Chapter Eleven - Master Trainer!
August 10th, 2022
Sparrow Town, Asture Region
"August!" Raine yelled as he stepped out of the alley and threw his Poké Balls into the arena. "Let's make this fight a little more even."
August looked at Raine with a confused look on his face before he realised who Raine was. He bellowed a throaty laugh and pointed a finger at him. "The more the merrier," he said. "Though I never expected to see you again."
Buizel and Teddiursa appeared and ran towards the fight where Constance's Pidgeotto was flying just above August's Pokémon. They all waited for the next command to fight.
"You were never going to get away with this," Raine said, standing at the long side of the battle area. "Legendary Pokémon or not. We will stop you."
"With these pesky Pokémon?" August laughed. "You stand no chance, Boy."
"They might not," Mirella said, stepping up beside Raine. "But we'll do this together."
"Mirella," August cooed creepily. "How good of you to come and hand yourself over. You've saved me quite the trouble. I didn't want to return to that podunk town of yours."
"I'm not here to submit. I'm here to put a stop to you and your thugs."
"Let's have at it then. Destroy them!"
All three legendary birds chased Pidgeotto into the air as Charizard turned to face Buizel and Teddiursa. Mirella threw out her Furret and Zangoose and they joined the fight instantly.
"Buizel, scamper and surround Charizard," Raine yelled. "Teddiursa, use Baby-Doll Eyes and charm him."
"We have to find his weak spots," Mirella said calmly, the blood in her veins flowing for battle. "If we do then together we can overcome his might."
Mirella and Raine's four Pokémon made a circle around Charizard and he clearly didn't know who to attack. His head whipped side to side and he spun, trying to keep all of them in his vision. Furret and Teddiursa focussed on charming him to reduce his attack and defence as Zangoose swiped with his razor sharp claws and Buizel taunted him.
Overhead the battle between Pidgeotto and the legendaries was clearly one sided as a tumult of fire, ice and lightning filled the sky. Yet somehow Pidgeotto survived their onslaught and fled from each and every wave of attack.
The Team Omni grunts all stood behind August looking on calmly at the battle without interference. They knew as well as the rest of them that with the power August wielded they need not join the fray.
"Charizard, stop messing around," August yelled, kicking the dirt. "Finish them off with a Fire Spin."
Charizard spun around, spraying a bout of flames towards his opponents. He created a ring of fire that billowed outwards engulfing them all.
Raine had to cover his eyes and turn his head away as the hot wash of air slammed into him. When he turned back to the fight Teddiursa was knocked to the ground and singed, but Buizel had coated itself in a protective bubble of water that luckily hadn't boiled him alive. He withdrew Teddiursa from the battle as Mirella did the same with her Furret, leaving the amazingly still standing Zangoose to fight.
Charizard was huffing and puffing from the ferocious attack, but otherwise standing still with Buizel at his back. He was losing energy rapidly. They had to press the attack immediately.
"Buizel, douse his flames with a Water Gun," Raine commanded.
Buizel dropped to all fours and shot a stream of water directly at the tip of Charizard's tail. The effect was immediate as he collapsed forwards onto all fours.
"Zangoose, knock him out with Slash," Mirella yelled.
Zangoose leapt forward to slash its claws across the top of Charizard's head, but Charizard just opened its mouth and actually smiled. As Zangoose's arm drew close Charizard slammed his jaws around it and tore it off in one smooth motion. Charizard had just been foxing them. With a giant spray of blood Zangoose hit the ground and fainted.
"Zangoose!" Mirella screamed.
"Buizel, get back," Raine ordered and Buizel nimbly dodged a mighty swing of Charizard's tail as he spun to face his last opponent.
August cackled as Raine watched Mirella fight her emotions. What good would returning Zangoose to his Poké Ball do? His injuries were far more severe than a Pokémon would usually suffer. His wound needed to be staunched immediately. But there was no way that Mirella could get him out of the battle to receive the immediate medical care.
"You monster," Mirella bellowed, walking towards Zangoose with her hands up in front of her chest balled into fists. She showed no fear stepping towards the enraged Charizard. When she reached Zangoose she collapsed over him and pressed both hands into his wound. "Hang in there, Zangoose."
Buizel meanwhile was dodging side to side and skittering backwards to avoid Charizard's constant swipes of his deadly claws. He was so far outmatched and with no support from Mirella's Pokémon he stood little to no chance of even surviving, let alone of winning.
"Stop playing with your foe, Charizard," August said. "Finish it off now."
Charizard rose to his full height and roared. The blood curdling sound reverberated off of the surrounding buildings and when he lowered his head to face Buizel he had flames building in his mouth.
"Stop this fiasco at once," someone yelled, stepping out into the middle of their battle with no concern for their life. It was a man, likely in his thirties, wearing a threadbare brown suit with his long black hair tied up in a bun. He scowled at August and then turned to take in the rest of the battle. The three legendary birds continued to chase the Pidgeotto while Charizard held back his fiery outburst. "Who are you and why are you disturbing the peace in my quant town?"
"Who are you?" August asked with just as much, if not more, zeal than the newcomer. "And why are you walking out into the middle of our battle?"
"This is not the place to conduct a Pokémon battle," the suited man said scoldingly, ignoring August's questions. "If you wish to fight each other you may take it to the training yard of the Academy or at least do it in the fields North of town. Besides, seeing as Constance is a part of this you should surely be battling inside of the Gym."
"We had no choice, Miles," Constance called in explanation. "These criminals who call themselves Team Omni left us no choice but to fight here in the street."
"Team Omni?" Miles, the suited man, said, rubbing his immaculately shaved chin. "Why have I heard that name before?"
"Everyone will hear our name," August said confidently. "Soon Team Omni will take over the world, one Pokémon at a time."
"Ah," Miles laughed, stepping between Buizel and Charizard and glaring towards the Team Omni grunts. "You're the Team Rocket copycats."
"Copycats?" August seethed, pointing an outstretched arm at Miles. "How dare you? We far outshine that pathetic organisation. Who do you think you are to mock us?"
"I am Miles Fortuna. A three time Champion of the Asture Region and the headmaster of the PokéAcademy. And if you don't recall your Pokémon and leave my town alone I will be forced to destroy you."
August burst into laughter. "You and what Pokémon? Nothing can stop my legendary birds. Let alone my Charizard."
"I received a gift from my friends when I became the Pokémon Champion many years ago," Miles said casually, not rising to the taunt as he reached out his fingers for Buizel to sniff. "My team is filled with Dragon Pokémon that are far superior to anything you might control. Now pack up and get out of Sparrow Town immediately."
"No, I don't think that I will. I think that I'd rather fight you too. Charizard, you know what to do."
Miles turned his full body to face Charizard and smiled warmly at him. "Hi, Charizard," he said calmly, reaching up towards his snout. "There's no need to fight me."
"Buizel," Raine yelled, seeing the opportunity to save him from the fight. "Come here."
Constance likewise recalled Pidgeotto to land by her feet and the three legendary birds flew down to land around August. Besides Miles and Charizard, only Mirella remained in the arena, trying to save Zangoose. Though by her constant wailing and yells of outrage it wasn't going well.
Charizard sneered at Miles, but eventually acquiesced and lowered his head into range to be patted.
"What?" August yelled, stamping a boot on the ground like a toddler. "Charizard, what are you doing?"
"He won't obey you while I'm here," Miles explained, stroking the top of Charizard's head. "None of the Pokémon you lay claim to will do me any harm."
"But how? They're mine. They must obey me."
"I am a Master Trainer. Any captured Pokémon will follow my commands and do me no harm."
"That's not possible," August cried in frustration.
"You," Miles said, glancing at Mirella. "Get that Pokémon to the Pokémon Centre immediately. I'll take care of Team Omni for you."
As Mirella finally returned Zangoose to a Poké Ball and got up to run, August thrust an arm outwards and commanded his birds to attack. Raine stood frozen to the spot, torn about what to do. He should go and see that Mirella got away safely, but he also had to stay and ensure Team Omni left Sparrow Town alone. Constance ran after Mirella, and Raine in a split second decision chose to stay. August clearly hadn't been paying attention to anyone but Miles to see that his quarry had fled because he didn't say anything about Constance leaving.
The three legendary birds shot towards Miles, but careened away at the last second and took off into the sky. August roared in outrage and kicked the dirt again.
The fight seemed like it had come to a rather unspectacular end. Not that Raine had any complaints about being freed from keeping Buizel in so much danger. Especially because he had been a fool to think that he could join the fight in the first place.
"Leave," Miles ordered, "and no harm will come to you or your Pokémon."
"My Pokémon might not obey me in order to harm you, but they will follow my commands to destroy your town," August explained. "Charizard, destroy at will."
Miles' hand flinched back as Charizard crouched down and took to the sky to join the birds. "I was wondering if you would realise that. You really should have just walked away."
"Your threats don't work without something to back them up. Face me in battle or watch this town burn."
Miles turned his back on August and strode over to stand where Constance had previously. "If it's truly a fight that you're after, then I'm happy to oblige." Whatever reservations he had about seeing a battle take place in the streets had fallen away.
Raine returned Buizelto his Poké Ball as he retreated to the mouth of the alley. He did not want to get in the way of what was sure to be an intense battle between a former champion and August's legendary birds. If Miles had such control over another trainer's Pokémon just how powerful was his own team of trusted Pokémon?
"Let's make this fair," Miles said, tossing a Poké Ball up and down in his right hand. "One versus one. First Pokémon to make their opponent faint wins. If I win you turn around and march straight out of town."
"And if I win. You guarantee me the right to control the Gym."
"Deal."
Miles had agreed rather too quickly for Raine's liking, but it wasn't up to him to decide what happened. He was just a fortunate observer.
"Go, Dragonite," Miles yelled, throwing the Pokéball into the arena.
Dragonite and Charizard slammed into each other with brute force in mid air. Raine watched on intently as the two dragons created shockwaves of pure power. Neither Miles or August instructed their Pokémon in how to fight, leaving it up to them to try and tear each other apart. Which they did with brutal efficiency. Digging in claws, kicking with powerful legs and shooting fire or pure beams of energy.
"Raine," someone said from behind Raine in a hushed tone. He turned and found Constance beckoning him deeper into the alley. "Let's go," she said as he walked towards her.
"Go where?" Raine asked, wanting desperately to keep an eye on the fight.
"Mirella needs our support," Constance explained. "Miles has this handled now. I don't know why we didn't think of including him in our plans. He will hold August off at least until more help arrives."
"Shouldn't I stay and make sure that he wins."
"How do you propose to do that? If Miles can't beat Charizard you stand no chance."
Raine dropped his head dejectedly, even though he completely agreed with Constance's point. Perhaps he just wanted to stay to witness such an immense battle of wills. "Let's go," he conceded.
Constance led the way out of the alley towards the forest and they skirted around the perimeter of the town. They circled around to the eatern side of town where the Pokémon Gym, PokéMart and Pokémon Centre were all clustered together. They rushed into the Pokémon Centre and Nurse Joy recognised Constance and greeted them with a concerned look.
"How is she?" Constance asked as they came to a stop at the counter.
"Mirella is barely coping," Nurse Joy said, " and Zangoose is undergoing surgery."
"Can we go back there to be with her?"
"No, wait here and I will bring her out to you when she is ready." With that Nurse Joy stepped through a door behind her and Raine and Constance looked at each other uncertainly.
"Do you really think that Miles can stop August?" Raine asked. "They agreed to the terms of battle, but surely if August is about to lose he will change his mind and fight with all of his Pokémon. The legendary birds included."
"He'll stop him," Constance said reassuringly. "No one can beat Miles. He would still be the Pokémon Champion if he didn't want to come home and lead the PokéAcademy."
"I wish we could have done more to make Team Omni pay for everything they've done. This doesn't feel like retribution for the Professor's death or for the destruction of Jay Town. If they lose they're just going to flee and wait to fight another day."
"We won't stop hunting them. Wherever they go we will find them."
"Will we? How? As long as they have more powerful Pokémon than just one of us, they'll achieve their goals."
"I'm sure that Miles will come along when we explain everything to him. He won't let them terrorise Asture."
"Hi," a meek voice whispered. "What are you doing here? Did we win?"
Raine and Constance turned towards Mirella and both leapt to console her, but Constance reached her first and dragged her into a tight embrace.
"Miles is fighting August for us," Raine said, trying to smile reassuringly as Mirella looked at him with a tear stained face.
"Oh," Mirella said softly. "Okay."
"How's he doing?" Constance asked, backing out of the hug but holding Mirella by the arms.
"He'll survive, but he'll never fight again."
"I'm sorry. This is all my fault," Constance admitted. "I shouldn't have tried to fight."
"No, you did the right thing, C," Mirella said. "We needed to stop him."
"Fat lot of good that did."
"Constance, did you call the other Gym Leaders?" Raine intruded, having a spur of the moment thought.
"We really didn't think that through," Constance began. "How was I supposed to get hold of them if they weren't also at a Pokémon Centre? I left messages for them, but who knows when they will arrive to see it. We're alone in our plight for now."
"Let's hope that Miles wins then. Otherwise we're all trapped in imminent danger."
"I'm going back to be with Zangoose," Mirella said. "You should go and make sure that Miles wins. Whatever it takes."
Constance gave Mirella another hug and then she trudged off through the doors into the depths of the Pokémon Centre.
"You go," Constance said. "I'll stay here in case any of the others make contact. Or if Mirella needs me."
Raine ran out of the Pokémon Centre and tried to orient himself to the streets. He had been to Sparrow Town many times, but still didn't know the streets as well as he did Jay Town. Eventually he worked out the right direction and carved a path towards where the fight had been taking place. There were no sounds of battle ringing in the sky or any sight of the two battling dragon Pokémon at all.
When he slid to a stop in an adjacent street there were no signs at all that a battle had been taking place. Miles, August and all of Team Omni were just gone.
"What the?" he said, wandering into what had been the middle of the battleground.
Only the bloodstained dirt where Zangoose had been brutally attacked remained as evidence of the fight. It didn't make any sense. Surely he would have seen someone who had been involved. He had only been gone for several minutes. Something strange was going on.
He turned and ran back the way he had come. Hopefully if he went to the PokéAcademy and asked to speak to Miles he could clarify exactly what had happened.