Chapter 4- Let The Tournament Begin!
In the end Tallon and I caved to the Elite Four and Cynthia's demands to join the tournament. The weeks before past quickly. Tallon and I traveled to the Lily Of The Valley Island together a few days before to make sure the preparations were finished rightfully.
It was the day of the opening ceremony and Tallon and I lounged around trainer's village. We saw lots of trainers we'd met in our travels and even Berry from Twinleaf town (everyone in town knows him, even the traveling me). I thought I saw a familiar black haired boy but he ran by too fast for me to tell if it was really him.
Afternoon soon turned into evening and Tallon and I gathered at the arena with the other trainers. As we stood in the middle of the arena we each chose a partner pokemon. Tallon had his Empoleon and I let Espeon out. The ceremony began with lasers, lights and fireworks. People packed the stands and I realized that I'd never felt so looked at in my life. I felt really small right then and there was nothing I could do about it.
The match ups were quickly posted up on the display board. I scanned all the match ups, mine was number two and I would be facing off against a guy who looked to be a few years older than me. I continued looking to see none other than Ash's face up on the board. So that was him earlier today. I saw Tallon about halfway through the list; he'd be against a girl who looked to be our age. Near the end I saw the face of a particular red-headed boy who really had a habit of pissing me off. Why is HE here?
I tried to shake that off and move on with the evening. After we filed out of the arena I nabbed Tallon and ran after Ash.
"Hey Ash!" I shouted as we jogged up.
"Oh, hey Carina!" he smiled when her turned around.
I smiled back "I'm glad to see you're here."
"Yah, so am I. Are you battling as well?" he asks
"Of course! I wouldn't come just to watch."
"Figures. Who's your friend." He turns to Tallon.
"I'm Tallon, Carina's long time friend and rival." He held his hand out to Ash and they shook hands.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Ash." He introduces
"I'm Brock." Greets the older guy.
"You already know me." Smiles Dawn
"Huh?" Ash looks at them with confusion.
"We all live in the same town." I explained
"Oh, alright then. Hey, do you want to go grab some food with us?" offers Ash
"Why not." I shrug
"I could go for some grub." Agrees Tallon
We grabbed some burgers and sat at an outdoor table. Ash was debating what pokemon to use against his opponent, Nando.
"It's risky to say that he only uses bug and grass types. Remember he used a Lopunny in the grand festival." Warned Dawn
"Yah, that's right. I remember it now."
"Ash, its Paul." Dawn looked towards a purple haired guy that walked by, hands shoved in his pockets. He didn't seem like the most approachable guy. Though he did turn around when his name was mentioned.
The gang got up and walked over to him so Tallon and I joined them.
"Hey Paul. Already know which pokemon you're using?" asks Ash
"Of course." He answers quickly.
"I bet I know how you based your picks." Dawn says "On your opponent's strategy and type advantage."
"You bet. I looked at the options and chose my three best pokemon."
"Jeez I don't see why you guys try so hard to base your choices off your opponents." They all turned to look at me like I was crazy "I find it more fun to go in blind. It makes the battle more challenging and fun."
"You sound confident." Observes Ash
"Not confident, more…hmm, honesty I can't think of a word for it." I scratched my head "But yes I am confident that I'll make it through to the finals."
"I'm not going to lose either. I'm gonna give it all I got and win so I can battle you in the finals." Ash turned to face Paul when he said that.
"You're pathetic." Condescending much? "Every trainer competing here has won eight badges. Giving it all you've got means nothing."
Ash scowled and clenched a fist. I just looked at the guy with a slight glare. Though he had a point; Ash would have to go beyond how he's battled before if he wants to win this.
Paul, seeing that the conversation had come to a dead end, turned on his heel and walked away.
"Jerk." I muttered as he walked on. I turned back to the group "Hey, I'll see you guys tomorrow. I have an early battle so I need my sleep."
"Rest up and good luck." Brock says
"Thanks. See yah!" I wave as I walk away.
~~Next Morning~~
"Mhhphh." I felt something fuzzy rub against my mouth. I peel open my eyes to see a purple tail in my face.
"Espeon?" she rolls over and blinks at me. I sigh and reach up to pet her "You have strange ways of waking me up."
I manage to get up out of the inviting, warm bed and get dressed. I wore my usual: shorts, white tank top and denim vest. Before I left I pulled my hat on let Espeon hop onto my shoulder. I ran down to the arena (Espeon isn't as punctual as a clock) and checked in. I was immediately ushered into the arena.
I looked at my opponent across the white lined box. He seemed a few years older than me; he had dark brown hair and wore a black hoodie and dark, baggy jeans.
"Here comes the second Sinnoh Tournament Battle. Carina versus Jack."
"Trainers pick your first pokemon." Shouted the ref.
I twirled my pokeball around on my finger as Jack chose his. "Trainers begin the battle!"
I tossed my pokeball, I was weary of my choice for a first pokemon, I was branching out more than I usually would but you have to take risks if you want something good to happen, right? "Go, Empoleon!"
"Let's go Rapidash!"
Fire versus water, huh? This one is in the bag. A smirk plays across my face but I hide it immediately, can't be too confident.
"Jack gets the first move."
"Rapidash, flamethrower!"
"Empoleon, counter with hydro pump!" I called out. I watched as Hydro Beam beat down flamethrower and caused damage. "Good job Empoleon."
"Rapidash use stomp."
"Empoleon use steel wing!"
~outside POV~
"Why would she use a steel type move against a Rapidash? It won't be effective." Questions Ash
"Because steel wing will make it so that Stomp isn't effective. Carina isn't aiming for offense but defense." Brock explained
~Carina POV~
Steel wing affectively blocked Rapidash's attack. Now it was my turn "Empoleon use Hydro Pump."
Rapidash took the full force of the attack and was knocked down.
"Rapidash is unable to battle. Carina gets the first point."
Jack's Rapidash disappeared back into its pokeball. He quickly pulled out another. "Come on, Cyndaquil!"
Really, another fire type? "Alright, Empoleon use water pulse!"
"Cyndaquil dodge!" I had to give the guy points, his Cyndaquil was fast.
"Empoleon use surf!" Cyndaquil couldn't dodge this attack. After the water cleared Cyndaquil was still standing but he was teetering. I held my breath as the fire mouse pokemon collapsed.
"Cyndaquil is unable to battle. Carina gets the second point."
I saw Jack whisper something as Cyndaquil disappeared into the pokeball. He pulled out his last pokeball, "Come on" he sounded desperate "Vileplume!"
The flower pokemon appeared on the field. Grass and poison, hmm…
"Empoleon use peck!" Flying is strong against grass types… Vileplume took a lot of damage; he already seemed to be at his limit. "Sorry Jack but Empoleon use Peck again!"
"Vileplume is unable to battle. Carina is the winner." I felt a smile creep onto my face. Empoleon was also happy.
"Good job buddy." I smiled at my penguin pokemon "Here" I tossed him a pokeblock "You deserve that." He ate the block as I returned him to his pokeball.
So what do you think? Is the battle okay? I'm still not 100% sure if I like it (might go back and re-write it later...).
Anyways thanks for reading and I would love it if you guys left reviews. (Thanks Gara361 for your review!) ~Crystal