There we are, episode 100. And Flame finally gets to see if he had gotten any stronger during the war. The conclusion to the longest and most confusion arc yet, untill I start the next one anyway.

Wanted: Comments. All infomation/tip offs should be directed to sherrif Buwaro.

Episode One-Hundred: Garden Scrap

As the sun rose the next day, I got up early and headed out of the Center. I yawned as I stretched my arms and had a quick head scratch before taking a look around. I could see several builders heading towards the PokéMart, that had been one of the first things on the list to get up and running. The city needed to fix its businesses as soon as it could and the Mart was a fairly large source of income.

I heard cursing coming from around the side of the Center, inside the small garden that had somehow survived the war untouched, and went to investigate. I smirked as I spotted Cubone and Scyther spar off with each other. Porygon was there too, I swear that it doesn't need sleep, watching the duel. Scyther blocked a downwards strike and swept Cubone's legs out from underneath him.

"Damnit, best out of seven," Cubone muttered as he got back up, Scyther stepping back and allowing him to retrieve his club.

"Cubone is too headstrong," he said, "too predictable. Cubone needs to think through his actions and not rely on his club so much."

"Whatever Ninja. Just wait untill I'm warmed up," Cubone said before charging forwards.

I saw Scyther smirk as his wings revealed themselves and he vanished. Cubone skidded to a halt, looking around for the bug Pokémon. I was the first to spot him, standing on the Center's roof.

"In the words of Squirt," he chuckled, "Scyther will ninj Cubone's sorry butt."

Scyther vanished again and I spotted him half way up a tree, poised and ready. He lept into the air and flipped clean over Cubone, knocking the club out of the Pokémon's hand.

"Cubone cannot rely on power alone. Speed and technique are vital," Scyther told the astonished Cubone, before spinning round and flattening him with a blow to the skull.

I couldn't help but wince, if Cubone hadn't been wearing someone else's skull then he would have been killed.

"Scyther believes that makes it sixteen to nill," Scyther said as he walked over towards me. Cubone did the wise thing and stayed down, realising that Scyther would just knock him down again and again if he had another go.

"You didn't exactly give him much of a chance," I laughed as Scyther sheathed his wings.

"Scyther doesn't see why Scyther should give anyone an advantage," he replied.

"True, they are not going to return the favour."

"Flame wishes to spar?" Scyther asked suddenly.

"I'll pass, I value my limbs," I chuckled. (I do value my limbs, they are a fairly important part of me. Along with my organs. Blood comes in there too, very important stuff.)

"Then how about you spar with me?" Someone asked from behind, I turned to see Raichu walk up. Moron had managed to get back to his feet, a little pale though.

"Well, Flame? I do owe you a rematch after all."

"Sure thing, on one condition," I said, craftily.

"What would that be?"

"No long range attacks. No lightning, no throwing things. I'll even stick by it, so no fireballs."

"Deal."

We both took our places at opposite ends of the small garden, after removing a unconcious Cubone from the centre, and faced each other. Porygon agreed to referee, so no one could violate the rules or anything.

"I want a nice clean fight. But feel free to go below the belt," he said, "let battle commence."

I managed to avoid Raichu's charge with a sidestep and tripped him up, but allowed him to get to his feet. He spun round and approached, taking his time. After all, there was no danger of me launching a fireball strait up his nose.

"I wonder if you've improved since the last time we fought proper," he said before lashing out with his fist.

"Probably," I replied as I ducked under the swing and launched a punch of my own, knocking Raichu back with a blow to the nose. We backed apart, watching the other for a sign of weakness. Without his lightning abilities, I had the advantage with my longer reach. But he had agility and a much harder punch on his side, I remembered when he took me out with only a single blow.

So when Raichu charged again, I went on the defencive. But it was my own brand of defencive, I threw a punch that collided with his forehead and knocked him off of his feet. I backed off as he got back to his feet, this was a friendly duel after all and there was no fun or honour in kicking someone when they are down. Unless you are really sadistic, Hypno sadistic.

"Not bad," Raichu said as he wiped his nose, "you've definatly got faster."

"Maybe you've just gotten slower," I replied, keeping my guard up. Even though it was only a friendly, I didn't want to risk him getting a cheap shot in so I refused to let him draw me into a conversation.

I saw his paw begin to glow, he was preparing that powerful punch of his. Next I am aware of is this blur shooting strait towards me. He definatly hadn't gotten slower, he managed to beat my reaction times and slugged me in the ribs. I was knocked backwards, strait onto my rear end, and rolled to a stop.

"No, I'm definatly as fast as I usually am," Raichu chuckled as I lay on the grass, "so I guess I win then."

"The hell you do," I choked out as I got back to my feet, fighting for air, and took my stance again.

"Still as stubborn as ever, eh?" He laughed, "and no little Pokéball tricks to save you this time."

He had a point, there was no magic trick I could pull. My mind was completely blank as he charged up his glowy fist thing again. So, I let my instincts take over as he dashed fowards again. I unclenched my fists and waited for him to get close before swinging both paws fowards and catching his punch in mid-swing.

He stood there for several seconds, halted by my sudden move, and I could see his confusion. I held on tight and refused to let his fist go, catching the other when he tried to use that as well. Anyone watching must have thought that the two of us were about to dance, that was what we looked like.

"Looks like I win this time," I said before headbutting Raichu, several times. He slumped to the ground and I finally released his paws, allowing him to try and regain his senses.

"Flame is the winner," Porygon stated, "Raichu is unable to continue battle."

Next thing I knew, Moron was hugging the life out of me.

"You did it Flame!" He laughed, before realising what he was doing and releasing me, "sorry. Got a little carried away."

"I can't blame you," came a chuckle from behind us. We all spun around and spotted Lt Surge standing there, watching us all.

"You managed to beat my strongest Pokémon in a contest of honour," he continued, "that is what Pokémon battling is really about. Not to capture or kill, but simply a test of the strength and determination of both the Pokémon and the Trainers."

"That's what they told me in school," Moron said as I helped Raichu get back up, he was a little unsteady on his feet. Being headbutted eight times, maybe it was nine, does that.

The Virmillion Gym Leader reached into his pocket and took out a small piece of metal. It was golden in colour, with a orange gem in the centre. Moron stared at the piece of metal, I was pretty sure that he was trying not to drool.

"This is the Thunderbadge, given to those who defeat my Pokémon in battle. You just did so, so this is now yours."

As Moron took the third badge, Scyther walked over to me. He had that strange smirk on his face, I had never seen him properly smile.

"Flame fought well," he said, "and learnt from past mistakes."

"Yep," I laughed, "if you can't come up with a plan then just use brute force."

"I'll remember that," Raichu murmered, "now can you stop talking? I got a pounding headache."