Chapter 13: The Main Event
Will Sapph Manson and Benny Tucker please report to field D for their first seed match… Sapph Manson and Benny Tucker to field D for their first seed match…
From within the recesses of the fluorescent-lit locker room, Sapph raised his bowed head and rose from the bleacher to his feet. As he walked out towards his designated battle field, Sapph replayed the rules of the Gatonda Tournament to himself:
'Each competitor will participate in two one-on-one seed matches. The competitors' ability, speed and general Pokémon health will be used to judge the four who will proceed to another one-on-one semifinal match. The winners of each match will proceed to the finals. The final will be a three on three singles match in which one Pokémon used in the seed matches may be used in addition to the two that have not made an appearance as of yet. Aside this instance, no Pokémon used in a preceding match may be used again for the entire duration of the tournament.'
Sapph stepped out into the bright Saturday sunshine and onto a rectangular, wire-fenced clay court in the middle of which a large ring was drawn. Thirty yard in diameter, two lines, one red; one green, were painted at either side of the circle. Two more lines, both white, stood within the circle. Sapph, despite the warmth of the morning, suddenly felt cold. The ring looked oddly familiar…like the one at home, where he'd let the family down. The cheers and heckling of the crowd sounded distant and the gentle breeze which complimented the warm weather suddenly felt a lot harsher.
"Ladies and germs, give a warm round of applause to Sapph Manson, from Cherrygrove Town, Johto!" The commentator announced through his microphone.
More to avoid staring at the ring than anything else, Sapph looked up to see a large number of signs being waved and banners fluttering in the crowd. They blared out a variety of messages including 'GO HOME, MANSON!', 'COREI LEAGUES FOR REAL CHAMPIONS!', 'MANSON = LOSER!!' and 'WANNABE MASTER!' Sapph gulped. He knew people usually backed their own regional favourites, but this was a little extreme.
"And from across the bay and far away, give a hand to Benny Tucker from EverWood Town, Corei!" The announcer hollered again.
A much shorter boy strutted out from within the locker room on the other side of the ring. Wearing a blue cap and shorts, he waved to the mainly cheering crowd. Sapph, who was feeling slightly nauseous now, thought he looked vaguely familiar…
What was I thinking? Sapph thought wildly, looking back at the ring and feeling all of his old insecurities flooding into his mind. His blue eyes squeezed shut as he tried and failed to blot out the memories of his last defeat. No one here expects me to win… nobody really thinks I can do this… no one, not one person here wants me to win, no…
GET A FREAKING GRIP, SAPPH MANSON! Another voice roared in his head. Sapph flinched inwardly as the voice went on in a maniacal rant.
So the crowd favours that little idiot smirking over there… who cares? Have you forgotten who you've got to fight for you? Have you already forgotten why you agreed to compete? Have you forgotten your promise to Nora? To Rickie? Your dad? Yourself?!
Sapph's eyes flew open in shock at the words the unknown entity spoke.
"That's right," Sapph muttered to himself, calming down, the terror within himself receding and being replaced with a furious desire that wasn't unfamiliar to him. "I promised Nora to win so she can be a trainer. I promised Rickie that I'd do my best to be the best that I can be. I promised my dad that I'd grow up, promised myself that I'd show them all," Images of his family, Mrs. Kent, Prof. Yew, Kamren and his gang, his Pokémon, Haley, Brian and Nora. "What I can truly be."
And what I can be, he thought, steeling his gaze as he marched to his position on the field, is not a coward!
The referee steeped up to the circle to explain the rules of the battle.
"This will be a one-on-one battle with no time limit. A winner is decided when a trainer's Pokémon is unable to continue. Are both trainers ready?"
"You betcha," Sapph said passionately, the spark only a battle could bring ringing in his voice.
"Ready," Benny affirmed.
"Then begin!" the referee exclaimed throwing both hands into the air as the crowd of about one hundred and fifty strong let out a collective roar of noise.
"I see you've entered the tournament," Benny smirked, his eyes cool and humourless. "But you won't beat me again!"
"'Beat you again'?" Sapph echoed bewildered. "Whaddya mean, again?"
"So you don't remember me," Benny went on, visibly aggrieved. "Maybe this will ring a bell! Go, Blue!" he shouted, throwing a red and white orb into the ring.
Bouncing off the clay tarmac, the sphere burst open, expelling a flash of white light which dimmed to reveal a large blue and white chested bird. A large red 'V' separated the blue from the white under its long yellow beak which opened to give a loud cry of "Sweeeellll!"
"Man, don't tell me," Sapph gasped. Reaching for his Pokédex, Sapph quickly scanned the new creature before him.
Swellow, the Swallow Pokémon. Native to the western coastal forests of Hoenn, Swellow are hardy, fastidious creatures which do not give up a fight until won. Swellow is the evolved form of Taillow.
"It's you!" Sapph exclaimed, finally noticing who he was. "You're the kid who tried to catch Ledian in EverWood Forest!"
"That's right!" Benny snarled. "Only this time, I'll be the one to come out on top!"
"Dream on… let's go, Magnemite!" Sapph called, releasing his newly acquired Electric type into the ring.
Hovering a few feet above the ground Magnemite waved its magnets around slightly, causing a ripple of electricity to course through its steely body.
Health at one hundred percent… awaiting battle protocol… Magnemite droned, its single eye alert and watchful.
"Benny, you can't beat me with that Pokémon! Don't you know your type advantages?! You'd better forfeit!" Sapph advised calmly as he watched Blue squawk and tremble from the top of its head where its plumage seemed to have been slicked back to its red, black-taloned feet.
Benny however was just as adept at beating down mind games as Sapph was.
"Shut up," Benny said sharply. "Type aint nothing! We'll still win! What's important is your will to win! Let's go! Double Team!"
Blue consented by flapping its wings to get some altitude and creating what seemed to be illusionary copies of itself.
"Not much of a high flier at home, rumours abound say Sapph has hit the Corei League Gym challenge with a vengeance, earning two badges in a space of a week! This should be quite a battle!" The commentator informed the excited crowd.
"Magnemite, Thunderbolt!" Sapph countered confidently.
Sinusoidal fluctuation… power too low… initiating Thunderrrshock… Magnemite droned, releasing a much weaker jolt of electricity.
"What are you doing Magnemite?!" Sapph yelled, watching as the weak attack obliterated only two of the clones.
"Blue, use Sky Dive!" Benny ordered with a laugh.
As well organized as a fighter plane squadron, all the Swellow formed a line as they plummeted towards the Magnet Pokémon, a white aura surrounding them as the dove in.
"Magnemite, watch out!" Sapph hollered, scanning the unfamiliar attack.
Sky Dive, Flying type technique. Power, one-twenty; Accuracy, seventy-five percent. A highly dangerous aerial tackle in which one-third of the damage is received as recoil.
Magnemite was able to float away quickly enough to feint three clones that crashed into the ground and vanish. Noticing the danger, the last four Swellow pulled out of the dive and hung a wide right turn as they prepared to dive again.
"Now, Magnemite," Sapph said, a trace of relief etched in his voice. "Use Thunderbolt!"
Power up fifty percent… initiating counterattack, Magnemite consented as sparks raced along the metallic surfaces of its entire body. This time, several large streaks of lightning raced towards the Blue clones, catching them all in a flash of white.
That's done it, Sapph thought with a grim smile on his lips.
"Hang in there, Blue!" Benny cried out, worried as he watched his Pokémon get grilled. "Use Wing Attack!"
Roger that, boss! Blue answered in a voice you may have heard from a British fighter pilot in a World War II movie, gritting his beak as he wrenched himself free of the waves of pain surrounding him. In the confusion of the clones around him dissipating, Sapph and Magnemite never noticed Blue's counter until it was too late. Blue struck Magnemite right across its single eye with a tensed up wing.
Visibility lowered greatly… losing visual of opponent… Magnemite groaned in pain.
Damn, that was low! Sapph thought angrily.
Aloud, he yelled to the referee, pointing at the offending duo. "Hey, ref! Is that fair?!"
"I don't think so," The young man in black and white said uncertainly.
"YOU DON'T WHAT?!" Sapph screamed back.
"You're going down… Blue, use your Quick Attack!" Benny muttered.
Blue let out a loud cry and vanished, reappearing only as he laid into Magnemite again as it flailed around the ring, shooting random sparks into the air.
"Magnemite! You OK?" Sapph yelled concerned for his Pokémon.
Total health loss at twenty three percent… ability to resume battle confirrrmed… the Steel and Electric combination said with a nod.
"Great! Let's go with Thundershock!" Sapph told his Magnemite.
Affirmative… Magnemite droned again, electricity flowing throughout its horseshoe magnets.
Guess we'd better play it safe, Benny thought grimly, watching the Magnemite power up.
Aloud, he ordered "Blue! Use Double Team one more time!"
OK, boss! Blue rasped in his upper class voice, preparing to double itself again. Instead, all it could do was flinch as sparks of lightning arrested his movements, causing him to crash onto the field.
"Hey, what gives?!" Benny yelled in a panic.
Paralysis ploy… successful… Magnemite droned happily using its heat seeking mechanism to fire its attack successfully. Blue screamed in pain as lightning poured from Magnemite's magnets into his now black and blue body.
"Blue! Pull yourself together!" Benny yelled.
Blue tried to pull himself together by splitting apart. The pain was apparently too much for Blue to bear and wound up shaking convulsively as the full effects of paralysis set in.
"Ladies and gentlemen, will you look at that!" The commentator gasped into his microphone as he relayed the situation to the stunned audience. "Sapph Manson has used his Magnemite's electric discharges to paralyze Benny's Swellow! Looks like this could be over for the combination of Benny and Blue!"
No good, boss, Blue grunted apologetically. Looks like this is my limit…
Preparing finishing moooove… Magnemite droned, bringing its horseshoe magnets together to form a constantly growing sphere of black electricity which had golden flashes rippling across its surface.
"What the- no, wait! Magnemite, stop!" Sapph yelled frantically.
Initiating Zap Cannon attack… Magnemite went on, lightning coursing through the sphere in terrifying amounts.
Oh, dear… that's gonna leave a few bruises… Blue thought dismally, bracing itself for what seemed the inevitable.
With vindictive pleasure, Magnemite fired the sphere at Blue when its size had exceeded that of a large soccer ball. The resulting flash was something that no epileptic would have been advised to witness.
After about a minute of being able to see nothing but pure whiteness, the light dimmed down to show Blue lying flat on his back in the circle with its legs stuck up in the air. Its tongue hung out the side of its mouth and eyes resembled black swirls which were hard to see due to the now charcoal-black colour of Blue's feathers.
"Blue is unable to battle… Magnemite wins! The victory of this seed match goes to Sapph Manson from Cherrygrove Town, Johto!" The referee yelled, raising his red flag in Sapph's general direction.
The crowd, with slightly disappointed looks on their faces, nonetheless gave a polite smattering of applause for Sapph in appreciation for the fine show he'd put up for them. Sapph, uncertain what the crowd would say or do if he looked happy about the outcome of the match, quickly returned Magnemite to its pokéball and looked to see Benny do the same. He hardly heard the commentator announce that Sapph had won his match in a minute and three seconds, bringing him fifth in the standings for qualification for the semi finals as he turned to return to the lockers.
Well, looks like I'm not really liked by the populace at this tournament, Sapph thought grimly, gaining the sanctuary of the locker room. Must be Reg working the crowd…
Then he smiled. Remembering the sight of two of Reg's gang members who'd been watching the match Sapph chuckled as he left to look for Roni's father's stand where he'd agreed to meet the others.
Boy, that sucker sure is in for a shock…
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"Then he had Duskito use Pin Missile and it was so over!" Brian said excitedly to Sapph and Nora, relating what he saw of Reg's match to the duo as he munched on his third hot dog of the morning.
"Brian, are you sure you'll be OK eating this much in the morning?" Nora asked uncertainly.
"Hunh? It takes about five of these buddies to hold me… 'til lunch that is!" Brian reassured her cheerfully, suddenly burping slightly. "Sorry…" he added apologetically.
Sapph sweat dropped.
"So, Nora," Brian went on, his mouth now empty. "How was the match between Dekao and Arnold?"
"Well… Arnold used his Machop's Karate Chop to beat Dekao's Koffing 'Smokescreen Jutsu'… the match ended in about fifty six seconds…" Nora recounted succinctly.
"What's his style like?" Sapph then asked the girl.
"Mostly instinctual," Nora answered him softly. "Not that his instincts were too sharp when Dekao had Koffing pull off the Smokescreen. He seemed to have Machop hit anything and everything within reach. His Machop only needed to his three times, making his Pokémon look really strong…"
"Looks like there's plenty of tough competition for you even without Reg, Sapph," Nora's voice piped up suddenly. She just got back from Field A with Roni and Bubbles in tow. "Hey, Brian, Hey Nora," she added to the other two.
"Hi, Haley!" Nora beamed back at her. "How was Zayina's match?"
"Quick," Roni replied. "Hardly saw what happened. The match had barely started and it was over…"
"What? Is Zayina that weak?" Sapph asked.
Haley and Roni stared at Sapph incredulously before the former answered his question. "No, you dummy. Zayina won. In six… seconds… flat." Her emphasis on flat hardly exaggerated.
Sapph suddenly felt cold all over again.
"You're joking, right? Please say you're joking," Sapph said hoarsely as Brian choked on his fifth hot dog.
"Sorry, mate. She aint kidding," Roni confirmed.
"Who was her opponent?" Brian wheezed, finally able to clear his windpipe.
"Some kid with a Poochyena in a straw hat," Haley shrugged, unwrapping a hot dog of her own and taking a big bite out of it.
"Oh, him," Sapph said calmly, breaking into a relieved grin.
"Sapph?" Nora said uncertainly, surprised (to say the very least) that Sapph could look so relaxed after hearing that someone got beaten so soundly so qukickly.
"Guess Zayina's got to be the one to beat, Sapph," Brian said seriously, looking at the boy trainer coolly.
"Not really, anyone could beat up that idiot," Sapph said dismissively. "Their kind are all talk and not really any action."
"Sounds like someone we know, eh?" Roni said evenly, causing Haley to choke on her orange juice as she let out a snort of laughter.
"Heeeey," Sapph said warningly.
"Anyways, to put yourself in a good position to qualify, it seems you'll need to win your next match in less than six seconds yourself, Sapph," Brian said calmly, looking at Sapph with a serious look in his dark eyes.
"What?!" Sapph yelped, looking stricken.
"And speaking of your next match… aren't they announcing it now form Field C?" Haley went on nonchalantly, jerking her thumb in the direction of the next battle field.
Sapph looked like he'd had a heart attack at this information.
"Whoa! I gotta run!" Sapph yelled, getting up and haring off towards the field.
Wun, Sap, wun! Bubbles cheered at his retreating back.
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"Ladies and gentlemen, if Sapph Manson is unable to reach the stadium in less than ten seconds, he will immediately forfeit the match!" The announcer voiced out in a mystical tone to arouse the tension that was starting to fill the bleachers.
The audience, most of which were locals, knew their cue and began to count down. "Ten… nine… eight… seven… six… five…"
Sapph's next seed match opponent, a short boy with black hair that was hidden by a red and white fisherman's cap, counted down with the crowd, Although his voice was laced with what seemed to be fervent prayer. He'd battled a kid with his teammates a few days before and lost in a three on one matchup. To make matters worse, his Poochyena hadn't seemed to be on top form all day and had nearly cost him his first seed match.
Four! The kid thought frantically, hoping against hope that this Sapph Manson would not show.
Down in the locker room, a flash of red whizzed by the lockers, clutching a stitch in his side…
"Three!" the crowd bellowed.
Loud footfalls rang through the corridor as Sapph raced towards the stairs that led to the field…
Two! Still nowhere in sight, the boy started to relax.
Heavy panting filled the air as a boy ran up the steps into the welcoming sunshine…
"ONE!" the crowd screamed in pleasure.
"And…" the commentator shouted into his microphone- the youth clenched his eyes shut-
"HERE HE COMES!" he screamed out in anticipation of a fine match to come.
Damn, the boy thought desperately, opening his eyes. Looking down at his clenched fist he stared at his Poochyena's pokéball and hoped he was up to another battle.
The crowd had mixed feelings about Sapph's arrival. Those in favour of the Coreian competitor grumbled, thinking Sapph had ruined their region's chances of winning the prize. Those who were less biased were of two minds: that Sapph had cut his time fairly close and that he was showing off arriving late, or that he was one hell of a lucky son of a gun, which fans on either side had no hesitation in letting Sapph know.
"Boo, man!"
"Hey, what gives? Why didn't you just stay away?"
"Man, do you know how long we've waited to watch this match, Manson?"
"Yeah, it wasn't funny, Manson!"
"What a lucky son of a gun!"
This opinion left Sapph smiling as he recounted his life's adventures in the past up 'til after EverWood Forest…
"The challenger present at last, Sapph Manson's second seed match, against Fisher of Nightspark City, will now begin. Each trainer will use one Pokémon only. No time limit," the referee repeated.
"Go, Litaire!" Sapph yelled, a little winded but pumped by the support of the unbiased portion of the audience. His pokéball hit the field and split open, shooting a beam of white light into the sky which materialized to form the dark brown bird whose spiky coffee brown plumage was hidden beneath an old fashioned flying helmet complete with goggles. Twisting gracefully in midair, Sapph's newest teammate swooped in to a halt about five feet above the field.
Sapph's voice jogged Fisher's memory of something unpleasant. Looking up, the boy in the cap saw Sapph and went cold.
It's him! Oh, crap, crap, CRAP! He thought helplessly. Resignedly, he threw up his pokéball and muttered "Get 'em, Poochyena!"
The Bite Pokémon took shape within the circle, its red eyes scanning the field. Seeing nothing, he looked up and saw a familiar figure fluttering its wings to stay in the sky.
Hmm… no one told me it was lunch time already… the Poochyena said calmly, licking his chops.
You filthy son of a b****… Litaire growled back in a voice of ice cold calm.
What's wrong with me being one of those, hunh? the puppy-like Pokémon barked back.
"Don't I know you?" Sapph said slowly, taking his first good look at Fisher.
Fisher snorted back in derision. "So what if you do? You won't win this time."
This time? Sapph thought curiously. Aloud though, he only laughed and said, "Right… like I haven't heard that one before…"
"Ready, begin!" the ref proclaimed, raising his flags.
Losing no time, both boys yelled out their commands in almost perfect unison.
"Poochyena, Sand Attack!"
"Litaire, use Gust!"
Poochyena kicked up a huge amount of sand to blind Litaire in the hopes of blinding the Swoop Pokémon, but had its effect reversed when an even greater blast of wind sent the dust flying right back at the poor Bite Pokémon, causing it to whimper in pain as it was thrown up into the air.
"Finish it, Litaire! Use Quick Attack!" Sapph yelled, knowing that time was short.
Litaire's violet eyes flashed once before she vanished into the winds, knocking the wind out of Poochyena as she slammed it into the ground. Hitting the field with a nasty cracking sound, Poochyena yelped as he bounced into the air and hit the ground again. He rolled over a couple of times before he reached Fisher's feet, where he stayed snout down, and quickly admitting defeat.
"Poochyena is unable to battle. Litaire wins!" The referee, yelled, raising his red flag and pointing it towards the winning team.
No way, Fisher thought in disbelief, ashen-faced.
"So fast," Sapph gasped in wonder, regarding his Litaire with awe.
"Ladies and germs, what a match!" The commentator screamed to the stunned crowd. "Sapph Manson has won his second seed match in a space of four seconds! That's got to be one for the record books, folks!"
Sapph returned his Litaire proudly, hoping that this would be enough to push him into the final four.
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"Wow," was all Haley could say to Sapph's re-enactment of his second win.
The group was assembled once more outside the sunlit stand where Roni's father sold refreshments during the carnival.
"You really whupped him, Sapph!" Brian agreed with a grin.
Go Sa-ap, go Sa-ap, you so-oh, kick aa-… Bubbles sang out happily.
"Bubbles!" Haley yelled in shock. "Where did you learn that word?"
Bubbles giggled and said happily, But, Hawey… Sap did kick…
"Bubbles, don't make me ground you," Haley said firmly.
Sapph and Brian found it hard to stop laughing at this point. Roni and Nora looked close to laughter themselves but were able to keep it in.
"So you won in four seconds," a snippy voice said cockily from behind Nora.
Startled the group spun around to see Reg standing there. Nora jumped and hid behind Sapph again, making Sapph and (for some unknown reason) Haley flush.
"Reg," Sapph said coolly, stopping his laughter almost instantly.
"Just watch your back, kid," Reg said ominously, turning to leave. "The tournament's only gonna get tougher from here on out, and I'll be hot on your rear!"
Reg left quickly.
What's got that coyotay's undies all knotted fer? Eaves wondered aloud.
"Who knows?" Brian said slowly.
Sapph reassured the others. "Don't worry guys. With this plan up my sleeve and my secret weapon, we can't lose!"
"I hope you're right, Sapph," Roni said nervously.
After a tense forty-five minutes the announcer came over the intercom to make the announcement regarding the four semifinalists.
"Ladies and gentlemen, what a morning it has been!" the announcer called out on the intercom speakers that were placed at strategic points throughout the carnival grounds. Sapph, Nora, Roni, Brian and Haley stopped chatting to listen.
"Aaaaand now… for the top four competitors… at first place, we have Zayina Edwardssen of Azura City with time thirty seven seconds and net health one hundred and eighty three percent!"
"Must have had a tough second seed match," Brian said calmly. Sapph didn't trust himself to even open his mouth.
"At number two, we have Arnold Hazaki of Pampa City with time forty nine seconds and net health one hundred and eighty percent!"
"Wow, check out the time difference… over ten seconds and three percent more net health," Roni said appreciatively.
"Thirdly, Nightspark's own Reginald Saunders with time fifty seconds and net health one hundred and eighty percent!" the announcer went on.
"Wow, Nora! Reg must be good… one second slower but with the same health," Haley went on, addressing the brown haired girl who had her hands clasped in prayer. Sapph's eyes were closed in similar fashion.
"And for our last competitor… with time one minute and seven seconds and net health one hundred and seventy seven percent…" the announcer stalled here for dramatic effect. Sapph thought the tension would give him a coronary. "Cherrygrove Town's Sapph Manson!"
Nora and Sapph exhaled heavily, relief etched deeply on their faces. Haley and Brian were relieved too, though not as openly.
"Nice going, Sapph," Brian congratulated the Johto trainer.
"Sure, thanks," Sapph replied with a weak grin. "No pressure."
Yeah, right, Haley thought grimly, smiling nonetheless.
"Which means, ladies and germs," the announcer went on. Sapph and the others looked up. "That the semifinal fixtures are as follows: Zayina Edwardssen vs. Reginald Saunders on Field D and Sapph Manson vs. Arnold Hazaki on Field B! All competitors should arrive at the designated fields in twenty minutes for the start of the semifinal matches!"
"Well, you better get going, Sapph," Haley said calmly, standing up.
"Yeah…" Sapph agreed as he rose to his feet. Nora and Brian followed suit, the latter stretching as he returned Eaves.
"Coming, Roni?" Haley asked the redheaded boy.
"Can't," Roni said glumly. "Too much work around here. Guess I'll see you around at the final." He added with an apologetic smile.
"OK, see you!" Haley smiled back as the foursome left in the direction of Field B.
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"The semifinal match between Sapph Manson of Cherrygrove Town and Arnold Hazaki of Pampa City will now begin! Each trainer may use one Pokémon each. There will be a twenty minute time limit. Are both trainers ready?"
"Ready to erase," Arnold replied in a slightly thickset voice, his white gi fluttering in the balmy two o' clock wind.
Sapph just nodded, slightly worried. As he'd planned to use full force in the final (meaning Mongle and Ledian, who Reg knew nothing about), he hadn't anticipated facing a Fighting type user in the semis. Having already used Magnemite and Litaire (which stood to reason as Sapph needed a quick win), his only choice was Mogshex. He supposed what would win this match would be resilience and guts, something he knew Mogshex had plenty of.
"Go, my Rumboo!" Arnold roared, throwing his pokéball and assuming an identical fighting pose as his Pokémon. About three feet tall, Rumboo's red eyes glowed in a sinister fashion as he crouched slightly and extending his right hand forwards and keeping his left fist clenched at his side. Shackles adorned its wrists and ankles which were hard to see in the bright sunlight as its arms and legs were made purely of spectral energy.
Rumboo, the Shackle Pokémon, Sapph's trusty Pokédex droned. Rumboo are said to be the spirits of dead and forgotten Fighting Pokémon. Its ability to extend its shackles in battle makes it a good long and close range fighter. Rumboo is a Ghost/Fighting Pokémon.
That so? Sapph thought. Cocking his pokéball backwards, he threw it yelling "Go, Mogshex!"
Mogshex burst out of her pokéball and a cute meow, before crouching into a battle position.
In the stands, Brian, Haley and Nora settle into their seats just as Sapph released his third Pokémon.
"Is his head screwed on right?! Who'd use a Dark type against a Fighting type like Arnold?" Haley said stunned.
"I would," Brian said calmly. Haley and Nora stared.
Brian noticed this and said with a shrug, "Let's just see what Sapph's gonna do, alright? Seems to me Sapph has a plan…"
Nora nodded and Haley snorted. "Sapph? A plan?! Listen, Brian… Sapph never has a plan."
"Hey, shut up, girly, it's started!" a burly spectator behind them rumbled.
Haley snapped, jerking her elbow back and upwards into the guy's solar plexus, causing him to double up in pain.
On the field, the signal had been given to start and Mogshex and Rumboo shifted their weight forward slightly, Rumboo grasping the chain on his left shackle and swinging it around slowly.
"Mogshex, use Shadow Ball!" Sapph bellowed.
Mogshex started up a concentration of ghost energy in her mouth which swelled in size and power.
"Rumboo, use Shackle!" Arnold countered.
At his command, Rumboo shifted his weight onto his left foot and swung the chain forwards at Mogshex with unreckoned-with speed, smacking Mogshex hard on the top of its snout, causing the Shadow Ball to blow up spontaneously in her mouth.
"Ouch, now that'll leave a mark, folks!" the commentator roared to the booing and cheering crowd.
"Mogshex! You OK?" Sapph yelled in concern.
I may need a dentist later, but I'll live, Mogshex grunted, spitting out a tooth and a small quantity of blood. Glad that was a milk tooth… she added as an afterthought.
"Shadow Ball, Rumboo!" Arnold then commanded.
"Now it was Sapph's turn to counter. "You too, Mogshex! And hurry!"
Both Pokémon powered up orbs of shadow; Rumboo in his hands as Mogshex prepared to fire hers from her mouth. When both had reached full size, they hurled their attacks at each other, creating another mini-explosion in the ring.
"Mogshex!" Sapph yelled.
"Rumboo!" Arnold hollered.
"Mogshex, no!" Haley and Nora gasped, the latter covering her mouth with her hands. Brian looked on almost unconcernedly, although his eyes contracted slightly and his hands gripped his crossed arms in the same degree.
Rumboo and Mogshex jumped out of the dust cloud and landed on their feet. Rumboo then sent an uncommanded Shackle attack at Mogshex, which passed through the dust between them undetected and striking her on top of the head. The sneak maneuver sent her skidding back to the edge of the ring, stopping short of the ring's periphery.
"Mogshex! Are you OK? Can you keep going?" Sapph asked worriedly.
Mogshex looked dirty now and not very happy at all.
Mess my fur up, will you? She hissed angrily as a black vapour enshrouded her. If you weren't dead already, I'd kill you, you worthless pile of Zubat droppings.
"Once more should do it," Arnold said slowly. "Rumboo, use your Shackle attack to finish it!"
"Faint Attack, Mogshex, when it's about to throw the chain," Sapph commanded softly.
Rumboo nodded its curved head and shot its chain as Mogshex a third time. Mogshex saw this coming and vanished.
Nane… Rumboo gasped in Japanese before screaming out in pain as Mogshex reappeared in a puff of black smoke, slashing at Rumboo three consecutive times and sending him flying.
Who said you're going anywhere? Mogshex hissed, her eyes contracting and freezing Rumboo's ascension with a well-timed Dark Pulse attack. The audience was making a great deal of noise at this display of perfectly executed combination attacks as Brian smiled.
"It's over, Mogshex, let it go," Sapph said with a laugh.
Not yet, Sapph, The Mogshex replied with a twisted smirk. I'm having fun here…
When Mogshex finally let Rumboo go, the Ghost Pokémon had long since passed out.
After a brief examination, the ref stood up and raised his green flag towards Sapph and announced "Rumboo is unable to battle, Mogshex wins!"
"He won!" Nora squealed in joy, hugging Brian in happiness.
" 'Course he did, he was using a Dark Pokémon," Brian replied nonchalantly.
Atchualry, it becos Kitty hates her fur getting dirty, Bubbles piped up.
"Really?" Haley said surprised,
That wat she tell me, Bubbles went on. Kitty said that why she hates battles. I wish I was as strong as Kitty…
Haley stared in mild terror as she watched Sapph return Mogshex to the confines of its pokéball, praising it for a good battle.
Sapph, you have some really scary Pokémon, you know? Haley thought furtively.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Down in the lockers of Field A, Sapph sat reflecting on his victories throughout the day revising his strategy with Brian and Nora.
"So, that's what I can give you, based on what I've seen of Reg's matches," Braain said calmly, pushing back his dark hair as he looked up at Sapph.
"I still can't believe Zayina lost to Reg," Nora muttered.
"Me neither," Sapph said in a low voice. Looking up at Nora, he asked, "Where're Haley and Roni?"
"Apparently not in the same place," Brian muttered fervently.
"Hunh?" Sapph queried confusedly.
Nora took it upon herself to answer. "Haley saw Roni kissing Zayina after she lost to Reg," she said sadly.
"Bet Haley loved that," Sapph smirked, looking up at Brian, who smiled ruefully back.
"She went completely loco," Brian confirmed. "According to Roni, Zayina kissed him as he was offering solace for her loss. Haley didn't buy it," he added with a sympathetic laugh.
"So they broke up?" Sapph laughed, albeit a little nervously.
"Don't think they actually got together," Brian conceded, laughing a lot more now.
"It's not funny, you two!" Nora said in a rare burst of anger. She stood up and stalked off to the stairs that lead to the stands.
"D'you think she's angry?" Sapph said softly, sobering up.
"Naw, just a little indignant at our male insensitivity," Brian shrugged. The two boys stared at each other for a little while and burst out laughing.
"Well, I've gotta get my seat too," Brian said, wiping tears of mirth from his eyes as he rose to follow Nora out. "Good luck!"
"Yeah, thanks for everything, Brian," Sapph answered. Brian left, pausing at the doorway and stopped to look back at Sapph. Sapph saw the strange look in the older boy's eyes and said "Brian? What's up?"
"Brian hesitated slightly and then said, "Hey, uh, Sapph?"
"Yeah?"
"I was sorta wondering, uh… want me along for the ride?"
"Ride?" Sapph said uncertainly.
"Your journey, I mean," Brian went on. "I'm alone out here and I dunno, if you need another travel buddy..," Brian trailed off, watching Sapph apprehensively.
"You promise not to call me by my full first name?" Sapph asked quickly, arching an eyebrow.
"Um… sure!"
Sapph stared at Brian for a second and then smiled broadly.
"Sure thing, Brian."
Brian could do nothing but smile back. "Thanks, pardner. And uh, Sapph?"
"What?"
"What's your full first name?"
Sapph closed his eyes in disgust and muttered "Sapphire."
Brian stared at Sapph for a moment bug-eyed.
Irritated, Sapph said, "I know… weird, hunh?"
Brian stared for a moment longer and let out a raucous whoop of laughter. An animé tic popped out on Sapph's forehead as he watched Brian half collapse in paroxysms of mirth. Ducking under a thrown towel, Brian escaped to the stairs, still laughing like a hyena.
"I'm so not telling him how I got that name," Sapph snarled.
Just then the announcement blared over the intercom: Will Sapph Manson and Reginald Saunders please report to field A for the final match… Sapph Manson and Reginald Saunders to field A for the final match…
Sapph stood tall, knowing how much rested on this match and left for the field and the early evening air.
"Welcome, Ladies and Germs, to the final match of the fifty-eighth Gatonda Tournament!" the commentator screamed to tumultuous applause.
Up in the stands, Brian sat down next to a sour-looking Haley and a sympathetic Nora.
"Hey, Nora," Brian said calmly, "You OK?"
Haley only nodded, watching as the commentator announced Sapph's arrival to the red corner of the field.
"Don't worry," Brian said bracingly. "There are bound to be better guys out there than Roni… you'll heal."
"That's not on my mind any more," Haley muttered.
Brian and Nora looked surprised. "What's up, then?" Brian asked.
"Sapph's Ledian," Nora answered. In the background, the crowd cheered as Reg swaggered onto the field.
"Why? What's the problem?" Brian wondered.
"I still haven't figured out how it used Thunderpunch, or if can do it again," Haley said glumly. "And it's Ledian's trump card. If it doesn't work when it needs to…"
"It could cost Sapph the match," Brian finished quietly, cottoning on.
"Don't worry," Nora said cheerfully.
"You seem confident about this," Haley said bemused.
"I'm confident in Sapph and his ability," Nora went on as the ref announced the rules:
"This is the final match. Sapph Manson vs. Reginald Saunders. Each trainer may use up to three Pokémon. A Pokémon is out of contest if it rings out or is unable to continue. Are you ready?"
"Actually, Nora, Sapph's only had luck running things for him today," Haley corrected her friend gently. "And if you hang out with him long enough, you'll learn it's not always that good."
"Maybe, Haley," Brian said slowly. "But even the greatest champions were born or won with a stroke of luck."
"Whatever," Haley said, throwing her head back unconcernedly.
"And heeeeeere we go!" The commentator screamed into his megaphone. The trio turned to watch as Sapph was releasing his Litaire against a dark bird, which had tufted tail and head feathers, its red eyes frames by its black plumage and large yellow beak.
"First round… Litaire vs. Murkrow," the referee said, crossing his hands and adding in a shout, "BEGIN!"
You can do it, Sapph, Nora thought, clasping her hands in prayer. I know you can!
Sapph, pointing at Reg's Murkrow for emphasis called out:"Litaire, use Gust!"
"Dodge it!" Reg yells back, clenching a fist at his Flying type. With a quick sweep of its wings, it suddenly gained a quick burst of speed which it used to rise above the dangerous winds Litaire had aimed at it.
"Shoot, that thing's faster than I thought," Sapph growled.
Reg laughed rudely. "Looks like your birdie aint fast enough, kid. Murkrow, use Pursuit! Now!"
Murkrow's eyes glowed a sinister purple as the air around it grew as dark as night. The darkened, noxious sky filled the air above the ring, causing Litaire to lose sight of her opponent.
Damn, was all she said before the Murkrow hit her hard, knocking her into a tailspin.
"Litaire!" Sapph yelled.
"I'll live, General, Litaire said toughly. It'll take much more than that to snuff me!
Then, as if to underline her point, she swooped up out of the tailspin towards the materializing Murkrow to clothesline it with a stiffened wing, causing Murkrow to cartwheel comically in midair.
"Damn, that was some quick recovery, kid," Reg said, stunned at the power behind Litaire's counterattack. "Quick, Murkrow! Use Haze!"
"Trying to lower our visibility? Dream on, Reg! Litaire, Gust!" Sapph countered like a bullet.
Murkrow's eyes glowed purple again as a thick fog filled the sky above the ring. It dissipated a split second later as the Swoop Pokémon finally caught Murkrow in the cuttingly powerful winds conjured by her strong wings.
"Oh, no!" Reg gasped.
"Oh, yes!" Sapph exclaimed. "Keep it coming, Litaire!"
Roger!" His Pokémon replied, flapping her wings again to create a second wave of powerful winds which slammed into Murkrow, tiring it out and causing it to fall to the field in defeat.
"What a Gust attack, folks!" the commentator yelled as the referee stepped up to check Murkrow's condition. "Sapph's Pokémon seem to really take power to the next level!"
"Murkrow is unable to battle, Litaire wins!" The ref announced to the stands, raising his red flag.
Reg, returned his Pokémon, muttered fluent curses.
Sapph smirked in response. "Language, Reginald," He tutted, wagging his finger at his opponent.
"Shut up! Go, Tenebrus!" Reg exclaimed throwing his second pokéball onto the field.
Tenebrus burst out of his pokéball, and snarled up at the Litaire, its blood red eyes fearful to behold. Even the fearless Litaire had misgivings about fighting the doglike Pokémon. Jet black fur ran from the back of its head along its back to the tip of its tail. The rest on its body was covered in shorter, gray fur.
Sapph thought he had an idea of what Tenebrus evolved from even before his Pokédex confirmed his suspicion.
Mightyena, the Bite Pokémon. Mightyena are the evolved form of Poochyena and are known travel in packs in their native Hoenn highlands, intimidating prey and foes alike with their fearful eyes and bloodcurdling howls.
I've gotta have a talk with whoever programmed this thing, Sapph thought furtively. Can't they tell I'm scared enough without that kind of description?!
"Second round… Litaire vs. Tenebrus," the ref said, preparing the trainers to resume the match. "Begin!"
Reg took the initiative and called for the first attack." Tenebrus, use Shock Wave!"
Shock Wave? Now that can't be good, Sapph decided. "Dodge that!" he ordered, watching Tenebrus build up a huge amount of white, static electricity.
Roger! Litaire conceded, preparing to dive in.
With an otherworldly howl, Tenebrus, unleashed white lightning all over the field; this went bouncing off the fence, battlefield and (inexplicably) in midair. Not sure which way to turn, Litaire hung in midair and let the lightning hit it, hoping that she could endure it. When it did, Sapph could see that his most recent capture could not endure it and reached for her pokéball, returning his spent Litaire to the safety of her orb before she hit the ground.
"Litaire is unable to battle, Tenebrus wins!" the referee yelled, pointing his green flag at Reg and his Mightyena.
"Hah! How you like them apples, kid?" Reg shouted to Sapph, who did not respond.
I could use Magnemite, Sapph thought, but this is no time to push my luck against a well trained Mightyena! Ledian would be the best choice, but that Shock Wave could spell trouble, especially if Ledian faints to it… "No choice," he concluded, reaching for a white pokéball with a black centre line. "Let's do it, Mongle!" he yelled, throwing the white orb onto the field.
The crowd looked on bedazzled as two spiral beams of green light shot out of the ball, met in midair and hit the earth hard, where it formed the Leaf Squirrel Pokémon.
Okay, okay! Let's get this party rolling! Mongle said spritely, hopping around.
Hmph, what a joke, Tenebrus muttered.
Up in the bleachers, Brian was stunned.
"Mongle?" he said in disbelief, his eyes popping, I thought he'd use Magnemite or something…"
"Wouldn't help much if the Mightyena knew Rock Smash," Haley countered thoughtfully.
"Round three… Mongle vs. Tenebrus," the referee called out again. Then crossing his hands, he added, "Begin!"
"Mongle, Razor Leaf!" Sapph yelled.
"Dodge, Tenebrus! Then use Shock Wave!" Reg ordered swiftly.
Mongle fired off a salvo of quick moving leaves which Tenebrus avoided deftly with a beautiful back flip, whilst building up a charge of white lightning.
"Look out, Mongle!" Sapph warned his cocky partner. "Dodge and hit 'im with Quick Attack!" he added on the spur of invention.
OK! Mongle agreed, building up speed after Tenebrus sent the lightning at him.
Mongle weaved in and out if the bright flashes as they rebounded as though alive in their attempt to try and strike him again. They finally succeeded as Mongle slammed into Tenebrus. This however caused Tenebrus to feel twice as much pain; for as the Shock Wave attack hurt Mongle, it dealt some damage to his as well due to the physical contact he shared with Mongle from the Quick Attack.
When the lightning died down, both Pokémon looked quite spent, yet determined at the same time to win. A feeling their trainers shared, Nora noticed.
"Tenebrus, Bite attack!" Reg screamed quickly.
Sapph was just as quick on the rebound. "Mongle, use Razor Leaf, one more time!"
Both Pokémon acted as one: Mongle swung his tail at Tenebrus as Tenebrus charged in, jaws open wide. This exchange resulted with Tenebrus's jaws clamped tightly around Mongle's tail leaf.
"Oh, sh… hang tough, Mongle! Try to break free!" Sapph shouted.
"Tenebrus, keep a hold on Mongle and shake him up while Biting!" Reg ordered calmly.
Tenebrus nodded, and lifted Mongle effortlessly into the air, where the huge brute tossed his snout from side to side, roughly swinging Mongle with it.
In the stands, Nora gasped "Oh, no, poor Mongle!"
"Hey! Is that fair, ref?!" Brian yelled in agreement to Nora's horror.
Argh! Leggo, you brute! Leggo! Mongle shouted in pain as he was swung through the air like a rag doll.
No way, mongoose, Tenebrus laughed. I'm taking this fer a souvenir!
Why, you… Mongle gasped, his eyes going from ruby red to neon green in a split second. A strong wind blew up in the early evening air and Sapph felt a familiar chill as he looked on.
"We can't let this go on!" Brian yelled, standing up and snatching up Eaves's pokéball off his belt.
"Stop! What are you going to do?! If you interfere now, Sapph will get disqualified!" Haley said sharply.
Brian gritted his teeth and sat down reluctantly.
"Besides," Haley went on in an undertone, a flicker of recognition reflecting in her grey eyes as she looked down at the scene on the field. "It should be Tenebrus you should be worried about right now…"
On the field, Mongle's tail had at this time also started to glow in the same alien light as his eyes. Tenebrus's eyes widened as his jaws were being forcibly pried open by an unseen force.
What the… the Mightyena gasped mentally as Mongle's feet somehow found the ground, despite him not even lowering his head.
I said… Mongle said in a deadly voice scarier than anything Tenebrus could ever utter. Let… GO!
A humungous flash of light filled the scene causing Sapph and Reg to shield their eyes simultaneously.
"Looks like Sapph had an ace attack up his sleeves, ladies and gentlemen!" The commentator hollered to the silently watching crowd. "Could this be it?"
What could it be? Aromatherapy? Haley wondered. No, it's not healing him, but seems to be attacking Reg's Mightyena…
When the light faded out, the Mightyena lay on its side four feet out of the ring, his breathing extremely labored.
"Mightyena is ringed out," the ref announced, finally finding his voice. "Mongle wins!"
Most of the crowd was only dimly aware of this development; even Reg only had eyes for Sapph's Mongle, who was somehow healing his own tail, his breathing rough and haggard.
Mongie, Bubbles thought in wonder.
"Mongle…" Sapph mumbled in wonder as his Leaf Squirrel's tail leaf was regenerated before his very eyes. Upon full repair, the light died out, leaving Mongle beyond spent, passing out without another word.
"MONGLE!" Sapph yelled, sprinting into the ring to pick up his first ever Pokémon.
I'm A-OK, Sapph, Mongle replied, blearily opening one now ruby red eye and giving his trainer a lop-sided grin.
"Mongle… what in the world…" Sapph stammered his eyes glazed with tears of relief.
Heh… no… idea, Mongle said, before passing out.
"Mongle's is unable to battle," the ref corrected himself, as Mongle and Tenebrus were returned to their pokéballs by their silent trainers. "This round is a tie."
"Thanks, Mongle… take a rest," Sapph said gratefully, hitching the pokéball to his belt and reaching for his last Pokémon as Reg did likewise.
"C'mon out… Ledian!" Sapph hollered, chucking his third pokéball into the circle.
"Let's win this, Quito!" Reg screamed, almost beside himself with rage that Sapph was technically level with him.
Ledian took the field as a third black coloured creature stood before Reg. As tall as Ledian (around four foot three inches), Quito's well-developed arms and legs were heavily armored. His head, thorax and abdomen were heavily sclerotised as well. The only parts of its body that was uncovered were its globular golden eyes, its long, thin wings and its clawlike digits.
Quitonja, the Mosquito Pokémon, the Pokédex droned for the fourth time that day. Quitonja flies at speeds that rival a Scyther's when pursuing prey, using its long, retractable claws on its forearms to jab at the victim's heels with enough to power to topple a Rhydon. Quitonja is a Bug/Dark Pokémon and the evolved form of Duskito.
"It's down to you, boy," Reg said savagely. "Failure will not be tolerated."
Yes, master, Quito replied in a feminine voice, throwing Ledian off.
You're a GIRL?! Ledian screeched, pointing a finger at her.
Does it offend you? Quito replied shortly, raising her arms to prepare for combat.
Ledian thought for a moment before answering. No... It's just that I find it hard to fight a nice girl Pokémon like you before.
Quito stood in silence, her eyes narrowing as she attempted to hide her blush.
Ledian noticed and asked You're not offended, are you?
I'm not permitted to be, Quito said softly. But the fact still remains that I must beat you.
Only if you can, Ledian replied uncertainly, crouching into a Vale Tudo stance.
"Final round… Ledian vs. Quitonja! Aaaand… begin!" the ref called.
"Ledyb- I mean Ledian, Supersonic!" Sapph yelled quickly.
"Quito…" Reg muttered almost to himself.
Understood, master, the Quitonja replied.
Quito's elegant wings thrummed at an intense speed as Ledian unleashed an unusually high pitched scream. The sound waves reached Quito…
…and fell apart!
"What the?" Sapph and Ledian squealed in disbelief.
"Quito's wings can beat at a super velocity," Reg said calmly. "Any sound that comes near will be dissipated. Quito!" He went on in a commanding voice.
Yes, master, Quito replied softly.
"Use Pursuit!" Reg ordered.
Yes, master, she said softly.
Her wing speed is slowing down, Sapph thought. "Attack with Supersonic now!"
OK! Ledian said, preparing to screech again.
The whole field was suddenly engulfed in darkness which extended from Quito's eyes, stopping all sight and (for some reason) sound.
Sapph? Sapph! Ledian squealed, looking around, the silence pressing in on his antennae. A sharp pain suddenly erupted from its shoulder region as Ledian felt it being impaled. Ledian gasped in pain as the culprit was withdrawn quickly, before the same pain exploded at his lower right thorax. Ledian screamed as the process repeated itself three times, throwing Ledian backwards into the air. Ledian fluttered his wings in midair to float in the darkness.
The blackness broke apart and Ledian, blood trickling down from multiple puncture wounds saw Quito look back at him dispassionately, his blood dripping from her now extended claws.
"Ledian!" Sapph screamed in panic. "Why, you…" he yelled, staring at Reg furiously.
"Don't hate the player, kid," Reg said coldly. "Hate the game. Quito! Twineedle!"
Yes, master, Quito answered, rushing up towards Ledian.
"Stop him!" Sapph yelled.
Quito's a girl! Ledian said quickly.
"Oh." Sapph said, flushing slightly, understanding in an instant Ledian's predicament.
Quito stabbed at Ledian twice with both pincers. Ledian moving fast 'side-stepped' the first strike in midair and grabbed the second.
"What the-" Reg and Quito gasped in terror.
"Got you! Now Ledian, use Comet Punch!" Sapph cheered.
In the stands, Nora squealed in surprise, "He got him!"
"You said it!" Haley agreed.
Only Brian remained calm. "Maybe not…"
Above the ring, Ledian clenched his fist, compressing cosmic energy around it.
"Quito! Pin Missile!" Reg countered rapidly.
Yes, master, the Quitonja replied, focusing her energy into her claw, making in glow fluorescent white.
Hunh? What's going on? Ledian asked, faltering in his attack.
"What's wrong, Ledian?" Sapph asked. He had his answer a split second later as Quito let the energy in her claw explode into a rain of long thin needles, many of which found their mark- all over Ledian's face.
OWOWOWWOWOOW! Ledian screamed, letting go and losing focus in his fist as the comet disappeared.
"Ledian! Hold on!" Sapph hollered.
Easier said than done… Sapph, Ledian grunted in a winded manner.
"Hah! Now, Pin Missile, one more time!" Reg yelled maniacally.
Yes, master.
Nora covered her eyes in horror.
"… and Sapph's Ledian dodges it!" the commentator screamed. "The Crimson Wonder sure putting up a tough fight!"
At this, Haley lifted up a whispered chant "Crimson! Crimson! Crimson!"
Brian, smiling at the nickname, joined in a little louder. "Crimson! Crimson! Crimson!"
Soon all the Sapph supporters were chanting up at the exhausted Ledian: "Crimson! Crimson! CRIMSON! CRIMSON! CRIMSON!"
Sapph stared at the crowd; it was amazing how quickly humans could change their outlook of each other after seeing what they can do. Brimming with fresh energy, Sapph yelled up to Ledian, "Hear that, buddy? Those cheers are for you."
Ledian's antennae perked up at this as he whirled around to face Sapph. F-for me?
"That's right, Crimson," Sapph agreed, adopting the crowd's chant as his Ledian's new nickname. "Think you can let them down?"
Ledian was smiling now. How could I?
Sapph pumped his fist and said loudly, "Then let kick some butt!"
Yes, sir! Crimson consented, back in stance and ready, the cheers seemingly filling him up and overflowing as red vapour.
"Enough chit-chat! Quito, use Pin Missile!" Reg snapped.
Yes, master, the Mosquito Pokémon answered softly, creating more needles which rained down upon her Five Star opponent.
"Dodge and use Comet Punch…" Sapph began.
Ledian nodded and flew upwards towards Quito, his clenched fist crackling.
"Looks like your Ledian's fed up with you, kid," Reg laughed sardonically. "It won't listen for you command and its doing as it pleases. Quito, fire!"
Yes, master, Quito responded, letting the energy explode once more.
Crimson, spurred on by his trainer's words, adroitly dodged each and every single senbon needle fired at him.
What the, Reg muttered, noticing the trail of sparks varied greatly from the trail of sparkling dust his regular Comet Punch adopted.
"… Thunder Style!" Sapph yelled ecstatically.
Right! Crimson yelled, planting his crackling and spitting fist right into Quito's chest. Quito gasped and then screamed in pain as the energy coursed through her body, causing her exoskeleton to heat up.
Sorry, but I can't lose either, Crimson apologized. A girl's chance of being a trainer lies on my four shoulders and I can't have you take that away from her.
Quito's eyes widened, before the attack finally ended. Falling backwards, she hit the floor of the ring with a crash, crushing both her wings. Crimson fluttered back to the ring, looking sorry.
"Ladies and Germs!" the commentator gasped as the crowd did likewise.
"Is it…?" Sapph continued.
Over? Crimson whispered, peering towards where Quito fell and, in open disbelief, saw her struggling to stand upright.
I can't… lose here… not… again… Quito gasped, rising to her feet.
It's enough, Crimson said sadly. Give up.
You insult me, Quito said roughly. Quitonja are warrior Pokémon. Our pride is wounded grievously should we ever retire from a battle… or let our master down…
Shut up with the 'Master' crap! Crimson screamed. Quito started, as though slapped.
'Yes, master', 'Yes, master'! Do you know how sick that makes me feel inside? You should fight for a human friend not a master! the Ledian went on. I've known Sapph for a while now and he'd never let me, Mongle or Mogshex call him 'Master'! It's sick, it's like you have no true bond with your trainer! You're like a shell, mindlessly doing his bidding! When you can feel! Hate! Love!
Quito's eyes opened wider.
I can't lose to someone like you, Crimson said softly. I'm sorry, I can't.
I see, Quito went on softly, closing her eyes.
Sapph, Crimson muttered.
"Yeah, I know," Sapph muttered back,
Let's end it, Reg thought sinisterly. "Use Pursuit!" he bellowed remorselessly.
Quito closed her eyes and seemed to struggle with her personality. If what he said is true, she thought sadly, discovering that she couldn't disobey, although her heart screamed out to her to stop this fight...
If I can live my life after this battle with Master… as my friend…
"Use Supersonic three seconds after she vanishes…" Sapph muttered softly.
It didn't work, Sapph! Crimson whispered back.
"I know it didn't… listen, it'll work now," Sapph hissed back quickly. "Trust me."
Then defeat me to prove it! she screamed out inside.
Crimson nodded slowly. Where do I aim?
Sapph smiled as he answered "Dead ahead."
Y-yes, master Quito answered softly, lifting her claw to her face as she opened her eyes, the darkness suffusing outward again.
Three… Crimson counted down in his head, calmly allowing the darkness to swallow him up.
Two… the Five Star Pokémon went on, taking a deep breath and not moving a muscle.
One… the Ledian went on, ready to cut loose on signal…
NOW! Crimson screamed, unleashing a violently loud screech that drowned out Quito's scream. The darkness dispelled, Crimson was astonished to see that Sapph had guessed right!
"How?" Reg screamed aloud. "HOW?!"
"Easy," Sapph smiled tiredly. "I timed how long the attack lasted before I heard my Ledian scream in pain."
"Heard… it… scream…" Reg muttered apoplectically.
"Not aloud," Sapph reassured his opponent as the Mosquito Pokémon floated around the ring in a daze. "I heard him… in my heart. Crimson!" he called out to his Pokémon.
Yes, Sapph? Crimson replied readily.
"She's your friend, right?" Sapph went on, pointing at Quito.
She? Reg thought bewildered.
Yeah… Crimson went on slowly, unsure if Sapph had figured out how deeply he felt for the poor creature.
"Then I guess I'll leave her to you," Sapph said with a smile.
Crimson smiled in reply. Thank you, Sapph.
Turning to face Quito, he clenched his fist tightly as regular cosmic energy surrounded his fist. As he prepared to end their long battle, his blue-lensed eyes watered.
Looks like you're not strong enough yet, Ledian whispered sadly.
Screaming aloud, he threw his fist forward, creating a scene of sorrowful beauty. The glittering mass of extraterrestrial energy struck Quito hard, sending her flying backwards onto her already damaged wings. Choking up a quantity of dark black blood, Quito gasped, the pain wracking her body too intense to let her continue battle.
After a minute of shock filled the stadium, the ref walked up to Quito to check her condition. After a brief looking over, he stood up and raising his red flag a third time, announced, "Quitonja is unable to continue, Ledian wins! The winner of the match and the fifty-eighth Gatonda Tourney is Sapph Manson of Cherrygrove Town, Johto!"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nora glanced anxiously around the corner, careful not to let the wrong people see her. Her father was not happy that Reg had lost the tournament for the second time running. If she dared to mention that the boy who'd won did so she could become a trainer, her father's wrath would be horrible to behold.
Where are they?, she thought panicked as she walked up and down frantically, her delicate hands in the pockets of her yellow anorak with long black sleeves. Her skirt was also something she hadn't been seen wearing in a while (navy blue with pleats all round).
An old, wizened hand reached out to grab her shoulder, making her scream in panic. Her scream, however was stifled by another, younger hand covering her mouth and a pair of voices hissing "Ssshh!" in unison.
Recognizing the voices, she allowed her heart to calm down as she spun around to face Sapph Manson and her grandmother, Rose Saunders, smiling at her. She tried to act indignantly by placing her hands on her hips and scowling, but her nature simply didn't allow it. Cracking up, she joined the others in a loud peal of laughter.
"You ready to go?" Sapph smiled at her, holding out the pokéball that held her new Gatonda.
Nora's eyes watered as she held it in her hands. She was finally becoming a trainer, finally going to see the world and her dream come true, and she had Sapph to thank for it all.
"Th-thank you," She sniffled, trying to hold herself in.
"Not a problem," Sapph said cheerfully. Think nothing of it."
"Here, these are yours as well," Grandma Rose added, thrusting a red backpack and a trainer card into her hands.
"Thank you… thank you, both of you!" She said again, tears beginning to spill out from her eyes.
"Not a problem," Grandma Rose said evenly. "Quickly, the ferry's about to leave for Entover City soon… come on…"
The trio headed swiftly along the quay to the large ferry Sapph had arrived on.
"Now, there's 2,500 pokédollars credit on your card, so keep it well," Grandma Rose said quickly, lest they should be interrupted. "That should be enough to hold you till you get back to Nightspark… drop a line when you're coming home… and once in a while… oh, my… there's so much to say… and no time… take care, child," she went on, tearing up herself.
"Relax, Grandma, we'll be fine," Nora said sniffily.
Sapph had had enough of all the mushiness being spread around. Aloud he said, "OK, we get it… you love her, she loves you, gotta go… keep in touch… See ya!" chivvying Nora onto the ferry as the last announcement for the ferry to Entover came on over the intercom.
"Goodbye, Sapph!" Nora said happily. "And-and… "
"I told you," Sapph went on a little exasperated. "It's no biggie. I'll see you later down the line… Later!"
Nora nodded as she was caught up in the human traffic making their way up the gangplank. Waving as she reached the rail. Sapph and Grandma Rose watched until the ferry was out of sight beyond the setting sun.
"I'm so going to miss that girl," Grandma Rose said heavily. "Thanks for everything, Sapph."
"Again, it was my pleasure," Sapph said calmly, shaking the old lady's proffered hand.
"So, what will you do now?" Grandma Rose asked the boy trainer as they turned to leave the port.
"Firstly, get a good night's rest. Then tomorrow, leave town for Pampa City and my next adventure!" Sapph grinned.
"Well, good luck, dear. With Nora on the road to becoming a champion, you're gonna need it!" Grandma Rose chortled, Sapph joining in.
"Well, goodbye, Obaa-san," Sapph said with a formal Western Johto bow.
"Goodbye, Sapph Manson," Grandma Rose said, watching the boy walk off towards the Pokémon Center and a night's worth of hero reward. "You'll be a great trainer someday. You can bet on it."