Journal Entry, June 29, 2007
Night is finally here. It's just about time that I face Juno. And I'm ready.
Before I was so nervous; I kept thinking about that possibility of me losing, which means losing Chimchar. But now I feel really confident. With my pokémon backing me up, there isn't anything I can't do.
Chimchar just fell asleep. Oshawott is still up and ready for a secret battle. So am I. I'm holding the choker that I bought for Chimchar back in Jubilife. It's become my good luck charm right now. If it works, I'll still have one of my best friends with me.
-Kori
Kori took a deep breath while she hid her journal under her pillow. Kori and Oshawott slowly got out of bed, hoping to sneak out without Chimchar realizing it.
Oshawott jumped over Chimchar to get out of the bed, but he stumbled. Both Kori and Oshawott held their breaths when Chimchar turned towards where Oshawott had been before, facing the wall. Kori stiffened. She was so sure that Chimchar was going to wake and wonder why Kori still had her day clothes on, or why Oshawott wasn't asleep.
But Chimchar just let out a content sigh. Both sneaky parties let out a breath of relief. Oshawott jumped down on the floor.
"Okay," Kori whispered. She unhooked Swablu and Cherrim's pokéballs from her bag and put them in her pocket. "Time to get out of here." Oshawott nodded. They got out of the room quietly. Kori took one last look at the sleeping figure before she slid the door shut. It's time, she thought. She walked down the hall, towards the exit.
"So where exactly are you going?" Kori and Oshawott stopped at the unexpected voice.
Kori turned back around. Lyssa was leaning against the wall. She must have been awake when we left the room, Kori reasoned "Me and Oshawott decided to take a walk. We'll be back soon."
Oshawott looked at Kori questioningly. "Osha?"
"Do you want some company on this walk?"
Kori got really nervous. The way Lyssa said walk seemed off; like she knew it was something more. Kori wanted to tell the other girl the truth so she could come and support her. Kori wanted that, but she knew that this was something she and her pokémon needed to do alone. "That's okay. It won't take long," she smiled. "You should go back to bed."
Lyssa looked at the pair for a long while. Kori's stomach started making these awful flips. She knows. Kori was so sure she knew and would confront her on it. The wait was so unbearable.
Finally, the older girl shrugged and pushed herself off the the wall. "Okay," she said. She turned to go back to the room they shared.
Kori, surprised that she got away with that lie, numbly walked towards the exit, followed by Oshawott.
"Oh and Kori," Lyssa called. Kori and Oshawott stopped. "Don't get in too much trouble on your walk. You better conquer it without too much trouble." Kori listened as Lyssa finally walked into the room. She knew, Kori thought to herself. Somehow Lyssa knew that this was more than just a 'walk' and was still letting her go through with it without asking questions. Kori shrugged. She still needed to do what she needed to do. The duo walked out of the Pokémon Center. It was windy outside; made Kori happy that she brought her sweat jacket. Kori zipped it up as agree and Oshawott walked top the field behind the building.
Juno stood, impatiently tapping her foot. She sneered when she noticed that Kori and Oshawott came closer. "Finally," she growled. "I thought you chickened out. I was about to go back inside."
Kori just shrugged. "I'm here now," she said. "Let's just get this over with."
Juno smiled. "What's the matter?" She pulled out a pokéball. "Tired of Chimchar already?"
Kori growled, bit didn't say anything in response.
Oshawott on the other hand, couldn't stop himself from angrily slashing with good scalchop. "Oshawott!" He yelled, pointing at Juno with the scalchop.
Kori smiley at his antics. "Don't worry," Kori said. "You'll get your chance soon."
Juno released hey first pokémon. "You better win Duskull." Juno caught the pokéball after it was released. Kori looked at the scary little pokémon and definitely one it was a ghost- type. She pulled out her trusty pokédex.
Duskull- the Requiem Pokémon. It loves the crying of children. it startles bad kids by passing through walls and making them cry.
Kind of sounded like Juno, Kori thought to herself. She pocketed the pokédex and released her first pokémon. "Go Swablu!"
"Swab!" Swablu flew into the air as he studied the opponent.
"Use Mean Look Duskull!" Duskull's red eyes. Juno smirked when the rings made contact with Swablu.
Kori was very confused. The rings didn't seem to hurt Swablu in any way and she couldn't understand the purpose of the move. Kori mentally shrugged. " Swablu use Aerial Ace!"
Swablu dived down quickly and changed directions just when he was about to hit the ground. Now he was quickly flying towards Duskull at record speed. Juno just smirked.
"Use Dark Pulse!"
"Dus!" A black orb appeared in front of Duskull's mouth. Then a beam formed by black circles flew towards Swablu.
"Swablu!" Kori called.
"Osha!"
"Swab!" Swablu broke out of the Aerial Ace, but he was still too slow to avoid the attack. The attack caused Swablu to crash towards the earth.
"Oshawott!" Oshawott yelled, concerned. Swablu continued to crash and tumble on the earth. Eventually, he stopped. Kori feared that he had been finished off by that one attack.
"Swab... swab.." Swablu slowly stood up. Kori could see how much energy Swablu seemed to have lost. Swablu kept wheezing. Kori definitely knew one thing; Duskull was a very well trained.
The sight caused of Swablu struggling to get up caused her to sneer. "How pathetic," she whispered. She looked back at her Duskull. "That is why weak pokémon are so worthless. Duskull finish this up another Dark Pulse."
"Swablu get out of the way!" Kori watched as Duskull's eyes glowed ominously. Swablu was still struggling; it was then that Kori realized that there was no way he could dodge it in time. She quickly pulled out the pokéball. "Return!" The red beam from the pokéball hit Swablu, but then disappeared, but left the flying- type behind. "What?" Kori yelled.
"Wott?"
Juno and that insufferable smirk decided to respond. "I guess you didn't even know the effects of Mean Look."
"Oh no," Kori said, finally putting the pieces of the puzzle in place. Juno had used that move so that Kori couldn't substitute her pokémon, making easier for her to control the way the battle went. Kori failed Swablu; she couldn't watch Swablu get hit. "I'm so sorry Swablu."
Swablu watched in defeat as the Dark Pulse came closer. It really seemed like the end of the first battle was going to come.
But Swablu couldn't give up. His friends and Kori were counting on him. Chimchar's fate depended on him. Swablue glowed bright with renewed power. The beam came, but Swablu felt no pain from any impact.
Oshaowtt watched as the beam never hit its target. "Osha?" What was all of that stuff? Oshawott grabbed Kori's pant leg. "Osha oshawott."
Kori felt the tug on her pant leg. Was it over already? She thought miserably. It was her fault; she should have prepared Swablu as much as she could, but at least his pain would be over. She finally opened her eyes and what she saw forced a gasp from her lips before it formed a bright smile.
The Dark Pulse hit. But, instead of Swablu, it hit a very large structure made of Cotton. Juno growled at the sight. "What the hell is that thing?"
Kori continued to smile. "That's Cotton Guard! Swablu are you alright in there?"
"Swablu." Swablu flapped his wings and brought himself into the air.
"That stupid trick doesn't change anything," Juno whispered "Duskull! Use Nightshade!" Duskull quickly aimed a dark beam at Swablu and, although the attack connected, it had no affect.
It was Kori's turn to be smug. "Look who doesn't know something," Kori mocked. "Swablu is a normal- type as well as a flying- type. That means ghost attacks like Nightshade won't work on Swablu. Now use Aerial Ace Swablu!"
Juno smirked. "You're crazy if you think that'll work." She watched as Swablu flew closer. When it was close enough, she saw her chance. "Use Will-o-Wisp!" Duskull created a smalle blue flame. The ghost pokémon threw it in Swablu's face, hitting him. Swablu cried out in pain after he was surrounded by flames and burned.
"Swablu!" He closed his eyes in pain. It seemed to be too much.
"Don't give up Swablu!" Kori yelled. It's not over yet."
Swablu opened his eyes again. Kori was right. It couldn't be over yet.
Juno laughed. "Really?" She asked. "Because it looks over from where I'm standing. Duskull use Dark Pulse!"
Kori felt a light go on in her head. She had an idea; either it worked or it goes horribly wrong and ends in a lost. "Swablu fly around Duskull while using Cotton Guard!"
"Swab!" Swablu flew as quickly as it could around his opponent, while he created giant cotton balls around Duskull. Juno raised an eyebrow, wondering what the point of all this was. Kori just hoped it all worked out.
Duskull's Dark Pulse only managed to hit one of the stray Cotton Guard. But more Cotton Guard came in its place. "Duskull?"
Juno growled. She couldn't see Duskull or Swablu anymore. The whole field was covered by the Cotton Guard. Her anger really burned when she realized that she couldn't effectively command Duskull.
Oshawott looked up to Kori, as if waiting for some explanation. Kori looked and shrugged. "I just hope this works." Kori looked back at the cotton field. "Now use Aerial Ace Swablu, followed by Steel Wing!" She hoped Swablu could fight blind, because it was the only chance they have at winning.
Swablu nodded. He swooped down, cutting through the Cotton Guard with the Steel Wing. "Swab..." he cried out when his burn began acting up, but he didn't stop.
"Skull?" Duskull looked around, hoping to catch a glance of the opponent.
"If you catch sight of it, use Dark Pulse." Duskull nodded in understanding. Duskull turned around in a circle, eyes trained to spot Swablu. Suddenly, something hit him in his back. "DUSKULL!"
Swablu continued to swoop down quick Swablu finally could see the opposing Duskull. Swablu flew and attacked Duskull with the Aerial Ace then finished by hitting Duskull with his Steel Wing.
"DUSKULL!"
"DUSKULL!" Kori smiled. It sounded like Swablu had been able to attack
"Good Swablu!" Kori yelled. "Now go back into the Cotton Guard and attack again the same way." Kori had no idea if this could work, but she hoped.
Juno growled in frustration. "Duskull had better not lose," she whispered to herself. It knew better than to lose. It knew the consequences failure brings. "Duskull! Set that cotton crap on fire with Will-o-Wisp!" Maybe a flame will finish this for good.
Kori's eyes widened when she heard Juno's command. Both of the pokémon were inside and she decides to order Duskull to use a fire- type move? What the hell is that psycho thinking? "You have to stop Duskull Swablu! Right now!"
"Swab?" Swablu heard Kori from inside the Cotton Guard, but how would he do it? Swablu's steely determination caused him to fly quickly down and over to Duskull. As Swablu got past the Cotton Guard, he watched Duskull let go of the blue ball of flame. Swablu tried to fly towards the blue flame, hoping to intercept it, but his burn reacted. It made Swablu stop to catch his breath. It took that little moment of hesitation for the Will-o-Wisp to hit the Cotton Guard, setting the structure aflame.
He was too late. It was the last thought he had before he was surrounded by a bright light.
"Oh no!" Kori watched, horrified, as all of the Cotton Guard was set on fire. "Get out of there Swablu and Duskull!"
"Osha!" Oshawott yelled in agreement. Both- trainer and pokémon- watched with growing fear when neither pokémon came out of the burning structure. The flames spread throughout the whole Cotton Guard and got larger. It was so big and bright, the night became bright by the flame.
"Oshawott! Try to stop the flames using Air Slash!"
"Oshawott." Oshawott quckly took out his scalchop, ready to stop the flames.
"Don't even think about it." Juno watched the flames with a blank, uncaring expression. "If Oshawott does that, it's against the rules of a trainer's battle." Juno grinned maliciously. "I'll take it as a forfeit."
Oshawott waited, unsure about what to do. He had no idea what forfeit meant, but it didn't sound good.
Kori on the other hand couldn't believe Juno could be so callous. "But your pokémon is in there too! Don't you even care about Duskull?"
Juno just shrugged. "Duskull is just a tool to defeat pokémon and trainers. It's just being used to get me to the Pokémon League. Now Duskull, you better use Dark Pulse on Swablu!"
"No!" Kori watched as the same black circles associated with Dark Pulse managed to get through the burning Cotton Guard. "No! Swablu!"
The glowing around Swablu became more intense. Swablu could feel himself changing form. Swablu could hear Kori telling him to flee with Duskull, but he couldn't seem to move until the glow had dissipated. Instincts dicated it.
Finally, the glow was gone. No more time to waste. With a cry that he no longer recognized as his own, Swablu flew closer to Duskull. "Al?" Some of the burning cotton had started falling. Swablu could tell that the Cotton Guard would not last much longer.
Duskull's only response was to attack with another Dark Pulse. "Duskull!"
With another cry, Swablu managed to dodge the attack. Swablu extended his wings and a black hole appeared in front of Swablu. Out of the hole came a Dark Pulse that hit Duskull and ending the battle.
The Cotton Guard had finally exploded. "Swablu!" Kori yelled.
"Osha!" Oshawott wasted no time trying to use the postponed Air Shash on the Cotton Guard. At that same moment, another Dark Pulse hit the top of the Cotton Guard. Oshawott stopped the attack when he noticed a large creature. When it landed, Oshawott could see it let Duskull down on the ground. But where was Swablu? " Oshawott?"
Kori gasped. She had no idea what the pokémon in front of her was, but it kind of looked like her little Swablu. "Swablu... evolved?" Kori ran over and grabbed the now bigger pokémon. "I'm so glad that you're okay!"
"Taria?" He had evolved. He honestly didn't realize it. The newly evolved pokémon just continued to lean into Kori's hug, relieved for that battle to be over. He'd worry about the rest later. Juno continued to sneer at the display of affection, but said nothing.
The Cotton Guard finished burning into a crisp and the flames eventually died down. Everyone looked at the prone Duskull; all of them knowing that Duskull was definitely unable to battle. Juno angrily returned the fainted Requiem pokémon. "So worthless," she said to the pokéball. "Thanks for nothing, as always."
Kori released her former Swablu from the hug. "Now let's get you to Nurse Joy."
"We still have a battle to get to," Juno uttered obnoxiously.
Kori said nothing as she returned her pokémon into his pokéball to Oshawott. "Please take him to Nurse Joy, okay?" Oshawott nodded quickly and took the pokéball. Kori looked at Juno. "You should give Oshawott's Duskull's pokéball so it can be healed too."
Juno shrugged before throwing Duskull's pokéball without any regard. Kori managed to catch it before it fell and gave it to Oshaowtt. The sea otter pokémon ran into the Center at a rapid pace, struggling with the two pokéballs. Kori took out Cherrim's pokéball. After everything she just saw of Juno, Kori had an even bigger reason not to lose Chimchar to the other girl.
"Now lets just get this over with," Juno whispered, pulled out another pokéball. Juno threw her pokéball while Kori threw Cherrim's. Kori took the time to study Juno's next pokémon. It looked like a small, tan and red top with arms and eyes. Not knowing what they were dealing with, she pulled out her pokédex.
Baltoy- the Clay Doll Pokémon. It moves on its foot. It is a rare pokémon that was discovered in ancient ruins.
So it's part ground- type, which means Cherrim would have the advantage here. Time to use it. "Cherrim use Magical Leaf!"
"Cher!" Cherrim jumped and released. Juno's only response was to put a hand on her hip and check her nails, as if she had nothing to worry about.
"Baltoy use Confusion on the Magical Leaf."
"Toy." Baltoy's eyes glowed blue, as did the Magical Leaf. The leaves stopped moving towards its target, before turning around to attack Cherrim.
It was going to take more than that to beat us, Kori thought with a smile. "Defend by using Magical Leaf."
"Cher." Cherrim created another Magical Leaf, causing both attacks to cancel each other out. Kori wanted to finish this quickly.
"Surround Baltoy with Petal Dance." Cherrim used Petal Dance,a ll the while running circles around Baltoy. Juno looked unconcerned.
"Use Rapid Spin." Baltoy began to spin really quickly, deflecting the Petal Dance and making it all blow away. Baltoy then stopped, searching the field; it couldnt' see Cherrim any longer. Juno looked shocked. "Where the hell did it go?"
Kori smiled. "Now use Magical Leaf." The attack cut through the Petal Dance, hitting Baltoy on the side and causing it to fall over. Baltoy was caught unawares by another barrage of Magical Leaf. It seemed that Kori's strategy was working.
"Get the hell up ," Juno growled lowly. Like hell was she losing to some loser.
"... toy..." Baltoy slowly stood up. Kori could tell that Baltoy would pretty much be finished with one attack.
"Now use Confusion on Cherrim." Juno smirked as Cherrim was being controlled by her Baltoy. "Now being it closer. After that, your know what to do."
What did she mean by that? Kori watched Cherrim struggled to be free of the mental hold, but to no avail. When Cherrim was just a hair's length away, Baltoy exploded and Cherrim also got caught in the blast.
Kori recognized they attack as Selfdestruct. It caused smoke to be blown towards bet face. Kori shielded her face from the debris. "Are you nuts?" Kori asked Juno, outraged.
"Oshawott?" Oshawott had ran out of the Pokémon Center when he hears the explosion. "Wott?"
"Cherrim!" Kori yelled. Eventually the smoke cleared,. showing that both pokémon had fainted. Kori ran over to check on Cherrim. "Cherrim are you alright?"
Cherrim slowly regained conciousness. "Cher?" Did she do well? Or did she lose?"
Kori smiled. "You really did great out there." She pulled out her pokéball and returned Cherrim. "Thank you and have a good rest."
Juno just returned Baltoy to its pokéball without any words. She noticed Kori's hard glare looking her way. She raised an eyebrow in response.
"Why don't you give a damn about any of your pokémon?" Kori asked. Juno shrugged.
"Like I said before," Juno said while she grabbed her next pokéball. "Pokémon are just tools I use to get what I want. Now are we going to talk all night? Or can we starte battling now?" Juno threw the pokéball and released her last pokémon. It was a four legged creature, with what looked like a dark blade on the side of its head. Kori looked into its blood red eyes and got a bad feeling. She trusted her pokédex to give her more information.
Absol- the Disaster Pokémon. Rumored to sense disasters with its horn, it became a target. It fled deep into the mountains.
That sounded horrible, Kori thought. Who chases a pokémon into the mountains because they could sense disasters? That sounded pretty useful actually. "Oshawott you're up."
"Osha." Oshawott ran into the battle field. He started sizing up his opponent. Oshawott had to admit it; Absol looked strong.
Absol on the other hand, didn't think much of the smaller pokémon. She could take it without any trouble at all. "Sol."
Juno smirked. This is going to be a piece of cake. "Absol use Razor Wind!"
"Absol!" Absol's scythe- like horn glowed with as she swung her head. White scythe shapes came towards Oshawott.
"Oshawott use Air Slash to counter!" Kori ordered. "Then follow up with Razor Shell!"
"Osha!" Oshawott created an Air Slash with his scalchop, which canceled out with the Razor Wind. With another yell, Oshawott ran with his Razor Shell.
"Quick Attack." Absol dodged Oshawott's Razor Shell by moving so fast, the attack fail to catch its target. It left Oshawott to stand and look around, wondering where Absol went. "Osha?" Suddenly a white shape came and slammed into Oshawott's side. "Wott!" Oshawott crashed onto the floor, face first. When he tried to get up, Absol immobilized him by putting one of her paws on his back. "Osha!"
"Oshawott!" Kori watched as Oshawott attempted to break out of Absol's grip, but he wasn't strong enough.
"Now end this with Night Slash," Juno ordered.
"Ab!" Absol's horn glowed purple. Kori had to think of something and fast. Wait... that's it!
"Oshawott, face Absol right now!" This was going to work.
Oshawott struggled, but he managed to turn his body to face Absol. The Disaster pokémon's horn was glowing dangerously. Oshawott wondered what Kori wanted him to do now.
Kori smiled. "Now use Scald!"
"OSHA!" Oshawott grinned evilly just before he sprayed the boiling hot water in Absol's face.
"AB!" Absol quickly let go of Oshawott and fell to the ground.
"Suck it up!" Juno yelled. Absol shook the rest of the hot water out of her face. "Now use Quick Attack, then Night Slash!"
"Absol!" Absol used Quick Attack to confuse Oshawott by running circles around him.
"Osha?" Oshawott kept turning and turning to catch sight of Absol, but it just wasn't working. Oshawott just couldn't keep up with Absol.
"Absol!" Absol suddenly stopped in front of the sea otter pokémon, ready with a Night Slash.
"Oshawott use Razor Shell to defend!"
"OSHA!" Oshawott slashed upward with Razor Shell when Absol attacked. At that moment, it became a struggle of strength; a struggle that Oshawott was definitely losing.
"Use Scald!"
"Jump back and use Double Team!"
Oshawott used Scald, but missed Absol when the disaster pokémon multiplied herself. The copies stood around Oshawott. "Osha!" Oshawott walked in a circle, unsure of which one was the actual opponent.
"Now Razor Wind!" Multiple scythe shapes hit Oshawott from all directions.
"Oshawott!" Oshawott was in pain. "Osha..." There didn't seem to be any way for Oshawott to win.
"There's only one of them Oshawott," Kori yelled once the barrage of attacks ceased. "The others are fakes. Close your eyes and use your other senses to find the real one. Trust your ears. Then when you're sure, attack with Razor Shell."
Oshawott closed his eyes. He didn't understand how this was going to help, but was willing to try.
"Now another Night Slash."
Oshawott became nervous. How was he going to defend from that next attack. He didn't even...
Wait.
"Osha!" Oshawott ran at one of the Absols on his right. They both came at each other with their attacks slashing. When both of the pokémon were standing after passing each other, Kori wasn't sure what had happened. But one of them had fell to the ground.
Leaving only the victor standing.
Kori's Pokemon
1. CHIMCHAR (female): (EMBER, ACROBATICS, IRON TAIL, TAUNT, FLAME WHEEL)
2. ALTARIA (male): (SING, STEEL WING, AERIAL ACE, COTTON GUARD, MIRROR MOVE)
3. OSHATWOTT (male): (SCALD, AIR SLASH, RAZOR SHELL)
4. CHERRIM (female): (MAGICAL LEAF, PETAL DANCE, SUNNY DAY)
Lyssa's Pokemon
1. CORSOLA (female): (WATER GUN, ROCK BLAST, BUBBLE)
2. BIDOOF (male): (MOVES UNKNOWN)
Diana's Pokemon
1. TURTWIG (male): (RAZOR LEAF, EARTH POWER)
2. SHINX (male): (SWIFT, TACKLE, THUNDERSHOCK, SCARY FACE, SPARK)
The Rivals
Juno's Pokemon
1. DUSKULL (male): (MEAN LOOK, DARK PULSE, NIGHTSHADE, WILL-O-WISP)
2. BALTOY (genderless): (CONFUSION, RAPID SPIN, SELFDESTRUCT)
3. ABSOL (female): (RAZOR WIND, QUICK ATTACK, NIGHT SLASH, DOUBLE TEAM)