She stared at her opponent's Pokemon a bit, frowning. He appeared to have a Natu, a Charizard and a Volbeat.
Cobber leaned over the ropes. "Is Kyisha ready?"
"Yep, and this'll be fun..." She took out three pokeballs. "Go! Eni, Nuoh, Brale!"
"Grrrrrrrr," Eni growled.
"Mne?" said the bluish-white serpent creature.
The nine tailed fox Pokemon tensed up. "Rrrrrrrr..."
"Go Nuoh, use Hydro Pump on the Volbeat! Brale, use Psychic on Charizard! Eni, use flamethrower on the Natu!"
Kyisha's three Pokemon looked confused, like they had never heard of those commands before.
Nuoh blinked, an expression of bafflement appearing on its face. It leapt forward at the Volbeat, doing the only thing it seemed to know to do. It wrapped its tail around the weird mutant elf thing, biting it five times with its dragon mouth. A burst of light could be seen coming out of it. The Dragonair jumped back.
The Volbeat wobbled, then froze in place, stunned.
The Arcanine gave Kyisha an odd look, then jumped at the Natu, giving it a mean bite.
The Ninetales flew at the Charizard, flipped and smacked the dragon thing with its tail.
Kyisha's mouth dropped open. "Holy crap!" What's wrong with my Pokemon?
Kim grinned at her. "Stupid American." He nodded to his pets.
The Charizard let out a loud, menacing growl. Kyisha's Pokemon weren't scared by it.
The Volbeat threw its body at Eni. Eni let out a yelp.
The Natu flew up into the air, flapping around. A white-purple substance splashed down on Nuoh's head. The little dragon thing shook its head in annoyance.
I guess I'll use their basic attacks then...
"Eni, use Tackle! Nuoh, use Iron Tail! Brale, use Quick Attack!"
Please...Please...Please...I've been with you three long enough so we are bonded...Even if we lose, I'll still believe in you...
The Arcanine leapt into the air, slamming its body into the Natu.
The snake dragon creature jumped at the bird, whacking it with its tail. The Natu staggered backwards.
Brale charged at the Volbeat, giving it a good body slam.
"Get them!" Kim shouted.
The Natu flapped at Eni, pecking it in the face. Eni barked, backing away.
The Volbeat floated up in the air, shooting a blue beam of light at Nuoh. The Dragonair ducked out of the way and the beam hit a guy standing behind the ring. The man started wobbling around, hitting people with his fists.
The Charizard pounced at Brale, but Brale jumped out of the way, letting the creature tumble over the edge. Crash! It knocked over a row of folding chairs.
"Good job, you three! Eni, Ember! Nuoh, Water Gun! Brale, try your Psychic attack!" I so hope this works...Just a little bit of a bigger step... Kyisha frantically watched her Pokemon.
The Charizard shook itself off and flew back into the ring.
Eni roared and leapt at the Charizard. A cloud of black smoke puffed out as it made contact with the scaly body. It hopped back, opened its mouth, and let out another cloud.
The little snake-dragon stood up straight, raised the wings on the sides of its head, and a blast of electricity shot out of its body. The Charizard stiffened up like a statue.
The nine tailed fox pounced on the little elfin bug thing. The critter caught fire for a brief second, then flopped over, unconscious. Kim growled something in Korean, opening a cube. The Volbeat disappeared in a flash of light. "Get them!"
The Natu flapped over to Eni, beating its wings against the fuzzy body, tapping Eni with its beak. Eni wasn't bothered by it.
The Charizard wiggled a bit, but didn't do anything else.
Cobber leaned over the side of the mat. "Kyisha! Keep it up! Kyisha is winning!"
"Yeah!" Cupcake shouted. "Go!"
Kyisha smiled with determination. "Eni, use Bite on Natu! Nuoh, use Tackle on Charizard! Brale, you use Tackle on Charizard too!" I'm glad I have some support. I should give my Pokemon some support too... She thought to herself. "Good job, Eni, Nuoh, Brale!" She cheered her Pokemon on energetically.
Eni leapt at the tiny dragon Pokemon. It fell over unconscious. Kim stomped his foot and sucked it back inside his Pokemon cube.
"Okay, never mind about the Charizard! Everyone get the Natu!"
Nuoh jumped at the Natu, pounding the critter. It also fell unconscious.
"Aaargh! You stupid American!" Kim shouted. He ran over and began slapping Kyisha on the face, shouting insulting obscenities at her.
"Boy," said Cupcake. "He sure has a limited vocabulary, doesn't he?"
Cobber shrugged. "Maybe English is difficult for Kim. Should we help Kyisha?"
"I don't know," said Cupcake. "She doesn't look like she's in much danger."
An anteater sat down next to them. "I think she should resolve the dispute on her own. It is the hallmark of a good Pokemon trainer to remain cool under pressure and make decisions."
Kyisha shielded herself, and told Kim, "Losing isn't something to get mad about. It may not be the best thing in the world but learn from your losses and start again...Slapping and insulting me won't help either!"
Kim growled something incomprehensible in reply. He clenched his fists. "Cheater!" he spat. "You must have loaded Pokemon with steroid. I will show you! If you meet me in tournament, your Pokemon are dead!" He climbed out of the ring and stomped out of the room.
Someone else wanted to use the ring. Kyisha climbed out.
"Good job, Kyisha!" said Cobber. "Cobber is proud!"
"Yeah!" said Cupcake. "Great job! Is this your first Pokemon battle?"
Kyisha frowned. "No. I've had lots of Pokemon battles. My Pokemon have evolved and gotten really strong. We've been through a lot together."
Cupcake and Cobber stared at each other. "Evolve?"
Cobber shrugged. "Maybe Kyisha come from strange country where Pokemon evolve."
Kyisha stared at him. "You mean yours don't? Don't you have Mightyena and Poochyena here?"
Cobber nodded. "Cobber has heard of Mightyena, and Poochyena, but not Pokemon evolutioning. Gardenia Pokemon just...transform. Pokemon made of energy called Niriu. When Pokemon grow enough, they mature in phase called `The Change.' This is not evolve, but simply changing one energy form for another."
"Yeah," said the anteater. "The Pokemon turn into pure energy when they go into Pokeballs or Pokecubes, because that's part of their composition. When you see them change, it's because they're doing an energy shift, like radiation going from Alpha to Gamma waves. Your so-called `Ghost Pokemon' are examples of Niriu energy in its purer state," said the anteater.
"But what about your injured Pokemon?" said Kyisha. "If they're just energy, then wouldn't your Pikachu's injuries be easy to fix?"
Cobber shook his head. "Energy profile of Pikachu is damaged. There is still much we do not know about Niriu energy."
"If you break your own arm, you can't just restructure your genetic sequence to repair the damage. The same goes for Niriu waves. Our scientists still don't know how to use the energy to do repairs, so veteranerians have to operate on Pokemon the old fashioned way, with surgical tools and instruments."
"Doctor cannot use Niriu energy to bring dead Pokemon back to life, either," Cobber sighed.
"Well, ah, thank you, Mr. Wizard," said Cupcake. "It was fascinating."
"No problem." The anteater stood up, walking away.
Cobber sighed. "Cobber does not know if Team Battleryuu will make it through tournament. Battle with Korea Kim should not have been so long and challenging for Kyisha. If Kyisha does not want to go into tournament, Cobber understands. Battleryuu can still fight in Gangplank tournament for amateur. What does Kyisha think?"
Kyisha put her Pokemon back in their Pokeballs. "I want to continue in the tournament. Even if I lose, it'll be good experience." She looked up at the scoreboard, wondering if she could keep a perfect score going.
"I'll battle another person..."
Cobber nodded. "Kyisha is very determined. Cobber hopes you can do well in tournament."
"Wait," said the ant eater. "Before you have your next fight, let me examine your Pokemon." He took a small red device out of his jacket pocket.
Kyisha shrugged and held out her Pokeballs. The ant eater waved the device over them. He held up the device, squinting at a small built-in monitor. "That's bizarre. I've never seen readings like this before."
"What do you mean? Is that a good thing? Can I see that thing?"
"I'm not sure you'll get much out of it, miss. It's misreading the energy and the moves your Pokemon can do. It's barely even legible." He held the device out so Kyisha could see it.
"Make any sense to you?"
Kyisha stared at the screen and shrugged. "I guess it helps a little."
"The device was working fine this morning," he muttered.
"Monster at airport attack Kyisha's Pokemon," said Cobber. "Maybe it affect Pokemon?"
"Your guess is as good as mine. These aren't typical moves for these Pokemon, if I'm reading them correctly."
"I'm not sure what I can do about it," said Kyisha. "But I'm guessing exercise is good for their health. I'm going to train some more." She went over to the kiosk and picked someone. "I'll challenge Wolf Dago..."
The computer highlighted ring 5. She walked over to that ring, watching a guy in a mime costume battling Pokemon with a dark skinned Thai kid. One had an ultra cutesy pink critter with bunny ears, the other had a multi-colored Phoenix bird. The pink one started singing. The phoenix flapped down to the mat and sat there with its wings folded, head bobbing in drowsy forward nods. The mime stepped forward and slapped the bird, yelling something in French. The bird snapped out of its sleepy daze and flew into the air. Its beak opened and a burst of flame spewed forth. The pink creature caught flame like a marshmallow and fell over, screaming and kicking its feet. There was a wet popping sound, and there were bloody fried guts splattered all over the mat.
"You killed my Pokemon!" The Thai kid shouted. "That's not fair!"
The mime pretended to be inside a glass box.
"Illegal mod!" Someone in the audience cried. A large letter D appeared next to Lafayette's name.
The mime pretended to be holding an uzi and shooting everyone. He then opened a wine bottle and sucked his Pokemon inside it. He corked the bottle and stepped out of the ring, leaving the gym.
A raccoon in a black and white striped uniform threw a polka dotted Pokeball into the ring. Something like a catfish flopped out.
"Flounder! Splash attack!"
The catfish thing flopped around, glowed a bit, then a flood of water sprayed out from beneath its fins. The spray went all over the mat, rinsing the bloody guts off the surface. The ref put the fish back in the Pokeball and proceeded to wipe the mat clean with a towel.
Feeling nervous, Kyisha approached the ropes. "Is it okay if I get in now?"
"Proceed," the raccoon called.
Kyisha climbed over the ropes, stepping into the ring. She waited five minutes, but nobody showed up.
The raccoon pushed a button on a box situated on a table on one side of the ring, speaking into a microphone. His voice boomed on an intercom. "Wolf Dago to ring 5, please."
Kyisha looked around. No one stepped forward.
"Wolf Dago to ring 5."
Kyisha saw someone pushing their way through the crowd of spectators. A tall brown boy in a soccer uniform, carrying something like a collection of miniature soccer balls.
The boy climbed the ropes and stepped into the ring. He started speaking, but it was all in Portuguese, so Kyisha had no idea what he was saying. She just shrugged.
The boy stepped forward, offering his hand. She took it, and he started doing some odd five step handshake with her. After this, he stepped back, grabbed the soccer balls, and threw them on the mat. One of them rolled to the edge of the mat and fell off the side. The ant eater grabbed it and threw it back in.
The soccer balls swelled and expanded, the hexagonal surface bumps folding outwards on tiny posts. Three creatures rolled out. The first was a banana yellow creature resembling a brontosaurus with plant leaves growing out of it. Kyisha recognized it immediately as a Bayleef. The second thing that rolled out was silver. It had a pointy beak, chicken claws, knife wings and a blade for a tail. It looked more like a robot than an animal. And then there was something like a cross between an ogre and a pineapple or a coconut plant. It had three yellowish coconut-like heads with ugly faces, a body covered in a bumpy brown material resembling pineapple skin or the skin of a coconut tree, and something like giant pineapple leaves poking out its top.
Wolf Dago said something in Portuguese. Kyisha guessed that it had something to do with her bringing out her Pokemon.
Cupcake and the anteater sat down in the front row of folding chairs next to the ring. The bird promptly fell asleep.
A warthog in a polo shirt came up to the anteater, tapping him on the shoulder. "I'm willing to bet twenty pogs that Wolf Dago's going to win this fight."
"I don't gamble," said the anteater.
"I do," said a raspy voice behind him. "But why bet on a sure thing? Battle Ryyuu is an inexperienced fighter, and Wolf Dago is a title holder in the Brazilian nationals."
The warthog leaned over the chair. "Is there anyone here brave enough to place a bet in favor of Battle Ryuu?"
"I'll only wager ten," said a red panda in a chair behind Cupcake.
"Ten it is. Let's watch and see what happens."
The anteater shook his head.
Cobber leaned over the mat. "Kyisha is facing Bayleef, Skarmory and Exeggutor. Can Kyisha handle it?"
All right. I'll send out... "Go! Brale! Brute! Eni!"
She threw down the three Pokeballs. There was a flash, then her Ninetales, Bayleef and Arcanine appeared.
"Quick Attack! Tackle! Bite!" The second match has begun...
The vulpine Pokemon waved her multiple tails. The Arcanine barked. They both leapt at the shiny metal Skarmory.
With rapid suddenness, the robotic bird stepped out of the way, and the two Pokemon went flying into the ropes.
"Get them, #&%# *&!" Wolf Dago called.
Cupcake woke up, staring at the Brazilian. " #&%# *&? What kind of name is that?"
"People name these Pokemon anything anymore," said the anteater.
"Cobber hope Wolf Dago not planning to register with that name!"
The Skarmory flapped its metal wings, pecking at the dog Pokemon. Eni yelped in pain.
Kyisha's Ninetales turned around, snapping her tails back and forth. They turned purple. She snapped her tails again, and a shower of darts flew through the air. The darts bounced off the Skarmory and stuck in the mat.
Cobber's mouth fell open. "Kyisha's Ninetales do poison sting? Cobber not believing it!"
"Kyisha!" Cupcake shouted. "Next time tell them which Pokemon to attack! Skarmory is immune to poison!"
"Pineapple! Barrage attack!"
The odd pineapple plant creature swelled up to twice its body size, shaking violently. A split second later, hundreds of small coconuts were flying through the air, raining down on Eni's head. She yelped, running back and forth, trying to avoid the flying objects, but it was no use. Her fuzzy body was pelted again and again with coconuts.
The rain of coconuts stopped. Infuriated, Eni growled, digging her claws into the mat. She then relaxed, padding over to the Exeggutor. It placed its muzzle against the creature's head, giving it a sweet kiss.
The plant creature wobbled sideways, then shook back and forth. "Pine, Pine, Apple!" It stumbled towards the Skarmory. "Pine...Apple? Pine, Pine? Apple?"
"No!" Wolf Dago cried. "Stop it!"
The robotic bird squawked, giving the Pokemon a solid kick.
"Stop!"
Kyisha's quasi-saurian yellow plant beast pounced on the other Bayleef, knocking it backwards with a warbling cry. Wolf Dago's Bayleef shook itself off and stood up, crying, "Tea!"
"Bananasaur!" Wolf Dago shouted. "Razor leaf!"
The Bayleef hunched down, growling softly. A cloud of sharp, pointy leaves flew out of its body, filling the air around Brute. Brute cried as several of them dropped down, slashing her yellow flesh.
Kyisha clenched her fists with nervousness.
"Kyisha may still have a chance," said Cobber. "Kyisha has very unusual Pokemon."
"Pine...Apple!" the Exeggutor shouted, ramming its body into the Skarmory.
"Everyone! Same attacks!...Except for you, Eni! Don't do sweet kiss!" She paused. "Brale, don't do poison sting on Skarmory!"
Eni growled. Her mouth came open and a huge burst of flame shot out.
Bananasaur let out a shriek as it caught on fire. The referee took out a fire extinguisher, spraying the creature down. It was unconscious, but alive. Muttering something in Portuguese, Wolf Dago opened one of the soccer balls, sucking the Bayleef back inside. " #&# *&!" he yelled. "Sand attack!"
A series of panels opened on the side of the robotic bird's body, and an enormous shower of sand blew out. Brute shook his head, trying to clear his vision.
"Pineapple! Barrage!"
The Exeggutor spun around in a dizzy circle, swelled up, then shot a burst of coconuts at the Skarmory. The Skarmory let out a cry, flapping behind Wolf Dago. The Brazilian raised his hands as he too was pelted with coconuts. He yelled at the Pokemon until it stopped.
Brute leapt at the Skarmory, but missed his target.
Brale reared up and jumped at the Exeggutor, knocking it unconscious.
Wolf Dago didn't seem to be too upset about this particular loss. He put the Pokemon away with a sigh. " #&%# *&! Peck!"
The Skarmory flapped into the air, diving at Brale. She yelped and jumped back.
"C'mon, guys! You can do it!" Kyisha shouted. "Go!"
Brute shook a bit, then leapt at #&%# *&. He went rolling under the ropes, dropping off the side of the ring with a thud.
"Brute!" Kyisha hurried to the side of the ring, looking down. "Brute?"