Okay this one came out kinda fast, but I don't think there will be any complaints. Maybe from me because I have to go to school on Monday and I need to think about how to start the next chapter... Oh well what can you do? So any ways, this is the kinda second part that follows chapter 7. ehhhhh hard to explain just read. AND JUST A FRIENDLY REMINDER: I don't own any such Pokémon but it would be kinda cool to, but I won't... ever. OKAY!
Chapter 8: Riley
The room was filled with dust, and Riley was both blinded and choking by it. When it finally settled more he opened his eyes only to find his trusted Metang had fainted. He recalled it and thought for awhile before he chose his next Pokémon. This gym battle wasn't going well at all. His foe's Marowak barely looked fazed by any of the attacks that he threw at him. Riley had only two out of his five Pokémon left. His Steelix, Mawile, and Lairon were taken out the same way as Metang. It would use swords dance the moment that Riley couldn't move, then bonemerang, and while his Pokémon were getting over the shock of the hit he would use rock slide. Marowak gets stronger each time he uses swords dance and it takes less time to KO any of his Pokémon.
Not good not good. I didn't train for almost a year just to lose again. He's gotten better, so why haven't I? Arg, it's only Skarmory and Lucario left to battle with. Lucario might last the battle, but I need him to fight the last Pokémon, and Skarmory's training isn't complete yet! How am I going to get out of this one? I can't forfeit! I just can't forfeit… Not again at least. What was I thinking, me, ready for this battle, puh-lease, I wasn't ready a year ago so why would I be now?
"Um, Riles? Are you home there pal? It's your move you know."
"Don't call me Riles! I know it's my turn, I'm just strategizing so I can finally beat you!"
"Ha! Don't make me laugh! The day you finally beat me will be the day that you finally find that… Oh what's her name? That's when you'll beat me! Ha ha ha ha ha!"
Riley was annoyed now, how dare he bring her into this! "Her name is Aurora, and today is the day I defeat you!"
"You, my friend, are rather confident in yourself now. So let's get on with the battle and see who the superior battler is today!"
Riley had a fire in his eyes; he was determined to win now. "Alrighty then, c'mon Skarmory we've got to win this! Now Skarmory whatever you do watch your back!"
"Heh, heh, heh. Marowak, use swords dance."
"Quick Skarmory, use swift while you can!"
Both Pokémon did as told, only while Marowak was in the middle of swords dance Skarmory's swift took a direct hit to him. It left it looking stunned from a hit for once. Riley decided to use this to give his next Pokémon a bit of an edge. "Skarmory now use spikes!" The Pokémon did as it was told; it was delighted to be able to help his master in a gym battle.
"Now use rock slide on the ground to get up to Skarmory, Marowak."
No! What is he planning this time? This is new… I just hope that Skarmory has good reflexes in the heat of a gym battle! "Skarmory use furry attack while you still can!"
The talons on Skarmory were glowing and it sped in for the kill. It finally reached the Marowak and it landed hard.
"Oh no, Marowak! Quick you must find an opening and use bonemerang!"
The exhausted Marowak threw the bone right at Skarmory as it fell off the platform it created for itself. The bone was a critical hit and knocked Skarmory right out. But the moment Marowak landed on the ground it too was knocked out. The referee raised both of his flags. "Both Pokémon are unable to battle! …Riley you've only got one last shot at this or it's another loss for you. Do you want to withdraw?"
"What? You mean forfeit? …Not on your life Reese, not on your life. Skarmory return! I've got one Pokémon left and he's ready for you Derek!"
"Oooo, I'm so frightened. This Pokémon doesn't happen to be a certain Lucario I recall is it?"
"I'm afraid it is Derek. Be prepared for this!"
Derek only smiled. He brushed his long, spiky, ecru hair from his face. In doing so he exposed his gleaming fulvous eyes that stared into Riley's soul. It made Riley feel uneasy about this next battle. Derek smile grew into a wild grin as Riley threw out his Pokémon and made his last remark to him. "You know, it isn't too late to forfeit. You might prefer to regret that choice than to have stayed and battled."
"No, I'd much rather go down fighting than not at all! Otherwise this battle was for nothing, and I'm not going to have this battle for nothing! Is that clear Derek?"
"…Crystal. Come on out Pupitar!" The moment it came out the spikes left some damage on it.
"…Wha…Why?"
"You see Riley I got tired of your Lucario always knocking out my strongest Pokémon, so I chose to do something verygym leader-ish. I chose to change things up a bit and cause a small challenge for you. Otherwise, yes you would've won today. Well, I wish you the best of luck."
"… Wha…Umm, right, use aura sphere at Pupitar, Lucario!"
The pale sphere that was hurdling across the stadium brought back memories for Riley as it always has, back to Eterna forest and an unlucky tree. No! I've got to stay focused!He brought himself back to the stadium. The sphere made a direct hit on Pupitar and caused a lot of damage. Why this could be quite easy couldn't it? I… wait, he didn't give a command, and then that means something is up, but what?
The grin stayed on Derek's face. "Pupitar, after that I believe a, payback is in order."
Riley gasped. I should've seen this coming! Why else would he have let his Pokémon take so much damage, but then to give me double of it!"Lucario, hurry and dodge it!" Riley's Lucario moved as fast as he could but the payback hit him and left Lucario's health greatly depleted. "Lucario are you alright?" The jackal like beast picked his head up and nodded with a grunt. "Great! Now remember, Pupitar took a lot of damage too so… Aura sphere now Lucario!"
"Pupitar dodge it will you?" The Pupitar moved with such ease and elegance you could've sworn that it was fine. It left the pale sphere to run into the concrete wall and the smoke hid the crafty Pupitar.
"Lucario stay on your guard!"
"Good job Pupitar, now let's get this over with. Finish this battle up with earthquake!"
"No! Lucario!" Once the trembling started it brought the 14 year old trainer to his knees. He looked up at Derek and saw him standing there. He was like a brown and orange blur to Riley. Once the tremor finally stopped Riley looked for his Pokémon, there he was in the middle of the field unconscious. The trainer ran towards his friend and cradled in his arms. In the background he heard the referee pronounce the battle over.
Oh Lucario, I'm so sorry. I thought that for sure this was our battle. Please forgive me…
"Well done Riley. I'm impressed that you got this far. Your training appears to be finally paying off."
"Lucario, return…" Riley held the Pokéball for awhile while Derek stuck his hand out for Riley to help him up. Riley stood up ignoring the hand.
"You know Riley I think that you should pay a visit to Iron Island. Didn't your family own the mine there? You could get lots of training done there, and stand a better chance of winning."
"Yeah they owned the mine, but that doesn't mean that I'll actually improve on the island."
"Then stay there until you've memorized the whole thing by heart. Then you can come see me."
Riley stared at Derek. He was the trainer when Riley was the boy, now Riley is the trainer and Derek the leader. All it is is a bad race where he will always be ahead of me. By time I come back here there might be a new gym leader.
"Okay then Riles?"
Riley glared at him. "I told you not to call me that, and yes, okay."
"Good!" Derek took Riley's hat and ruffled his dark hair.
"Knock it off Derek! Okay look I'm getting the pass now! See?" Riley eagerly snatched his cap and left the gym running from Derek. "Stop it Derek! I'm too old for this! OW! You jerk!" Riley ran even faster when Derek ended his chase by kicking Riley in the rear to get him moving.
Riley was out of breath by time he got to the station of various ferry rides to different places. He got one pass for tomorrows ferry ride to Iron Island. He didn't want to go, but he knew that if he wanted to improve he would have to visit the last place he wanted to go, Iron Island.