Kanto Chapter 36 - A change in the rules


The mysterious trainer stood against the wall and watched the battle unfolding before him. The clashes of electricity and fire rattled the arena as Typhlosion and Raichu went head-to-head. He frowned. These kids were good, better than he expected for sure, not that it mattered. He zoned in on Freddie and his Typhlosion, eyes narrowing, the familiarity of the duo was uncanny. As his stare concentrated on Freddie, the vision blurred, morphing the teenaged boy into a similar looking boy with dark hair, a protruding fringe, gold and black cap, red hoodie top with black and gold shorts and matching sneakers. The man's mouth inadvertently twisted into a snarl, baring his teeth, as memories flooded into his mind.

Amber, opposite the dark-haired boy, then changed into a teenaged boy with shoulder length red hair, dressed in dark clothing adorned with red lining and matching boots. Raichu began to enlarge and twist, turning blue, transforming into a Feraligatr.

Two teenaged boys faced off. Typhlosion vs Feraligatr.

The redheaded teenager sneered. "Hold it! You're going to take the Pokémon League challenge? Ha … Don't make me laugh. You're so much weaker than I am. I'm not like I was before. I now have the best and strongest Pokémon with me. I'm invincible! I challenge you!"

The dark-haired teenager said nothing in response to the redheads prompting. He stiffened his posture and commanded his Typhlosion, beginning the confrontation.

Both battles raged. Raichu vs Typhlosion mirroring memory Feraligatr vs Typhlosion. Each move and counter, a wave of DeJa'Vu. The man could feel something stirring in the pit of his stomach. Something he hadn't felt for a long, long time.

A final Electroball hit a final Lava Plume attack and the whole place erupted in a small explosion. What a sight. What a battle! Just like it used to be … back then …

A small degree of satisfaction washed over Anonymous as he witnessed Typhlosion fall to the ground. The man couldn't help the small smile appear on his face. But soon he came back to his senses and after a hard stare to the referee to hold the count, Raichu fell too, declaring the match a stalemate. After a short intermission, new pokémon were presented to the trainers by the referee.

A familiar fire type Cyndaquil, presented to the boy and a native grass type Bulbasaur, presented to the girl. With the type weakness and expertise of the fire trainer the inevitable happened – the Bulbasaur fell.

The mysterious trainer bowed his head and dug his nails into his crossed arms. She'd lost … although it was all working in favour to the man's ultimate design, he felt an unexplainable bitterness in his chest rise. It was almost that didn't want her to lose after all … well not to him.

As the redheaded girl slumped to the ground in defeat, so did the boy from his memories.

"…I couldn't win… I gave it everything I had… What you possess, and what I lack…

The dark-haired teen stood tall and silent. He simply turned and walked away with his pokémon, acknowledging their own victory.

The red-head boy looked up angrily at his departing rival and shouted after him "I haven't given up on becoming the greatest trainer! I'm going to find out why I can't win and become stronger…. When I do, I will challenge you. And I'll beat you down with all my power!"

The man clenched his fist tightly. All my power. With that Anonymous turned and walked away, ready for his next move.


Freddie came over and stood next to Amber looking out to the next battle.

The redhead turned. "Freddie. What are you doing here?"

"To watch the match of course, I mean I will be facing the winner. I need to see what I'm up against. Thought that would be obvious."

Amber soured her face at him. Did he have to be so obnoxious?

"But more to the point, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at the pokémon centre?"

"I'm not allowed to leave yet, remember? Besides I want to see my friend beat the crap out of that guy."

"I know what you mean." Freddie nodded in agreement. "Silver lining if she doesn't. I will."

The two rivals exchanged small smiles as they finally agreed on something and looked back out over the field for the ensuing clash. This was going to be big.

Anonymous and Elaine faced across from each other over the arena field. The atmosphere could be cut through with a knife as the tension built.

Elaine stood tall and confident. She held her first choice pokémon tight in her hand as she prepared for the semi-final of her life. Now it's finally time to show this monster what a real champion looks like! "I choose you …"

"I forfeit."

Elaine stopped mid throw and faltered. "Whaa?"

"What?!" "No way…" Amber and Freddie stood dumbstruck from the side-lines, not believing their eyes.

The crowds all gasped as the mysterious hooded trainer turned sharpish and stepped away from the battlefield, walking off towards the locker rooms, not unleashing a single pokémon to battle. After all that build up it was over just like that?

Some boo's and hisses from the audience rang out over the arena at the disappointment.

Up in the stands the master's watched in disbelief and confusion.

"Well … didn't see that coming …" Will remarked, Sabrina nodded along with her fellow Psychic trainer in bewilderment. The Dark Elite Master Karen couldn't help but smirk and sweat drop at her colleague's joke.

Ash looked to Brock and Misty in pure astonishment and back out onto the arena. "What is this?!"

"Maybe he finally got cold feet?" Misty suggested. "Rather than suffer the humiliation against Elaine, he opted to duck out to save face."

"I do know what that feels like." Gary quipped jokingly.

"I'm not so sure … the way he's battled throughout this tournament has been nothing short of ruthless, this move just doesn't make sense." Brock mused. Ash silently agreed with his old friend. Everything about this was wrong.

The announcer came out over the tannoid. "… La … la … ladies and gentlemen … we have an unprecedented situation! Please bear with us!"

Anonymous walked through into the back locker rooms brushing past Amber and Freddie, giving them a cold silent side eye as he did so. The pair watched him, with confused and concerned faces.

The other competing trainers whispered and chatted amongst themselves, but all fell silent as he passed them. The atmosphere in the room becoming almost unbearably tense.

"Due to Anonymous forfeiting the battle, our semi-finalist winner is Green Trainer Elaine from Pallet Town!"

The crowds clapped with bemusement as Elaine slowly walked off the field. She stared at her pokéball. I mean it is great to be the final … but not like this … Why did he just give up like that?

Amber left Freddie and ran over to greet her friend as she entered backstage. "Elaine!"

Elaine looked up from the ball and acknowledged Amber.

"That was …"

"Weird." The older trainer confirmed with a nod. "I mean I'm glad I'm through … but I feel kinda … robbed? I really wanted to show that guy what's what and earn my place in the final."

"I know." Amber nodded.

An official walked up to the pair. "Amber Ketchum, you'll be up soon for the next round. Please prepare your team."

"Next round? But I lost?"

"With the time saved on the *a-hem* semi-final bout, this year we're doing a Bronze Battle, to determine 3rd and 4th place."

"What?!" The teenagers jaw dropped. "But my pokémon are wiped out from the quarter finals! I haven't been able to take them to Nurse Joy!"

"That's bogus!" Freddie walked over to the group, voicing his disdain for the situation loudly. "Amber's pokémon have been through the ringer whilst that guy has a fresh team. You're putting her at a direct disadvantage! This is unethical!"

"In this final 16 competition your team needs to be able to go the distance to be crowned Champions. As prepared trainers, you should be stocked up with potions and elixirs for such situations." The official folded his arms, deadly serious.

"Go the distance?! She's knocked out!"

Amber couldn't help but wince at Freddie's remark.

"You have twenty minutes recess time to prepare for your battle." With that the official nodded and walked away.

"Amber! This is great! Now you get a shot Anon, lucky you!" Elaine clenched her fist and flexed her bicep. "If he's even half the wimp he turned out to be against me, this will be a cake walk for you. No sweat."

"Lucky … right." Amber didn't feel so. She looked over at the waiting officiate and frowned slightly.

Freddie looked at his new rival with sympathy. "This isn't right … it isn't normal."

"True. Pokémon League competitions are usually spread out over days, not crammed into one like a Master challenge that's for sure, but regardless, they've made that the rules this year." Elaine mused. "Guess that's what makes a champion."

"Easy for you to say with your fresh team!" Freddie snapped back.

Elaine sweat dropped slightly. The kid did have a point.

"If that's how they want to play it, then I'll rise to it. Even if it is just a third-place decider. I'll prove myself here and now." Amber stated confidently, masking her inner apprehensions.

I hope.

She turned her attention back to the task at hand, looking over her 6 pokéballs. What was she going to do?

"Ladies and Gentlemen with the time saved on this years semi-final rounds, we will bringing you a brand new Bronze Battle concept! Our runner up semi-finalists will be battling it out against each other to determine a solid 3rd and 4th place! Get back to your seats soon this fourth-round rumble will begin after a short intermission!"


"NO!" Ash slammed his hands down and growled at the new rule change. He didn't like the idea of his daughter going up against … that monster!

"Ash?" Misty gently placed her hand on her husband's shoulder.

"Amber's got to battle that mystery guy."

"I see that."

"I don't like it." Ash gritted his teeth.

Misty gently rubbed her husband's shoulder. "Oh Ash, honey, we've been through this, we can't protect her from everything anymore. She's proven herself here and she'll prove herself again against that thug. You'll see." Misty smiled confidently.

"Pika pika pikachu." Pikachu agreed with Misty.

"Misty's right Sir. Amber's got this. With her dazzling electric team, she'll show that guy what raising and battling pokémon is really about." Elesa stood up and nodded her head towards Misty in agreement.

"Yeah! That guy has no class at all. He'll probably just give up and quit like he did against that other trainer." Cole added draping an arm over his fiancé. "Sis has nothing to worry about."

Ash offered his family a small smile and affirming nod before he turned back to look at the trainers lined up on the stadium ground. He couldn't help but glare at Anonymous. There was something really not right about all this.

Surge stood tall at the back of the stands; his arms folded over his chest. He eyed Ash and looked back over the arena battlefield. He shared Ash's unease. None of this felt right.


Another official who watched the scene go down in the locker room made his way over to the group of Amber, Freddie and Elaine. He spoke in a hushed tone "Look, I know it's not really allowed, but there's plenty of Full Restore at the merchant counter through at reception and a machine to teleport pokémon to rotate your team. I will escort you."

"You'd do that?" Amber replied in surprise.

The official nodded. "I know I'm really not supposed to, I could lose my job and license over this ..."

"Can I come too?" Freddie piped up. "I think I need to."

The official nodded. "Come. We must hurry, follow my lead." They began to walk off.

Another official stopped the three. "And what is this? There battles are upcoming?"

"Toilet break. I've been told to escort them."

The blocking official narrowed his eyes. "I've not been told?"

Amber looked between the two officials and blurted out a very unconvincing performance. "Please! I'm buurrrsssttttinggggggggg!" crossing her legs as she did so to emphasize the point.

The surrounding companies paled with the blocking official standing aside and letting them pass. "Make sure you're back in time. I need not remind you of the consequences."

"That was so lame it actually worked." Freddie whispered to the red head, who offered a small blush in response.

Amber turned her attention to the official "Why are you doing this sir? I mean not that I'm not grateful, I really really am, but you could get in a lot of trouble?"

The official looked upto the ceiling as they walked. "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing. Edmund Burke. Something isn't right around here, these rule changes … I'm not sure where they are coming from. This match doesn't seem fair. In fact none of this does and if I did nothing well, then, I'd be just as guilty."

Amber and Freddie exchanged looks.

The duo walked over to the medi counter and teleport system. The Aid stood against the wall and watched over the pair and the area, intently making sure they'd be back in time and to cover his own tracks.

Amber turned to her new rival. "You didn't have to come with me Freddie. I mean it's sweet of you 'n all but I'm perfectly capable."

The teenager blushed slightly and snapped back with embarrassment. "I'm not here for you! I have my own match coming up afterwards remember? The final!"

Amber blushed back and rubbed the back of her head feeling a bit foolish.

Freddie walked up to the teleporting system and dialled in. He began to replace his pokéballs.

The electric trainer peered over his shoulder. "Wow you're replacing all your pokémon?"

"Well yeah, if I'm going to stand a chance in the final, I'll need all my pokémon at their best. You did quite the number on my team in the semi's, no way they can battle again this soon."

"You must have a lot of strong pokémon to replace all of them just like that …"

"Well yeah. Don't you?" Freddie raised an eyebrow.

Amber sweat dropped and fiddled with her fingers, avoiding answering the question.

"I'm a bit disappointed though. I'd have really liked to enter the tournament final with Typhlosion at my side. It won't be the same without him ..."

"He was your first pokémon?"

"Yep. Had him since a Cyndaquil. We've been through everything together. Every Gym Battle, every Tournament, he's always been at my side."

Amber felt a pang of guilt. She knew what it would mean to have Raichu by her side in her most important battle ever. Poor Freddie. And she was the cause of it. But then she was also in the same predicament because of him …

Breaking out her thoughts she watched as Freddie vacated the machine and returned to the locker rooms to await the next battles. The Aid nodded him off as he stood in wait for Amber. She turned her attention back to the task at hand and mulled over her options.

Full restore will be ok for Magnemite … but Raichu and other others are exhausted out, they can't possibly battle. I have got Electrode and Voltorb in reserve … that gives me ... a total of … 3 pokémon … against his six … Oh wait I do have … then I could also use …

The teen despaired at her options. This wasn't looking good.

"Hey Amber."

The red head whipped her head round to see Janine and Koga standing before her. Amber's face lit up.

"Janine! Hey, it's great to see you! I'm so glad you're here." The two young women exchanged a friendly hug and held hands. Amber bowed politely at Koga, who reciprocated the respectful gesture.

"But how are you here? Didn't you leave? I thought only tournament finalists were made to stay."

"We have access to these areas. As Elite Four member and Gym leader respectively, we had to come back to witness the final." Koga stated.

"Yes, we couldn't possibly miss it. Also, I wanted to personally wish you good fortune in your announced battle. That Anonymous trainer … he's … well … he's." Janine struggled to finish her words.

"I know." Amber nodded.

"Be careful out there my friend, don't let your guard up for a second. When we battled, I could sense his motives were … impure … tainted."

Amber nodded "I will be, or at least I'll try to be." Amber frowned thinking of her predicament. "Thanks for coming back. It means a lot."

"Of course."

The two ladies parted. Koga offered one more bow and the father and daughter left to join the other masters in the stands.

The Aid walked over. "Time to go Miss Ketchum."

The electric trainer nodded. It was time.


Amber walked out of the tunnel and into the arena, the crowds were roaring and cheering as she appeared on the field. Amber held up a hand to wave and took a deep breath as she took her place opposite Anonymous.

The man gave a cruel smile under his shaded hood.

Koga and his daughter took their place in the box stands with the other gym leaders and Elite Four Masters. Janine both excited and apprehensive of the upcoming battle between her friend and adversary.

Ash watching from the stands grabbed Misty's hand and held it tightly. Every muscle in his body tense. Misty looked at her husband. He didn't even look at her, his eyes fixed on the arena field. This wasn't like him. Normally she was the overprotective one. She looked back out over to the field and reciprocated her husbands grip.

The referee held up his flag. "Let the match. Begin!"

Amber released Magnemite and the mysterious trainer threw out a Victreebel.

A Victreebel. Our electric moves won't do much, but their poison won't affect Magnemite! This could work out.

"Magnemite start off with Metal sound."

"Victreebel. Vine Whip."

The Grass pokémon bared her fangs and narrowed her eyes.

Magnemite let off a mighty metallic screech at it's opponent, Victreebel whilst phased by the unpleasant sound, let off two powerful vines. But the move didn't hit the floating magnet pokémon.

Amber gasped and dodged at the incoming vines. She dived and rolled to the left, before coming back up on one knee. "Hey! Watch it!"

Janine looked on in horror, she knew that was no accident …

The crowds booed at the unfair and downright illegal tactic.

"Again Victreebel!"

More vines launched at the teenager.

"What the?" Ambers eyes widened. I was now clear that Victreebel wasn't even aiming for Magnemite …

Ash, Misty and Pikachu gasped.

"REFEREE! STOP THE MATCH!" Janine screamed out as loud as she could. But there was no reaction to her frantic cry.

Amber dived again but a vine grabbed her foot pulling her back and another coiled around her waist. wrapping her up.

"Magnemiteeeee!" The electric pokémon blinked in confusion and panic at the sight of its friend being attacked. It had no idea what to do.

Freddie, Elaine and the other trainer's backstage stage also gasped in alarm at what was happening on the field.

"I knew that guy was a piece of work, but I never thought he'd try to win by taking a trainer out!" Freddie spoke out loud.

Elaine frowned. "I'm going out there!"

"Right behind you!"

Elaine and Freddie ran out to help Amber, but were blocked by numerous officials.

"Erm? Excuse me! Can't you see what's happening out there?!" Elaine blasted the people blocking her way. But they said nothing, continuing to barricade the way as more people backed them up.

"What is this?" Freddie narrowed his eyes, whilst Elaine glared and clenched her jaw. She had a bad feeling about this.


"Oi! What's the big idea?! Pokémon battles are between the pokémon not the trainers! You think taking me out will win you the match?! No! It's called cheating! You'll be disqualified from the match!" Amber cried out and she struggled in vain to get free. She looked to ref expecting the match to be halted, but no such move was made. The "official" simply stood stoic.

"I do not care." The mysterious man sneered as Victreebel pulled Amber over and hauled her up to be face to face with her master.

Amber gasped at the man's cruel smirk. "This was never about a pokémon battle, was it?"

"Very perceptive of you."

"… But then … what is this about?"

The man smiled.