Chapter 10
Defiance
A/N: I don't know whether to applaud your smarts or kick myself repeatedly for being so transparent. Several of you accurately guessed the big twist! But whether you did or not, read on.
Sarah mostly sat around the next day. She would occasionally watch a match or two, especially when Luke's came up, or spar with one of her Pokemon, but mostly she was bored. On top of that, her mind wouldn't let go of the Board's decision.
Luke was doing better. He was on a winning streak, even defeating last year's second place finisher in the third round. At the end of the day, there were only two people left, Luke and the previous champ Lance. The finals would go down the next day.
That night, the moon once again changed her into a Bulbasaur. She and her Bulbasaur had a sort of tradition that on the night of the full moon, the two of them would go and wander wherever they were at the time.
He had suggested they sneak into the Coliseum. A small latch had been left open on a side door, letting to two in.
The full moon shown into the massive arena. Sarah lay on her back next to Bulbasaur, both enjoying the glow and calm. "You know, I really wish I could have participated in this tournament."
"Me too. But you don't always get what you want."
"Yeah. But still…"
They lay in relative silence for several minutes until Bulbasaur broke it. "What exactly did those guys say?"
"'I'm not allowed to enter the tournament because my gifts would give me an unfair advantage as a trainer.' Why?"
"Well, I'm no human, but I can still find a loop-hole." He twisted over and started running for the arena wall. "Come on. I'll explain on the way."
"ARE YOU SERIOUS?!" Luke screamed after Sarah finished relaying Bulbasaur's plan. Another little trick she learned: the ability to speak human while in Pokemon form.
"It's so simple, I don't know why I didn't think of it myself."
"And this way you can participate in the tournament," Bulbasaur put it.
"There's no way I'm going to let you fight on my team! You'll get killed if your not careful!"
"I would put myself in that danger anyway if I were allowed to enter."
"Yeah, but I'm not going to have you risk your life on my account."
She sighed and jumped up next him and placed her paw on his hand. "You once told me that you wouldn't help someone that wouldn't help themselves. Well now I'm willing to do something. Please, let me do this."
Even in the darkness, he saw her sorrow in her eyes. She really wanted this, more than he could ever understand. "Alright."
Sarah whooped for joy. She jumped up onto his lap and gave him a kiss on the cheek, or the best kiss she could given her state.
"Alright, alright." He nudged her off gently. "I guess I could use the help. Lance isn't going to be easy."
The next morning, the pair walked down the dim hallway towards the arena. The crowd outside roared with applause as Lance entered from the opposite side. She stopped and turned him around. "Luke, thank you for letting me do this."
He smiled warmly. That smile of hers made him melt every time. "You know, I'm really proud of you."
"Proud of me? Why?"
"You've finally accepted your gift, regardless of what those jerks have to say about it." She looked down and blushed. "No matter what happens out there, you've already won your battle."
"Hm. Thanks. That means so much."
He placed a hand around the back of her head and leaned in for a kiss. But he didn't go for the cheek. This time, his lips met her front and center. She closed her eyes, coming in to meet him. The roars and hollers faded as the couple was lost in their first kiss.
The couple finally broke when the PA interrupted. "And now, the young trainer that took everyone by surprise this year…"
"That's my queue."
Sarah's lips were still tingling from the contact. "Do you're best."
"You know I do." He kissed her one last time and walked out into the sunlight, another roar meeting him.
She stayed back in the shadows, just far enough that people couldn't see her, yet she could see the battle outside. After a few formalities, Luke and Lance exchanged handshakes and threw their first Pokeballs, officially beginning the match.
Sarah watched the battle carefully, as much as for knowledge as support. Lance was an extremely skilled trainer. He knew exactly how to switch from offense to defense and back all without breaking stride. Fighting him was going to be a challenge she would relish.
And even though Lance had more experience, Luke's training with Sarah was helping him stay toe-to-toe with him. He knew exactly how to counter his moves and come back with his own. His Pokemon, and Nana, performed admirably.
But still, Lance's experience won out. Luke was now down two Pokemon to one. The current challenging Pokemon, a Dragonair, was fairly weak from its bout, and so would be simple to knock out. But Sarah feared for what would come next. No one had yet to eliminate more than four of Lance's line-up.
Now was the moment of truth. Luke called back Nana and attached the ball to his belt. "For my final choice…" He paused for dramatic effect, which he occasionally like to do in moments of high tension.
Sarah clenched her fists and breathed deeply.
"I call out Shaiya!"
She looked out and walked calmly out into the light.
The crowd gasped and then was silent. Sarah moved to stand beside Luke.
The two looked out at the crowd for a moment. At first, no one answered back. Then, very slowly, a clapping formed and grew into applause.
"This is incredible!" the announcer called over the PA. "I was told that Sarah "Shaiya" Adams wouldn't be in this tournament. But now here she stands not as a trainer, but as another trainer's choice for a combatant. This tournament is going to go down is history, folks."
Suddenly the audience quieted as the ref on the sidelines crossed the two flags over his head, the sign that the match was currently put on hold. He turned to Sarah and Luke. "I'm sorry, Ms. Adams. But you were previously disqualified from this tournament. Therefore Mr. Anderson, you must choose another combatant or also be disqualified."
"Actually, the ruling was that I could not enter as a trainer. As you can see, I'm not here as a trainer."
"And using another trainer's Pokemon is not against tournament rules. We see this as an extension of that rule."
The ref grimaced. They had studied. He had secretly hoped that Sarah would somehow show up and he personally saw no harm in letting them continue. But even then, he had the Board President screaming in his earpiece. "NO! You get her out right now! DO YOU HEAR ME?! NOW!"
He looked at the pair again, to Lance, and up at the crowd. They all waited in anticipating silence. "Very well. The match shall continue!"
The audience screamed. And so did the president. "WHAT?! YOU'RE GOING AGAINST BOARD ORDERS!"
The ref reached up and shut off the earpiece. "Sarah Adams, just for formal rules, you may only enter the field once in Pokemon form."
She nodded. Crouching down, she focused her mind and shifter. When she shrugged off her clothes, she stood as a Pikachu. "Nice choice," Luke said from above her. "But watch. This Dragonair is fast."
"Got it." Sarah sprinted onto the grass field on all fours. A lingering fear stuck in the back of her head, but that was normal.
When she reached her starting point, Lance finally addressed her. "Well, if it isn't Sarah "Shaiya" Adams. I was really disappointed when I was told you wouldn't be here. This is going to be a battle I will treasure."
"Same here."
He smiled. "Good. May the best trainer win!"
Sarah smirked and said softly to herself, "I intend to."
A/N: Why would you be so stupid as to leave now?! Don't you dare miss the exciting conclusion!!