DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN POKEMON. ELSE WE WOULD'VE SEEN SOME MORE BLOOD BY NOW!
Opelucid City, Unova Region.
7:00 AM.
White got off the bed and basked in the soft morning rays that streamed through the bedroom windows.
"It's time."
7:20 AM.
Scarlet's head still banged. In fact, it was probably worse than before but he braved it and staggered over to the bathroom before splashing water on his face. Looking at the mirror, he did his best to come up with a poker face but failed horribly. Sighing, he grabbed a bottle of painkillers he had bought the other day. He was gonna need them because this was one battle he'd cross hell to watch.
"Looks like it's time."
7:25 AM.
Jolteon yawned and watched White getting her hair up in her usual long pigtails, a difficult task when your fingers are badly shaken. With a small bark, he ran up to her bag and dug his head in it before pulling out her hat in between his jaws. Skittering back to her, he gently nudged her leg and got her attention. Looking down, she took some seconds to stare before realising what he was trying to imply.
"Yeah, maybe I'll leave it down today." Crouching down a little, she ruffled his fur before taking the hat and cramming it over her shock-white crown of hair. Smiling at her reflection, she picked Jolteon and went for the door. "Hey Scarly, Me and Jolteon are heading down for breakfast. If your headache's still there, stay back and rest."
"One, the proper syntax is 'Jolteon and I'," the ravenette called out from the bathroom. "Two, I'm fine. But go on without me, I'll catch up soon."
"Got it," she replied and closed the door. As she strolled down the stairs, Jolteon sensed that semi-rapid beating in her chest and shivered slightly at the reason.
White's excited alright, he remarked inwardly. Nervous too. But who wouldn't be? After all, it's time.
7:44 AM.
Aqua rushed into the hotel with a flustered look on her face.
"Sorry!" she blurted and clasped her hands together before bowing. "Practice took us a long way into the night so I overslept. I'm not late right?"
White shook her head so fast, Jolteon thought it would snap right off her neck. "N-no, Aqua! The gym battle starts at 8."
Sighing in relief, the brunette slumped against White on the seat and spent some time catching her breath. She often slept way into the afternoon and rarely hurried at all unless it was a concert and as such this was a feat for even her.
"16 more minutes to go," she remarked and looked around the lobby. "Where's Scarlet?"
"He said he'd catch up," White replied and looked to the stairs. "But I also told him he shouldn't if his headache persists."
The brunette arched an eyebrow before shrugging and resting her head on the table. "No fair. It would've been fun pestering him while the battle's going on."
White simply laughed and squeezed Jolteon tighter. In truth, she badly wanted Scarlet to watch all his efforts and commitment come to the fore but upon reasoning, decided that it was for his own benefit. After all, she'd seen the pained look on his face when she watched him sleep the last night. Making him have to watch her, no doubt, rowdy battle in the state he was in would definitely muddle up her conscience.
Aqua observed the thoughtful girl and smiled wryly to herself. So this was how deep those two were becoming now. Friday was definitely going to be fun. "Come on, White. We should start heading for the gym."
Nodding, White let Aqua take her free hand and lead her out the hotel. As they walked down the kerb to the big gym (an oddly-noticeable sight as two dragon heads projected from its roof) in the distance, the brunette flashed White her bright smile and gave her hand a squeeze.
"Don't worry about Scarlet. He doesn't look like the kind of guy who'd let a headache stop him."
"Okay," she replied and stopped in her tracks as they came face to face with the steel doors that welcomed trainers to Unova's toughest gym challenge yet.
"It's time babe," Aqua remarked and on cue, the doors slid open noisily. "Win this for us, okay?"
White stood in silence before steeling herself and putting on her battle smirk. "Right!"
8:00 AM.
"Welcome, White."
Drayden checked the clock and stroked his beard. "I see you're on time too. Not very much like you but a good thing nonetheless."
White stood at the other end of the field taking short breaths as her only answer. One could see the anxiety radiating off her and Jolteon hoped that she'd at the least be able to stay focused enough to order her pokemon. Once again, where was that idiot Scarlet when you needed him?!
"You're nervous," Drayden speculated upon White's silence. "Try to dispel it. If fear taints your heart then you'll no doubt lose this match."
Nodding stiffly, White took the customary bow. "It's an honour to challenge you for your badge, Drayden. Please bear with me on this battle."
"Likewise," the gym leader replied and the arena lights dimmed considerably until only one lone ray shone over the battlefield. From the deep dents, maks and slashes it had suffered, White knew that this was one battle she was going to remember for the rest of her life. "As the mayor of Opelucid, I've given everything to developing the city. As a Trainer, I've simply been pursuing greater strength. But what I'm searching for now is a young Trainer who can show me a bright future. Black gave me a glimpse and Iris showed me the path. Perhaps you can light the way and show me that future the way they did."
"I'll do my best," the girl replied and looked to the bleachers. She barely made out Aqua waving and Jolteon staring. For unknown reasons, they were sitting quite far apart but White wasn't going to let that distract her now. Neither was she going to let herself feel down because Scarlet wasn't there too.
"This shall be a three-on-three battle between Challenger White and Mayor Drayden for the aim of obtaining the Legend Badge!"
As the referee droned out the rules, most of which the trainers had already crammed from experience, White felt her pokeballs vibrate. A good sign since it meant they were ready to give it their all. By the way, White couldn't afford to lose this match because Drayden would be having an important infrastructural project that would take him the next few months to complete after this. By the time he would be back, the Unova League would definitely be over and White would have to spend the next year waiting for it to recommence. Even she didn't want to miss out on the excitement and wait that long. She didn't want to let her friends down either.
"Are you ready?" the referee asked and arched an eyebrow at her silence. She was obviously too absorbed in her thoughts to here him. "Challenger White from Nuvema Town!"
"Yes!" she piped up and looked down in embarrassment. "Sorry. I'm ready." Am I really? Brother almost lost to him when he battled and he was way stronger than me! Darn it! I can't be thinking about this now...but what if I lose? No! I've trained hard for this. Drayden's just a gym leader. Toughest one, yes, but a normal gym leader all the same! I'll win this! I'll definitely win this-
"Come, Flygon!"
"Flygon?!" White and Aqua screeched in surprise, earning a stare from the mayor.
"You didn't know? I recently got this new addition and I felt it necessary for him to get some exercise," he elaborated.
Drayden had just ruined her plan to use Emboar first and Sandy shared the same type with the Mystic Pokemon so that only meant that Teddy would be a good match up. But she needed him at 150% vitality to take down Haxorus and besides, what if Flygon knew a fire move. Wow, she had never thought this much in a while and it made her head hurt. Suddenly, she didn't feel so awesome anymore and with a flick of her wrist, Teddy was sent to the field.
Looks like I'll just have to wing it! Thank Arceus Scarly won't be here to see this or else he'd scream his head off.
The referee eyed the pokemon on both sides of the field before stepping back and raising his arms high.
"Let the battle begin!"
8:10 AM.
It was probably just his mind making excuses but Scarlet sure as hell felt that fate was desperately trying to keep him from reaching the door. The pain in his head almost drove him insane no matter how many painkillers he swallowed. He stopped counting the multiple doors that had suddenly appeared before him since his vision suddenly doubled, blurring and multiplying every single thing in sight. Like trying to watch 3D movies without the red and blue glasses.
"If I had the gloves and a psychic pokemon," he groaned and reached for the swirling door on the left only to find himself hitting the wall...again. "I wouldn't be getting stupid hallucinations."
The world spun as if to mock him and he grabbed his head to keep himself steady. It was so bad, he almost thought he had swirl patterns in his eyes (he did but was just too dizzy to notice them). What time was it anyway? Had White left for her match? Had it started? Or was it already over with her jumping around with the gym badge much to Drayden's joy and slight disdain? Or wait, what made him sure that she would win? What if she was actually feeling scared at the moment and wasn't making logical decisions on her move choices?
"Why the hell am I asking myself these stupid questions?!" he screamed and, with much difficulty, got to his feet. He threw a defiant smirk at the spinning room and grabbed his jacket before stumbling out the room and towards the stairs. Now a normal human being would strongly advise against crossing the staircase in a dizzy state but we all know by now that in this particular world of pokemon, not all human beings are exactly normal. And that was how Scarlet found himself tumbling down the carpeted steps with an ironical rendition of Jack and Jill playing through his head. Gratefully slamming back-first against cold floor, Scarlet took some deep breaths before getting to his feet again.
"What the hell're you guys looking at?" he growled to the bystanders in the lobby. "This ain't the first time someone's rolled down the stairs anyway." And that was the truth. With a huff, he ignored the twisted Jirachi dancing round his head and ran through the doors. Okay, more like bumped into the walls beside the doors but nonetheless he picked himself up and left, too dazed to tend to his shattered dignity. Unfortunately, the spinning seemed worse outdoors and it was a miracle that Scarlet hadn't gotten run over by a truck yet. Slumping against a tree, he grasped his hair before shaking his head rapidly, hoping that if he shook hard enough, the pain, spinning and hallucinations would fly out.
"Of course it won't!" he screamed comically and banged his head against the hard bark, cursing with each hit.
"Only BANG airheads BANG do BANG that! BANG Damn BANG it! Why the fuck am I doing this?! I BANG should BANG stop BANG or BANG else BANG I'm BANG gonna BANG CRACK!"
"Mommy! Mommy!" a child cried and pointed to Scarlet while tugging on the hem of his mother's skirt. "Another one! Another weird guy is banging his head against the tree!"
"Hush Tommy!" she whispered sharply and steered him out of the park. "One more deranged person is the last thing I need today."
Luckily, Scarlet was too absorbed in his self-punishment to notice them. By now he was very sure he had fractured his skull but that somehow stopped the spinning and instead, drenched the world in red. It should have been the blood pouring into his eyes but Scarlet thought otherwise and with a ragged sigh, slid down to the grassy ground.
"I think I'm losing it," he mumbled and smiled at the white clouds looking back at him. "The world's so pretty in red. Say...what was I running for again?" And with a comical expression, he passed out.
8:30 AM
Flygon knew Fire Blast. Talk about thinking ahead.
"Teddy! Hold on just a little bit longer!" White cried as her pokemon reeled from the ferocious onslaught of fire.
"As an experienced trainer, you didn't think I would have expert knowledge on handling a dragon pokemon's weaknesses, did you, White?" Drayden remarked and pointed at Teddy. "Keep up the flames, Flygon. Show them just how hard the league can be!"
Flygon chirped before opening his mouth and letting loose another cross-shaped blast.
"Surf!" White ordered and Teddy doused the fire with his attack before charging towards the Mystic Pokemon. "Superpower!"
"Fly!" Drayden countered. Flygon lifted off in time to avoid Teddy's grasp and flew in circles round the pokemon before dropping down on him with all the might he could muster. Reeling, Teddy fell on his knees and White drew a sharp breath. Her trump card was weakening and if she didn't do something soon, her chances of winning would go down like a castle of cards.
"Return!" she ordered and pointed a pokeball out to her panting pokemon. Teddy groaned but let himself be enveloped in the red beam before zapping back into the red and white orb.
"Hm. Good choice," Drayden commented and folded his muscled arms. "I'm willing to see who you will bring out next."
"That was close," Aqua sighed, holding her chest in relief. "Anymore and I'd died from anxiety." Dragon Knights don't feel anxiety but it was nice to pretend to feel it once in a while. "Keep going White! You can do it!"
"Pardon my digression but what happened to that other friend of yours?" the man asked and White looked to the darkened passageway that led to the door.
"I guess he's not coming...since he's sick and all," she sighed and tightened her grip on her pokeball. He hadn't watched her in Icirrus and he didn't look like he was going to cheer her on in her final gym match either. But she couldn't blame him. He was sick after all. But even then, he had said he would come no matter what and it had made her feel quite warm on the inside to know that Scarlet cared enough to damn sickness and watch. But he wasn't coming...and that somehow made everything seem pointless. Wait! What was she thinking?! She couldn't just throw in the towel just like that! Sure Scarlet was partially her reason for doing all this but she had her own pokemon's interest in mind too!
"Go Krokorok!" she cried and her Desert Croc took to the arena and looked up defiantly at the Flygon dancing in the air. "Stone Edge!"
Krokorok nodded and leapt into the air before forming her stony projectiles and launching them with bullet-like speed at her opponent.
"Dodge and go in for a Dragon Tail!"
In a beautiful display of flying prowess, the Mystic Pokemon flew towards the barrage and avoided each bullet with speed high enough to match a Serperior's.
. Tail glowing white, he approached his opponent down below before taking a mighty swing.
"Crunch!" White countered and Sandy fortunately jumped over the blow before latching her fangs onto Flgyon's tail, eliciting a sharp cry from the green pokemon. "Don't let go until we see an opening!"
Her pokemon snarled in agreement and held on tightly as Flygon took to the air again with the intention of shaking his opponent off. This soon proved to be quite difficult as Sandy, eager to please White and show Emboar up again, stuck fast no matter how many twists and sharp turns Flygon took.
"Quite the tenacious pokemon you have," Drayden muttered and stretched his arm out to Flygon. "But does she have the strength to match! Iron Tail!"
Flygon's tail suddenly developed a metallic flavour and Sandy grimaced at the snarky smile he flashed her before dive-bombing towards the ground, full speed ahead.
"If he slams Sandy down at that speed, she's done for," Aqua remarked and crossed her legs. "Let's see how White will change the situation."
"Right according to plan! Foul Play!" the smiling trainer ordered with a snap of her fingers. Like the dark-type that she was, Sandy took that split-second chance to use Flygon's power against himself, twisting sharply in the air and making him lose his balance. Shrieking both pokemon plummeted and Sandy completed her attack by biting harder on Flygon's tail and slamming him on his back against the approaching floor, causing dust debris to fly around the arena.
"An attack that turns the target's power against it," Aqua muttered and smirked coyly.
"That was quite the move you used," Drayden said and stroked his beard again. "I wouldn't be surprised if that severely weakened Flygon."
True to his words, they heard a groan from the passing dust cloud and Jolteon marvelled at the large dent they had inflicted on the beaten floor. Sandy jumped out and landed next to White before folding her lean arms and shouting something out to the groaning Flygon underneath. A big fat tick mark appeared over his green head and it didn't take much to know that Sandy had started her usual habits again.
"We've got a chance, Sandy," White cheered and patted her scaly muzzle. "Keep going and we just might win this!"
Her pokemon pumped a fist before turning back to Flygon who had already hovered back to his own end of the field. Things were going easy enough but somewhere deep down, Aqua knew that the Spartan Mayor was up to something. A seasoned gym leader wouldn't use a new pokemon right off the bat unless he was either extremely confident or very calculative, two traits that Drayden possessed in excess.
"Let's go, Sandy! Stone Edge once more!" White ordered and Sandy sent her stones towards the weakened Flygon. Drayden did nothing at first and Flygon took some attacks to the chest before gritting his fangs and holding steadfast.
"Again!" White cried. We can't let him unleash whatever he's planning.
Flygon took more attacks but still held strong.
"Again!"
The Mystic Pokemon sank to one knee but kept up his proud and defiant glare that seemed to unnerve even Sandy.
"Foul Play!"
Sandy darted towards her opponent and unleashed a series of blows and slashes on Flygon's bulk.
"Faster!" White called. Sandy's arms reduced to blurs that sent Flygon's head left and right with each blow. "Harder!" Jolteon could hear the sounds of fist bashing jaw as Sandy increased the ferocity of her attack. "Go! Go! Go!" The beating echoed throughout the arena until Sandy jumped back with a tired growl. Before her was her badly bruised opponent, still standing, still staring and still smiling.
"I don't get it," White stuttered lowly. "How? Why isn't he down yet…after all those hits too…?"
Drayden gave her a solemn look before making his reply. "I used this chance to study you, White. You are scared. Afraid of the consequences that will surely come with losing this match and as such, you have fought with every bit of determination you could muster. But it is not enough."
Flygon raised his battered head and shook off the dizziness before hunching low and beating his wings to form a low rhythm.
"But!" he barked and Flygon's pupils disappeared, leaving only his corneas visible. "That fear of losing is holding you back and limiting you. Also, that last attack just now was an act of desperation on your part, doing all in your power to take down just one of my pokemon. Determination is good. But too much of it and desperation will occur. That is why your attacks have not broken down Flygon. And that is why you shall realise the consequences of such foolish attacks."
A reddish aura was wafting dangerously from his pokemon and Aqua narrowed her eyes.
"So that's what he was gunning for," she whispered and grit her fangs. "No wonder."
"Is that-?" White began.
"Outrage!" Drayden ordered firmly and like a cannon, Flygon disappeared in a fast blur, leaving dust and smoke in his haphazard wake.
"Dig!" the trainer cried. Quick as a flash, her pokemon had dove into the ground and was busily burrowing her way away her maddened opponent.
"Hiding won't do you any good," he shot back and Flygon dove into the hole Sandy had made. Immediately after, the ground started to tremble violently and Aqua only had to count to the three before the floor forcefully erupted in fire and energy. Sandy flew out of the hole and slammed into the ceiling before falling back down hard against the floor before White. Flygon also flew out and pointed his bloodshot gaze towards White before giving a rumbling roar that sent jitters down her spine.
"A seasoned trainer such as me must be able to raise any dragon, new or old, into the fearsome creatures they are revered as" Drayden challenged and spread his arms wide. "Come at us if you dare, White! This is just the beginning!"
"True that," Aqua said and sighed. Drayden was certainly a tough one. White didn't look like she had that much of a chance to begin with. If Teddy could be taken out by his relatively new Flygon then just how hard was Haxorus going to be?
"Darn it," White muttered and steeled herself as Sandy slowly rose. "You can still fight, right?"
Her Desert Croc wobbled for a bit before giving her a thumbs-up and a look that told her not to worry. Besides, if she held on long enough, Sandy might just be able to fell Flygon during the confusion that followed after.
"Go!" Drayden instructed and his pokemon shrieked again before darting towards the Krokorok.
"Foul Play!" White snapped. Eyes glinting, Sandy raised her arms and began to mimic Flygon's movements in the hopes of getting a chance for a reversal. However, the enraged pokemon left no openings whatsoever and in no time, Sandy found herself tiring with each blocked strike. As a result, her movements slowed down dramatically and before she knew it, Flygon's tail whizzed through the air before landing into her cheek and sending her towards the wall.
"Oh my," Aqua remarked. Sandy had slammed into the wall next to her and from her angle, the pokemon looked completely immobilised with pain. "Doesn't look like she'll last long."
"Sandy!" White cried, very worried for her pokemon's safety. Leaving her position in the challenger's box, she rushed over to her unmoving pokemon and gasped at the large cut she had sustained. "You need rest. Please return."
Unfortunately, Sandy's eyes snapped open and she got back to her feet before glaring angrily at Flygon and shaking her head at the pokeball White had held out.
"Strange, that attack should have been a critical hit," Drayden muttered. "Your pokemon is very persistent and her attitude is admirable. However, I doubt she'll last the next round."
White knew that. But Sandy vehemently denied returning and instead wiped her cheek defiantly. That attack would leave a nasty scar when the injury healed and Sandy was determined to make Flygon pay. Immediately after she came to that resolve, her glare intensified and everyone could feel the raw malice emanating from her tan skin as white wisps of steam-like energy.
"What is that?" the baffled trainer mumbled and flipped her pokedex open.
"Anger Point, Sandy's Hidden Ability. Anger Point maximizes the Attack stat of Pokémon with this Ability when they are hit by a critical hit," it elaborated and Sandy hunched low and bared her teeth in a blood-curdling snarl.
"In that state, she's almost mimicking Outrage. Her Foul Play and Crunch attack might actually get powered up," Aqua stated to herself.
"Interesting. Let's see just how far you go with that!" And with that, Flygon was hurling himself towards Sandy with enough force to flip a car.
"Foul Play!" Sandy waited for Flygon to get close enough before she leapt into the air and right over the Ground/Dragon type. Time slowed for the two and Flygon looked back in time to see Sandy's tail coming down on his back. The Mystic Pokemon dodged and skidded to a halt as his opponent's tail hit the ground and caused it to rattle violently, almost throwing the referee and White off their feet (Drayden stood firm. He's just that badass). Before Flygon could lift off again, Sandy was already under him and with a cry, sent her fist up his chin, uppercutting him into the ceiling. Not stopping there, she followed after her target and bit down on his neck before throwing him down and rolling into a ball. With a roar, she dropped like a rock and crashed into his gut, sending another dust cloud around the arena.
"Amazing," Aqua cooed and Jolteon caught just the slightest bit of insanity in her voice. "This is just the first round and it's already this intense…"
White grabbed her hat to keep it from flying off in the ensuing wind and the referee peered into the smoke before raising his arms to both White and Drayden.
"Flygon and Krokorok are unable to battle. This round is a draw."
"EH?" White and Aqua screeched in unison again and looked to the smoke. Flygon had definitely fainted from the onslaught but Sandy's reasons for fainting were soon made clear by her ragged breathing and exhaustion. She had simply tired herself out and the injuries were finally getting the best of her.
"Thank you, Sandy," White sighed and withdrew her pokemon before counting her losses. Flygon had been taken down but at the cost of two pokemon, one fainted and the other severely weakened. Drayden however, still had two fresh ones coming and White doubted that Emboar would be enough to handle them.
"That was interesting," the gym leader commented and withdrew his own pokemon. "But I'm still not convinced that you have what it takes to defeat us."
White couldn't even reply. Her body was stiffening from the hesitation, uncertainty and split-second questions piling up in her mind. What the heck was that? If Flygon was that hard then the other two were downright MONSTERS and the girl had had her fair share of those already. Oh no, she was panicking! Deep breath, White. Deep breath. Sure this is your last badge and you'll let everyone down if you lose but no pressure. It's all good. Think happy thoughts like you always do. Like how Scarlet will be probably so stunned at seeing the battle that he'll hug you and give you a present for all your hard –WAIT HE'S SICK SO HE CAN'T EVEN MAKE IT TO THE BATTLE TO WATCH ME IN THE FIRST PLACE!
"Shall we continue?" Drayden asked and White thought of saying no there and then. But she couldn't. She had to fight. She had to continue even if the bad ending looked inevitable. "Come out, Druddigon!"
His large, red-faced pokemon jumped out onto the arena and let loose his savage battle cry that made even Jolteon wince.
"Emboar! I'm counting on you!" she yelled and let out her own equally-large pokemon. Both opponents stared each other down while the referee looked from one side to the other. Deciding that they were sufficiently ready, he raised his arms.
"Let the second round begin!"
9:05 AM.
Scarlet slowly came to and looked hazily round his surroundings. He was lying in front of a tree with no idea how he got there and why did he feel so light-headed?
"What was I supposed to be doing again...?" he asked himself and stared up at the clouds. They were white. So, so white. WHITE?! "Damn it!" he cried and stumbled to his feet before wincing as that sharp pain returned to his head. "Damn you, brain. It's just to get to a gym match...what's so wrong in that?!"
Suddenly, his heart started to pound heavily and he looked to the broken X-transceiver on his wrist. 9:05. Late. Very very late.
"Shit," he muttered and began to stagger out of the park. He was probably hallucinating again but he had a feeling that White wasn't doing so good against Drayden. What if she was panicking at this very moment? What if she started to feel uncertain of herself? Or...what if she was worrying...about him? Knowing that ditz well enough, she'd most likely not be functioning properly if she had too much on her mind and that made Scarlet feel oddly guilty. He had to be there. But as one could see, this headache and general dizziness was making that next to impossible (amazing how a skilled hunter of prodigious smarts can be reduced to a dishevelled mess by sickness).
After a full five minutes of stumbling, Scarlet collapsed beside a statue of Mayor Drayden with his Haxorus and he ran a shaky hand through his messy hair.
"I give up. I can't go three steps without stumbling and everything seems so twisty. Maybe I should've listened to White and stayed behind. It's not like she'd be angry or sad or anything...right?"
That question was meant to be clearly rhetorical but imagine his surprise when he heard a voice reply from the statue.
"Maybe she needs ya more than ya think, brat."
Bearing in mind that he wasn't in his right mental state thanks to you-know-what, Scarlet looked around cautiously before shrugging after seeing no one.
"I really am losing it," he sighed.
"You lost it when you fell for the airhead, damned brat!"
Scarlet jumped. Yes, the cool, level-headed teenager jumped. "Who? Huh? Why?"
No doubt about it. The voice was real and it was coming from Drayden's statue...though it was to gangster too match.
"Quit looking at me like that, red! Don't ya have somewhere to be, huh?"
"Why's a statue talking to me? And what makes you think I l-l-like White?!"
A sigh emanated from the statue and almost thought it was rolling its eyes in exasperation. "It's that obvious, punk. Why else would you come all the way here even though you're sick in the head? And yes, this statue is talking to you and if you ever see a guy with the name LP, tell him he's awesome."
Scarlet tilted his head. "LP? Who's that?"
The statue sobbed before yelling in pain and muttering stuff along the lines of "Why the fuck did you hit me, Gliscor? It's not my fault! Who wouldn't cry if their rival knew their-"
"Excuse me, Mr Statue," the puzzled ravenette piped up. The headache had intensified again and he was starting to feel delirious. "How do get back to the hotel?"
"So you're just gonna leave your babe to the Santa Claus with the muscles?! That's cruel, fucker!"
"But what should I do?" Scarlet snapped back and swayed before holding his mouth. He was so going to throw up. "I'm too sick to withstand a loud gym battle and I can't even reach the gym in the first place. And although I keep getting bad vibes, I have some hope that White'll do fine."
"Those vibes of yours are really accurate. You should trust 'em more."
The ravenette took a second to register the comment before his eyes widened in realisation. "You mean she's...?"
"Not doing too good, man. Looks to me like she's scared or worried. With the rate at which she's going, old man Drayden'll be having Emboar chops for lunch and maybe Beartic ribs for dinner."
Sighing, Scarlet grabbed his banging head before groaning loudly to himself. "What should I do..."
The statue stayed silent for a while before clearing its throat. "A swell guy with a pompadour once said, 'You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams."
"That was Dr Seuss and it has nothing to do with the situation at hand," Scarlet butted in and earned a growl from the statue.
"As I was saying...It's like a Zweilous theory. The two heads don't get along much but cut one off and the other's as good as dead. Also, they work best when doing things together. They're always there for each other whether their sick or not. See my point?"
That...actually made sense in a wacky sense.
"Look kid. I know what it's like to love someone and not be there for 'em. They won't hate you...but they won't like you that much either. This White of yours is a strong kid but she needs to be sure of your health before she can actually concentrate. Plus, she gets a hell of a lot stronger when you're watching her."
That...was also true now that Scarlet had looked at it. He'd never seen White lose a gym battle or get nervous and panic. She almost always took everything in her ditzy stride and trampled over her opponents with that goofy smile on her face and that always made Scarlet slightly fuzzy on the inside. That's why it was his job as her coach and friend to do the panicking and worrying for her.
Then he understood just what Spooky White (another new side) had been implying on that eerie night that he'd seen her eyes bleed. She needed someone to carry all the emotional tension for her so she could remain the blissful, innocent airhead that she was.
"Yes." Scarlet rose to his feet and stared ahead of him. "I'll do it! I'll take it all!"
"...Don't know what the hell that meant...but I'm sure you know what ya need to do."
"Yes!" the hunter replied...and bashed his head so hard against the statue, the man behind it vibrated. With blood pouring down his head, Scarlet suddenly found his headache clearing and he gave a curt bow at the statue. "Thanks for the advice. It was honestly crappy but I got the message. And I'll try and tell this LP guy what you said."
"Hmph. Whatever. Gym's down that road. Hope ya make it in one piece."
"Thanks!" Scarlet called and turned before remembering something. "Hey, how'd you know about me and White anyway?"
Silence.
The ravenette blinked before shrugging. Perhaps the statue had gone back to normal or his brain had finally rebooted but either way, he was grateful. As he dashed down the now-clear road, he didn't notice the twelve-inch long pompadour poking out from the statue's back.
"That was too close," LP huffed and scowled at Gliscor's stare. "The fuck you looking at?"
His Fang Scorp partner proceeded to say a few things with some wild gestures and LP simply watched before getting the message.
"Don't get me wrong, buddy. I don't like Scarlet...just wanted to see how stupid he looked when lovestruck. Yeah, that's it! I mean, who would've thought a dickless punk like him would get a girl!" he laughed shakily before rubbing the back of his neck and looking to Scarlet's form in the distance. "Hunters gotta look out for each other once in a bloody while."
10:00 AM
"Beartic is unable to battle! As such, this round goes to Haxorus!"
Quick Recap. Emboar fought Druddigon. Druddigon used Dragon Tail. Emboar was automatically switched out for Teddy and though the pokemon was well enough to beat Druddigon to a pulp, the Cave Pokemon had landed one last Superpower against the ice-type pokemon and as such, Teddy barely had it in him for Drayden's mega-monster, Haxorus. Long story short, White lost her trump card and Haxorus knew Earthquake. If White could say one thing, it would've been "Fuck My Life" but she was too innocent for that so she said the next best thing.
"I think I'm gonna hurl."
"Well, looks like she's lost this one," Aqua said to herself and sighed. "And she had so much potential too."
"The last round is here and I'm still not impressed," Drayden remarked and his Haxorus crossed its stubby arms. "You're still not matured enough to challenge the league."
He's right...I'm not...
"Perhaps you should go back and get some more training done, else you'll never match up to your brother."
Yeah...I guess...
"So you wish to forfeit your match?" the referee asked. This wasn't the first time he had asked that question. In fact, many a challenger forfeited after the first round. White had been holding her own for the time being but against Drayden's Haxorus, luck can only take you so far.
Jolteon's ears drooped and he sighed to himself sadly. If only Scarlet had been here, he mulled. I feel like the battle would definitely have gone differently.
White looked to her huffing Emboar. In her state, one Earthquake was all it took to finish her off and White didn't want her pokemon going into a lost battle.
"Miss White?" the referee pressed. "Your decision please. And bear in mind that you may not get a chance to participate in this year's league conference. "
"I understand," she said slowly and gripped the hem of her baggy shirt. Her lips parted and Jolteon whined. "I-"
"HEY DRAYDEN!"
Jolteon's ears shot up. He knew that voice anywhere.
Aqua's face froze. How did he-?
The referee looked up. Who let this kid in here?
Drayden's yellow eyes narrowed. "So he decides to show himself."
White slowly looked to the bleachers and her mouth hung open. Standing on the chair with one foot on the rail that separated the battlefield from the spectators, the familiar ravenette's blood-drenched face looked down on them with his signature smirk on. Hopping off the rail, he landed on the heavily dented floor and began walking towards the challenger's box.
"Uh, excuse me!" the referee exclaimed and raised a hand. "Only the challenger is allowed in here-"
"Listen buddy," Scarlet cut-in, grabbing his collar and pulling him close. "I ran through walls, tumbled down stairs and rammed my head against a talking statue. You can't begin to imagine how badly I hurt my pride and how pissed off I am right now so please, please, a million times please, don't make this harder than it already is."
Who could say no to a bloodied smile like that?
As Scarlet walked past the shaken referee, he directed his green eyes towards Drayden and began his short speech.
"Sorry for my...dishevelled...appearance. It's hard crossing the park when everything is spinning. So, first things first, I can see that Haxorus is out so that means you both are down to your last pokemon and from the looks of it, you have the advantage. You really are the Spartan Mayor, aren't you? Well, all that's about to change." He stopped at White's feet and grabbed her shoulders before standing behind her. "Remember how I said White's not a very mature trainer? Well yeah, I was right. She isn't. But for people like her, they don't need stuff like maturity and common sense. Rather, it limits their potential for success. Answer this, Drayden. Were Iris and Black what you could call mature?"
The man didn't answer. But he knew that Scarlet was right.
"This battle will continue," Scarlet stated solemnly.
"B-But-!" the referee blurted.
"You heard him," Drayden interjected and rolled up his sleeves, "This battle shall continue. I'd like to see how far this boy's smart mouth will help White and for that reason, I'm willing to make an exception in the rules for today and today only."
Haxorus flourished its large tusks and Emboar slowly got to her feet.
"Scarly..." White whispered in concern at the blood dripping unto her shoulder. "You should be-"
"I said I'd be here, didn't I? And I always keep my word to the last letter." He brought his mouth close to her ear and whispered, "I'd cross hell to help you so this is nothing. I'll take on all your vile thoughts and worries. So you keep being the airhead you are and know that I'll be behind you. Every single step of the way."
The girl's heart suddenly felt a lot lighter and she exhaled quietly as all the doubt in her heart melted away. Battle White stood in its place and Jolteon barked in excitement as White's eyes took on an electric blue hue. Scarlet's did the same and Emboar rose to full height before roaring loudly. As she roared, her eyes turned red and steam billowed from her nostrils. At the same time, the fire on her chin intensified greatly and Aqua recognised the long forgotten Blaze ability that she had only ever seen on TV.
"Haxorus!" Drayden called and tightened his gloves. "We're going all out. Show us this bright future, White! Scarlet!"
The startled referee raised his hands.
"Let the third and final round, begin!"
"Go, Haxorus! Giga Impact!"
Haxorus leapt into the air before coating itself in purple light and jetting off towards Emboar.
Scarlet smiled parted his lips to give just five sacred words.
"Dragon Slaying 101. Version 2."
Step One: If the dragon pokemon goes for a direct attack, take it head on with an even bigger amount of muscle and strike!
"New move, Emboar! Flare Blitz!" White yelled and Emboar snorted flames before generating a blue blaze around her bulky frame. With a grunt, she blasted off and rammed into Haxorus. The force of the collision was so high, even the windows broke and the glass lights shattered. An explosion followed and Haxorus leapt out of the smoke before glaring at the red eyes staring hack at it through the black clouds.
"Earthquake!"
Step Two: If the target knows any seriously damaging field moves, avoid them in the simplest way possible.
"Heat Crash!"
Emboar jumped high into the air again as Haxorus stamped the ground hard, sending violent tremors across the ground. While in mid-air, she coated herself in a ball of white-hot flames and dropped heavily unto her opponent.
"Strength!" Drayden countered and Haxorus caught the ball with a little difficulty before sending Emboar a good distance away. The fire/fighting type landed on her feet and grinned at her Axe Jaw opponent, the latter of which, on cue, burst into flames. "That's-"
"Burn," Aqua cooed and scraped her nails against the wooden seats. "I underestimated those humans."
Despite the flames, Haxorus shook off its pain and stared defiantly back at Emboar.
"Guillotine!" the gym leader ordered and as his pokemon's tusks elongated and became bathed in white, he couldn't help but notice how different White seemed to be now that Scarlet was with her. So this was the source of her own power.
Step Three: A dragon pokemon's strength can double as its greatest weakness too. All you have to do is use it to your advantage.
"Charge, Emboar!" and Emboar gladly barrelled her way towards Haxorus, not minding the one-hit KO attack her opponent flashed dangerously before her.
"Do it!" Drayden ordered and with a grunt, Haxorus swung its head at Emboar...and missed horribly, earning a gasp from everyone except the challengers themselves. Emboar took that chance to get as close to Haxorus as possible and Drayden knew from the smirk on White's face that the battle was over.
Step Four: When it comes down to it, just stick with what you know and you'll always come through.
"ARM THRUST!" White yelled and Emboar crashed her massive arms into Haxorus' chin, sending it flying upwards. But they weren't done yet! "ARM THRUST! ARM THRUST! ARM THRUST!"
At each command, the blows increased in speed and power until Haxorus' eyes reeled.
Step Five: Finish with style. You've pretty much won anyway.
Emboar grabbed Haxorus' golden tail before twirling the dragon in the air. With a triumphant roar, she brought Haxorus down hard against the ground and put an end to the gym battle.
White tugged on her hat and Scarlet let go of her shoulders.
"And that's Dragon Slaying 101," the girl giggled at the dumbstruck Drayden.
"Version 2," Scarlet snorted, holding up two fingers. "And if you ain't cool with that, then you can suck on it."
"H-Haxorus is unable to continue!" the referee cried and raised an arm to White. "Emboar wins this round...and Challenger White wins the match!"
The arena was still. The air was tense but being the ditz she was, White broke the eventful silence.
It's over...we did it..."We won!" she screamed and slammed into Emboar's arms, laughing as the Mega Fire Pig licked her cheeks and squealed proudly. Scarlet wasn't spared as the three girls (Aqua included) rammed into his back, automatically sending him face-first into the ground and he happily protested to their laughter, licks and crushing grips. Jolteon leapt into White's arms and lapped at the tears of joy spilling across her cheeks.
"This intense feeling that floods me after a defeat... I don't know how to describe it."
The group looked up to see Drayden observing them with an amused twinkle in his eyes. Walking closer, he extended a hand to White and picked her off the floor before slowly placing a hand on her shoulder.
"This old man has been forced to eat his words. You have surpassed your brother and shown me what kind of future lies in the hands of young people like you. A future where everyone can work together and be strengthened by the hearts of their loved ones," he stated and his eyes creased, probably showing that he was smiling. "That match was wonderful. I'm grateful we had a chance to meet and battle."
The referee brought a small case forward and handed it to Drayden who promptly snapped it open, revealing the last and final Unovan Badge.
"The Legend Badge," White breathed.
"Take it, it's yours now," the man nodded and her pale and shaky fingers grasped the badge before lifting it high above her head.
"I got it," she murmured. "We got it, Black! I'm strong enough now!" Putting a hand on her hip, she twirled happily and struck her victory pose. "I just got...The Legend Badge!" And her pokemon jumped into scene like they always did. In her excitement, White hugged Drayden and the man did his best to put up a formal face before deciding to loosen up for once. With a hearty laugh, he embraced the girl and felt that grandfatherly pride well up in his heart.
Aqua wrapped her arms round White and the two girls gave joyous squeals that nearly split Scarlet's eardrums. But he didn't care about his ears or the headache that had returned full force and with a vengeance. No, all that pain had dissolved away at White's laughing face and it was all he could do not to stare like an idiot.
11:20 AM
White stood at the entrance to the gym building with her back turned to the door and her amber orbs locked on one young man before her.
"You won. Guess I can't call you rookie anymore," the ravenette joked, scratching his head bashfully. "You really have changed, ditz."
"Scarly..."
Raising a hand, he formed a thumbs up and smiled widely at her. "I'm proud of you, White. I can't be any happier than this."
The girl took slow steps toward him. "Scarly..."
"I'm sure your loony brother would be smiling from up there if he saw you now. Damn...I know I said I'd cross hell, but its a lot harder to come with this stupid headache so you'd better be grateful alright?"
White's beautiful smile illuminated her features and she broke into a mad dash for him. "Scarlet!"
"I'm here, White," he replied softly and accepted the girl's joyful and teary embrace. "I'm here."
"I did it!" she wailed happily into his shirt. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"
Scarlet put his hands on her waist before lifting her up and twirling her round and round, not caring how OC he was acting. He was happy, White was happy and all was right with the world for now.
"Keep crying this much and I'll cry too," he laughed shakily and lowered the girl back to the ground before resting his head against her shoulder. He had reached his physical limit now and darkness was slowly beginning to cover him but he couldn't less. All he cared about now was the happy girl in his arms...and their fated parting on her birthday.
And as our hunter fell into unconsciousness' clutches, one wish shined brightly in his heart.
If only that last moment could go on forever...I would be the happiest person alive.
Author's Corner.
Slybill: Longest. Chapter. Ever! Damn, that was the most fun I had in a while. Well, White's gotten her last badge and everyone's looking forward to the concert. But I'll give you a little spoiler. Their separation will be tearful. SEE YA!