Chapter 7: The Underground Tournaments

Over the next few months, Bulbasaur and Skylark grew stronger and more popular than anyone had ever believed. Week after week they entered into tournaments, winning each one and breaking records like no one's business. Skylark's dream was becoming a reality, and the once lonely Bulbasaur now had a caring owner.

As they grew more popular, Skylark began to gain a fan-base…surprisingly, tons of girls were wooed by his "magnificent trainer skills" and "charming techniques." He could barely go out in public anymore without being identified by someone. But with more fame grew more enemies…some rather dark.

One day, arriving home from the Pokémon Academy, Skylark was checking his mail. "Hm…tournament next Thursday, fan letters, sponsorship from the Pokémon Card Club, some bills…" While rummaging through the mail, he came across a mysterious letter. Inside the letter was several news clippings of Skylark's winnings and uprising fame, and it also contained a note. The note was made from newspaper letter clippings (like serial killers, ya know?) glued onto a folded piece of paper.

It read:

We know who you are. Meet at Academy at 00:00.

-O

Skylark grew nervous, but rather curious. What could they possibly want from him? Going inside, he threw his backpack onto his bed, took a shower and went straight to his computer to waste time until that night. At dusk his mom had finished dinner, and after he ate he went upstairs to prepare for his midnight departure.

His mother normally went to bed at 9:30, leaving Skylark to do whatever he wanted too. She slept downstairs in another bedroom, so the downstairs door was an unlikely option for escape. Plotting it out, he strung his sheets together and emptied his backpack. He would put Bulbasaur in the backpack (unzipped, of course) and then he would slide down the side of his house. Whenever he made it back from his journey he would just climb back up, untie the sheets and head off to bed. If need be to get sleep he would fake being sick.

Once midnight arrived, he did exactly that. He slowly went down the side of his house, his sheets tied to the very sturdy built in heater in his room and then made his way down the road to the academy. As he walked, he could only think of a million possibilities as to what this may possibly be.

Arriving at the Academy, he checked his PokéDex. "Hm. 11:57. I won-"

"Hey, you." A voice whispered through the area. Skylark took his stance, and Bulbasaur hopped from the backpack, ready to fight. "Listen, I'm not going to hurt you…" From the shadows of the Academy came out a teenager, roughly a year or two younger than Skylark, and he had a flashlight. "You see those bushes? Follow me." The kid went forward, advancing towards the bushes. Skylark, hesitant at first, decided it was best to follow him since he was only a kid.

Within five minutes they came across a small opening in the ground, about the width of three feet. Without hesitation the kid jumped down, and then motioned for Skylark. Skylark hopped in, and Bulbasaur came in after. Skylark caught Bulbasaur, and they all walked down a long corridor until the entered a large room. On two sides stood large stands, and in the middle was a battle ring. "This place was cleared out by our leader's earth type Pokémon Onix. He uses it as a place to bet on Pokémon and have trainers fight."

"Wait, bet on Pokémon? Isn't tha-"

"Yes, illegal, but it's all in good sport." Skylark suddenly grew tense, his mood rather anxious. "We saw how good you've gotten, and the boss himself wanted to fight you." Skylark's stomach dropped. The massive Onix…against his small Bulbasaur?

"You're joking. That's incredibly unfair!"

"Rule 1 of the Pokémon Underground: Games will be unfair." The boy answered as he left and fled into the massive crowd. Skylark looked around; at least a hundred people were in these stands, and they were all placing bets together.

"I bet 300 Pokédollars on Onix."

"Psh, that's weak. 750 on Onix, there's no way he'll lose."

"I don't know, that Bulbasaur of his has proven to be quite the competitor." They all murmured amongst themselves as plates were being passed around, one plate for Bulbasaur and the other for Onix.

Once the betting was done, they counted the totals. "12,430 was placed on the leader's Onix! 1,296 was placed on Bulbasaur!" Skylark was now upset with the crowd. They all doubted his skills. Regardless of that, Skylark had to get out of there soon and expose this devilish tournament. As he turned to flee, two men stood at the gate, each with a Weedle. The poison attacks of the Weedle would harm Bulbasaur greatly, so he couldn't flee. He had to win and get out of there safely in order to expose them.

"And now, introducing Skylark's opponent for the evening, Mr. Orovo!" From behind a stage on the opposite side of the room emerged a boy, roughly 16 years of age. He held in his hands a Great Ball, and as he came out he slowly walked up the stage and sat upon a throne made of earth. "The King of the Pokémon Underground!" The crowd roared wildly. What had Skylark gotten himself into?

Orovo spoke up. "Quiet down, everyone. Listen up, Skylark!" Skylark looked up, his palms sweaty. "I'm sure you understand the rules of a normal Pokémon tournament, correct?" Skylark nodded. "Well, forget that. Fight freely, and may the best winner win!" He threw out his Pokéball, exposing the great and ferocious Onix. Skylark was in for a long night…