Asher's Team:
Lago - Rhydon
Crust - Golem
Sebastian - Nidoking
Selena - Nidoqueen
Seraph - Clefable
Barret - Dugtrio
Sonic - Sandslash
Death - Marowak
Colossus - Steelix
It really didn't surprise me that our match was going to resume itself less than a whole day after me and Clair kinda destroyed half the stadium. Apparently the Conference was supposed to have ended yesterday, but our injuries and the repairs to the battlefield forced the Pokemon League to move that up a day. I'm not exactly sure what the specifics or ramifications of that were, but if one off us was too injured to continue then they wouldn't take the time to let us get better, they would just declare one of us the winner by default.
Of course, I was mostly fine. I hit my noggin pretty hard, but luckily I've always had a tougher head than most gave me credit for. So, I was completely fine to battle again. But, Clair? I wasn't too sure.
The power her Dragonite used was unnatural, and I think that I know where that power came from. Though, I lack proof. In fact, all that I have is some hunch based off my metaknowledge and a few words Sabrina let slip.
Aura. The lifeforce of all things. I have no idea why Clair would be able to use it, but the fact is, it looks like she can. And, she can use it to power up her pokemon.
However, using that ability seems to tire her out. Then again, she is literally messing with lifeforce. It only makes sense that she'd get backlash from doing something like that. She lost a lot of energy, in fact, when she first woke up she could hardly even move her body. Even at the moment her standing was probably just willpower and stubbornness.
She actually did benefit from being given a break. Our match ended with a draw on both sides, and for all intents and purposes we'd be resuming our battle with the pokemon we had left. So, it was a 5v4.
This kind of annoyed me, but I wasn't too worried. Her Dragonite was damaged a little by our last battle, but with so much time passing it'd be more or less right as rain when sent out again. Pokemon all have some natural healing abilities that let them slowly heal minor injuries over time, some more than others, so with nearly an entire day the damage it took before was probably gone by now. The damage Colossus had done before was basically undone.
Like I said, annoying.
Still though, this wasn't an unwinnable scenario by any means. I still had the advantage of one extra pokemon, and Colossus wasn't the strongest my team had to offer. My pokemon were stronger than hers- for the most part-, and my battle style was far more flexible. I should be good.
I just need to beat down a few dragons.
As I walked through the stadium hall and exited into the light of midday, the crowd cheering as I kept my eyes locked to my front, completely lost in thought as I contemplated who I should pick to lead with.
So far, in this battle, Clair has lost both a Dragonite and a Gyarados. Her Gyarados was probably one of her top choices for this battle, due to it's water-type, and the only pokemon she could pick with an advantage over my team would be her Kingdra, assuming she had one. Honestly though, odds are she does have a Kingdra. Dragon-types are few and far between, and in canon that was her ace.
But, other than that, I could expect either her stronger Dragonite or her Charizard. Then again she could pick her Altaria to surprise me.
Whatever, my next pokemon will have a pretty good matchup against any of those guys. I'll be fine.
As I once again marched up the stairs to face my opponent, I heard the announcer begin to speak.
"Alright ladies and gentlemen, sorry for the delay, some of our trainers are just a little too strong for their own good! But, let us hope that we can wrap this years Indigo Conference up here and today!"
I felt my boredom grow as I scratched at the bandages still present on my head and Seraph's pokeball twisted and turned as I fidgeted with it in my palm.
Will he just get on with it? We're already overdue this battle, so will he just shut his trap and start the match?
My golden eyes met Clair's own blue ones from across the pitch. She was missing her hair tie, leaving her hair straight down to flow freely, her cape was missing as a result of the last match's destruction, and I could instantly noticed that she wasn't in very good shape.
Looking closer, her legs were shaking ever so slightly, her eye bags were faint but noticeable enough for me to make out, and her focus seemed to constantly be faltering due to fatigue.
Huh, this might be easier than I thought. The aura she used before must have taken a lot out of her, she was panting and shaking a little just from climbing the stairs up to even fight.
She obviously isn't in prime condition, that bodes well for me since her mind will lose it's edge and she might overlook the little things. I'll use that.
"Trainers, prepare your pokeballs."
Those words snapped my mind back into reality. I enlarged the pokeball of my Clefable and felt myself laugh internally at what I was about to do to Clair.
The blue haired girl mimicked my actions, though her movements were less fluid than mine, the determination in her eyes told me exactly what I wanted to know. She wasn't going down quietly.
I felt myself grinning madly at the thought. Good, neither am I.
"Battle begin!"
"Seraph, kick their asses!"
"Kingdra, come forth!"
My smirking Clefable appeared in a flash of white, his pink form and centre of gravity causing him to almost float majestically onto the ground, where he placed his feet down like an astronaut. A smug looking astronaut though. Whatever, it was just one of his quirks. He was a grinner. A real jackass of a Clefable, and the cockiest, most battle-hungry, one of his bunch.
Then Clair's Kingdra landed on the stage, bobbing up and down as they glared at Seraph, openly showing distaste at the opponent placed in front of them, and in response they got a tongue-stick from the big pink puffball.
The stance of my fairy-type not looking the least bit threatened by Kingdra seemed to have hurt their pride since the dragon-type seemed to intensify it's hateful look for my partner after seeing him in such a relaxed state.
Clair, seemingly reading her pokemon's mind, simply soothed it's ego with a few words." Don't worry, you'll show them your strength soon enough." Those words seemed to placate the Kingdra, but that didn't stop them from visibly showing distain for my cheeky fairy-type's cocky smirk.
Honestly, if every dragon-type in the world is like Clair's, then maybe it isn't worth the hassle of catching one myself. A Flygon or a Garchomp would be cool, but only if they'd be willing to reign in their pride and be flexible in battle. The way her pokemon battle is just too restricting for me.
My thoughts were cut off by Clair's voice as she commanded her pokemon." Use Dragon Breath!"
Hearing what move she'd called for only made my smirk widen. Too easy.
"Use Calm Mind, that attack is useless against you."
Seraph copied my smirk as psychic-type energy began to surround him and he took a few seconds to increase his special defense and special attack. Clair's Kindra, looking completely livid at being brushed off like that, unleashed a powerful torrent of green and yellow flames that swept over the battlefield in a bright spectacle of power that enveloped Seraph to the point where he was bathing in dragonic fire that would have caused a regular pokemon to hop around in pain-
But, unfortunately for them, Seraph was packing the fairy-type. Dragons can't do shit to him.
I relished the face of confusion and bewilderment that crossed the faces of both Clair and her pokemon as my Clefable completely ignored the fact he was writhing in fire and after he finished powering up I ordered him again.
"Moonblast."
Seraph's grin widened as he threw his hands outwards, dispersing the flames surrounding his, as an aura of white and light pink energy began to envelop his form.
Clair, snapping out of her daze, quickly countered with a swift tone." Use Dragon Pulse."
I couldn't help but snort a little at her choice of attack. God, this is too easy.
Kingdra fired a powerful looking multi-coloured beam out of it's mouth at a much faster speed than Seraph, even though he had a head start on charging up his attack, but before it could even touch his skin a massive radiant orb of pink energy, which got lighter the closer to the centre you looked to the point it were nearly white, was thrown forward to counter his opponent.
The two attacks shined and sparked as they collided, however Moonblast was pushing the dragon-type attack back with laughable ease, and Clair could only change commands seeing this.
"Quickly, change to Protect!" I was surprised that she'd be willing to go on the defensive like that, considering her prideful personality, but maybe I was just underestimating her.
Kingdra obeyed it's trainer the seahorse switched from firing a beam of energy to summoning a green shield of protection in front of them to guard against the incoming attack.
It was nice to see that Clair could reign in her pride during battle to go on the defense, but it wouldn't do her any good.
The high-speed orb of light crashed directly into the partially-formed Protect, sparks flying rampant in the process, and I wasn't surprised at the sight of spiderweb-like cracks quickly appearing and spreading on the protective shield.
It seems that Clair wasn't training her pokemon in using defensive moves very well.
The poorly trained Protect caved in and shattered in the face of Seraph's attack, the Kingdra being brutally assaulted by the super effective, stubbornly trying to fight against the inevitable, as the devastating Moonblast exploded and kicked up dust around the area.
Clair yelled in worry for her pokemon, but I wasn't about to give them time for rest." Seraph, if they get up use Meteor Mash."
My sadistic Clefable smirked and nodded at those words, shrouding himself in a bright blue light as he cocked back his fist in preparation to strike at a moments notice.
I personally didn't think it'd be necessary, but I was proven wrong as the dust settled to reveal a beaten up looking Kingdra, shaking with scuffles and bruises all over their body, but still glaring defiantly in resistance to defeat.
It was tenacious, but tenacity will only get you so far.
"Take them down." Hearing my orders was enough to spark Seraph into action as he lunged at Kingdra, preparing to strike the final blow on his opponent.
"Use Hydro Pump!" Clair's voice had a hint of desperation, betraying the fact that she'd lost control of this match, and her shouting seemed to resonate with her pokemon it quickly launched a powerful beam of compressed water.
"Teleport." Having no reason to worry, I just gave my pokemon an order that would ensure our victory.
Seraph became a flash of pink as he disappeared from view, avoiding the Hydro Pump completely and confusing his opponents, and he appeared right behind the water and dragon-type, a cocky smirk written on his face as his right fist shined brightly with steel-type energy.
Clair did her best to warn Kingdra of his impending fate." Kingdra, they're behind you!"
But, despite her warning, the seahorse hardly had the chance to even turn their head in astonishment before a nasty haymaker struck them right on the side of the face.
The sudden Meteor Mash sent them reeling backwards as they cried out in pain and toppled over onto the ground, the damage they'd accumulated causing them to hiss in pain as they layed on the floor and tried to pick themselves back up, only to fall back down, unconscious.
"AAAND Clair's Kingdra went down to Asher's powerhouse of a Clefable! That means half of her team has been defeated so far, will she be able to come back from this?!"
As Clair returned her Kingdra Her expression was blank, but the way she clutched her pokeball with an iron grip told me everything I needed to know. She was getting anxious about whether or not she could put out a win here.
Though, she still didn't yield as she picked up a new pokeball to release her next pokemon." Go, Charizard!"
Her voice resonated through the stadium as an intimidating looking Charizard was released from it's pokeball. Upon it's appearance, it let out a booming roar and let loose a stream of fire into the air from it's maw, before turning it's domineering gaze onto my smirking Clefable.
I was impressed just by glancing at it. This Charizard was clearly stronger than Barry's, it also looked a lot more full of himself. In fact, he almost dismissed Seraph after just a glance. Prick.
"Baton Pass." My command seemed to annoy Seraph, who wanted to put that giant lizard in it's place, but relented and ultimately returned to his pokeball, setting the stage for my starter.
"Say Clair, who do you think my strongest pokemon is?" I surprised her by suddenly asking a question, lazily picking up a pokeball from my belt and toying with it a little, but not throwing it quite yet.
Clair frowned, instead answering with another question." Why are you asking me?"
I shrugged half-heartedly." Oh, no reason in particular. I just thought you'd be interested to know that I haven't used my strongest pokemon in this tournament yet." There was no real reason for me to draw this out, I just wanted to hype my starter up.
Clair's expression didn't change, but she couldn't hide her worry from me." I find that a little hard to believe."
I just hummed at her words, my fingers finally stopping their shifting of the pokeball in my hand, the device enlarging as I got in position." You don't need to believe anything, as they say seeing is believing. So, see this-"
I stepped forward, getting into my prime throwing position as I threw my arm forward." So, see this. Come on out, Lago!"
With a booming scream I tossed my starter's pokeball over head, my blood pumping as I released my strongest pokemon. The world almost seemed to go in slow motion as the ball soared over head, gliding through the wind, tension building in the air until-
It opened.
All at once the light from within the contraption took shape, swirling and changing into the form of a hulking grey brute that descended from above and dropped down from the sky as gravity took effect. The ground shaking and cracking due to his size and weight, as my Rhydon roared and flexed his full height to the world.
His actions silenced the audience, and even Clair's Charizard, as my starter met the eyes of his opponent and, deadly serious, got into a stance that suggested he would engage the enemy.
The sight of such a massive opponent caused the orange dragon to falter slightly, but within a moment that hesitation turned into indignation. In response it snarled and spread it's wings out, ready to fight it's opponent.
Clair however, didn't seem to share her pokemon's arrogance, but wasn't going to back down." Use Dragon Pulse!"
Her getting the first move didn't both me, I just smirked stating." Run through it and use Hammer Arm!"
Lago instantly sprung into action, his powerful legs carrying him with speed uncharacteristic of his size as he stomped forward towards his opponent. Unyielding as Charizard let loose a volley of Dragon Pulse that slammed right into my starter, he just raised his arms and used them as an impenetrable shield to block the attack, his thick rocky armour holding strong against the relentless barrage, the boost from Calm Mind likely playing a part in his impressive endurance.
This surprising speed and tenacity shocked Clair, but she was quick to recover as she quickly ordered her pokemon." Fly into the air and get away from them!"
I had to resist the urge to frown at that. Well that won't do.
"None of that shut, jump into the air and knock them down with Hammer Arm!"
My starter grunted as the Dragon Pulse cancelled and he suddenly increased in running speed, and when Charizard shot into the air with a whip of his wings, he flexed his leg muscles and changed his stance and, as we trained, he transferred that momentum into his legs as he jumped up.
The ground below his feet cracked from his physical strength as he surprised Charizard by rising above it in the air, both his arms shining white as he unleashed a devastating double Hammer Arm.
The force of the attack was immense as Charizard was sent flying downwards and onto the ground, a crater forming around his form as he became embedded within the earth, firmly knocked down from the sky.
Clair, seemingly taken aback by the unreal physical ability my pokemon just displayed, only managed to pick herself back up when I quickly followed up, not giving them a chance for rest.
"Body Slam." I added helpfully. My partner, gravity just catching up with him, followed my command and descended at a fast pace to the ground below, ready to land on top of Clair's pokemon.
"Use Dragon Breath!" Clair, panic and urgency dripping through her voice, yelled for her partner to attack, likely seeing that they had no way out, and was just hoping to get a status condition off to cripple Lago.
But, before the yellow and green flames of Dragon Breath could even fully form, Lago crashed right on top of Charizard's stomach, spittle flying everywhere as the orange dragon's eyes widened from the pain of having the wind completely knocked out of it's guts as the ground below the two of them broke and splintered as the force of such a heavy pokemon crashing down showed itself.
As the dust settled, and Lago picked himself up, closely examining his opponent, he met my eyes and, looking satisfied, he spoke." Rhyyyyy!"
I grinned at the confirmation and flashed my starter a thumbs up-
Suddenly a torrent of orange flames hit Lago's back causing him to turn around, not looking very bothered at all by the flames, as he met the weak, but defiant, turquoise eyes of Clair's Charizard.
How stubborn.
"Thunderbolt." I spoke in a neutral tone, pushing down any guilt I felt for attacking such a beaten up pokemon and ignoring the booing of the crowd at my words. You should never dismiss a pokemon, no matter how beaten up they might look.
Electricity crackled to life on Lago's horn, and after a moment of preparation, a bolt of lightning was unleashed that hit Clair's pokemon dead-centre. Them crying out slightly, before the flames in their mouth were silenced and they finally passed out from the damage they'd taken, a few stray sparks fleeting off their scales as a result of Lago's attack.
That left her with just two pokemon. Against my five. It doesn't take a genius to see that Clair's chances of victory aren't looking very good.
"Wow, who knew that Asher had such a monster on his team?! In just a few moves he demolished Clair's Charizard and she's been reduced to her final two pokemon! Will she be able to make a comeback?!"
Clair's jawline was tense and firm as she let out a shuddered pant, she returned her pokemon and picked up a new one, but her eyes lacked the same determination that they did at the start of our battle. She didn't seem to believe that she could win at this point.
Which, well, I don't wanna jinx it, but she isn't really wrong for thinking that. I mean, even if Lago does go down, I have four more pokemon to fall back on and they're all totally healthy. It might be cocky of me to say, but my chances of losing are close to zero.
Clair's face suddenly swelled up with frustration, the grip on her pokeball tightening and she threw her arm forward, as she yelled." Go ALTARIA!"
The fluffy looking dragon emerged in a familiar light, flying onto the ground upon release and puffing it's chest our pridefully. But, they also faltered when they caught sight of their opponent.
I don't blame them either. I'd be scared too if a three meter tall behemoth was staring me down, ready to crush me like a bug.
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