CHAPTER SEVENTY ONE
"Welcome, folks, to the Indigo League tournament!"
Cheers and cries from the stands went wild, as the announcer passed over his microphone to the reigning Champion. Broadcast on television screens across Kanto, Lance's face made many swoon and others pump their fists in triumph, for this man who made Pokemon battling an art with his legendary Dragon-type Pokemon.
Meanwhile, sitting in front of the television set like so many other kids was Beth in Pallet Town, eating chippies from a packet and getting crumbs on the carpet, to her mother's admonition.
"Shh!" Beth hissed, glancing over her shoulder. "I can't hear!"
Noisily crunching her food, Beth watched in rapture as Lance declared the tournament open, that sixty-four Trainers had enlisted and passed the entrance examinations. The screen flashed over to a tournament bracket, where not unlike a pyramid where the rules were explained, how Trainers would be randomly placed to battle and progress their way up.
Upon the television, the announcer continued, "The three stages of preliminaries will be held in the examination battlefield, with a pre-booked audience around the sidelines. These stages will consist of battles between sixty four, thirty two and sixteen Trainers. The quarter finals will consist of battles between eight, the semi finals between four and the finals between the remaining two, all of which will be held live in the stadium."
Watching Lance on the screen, Beth pulled Vulpix closer onto her lap and wondered if she would ever be a Pokemon Trainer.
The cameras swerved to a podium amidst the stadium, where all sixty four entrants could be seen. Of all ages and sizes, Beth squinted to discern where she could spot someone she recognised.
"There!" Beth jabbed a salty finger at the television screen.
Meanwhile, in the stadium at Indigo Plateau where the crowd had been mounted for show and the announcer and Lance stood near the podium, blinked back sixty-four pairs of eyes to the cameras which captured their sweating, nervous faces for all of Kanto to see. Too numerable to discern and identify one-by-one, whoever was watching could keep a look out for the Trainer for whom they were rooting.
Daniel had followed his mother's pleadings to brush his hair and teeth, wear a nice shirt and not to look so glum, especially when on live television. Amy wore her brown hair loose against her fair skin, blowing in the breeze as she steeled her placid smile and wondered if her mother was watching. Natalie squinted against the glare of the sunlight, knowing her mother wouldn't care about how the Trainers or Pokemon battled, only the result afterwards.
Whipped by the cold breeze, Amy glanced down two rows to her left and saw her brother amidst the crowd, smirking confidently with his roguish demeanour. Liam fit neither the pretty-boy jock stereotype nor the effeminate dandy that his life of privilege paved the way for; he was constantly getting into trouble in the way only kids of rich parents can buy their way out of, with opportunism, thievery and delinquency not off the list. Liam's indiscretions were overlooked by their mother because she fancied him a suitable alternative to her husband who paid her little interest.
Natalie could not see Alesha from where she stood, but neither did she search the crowd for her older sister. She would not allow their petty infighting to affect the watching millions, nor her spirit. Alesha would fight just as hard to gain the prize money as Natalie would, to emancipate herself from their mother's financial woes and escape where she could never be found.
The announcer reached over to pull a lever, randomizing the placement of the Trainers within the tournament hierarchy bracket. All eyes went to the large screen, but most held on Lance, counting themselves lucky to see such a famous figure in person. He was unruffled, cape blowing in the wind and taller in person than on camera.
"We have our result!" boomed the announcer. "The tournament will begin tomorrow sharply at nine! Good luck to all our entrants!"
Lance nodded in assent and strode off, leaving the crowd wanting more.
After the opening ceremony, Daniel returned to his shared dormitory, surprised to find a boy his age slouched on the single bed, Charizard Pokedoll near a backpack overloading with Full Restores, Full Heals and Full Revives. He had pulled a black hoodie over his pale skin, kicked his brand sneakers off where Daniel almost tripped over them, glancing up as the door opened.
"Hey," smirked the boy, pulling off his hoodie to reveal tousled light hair. "I'm Liam."
Daniel introduced himself and shook hands with Liam, who gave some sort of street fist bump he was unprepared for. Slouching back on the pillow, his hoodie lifted to reveal his belt, with three Pokeballs attached.
"Those are rare to come by," Daniel pointed to the Charizard Pokedoll, which had fallen upside down.
Lazily, Liam glanced over and grimaced, smirking in surprise. "That old thing? I've had it for ages. My parents brought it for me when I got my first Pokemon."
"Oh, what Pokemon do you have?" Daniel asked, suddenly interested.
Liam was evasive and shrewd, able to persuade others where overt acts of subjugation would undermine his credibility to manipulate. He was never completely honest, ensuring in the chaos he created that he alone was unscathed. This prickly and dangerous persona arose from an upbringing of unlimited privilege where his actions were monitored, so he had to get others to do stupid things on his behalf. He was not evil or insane, just unable to connect emotionally and form proper human relationships.
Liam stretched out on the bed, sensing that his new room mate was awkward and eager to ramble.
"I have the best, bro. Took me ages to get all the good ones. We should stick together, compare strategies," he added, intending no such elaborations but providing the platform with which to prompt further answers.
"Yeah? What ideas do you have?" Daniel brightened, springing on Liam's half-second silence to answer his own question. "I found that when battling certain types... "
Daniel awoke bright and early the next day, ready to challenge his opponent. He changed into jeans and a white t-shirt on his skinny frame, noticing that Liam had abandoned his bed in a messy state, while his bed mate in the lower bunk was brushing his teeth in the bathroom. Daniel said goodbye and exited out into the corridor, hyped to participate.
Everybody was already in the stands, having watched the conclusion of the morning's battle. Daniel was scheduled for the afternoon, so after healing his Pokemon and checking the Pokemart counter, he nervously made his way to where the entrance examinations had been held. The door was ajar, excited voices filtering through.
"Welcome," the attendant checked her clipboard, identifying Daniel by the Trainer Card on his lanyard. "You're just in time."
"OK," Daniel nodded, throat suddenly dry.
"You may only use three Pokemon per fight," the attendant glanced at Daniel's belt of Pokeballs. "Which will you switch out for this battle?"
Daniel had thought long and hard about it. Reluctantly, he handed over Arbok's Pokeball to the attendant.
"Thank you. Your Arbok will be returned to you at the conclusion of this battle," said the attendant, leaving it unspoken as to whether or not Daniel would succeed. "Your opponent is already inside. Good luck."
"Thanks," Daniel muttered, heart pounding as he walked through the double doors, out onto the battlefield.
Cheers that were more polite than riotous surrounded Daniel as he took position at one side of the battlefield, where his opponent stood opposite. Daniel glanced around at the stands, a haze of people and jeering. He could not locate either Natalie or Amy among the bright, anticipatory crowds. The speakers blared static and came to life.
"Welcome to the Indigo League preliminaries!" the crowd cheered louder, chanting several names but none of which Daniel could distinguish as his. "On the left, we have Trainer Alexis and on the right, Trainer Daniel!"
More cheers and shouts for Alexis, who wore her brown hair in a ponytail so long it reached her backside, offering a wave to Daniel in friendly gesture. Nervous, Daniel waved half-heartedly and readied his grip on his Pokeballs.
"Each Trainer will use three Pokemon to battle! The winner will progress to the top thirty two in the tournament. May the best Trainer win!"
The battlefield slid into recesses to allow an elevated platform to rise from underneath. It was hard terrain, with cliffs and a shallow oasis in the middle.
"Good luck, Daniel!" called Alexa, and the crowd cheered louder for her. She selected her first Pokeball of three, tossing it onto the rocky battlefield. "Go, Venusaur!"
Venusaur crashed onto the battlefield, roaring loud so that the crowd oohed and aahed in their excitement. The evolved form of Ivysaur, Venusaur was gigantic with a flower bloomed atop its back, no pushover with its strength.
Daniel threw his first Pokeball into the battlefield, shouting, "Go, Seel!"
Seel waddled forward, attracting jeers and laughs from the crowd at the small, Water-type Pokemon. Daniel's face flamed red.
"Not bad," Alexa appraised. "Venusaur, Razor Leaf!"
"Seel, Ice Beam!" Daniel shouted.
Venusaur launched razor sharp leaves from its bulk, as Seel directed an icy cold beam towards Venusaur. Staggered, Seel was knocked backwards as the razor sharp leaves cut into his fur, while Venusaur was frozen solid in Seel's frigid attack.
"Seel, are you OK?" Daniel's voice reverberated around the battlefield. Nodding, Seel got to his feet as Alexa sprang for a Full Heal and began administering it. "Ice Beam!"
Firing another icy beam, Seel hit Venusaur on target and damaged it further, though it was frozen no longer. In great pain, Venusaur roared and ran for Seel.
"Take Down, Seel!" Daniel shouted.
"Venusaur, Mega Drain!" Alexa cried.
Glowing green, Venusaur blasted Seel off his feet, draining him of energy and healing accordingly. Seel had the will to fight, but clearly no stamina left to do so without grave concerns.
"Seel, return!" Daniel held out his Pokeball, hearing the crowd's cheers and jeers, no longer wondering which was directed at him. He selected his second of three Pokeballs, tossing it into the battlefield. "Go, Meowth!"
Meowth sprung forward, facing Venusaur who had healed almost to full health following its successful Mega Drain upon Seel. Venusaur stomped its large feet while Meowth drew it claws.
"Meowth, Swift!" Daniel shouted.
"Venusaur, Leech Seed!" Alexa yelled.
Meowth tossed shining stars towards Venusaur, while Venusaur launched a small seed from atop its back where it planted upon Meowth, elongating vines which constricted Meowth and sapped it of energy. Venusaur was slightly injured by Meowth's Swift attack.
"No!" Daniel cried. The Leech Seed planted upon Meowth began to heal Venusaur slowly. "Meowth, Pay Day!"
"Venusaur, Solarbeam!"
Forehead coin glowing bright, Meowth blasted Venusaur in the face, inflicting slight damage. Meanwhile, the bulb atop Venusaur's back began to shine.
"Meowth, return!" Daniel held out his Pokeball, returning Meowth inside and cutting off Venusaur's Leech Seed supply. He selected his third Pokeball, tossing it into the battlefield. "Weepinbell, come out!"
Weepinbell waddled forward, instantly grasping the situation as the bulb atop Venusaur's back glowed blindingly bright, blasting Weepinbell backwards and causing minor damage at best. Recovering, Weepinbell hurried forward as Venusaur grunted and ran forth.
"Weepinbell, Slam!"
"Venusaur, Rage!"
Avoiding Venusaur's lunge, Weepinbell slammed down upon the Grass/Poison-type behemoth, causing it to sink to its knees in pain, wounded.
"Ach! Venusaur, return!" Alexa held out her Pokeball, as the crowd jeered at Daniel. Alexa selected her second of three Pokeballs. "Go, Cloyster!"
Cloyster was the evolved form of Shellder, hidden within a tough shell with its face peeking out. Cloyster materialised in the oasis in the centre of the battlefield.
"Weepinbell, Stun Spore!" Daniel cried.
"Cloyster, Aurora Beam!" Alexa shouted.
Weepinbell dispersed shining powder throughout the battlefield, as Cloyster fired a multicoloured beam from within its shell towards Weepinbell. Reeling, Weepinbell suffered great damage while Cloyster succumbed to paralysis.
"Weepinbell!" Daniel shrieked in alarm. He had not thought Alexa so tough. "Mega Drain!"
Recovering with difficulty, Weepinbell glowed green as Alexa sprayed a Full Heal onto Cloyster. Absorbing Cloyster's energy, Weepinbell was healed to full health, while Cloyster was severely harmed.
"Nice work, Weepinbell!" Daniel cheered, as a few others joined his cry. "Razor Leaf!"
"Cloyster, Aurora Beam!"
Weepinbell spun about in the air, evading Cloyster's Aurora Beam and releasing razor sharp leaves which whipped past the blowing tumbleweed and cutting within the exposed part of Cloyster's shell. Cloyster toppled backwards, unconscious.
"Cloyster, return!" Alexa cried, holding out her Pokeball. She selected her third and final Pokeball. "Go, Magmar!"
Magmar stood on two feet, with flames upon its body as it held strong. Weepinbell looked starkly frightened as Magmar glared at the Grass/Poison-type.
"Magmar, Flamethower!" Alexa cried.
"Weepinbell, dodge and use Stun Spore!"
As Weepinbell evaded, sending glittering powder into the air, Magmar directed its fiery blast sideways so that Weepinbell was caught in the inferno. Close to fainting and badly burned, Daniel held out his Pokeball while Magmar succumbed to the glittering powder, becoming paralysed.
"Weepinbell, return!" Daniel's heart beat as Weepinbell disappeared in a flash of red light. Now both he and Alexa were down to their final Pokemon. "Come back onto the field, Meowth!"
Daniel's thrown Pokeball burst open to materialise Meowth, facing Magmar while Alexa administered a Full Heal to her Fire-type Pokemon.
"Meowth, Swift!" Daniel cried.
Sprinting forth, Meowth flung shining stars at Magmar who was knocked back from the force, though the Full Heal's effects had freed Magmar's locked limbs. Still running across the battlefield, Meowth's forehead shone as Magmar scrambled to his feet.
"Pay Day!" Daniel shouted.
Meowth blasted a shining light at Magmar, who was injured by the glittering coins but not impeded -
"Magmar, Smog!"
Magmar exhaled disgusting, dark gases towards Meowth who leapt upon a cliff to evade the surge of smoke, but began coughing and fell to the ground. Somewhat injured by the Smog, Meowth was poisoned.
"Finish Meowth!" Alexa cried to her Magmar. "Fire Punch!"
Magmar ran forth, fiery hand glowing red as Meowth pounced upon Magmar, delivering a Slash attack right across Magmar's face. Magmar's Fire Punch missed and crumbled the cliff wall behind.
Greatly injured, Magmar spun on its feet as Meowth landed cleanly, facing its fiery foe.
"Magmar, hide with your Smokescreen!" Alexa yelled.
"Meowth, Bite!" Daniel yelled.
Magmar released a thick fog of smoke which rendered the participants quite hidden, as shouts of pain and cries echoed while the crowd yelled and gasped in anticipation. Finally, the smog cleared to reveal Meowth standing over Magmar's unconscious figure, claws retracted as he began to clean himself.
"Trainer Daniel has won the match!" cried the announcer.
The crowd who at first were cheering on Alexa, either reluctantly or through excitement began cheering Daniel's name instead. Though he felt himself silly, Daniel waved to the crowd modestly though he knew nothing of public acclaim.
"Well done," Alexa congratulated from afar, amid the red flash of her Pokeball returning her fainted Magmar inside. "That's a strong Meowth you have."
"He's the best," Daniel smiled, as Meowth clambered into his arms for a hug. "Thanks, Meowth. We did it! We're in the top thirty two now!"