter was pretty empty, and I got in and out of there quick, that is after I make a pokemon swop.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" The announcer yelled over the speakers. "Koga, the second member of the Elite Four, and the challenger Kyle Gray, have both arrived at their designated areas of the arena!" The crowd cheered as the announcer continued. "The field will now be changed to one chosen by Koga."
Our podiums raised up high as the stage below us began to lower into the basement of the arena.
"Piiiiii!" Pichu said, clinging onto my jacket as we rose into the air.
"Hang in there." I smiled.
The ground raised back up, showing a swampy area with small trees and mucky looking poison seeping into the dirt.
"The field chose by the Elite Four member is a Poison Swamp. Kyle better choose wisely," the announcer spoke cautiously. "If he doesn't his pokemon might suffer from the slow and painful fate of being poisoned!"
"Pi.. chu…" Pichu whimpered.
"Don't worry," I said, patting him on the head. "I am pretty sure I won't need you to battle this time."
"Chaaa…" He sighed, letting out a deep breath of relief.
"Yeah, you did great last time." I said, patting him on the head. "You deserve a break."
"I shall go first!" Koga yelled as he grabbed a pokeball from his red cloth belt. "Go! Ariados!" The ball few onto the field, and in the red light appeared the massive spider.
It shook its head, stretched its legs and then screeched. "AAAaarrrrrrr!"
"Hehe." I grinned. "Bug type, aye? I know exactly who to use." I pulled the ball off my belt and gave it a toss. On the field, standing just as tall as Ariados, stood Typhlosion.
He shorted, making embers fly out and onto the ground. He then raised his foot up and stomped out the small flames.
"He-haha…" I laughed to myself. "He's trying to act like Arcanine. How cute."
"It seems that Kyle is going with the type advantage for is first move!" The announcer called out to the audience. "But will it be enough?"
"Ariados!" Koga started. "Night Shade!"
"Typhlosion!" I screamed. "Counter it with a Flamethrower!"
Typhlosion opened his mouth to shoot, but a dark wave of mist covered the arena. Everything went pitch black, and then I saw the flames. The Flamethrower attack shot out at Ariados, cutting through the darkness and casting a red haze over the field. The flames flew fast, but then, in the middle of the field, they stopped, turned directions and shot back at Typhlosion.
"Heat Wave!" I screamed. In the knick of time Typhlosion brought up a dome shaped shield of fire around himself. The Flamethrower attack struck, but instead of doing damage, it fed the flames that were building around Typhlosion. Before long the Heat Wave attack grew, and the fire was bright enough that I was able to start making out shapes in the darkness. The trees and greenery around the swampy area were beginning to catch on fire, the poison gas in the air was starting to ignite, and in the corner, beside Koga stand, was Ariados, curled up protecting itself from the fire.
"Enough!" Koga screamed. "Return Ariados!" And with that the darkness went away, making everything visible again. Typhlosion stopped his attack, looking around and seeing that everything was burning. I saw him cough, letting some flames go as he did. Oh no, maybe I had him overdo it? Could he be poisoned so soon? When his attack stopped, the plants began to sizzle out, and black smoke rose up into the sky, once again making it difficult to see anything.
"Things are heating up now!" The announcer called out. "But it is difficult for me to see anything in this smoke! It would seem, however, that Koga has recalled his Ariados, disqualifying him from using it again. This means Kyle gains one point!"
"Go, Crobat!" Koga yelled.
Typhlosion caughed again, closing one eye as he looked up at the flying bat that was flapping its four wings.
Oh great. I bit my lip. This is not good. Out there for just one minute was enough to get him poisoned. Those gasses must be very toxic. I looked out on the field, watching as Koga began to move his arm.
"Poison Fang!" He screamed as Crobat bolted into action.
"Typhlosion!" I screamed as I held up his pokeball. "Return!" The red light hit his back as Crobat was baring his fangs. Its teeth sunk in, and passed straight through the red light that was once Typhlosion.
"Smart move, boy." Koga commented. "Perhaps you have grown since our last encounter. One more attack would have done away with your little fire type pokemon."
"It would seem that Kyle has recalled Typhlosion." The announcer spoke. "The score is still in Kyle's favor, but he needs to be careful to not get his party poisoned on this field."
Since I can't fight him on the ground. I thought to myself, as I looked to the sky. "I'll have to take the battle to the air!" I knew what my choice would be. "Go, Dragonite!"
Dragonite slowly fluttered out in a red light, stretching her neck as she looked to the bat pokemon that was hovering inches away from the ground. The two stared at each other as Koga, once again, make the first move.
"Well Crobat!" He almost laughed. "Why don't we give Mr. Gray a taste of his own poison!"
"Cro!" The bat nodded, but that was it. I watched it closely, examining the field, making sure I didn't miss something. It was then that I saw Dragonite turn her head, looking over my shoulder.
I then focused my attention on her, confused. In a flash I saw her turn over in the air, doing a back flip as she slammed her fist down, punching into nothing. "What?" I gasped as I saw a Crobat appear where she punched. The bat was thrown to the ground by the attack, landing right beside the first Crobat.
"Cro… Cro…" it gasped.
"Hahaha!" Koga laughed. "It appears that your pokemon are more intelligent than you are! How can you possibly be a good trainer if you have nothing your pokemon can learn from!"
"Grr…" I grit my teeth as I looked down at the two Crobats, both of which were flying now, floating up closer to us.
"Dragonite!" I pointed down to the two bats. "Hyper Beam!"
"I think not." Koga then threw out his arms, and like magic the two Crobats turned into fifty.
"I get it." I said, watching as Dragonite tried to focus on the one she hit previously, building her attack. "Double Team. So that's what he meant by 'my own poison'." Dragonite let loose of the Hyper Beam. It blasted through about twenty or so of the bats, but it did not strike the leader. In a split second the arena was covered with the flying bats again, all soaring around in circles.
Dragonite took a deep break, trying to charge up for another attack. "No." I said, holding out my arm to her. "Not yet. Wait for it." I then looked at her over my shoulder. "When I give you the sign, use your Twister attack."
"Dra." She nodded.
"Hmm…" Koga glanced up.
We both stood strong, not making a move for several minutes. Both Koga and I, stared each other down, almost as if we were in a staring contest. The crowd started to get restless, moving in their seats as they screamed at us.
"Come on!" One yelled.
"Get on with the show!"
"Booo! I want to see some action!"
Koga laughed when the audience started booing. "It looks like your scared, Mr. Gray." He then yelled it to the crowd behind him. "Look at Kyle, scared to move!"
"Hmph." I grinned. "What about you Koga!" I said back to him. "I personally think that your Crobat is all show. So far I haven seen it land one hit on anything. That is, besides the ground!"
Koga glared at me as he spun around.
"But, of course, what can I expect from a Rocket has been." I laughed. "Giovanni was more of a challenge than you. Ha! Even that grunt put up a better fight!"
"That's it!" Koga screamed. "You want under my skin, you got it! You will pay for your incompetence! Crobat! Poison Fang!"
At that moment all the Crobat stopped flying around the stadium, turned their beady little eyes to Dragonite, and then hissed. "Krooooo!" They all screamed as they took off, flying after Dragonit. I simply smiled, nodding to her as she flapped her wings violently. It started off small, but soon a twister appeared out of the air in front of her, and all the Crobat flew right into it. One by one the amount of Crobat dwindled until only one was left spinning around inside the vortex.
"No!" Koga grit his teeth.
"Now." I said with a nod. "Hyper Beam."
Dragonite opened her mouth, still flapping her wings to keep the Twister attack going. The bright white orb formed in front of her mouth, and shortly released into a beam. The beam shot into the vortex striking its target.
"Croo!" Crobat screamed as it fell to the ground, returned to its pokeball before it hit.
"In one of the most long winded battles this reporter has ever seen," The announcer said. "Kyle has scored yet another point."
"So, what was that about me not training?" I screamed to Koga.
"Take out the dragon," he commented back as he threw out a pokeball. "And the gates open to the treasure. Go Forretress"
"Pi?" Pichu looked at me from my shoulder.
"Ahh!" I groaned as I pulled my hair, twisting my body as Pichu struggled to hang onto my jacket. "Piii-iii-ii—ee!".
Lets see… what can I remember about my fight with Jasmine and her Forretress… besides that it looks like a nut. Lets see, it acted like a turtle, withdrew in its shell, and used rapid spin. hmm… "Ah, heck, I don't care, just Hyper Beam it." I said, pointing to the nut that sat in front of me on the field.
"Draaa!" Dragonite spoke, opening her mouth to charge another beam.
"Protect!" Koga commanded with a smile.
The Hyper Beam was released, dead on target of the sitting nut when out of nowhere came a reflective light that covered Forretress. The light caused the Hyper Beam to bounce off the pokemon and ricochet at me. The Hyper Beam was heading straight for me. I watched it get closer and closer. My eyes widened, and it was right then that I saw her face. Shonna was sitting on the back of Rapidash, smiling at me with that beautiful smile of hers. I was suddenly snapped back to reality when I saw a yellow figure come in between me and the white light of the Hyper Beam.
"DRAAA!" She screamed as she took the full power of the attack to the chest. Dragonite's limp body flew on top of me from the blast, tumbling side over side as she then knocked me to the ground and rolled off. I opened my eyes, seeing clouds in the sky and hearing nothing. I rolled over, resting on my hands and knees as I saw Pichu laying on the edge of the platform, holding onto the railing. He stood up as he looked over the edge of the podium.
"Piiii-Chaaa!" He called out.
I stood on my feet, still shaking from the blast, and the force of the four hundred pound dragon bouncing into me. I grabbed my ribs, feeling one of them move and then lock back into place. "Oh great." I groaned as I staggered to the edge. The pain was extreme, but its not like I haven't felt this before. "Stupid rib…"
Everything sounded like I was in a tunnel, and it looked it too. I glanced down at the ground, seeing Dragonite laying unconscious below me. I slowly recalled her, falling to my knees as I reached my hand for Pichu. He looked at me, worried as I picked him up. "Are you okay, little bud?"
"Pii…" he nodded. He then touched his paw to Dragonite's pokeball in my other hand.
"Don't worry, she's okay." I said with a smile. "But Koga…" I then grit my teeth. "He's going to pay." I stood up, my hearing beginning to regain as I held my ribs. I limped back to the other side of the podium. Facing Koga, wincing with every breath, I yelled to him. "You haven't changed one bit!" I screamed. "Last time it was Shonna that got hurt." I then bared my teeth together hard. "And now it's going to be you!" I grabbed the pokeball from around my neck. "Go Arcanine!"
The pokeball flew out onto the field, and in a red light, Arcanine stood.
"Arcanine!" I screamed. "Use your Heat Wave to shield you from the poison!"
"Arr…" He growled, letting embers fall from his teeth as he generated a sphere of pure fire. Poison gasses around him started igniting and the scorched shrubbery that was left over from Typhlosion began to catch ablaze once more.
"It would appear that despite the close call with the Hyper Beam, Kyle is still wanting to fight!" The announcer proclaimed. "Safety protocol states that if he is willing to continue he can, but a medical check will be conducted before the continuation of this event."
"Medical check?" I winced. "Fine. Whatever. Its not like this is my first broken bone. Arcanine!" I commanded. "Flare Blitz! And watch out for the puddles of poison!"
In a flash Arcanine took off, slamming into Forretress. The nut pokemon immediately caught flame, bouncing across the arena like a ping pong ball, before coming to a rest a few feet away from Arcanine.
"Explosion!"
Arcanine took a defense stance, enforcing the barrier around him with more fire as Forretress began to glow white. In a split second it exploded. The blast threw Arcanine away from the area, slamming him into a wall. His Heat Wave attack had diminished, and he was falling right into a poison pond.
"Arcanine!" I screamed. "Flamethrower, now!"
I saw his eyes open, and in a quick reflex, he shot a mound of flames out of his mouth, igniting the gas below him and hurling him back onto the field. He then growled, covering himself in a Heat Wave attack yet again.
"Good job…" I said with a smile.
"Koga used Explosion in a last ditch effort to take out the power-house Arcanine!" The announcer called. "But, it did little damage. The score is now three to one, and Kyle only needs to defeat two more pokemon to advance to the next level of the Elite Four!"
"Muk!" Koga screamed as he threw out his pokeball. The ball flew in the air, hit the ground and then bounced back to him, leaving the poisonous clump of toxic goo wiggling on the ground.
"Mu-u-uuuuck…" It bellowed in a low groan as it jiggled all over.
"Arcanine!" I screamed, remembering the last time I fought Koga. "Stir up some dust with an Extreme Speed Attack!"
"Not this time, boy!" Koga threw out his arm. "Muk! Minimize!"
Arcanine took off, beginning to run around the pokemon when it suddenly vanished. Like a magic trick Muk had sucked itself into a microscopic form and stayed invisible to the spectators around it. Arcanine stood, puzzled as he looked to me, still covering himself in a Heat Wave shield.
"Hmm…" I thought to myself as I looked to Koga, who was darting his eyes around the field. Koga must see it. He has to. Its his pokemon. If he knows where it is, then it has to be there somewhere. "And if its there, it can get hurt. Arcanine!" I yelled. "Cover the whole field in fire!"
"What!" Koga screamed. "No you fool!"
Arcanine's eyes rolled in the back of his head as he stood stiff. His head lowered and the hair on his body began to stand on end. A growl came, low at first and then growing larger as the ground around the stadium began to shake. A miniature earthquake shook as Arcanine let out a howl.
"AAAahhhhhhooooooooo!" He bellowed. Just then flames shot out in every direction, quickly covering the field. The flames hit the poison seepages, causing them to ignite in a fountain of flames that shot ten feet in the air. All the trees and greenery caught a blaze and sizzled to ashes. When Arcanine's attack ended the once green lush plants on the field were reduced to nothing but cinders. The toxic gas tanks were caught on fire like blowtorches, spewing flames in five corners of the rounded stadium floor. The ponds and streams that were once purple, now burned in blue flames.
"Hmph." Koga said as he held up a pokeball. The red light shot out, and struck one of the blue flaming puddles. The light consumed it, and returned the burning corpse of Muk. "You were lucky, boy." Koga then turned away, reaching for the white flag that was always placed by the trainer's side. With one wave, the crowd went silent. Everyone knew what the flag meant, but it was something that was never seen before.
Koga held the flag up high as the flames below him raged on.
"Unbelievable!" The announcer cried as the crowd cheered. "Koga! The second member of the Elite Four has just forfeited his last match!"
Arcanine put out his shield when I noticed that a fire fighting squad was called in to put out the flames. Squirtles, Wartortles and Blastoise piled in from all sides of the stage, standing in front of the audience behind the railings. All at once the pokemon shot their Water Gun, Water Pulse, Surf, and Hydro Pump Attacks at the field. It didn't take long before the fire was put out and the podiums lowered.
I glanced around. Pichu was still on my shoulder, and I saw medics running onto the field. I didn't care, I wanted to talk to Koga. I locked eyes with him as Arcanine ran to my side, giving me support as I tried to walk.
"Kyle!" One of the medics said as he ran up to me. "Kyle, you're not well. Please come with us."
"Not now…" I groaned as I limped further to the middle of the field.
"Please Kyle! We are here to hel-"
"I said not now!" I then shoved him away with the arm that wasn't wrapped around my ribs. "I'll be fine for now. Just give me a few minutes. Okay?"
"Alright…" He said cautiously as he walked away.
I glanced back forward, and saw Koga, waiting for me in the middle of the field. I slowly made my way over to him, as I looked at him in the eyes. "Why?" I asked.
"Why?" He scuffled at me. "Why what, boy?"
"Why forfeit? Why quit?"
"You haven't grown up at all." He then shook his head. "I quit the match because it was the logical thing to do."
"Logical?" I scolded. "Logical! You're telling me that you base what you do off of logic?"
"Why?"
"Why?" I fumed. "What about almost killing me? Was that logical?"
"I knew I couldn't defeat your Dragonite with a reflected attack at it. It would simply dodge it." He then looked at Arcanine. "But if it were directed at you, your pokemon would sacrifice themselves."
"You cheap little…" I squeezed my fist together as I raised up my hand, only to have the pain of my rib overpower me and leave me gasping for air.
"You see…" he continued. "If I sent out my last pokemon into that blazing inferno you called a field it would have been burnt long before it was able to land an attack."
"So that's why…" I gasped, holding my side as I breathed hard.
"Only partly." He then looked at me, screaming at me. "You almost caused the death of hundreds of people you moronic nit-whit!" He then pointed to one of the corners of the arena. "If those gas lines sucked in even one little spark or ember this whole place would have gone up like a roman candle! There are five poison gas tanks under this field you idiot! It would only take one blowing up to level this entire place!"
"Really." I said in a smile, which then turned to a laugh.
"I'm glad that you find peoples lives so meaningless that you can laugh at."
"I just find it funny." I then glared at him. "Are you not the one that designed this field?"
"So…" he paused. "What of it, boy?"
"Nothing." I then turned away. "Just seems logical."
"What was that?" Koga spoke loud.
"You heard what I said." I continued to walk away. "Take that any way you want."
***_-Scene Change-_***
"Okay, take a deep breath." The doctor said. The light over me was blinding, I winced my eyes, trying to block the light but it was no use.
I was back in the hospital, laying on an operating table with this fancy X-Ray digital scanner running over my ribs. My shirt was off, laying off to the side, and my rib cage was wrapped. This is all too familiar. This is just like when I showed up at this place. I swear, I think this league is trying to kill me. First that storm when I started, then Ricky, Team Rocket, the airship I took to get here and now Koga's 'logical move'.
"Well, Kyle." The doctor said. "You can sit up now."
"How is it, doc?" I asked, twisting my neck and popping it as I held my newly bandaged rib cage.
"Your rib on your bottom left cage was broke. It was clean so there is no need for surgery."
"That's good."
"You should be good to move around freely in four to six weeks. Until then I want you to take one of these pills after every meal." He then handed me a bottle.
I took it. The white pills where rather large. "What is it?"
"A calcium pill." He said as he flipped through some papers. "Those will give your bones extra support, helping you heal faster. Also, during the first two weeks do not sleep on your left side. And I would suggest not being too reckless. You don't want to put too much strain on our body or that rib might give way again."
"Alright, thanks." I then stood up, slipping on my shirt.
"Kyle. I'm serious."
"I know, I know." I waved as I walked out the door.
In the lobby was Bill, holding Pichu and my belt of pokeballs.
"Pi?" Pichu turned around to look at me. "Pi-ch!" He smiled, running from Bills lap. "Pi-ch-chu!"
"How is your injury?" Bill asked as he stood up.
"Eah," I said as Pichu ran up my shoulder to my head, nuzzling himself into my hair. "You know. Just a broken bone."
"Just?" Bill then shook his head.
"What?"
"I have never met someone whom brushes off injuries like you do."
"Bill," I glanced at him as I began to walk down the hall. "If you grew up like I did…"
"Yeah, well I didn't." We both grew silent. "You know, there are several rumors circulating around about the incident with the Hyper Beam."
"Really?" I asked. "It's only been about thirty minutes."
"You forget, there were thousands of people that saw that. Both on the television broadcast and in the audience."
"Okay," I commented as we walked. "What kind of rumors?"
"Some say that Koga was trying to eliminate you from the competition, permanently." Bill talked as he raised his fingers up. "Another rumor is that Koga knew he had no chance of winning, so he tried to play a trump card. If you called a time out for a medical injury then the battle would have been a tie."
"Well, they are not far off." With that Bill looked at me a little disbelieving and confused. "When I asked why, he said that it was the most 'logical' thing to do."
"Logical?" Bill asked.
"Yeah." I then laughed. "Who knows with that guy? Anyway, I better get back out to the field."
"You're not going to take a lunch break?"
"Trust me. When you have a broken rib, you don't feel like filling up."
***_-Scene Change-_***
"What a great day to be here!" The announcer called out. It sounded funny, almost like he was out of breath or something. "Kyle is back on the field, waiting on his side of the stage! I must say, this is the best day ever! They are so many buttons up here and- Hey! Wait!" He started screaming. "The door was open! I swear!" I turned my head, raising my eyebrow when I looked up to the announcer stand. A camera zoomed in on my face, projecting it on the wide screen TV.
"Umm-mmu!" The real announcer said. "Sorry about that small delay everyone. It would seem that an audience member broke into the announcing booth-"
"You left the door open!" The voice from before yelled in the background.
"Shut up!" Another, more masculine voice said.
"Back to the battle!" The announcer called out. "It would seem that Kyle is back on the field. The doctors said that he has suffered from a broken rib, and wishes to continue!"
The crowd around me cheered as I waved.
"Oh, what's this?" The announcer said as one of the cameras focused in on the left hand side of the stage. It zoomed in on the entrance door, enlarging the picture to show a very buff man wearing a long white jacket. The man I already knew. He had long black hair that swung down in a ponytail. His face was rough, scared in several places. As he put one foot on the podium that rose up, his jacket fell off of him, showing his muscular figure.
"Bruno!" The announcer called out as the crown roared. "Bruno! The fighting type champion of the world, known for being a member of two regions Elite Four has just entered the fighting ring!" The podium rose as one camera stayed focused on Bruno, the other panned over to me. Our eyes locked, and we both smiled. "These two have met once before, one year ago at this very same place. Will this year be a repeat from last year, or will Bruno prevail? You won't want to miss this clash of power!"
When the podium was fully raised the stage below us changed once again. I watched, and like I previously thought, the field turned into rock field, with boulders and rocks littering the arena.
"As before the field has be changed to one chosen by the Elite Four member, Bruno! The field of choice is a rock field. Kyle better be careful, his fire types will have a hard time getting a grip in this rugged terrain."
Beside us the referee's podium raised. The man stood there, in his black and white stripped shirt as he held a gold a silver flag. "Are you ready?" Bruno smiled, nodding his head. The referee then turned to me. "Are you ready?" Like wise I smiled, nodding. "Then let the battle…" There was a pause as he raised both flags. "Begin!"
***_-Scene Change-_***
Bill waked down the empty hallway of the Indigo Plateau. He was behind Kyle's side of the field, and looked out occasionally. The battle had just started, but that wasn't his main concern at the time.
"Should I have told him?" He asked himself as he looked out of the door, leading to the stands and the battle. He then turned away, walking down the hall to the Pokecenter. As he did he retraced his steps, remembering word for word what happened during Kyle's last battle.
***_-Flash Back-_***
Kyle's Typhlosion had just been recalled when Bill looked down to his computer. The screen was dim, hard to read in the sunlight of the day, but he could still make it out. It was an email, one that was just received moments before. He brought his mouse to the envelope icon, and clicked on it. It read as follows:
Bill,
This is Officer Jenney from Mahogany Town. The Fire Department and Rescue Team have been cleaning the carnage from the Mount Silver cave since the incident several weeks prior. As you have requested the information on the identities of the casualties are listed below. Please keep in mind that this is classified information and is prohibited viewing for anyone without authorization.
Alfredo Stonerock
Andres Cosio
Chin Guebert
Dominga Weiland
Elliott Dewolf
Iliana Groce
Jeanett Grizzell
Jennie Rosborough
Keisha Seel
Kelly Littleton
Laurel Castellanos
Mary Lauffer
Mohammed Lairson
Myrl Crichton
Ruthanne Melnik
Tova Echeverri
Wendie Botts
Winifred Saulsbury
Yu Sachse
Zane Mccart
Bill read through the results, scanning the names and then closed his computer. He stood up, exiting as Dragonite appeared beside Kyle. The hallway was empty, perfect for what he had to do. Bill reached into his pocket, bringing out an earphone, mini-microphone combo and sat down on the floor. He adjusted his ear piece, pinned on the microphone and then opened his computer. The Bluetooth on the device picked up, and Bill then opened up a direct line to the police station in Mahogany Town.
"Police department, Deputy Harvey speaking."
"Get me Jenny." Bill commanded.
"I'm sorry, but she has requested no phone calls at the moment."
"Alright." Bill said as he opened up another window on his computer. "Thank you." He then ran a scan, tracking the IP address in the Police station and pulling up a complete list of names and numbers for every phone jack in the building.
"Would you like to leave her a message? I would be happy to-"
"No, that's fine." Bill said. "You have done more than enough, Harvey." With that he cut the call. He then read down the list of names to Jenny's, and dialed it. The phone rang for a while, and then Jenny picked up. "Bill?" She asked.
"Jenny!" Bill said surprised. "How could you tell?"
"Because you are the only person who has hacked us before." There was a pause. "Don't worry about it Harvey." She yelled. "So tell me, what is so important that you thought you should hack into our phone lines?"
"I didn't hack anything." Bill said. "I simply retrieved a number. But, to get to the point, I was calling about the list of identities that I received."
"Yes, what about them?" Jenny asked annoyed.
"Was there any bodies found that were not on the list?"
"As a matter of fact there were two." Jenny said as she flipped through some papers. "Two bodies were so mangled that a clear match was not found. One was crushed beyond comprehension of it even being a person, I'm afraid. Just a bloody mess."
"Alright, thanks Jenny." Bill said. "That's all I needed to know."
***_-Flash Back End-_***
Bill kicked the wall. "Should I tell him that Ricky wasn't on the list?" He then turned around, putting his back to the wall as he rested. "But, maybe I'm over reacting. After all Jenny did say that one of the bodies was crushed so badly they couldn't identify it." He then signed. "Still… the possibility still remains. No, not even that. The probability remains." He then laughed as he kicked himself off the wall. "Who am I kidding? It would be a one in ten billion of a chance that he made it out of there. Heck, probably even less than that." He walked down hall, heading back to his seat. "There is no need to tell Kyle anything. I might as well forget it ever happened."
***_-Scene Change-_***
"Wing Attack!" I screamed.
"High Jump Kick!" Bruno yelled.
Pidgeot was flying high above the arena when her wings began to glow. Hitmonlee was on the ground, bending his knees as his springy legs bolted him high into the air. He raised his leg, swinging his foot in a powerful kick up at Pidgeot. She turned over, the foot passing right by her belly as she went down into a nosedive, striking Hitmonlee with an extremely fast Wing Attack.
Pidgeot flew back to my podium, resting on the rails as Hitmonlee fell to the ground.
"That's two on zip!" The announcer called out. "With one pokemon Kyle has taken down Both Hitmontop and Hitmonlee! I wonder what Burno's next pokemon will be?"
"Something that will bring you out of the sky!" Bruno said as he reached for a pokeball.
"I doubt it." I grinned as he threw out his next choice.