Oh yeah, a special thank-you to Finalsmasher13, I never knew my test fic would get faves that fast, and thank you Fire Drastar for reviewing.
The Power Trials:
Chapter 2: Meetings
Harrison made himself comfortable on a plushy armchair in the lobby of the Vermilion Pokémon Center, and gestured for Eldon to sit down.
"We can talk when your Salamence is getting healed up," Harrison said, smiling. "Well, you see, since you're still very young, I have some questions to ask you. If you're going on alone, are your parents going to be worried?"
"I've already told them that I'm re-touring the Kanto Region for a few months," Eldon said. "So, tell me about this… Power Trial thing."
"The Power Trials could be seen as a test of your skills, you know, like a practical exam. You and other top-ranking trainers will be put through five different tests with your Pokémon, and the winner will be able…" At this, Harrison hesitated, fidgeting a bit. "…Able to win a fabulous prize." He finished with a bright smile. "All of this will be situated in the Power Stadium, a massive complex with a man-made ecosystem built inside. The Power Stadium is on an island between Hoenn and Kanto. So, what do you think? You could also think of it as a test of your abilities."
Eldon thought for a moment, and then said, "I'll do it."
Harrison stood up briskly as nurse came to their side and delivered Airclaw's Pokeball. Eldon nodded thanks to the nurse and stood up too.
"How long will the trials take?" He asked politely.
Thought contorted Harrison's face before he said, "Mmm… I would say… About ten days. One day to rest between each trial. We'll board the official ship immediately, and after that, you will be shown around. Hurry up, let's go!" Harrison began walking hurriedly towards the main door of the Pokemon Center.
Eldon began following him.
***
The ship was a sleek white cruiser, with the words "The Power Trials" etched in black along one side. In the middle was the control cabin, and outside was a spacious deck, fifteen people already littered amongst it. Eldon was the sixteenth. He stood behind the railings of the side of the ship with his hands in his pockets, and breathed in the salty sea air. It would be three more hours before they reached the Power Stadium, and a waitress had already served each of them a sandwich snack and juice. He looked back and took in his surroundings. There were several adults and a few kids around his age, but mostly they were teens.
One of the kids walked up to him. "Taking in your surroundings, eh?"
"Yeah," Eldon said, glancing at the person beside him. He was slightly taller than Eldon.
"The name's John," He said. "And I feel really jolly."
Eldon at first thought he had met someone crazy, but then he took a look at him and found that he was being sarcastic. John looked very bored.
"Ah frick, I'm so hungry now," John said, starting to walk away. "That sandwich wasn't enough, I'll go talk to the waitress to see if I can get some more. Talk to you later."
Eldon shrugged and continued to stare at the sea. At least he had made a new friend. A few minutes later, John came back with two large sandwiches stuffed with grilled ham, cheese, and lettuce.
"Whoa," Eldon observed. "You sure know how to convince people."
"Yeah," John said, and took away half his sandwich with a single bite. After some chewing and swallowing, he asked, "So what rank are you in the world?"
"Uh, I'm seventeenth, I guess. I just found that out – I had no idea before."
"Oh," John said, finishing his sandwich with a single bite.
Eldon waited until he had swallowed everything, and then asked, "You?"
"I'm thirteen years old, come from Johto, and I'm ranked in twelfth place," John said rapidly, then grinned, and then switched immediately back to a serious expression.
"Wow, twelfth?" Eldon exclaimed, slightly surprised. "You're good."
"Thanks," John said. "Oh goody, I feel like a water Pokémon battle. Want one? I'm so bored."
Eldon shrugged. "Okay, why not?"
Eldon stood on the end of the cruiser while John made himself comfortable on the other side, sitting contentedly on the railing.
Eldon unclasped a Pokeball from his belt and pointed it at the water. "Rage, it's your turn to shine!"
A flash of red streaked into the water as a giant shape materialized into a massive red Gyarados, his scales glittering in the sun. Rage dove into the water with a small splash and sped up again, twirling around in the sky before diving back in.
"Nice show," John commented in a bored voice, and pointed his own Pokeball at the water, and a smaller than average Azumarill popped out into the water, frolicking happily. A red and yellow Choice Band was strapped onto her right arm, glowing yellow with power.
"Meet Savior." John said. "She's one of my best."
"Rage, use Dragon Dance!" Eldon yelled.
At this time, some people had gathered to the railings to watch.
"Thunderpunch, Savior!" John called out.
Rage began twirling majestically in the air, as waves of orange energy began coursing across his body. Before he could finish, however, Savior blasted up through the surface of the water, a torrent of water following behind her. Her Choice Banded arm began crackling with electricity, and she blasted herself level to Rage's face. A quick flash of yellow light shot from Rage's eyes and connected with Savior's, causing her to flinch and slow the swing of her punch. Nevertheless, the punch connected on Rage's horns, causing him to roar and crash back into the water.
"Whaddafrick…" John muttered. "Use Thunderpunch again, Savior!"
"Earthquake, Rage!" Eldon yelled.
"Haha, that's funny," John commented while grinning. "Earhquake on water? I mean, whaddafrick."
Rage roared into the air once more and slammed his tail into the water, causing massive waves of orange energy to surge through the water. Savior was hit head on, and was blasted into the air.
"Dive into the water and Thunderpunch Rage's stomach!" John called out. Savior dove into the water again, bruised and battered, and began generating electricity with her fist. The water crackled and steamed as Savior sped through the water, and she slammed her fist into Rage's underbelly. There was an explosion as Rage was blasted through the air, crashing back down in the water. Savior had won.
There were a few claps from the spectators, and John and Eldon both congratulated their Pokemon, retracting them both back into their Pokeballs.
"That was a good battle," Eldon said.
"Yeah…" John said. "You should've attacked me first instead of Dragon Dancing. Then you could've attacked me two times. That would've had a better chance of beating me."
"Well, I can learn from my mistakes, right?" Eldon said cheerfully. "I really wonder when we arrive."
"Holy frick," John exclaimed, pointing off into the distance. "We're already here!"
Eldon looked where he was pointing. A colossal metal dome with a forest surrounding it on a desolate island could be seen…
Well, tell me what you thought about it!