Welcome to the Ikimono League
By Neko (Silver Tru-Neko)
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon.
Author's Note: Wow, thanks for the amazing reviews everyone ^.^ Enjoy, and see what challenges our heroes face next...
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Chapter 15 – Double Trouble!!
Ash struggled to calm his buzzing thoughts. Okay, so there were two gym leaders. Big deal! He and Pikachu could take them both out easily. He remembered what he had seen of Alex and Cole's fight in the park; judging by that, neither of the twins was a particularly good trainer. He, who had been through two leagues and the Orange Islands, as well as three-quarters of Ikimono, was sure to best them.
Ash raised a fist. "All right! Let's battle!"
Rachel rolled her eyes once more. "What did I tell you? You don't know the rules yet."
"In this gym," began Alex, "We fight with a two-on-two system. Each trainer is allowed three Pokémon total, and can switch if he – or she –" he added with a glance at Rachel, "wants after any Pokémon is knocked out. The goal is to defeat all of the other team's Pokémon. In other words, you have to beat all of our Pokémon to win."
"Wait," spoke up Brock, "That doesn't make sense. Ash gets three Pokémon against your six? How is that two-on-two?"
"It's not just Pokémon two-on-two," Rachel explained, shooting a glance at Misty and Brock. "It's two trainers versus two trainers as well."
Misty gulped; Ash gazed wide-eyed at his friends, silently pleading with them.
"Well, Ash," said Brock, exchanging a glance with Misty. "Which one of us do you want to fight with you?"
"Uhh," Ash said intelligently, wondering why he had to decide. Both trainers specialized in a certain type, unlike him; Brock with rock-ground type and Misty, water. However, Brock also had a variety of other Pokémon, and Ash supposed his experience would be helpful. He turned his pleading eyes on his friend.
"Brock?" Brock nodded, unbothered.
"I'll watch from the stands, then," Misty murmured, wishing them a quiet "Good luck" as she left. Togepi waved its tiny arms.
Ash and Brock moved into position, side-by-side in the trainers' square; as Rachel and Alex moved away, Brock spoke to him in a low tone.
"I'm guessing, Ash, by their pet Pokémon and the badge's name, that they specialize in Eevee and its evolutions," he murmured furtively. "That gives them a variety of types to work with, so we'll have to be ready for anything. On the other hand, that limits their choices."
Ash remembered Cole's words: All types. He nodded, finally understanding what he had meant. Eevee's evolutions spanned psychic, dark, fire, water, and electric types.
The scoreboard suddenly illuminated as Rachel and Alex took up their positions. Four columns displayed each trainer's name, with three spaces below for images of their Pokémon as the battle went on.
"Let the match begin!" shouted Alex. He turned to his twin. "Ladies first."
Rachel selected a Poké ball. "Shut up, Alex!" she growled as she tossed the ball.
In a burst of light, an Umbreon took shape directly across from Ash. He braced himself.
I've never fought one before, he reflected, but I know Gary has one! Thinking of his rival made him reach for a Poké ball, but Brock stopped him. Alex was making his move.
"Eevee, it's your turn!"
Eevee bounded into the ring eagerly, pausing beside Umbreon with a cheerful greeting.
Now Ash flung a ball into the air. "Bayleef, I choose you!"
Bayleef flashed into being, happily scurrying to Ash's side. Brock nodded encouragingly to Ash before pulling out a Poké ball. "Geodude, go!"
Ash decided to attack before Umbreon got its chance; he knew how powerful it could be, once it got going. "Bayleef, razor leaf attack!"
"Leef!" Swinging its powerful head, Bayleef summoned a swarm of leaves that it sent flying toward Umbreon.
At the same time, Brock ordered Geodude to use rock throw on Eevee.
"Umbreon! Feint attack!"
Just as the leaves bore down on Umbreon, the dark Pokémon flickered…and disappeared! Ash gasped.
"Eevee, quick attack!" Eevee bounded out of the way of the plummeting stone and streaked toward Geodude; surprised, Geodude was smashed backward by a powerful head butt.
For a moment, Ash was distracted by the sudden display of Eevee's speed; it certainly hadn't flown like that against Cole's Charmander!
"Leef!" Bayleef suddenly cried, and Ash turned his attention back to his battle. Umbreon had materialized again, and landed onto Bayleef's back. As the Pokémon twisted, trying to reach it, Umbreon sank in its teeth.
Bayleef shrieked again, and Ash commanded, "Quick, vine whip it off!"
Bayleef lashed out, but already Umbreon had disappeared. It was so fast!
"Umbreon, take down!" ordered Rachel. Ash then saw it darting sideways, running straight at Geodude!
"Brock, look out!" Ash yelled; Brock glanced sideways at the lunging Umbreon and shot back, "Watch yourself!"
For as Umbreon crashed into Geodude, Eevee had latched on to Bayleef's front leg, clawing for all it was worth. Bayleef sank to the ground, unmoving.
Ash gaped as first Bayleef, then Geodude crumpled from the simultaneous attacks. Umbreon and Eevee moved into defensive positions in front of their trainers, growling.
The scoreboard flashed. "Bayleef and Geodude are unable to battle! Challengers, select your next Pokémon!" The two Pokémon's pictures faded from the board; Eevee and Umbreon, triumphant, still remained.
Ash growled, "That's cheating!"
"It isn't, actually," smiled Rachel. "It's a two-on-two battle, after all."
Ash glowered, but there was nothing he could do. Brock selected his next Poké ball.
"Sorry, Ash," he apologized, "I wasn't expecting that…but let's see how they handle…Vulpix!" The small fox Pokémon appeared before Eevee, singing out and then crouching into a position to match Eevee's.
Ash decided to match Umbreon's speed with brute strength. Let's see how its attacks affect this! he smiled, tossing the ball. "Charizard, go!"
With a roar Charizard materialized, tail lashing. It glared down at Umbreon.
"A Charizard, huh?" said Rachel. "In that case… Umbreon, return!"
Ash grimaced; he'd forgotten they, too, could switch their Pokémon. Rachel recalled Umbreon before smiling down at her own Eevee. "Your turn, now."
Eevee skipped into the area; Ash blinked in amazement. To return her more powerful choice…for this?
"Eevee, return!" called Alex; his Eevee turned tail and ran to his side. He chose a ball. "Now, I choose you…Ninetales!"
Vulpix's evolved form! Ash noted as the silky cream fox took up position. This will be interesting…
"Okay, Charizard! Flamethrower!" Charizard lazily spewed fire at Eevee; the smaller Pokémon darted away. Just as Ash had feared, it was as fast as Alex's was.
"Vulpix! You too!"
Brock's Pokémon responded with its own fire attack; Ninetales leaped over the blaze, striking Vulpix with a paw as it landed.
"Vuuul!" cried Vulpix, flying backward. It struggled back to its paws, shaking its head.
"Eevee, let's try quick attack!" ordered Rachel. Eevee swept past Charizard – the fire Pokémon craned its head, surprised, as Eevee instead bore down on Vulpix.
"Vulpix, look out!" cried Brock; Vulpix's head shot up, eyes focusing on Ninetales. It didn't realize the approaching danger until Eevee slammed into it.
Ash saw now that Ninetales was distracted. "Charizard, again! This time aim for Ninetales!"
Charizard yawned wide, unleashing a swirl of fire on the unsuspecting Pokémon. Ash grinned, seeing Ninetales yowl in pain and shake itself.
"Two can play this game!" he yelled to the twins. "Now, Charizard, take out Eevee! Hit it with your tail!"
Charizard swung his mighty blazing tail; before Eevee could react, it was sent flying into the air.
"That's it!" congratulated Ash, but suddenly he frowned. Ninetales had launched itself into the air; as Eevee fell, it caught the small Pokémon in its jaws and landed lightly, setting Eevee down beside it.
"I must admit, you're learning," said Alex.
Rachel smiled. "But we're better. Eevee, skull bash!"
"Eeeeee!" Eevee charged once more at Vulpix.
"Tackle it back!" yelled Brock; the fox Pokémon ran at one another, each determined. Ash gaped at the collision about to occur.
A sickening crack split the air as Eevee and Vulpix hit each other head-on. With a pained cry Vulpix slumped, Eevee toppling over it a moment later.
"Vulpix, no!" gasped Brock, at the same time Rachel cried, "Eevee!"
Both trainers ran to their injured Pokémon's side as the scoreboard blared unnecessarily, "Eevee and Vulpix are unable to battle. Trainers, choose your next Pokémon."
Rachel gently lifted Eevee, carrying it back to her place at the head of the room. Her face softened as she cradled it. "You did your best, Eevee, thanks."
Brock returned Vulpix, rising. He looked slightly shaken. "All right, then, looks like I'm down to…Onix!"
The huge rock snake crowded the floor, bellowing as it took in its competitor.
Rachel and Alex exchanged barely a moment's glance.
"My turn, then," Rachel said, with her usual smirk. "It's up to you…Dragonair!"
She flung the Poké ball, a long blue-and-white Pokémon coming to life. Ash and Brock gasped.
"You can use that?" Brock wondered, shocked. "It's not one of Eevee's types!"
Rachel stuck her hands on her hips. "Problem with that?"
Brock faltered under her glare. "Uh, I guess not…"
"Then let's get this show on the road!" Alex clenched a fist. "Ninetales, fire spin! Aim for its head!"
Ninetales craned its head back, unleashing a blast of fire into Onix's eyes. Roaring, the Pokémon jerked back.
"Dragonair! Wrap!" Rachel said quickly; in a flash Dragonair had twined its elegant body around Charizard. Snarling, the fire lizard tried to pry it off.
"Now, hyper beam!" Dragonair opened its mouth, shooting a beam of light at its prey. Charizard roared in pain; Dragonair slipped back as Charizard stumbled and then crashed to the ground, unmoving.
Ash gasped, "No! Charizard!" He couldn't believe it; two moves, and his Pokémon was down for the count.
"Charizard is unable to battle!" the scoreboard said neutrally.
Ash took a breath. "Last chance," he mumbled. "It's all up to you now, Pikachu!"
"Pika!" Pikachu, determined, jumped down to face Dragonair.
"Pikachu, thundershock!" ordered Ash, intending to start this battle his way. Pikachu clenched its small fists, electricity crackling from its cheeks before streaking toward Dragonair.
"Thunder wave it back!" yelled Rachel; sparks shot from Dragonair's horn, holding back Pikachu's attack.
Meanwhile, Brock ordered Onix to bind Ninetales; as the rock snake moved to obey, Ninetales darted aside and raced for Pikachu.
"Pikachu! Look out!"
Pikachu looked up in time to see Ninetales bearing down on it. In desperation, it shot its lightning attack at Ninetales instead.
"Niiiine!" wailed Ninetales, twitching and collapsing to the floor. Dragonair swung out suddenly with its tail.
Pikachu went flying back from the force of the blow, hitting the ground and rolling.
"Onix, now's our chance! Slam!"
Onix's tail swept across the battlefield; Dragonair flew aside with ease, Ninetales jumping the obstacle. Onix was determined to catch something this time, however; it wrapped itself around Ninetales while the Pokémon was in midair.
Thrashing, Ninetales cried out. Onix tightened its grip, growling faintly.
"Finish it! Slam again!" urged Brock.
Rachel called, "Dragonair! Wrap!"
Dragonair caught Pikachu in its folds as the Pokémon was distracted. Pikachu cried out at the same moment Onix flung Ninetales into the wall.
"Ninetales is unable to battle," reported the scoreboard as Ninetales slid to the floor.
Alex padded over to his Pokémon's side, stroking it gently. "Good work, Ninetales. Return."
He stepped up to the field, another ball in hand. "Now, Espeon!"
In a flash, a strange purple cat appeared before them. Its twin tails waved in the air as it took in the scene.
"What is that?" wondered Ash, opening his Pokédex.
"Espeon," chirped Dexter, "the sunlight Pokémon. It uses its tail to sense changes in the atmosphere."
"O-kay," said Ash, peering uncertainly at the new Pokémon. That certainly wasn't helpful.
"Pika!!" Pikachu's pained cry drew Ash's attention back to the battle; Pikachu was struggling in Dragonair's tightening embrace.
"Pikachu, shock it!" he yelled desperately. Pikachu charged up, sparks flying from its cheeks. There was no way Dragonair could counter now!
"Espeon!" barked Alex, but he did not continue. Espeon waved its tails.
Pikachu stopped its attack suddenly, eyes widening. A purple glow surrounded it. Ash gawked.
"Pikachu!"
Pikachu drifted up into the air, held in place by Espeon's psychic attack.
"Dragonair, slam!" ordered Rachel, at the same time Brock cried out to Onix.
"Stop Espeon!"
Many things happened at once: Onix lunged for Espeon, when the catlike Pokémon suddenly turned its glare on it. Pikachu, released from its psychic hold, tumbled from the air. Dragonair's tail struck out, sending the small mouse crashing into the wall.
"Pikachu!" Horrified, Ash ran to his Pokémon's side. Pikachu opened its eyes; relief flowed through Ash's body. But already the scoreboard was announcing its exemption.
Ash and Pikachu now turned to see Dragonair circling Brock's Onix; Espeon stood before it, eyes glittering.
"Onix!" Brock gasped; Ash now saw the faint purple glow around the giant Pokémon. Espeon had it frozen!
"Dragonair, I think it's time to wrap things up," grinned Rachel. "Hyper beam!"
Dragonair rose up, mouth agape. Suddenly a white blast struck Onix, sending it roiling backward. Bellowing at the direct hit, Onix fell…and lay still.
"All the challengers' Pokémon are unable to battle," reported the scoreboard. "Gym leaders Alex and Rachel are the winners."
Dragonair flew back to Rachel, accepting a pat on the head. "Great job," she grinned, before turning back to Ash and Brock with a shrug. "Sorry, boys. Better luck next time."
To be continued...
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