Author's Note: I've finally worked a rival in for Light. Rivals are a great part of a story. They contrast each other's personalities and help each other to grow. Please review.
Light's Adventures
Chapter 8: A Rival
Light opened his eyes and squeezed them shut as the light stung them. He waited a while and tried to think of where he was. Then he remembered the battle and the Charizard and sat up, his eyes wide. Light blinked out the light blotches as he ignored the pain of the light.
He looked around and saw Nick slumped in a chair nearby, sleeping. Blaze was lying on a bed beside him, looking like he did after the gym battle. He saw Ace roosting on the windowsill of the window that was letting in so much light. He looked at the room in general and saw he was in a Pokemon Center.
Light yawned and a headache immediately attacked him. Light collapsed back onto his bed and groaned loudly. Nick and Ace startled from their sleep. Nick rushed to Light's side and almost crushed him in a hug before he stopped and reconsidered. Instead, Nick knelt down next to Light and brushed his head. He reared back as Light moaned again.
"I'm so sorry, Light. I'm just so glad you're awake. You gave us a scare there," Nick said.
"Uh, Ace . . . what's he talking about?" Light asked.
Ace jumped onto Nick's shoulder and Nick fell silent as he watched Ace answer the question. "He means we were scared you wouldn't pull through and survive. The nurse told us you really overdid it. Your body was ready to shut down completely," Ace explained.
"Oh, well I didn't . . . win. A Charizard helped at the end . . . and the Mew helped before that," Light said with a sigh. He wasn't able to stop the Nidoking. He needed to become stronger.
"Speaking of that, that Char-" Ace started.
Ace was interrupted by the door opening. A boy at about Nick's age, maybe a little older, walked in. A normal colored Umbreon walked beside him. "Are you ready to speak now?" the boy asked.
"Yeah, I was just waiting for my Umbreon to awake," Nick said. He got up and shook hands with the boy. "My name is Nick."
"I'm Benjamin," he said. "I must thank you for tackling that guy. You never would have won by yourself, but you allowed me to catch up and weakened him enough for me to beat him."
"Well thanks for helping. Who was that guy?" Nick asked.
"That was a hunter. His tutor was a rough man who had a collection of what we call dark balls. They instantly increase the level of a Pokemon way more than the normal amount. He took some and now his three Pokemon all are caught by those dark balls," Benjamin explained, "He's been hunting down Mew for a while. He destroyed two areas before now trying to get it, but failed. I tried to get him both times, but he beat me.
"Those Pokemon can't be beat in a normal fair fight. But there's something I find extremely interesting. When I showed up, you told me to help your Umbreon first. My Charizard found him almost defeated, yet still standing. The Nidoking, the man's strongest Pokemon was almost defeated and my Charizard beat it without a scratch and without my help in giving orders. Your Umbreon did not only almost beat the Nidoking, it did it without orders. How did it do it?" Benjamin asked.
Nick was slightly taken back and looked at Light in a different way. "Well, Light here has always battled without orders perfectly. He dislikes orders, though he obeys them. He comes up with his own strategies and such. That's why I sent him ahead. But if what you saw is true, I don't know," Nick said.
How did you do it? Light heard in his head. He looked around but couldn't see who said it. It's me, the Umbreon. I'm speaking through telepathy.
Uh, okay. I fought it and then Mew helped some, though it was too hurt and I sent it away. Then a Charizard came and defeated it, Light thought.
The Umbreon turned its head to Benjamin for a second. "Well, Nick, you Umbreon says it had a little help from Mew. But I still don't think that's fully the case. Would you like to battle once your Pokemon are healed?" Benjamin asked.
"Sure, but how did you know what Light said?" Nick asked.
"My Umbreon asked and told me through telepathy," Benjamin answered, "I'll see you later. Just ask for me at the front counter when you're ready."
Light watched them leave. He turned back to Ace, "So what happened when I left?"
"Well, Blaze and I attacked. Blaze attacked the Aggron, while I tackled the Ariados so that we both had type advantages. We had barely hurt them, though, when Benjamin showed up on a Charizard. He released a Luxray and helped with an attack. While the enemy was stunned, Nick stopped him and told him to first help you fight the Nidoking. Benjamin was hesitant, but gave in and sent Charizard after you. He also released a Tangrowth and we soon beat that bad guy. We rushed to the Pokemon Center. I wasn't too hurt, but Blaze had been. Then Charizard landed outside and Nick got you and we've been waiting here all day, night, and now day ago for you to awake," Ace explained rapidly.
Light was barely able to hold it all in. His headache was really starting to hurt now. He didn't look over as the door opened again. Nurse Joy came into his line of sight. She put a hand on Light's head and then checked a beeping machine nearby. Nick waited anxiously for her announcement.
Nurse Joy finally turned to Nick with a smile, "Don't worry; your Umbreon's going to be okay. He might have a few headaches, but we need him to feel them in cause something happens. You should be able to leave in three days. As for your Flareon, he should be completely healed by tonight."
Nick released the breath he had been holding. "Okay, thanks," he said.
Nurse Joy bowed a little, "Just doing my job, sir. If you want, you can stay in here with your Pokemon. The couch is a pull out bed. Good day."
(0)
The next three days were the worst ever for Light. The headaches ended soon and he didn't have to swallow any medicine. The problem was he was bored out of his mind. The nurse wouldn't let him up except twice a little bit on the last two days.
Light wasn't allowed to do anything as he just laid there in the bed. Nick stayed by his side most of the time, but there are only so many things one can talk about with a one-sided conversation. Ace and Blaze, once he was out, were often outside training.
On the third day, Nurse Joy actually had to threaten to keep Light in bed. He needed to go outside and exercise. He wanted to feel the wind and the grass. He wanted to do something. When Nick checked him out, Light instantly went outside and started to roll in the grass. It started to drizzle a little, but Light didn't care. He was finally outside.
Nick gave him an extensive bath, much to his disgust. Once done, he allowed Light to wander the room as he went to bed. Light stayed up a while until he could see the moon from the window. He watched it for a while, before he felt tired enough to sleep.
(0)
Light got up and stretched. Nick was already up eating breakfast. Light gobbled down his breakfast and followed Nick out. Nick went to the front and asked for Benjamin. Nurse Joy rang Benjamin's room and he soon appeared.
He was wearing casual clothing. His Umbreon was also there beside him. Benjamin came up and shook hands with Nick. "So, are you ready for a battle? How about a one-on-one battle with three each?"
"Sure, let's go out the battle park," Nick said.
Light couldn't wait for another battle. Nick led them to a small square area. No one was there at the time, so Nick and Benjamin were able to fight right then. Nick and Benjamin took their respective positions on either side of the area.
Nick chose Ace while Benjamin threw a Pokeball. A large figure covered in bluish vines appeared. That must be the Tangrowth Ace told him about. Ace should have the type advantage here.
Benjamin started it off, "Green, use Vine Whip."
Tangrowth shot out a few vines at Ace. Ace quickly flew around them.
"Ace, use Gust. Stay out of the way of those vines!" Nick yelled. Light was surprised to notice his tone had lowered since the last time he had heard him battle.
Ace started to blow wind at the Tangrowth. It quickly retracted the vines and braced itself against the wind. The Tangrowth seemed to have a strong endurance.
"Green, Mega Drain," Benjamin said.
Tangrowth suddenly started to glow with a soft green light. Ace cried out while in the air and glow green too. Light was sure he saw some of the glow leave Ace and go to Tangrowth. Ace almost fell to the ground, but steadied itself.
"Use Wing Attack!" Nick shouted.
Ace dived at Tangrowth and hit it with one of its wings. The Tangrowth was thrown on its back. Light thought Tangrowth didn't seem very hurt, though. In fact, he seemed to be . . .
"Ace, watch out!" Light cried out.
But it was too late. Tangrowth suddenly shot out its vines and wrapped them around Ace. Ace cried out as it pulled Ace to the ground. It then held it there as more vines appeared and started to whip the Pidgeotto.
"Okay, okay, you win the first match. Return, Ace," Nick said. He returned Ace and Benjamin returned his Tangrowth.
Benjamin threw another Pokeball as Nick sent in Blaze. A large black furred creature appeared. It had a long tail and was blue under the fur. Its body sent off small electric shocks. It must be the Luxray.
"Great, it had the ability to shock enemies using physical attacks. Hmm . . . okay, Blaze, use Flamethrower!" Nick called out.
Blaze opened his mouth and sent a torrent of flames at the Luxray. It quickly darted out of the way.
"Sparky, use Thunderbolt," Benjamin said.
The Luxray sent out a stream of electricity at Blaze. Blaze quickly jumped backwards. The area in front of him was fried. A black patch of ground was all that was left.
"Blaze, use Double Team and then Dig!" he called out.
Blaze's form split into seven forms. Blaze was improving. The forms quickly used Dig and they were soon all under the ground. Luxray looked quickly around, wondering where Blaze would appear. Suddenly, three Flareon appeared in front of, to the right of, and to the left of the Luxray.
"Quick, use Shockwave," Benjamin called.
Sparky's form started to glow yellow and then a circular ring of electricity shot away from it, dissipating all three forms. Luxray jumped to the side as a Flareon came up from under it. It shot the Flareon with a quick jolt and it disappeared.
Light and Sparky listened for Blaze. Suddenly, a form appeared behind Luxray and shot a Flamethrower at it. Luxray jumped to the side and formed a sphere at its mouth. It was a dark, cloudy sphere. Light recognized the attack as a Shadow Ball. It shot it at the Flareon.
Before the attack hit the Flareon, the ground ripped open under it and Blaze hit Luxray square in the stomach. Luxray toppled over to the side as Blaze jumped away. The Shadow Ball hit the other Flareon and it vanished.
"Great, now Blaze use Flamethrower!" Nick yelled.
Blaze quickly formed the fire and shot it at the Luxray. It made a direct hit. A lot of its fur was slightly singed when it got up. Light could tell it couldn't take much more damage.
"Now, finish it off with Dig!" Nick shouted.
Blaze quickly disappeared into the ground.
"Sparky, use Detect," Benjamin said.
The Luxray stopped moving and Light saw a strange glint into its eyes. It jumped back as Blaze appeared up from the ground, trying to hit it. Luxray charged a strong Thunderbolt and sent it straight at Blaze. Light knew Blaze would lose if he got paralyzed.
The attack hit Blaze . . . and passed right through. He disappeared in the flash of an eye. Light was confused as he saw Blaze quietly dig up behind Sparky. Then he remembered: it was the last Double Team clone. Light knew Blaze had won when he shot a Flamethrower at Sparky's back. It made a direct hit and Luxray fainted.
"Yes, I won the second match!" Nick hollered as Blaze returned to his side.
"That means the one to win this last one wins," Benjamin said, returning Sparky.
Light stepped forward, ready for battle. He glanced at Nick and saw him nod. He would fight on his own. Nick sat down as Light entered the area. Benjamin's Umbreon also entered on the other side. Benjamin crossed his arms as he watched.
The opposing Umbreon started the battle. It raised its head and formed a shadowy ball. Two rings circled the ball. Light jumped to the side as it shot the attack, but watched it intensively. The ball became a beam and the rings multiplied all down the beam. The attack hit where he had been and destroyed the ground. Light moved away further as the Umbreon followed him with the beam. It must be a Dark Pulse.
Light charged in with a Quick Attack as the Umbreon stopped the attack. He got the Umbreon in the side and it skidded across the ground a little. The Umbreon raised his head and a Shadow Ball formed. It shot the ball at Light. Light dodged to the side, yet the ball seemed to follow him and he was hit. Light was blown back by the attack.
Light got up and saw the Umbreon about to use Dark Pulse again. Light knew he couldn't dodge, so he decided to let his new move be known. He stood his ground as it charged up. The Umbreon paused a little, confused as to why Light wasn't moving.
"Light, move!" Nick cried out.
Light felt himself try to hurl out of the way, but he resisted and waited. The Umbreon finally resumed and shot the attack. As it came, Light used Protect. The attack bounced off his light blue shield. Light saw Nick out of the corner of his eye dumbfounded, though he hid it quickly. Light wanted to manically laugh as he blocked the attack.
After he set up Protect, he tried to remember Dark Pulse. The Umbreon had formed a ball and extended the energy in a beam. That should be pretty easy to copy. He opened his mouth and formed his energy into a sphere. It soon came and he saw the two rings form. He was doing it!
As soon as the attack stopped, he let his Protect drop and shot the attack. Both Nick and the Umbreon were startled at the attack. This time, Nick didn't hide it. The attack hit the Umbreon head on and it was thrown back, not preparing for the attack beforehand.
Light formed another Dark Pulse and shot it as the Umbreon tried to get up. It was hit once again, though the Umbreon did a pretty cool trick at the end and finished on its feet. It quickly charged a Shadow Ball and sent it at Light. Remembering how it followed him before, Nick got as close as he could before being forced to use Protect. The attack bounced off just like all others.
The Umbreon charged at Light and hit him as he lowered the shield. As Light skidded back some, he saw the Umbreon also take some damage. Knowing this experienced Umbreon would never let itself miss the follow up, he knew that the attack must have been Double Edge.
Light stretched from the attack, enjoying the good fight. He saw the Umbreon about to charge a Dark Pulse. His first instinct was to shoot one of his own Dark Pulse, but he knew the Umbreon had more experience with the attack, so he didn't. He knew the attack took about two seconds, enough for one fast blow.
Light used Quick Attack and hit the Umbreon right before it let the attack go. The unfinished attack blew up and both Light and the Umbreon were blown back by it. Light got up first and saw the enemy was badly hurt. But then, so was he. He needed to get a blow in first. Now it all depended on this one last move.
The Umbreon quickly charged a Shadow Ball and shot it at Light, who countered with Protect. As the attack cleared, he shot his charged Dark Pulse. However, the Umbreon had already approached and the attack landed. The close proximity with the Dark Pulse sent them both flying.
Light tried to get up, but he couldn't. He had lost his strength. He looked over and saw the Umbreon was in the same position. At least it had been a tie. But he promised himself to defeat that Umbreon if they ever met again.
"What! A tie! Nooo!" Nick cried out.
"Well, all's well that ends well. Good match," Benjamin said, as he returned his Umbreon, "Why were surprised halfway through the match?"
"Actually, to tell the truth, I didn't know Light knew Protect or Dark Pulse," Nick confessed. He held out Light's Pokeball and tried to return Light. Light flipped over and the red light hit the ground beside him instead. Light shook his head quickly, though he was panting. "You don't want to be in the Pokeball? Okay," Nick said, picking up Light, albeit with a little difficulty.
"My Umbreon told me that yours didn't know Dark Pulse before the fight, though it already knew Protect," Benjamin said.
"Light's pretty smart," Nick said, making Light look away, embarrassed, "He learned Bite during a battle also. Protect will stay a mystery, though, as Umbreon don't naturally learn that."
"He may have touched a TM. Are you sure your Umbreon fights on its own? It had some pretty good tricks," Benjamin asked.
"Nay, Light's always fought without commands, or at least commands it used. It was always a step ahead of me, so I gave up trying to help. Your Umbreon was pretty good without instructions, too," Nick said.
"Oh, no, I gave my Umbreon instructions through telepathy. It doesn't work while he uses Psychic, though," Benjamin said.
"Wait, Umbreon can learn Psychic?" Nick asked.
"Oh, yeah, they aren't the best at the move, but all Umbreon can learn it, though only by a TM of course," Benjamin said. "Well I'm going back to the Pokemon Center and then I'll be on my way. We'll see if you're any better if we meet again, bye."
Nick waved as Benjamin left. "Well, Light, it looks like we have our first rival," Nick said to Light. Nick started to walk to the Pokemon Center also. Light completely agreed. He would make sure to beat that Umbreon the next time they met.