Chapter 16:
As if I wasn't nervous enough, Thomas has taken the initiative and completely ruined my strategy. There will be no Status Psycho for now. He had this planned out and likely has other tricks up his sleeve for later in the battle. I have to be wary. Until then, I have to go on the offensive. Magcargo won't give me any other option now. Fortunately, I have faith that it can do the job even with Heatmor being awake.
"Ancient Power," I say and rocks are instantly torn from the ground.
"Substitute," Thomas responds.
Smoke pours from Heatmor's snout and shrouds the entire battlefield. Magcargo continues its attack and rains the rocks down on where we last saw the Heatmor. I check my Battle Gear, Heatmor remains unharmed. The attack missed. But no, the smoke clears to reveal the pile of rocks burying something. Heatmor is nowhere else to be seen. I quickly look everywhere. It has to be buried beneath those rocks.
"Cave the rocks in with Earth Power," I call out and Magcargo nods.
"Sucker Punch," Thomas says calmly.
Magcargo concentrates its strength and the ground begins to shake. Rocks from the mound burst out in all directions. Heatmor emerges and rushes at Magcargo. A clean strike to the face sends my Pokémon skidding back and recoiling in pain.
"Fire Blast!" Thomas calls out triumphantly and raises a hand to the sky.
Heatmor leans its head back and, when it launches itself forward, a pillar of flames bigger than any I've seen before erupts from its snout. Magcargo is defenceless and its eyes widen in horror as the attack approaches. The flames consume Magcargo. I have to shield my face from the heat as they get closer. Thankfully, the fire never reaches me and gradually recedes. Magcargo has been flung some distance and is lying helplessly in a heap.
The referee declares Magcargo defeated as I check my Battle Gear in despair. Heatmor is more powerful than I could have imagined. I have to come up with something to deal with it and fast before I can even worry about his other five.
"Go, Milotic!"
"Sylux, your work is done. Go, Samuel," Thomas says as he switches his Pokémon out by juggling his Poké Balls.
My next obstacle is a hulking Conkeldurr. It slams both of its concrete blocks to the ground, smashing craters into the floor. Milotic simply looks at it disapprovingly. Thomas adjusts his glasses as he looks over the situation. He looks thoughtful. I don't understand his delay. He set up the situation, why would it take so much time for him to make a move? I consider trying to take the initiative, but stop as my mouth opens. It's another trick. He wants me to go first.
We both stand silently eying each other, waiting to see who will go first. Our Pokémon engage in a similar stare down. The crowd quietens. They seem more confused by our stand off than anything. If this continues long enough then I will break the deadlock, but only after I've thought through the best course of action.
"Switch!" I shout suddenly, "Gourgeist, use Flame Charge!"
Gourgeist is already covered in flames as it emerges from the Poké Ball. It rushes across the battlefield and slams into Conkeldurr. Thomas doesn't react. He just watches as Gourgeist bounces off Conkeldurr and lands on the floor unexpectedly. The flames die down and Gourgeist looks confused.
"Samuel, Ice Punch," Thomas says.
Conkeldurr steps forward and raises one of its concrete blocks over Gourgeist. The block shines an icy blue before it comes crashing down and ploughs Gourgeist into the dirt.
"Leech Seed," I say, thinking quickly.
Seeds fire out of Gourgeist's mouth. At such close range, Conkeldurr can't stop the seeds latching onto it. Conkeldurr lifts its concrete block off Gourgeist as it tries to shake the seeds loose. Gourgeist bounces away from Conkeldurr to stay away from any wild swings. Its strength is gradually coming back to it, being drained from Conkeldurr.
"Phantom Force," I say.
Gourgeist vanishes. Conkeldurr twists around rapidly in search of Gourgeist having lost sight of it while trying to rid itself of the seeds. Its grip on the concrete blocks tightens and cracks begin to appear beneath its fingers. It is really suffering now and is trying to hide it. The Battle Gear isn't picking up on it though. I wonder if Thomas knows.
"Strike now!" I call out.
"Rock Slide," Thomas says calmly. Again, his calmness shocks me and I take a step back.
Gourgeist reappears behind Conkeldurr with a menacing grin stretched across its face. It is ready to slam into Conkeldurr and take it by surprise. Hopefully dealing the decisive blow. However, Conkeldurr acts. It sweeps its concrete blocks around its back, throwing up a wall of rocks between them. Gourgeist can't stop itself. It crashes into the rocks and falls through onto Conkeldurr. The impact is lessened and Conkeldurr easily casts Gourgeist aside.
"You didn't think I'd let you pull that one off?" Thomas asks mockingly, "You're so predictable. Samuel, Ice Punch!"
Conkeldurr turns to face Gourgeist. Gourgeist tries to scramble and get up, but Conkeldurr swings one of its concrete blocks. With a devastating blow, Gourgeist is struck directly in the face. At the same time, the seeds latched onto Conkeldurr freeze and snap off. All of my efforts have been undone and reversed. Almost all of them anyway. I check my Battle Gear. Gourgeist is defeated, but Conkeldurr is on its last legs.
I return Gourgeist to its Poké Ball and try to think. Thomas thinks he's got me figured out and, so far, he has. I don't know what to do next. I don't have many options. If things were to go my way, I would be able to snatch an easy KO and take Conkeldurr out of the picture. Instead, Thomas will likely switch to another match up that makes me think I can win when he's got a counter strategy worked out. I ball my hands into fists and scrunch my eyes up in an attempt to focus and block the rest of the world out. I need to figure out a new strategy with a Pokémon Thomas has seen me use. One that the Pokémon can use without prior preparation.
Of course, that's it. I don't need the prior preparation. Not all of my strategies so far have been planned. If the bond with my Pokémon is as strong as I think it is, then they should understand what I'm thinking.
"Go, Milotic," I say, bringing it back out.
"So, that's how you're playing it?" Thomas asks thoughtfully.
"Yeah," I nod, "Milotic, Aqua Ring."
Milotic is surrounded by a rotating ring of refreshing water. I had expected Thomas to have switched by now, but again he's biding his time.
"Drain Punch," he says.
"Ice Beam downwards," I say.
Milotic chooses not to question this command. Conkeldurr charges towards it, holding its concrete blocks like battering rams. If the attack connects then it will hurt. However, Milotic aims its own attack at the floor. The thin icy blue light strikes the ground. The battlefield beneath Milotic freezes over and the water constantly soothing Milotic washes over the ice.
"Now move!" I shout.
It is a close call, but Milotic dodges Conkeldurr's charge at the last second, sliding its long body around the oncoming assault. Conkeldurr steps on the wet ice as it continues on. The plan works. Conkeldurr has no grip and slips. It releases its concrete blocks as it falls flat on its face. One of the blocks lands on Conkeldurr's back, drawing a yelp from it before it falls limp.
It was probably more complicated than it needed to be, but I have managed to get one of Thomas' Pokémon down. My attention turns to what he plans to use next. He will likely use something that he intends to counter Milotic with, but I have no plans on retreating. I reckon this wet ice strategy could prove useful. He likely won't fall for the same trick again, but I can use it to my advantage for that very reason. Mark showed how effective limiting the battlefield can be yesterday. If I can control where Thomas' Pokémon have to be, then I stand a chance.
"Go, Spinal," Thomas says.
I saw Thomas' Kabutops on TV in the first round. It looked deadly then. In person, it is even more dangerous looking. Its eyes stare straight through Milotic and at me. Its glare digs into me like the scythes on its arms might.
"Rock Slide," Thomas says.
"Ice Beam," I respond.
Kabutops lurches forward and slices at the ground with both scythes. The battlefield is ripped apart as a wave of rocks rises into the air. Milotic stands its ground and launches its attack. The Ice Beam sweeps across the wave and freezes it in place, creating a wall of frozen rocks between the two Pokémon. I crane my neck up for a better view of over the wall.
"Ice Beam downwards again," I say.
Milotic nods and attacks the floor again. My side of the battlefield becomes an ice rink with a safe area of solid ground for my other Pokémon. From what I can see over the wall, Thomas is waiting intently, glancing at the big screen above us to see the extent of what I've done.
"What do you think?" I ask and stretch out my arms. I am acting calm and confident. Two can play at this game. And why shouldn't I? I have turned the battlefield into my own defensive fortress.
"Impressive," Thomas says with a smirk.
"Milotic, Scald over the wall," I say, turning my attention back to the battle instead of boasting.
Milotic slithers up to the wall, soaking the ice with Aqua Ring in the process, and rises up to poke its head over the wall. I have to look up to the big screen as well so that I can see Milotic spray boiling hot water at Kabutops.
"It's impressive, but not good enough," Thomas shouts suddenly, "Spinal, break through with X-Scissor."
Kabutops jumps back to avoid Milotic's attack and raises its scythes. The scythes glow a searing hot red and come down on the wall with incredible force. The ice shatters and rains down on Milotic as Kabutops follows through the wall and smashes into Milotic. Milotic is thrown back and slides across the ice. Kabutops is through the wall but now has to navigate the ice rink I prepared for it.
"You think you're the first person to try an ice battlefield? Spinal, skating Aqua Jet," Thomas calls.
Kabutops slams its scythes into the ice and leans forward. It kicks off as its body is consumed in a wave of water and it shoots across the ice. Milotic only has time to raise its head to see its attacker before the collision sends it flying.
Milotic can't take much more of a beating and I haven't even landed a hit on Kabutops. I want to switch, let Milotic rest and use it later in a better match up. However, I can't. Kabutops can battle on the ice and Milotic is the only real option I have for that.
"Recover," I say. It is risky, but it is all I can hope to do. Milotic has to get itself into a better condition if there is any chance of taking on Kabutops.
"Swords Dance," Thomas says.
Worrying about Milotic being hit while recovering itself distracted me from the possibility of Kabutops using the opportunity to power itself up. While Milotic is veiled in a light glow, Kabutops swipes its scythes against each other as though to sharpen the blades. The scythes shimmer in the light that reflects from the ice beneath it.
I run my hands through my hair and hold onto my head. I can't hide it anymore. I am running out of ideas. The panic in my mind must be obvious on my face. I stare at the blades on the ends of Kabutops' arms. They look sharp enough to slice right through Milotic's delicate skin.
"Night Slash," Thomas says confidently. He knows what's coming.
Kabutops digs its scythes back into the ice and kicks off again. As it approaches Milotic, it pulls one scythe from the ice and a shadowy aura surrounds the blade.
"Milotic concedes!" I shout and quickly hold out a Poké Ball.
The crowd draws a collective gasp and I breathe a sigh of relief. Milotic disappears from the battlefield and Kabutops' scythe harmlessly slices through the air. This tournament has already done irreversible damage to Crobat. I refuse to let it claim another of my Pokémon.