Welcome to the Ikimono League
By Neko (Silver Tru-Neko)
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon. Seriously.
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Chapter 24 – To the Last!!
The gym lay before them, a stretch of hard dirt floor painted with white gym lines. It looked perfectly normal – yet, like everything else in Ikimono, it couldn't be, Gary thought automatically. Although – he reasoned – although it would throw them all a loop to bring out something that was normal in the end of this battle.
"The Balance Arena," breathed the announcer, "the sixth and final arena. Let's see how they take it!"
Ash nodded to Charizard; the Pokémon stepped onto the field. As its left foot hit the ground Charizard roared in surprise: the field sank under its weight, the opposite end lifting slightly.
The Balance Arena, Ash thought with a jolt. Literally!
The terrain shifted again as Blastoise stepped aboard. Both Pokémon moved uneasily toward centre field, the arena slowly balancing out as they did.
I know Charizard's slightly heavier than Blastoise, Gary theorized. But if Ash decides to send it flying, Blastoise will have to balance out the field on its own. It'll only be able to stay at midfield without tipping the whole arena!
Gary cursed under his breath; it looked like Ash and Charizard had the upper hand here. Well, he wasn't about to give up that easily!
I've got to keep Charizard grounded as long as possible, he reflected. Then Blastoise can attack freely. So…
"Charizard, flamethrower!" ordered Ash.
Gary saw his opening. "Blastoise, shell attack!"
Blastoise retreated into its shell, spinning rapidly toward Charizard. The Pokémon collided, Charizard flying backward. Blastoise righted itself, snorting; the field sloped dangerously, both Pokémon standing on Ash's side of the ring.
"Now, hydro pump!"
Water exploded from Blastoise's twin cannons, striking Charizard as it tried to rise. Roaring furiously, Charizard stumbled and slashed at the onslaught.
"Quick, Charizard, fly!"
At this Charizard escaped into the sky, circling over the arena. Blastoise staggered, the ground bucking beneath it; Gary swiftly guided it to centre field.
So it can only stay there, huh, Ash observed, or else the arena goes haywire. Looks like now's our chance!
"Charizard, seismic toss!" commanded Ash. Charizard swooped in, arms outstretched. Blastoise quickly countered with a jet of water to its face; Charizard fell back, snarling.
"Good work!" called Gary. "Now water gun again!"
Ash wasn't about to let that happen. "Charizard, keep flying! Don't stop!"
Charizard looped around the stadium, Blastoise following it with its cannons. Each shot narrowly missed the flying dragon, however.
Ash grinned, knowing he had Gary stymied. As long as Charizard keeps out of range… "Charizard! Flamethrower!"
Charizard turned, aiming a powerful jet of fire at Blastoise; rapidly the other Pokémon blasted it aside with water gun. It looked like a stalemate!
I can't hit it unless Charizard moves in, Ash reasoned, and neither can Gary. I've got to do something quickly!
"Charizard, land and try fire spin!" Ash suggested.
The fire dragon swooped down suddenly before Blastoise could reload, its weight causing the arena to sway up and down. Blastoise stumbled, trying to steady itself.
"Now!"
Fire spiralled from Charizard's mouth, quickly engulfing Blastoise in a hungry blaze.
"Blastoise, retreat!" Gary yelled; Blastoise slipped into its shell defensively. The carapace clattered to the floor, another uncontrollable shift in balance. This time Charizard faltered, catching the ground with all fours.
"Blastoise, you all right?" called Gary; a blue head poked out from the shell. Nodding, reassured, Gary now commanded, "Hydro pump!"
Blastoise aimed at Charizard, unleashing a torrent of water. It struck low, the water sloshing over the ground and dripping over Charizard's lower edge of the arena. The fire Pokémon thrashed, roaring and slipping in mud.
Ash panicked, knowing if Charizard remained down Blastoise would only score another hit. "Charizard! Counter with flamethrower!"
Charizard twisted to face Blastoise, fire in its gaze as it exhaled a plume of flames. Blastoise again retracted into its shell, scorch marks now blackening its hard contours.
I've got to finish this, Gary thought. One more attack should do it.
"Blastoise!" he called, the Pokémon reappearing battle-ready. "One more hydro pump! Get ready!"
"Charizard, seismic toss now!" Ash screamed.
Charizard rushed at Blastoise as it geared up for its attack; taking Blastoise by surprise, it hoisted the turtle Pokémon into the air. As it had before, Charizard swung around and around, enough to dizzy any opponent.
Ash grinned, watching the show. It was over; no Pokémon could withstand a seismic toss at this point. He looked pointedly at Gary and was taken aback to see the other trainer smiling, head tilted up to see the Pokémon fly by.
"Now, Blastoise!" Gary shouted.
What? Ash's head whipped around to stare in shock as water suddenly exploded from Blastoise's cannons. In mid-flight Charizard bellowed, soaked; releasing its captive, it tumbled downward.
Free falling, Blastoise hit the ground first. It had tactfully withdrawn so its shell spun unencumbered on the floor before sliding to a stop in the mud. Seconds later Charizard slammed to the ground, choking out a snarl.
"Charizard!" Heart in throat, Ash waited for his Pokémon to rise. Slowly, exhausted and waterlogged, Charizard pushed itself up on trembling arms. On all fours, it turned to face its opponent.
Blastoise emerged, shaken and scratched; the Pokémon stared each other down a long moment, neither moving.
Ash started to grin; hardy Charizard had come through, after all! He spared a glance across the court to see Gary, silently observing.
"Excellent work, Charizard!" cheered Ash. "Now-"
He stopped short as suddenly Charizard gave a low growl. He whirled, staring wide-eyed as Charizard's eyes rolled back, the Pokémon slowly slumping to the ground. At the same instant Blastoise toppled over, lying prone and unmoving.
Ash gasped. "No, Charizard!"
Both of the referee's flags shot up. "Blastoise and Charizard are unable to battle!"
For one shocked, silent moment the crowd absorbed this simultaneous knockout; Ash's mind was blank. Then the stands exploded with noise.
"Wow, what an impressive finish!" the announcer exclaimed. "Blastoise and Charizard take each other out with their strongest moves! Looks like it's all down to the final match now; both trainers only have one Pokémon left!"
Ash returned Charizard, still disbelieving. Pikachu nudged him gently, and he turned, seemingly revived. "Well, it's all down to you, Pikachu!"
"Pika!" agreed Pikachu, stepping up to the plate.
Gary retrieved Blastoise, intrigued by this turn of events. I couldn't have asked for a better finish, he thought, smiling down at Blastoise's ball. "Good work."
The suspense hung thick in the air as he reached for his final choice.
"All right, Umbreon, your turn!"
Umbreon appeared faithfully at his side in a flash of light; it sank into a battle crouch, eyes on Pikachu.
"It's Pikachu versus Umbreon in today's last match," revealed the announcer. "And for our last arena…" The Balance Arena faded, a black pit hanging between the trainers as they waited for the last field to appear.
Ash's heart thumped in his chest; he felt the very air vibrating in anticipation for this final round. What would it be? Quicksand – treacherous to both Pokémon? The Pit Arena, a dangerous battlefield? The mysterious Mirror Arena, or perhaps the nearly destroyed Multi-Level Arena? Alternatively, would Geyser Arena make a final appearance?
Ash tensed as the field rose into view. A wave of sound grew, crashing against his eardrums. This was it!
"And it's the Mirror Arena!" crowed the announcer. "Have these trainers figured it out yet? Let's find out in the last match-up of the Canine Cup challenge!"
Ash gazed over the maze of mirrors leading to the other side of the field, swallowing hard. Last time Noctowl had taken its fatal fall here. But Pikachu wouldn't make that mistake!
Ash nodded to his Pokémon; returning the determined look, Pikachu sprinted into the arena. Umbreon padded into the ring from the other side.
Okay. Ash took a breath, examining the arena closely. Now he could see that there were four upright mirrors shaped into corners framing the centre of the field; there was also a mirror standing alone in the very centre. Between all these, he caught fragments of his opponent and his Pokémon. He couldn't forget the wall of mirrors bordering the court, or the reflective floor, either.
Gotta use them to my advantage somehow, Ash reflected. "Okay, Pikachu! Quick attack!"
"Umbreon! Once it gets to the centre, use quick attack to circle it!"
Pikachu ran forward, slightly surprised to see Umbreon charging straight back at it. Pikachu now passed into the group of centre mirrors, and Umbreon darted aside, looping around the middle mirror at high speed. Pikachu slid to a stop, confused, watching as it caught flickers of Umbreon in the mirrors boxing it in.
Ash had to admit Gary had a good strategy there: Pikachu wouldn't be able to tell where Umbreon was, distracted by all the reflections.
"Pikachu! Thunder!"
Pikachu charged up; Ash knew this attack would hit everything in a certain range around his Pokémon. No matter where Umbreon went, it couldn't hide from Pikachu's thunder!
"Umbreon, feint attack!" ordered Gary. Ash caught sight of a black blur as Umbreon leaped high above Pikachu.
"Above you!" he cried, anxious. Pikachu glanced up to see Umbreon descend on it, paws outstretched.
"Pikaaa!" A single blow sent Pikachu flying.
"Pikachu!" Ash gasped, but his Pokémon was already on its feet, growling. Pikachu wasn't about to lose after all that!
Smiling, Ash said, "Okay, now thundershock!"
"Dodge it, Umbreon!"
Umbreon darted sideways as Pikachu aimed a bolt of lightning at it; however, it found itself blockaded by mirrors.
"Brii!" Umbreon jerked, lightning coursing through it. Turning, it snarled at Pikachu.
"Don't give up! Quick attack again!"
Umbreon cantered toward Pikachu, smashing it aside with its shoulder. The powerful blow sent Pikachu careening into a mirror; in an explosion of shards, it fell through.
"Pikachu!"
"Pikaa!" Pikachu hopped to its feet, sparks flying from its cheeks. It cleared the glass in one bound, ignorant to the cuts along its striped back. Pikachu faced off against Umbreon once more.
"Pikachu, thundershock!"
"Dodge behind the mirrors!" countered Gary. Umbreon darted aside, Pikachu's attack bouncing harmlessly off the smooth glass. Glowering, Pikachu looked once more for its target.
"Quick attack now, Umbreon!" called Gary.
Invisible, Umbreon streaked around the field. Pikachu and Ash strained to see it, but speed coupled with visual barriers gave Umbreon the advantage here.
Suddenly red eyes glowed right before Pikachu; it jumped back in terror, but it was too late. Umbreon barrelled into it, Pikachu tumbling away and sliding across the glass floor.
"Now, hidden power!"
Umbreon's eyes began to glow menacingly. Ash, remembering what Rachel's Umbreon had done to Charizard, begged, "Pikachu, thundershock quick!"
Pikachu lashed out with a fierce bolt of energy, stopping Umbreon mid-strike. The dark Pokémon's feet slid from under it at the same time Pikachu doubled over in pain.
Oh, no! Ash panicked, I didn't stop it in time!
Pikachu gritted its teeth, shaking off the pain. It rose to face Umbreon, glaring.
"Try quick attack again!" suggested Gary.
Umbreon charged; Pikachu braced itself.
As long as those mirrors are there, Ash grumbled, we can't see Umbreon! Wait…!
"Pikachu! Thunder on the mirrors!" Ash called. Pikachu squeezed its eyes shut, turning up full power for a blast of electricity that illuminated the entire arena.
In a mighty explosion, the five centre mirrors shattered, fragments digging into the glass below. The force, too, flung Umbreon back to its side of the court.
Pikachu raised its head, panting from the assault. It turned, searching out its opponent.
Umbreon rose shakily against the outside wall, flanks heaving. It shook its head, glaring back at Pikachu.
"Umbreon, are you okay?" Gary asked softly. The Pokémon nodded fiercely; Gary then commanded, "Feint attack! Careful of your landing!"
Umbreon flickered, in a flash flying above Pikachu. Ash ordered hastily, "Dodge!" Pikachu jumped aside, Umbreon landing neatly outside the ravaged part of the terrain.
"Pikachu! Quick attack!"
"Leer, Umbreon!"
Umbreon squared its shoulders, contorting its face in a snarl; Pikachu stopped mid-stride in front of it.
Ash gasped; why did leer stop Pikachu? It had never backed down before!
Then he realized, with a jolt, that Pikachu was glaring right back at Umbreon. Puffing out its chest, Pikachu straightened and gave Umbreon a hard stare.
"Well, this is an interesting turn of events," grinned the announcer. "It's a staring contest between Pikachu and Umbreon!"
"Circle it," Gary stated calmly.
Now Umbreon circled, never taking its eyes from Pikachu's face. The smaller Pokémon did the same, a glare just as fearsome in place.
Umbreon stopped suddenly, taking a step forward. Pikachu held its ground, snarling. Sparks flickered from its cheeks. Umbreon took another step; Pikachu stepped back.
Something crunched beneath its feet and Pikachu broke the stare, glancing downward to see it had trod into the wreckage of glass.
"Now!" Gary yelled, "Body slam!"
Umbreon bolted forward as Pikachu turned back, wide-eyed; Umbreon smashed into it with its shoulder, sending Pikachu hurtling back into the double-edged terrain. Pikachu cried out, glass digging into its fur.
"Pikachu, no!" Ash had to stop himself from running forward, only staring in horror. Gary had planned this all along, to get Pikachu's own attack to backfire. Flames of anger licked at his insides as Pikachu struggled to its feet, paws bloodied.
"How dare you do this!?" Ash yelled across the field. "Pikachu could've been seriously hurt!"
Gary said quietly, "You should be more careful next time, then." He turned away. "I'll let your Pikachu get out before continuing."
"This isn't over!" Ash snarled. "Pikachu, thunder again!"
Pikachu growled, stepping free of the danger zone. It then powered up, eyes ablaze.
"Umbreon! Jump to dodge it!" snapped Gary.
Umbreon leaped lightly into the air as bolts flew below.
"Hidden power on the glass!"
Umbreon's eyes began to glow; the glass shards shimmered, lifting up into the air. As Umbreon crouched, the pieces danced above, refracting sunlight so it dappled Umbreon's coat.
"Pika?" Pikachu glanced up at the glass nervously, and Ash abruptly understood what was going on. He took a step forward.
"No! I won't let you!"
Gary ignored him, not even meeting the other trainer's gaze. "Do it, Umbreon."
Pikachu closed its eyes in preparation for the attack, expecting glass to slice into its skin. A long moment passed; confused, Pikachu blinked upward.
Ash gaped, silenced by his shock.
Fine particles of dust drifted down to earth, the only remainder of the glass shards. Pikachu glanced from the small mound forming in front of it to the Pokémon that had saved its life. Umbreon stood before Pikachu, emotionless, eyes fading to their usual red.
"You…you…" Ash was lost for words. Umbreon had used hidden power to crush the glass!
Gary crossed his arms, smirking faintly. "You didn't think I'd really do it, did you?"
Ash blinked, slowly lowering his head. "Thank you," he whispered voicelessly.
"I just didn't want to see you sacrifice Pikachu for this battle. Nothing's worth our friendship with our Pokémon, you know." Gary's words echoed in Ash's head; he couldn't deny the truth in them. Spoken like a true master, he realized grudgingly, accepting that maybe Gary had learned something from his time in Ikimono.
"Now," Gary continued nonetheless, "let's finish this match. Fair and square, like real rivals."
Ash glanced up, shocked, and met Gary's stare. He thinks I'm…? Warmth rushed to Ash's face. We're equals, he realized.
Ash turned his hat backwards, grinning, "You're on!"
"Pika pika!" agreed Pikachu, taking a few steps back from Umbreon. It regarded the other Pokémon cautiously, ready for anything.
"Umbreon! Feint attack!"
"It's coming from above!" Ash warned. "Thundershock!"
As Umbreon flew toward Pikachu it was surprised by the electric attack; flinching back, it howled.
"Nice try," approved Gary. "Let's see how you take this… Quick attack!"
Umbreon darted forward, weaving from side to side. Pikachu braced itself, eyes following Umbreon's approach.
"Quick attack right back at it!" encouraged Ash; Pikachu shot forward, and the two Pokémon danced closer.
"Body slam!" urged Gary. Umbreon smashed into Pikachu, the smaller Pokémon tumbling away.
"Thundershock now!" demanded Ash.
Pikachu's cheeks surged with electricity as it fell away, and Gary countered, "Feint attack quick!"
A bolt of energy hit the ground where Umbreon had been moments before. In midair, Pikachu twisted to apperceive the dark Pokémon suddenly form behind it.
"Pikaa!"
Pikachu, smashed away, knocked into a mirror and slid to its base. Umbreon landed, staggering slightly, its sides heaving. Sweat stood out on its pelt.
"Piii." Pikachu struggled to its feet, panting. Ash knew neither Pokémon could take much more.
"Finish it with quick attack!"
"Umbreon, skull bash!" ordered Gary.
Pikachu ran at Umbreon in a last, desperate attempt; the second Pokémon lowered its head, growling. They collided head-on, each Pokémon holding its ground.
Pikachu struggled to push Umbreon back; paws splayed, Umbreon held it off with its head.
"You can do it, Pikachu!" cheered Ash.
Gary countered, "Don't give in, Umbreon!"
The Pokémon fought, neither budging, exhausted beyond another attack. The world seemed to come to a standstill around them, the crowd a seamless roar in the background. Sparks flew from Pikachu's cheeks, but it couldn't gather the strength for a thunderbolt. Umbreon growled, pushing for an angle to attack. The Pokémon were locked together, neither holding the upper hand.
"Umbreon, flip it over!" called Gary.
Pikachu had grabbed hold of Umbreon's ears; the Pokémon wrenched its head down further, unbalancing Pikachu. Then it whipped its body upward, sending Pikachu flipping over its head.
"Pika!" gasped Pikachu, hitting the ground, winded. Reeling from its own attack, Umbreon collapsed on top of it.
The crowd was in an uproar; neither Pokémon seemed to have the energy to rise.
"Umbreon!" Gary urged. "I know you can do it! Get up!"
"Pikachu, please!" Ash appealed. "Stand up!"
Umbreon shakily got to its paws, squaring its body to stay up. Pikachu rose unsteadily, staring at Umbreon but unable to move.
One last move, Gary predicted. Whoever makes one last move will win. However, only the Pokémon knew how much strength they had left; it was down to them now.
Pikachu batted at Umbreon's shoulder; the other Pokémon retaliated with a bite. Both were slowed with pain and exhaustion. Pikachu leaned in for a bite of its own, Umbreon lowering its head defensively. Pikachu collided painfully with Umbreon's forehead.
That was when, to a collective gasp from the stands, Pikachu fell.
To be continued...
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Is it the end? Only next chapter will tell! Stay tuned for the dramatic conclusion!