CHAPTER SEVENTY EIGHT
Daniel and Amy stood in the village which prefaced the Indigo Plateau stadium, waving and watching from afar as Natalie headed down the route leading south, to make the trek through Victory Road and back home to Viridian City. Squirtle and Poliwhirl flanked Natalie on either side, while she carried Seadra in her arms and Butterfree flew overhead.
"Do you think she'll be OK?" Daniel asked Amy.
"Natalie reached the semi finals of the Indigo League. Her Pokemon are more than competent to take on the trials of Victory Road," Amy replied dryly.
Both Daniel and Amy were aware that now it was just the two of them, where Natalie had once provided a comfortable interlude. Daniel viewed Amy as a more than competent Trainer for reaching the finals, especially since if he won against Joshua in tomorrow's match, he would be battling her. Meanwhile, Amy could scarcely discuss strategy with Daniel for the same reason. There was little conversation to be had between them with so much at stake.
"What time is your match tomorrow?" Amy asked Daniel, still glancing towards the departing figure of Natalie and her Pokemon.
"Noon," Daniel added, aware of Amy's fading interest, whether intentional or not. "I should head to bed. I'm quite full after dinner."
Amy turned to Daniel. "If I don't see you before your match tomorrow... good luck."
Daniel smiled gratefully, correctly interpreting that this was not the time for a handshake or hug. He could not read body language well, especially with Amy who hid it so well.
"Thanks," Daniel replied, wanting to congratulate Amy's battle prowess but it would be too awkward, since Natalie received a loss from it. "Hope you have a good sleep."
Once he had returned to his apartment suite, Daniel released his four Pokemon out of their Pokeballs and consulted the rudimentary list he had drawn up of all that he knew about Joshua's strategies and Pokemon. So far, Joshua had only ever battled with three of his four Pokemon, keeping one in reserve.
Daniel had known Joshua since they were children in Pallet Town and both had acquired their first Pokemon at around the same time. Daniel had been besotted with the baby Meowth that had survived from his mother's Persian, while Joshua had captured a male Nidoran in the wild and liked its tough nature.
While Daniel had been content to focus on his studies at the Pokemon Trainer's School, Joshua preferred Pokemon battling and soon became the strongest Pokemon Trainer among the kids who attended. When Joshua left Viridian to challenge the Gyms around Kanto, Daniel realized that in addition to watching the epic showdown between Gary Oak and Lance on TV, he wanted to be a Pokemon Trainer of significance, too.
Battling Joshua tomorrow would take more than just guts. Daniel had lost to Joshua in Mt. Moon and wanted to settle the score.
"Welcome to the Indigo League semi finals!" boomed the announcer. "Our second and final battle will be Trainer Daniel vs. Trainer Joshua!"
Daniel stood atop his podium, heart hammering as he glanced around at the cheering stands who politely applauded in his direction. He glanced across the battlefield to where Joshua stood on his podium opposite. Joshua caught his eye and smirked, glancing to the three Pokeballs in his holder.
"Each Trainer will use three Pokemon! The first Trainer to defeat the other Trainer's Pokemon will advance to the finals! Are you ready?"
Daniel was so nervous he might pass out, but that could be due to the lack of sleep. He hadn't gone to bed until after midnight, scheming strategies with which to overcome Joshua's Pokemon. He had selected his three Pokeballs with care. Now all he could do was steel his courage and focus on the battle ahead.
"Good luck," Joshua's voice rang out with derisive sarcasm. The crowd laughed appreciatively. Daniel reddened.
"Hit me with all you've got, Joshua!" Daniel taunted, earning glee from the crowd who glanced in Joshua's direction.
Shrugging, Joshua smirked contentedly and selected his first Pokeball of three. "I wasn't planning on going easy on you!"
Daniel selected his first Pokeball of three, tossing it into the field.
"Go, Arbok!"
Arbok reared forth, baring its fangs and the scary pattern upon its broad chest. A few young ones in the crowd gasped, but otherwise the stands looked forward to watching this fearsome cobra Pokemon do battle.
Joshua weighed the might of Daniel's Poison-type Pokemon, not fazed. He threw his chosen Pokeball into the battlefield.
"Go, Scyther!"
The crowd erupted with cheers and roars as Scyther made its appearance on the battlefield. Arbok hissed in menace but Scyther was unaffected, readying its sharp scythes and wings atop its back whizzing wildly.
"Arbok, Glare!" Daniel shouted.
"Scyther, Agility!" Joshua yelled.
Arbok's eyes glowed and glared at Scyther, while Scyther disappeared into thin air, appearing at various points throughout the stadium, too quick for Arbok to focus on.
"Scyther, Double Team!" Joshua continued.
Scyther split into three copies, all identical and darting across the stadium, coming closer to Arbok who could not work out which was the real Scyther. All three copies hovered in the air with the wings on their back, diving for Arbok at once -
"Arbok, pick one and use Toxic! I trust you!" Daniel cried.
Hissing, Arbok shot a wad of purple liquid at one of the copies, as all three pounced upon the Poison-type, scythes at the ready. Two of the copies dissipated as the Toxic attack hit the third; the real Scyther was stunned and thrown backwards, deluged in poisonous toxins.
"Scyther!" Joshua's face went red as the crowd began to laugh. He had no self-control to tolerate humiliation at his expense. "Get here at once!"
"Arbok, Bite!" Daniel yelled.
Arbok pounced upon Scyther, who was distracted and badly poisoned. Arbok reared its fangs and bit hard into Scyther, who screeched loudly and writhed in pain, knocking Arbok to the grass with the flat side of its scythe in fury.
Joshua held out his Full Heal as Scyther whizzed close by, while Arbok recovered and headed straight for Scyther.
"Trainer Daniel's Arbok shows no mercy!" boomed the announcer. "Will Scyther escape Arbok's machinations?"
Scyther suffered damage from the poison, relieved as Joshua's Full Heal took effect. Turning on its heel, Arbok leapt for Scyther to deliver another Bite but Scyther ran forward with a Slash attack. Both Pokemon fought one another in the grass, rolling over as Arbok bit deep with its fangs and Scyther cut Arbok with its scythes.
Arbok and Scyther broke apart, panting heavily and quite injured. Neither Pokemon would back down.
"Arbok, Glare!" Daniel shouted.
"Scyther, Double Edge!" Joshua yelled.
Arbok's eyes shone as Scyther rushed forward, charging into Arbok and sending Daniel's Poison-type Pokemon rolling across the field. Arbok lay exhausted, while Scyther took sharp recoil.
"Arbok, return!" Daniel held out his Pokeball, worried. Arbok was too injured to fight further. Scyther returned to Joshua's side of the field, quite injured.
"You can't defeat me, Daniel!" Joshua goaded. "I've beaten you before, and I'll beat you again!"
"This time it's different, Joshua!" Daniel selected his second of three Pokeballs, tossing it into the battlefield. "Go, Meowth!"
Meowth landed on the grassy battlefield, forehead coin glinting in the sunlight. Scyther looked surprised at the cat Pokemon.
"That damn Meowth!" Joshua said. "You need to grow up!"
Reddening, Daniel yelled, "Meowth, take out that Scyther! Swift!"
"Scyther, Agility!" Joshua shouted.
Meowth tossed shining stars at Scyther, as Scyther moved as fast as lightning, darting from one place to the next with ease. Meowth's Swift stars tracked Scyther, homing in and dealing damage despite his speed. Momentarily buffeted, Scyther was injured further as Meowth leapt forward.
"Meowth!" Daniel cried.
"Scyther!" Joshua shouted.
They roared in unison, "Slash!"
Meowth drew its claws and leapt for Scyther, as Scyther wielded its sharp scythes for Meowth. Both Pokemon dealt damage. Meowth's claws left a mark upon Scyther's face, while Meowth's fur was cut from Scyther's scythes.
"Meowth!" Daniel cried in concern. Joshua remained mute.
Meowth and Scyther crumpled on the ground, both struggling to their feet. Scyther was more injured, but managed to stand before Meowth did, raising its scythes for a final blow.
"Scyther, Double Team!" Joshua roared.
"Meowth, Pay Day!" Daniel shouted.
Scyther split into three copies as Meowth's forehead coin glowed, blasting the copy in the Centre backwards so that the two copies beside it dissipated into nothingness. Golden coins fell around the real Scyther, who fell to the ground as Meowth pounced for a finishing Bite attack.
"Argh!" Joshua held out his Pokeball, red light flashing. "Return, Scyther!"
The crowd contributed stunned applause and cheers, at Meowth's close call to victory. Meowth returned to Daniel's side of the field.
"Excellent work, Meowth!" Daniel congratulated his Normal-type Pokemon. "That Scyther was no match - "
"Honestly, Daniel," Joshua interrupted, his second Pokeball of three in his hand. "If you could just shut up, that would be great."
Daniel was speechless as Joshua threw his Pokeball into the field, red light flashing bright.
"Primeape, take out that mangy cat!" Joshua commanded.
Primeape were known for their bad temper and today's match was no exception. With scruffy fur and an inimitable face of fury, Primeape pumped its fists in the air as Meowth looked on with terror.
"It's OK, Meowth!" Daniel called, enthusiasm dampened by Joshua's insults. "We'll get through this!"
Joshua rolled his eyes. "You're setting him up to fail! How about setting a more appropriate goal, such as victory?"
"Just because you don't love your Pokemon, doesn't mean I don't love mine!" Daniel retorted angrily.
"Primeape, let's show him what we're made of!" Joshua shouted. "Submission!"
"Meowth, Swift!" Daniel shouted.
Meowth tossed shining stars at Primeape, as Primeape sprinted towards Meowth. Primeape was slightly injured by the Swift stars which cut into his fur, but his rampage was not buffeted as he charged into Meowth, taking him into a roll which badly damaged Meowth and caused sharp recoil to Primeape.
The crowd gasped in shock as Meowth lay unconscious upon the grass, while Primeape puffed and pumped its fists in victory.
"No way!" Daniel felt the hope drain out of him as quickly as a shattered glass of water. "That Primeape's tough!"
"It's called a type advantage, Daniel," Joshua added, heavy with sarcasm. "Besides, your Meowth has such pitiful moves, it's a wonder you bring it into battle at all."
Breathing deeply to control his rage, Daniel held out his Pokeball towards his fainted feline friend. "I'm sorry, Meowth."
Red light flashed out to return Meowth inside. Heartbeat thudding, Daniel selected his third and final Pokeball, tossing it into the battlefield.
"Go, Seel!"
Seel waddled forth, all focus as the crowd politely applauded. Primeape looked on without concern.
"If that's the best you've got, then you're finished!" Joshua shouted. "Primeape, Seismic Toss!"
"Seel!" Daniel cried. "Blizzard!"
Primeape sprinted forth as Seel whipped up a frigid wind, directing icy shards towards Primeape. The winter whirl staggered Primeape in its tracks, fur cut by the glacial impediments and remaining still, ice coating its body so that it became frozen solid.
"Damn it!" Joshua swore loudly as he reached for a Full Heal. The crowd giggled but some had to lecture their young ones about profanity.
"Seel, Ice Beam!" Daniel called, hope soaring for a comeback.
Seel directed an icy beam towards Primeape, adding to the layer of ice which held Primeape solid and damaging Joshua's Fighting-type further. Joshua sprayed the Full Heal onto Primeape and the ice began to melt, as Primeape stretched its aching limbs, quite injured.
"Seel, Take Down!" Daniel cried.
"Primeape, Submission!" Joshua yelled.
Seel and Primeape charged at the same time, both colliding with each other and knocked back by the force. Both Pokemon suffered sharp recoil, but Primeape was on its last legs.
"Mega Punch, Primeape!" Joshua shouted.
"Seel, Bubblebeam!" Daniel cried.
Primeape lunged towards Seel with its fist raised, but Seel shot forth a powerful surge of bubbles which knocked the Fighting-type Pokemon flat on its face. The crowd gasped and broke out in applause for Daniel.
Joshua's face went red as he held out his Pokeball, red light flashing to return fainted Primeape inside. "You got lucky that time."
"Is it luck that got me into the semi finals, Joshua?" Daniel demanded.
"It certainly isn't skill," Joshua muttered, throwing his third and final Pokeball into the battlefield. "I'll crush you with my greatest Pokemon! Go, Nidoking!"
Up in the stands, Amy watched with suspicion as red light materialized the hulking brute that was Nidoking. The evolved form of Nidorino, Nidoking had a purple hide with a grey underbelly, sharp spikes around its bipedal frame and a horn atop its forehead. The crowd roared in awe at this unstoppable Pokemon.
"You evolved Nidorino?" Daniel asked in dismay, quickly shifting to laughter. "Your Nidoking's a Poison/Ground-type Pokemon! My Seel holds the advantage!"
"Not for long," Joshua added grimly.
"Seel!" Daniel called down to his Water-type. "Ice Beam!"
"Nidoking!" Joshua roared, at ease. "Thunder!"
Seel shot an icy beam towards Nidoking, as Nidoking charged electricity around his tough frame, directing a bolt of thunder towards Seel. Nidoking was damaged but not knocked back by the frigid blast, sprinting forth as Seel was utterly electrified by the bolt of thunder, paralyzed and barely able to move.
"Seel! Are you OK?" Daniel reached for a Full Heal, glancing up to Nidoking who charged towards Seel's limp frame. "No!"
"Nidoking, finish Seel!" Joshua roared in triumph. "Take Down!"
Nidoking tackled Seel, sending him flying across the field and smacking into Daniel's podium. With a cry of dismay to match the surprised gasps from the crowd, Daniel was speechless.
"Trainer Daniel's Seel has fainted!" boomed the announcer. "Trainer Joshua wins the match!"
Daniel felt a buzzing in his ears, surreal as at first the crowd kept their silence before bursting into cheers and applause, but not for him. They were cheering for Joshua.
I lost, Daniel thought miserably, watching Joshua maintain his grim expression across the field. I lost to Joshua! I've lost the tournament!
He felt very heavy, laden with anxiety and plagued by doubt. Glancing towards the battlefield, he noticed the crumpled figure of Seel who had fainted. Rational thoughts briefly flickered to life in his brain as his first priority became his Pokemon.
Focus, he told himself. Move your feet. Return your Pokemon. Heal them at the Pokemon Centre.
His coping mechanism was to rather mechanically issue himself orders as though he were a robot, to distance himself from the myriad of emotions which held him hostage. He was aware of the polite applause which had broken out in his direction, but to his mind he had suffered a grave defeat that could never be undone.
Joshua's the better Trainer, Daniel realized with a thud. He has superior Pokemon, better tactics and the determination to win.
Meanwhile, up in the stands, Amy watched uncertainly as Daniel returned Seel into his Pokeball with a flash of red light, heading towards the connecting passageway that led to the private apartment suites.
"Finalists!" boomed the announcer. "Present yourself at the announcer's podium nine sharp tomorrow! Your battle will begin at noon tomorrow!"
Amy felt shaken as the crowd around her offered good luck and wishes for tomorrow's match.
After healing his Pokemon, Daniel exited the elevator which lead to the corridor where all the apartment suites were located. He was alone in the hallway but for a cleaning lady who nodded as he walked past. He swiped his key card against the electronic reader on his door and turned when he heard hurried footsteps converging on his position.
"Daniel," Amy was breathless, trying to regain her composure. "What - "
"I'm not in the mood to talk, Amy," Daniel cut her off before she could begin. He was in a foul mood and didn't want her to see it. "I need to pack for the journey back home tonight."
Amy followed Daniel's departing back into his apartment suite, which he had kept tidy during his stay. She cast a critical eye over his appearance, sweat-soaked and glum unlike his usual bad moods.
"Daniel, don't do anything stupid."
He turned to her. "Like what? Joshua's only been my rival since childhood. I've traveled Kanto to claim the eight Gym Badges, traversed through Victory Road and battled through several rounds of the tournament to come so close - "
"Don't pretend you're the only one with this problem," Amy took a step closer. "Think about Natalie! You think she's not disappointed? She entered this tournament to win the money to help her mother! This is pride and ambition - "
Daniel shook his head and turned away from her. "It's easy for you to say. You're a finalist."
"I won't apologize for my victories. In every Pokemon battle, there's a chance of losing."
"But it was Joshua!" Daniel turned to her, imploring her to understand without explanation. "I was supposed to win against him!"
"Stop it," Amy hated how much she sounded like her mother. "You lost, big deal. Don't allow this to become a permanent setback. Learn from this and move on - "
"I'm not like you, Amy," Daniel glanced at her, as finding some serious fault. "I can't hide my emotions and stuff my feelings in a box. I actually try to be happy!"
Drawing herself up to full height, Amy succeeded in keeping the hurt off her face. "Very well. If that's what you think."
Daniel struggled for a moment, then replied, "I didn't mean - "
"Whatever," Amy retorted coldly. "I came here to support you as a friend. I don't care that you lost."
The silence was awkward and stifling. Daniel fidgeted while Amy stood resolute, willing her emotions to behave.
"Listen," Daniel stepped forward, suddenly plaintive. "I - "
Amy held him at bay with a glacial expression. "I don't care, Daniel. Do what you want."
She turned and left the room, walking out into the corridor. Not a few seconds later, she heard the door slam behind her.
"Mum!" Beth called, her face ashen as she watched the TV screen at home in Pallet. "Mum!"
Mary emerged from the kitchen, gripping the phone where she had been coordinating work shifts at the PokeMart.
"Beth, I'm on the phone!" Mary warned, following Beth's glance to the TV. "Where's Daniel?"
"He - he lost," Beth looked a little frail.
Sinking onto the couch, Mary's expression slid into one of shock. "Oh."
Silence between mother and daughter as the TV blared advertisements and the caller on the phone line continued to talk, uninterrupted.
Amy returned to her room, fuming. She was angry at Daniel, at herself, at this whole tournament for creating such a divide that had torn her friends apart. It had been hard enough to make friends, now Pokemon battling was driving them apart.
Be sensible, Amy told herself. Pokemon battling is not the problem.
She tried to collect her thoughts as she poured Pokefood for her Pokemon, wondering where they had gotten to before realizing she hadn't yet released them from their Pokeballs. Flashing with red light, Arcanine, Nidorina and Marowak materialized into being and promptly raced for their food bowls, tackling into one another in their haste.
Perching upon the couch, Amy rubbed her forehead where a headache had begun to build. She wanted to go back and apologize, knowing Daniel wasn't in the best frame of mind to receive advice - especially from her, a finalist - but her anger prevented rational thought.
Glancing up, she heard a knock on the door and got to her feet.
Good, Amy concluded. He's come to apologize. We can get this mess sorted before he leaves.
Taking three short steps to the door, Amy removed the chain and opened the door. Joshua was standing there, grim despite his recent victory.
"Amy?" Joshua asked, suddenly not sure how to proceed upon noticing her strident expression.
"Joshua?" Amy replied in surprise. "What are you - "
His voice suddenly became more urgent. "We need to talk."