Midsummer Nights
By Trish.
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon or Puck. The storyline does belong to me as do certain characters, like Lu, Callie, Flory, Joe, Poppy, Poptart.
A/N: Dedicated to my best friend Jenn, and my 'lil sis' Shannon. Thanks for being there and for all your support.
ooo
Chapter Nineteen: The Greatest Master of Pokémon
"Weeeeeeeeelcome to Pummelo Stadium for the battle of the centuuuuuuury!" the announcer's voice boomed over the PA. "It's good to see a full house here for what could be the showdown of all showdowns! The weather's fabulous, you guys are great and this joint is juuuuuuuuuuuuumpin!"
Jaime wrinkled her nose. "Where did you get this guy, Drake? He sounds like one of those Super Bowl announcers."
The Orange Crew Leader grinned sheepishly. "Actually Joe used to be a Super Bowl announcer before he moved here and the League hired him."
"Oooy," the Canadian sighed.
"Hey, he gets the crowds revved, it's all about the atmosphere!" Drake defended himself. "He's very popular with the stadium audiences."
"Crazy Yanks," Chris muttered.
"Luckily Mia, Shannon and Jenn didn't hear that!" Puck grinned. "Otherwise you would have been the recipient of a triple smackdown!"
"Oooh yes, please," the Scot drooled before Erina whacked him on the back of the head.
ooo
Two of Chris's 'Crazy Yanks' were sitting with a 'Crazy Aussie' watching a TV monitor in a hospital room, all three wearing matching expressions of disgust.
"Can you believe this guy?" Shannon moaned. "He sounds like a cheesy Super Bowl announcer!"
"I thought we'd gotten away from that," Mia shook her head.
"I only ever watch Super Bowl for the half-time entertainment," Trish confessed. "I hope this guy doesn't do all of the Stadium battles. How does Drake expect me to sit through that all the time?"
"Maybe you can wear earplugs," Mia joked.
ooo
Meanwhile the third 'Crazy Yank' was waiting patiently outside the entrance gate to the arena with Ash and his Pokémon entourage, and rolling her eyes at what she heard. 'As long as he doesn't shriek 'Touuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuchdown' during the battle and expect me to do a back flip in celebration.' she thought.
"They're ready for you, Grand Master," an assistant with a headset had rushed up to them. "If you'll follow me…"
Ash walked after the assistant, and as the door opened, a wave of cheering washed over the group with a near physical sensation.
For a moment, Jenn froze and watched the others walk out into the mass of flashing lights and roaring noise. A paw at the back of her neck had her looking back and up. Charizard was there, standing above her. He bobbed his head once, 'You can do it, kiddo.'
'I dunno…'
'You may be surprised at just what you can achieve when put to the test,' the large lizard rumbled. 'Sometimes being under pressure brings out the best in people and reveals a level of inner strength that they never knew they had.'
'You've been watching Dr Phil again, haven't you,' Jenn managed to joke despite her nerves.
'We like to watch it with Ash,' Charizard shrugged before giving her a gentle push forward. 'Now go on, they're waiting for you. And just remember you're never really alone out there. With Ash, you're a team.'
Jenn nodded, took a deep breath and trotted out. She almost stopped at the massive roaring from the crowd, but managed to keep going. Looking around at the crowd, not to mention the labyrinth of media and cameras she was walking through to reach Ash, she wondered if this was what it felt like to be a singing superstar.
It was almost like being in a thunderstorm with the amount of flashes going off from the cameras, though she suspected it was for Charizard, who was walking behind her. After what felt like hours, she reached the waiting group of Ash and her Pokéfriends and they made their way around the perimeter of the arena to where the huge staircase led up to the giant marble statue of Dragonite.
Gary and his Umbreon were already there, along with Drake who was playing the gracious host, as well as the referee and two of the Orange Island's most respected sports broadcasters, who had secured the exclusive television rights to the event.
Once there, Jenn sat down by Ash's feet and took a good look at her opponent. The Umbreon glared at her in return and she felt a shiver run down her spine. Something wasn't right there…
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to Pummelo Stadium for what promises to be the match of the century," one of the sportscasters, Rick, intoned into the microphone. "This match is being telecast live through PNBC to 20 countries!"
Jenn gulped at this. Talk about setting the stage for total and utter humiliation. And not just any ordinary humiliation, this was international humiliation. A little voice in her mind said dryly, 'Next time, J girl, keep that mouth of yours shut!'
'Yeah, yeah,' Jenn shot back, 'Like you wouldn't have said the same thing to Gary.'
ooo
"This match has been made possible by our hosts, the Orange League, represented here by Crew Leader Drake Thayer," Rick continued. "On behalf of the audience here in the Stadium and our viewers back home, we'd like to thank you for making this possible." Huge cheers and wolf whistles rang out as Drake acknowledged everyone with a wave.
"We've already talked to Gary and got his views when he came out before, so now we will turn to the man we've all been waiting for, Grand Master Ash Ketchum!" The roar from the crowd was almost deafening. Pikachu reached forward and carefully protected her daughter's ears.
"Hey Rick, nice to be here," Ash answered easily. "The crowds here in the Orange Islands are always great, always supportive and I love coming here." There was a huge standing ovation, and Ash held up his hands to calm the crowds down a bit.
At his feet, Jenn rolled her eyes before glancing up at him. Where were his nerves? Sure, he did this thing for a living, so he was used to it, but he didn't look nervous at all. This wasn't just any old huge match for him, they were pretty much here basically because of her big mouth. She shook her head at Ash's fearlessness. Some people had all the luck.
"So what's the occasion?" the other presenter, Kurt, asked. "What made you two decide to battle in such a public arena? Is this a challenge for the position of Grand Master?"
"Oh no, nothing like that," Ash smiled. "This battle hasn't been sanctioned by the International Pokémon League, so no titles are up for grabs. It's just a battle that has been a very long time in coming, you could say."
"Back to your childhoods in Pallet?"
"That's right. And as we were both here in the Orange Islands for the League celebrations of their tricentennial, we thought it would be nice to add a little extra to the program."
"We've noticed you have a new Pokémon on your team," Rick noted, and the crowd cheered at that, "What made you decide to take on an Absol?"
Jenn shot a look at Gary, but her ex merely crossed his arms and looked at his rival with a smug look. It was her worst fears for him to not only say something, but that Lu would come around and magically change her back and then she'd be in front of millions with nothing on and that would be total humiliation and…
"Well, I'm actually bringing this one on for a friend of mine," Ash explained, giving Jenn a reassuring wink, "She recently acquired it and wanted it tested out."
"Oh?" Kurt looked at Ash, "So it's not a present, then? What a great thing to do! Imagine that folks, having a Pokémon not only being in a huge match like this, but for it to be under the brief tutelage of the Grand Master!"
The crowds went wild at that, and the noise caused the assembled Pokémon to share a group cringe.
'I'll be so happy when I'm human again,' Jenn winced at the noise, 'This enhanced hearing sucks!'
ooo
Finally, the interview was over and during a commercial break they were being escorted back down the stairs to the field. Gary walked down the stairs behind Ash and his entourage, and he schooled himself to not glare at his rival. Flicking a glance at the Umbreon by his side, he allowed himself to smile shortly. His ace was not in his pocket, but walking next to him.
The crowd of Pokémon that surrounded Ash almost surprised Gary. Despite the fact that this was a one on one battle, the little twerp from Pallet had no less than six Pokémon by his side, not including Jenn.
The mass of photographers and camera crews had been removed from the floor of the stadium. Now it was clear, with just the hard packed dirt floor and white League markings. Once the two rivals stepped onto the stadium floor, the crowds seemed to settle the roaring to a dull murmur.
The two men were led to the direct centre of the stadium floor where they met up with Drake. The tall dark-haired man wore a barely noticeable earpiece microphone. When he spoke, his deep voice echoed through the Stadium and the crowd hushed to near silence.
"By League rules, since Gary challenged Ash, Ash will be making the first move. Once the match begins, I would appreciate that no one take any flash photography. Other forms of photography are allowed, as long as there are no flashes," the Orange Crew Leader looked around, "What some of you might not realize, is that while this will be a one on one, non-sanctioned, Pokémon battle, this battle is also going to be a four round match."
The crowds murmured a bit more, and there were quite a few flashes of light as Drake wrapped up his pre-battle speech. "There will be two battles, then a star-studded half-time show, and then two more battles. The winner will be determined by who wins the most battles. In the event of a tie, the winner will be asserted by last Pokémon standing after a one hit attack, final death match." He looked back to Ash and Gary. "Trainers, please, call out your Pokémon."
"Umbreon," Gary said smoothly, and the Umbreon walked in front of Gary and stood protectively.
"Absol," Ash countered, giving Jenn an encouraging look when she hesitated. The Grand Master noted that she gulped, but stood in front of Ash, just as Umbreon did for Gary.
"Alright," Drake nodded, "Now that the Pokémon have been called out, will both Trainers please go to their battle positions."
Gary snorted and sneered a little as he and Ash walked to opposite sides of the field. Their respective Pokémon walked by their sides and Drake stood in the centre of the field. Once the two men stopped at their sides of the field, the Pummelian continued.
"Once I clear the field, the battle will commence," Drake looked up, "Dragonite, if you will…"
There was a low roar and with a rush of wind, Dragonite swooped down, apparently from nowhere, and landed neatly by Drake. Nimbly, the Orange Crew Leader leapt onto his trusted friend's back and the two flew up to an open booth high above the field.
"ARE YOU READY FOR A BAAAAAAATTTTLE!" Joe screamed into the mike and the crowd went wild once again.
ooo
An hour later…things were not going well for Jenn or Ash. Every move seemed to be anticipated by Gary and his Umbreon and the attacks used by the Dark Pokémon hit with devastating force. Their friends and supporters watched with dismay as the scoreboard registered 2 – 0.
'What's going on?' Pikachu muttered, wringing her tiny paws. 'Gary's Umbreon isn't that powerful!'
'Yeah, I mean we've whopped his ass a few times!' Charizard rumbled.
Espeon, who had been quiet until now, spoke up, gently swishing her tail from side to side. 'Guys, there's something strange about that Umbreon…I don't know what it is yet…'
ooo
In Trish's hospital room, things were tense. "What the hell is going on!" Trish frowned. "Jenn's getting thumped out there!" She stuck her hand out to the side. "Coffee."
Mia hesitated before pouring her friend another cup. "But Trish, isn't this is like your third cup already?"
"Just gimme the damn coffee or Puck gets hurt!" was the answering growl.
ooo
The referee called half-time and both teams retired to their respective locker rooms. The half-time entertainment began, but for those in the Orange Crew Leader's private box, it held no attraction.
"What on earth is going on?" Drake muttered, a frown creasing his handsome features. "Gary's Umbreon isn't that powerful…Dragonite creams him every time. Pikachu creams him!"
"So why isn't Jenn creaming him?" Jaime asked, a little pale.
"I have no idea! Absols have a special ability called Pressure. Every attack by the opponent costs them two PP instead of one. Ash worked hard on making sure Jenn knew how to use that move, inside and out," Drake shrugged, "So by all rights, that Umbreon should be exhausted!"
ooo
Down in the locker room, Ash and the Pokémon were hovering anxiously as a Medical Chansey attended to Jenn.
The Absol was bruised and battered and she whimpered as Chansey put a paw on a particularly tender spot. Ash knelt down next to her and gently stroked the furry head. "I'm sorry, Jenn that you're being put through this. We can forfeit the battle now if you want to. It's not worth you getting even more badly hurt than you already are."
Jenn struggled to an upright position. 'No!' she panted.
'No what?' Meganium blinked.
'We are not gonna forfeit! It was totally because of my big mouth that Ash's in this situation at all! He's the one who's putting his reputation on the line.'
'There's nothing new about that,' Charizard snorted a flame of amusement.
Ignoring him, Jenn continued, 'Yeah, but after I change back, no one will know that I was the Absol. No one would know that I was the reason that Ash Ketchum lost to Gary Oak, because I was too weak and too stupid to win against his Umbreon.'
"Jenn…" Ash began.
'No, hear me out!' the human-turned Absol protested. 'You've done so much for me this past month with the training and the housing. You've put so much effort into this and you have so much faith…the least I can do to repay it is to whup Gary's ass.'
"Well I won't argue there," Ash said wryly, "but there's nothing you can do that you haven't already tried to do. Do you understand?"
Jenn gave him a dubious look that clearly said he was nuts.
"What I mean is that you've fought your hardest and taken a lot more damage than any other Pokémon…"
Charizard made a sound very close to a human clearing a throat.
Ash shot the big dragon a look, "…Than any other Pokémon that really wasn't a Pokémon at all. Deep down, you're human. That is a fact that can't be changed. You're doing what no other human, to my knowledge anyway, has ever done. You're fighting as a Pokémon against a Pokémon. Using Pokémon abilities and fighting tooth and claw."
Jenn looked uncomfortable, 'I can't say that for certain though.'
"What do you mean?" Ash asked, as Chansey finished doctoring up Jenn.
'I mean, there's this voice in my head during battle, and it's telling me to do this or to do that, but sometimes it doesn't make sense to me, so I don't listen to it.'
'So she's human, blonde, and hearing voices,' Charizard rumbled. 'She's lost it.'
'No, she hasn't,' Pikachu murmured, 'she's fighting instinct. Jenn, you have to listen to that voice. Maybe that's why you're losing.'
"That would only be part of the problem," a gentle, feminine voice interrupted them. "The other part is magic. Magic is why she's losing."
ooo
On the opposite side of the stadium, a very different atmosphere was in the locker room. Gary Oak was congratulating himself and his Pokémon on the way things were going.
"Just one more win and we'll have done it," he told the Dark Pokémon as he scratched behind its ears. His biggest rival defeated and humiliated, as would his ex-girlfriend.
Sweet justice indeed for he suspected there was something going on between those two. There was a special kind of relationship between Jenn and Ash. What his rival had that he didn't was beyond him. There was no man on earth better than Gary Oak, lover extraordinaire.
And after he had thrashed Ash, Gary would then claim the title of Grand Master. After all, that was the title he deserved and Ash would not be worthy of holding it after such a defeat.
An assistant had stopped by ten minutes earlier, asking if Gary would want to come up and watch the half-time show, but the chestnut-haired man scowled and demanded food and drink. After scurrying off like a scared rat, the man had come back with Gary's demands.
Now sipping on his drink, which was Cristal, Gary sat back in a recliner and watched a replay of the last half of the battle. His narrowed gaze took in the field, and he laughed when one of Umbreon's attacks struck his ex and sent her flying back.
The stadium lights had begun to flicker on about then, and as the dust cleared and Jenn shakily stood, Gary saw a glint of light sparkle for a split second. Frowning, he used the remote to rewind and then slowly replay the scene. There it was again, a slight twinkle of light.
"What the hell is that?" he wondered out loud. "Some sort of jewellery?" Gary sat back in the plush leather recliner and snorted, "I'd accuse Ash of sleeping with her, but even I don't think he's idiot enough to do interspecies."
"No," a silken male voice intruded on Gary's thinking time, "That is the Jewel of Coni Neume."
Gary jumped as if electrocuted, and spun around in the chair to see a tall red-haired man. "You!"
"Yes, me," the man smiled darkly, "And you're welcome, Mister Oak, for the gift bestowed upon your Umbreon."
"Uh, thank you?" Gary gulped.
Another dark look from Lucius, "Yes, well, your ex has a little help of her own."
"What!"
"I am surprised that you managed to see the glint of the jewel given to her by the Chosen One," Lu poured himself some of Gary's alcohol, much to Gary's quiet dismay, "Most humans would not be able to see it."
"So he gave her some jewellery," Gary looked bored, "So what?"
"That is not just any piece of jewellery," Lu said patiently, "That jewel has the ability to enhance its bearer's natural powers."
Gary looked confused, then angry, "Ash is cheating!"
"Precisely."
"I am going to annihilate him and I will do it by having Umbreon destroy Jenn." Gary turned to Lu, "Can you boost Umbreon's powers again? I want Ash to go down in flames."
Lu smiled once again, "It just so happens that I had something in mind."
ooo
"What do you mean, magic?" Ash asked. "I didn't think Gary knew any."
"Not him, Chosen One," Callie said in her gentle voice, "but Lucius does know magic."
'Yeah, I think we've covered that,' Jenn sounded annoyed, then snapped at the Chansey, 'Hello, that hurts! Stop doing that.'
'Well if you would stop squirming, I could get this bandaged faster!' The Chansey defended herself. 'I told you before that the healing machines would heal you of this if you would let it.'
'It's just a little scratch.'
Chansey gave Jenn a scathing look. The 'little scratch' was a chunk of flesh the size of an American half-dollar that just so happened to be missing from the top left of Jenn's shoulder, thanks to a weakly deflected Bite attack from Umbreon. 'I suppose I'll have to just feel better about slathing it with antibiotic cream.'
'There you go,' Jenn said, then turned her attention to Ash. 'Now, about Lu knowing magic, which I believe, is something we already know Lu knows...'
Charizard sidled up to Ash, 'Anytime you want me to flame throw her, you just let me know.'
'And anytime you want that overgrown pair of boots iced up, you just let me know,' Jenn shot back with a growl that prompted Charizard to growl back. Being that Charizard could put a thunderous rumble to it, he won that round.
"Enough!" Callie cried out, "We have bigger things to deal with! Lucius has magically enhanced Gary's Umbreon to the point where it can easily defeat you, Jenn."
Jenn's eyes widened, 'He's cheating!'
Callie nodded, "Exactly. And though you wear the Jewel of Coni Neume, what Lu has done to that Umbreon effectively cancels the jewel's abilities."
"Is there anything you can do about it?" Ash asked, "Can you remove the enhancement from the Umbreon?"
"I did that just before coming to see you and…" Callie fell silent and frowned prettily, "He's here."
"Who?"
'Lucius.'Pikachu nodded. 'I thought I could sense darkness.'
'I don't feel a thing.' Jenn shook her head, 'I think you guys are imagining things.'
Callie walked over to Jenn and crouched down, "Let me help you with that," and the brunette placed a slender hand on Jenn's forehead.
Jenn felt a tingle from the Fae's fingers and then the Absol's eyes widened in shock, 'It's so…evil.'
'I think we've been trying to tell you that,' Espeon chuckled.
'B…but this…it's pure evil,' Jenn said, a touch of fear tinging her words, 'How can I even try to stop this? How can I even begin to think I could win against this? I can't do this!'
'Here we go again,' Charizard sighed in annoyance.
Pikachu looked up at the big lizard in surprise. 'Charizard…'
'No, I'm really getting sick of it,' Charizard stalked over to the cot Jenn was lying on. At his approach, she lifted her head and glowered at him.
'Don't even go there.'
'Oh, I'm going there,' Charizard said, then roughly picked up the Absol under the forearms, who squeaked in semi-pained surprise. 'You have got to snap out of it. You're plenty powerful in your own right, and after training with Ash, you're even more powerful.'
'Let go of me!'
Ash went to intervene, but Callie held him back, shaking her head slightly. He relented and stood back.
'Ash, call off your guard dog!' Jenn gasped out, but when Ash stepped back even more the ex-blonde struggled against the strong dragon's grip. 'Please, just let me go. I'm going to hide in that Poké Ball and let you guys deal with Lu.'
At that, Charizard tightened hisgrip, 'Stop thinking like a human. Even now you're fighting against me like a human.'
'Well, duh,' Jenn snapped, 'I am one!'
'Not currently,' Charizard shot back. 'Once you embrace your Pokémon side, you can tap into that power you have, and you can defeat that Umbreon, and in a sense you can defeat a part of Lu.'
Pikachu felt a tingle as the fur on her back began to rise. She felt surprised, until she realized it was dark energy beginning to build. She looked up at Callie, who winked. :Should I take cover: she telepathically asked the Fae.
:No, I'll shield everyone but Charizard and Jenn
:Why not Charizard:
:Oh, he's asking for this: Callie's mental chuckle came through loud and clear, and Pikachu had to fight to not laugh out loud. It would ruin the moment.
'Let. Me. GO!' Jenn shouted, striking out with the built up energy, instead of physically. She obviously thought she was hitting Charizard physically, but instead the dark energy lashed out, which released Jenn from the large dragon's grip and threw Charizard against the far wall with a thunderclap of power.
Now on the ground, Jenn blinked. 'Um…'
'I'd say she's ready,' Charizard said, before sagging back against the wall.
Ash knelt by Jenn, "I hope that didn't take too much out of you."
'Actually, I feel really good,' Jenn sounded surprised. 'Like I could do that all night. Er…well you know what I mean.'
Ash shook his head wryly, "Yeah, I know. You ready? I'm sure the half-time show is just about over."
'I rather think I am,' Jenn said, Absol-grinning and standing tall.
ooo
From the other side of underground trainer's rooms, Lucius glared suddenly. He'd felt the sudden build up and release of power. Quickly, he retooled the spell for bulking up Gary's Umbreon. He'd need a more powerful source for the Dark Pokémon.
'It must be Callie,' Lucius thought menacingly, 'That is the only way for Jenn to tap in to the power I'd blocked off after her transformation. However, that newfound power could come with a high price. All I would have to do is make sure it…'
"Are you done yet?" Gary's nasally voice broke into Lu's thoughts, "I have a battle to finish winning."
Gritting his teeth, Lu glared at the human. "Foolish Mortal! I was attempting a spell!"
"So sorry," Gary said, most unapologetically, then seemed taken aback. "It wasn't for Umbreon, was it?"
"No," Lu was suddenly very short on patience for this human mortal. He had to remind himself that the end result would be abject humiliation and defeat for Jenn, who had ruined his most intricate of plans. "However, if you must insist on being so rude, I could just leave you to your fate."
"What fate!"
"Jenn has been given access to her Pokémon side," Lu said patiently, not wanting to repeat or clarify further. "Thusly she can tap into the dark powers with ease, and the process of winning this battle over you should be more simple for her as she has been trained intently by Ash."
"Huh?"
Lu mentally counted to ten, a human therapeutic move that proved helpful to him when dealing with slow members of that species. "What do you think would happen when a mortal attempts to drive a vehicle, and manages well enough but really doesn't know how to, only this mortal suddenly has full access to every bit of knowledge needed to drive said vehicle?"
"They, uh, know how to drive it?" Gary said weakly, then realization flooded him. "You're telling me that she knows how to be an Absol rather than just pretending like she does? I mean, even though she'd been transformed."
Lu waved a hand, "In so many words, yes."
"Umbreon's power level is nearing one fifty," Gary said, "I scanned Jenn, and she's barely around fifty. Umbreon was three times as powerful before you."
"I know how powerful she is," Lu sniffed disdainfully, "I did, in a fashion, create her."
"Well you made her too high a level!" Gary snapped, "You could've made her a ten, at least!"
"Do not dare threaten me, Mortal!" Lu's eyes flared green, and Gary took an involuntary step back, "Now that Callie has helped release that power in Jenn, she's nearing one hundred. Add in to that the Jewel of Coni Neume, and she will be near level with your Umbreon. If you factor in to that her Ash-like stubbornness, you've got something that could defeat you."
"She doesn't know that Umbreon has been enhanced," Gary said, seemingly not at all put off by Lu's statement.
"She does!" Lucius growled. "I abhor that I must admit that Callie found that out, too."
Gary groaned and sank back into the leather recliner, "I'm sunk. There goes all my dreams of being Grand Master."
"Not just yet, human," Lucius smiled thinly, "There is still a way."
"Tell me," Gary said, just a bit desperately.
ooo
Drake was about to give the go-ahead for the attendants to fetch the competitors when his cell phone rang. "Hello?"
"Hey, Drake – what is going wrong out there!" It was Trish and the girl did not sound happy at all.
"Callie and Puck recognised Lu's magical signature…."
"LU!" he had to hold the phone away from his ear at the shriek of anger at the other end.
"And it seems that he has enhanced Gary's Umbreon to such power levels that even Pikachu wouldn't be able to defeat it."
"Why that no good mangy maggot…" Trish seethed.
"So Callie's cancelled Lu's spell and is speaking to Ash and Jenn as we speak."
"Good! She'd better do something otherwise Jenn could get killed out there!"
"I know it doesn't look good at the moment, but there's still two matches to go," he tried to reassure his girlfriend. "Ash and Jenn can still win this."
"I don't CARE about the damn result!" the Australian said hotly. "What I care about is the life of my best friend! If this gets any worse you'd better get out there and stop the match at once!"
"Sweetie…"
"Don't you 'Sweetie' me!" Trish cut him off. "I swear, Drake Thayer, that if anything really bad happens to Jenn…Like if she gets sent to another dimension or killed or maimed…You are sleeping on the couch when I get out of here!"
The Orange Crew Leader gulped. "Yes, dear."
There was the sound of fumbling and then a new voice came on line. It was Shannon and she sounded very apologetic. "Uh, sorry about that Drake. But I think you should know that this is a result of 6 cups of coffee with two sugars each. Her blood pressure has gone through the roof."
"Couldn't you and Mia have just not given her any coffee?"
"Are you crazy? We would have had our heads bitten off!"
ooo
Soon the contestants were back on the field. Ash stood on his side of the field with Jenn standing in front of him in a fighting stance. Blocking out the sounds of the crowd around him, the Grand Master took a deep breath and focussed on the task at hand. They had to win the next two matches to force a play-off. They were facing a formidable opponent who was even more powerful due to evil.
Evil forces that were using Pokémon to achieve the goals. As the Chosen One, he could not let such abuse go unpunished. He looked over at his opponent, Gary was standing there looking smug and arrogant as usual. Ash narrowed his gaze a little before letting the hint of a smile play across his lips. Lucius might know of the talisman the Jewel of Coni Neume, but there was no way he could know the true extent of its powers. Ash did, and he would unleash its full force when the time was right.
"And it looks like we're about to start folks!" Joe chirped from his booth high above the crowds. "Will we see a straight series wipe out of the Grand Master? Or will he and his Absol stage a DRAMATIC comeback and level the score? That's right, we've got it all here for an action packed second half – power, passion, tactics, mastery…Are we ready to RUMBLE!
Down on the arena floor, Jenn rolled her eyes. 'Oh, puh-leeeeeeeeeeazzzzzzzze.'
"You ready?" Ash murmured, knowing she would hear it.
'Yeah, I feel loads better after knowing that Gay…I mean, Gary, is cheating.'
"Just trust me," Ash looked back at Gary, who tossed his head challengingly, "I know what to do."
'Yes, because you've been doing so well this far,' Jenn snorted.
"Well he was cheating. Now, thanks to Callie, he's not," Ash raked a hand through his hair, ever aware of the crowds, "Though he's been led to think that he is."
'And that's how?' Jenn took a tentative step forward, watching as a referee was walking closer for a last minute check over. His job was to make sure there were no physical enhancers on the Pokémon in question. Of course, he'd never know about anything supernatural.
Ash knelt by Jenn as the referee grew closer, "Callie cast a glamour spell, one that mimics the one Lu set."
Standing as the referee crouched to look Jenn over, Ash looked back at Gary, who shot him another challenging look. Then he looked at the crowds, and picked out the open air luxury box that held the others. It was so far up, he could barely see who was who.
The referee's echoing voice almost startled Ash. "Both Pokémon are clear. We are ready to resume!"
As the echo's faded into the resumed roar of the crowds, Ash stood in his spot and looked once more over the field. This time there would be a field change, one that had boulders and dry dusty conditions. He remembered it well from his battle with Drake. Pikachu had battled against Drake's Ditto in an almost unfair, yet equally matched battle.
He hoped the outcome of this battle would also be in his favour.
ooo
Jenn watched as the motors beneath the stadium floor began to whirr, sliding the standard battlefield plates into the sides, revealing a cavernous depth from which another field was rising steadily. There was a loud clang as the field clicked into place. Drake sure likes his high tech gadgets, she thought.
:You ready, Jenn Ash's smooth voice echoed in her head.
The Absol shook her head slightly. :What are you doing in my head:
:Just to remind you to relax and let your Pokémon nature take control until after the battle. That is how we're going to win. You have to forget you're a human, you have to be an Absol in thought, word and deed:
:But will I be able to get my human self back:
:Of course! You just have to think human again:
:How am I supposed to think human if I'm thinking completely like an Absol:
:Would you just trust me? I'm not the head of the whole League for nothing.:
:Gee, and here I thought it was a mix of your good looks and stunning personality.:
JennThe warning tone came through very clearly.
Jenn sighed. :Okay, if you say so. But if it doesn't work it's gonna be your funeral, because Trish will kill you. Head of the League or not:
The referee raised his flags. "Begin!"
"Umbreon, Double Team!" Gary called out to his Pokémon.
The Moonlight Pokémon began to run around the field at such a fast pace that Jenn was seeing multiple Umbreons.
"Close your eyes and focus, Absol!" Ash hollered to Jenn.
She did so and his voice echoed in her mind. :The one on the right is the real Umbreon.:
:I can't think like an Absol if you keep on helping me cheat as a human:
:I'll use this link to bring you back if you can't. Until then…:
Jenn nodded as his telepathic voice faded and Ash gave his next order. "Faint Attack now!" She concentrated and blended into her surroundings so perfectly, that to Gary and Umbreon it was if she ceased to exist.
WHAM! 104 pounds of Disaster Pokémon appeared out of thin air and slammed into the Umbreon.
"We have a SMACKDOWN!" Joe screamed as the Umbreon was knocked across the hard packed floor like a rock being skipped across a pond. The crowd resumed its screaming roar as the Grand Master's Pokémon stood calmly, awaiting its next order.
"Absol!" Ash called out. He kept his features neutral as the white silken creature turned and regarded him with cool red eyes. 'She did it,' he thought quickly. 'Hopefully there's enough of her in there to obey me!'
But as the battle progressed from there, Ash realized that there was enough of Jenn's consciousness left and Jenn the Absol obeyed with no problem.
"Umbreon, Bite Attack!" Gary screamed at the top of his lungs. Things had definitely turned around from the first half. Despite Lu's reconfiguring the spell on Umbreon, the Viridian City Gym Leader was finding the going tough. Ash and Jenn seemed to anticipate his every move and counter with an attack that scored a direct hit on Umbreon.
There was something different about Jenn too. It was in the way she moved and the way she responded to Ash's commands. There was more confidence, no hesitation, no holding back. Gary couldn't figure out what it was exactly.
Umbreon charged towards the lithe white Pokémon, jaws wide open. Gary held his breath. Would this move work?
"Absol! Faint Attack now!" the Grand Master said calmly. The Pokémon melted into the background and Umbreon skidded to a halt, confused as to his opponent's location. Just as he swung his head to the left, the attack connected with crushing force, with Jenn ramming from the right with a force that sent the slightly smaller Pokémon flying and crashing into one of the many boulders that were strewn over the field.
"Umbreon!" Gary gasped as the fox-like Pokémon slumped against the rock, eyes closed.
The referee rushed over and counted to three before raising the flag. "Umbreon has fainted! This match goes to the Grand Master and his Absol!"
"SCOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORE!" came the familiar enthusiastic shriek from the PA as the crowds went wild.
The Viridian City Gym Leader gritted his teeth as Ash ran onto the field to Jenn and hugged the Pokémon. Damn that man, damn that…bitch. Just then, the cameras from the Jumbotron screen zoomed in on the victorious pair, and Gary gasped. Jenn's eyes were the usual Absol red instead of blue. What had happened? A chill ran down his spine as he realised that someway, somehow she had turned into a real Absol. I guess I should be more careful on how I talk about people, he snickered inwardly.
Then he grasped the gravity of the situation, and in turn, the knowledge of what could very well be Ash's impending victory. Jenn was fully an Absol, unless she'd managed to slip in red contacts in the matter of seconds. But how had this second transformation happened? He dismissed the idea that his rival had anything to do with it, after all Ash was no magical being.
Nor was Ash special in any way. He was just a 'small-town kid made good' as the papers liked to say. Sure, Gary had seen in the papers about Ash saving the world many years ago in this very archipelago and how this had been 'foretold' in an ancient legend. Ash Ketchum, the Chosen One.
As if, Gary thought sourly. He, the great Gary Oak, would have saved the world single-handedly – had he been in the area at the time. Gary Oak was the real Chosen One, not Ash "I'm the Loser" Ketchum. After all, was he not the only grandson of the world's number one authority on Pokémon, Professor Samuel Oak? Had he not been driven around by an adoring entourage of his own personal cheerleaders who followed his every move on his Pokémon journeys? And what did Ash have in comparison? The twerp had walked or caught public transportation and his only support was Mr Squinty Eyes and the Runt from the Sensational Sisters.
Anyway, he digressed. What his Umbreon was now facing was not a human-turned-Absol but the genuine article, and one powered up by intense training. Gary watched as the Pokémon wagged her tail furiously and licked Ash on the cheek. How could his rival control a wild, uncaptured Pokémon? Duh, Gary, he chastised himself as he remembered. Ash is the Grand Master. A Pokémon Master can control any Pokémon, world-wide. He sighed in frustration, This may be harder than I thought…
ooo
There was a twenty minute interval as Chanseys tended to both Pokémon. Pikachu tugged on her friend's pant leg. 'What move did you have in mind next, Pikapi?'
Ash grinned at his first Pokémon. "Oh, I was thinking that Return might be a good one for Jenn."
The electric mouse blinked. 'Return? That boosts the Pokémon's base attacks, but that's only effective if the Pokémon really…' she trailed off and then looked at her Trainer. 'Very sneaky, Pikapi.'
"I know," he said with mock modesty, "It's a talent not easily mastered."
'Pikapi…don't make me shock some sense in to you.' Her voice was full of dry humour, 'I wouldn't want to waste the electricity.'
Ash gave her a sour look, "Gee, thanks. You're such a pal."
'Speaking of pals,' Charizard came up to Ash, 'She hasn't said anything, has she?'
Ash looked in the direction the large dragon was pointing to. Jenn, who really wasn't herself, was curled up on a cot, apparently taking a quick nap. The sudden ring of his cell phone startled him, and Ash quickly snapped it up.
"Hello?"
"Ash, how are things going?" It was Trish, and she sounded anxious.
Sparing a quick glance at the sleeping Absol, Ash turned and walked towards a leather chair that faced a large wall mounted plasma TV. Currently tuned to the Pokémon Battle Network, it showed the brief intermission between the last two battles.
"It's going well," Ash said, in a somewhat lowered tone of voice.
"What's with the whispering?" Trish asked suspiciously, "Is there someone around and you don't want them to hear you?"
"No," Ash said, his face flushing momentarily. He couldn't exactly say he didn't want to wake up a potentially feral Jenn. "Jenn's taking a quick catnap."
"Don't you mean Absol nap?" Trish chuckled. "I bet it Absol-utely refreshes her!"
"Yeah," Ash laughed weakly. "That's…That's about what I hope for."
At his feet, Pikachu looked up with what would be a cocked eyebrow for a human. 'Pikapi's not telling the truth, the whole truth, so help him, Mew.'
Sending a withering look at Pikachu, who scampered away with a high pitched pika-giggle, Ash heard Trish ask, "Is something wrong?"
"Wrong?" Ash relocated his stomach from his throat back to its proper location. "Of course not. We're making a come back."
"Because you sound a little stressed."
"Really?" Ash managed a more normal sounding laugh, this time out of relief. "I am under a lot of stress. I can't lose this battle!"
"Neither can Jenn," Trish reminded him gently.
"Yeah, her too," Ash looked back at Jenn, who was still asleep. "I'm just getting tired, that's all. I wouldn't mind a little nap of my own."
"Oh, and I've kept you on the phone, too!" Trish sounded taken aback. "I'm sorry, Ash."
"Nah, it's okay," Ash shrugged, "I can just grab an energy drink."
"Try coffee," Trish said, clearly taking a sip of her own, "It works wonders."
"I'll keep that in mind," Ash said, wincing slightly as an attendant walked in. Spotting the Grand Master on the phone, the younger man mouthed 'Five minutes' and left the room. "Ah, I have to go now though. Keep watching though. I guarantee you'll enjoy the show!"
"Mmhmm," Trish said, "Though I'll be glad once it's over, win or lose. It's tiring just to watch! I couldn't imagine actually going through it."
"It's interesting, that's for sure," Ash said, "It's not often you get to battle with a close friend, especially when she's the one you're ordering around."
Pikachu tugged at his pants.
"Trish, I gotta go. I'll talk to you after the match." He hung up with Trish and turned around. Jenn was sitting on her haunches on the cot, regarding him with calm red eyes.
"Time to go, everyone," he said, as he walked towards the door of the room. He didn't have to turn around to know that everyone, which consisted of Pikachu, Charizard, and Jenn, were following close behind.
ooo
Gary watched impassively as his rival came out onto the field to thunderous applause, followed by his faithful Pokémon. He never understood the depth of the bond that the dark-haired Trainer had with his Pokémon. Or rather he never understood what inspired such unwavering loyalty in the creatures. Certainly, none of his offered to accompany him and Umbreon to the match. Ash, the Loser had 7 of his! The chestnut-haired Gym Leader clenched his fist. He had to win this next match.
ooo
Across the field, Ash knelt down in front of Jenn as the other Pokémon gathered round in a circle. "Okay, guys, we win this next match then we've drawn level with Gary. Then it will come down to a one shot, sudden death match. We work together, we can pull this thing off. We're a team."
ooo
"Begin!" came the call from the referee.
"Absol, Return!" Ash called out to his Pokémon.
Gary blinked. "Return? What kind of lame excuse for an attack is that?"
Ash just smiled serenely. "You'll see."
"Umbreon, Quick Attack!"
"Absol, Quick Attack as well!" the Grand Master called.
The two Pokémon charged each other at top speed, with Jenn approaching at a slight angle. The two creatures crashed into each other, the Absol turning at the last minute so her shoulder connected with Umbreon's middle. The speed at which they connected and the momentum sent the Dark Pokémon flying back a few metres and landing in a cloud of dust.
"Whaat?" Gary gasped in disbelief as he watched Umbreon shakily get up on his feet.
Ash shook his head. "Now, now Gary, as Viridian Gym Leader, you should have known that Return boosts the base attacks of your Pokémon, depending on how much they like you." He smiled slyly. "And it just so happens that this Absol likes me."
"You bastard!" the Viridian Gym Leader snarled. Of course, the television producers had their finger on the censor button and bleeped that part out.
Ash gave a benign smile. "Really, Gary. There's no need for swearing, this is just a game. It's not as if this matters in any large way, other than for the highest bragging rights around. But I think you are supposed to be a role model to all these young trainers." He motioned to the crowds around the two.
Gary grumbled under his breath.
ooo
To Gary's horror, things only got worse from that point. Ash and Jenn won that match, thus levelling the score at two matches won between the two rounds. With the final two matches being won by Team Loser, there was a necessity of the one hit sudden death match.
Gary stalked around the locker room, cursing and swearing as a Medical Chansey tended to Umbreon.
"Why is this happening! Why are we LOSING to that LOSER! We can't lose! You aren't trying hard enough!" This was directed towards Umbreon who raised his head and whimpered. The poor Pokémon was trying his little heart out, but it just wasn't enough.
"Or aren't YOU trying hard enough!" Gary swung on Lu who was lounging in the recliner. "You said I couldn't lose, so why am I suddenly losing? What are you going to do about it!"
By some superhuman effort, the Fae managed to keep his cool. "If you don't ask nicely, I won't feel the need to do anything and then you really will lose."
Gary managed to settle down. "Okay, fine."
"Now shut up and let me work."
ooo
A few minutes later, both contestants were back in their places, waiting patiently for Joe to finish his spiel. "Annnnnnd now this is the moment we've been all been waiting for folks. One attack will determine who is the greatest Master of these two. DO YOU WANNA BE A MASTER?"
"OF POKÉMON!" The crowd roared back.
"DO YOU HAVE THE SKILLS…"
"TO BE NUMBER ONE!" was the answering chant.
'Well, he knows how to earn his wages,' Ash thought with a wry smile as he surveyed the happy crowds. Not that he minded, since Ash was the type who reacted to the energy and vibes of the crowds around him. It energised him and his Pokémon.
The Grand Master turned his attention back to the matter at hand. One shot, one attack, last Pokémon standing. The winner takes it all. Jenn would have to give it her best shot. Glancing over at his opponent's Pokémon, Ash was surprised to see a very black aura surrounding Gary.
What many people didn't know about Ash was that he was able to see psychic auras. It was a side-effect from the time he ran in between the psybeams of the two most powerful Psychic Pokémon in the world, Mew and Mewtwo. Being hit with so much powerful psychic energy not only 'killed' him, but changed him a little bit.
Ash's mahogany brown eyes narrowed at the sight. While Gary wasn't normally a person with a true dark aura, this particular darkness had the taint of pure evil, and this evil had spread towards his rival's Pokémon. Umbreon was enhanced once more by Lu.
Ash sighed sadly. It was time to spring his own surprise.
A sudden gust of wind blew around the stadium and ruffled the fur on both Pokémon. Ash's eyes glowed golden for a moment, and it was mirrored in that of Jenn's. The diamond talisman around her neck also glowed brightly before fading away.
"Ash! What did you just do!" Gary bellowed like an enraged Tauros. By his side, Umbreon growled.
"I did nothing, Gary," Ash answered calmly, well aware that the microphones they wore would pick up every word. Flashlights flickered randomly from spots in the stadium's crowd. "Maybe you're seeing things. These extended battles do tend to exhaust trainers and pokémon alike."
The Viridian Gym Leader cursed some more, once again being censored.
Ash narrowed his eyes. "Gary, I told you before that there is no need for swearing. Not only that, you are tarnishing the reputation of the Kanto League by your conduct. I warn you that if you persist on swearing, I'm going to have to discipline you."
"Nice to see you memorized the rule book, Ashy boy," the chestnut-haired Gym Leader sneered. "Besides, I know you. You wouldn't dare discipline the Great Gary Oak!"
"Oh I dare," Ash raised an eyebrow. "As the Grand Master, not only am I head of the entire League, but I'm also your boss. I'm the one who signs your pay check and if you continue to swear like that, I'll be forced to dock your pay."
Gary glared but said nothing.
Just then Ash heard a soft voice in his mind. :Hey Ash, it's Espeon here. Charizard said to tell you two to quit yapping and start battling:
:In a moment, Espeon. I'm trying to stall a little. Jenn's just about finished absorbing the powers of the jewel.: He watched the Absol toss her head and stare at the Umbreon. If looks could kill, Ash knew Umbreon would be in a world of pain.
Ash felt Espeon's presence recede from his thoughts and the Grand Master smiled. "Are you ready, Gary?"
"Bring it on," Gary said mockingly. "It's not like you'll win. My Umbreon is far superior to your weak Absol's limited…knowledge."
Ash shook his head, "I think you should know that this particular Absol has had a recent learning boost. She's about to throw the learning curve out the window."
Gary's smug look faltered for a second, then he narrowed his eyes, "Get ready, Umbreon."
The ebony Pokémon growled and the fur raised on its back.
"Okay, Absol," Ash said gently, "This is it. Let's make it count."
The stadium lights cast a pearlescent sheen on the Absol's coat and it stalked forward a couple of steps before stopping.
The crowd fell silent as the two pokémon advanced. All they were waiting for was the word from the announcer, and the announcer waited for the signal from Drake.
That signal came and Joe's voice boomed over the speaker system.
"BEEEGIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNN!"
ooo
In the Orange Crew Leader's private box, hands were clenched tight, as they were in a hospital room across the city.
In far off Kanto, the inhabitants of a certain former sleepy town (now a bustling metropolis thanks to their famous 'sons') were also glued to their television sets. This was especially so in two particular households. One was the Taylor residence, where Delia (née Ketchum) and her husband, Steven, had invited all their family and friends to watch her 'little boy' battle.
The other was a large laboratory situated on a hill overlooking the city. The aging scientist was gathered with his assistant and family around the large television screen. Professor Oak was rather torn over who to support in this match. While he was bound by blood to support his grandson, he was also a good friend and mentor to Ash who was in a way like a grandson to him as well. He had seen both boys grow up from fledgling trainers to the powerhouses they had become.
Ordinarily, he would have invited Delia and Steven over for the match or vice versa. However, the fact that it was his grandson versus her son made things rather difficult. Woe betide anyone who did not cheer for Ash if he was in a match and Delia was around!
The whole city had been awash with excitement since the news of the proposed battle had broken. A swarm of media had descended upon the place, wanting to know everything and anything about the two combatants. Anyone who was even remotely connected to either man was besieged by reporters. Delia was very popular with the press, especially since afterwards she'd reveal a huge feast she had cooked up beforehand for the hungry reporters.
The inhabitants of Pallet wondered what the outcome of the battle would be. Those who were long-time residents knew that this had been a long time coming. Who would be the greater trainer? They still saw a great deal of the Grand Master, when he wasn't needed on the Plateau he came back to his palatial home he'd built here.
Gary, however, stayed in Viridian City year round, only coming to Pallet a few times.
A sudden roaring noise grabbed the professor's attention, and he sat forward in his recliner. The noise was from the sound of the crowd and, thanks to the entertainment system Tracey had hooked up, it made the older man feel as if he was right there in the Stadium.
"Did it start yet?" Tracey ran into the entertainment room, clutching a bowl of popcorn. As the assistant to the professor, he also felt like family. Though family of a slightly dysfunctional nature.
"No, no! Though it seems as though it will be starting now."
"I do hope that Ash wins!" Tracey said suddenly, then flushed at Professor Oak's raised eyebrow. "I, ah, have money riding on this."
ooo
"Umbreon, Shadow Ball" Gary ordered sharply. He knew that the power boost Lu gave his Pokémon would help, but the flash around Jenn worried him. He had a feeling Ash had something up his sleeves.
The Umbreon complied, and soon a large dark coloured energy ball was forming in front of the nimble creature. The manifestation of such energy clearly energized the Dark Pokémon.
With the building excitement from the crowds, Ash felt a brief burst of immaturity and wanted to jump up and down, but he merely took a deep breath and readied himself. Resisting the urge to reach up and twist around a phantom cap, the Grand Master shouted out the order of, "Hyper Beam!"
Though Hyper Beam did require a brief build-up to collect the energy, Ash mentally invoked the jewel to speed things up. Just as fast as Umbreon's Shadow Ball built up, so did Jenn's Hyper Beam.
"NOW!" The two trainers shouted in perfect unison.
The massive attacks were released and they streaked across the field, towards their targets. Instead they met almost dead centre of the arena, causing a brief flash of orange light. A ring of dust rushed away from the two colliding attacks, revealing an almost stalemate.
The two attacks seemed to be forming a secondary ball of energy, this one was brilliant green with a tinge of gold and was about the size of a basketball. The Absol took a step forward, throwing her shoulders into the attack, and the ball of energy moved closer towards the Umbreon.
Gary would have none of this, and he yelled out, "Increase your power, Umbreon!"
The crowds roared their enthusiasm, and Joe kept a running commentary that Ash was barely concentrating on and hadn't noticed till just now. "…seems that the Absol is falling behind! What will the Grand Master do?"
The Grand Master will invoke the powers of the jewel, that's what, Ash thought silently, but before he could, he saw Jenn dig in her heels and throw more power into the attack. Ever so slowly, the energy ball was inching towards the Umbreon.
Ash saw Gary gripping something in his right hand. The Viridian City Gym Leader looked at Ash and sneered. That was a warning like nothing else.
:Ash, I sense danger: It was Espeon again, and the little telepath sounded frightened. Gary has something evil with him, Chosen One, and I think it will cause too much damage to you or Jenn. You must invoke the jewel's full powers now:
:I'm on it, Esp: Ash thought, right before invoking the jewel. Unnoticed due to the glare of the energy ball, the jewel at Jenn's throat flared out in what should have been blinding intensity, but it didn't hurt at all.
Suddenly, Jenn's powers also intensified and before Gary could react, the power on Jenn's side overwhelmed the Umbreon's. The little Dark Pokémon gave it as good a go as it could, and that sudden mix of power caused the explosion of a lifetime, rivalled only by the one that happened in this very Stadium when Ash battled Drake.
The heat and force of the explosion blew debris and smoke everywhere, triggering the Stadium's protective measures into action. Psyshields were thrown up in front of both Trainers and the crowd to protect them from harm.
When the smoke and the dust settled, the scene revealed the Umbreon lying on the ground and the Absol still standing tall.
"NO!" Gary screamed as he fell to his knees in disbelief. "Get up, you pathetic excuse for a mongrel! I CAN'T lose to that LOSER!"
The referee ran over to Umbreon and began the countdown. "3...2...1…" He straightened up and raised the red flag towards Ash. "Umbreon has fainted. This round and this match goes to the Grand Master, Ash Ketchum and his Absol!"
The crowd exploded in delight as did Joe in his announcers booth high on top of the stadium. "WE HAVE A WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNER!"
"Geeze is he gonna have a voice left after this?" Jaime wondered aloud. With the end of the battle, the crowd started to disperse, walking towards the many exits throughout the Stadium.
Ash ran to the centre of the field and hugged the Absol tightly. "We did it!" He released his hold a little. "Well more to the point, YOU did it, Jenn. I couldn't be prouder of you."
But Jenn wasn't paying attention to Ash. Her gaze sharpened on Gary who had run over to his Umbreon. In front of millions of viewers, as the television cameras were still broadcasting, the Viridian City Gym Leader delivered a swift kick to the Umbreon, who had recovered from its faint and was weakly trying to stand. "You are a failure and NO ONE fails Gary Oak!"
Ash felt the growl that ran through the Absol, and though he tried, he could not hold her back from running to the aid of the fallen Umbreon. With a successful twist, the Absol pulled out of Ash's tight grip, and tore the microphone from the collar of his shirt. In a flash, she was standing over her fallen opponent, snarling at Gary and baring teeth in an impressive display.
At first Gary looked surprised, then his face tightened in anger. "You!" He shocked the Absol by managing to land a kick to her shoulder, an action that set her back a pace. The crowd that hadn't already left the Stadium seemed to freeze en masse.
Ash leapt to his feet and ran for Gary, as were several security agents, but Espeon beat them all to it. The lithe Pokémon teleported to the two Pokémon's side, and used a telekinetic grip on Gary to freeze him in place.
The Absol took that opportunity to leap at Gary, jaws wide, and eyes blazing red. Gary's eyes were wide in shock, and Ash yanked the Absol's Poké Ball from his belt. Luckily, he was close enough to recall the infuriated canine and avoid being cast in the same boat as Gary.
Though most of the crowd had vacated the Stadium due to the end of the battle, many now stood in shock at the sight of Gary being handcuffed and led out of the Stadium.
Drake ran over to Ash, who was standing by the two pokémon. "Ash, I had Joe's microphone cut off…"
"Oh thank Lugia," Ash sighed.
"Whaa…" Drake gave Ash a sour look, "I meant due to what Gary just did. Didn't anyone like Joe?"
"Not particularly," a voice came from beside them. Ash looked back to see Jaime, Chris, Puck, and Erina standing on the field by them.
"Where did you come from?" Drake asked, "And why didn't you like Joe? The crowds like him."
"Puck teleported us here," Riny said with a shrug, "Cloak of magic and all that. We weren't seen."
"Is Jenn going to be alright?" Jaime asked quietly, "She kind of went a little growly there."
"Of course she will," Chris snorted, "She's a fighter, right? She can fight against all of those insane dog instincts. Come on, it's time to celebrate!"
The group walked away, though Ash stayed back with Drake and Puck. Two Chanseys had walked onto the field as quickly as they could, following the lead Nurse Joy for the Stadium. The neglected Umbreon had been recalled into its Poké Ball, which had been confiscated from Gary. Drake held back to talk with the Nurse, while Ash talked with Puck.
"Are things alright?" Ash asked the Fae, "Is Lu still a threat?"
"He didn't make the appearance I was counting on," Puck sighed, "But I think we've sent a clear enough message to him."
Ash held up the Poké Ball he had been holding, "What about Jenn?"
"I need to make sure there's enough of her left," Puck tapped his forehead, "Or else it may be difficult to impossible to change her back." He grimaced at the thought, "Maybe I shouldn't have let this go on so long."
"What's going on?" Drake asked, walking up to the two. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah," Ash said quickly, "What about Umbreon?"
Drake thumbed at Nurse Joy, who was walking away with the two Chanseys, "We got its Poké Ball, so it'll be okay until they get it to a healing centre. After that, it'll be held at Orange League Headquarters until we can figure out what charges Gary will be facing."
Ash looked at the microphone that was laying on the ground. He picked it up, fingering the wire that trailed from it. "Sorry about that," he said, unhooking the amp clip that was hooked on a back belt loop. "Jenn got a little…"
"Growly?" Drake smirked, "I know. It's okay, we've got tons of those things and the techs we have are paid enough to know how to fix the broken ones."
"What about broken minds?" Ash muttered.
"She's fine!" Puck said curtly, "You're the one who has to bring her back from feral land, just like you promised her, not me. I just do the transforming."
"How do you know I told her that?"
"It didn't go through the microphone, I promise you that," Puck said reassuringly. "I just kept an ear out, so to speak, to make sure there wasn't a serious problem going on."
"She tried attacking Gary," Ash countered, "I sort of think that was serious."
"You handled it though," Puck said, "And most admirably, too."
"Can't you just turn her back?" Drake interrupted, leading the two men on the long walk towards the Stadium floor exit. The Stadium itself was primarily empty, with a few stragglers staying behind picking up souvenirs and snapping pictures of the two large names in the League.
"I could," Puck said slowly, "but she would still be feral."
"And by feral, you mean…what?" Drake questioned.
"I mean an Absol in a human's body, that's what," Puck said, kicking at the hard packed floor. "I can't transform her psyche."
"So you're telling me that nothing in your 'magical arsenal' can help?" Ash did air quotes.
"That's what heroes are for," Puck said simply.
There was silence as they walked to the exit, then Ash blinked, "Oh, you were talking about me, weren't you?"
"We're doomed," Puck groaned, watching as Pikachu ran towards her trainer.
"I heard that!" Ash glared at the Fae as he scooped up the tiny electric mouse. "Besides just who was it that said that I was the only one who could bring Jenn back?"
"Er…that would be me," Puck grinned sheepishly.
"Right," the Grand Master smirked as he scratched Pikachu behind her ears, which made the mouse purr contentedly. "And as for being doomed, that's how we feel every time you get drunk!" The Fae reddened with embarrassment.
"Touché!" Drake grinned. "Maybe you should try bringing Jenn back now, Ash. It might have been nothing more than Jenn's anger at Gary for putting her through all this, as well as for the abuse he heaped on his Pokémon. You know how angry she gets over cruelty to animals."
"True."
"And once Jenn is back with us in spirit, it might be a good idea to go and take her to see Trish." The Orange Crew Leader smiled wryly. "I just had a phone call from her a few minutes ago demanding to know if Jenn was okay."
"Or else you'd be in big trouble?" Ash said with a knowing grin.
"You got it," Drake sighed.
ooo
Jenn
The smooth male voice penetrated the innermost recesses of her conscious, disturbing the deep sleep she had been enjoying.
:Go away: she grumbled. :I was having a totally bootylicious dream and voices are not part of it:
Jenn, it's Ash. Listen to me, the battle is over. You must come back now:
:Huh? The battle is already over? What happened:
:You won, and Gary has been utterly defeated.:
:I did? Aiiiiiiiight:
:And when you come back, we can go visit Trish, Mia and Shannon:
:You bet! She's probably been growling at those two all day. That girl worries too much about me:
:So what I want you to do is concentrate and believe yourself to be human again. You are not an Absol, you are Jenn, a human who was turned into an Absol:
Jenn frowned and concentrated.
ooo
Twenty minutes later, a sooty face poked around the doorway to Trish's hospital room. 'Hey T! Look at who is totally a winner!' Blue eyes twinkled with delight.
The dark-haired girl laughed with relief at the sight of her best friend, unharmed and happy. "Congratulations Sis, you deserve it!"
"She certainly does," Ash smiled as he walked into the room. "She gave it her all."
Jenn started to trot into the room, then suddenly froze.
"Is there something the matter?" Trish asked, a slight frown on her face.
Instead of getting an answer, the fur on the Absol's neck suddenly bristled and her blue eyes turned blood red and flashed with anger. A low threatening growl came from her throat and the creature stalked slowly forward towards the bed.
Trish felt her throat constrict with fear as she inched slowly towards the edge of the bed. "Jenn?" she managed to squeak.
The Absol leapt towards the girl, its fangs bared.
To be continued….
ooo
Author's Note: In the grand tradition of Pokémon race/battle/stadium announcers, I tried to make Joe as over the top, and as loud as possible. But he doesn't sound like Tracey. :P
But he's grown on me so he might turn up in other fics!