Chapter 9 – "Getting back together"
The Elite Four Tournament was a celebration event for the centenary of the Elite. One hundred Pokémon Trainers were invited to participate and ten groups of ten people got selected at the opening ceremony. And today, four days after the opening ceremony, we find group one starting their fourth battle.
"ladies and gentlemen" said the narrator at the microphone to all the full stadium "Today starts the fourth battles of group one. And the race to the top of group one is catching fire"
At the stadium audience there were two girls who came to watch the first battle of group one, May and Dawn. Even though they weren't sure if they should watch the battle, they somehow couldn't help being there. Actually they watched all previously three battles of group one.
"Now let's start the first battle of the fourth day of group one" said the narrator "Please welcome The number 77th of the Rank, Serena"
Not many people were cheering for Serena, we could tell by the noise or lack of noise when the narrator announced her name. But May and Dawn put their hands together for her
"And on the other side of the field, please Welcome the number 09 of the Rank, Talles Humir" Said the narrator making all stadium go crazy with his name. Talles Humir was number 09 of the Rank for a reason. He was the current champion of Johto League and his Pokémon team were known all over regions due to its strong and speed. It would be difficult for Serena.
"The competitor Talles has so far in three battles won all three and are at the first position of group one" said the narrator "On the other hand, Serena lost all her three battles and shares the last position of group one with others three competitors. Will she be able to change this scenario?"
"What are happening with Serena?" asked Dawn "When we battled together she seemed to be a wonderful trainer. She shouldn't have lost all battles"
"She is sad" answered May "She can't concentrate and focus on her strategy"
"Do you think it's our fault?" asked Dawn
"I think so" answered May
"I know she deserved that but….. I feel bad for her" said Dawn
"Me too" said May "If she loses today, she may not be able to recover those lost points"
"We shouldn't have done that" said Dawn "Do you remember how terrible it was?"
"How could I forget" said May "It was just three days ago. It is still fresh on my memory"
FLASHBACK
"Serena you lied to us and to me" said Dawn "You are in love with Ash?"
Serena was crying and it was difficult for her to say something due to her tears and hiccups
"You said he was just a friend to you" said May
"I… never said I didn't love him. I didn't lie" said Serena still crying
"But you do love him" asked May "You were using us to get to him"
"You are the ones who have been lying to me about your feelings for Ash" said Serena trying to stop crying
"You were listening to us at the Hotel lobby last night all the time" said May "So you lied about that too. You knew we both have feelings for Ash, but said nothing"
"Why did you do this Serena?" asked Dawn
"Because I like you girls, we became friends so fast and I didn't want you to know I also love Ash. I… got scared" said Serena
"Scared of what?" asked Dawn
"Scared of being left behind by us" said May before Serena could finish
Serena just nodded with her head agreeing with May's answer
"You are very good friends, I knew you would support each other… but I just got here and I didn't want you to see me as a rival" said Serena
"We had no reason to tell you about our feelings Serena" said May "We didn't know about your feelings. But you did know about ours"
"May is right Serena" said Dawn "Once you knew about our feelings you should have told us. Because we would have told you if we knew with sure about your love"
"I am sorry" said Serena "I am really sorry girls. Please forgive me"
Dawn looked at May seeing what she was going to do. Even though Dawn had a strong personality, she has always seen May as a leader, so she would follow May's decision about this situation
"Let's go Dawn" said May "Let's go get our things and go to the Pokémon Center. I still have a room booked there"
May turned around back to the hotel, Dawn looked back to Serena, she had started crying again, but Dawn did nothing, just turned around as well and followed May. They both got their things and left the Hotel to the Pokémon Center. And they two hadn't talked with Serena since then, although they watched Serena's first three battles and defeats.
END OF FLASHBACK
The Battle had already started Serena seemed not to know what she was doing exactly, it was so complicated that her first Pokémon, her Sylveon got defeated by Talles Skarmory in just three minutes.
"She is going to lose" said Dawn
"Looks like it" said May
AT THE FIELD
"What is happening?" asked Serena to herself "I already lost Sylveon to him"
"What will be Serena's next Pokémon?" asked the narrator
"I have to go with all I have to change the game" thought Serena to herself "Go, Delphox" said Serena throwing her Poke Ball and revealing her fire/psychic Pokémon
AT THE AUDIENCE
May was watching the battle very nervous, She was feeling bad as well for Serena, maybe she was too hard on her, after all Serena just did that because was afraid of losing May and Dawn's friendship.
May turned away her face when she saw Delphox getting hurt by an Metal Claw attack and it was when she saw, very tiny in the middle of the people on the other side of the Stadium… Him
"Dawn look over there" said May point in one direction
Dawn looked at the direction May was pointing to and saw as well
"Lance!" said Dawn
It was Lance, he was at the Elite Four cabin, watching the battle all the time
"Look who is next to him" said May
"Lorelei" said Dawn
"Dawn… if we go there maybe we can ask him now about Ash and finish this Tournament thing once for all" said May
"Good idea" said Dawn "You go there and ask him"
"Why me?" asked May
"Lorelei knows who I am" said Dawn "She may try to stop me"
"But it is the Elite Four Cabin" said May "How am I going to enter there? There must be guards everywhere"
"Look" said Dawn pointing to a waitress entering the Elite cabin to deliver some drinks "Maybe if you get one of those costumes, you can pass without being notice" said Dawn
"You are right" said May "Okay, you stay here, pay attention on me all the time, if I need something I will wave to you"
"Alright" said Dawn
May stood up and left the audience going behind the bleachers and walking around it until reach the Elite Four Cabin. It was being watched by many security guards as she imagined. On the other side of the hall she saw the Stadium staff lounge room, probably it was there where she would find costumes. May entered the room and saw many people from the staff, from the waitress to the referees, and many of them notice May's presence, since she had no costume it wasn't difficult to realize she was in the wrong place
"May I help you lady?" asked a man from the restaurant staff
"I am sorry about that" answered May "Venusaur use sleep powder" shouted May releasing her Plant Pokémon from its Poke Ball making all people fell asleep.
May looked for a waitress costume, took some drinks and left the room to the Elite Four Cabin.
When May got to the Elite Cabin she realized her plan was a success, not a single guard asked her anything, they just let her enter the VIP space
May was nervous, she was a few steps to be face to face with Lance, when she reached the Elite Four door she started listening to voices from inside, maybe from Lance and the others, she was going to ignore that, but she heard something that called her attention
"So… did he ask about Ash?" said a voice who appeared to be Lance's
"Not actually" answered Lorelei's voice "It seemed he came to the girls because he heard them talking about him"
"And where is this Willfer now? Did you really leave him there?" asked Lance
"Of course not" said Lorelei "After I left the girls I came back and arrested him"
"Good Lorelei" said Lance "He may provide us some good information"
"I think we should be careful Lance" said Lorelei "More of them may be around the city. And now those three girls are on their aim"
"But nothing happened the last three days" said Lance
"That's because I put more people on the streets to be on guard" said Lorelei "But I think they will come after the girls. They still think they know where to find you"
"They will not attack them together. They will wait until one of them to be alone" said Lance
May got scared. Serena's been alone since that terrible day. She could be in danger if left alone
"Do you think the girls have chance to battle them?" asked Lorelei
"The girls called May and Dawn seemed to be good trainers, after all they both won all their three battles on the Tournament so far" said Lance "But this girl that is battling now… Serena. She seems to be good too, but... She is sad"
"Sad?" asked Lorelei
"Yes" said Lance "She seems to be the kind of person that act better with friends by her side. She is feeling alone now… And that's why she is going to lose again"
"I think you are right" said Lorelei "The way things are going, I don't believe she has any chance of winning"
"Serena… is sad" thought May "She is going to lose this battle, and the chance of going to the finals"
May then realized how unfair she had been with Serena. She came all the way from Kalos to Kanto to participate the Tournament and find Ash all by herself. Maybe Serena didn't act right not telling her and Dawn about her feelings for Ash and hiding that she knew about May and Dawn's feelings, but… she was a very good person
"If I enter the cabin to talk with Lance, Serena will lose the battle" thought May "On the other hand… I am so close to finally talk to him. What do I do?"
"I think this is it" said Lance "She has only one Pokémon left"
"Too bad" said Lorelei "I really thought she would go further"
"No. This can't be" said May "I won't allow it"
May then turned away and left running to the field to find Serena. She wanted to help her to compensate how horrible she had been to her
"Has she left already?" asked Lance
"Yes" answered Lorelei "I think she is going to the battle field"
"She really thought we didn't see her coming all the way from the other side of the Stadium until here" said Lance smiling
"But I must confess that she worked pretty well" said Lorelei "Putting all staff asleep with her Venusaur"
"As I said before" started Lance "Those three girls act better when they are together. Apart they will get nowhere, but once they are reunite… they will go far"
"She could enter here and confront you" said Lorelei "But she decided to go help her friend. What does that mean?"
"It means she is putting her love aside for her new friendship" said Lance "At least for now"
"What do you mean" asked Lorelei
"Once they reach their objective they will have to confront each other for the boy's love" said Lance "And I don't want to be around when this day arrives"
May could see the entrance of the field, she was almost there but…
"Hold on little girl" said a security guard at the entrance "Only the two trainers who are battling are allowed on the battle field"
"But I must enter the field" said May "It's my friend who is there. She needs me"
"I am sorry but rules are rules" said the guard
May couldn't believe it, she got so close… and now she could do nothing to help her
"She can enter" said another Security guard
"What?" asked the first guard
"That's right" he said "She can enter. You can go girl"
May didn't even question she entered as fast as she could before they change their minds
"What happened?" asked the first guard
"I just received a message from Lorelei" said the second guard "She said that girl was allowed to enter the Battle field"
Entering the battle field May could see Serena's back, and realized all people were now looking at her
"May?" asked Dawn from the bleachers "What are you doing?
"SERENA" shouted May
Serena turned away and got surprised to see May there "May? What are you doing here?"
"You can beat him" said May "I trust you. Do not bend over to him or anyone else"
Serena was still in shock, was this the same May from three days ago who left her alone at the Hotel?
"I can't" said Serena "I only have one Pokémon left. He has three"
"Don't give up till it's over" said May to Serena
"What?" asked Serena "What did you just say?"
"Don't give up till it's over" she repeated
Serena then remembered her childhood back in Pallet Town during Professor Oak's Summer Camp… Ash said the same thing to her, exactly the same words, and somehow she felt stronger at that situation
"Thank you May" said Serena crying "I thought you hated me"
"I don't hate you Serena" said May "I want to apologize… I was selfish and got jealous of you for some reason. The truth is that I thought I was the one who should find Ash and you and Dawn were supposed to help me…but I see now that we are into this together. Ash is as important to you as he is to me, so we have to work together. And also… I want to be your friend Serena. I am sorry"
"I am sorry as well" said Serena "For keeping the secret from you two. I was selfish too"
"Don't worry about it. Focus on the battle you can still win" said May
"Are you sure" asked Serena
"Yes. She is Serena" said a voice from behind them "And so am I"
"Dawn" said Serena "You are here too"
"Now shut up and fight" said Dawn smiling "You can do it"
"I will do my best" said Serena turning back to the field
"I'm waiting for your last Pokémon" said Talles to Serena
"I am sorry to keep you waiting" said Serena "Here it go"
Serena put her hand into her belt and took her last Poke Ball
"This is my special Pokémon" Said Serena "Go! Noctowl"
Serena threw her Poké Ball revealing a shiny Noctowl
"Hold on" said May "I've seen this Noctowl before"
Serena put her hand into her chest at her heart and blushed "This is Ash's Noctowl" she said
"Ash's Noctowl?" asked May
"Yes" said Serena "When I was training for my last Showcase in Kalos, I wanted so much a Pokémon that would make my last move unforgettable. I wanted a Shiny Pokémon at any cost. Ash, Clemont, Bonnie and I looked for weeks at Forests, Mountains and everywhere we could, but we never found one. I was so sad. So one day prior to my last showcase, he lent me his Noctowl. He said its color would shiny trough all Kalos and would make me the winner. And so it happened. When I tried to give Noctowl back to him, he said that I should keep It. That way I would ever have a reason to shiny stronger than the sun"
"That's so beautiful Serena" said May
"And that's why Noctowl will give me this victory" said Serena
"Too much talking" said Talled "Nidoqueen, use Ice beam" said Talles
"Noctowl use double team and avoid the attack" said Serena
"Noctowl avoided Nidoqueen's attack" said the narrator to all stadium "Will Serena change the end of this battle?"
"Noctowl use Psychic" said Serena to her Pokémon who obeyed at the same moment
"Wow this attack was super effective against Nidoqueen, and it seems Nidoqueen is down" said the narrator
"Nidoqueen come back" said Talles "This was just luck. Now try to beat this one. GO! Ursaring" said Talled revealing his bear Pokémon
"This is a very strong Pokémon" said Dawn "Don't let your guard down Serena"
"I won't give you enough time to react" said Talles "Ursaring use Hyper beam and finish her"
"Ursaring is preparing its most powerful attack" said the narrator "Will this be the end of Noctowl?"
"Noctowl use Protect" said Serena
"What?' said Talles
"Noctowl involved itself into a circle of light and Ursaring attack failed" said the narrator "Now Ursaring must recharge for one turn and cannot attack"
"This will be enough" said Serena "Noctowl use hypnosis"
"Oh my God" said the narrator "Ursaring fell asleep"
"Very good Serena" said May
"Now Noctowl use Dream Eater" said Serena
"Noctowl is sucking Ursaring's force and making him weaker while it's still asleep" said the Narrator
"Ursaring wake up" shouted Talles, but nothing happened "Damn it"
"Noctowl use mimic" said Serena "Learn one of Ursaring's moves"
"What?" asked Talles
"Noctowl use the move you just learned" said Serena
"This is unbelievable" said the Narrator "Noctowl seemed to have learned Ursaring's Hammer Arm, a fighting move"
"Fighting moves are super effective against normal types" said May
"I told you she was good" said Dawn smiling
"And now Ursaring is also down due to his own move" said the narrator "How ironic"
"I can't believe this" said Talles "Now I have just one Pokémon left"
"Let your last Pokémon out" said Serena "I am going to destroy it as well"
"Serena is starting to scare me" said Dawn
"Me too" said May "Let's just cheer for her"
"Now it depends on you" said Talles looking to the Poke Ball at his hand "Go! Nosepass" said Talles revealing his last Pokémon
"Ladies and Gentlemen, when we thought the battle was going to be easy for Talles, Serena re-born from ashes like a Fenix and she is just one Pokémon to victory" said the narrator
"Well, I really re-born from ASHes" said Serena
"Terrible Joke" said Dawn
"That's why she is a trainer and not a comedian" said May
"I can hear you" said Serena looking behind
"Good" said May "So don't try to make a joke again"
"Yeah, you suck at it" said Dawn
"Let's the final round begins" said the narrator
"It's a rock type" thought Serena "If I use Psychic I will win"
"Nosepass run to Noctowl" said Talles
"What?" asked Serena "Noctowl wait for him"
Talles Nosepass started running direct to Serena's Noctowl
"When Nosepass gets close I will order Noctowl to use Psychic and this battle will finish" thought Serena
"There is something strange" said May
"I know" answered Dawn "There are no reasons to Talles asks Nosepass to run to Serena's Noctowl"
"Wait. I know what he wants to do" said May "SERENA askes Noctowl to fly"
"What?" asked Serena "Why?"
"Too late" said Talles "Nosepass use explosion"
Serena had no time to react, Nosepass exploded making dust go everywhere. It was impossible to see something
"Why did he do that?" asked Dawn
"If both Serena and Talles are out of usable Pokémon at the same time, this battle will end as a draw" said May
"Oh no" said Dawn "Both of them will get just one point"
"Talles will stay with ten points at the first position and Serena just one" said May
"It will be almost impossible for Serena to go to the finals if she didn't win and get three points today" said Dawn
After almost a minute the dust started to go away, and it was possible to see both Pokémons at the floor.
"Ladies and gentlemen" said the narrator "It seems both trainers are out of usable Pokémon so the referee is declaring….."
"Wait" shouted a voice from up the bleachers
Everybody looked up to see whom the voice came from
"It's Lorelei' said Serena
"Referee look again at number 77 Pokémon" said Lorelei
The referee entered the field and saw something that changed the end of the battle
"Noctowl's wing is moving" said the referee
"What?" asked Talles
"Noctowl" said Serena "You resisted to the explosion"
"GET UP NOCTOWL" shouted Dawn "GET UP NOW"
"Don't scream Dawn" said May "I already told you not to do that"
"But Noctowl needs us" said Dawn "We must give him energy"
May looked at Dawn's eyes, it was shining, maybe even more than Noctowl
"Wharever" said May "GET UP NOCTOWL"
"Very good May" said Dawn
Noctowl suddenly started to move more and more, until he got on his feet and stood up.
"Noctowl is unable to battle but it's still up, however, Nosepass can no longer continue. So I declare Serena and Noctowl the winners" said the Referee
All Stadium went crazy, shouts and songs were listened all over the place. Serena the number 77 had defeated Talles, Johto champion and number 09 of the Rank
"I did it?" asked Serena "I DID IT" shouted Serena entering the field and taking Noctowl into her arms "Thank you so much Noctowl. You were amazing! Thank you" said Serena
Noctowl smiled to his trainers , he was also happy to have helped Serena winning her first battle at the Tournament.
At the same time May and Dawn also entered the field and hugged Serena and Noctowl as well
"Very good Serena" said Dawn "I knew you would do it"
"Congratulations Serena" said May "You were amazing"
"Thank you girls for being by my side" said Serena "I wouldn't be able to do it without you. Are we friends again?"
"Do you have to ask?" said May
"Of course we are" said Dawn
"And thank you Lorelei….." Serena started to say turning to where Lorelei was a couple of minutes ago but…
"She is gone" said Serena
May looked to the Elite Four Cabin "Lance is not there anymore as well" said May
"Lance?" asked Serena
"He was watching your battle" said Dawn "But he must have left before the end"
"I am sorry girls" said Serena "Because of me we lost him"
"Don't worry" said May "We will have another chance"
"At the grand finale" said Dawn
"Now let's go take your Pokémon to the Pokémon Center as fast as we can" said May
"That's right" said Dawn "And let's get prepared because May and I are still going to battle today"
"Okay" said Serena "Let's go"
And then the three girls left the Stadium to the Pokémon Center
While they left, they couldn't imagine someone was watching them carefully, and it was not the Elite Four
"So.. that's the three girls I heard about" said a man in a dark overall
"That's right" said a second man next to the first
"They are interesting but it is not them we are looking after all" said the first man
"No" the second answered "He was at the VIP cabin, but it was well guarded"
"We will have our shot anytime" said the first man "But while this doesn't come, let's keep an eye on those girls as well. They may be important to our plans in the future"
"Yes" said the second man "Principally if we ever run into the Boy"
And then the two men turned away and vanished into the people