Kanto Chapter 34 - Rematch with Rosa round 1 rumble.
Amber paled. No not her … anyone but her …
*** Flashback ***
"Raichu Mega Kick!" Amber commanded Surges pokémon.
Rosa responded in kind. "Excadrill, Rock Slide."
Raichu executed the mega kick but unfortunately Excadrill evaded just in time causing Raichu to crash into the arena side. The Excadrill executed the Rock Slide with Raichu floored and in close range, with no way to dodge, it inflicted a lot of damage to the electric mouse and made him flinch.
"Now Poison Jab Excadrill". Another damaging blow was delt to the electric pokémon, but luckily caused no poisoning effect.
Still in the battle, Amber called out her next attack. "Raichu!... use Dig! Go underground!" Raichu dived underground.
Amber looked up at her opponent who was smiling. It was a strangely confident smile and then Rosa said a word that made a chill run-down Amber's spine and her brown eyes go wide with realisation.
"Earthquake".
It was over. Amber had lost.
*** End ***
Elaine and Janine stood mouths agape. "Rosa" "The Unova Champion." "And right off the bat too."
Amber gulped hard, her shoulders slumping. Why did it have to be Rosa. Anyone but Rosa …
"Meh. Don't sweat it." Elaine stated, nonchalantly.
"Huh?" Amber looked up at her senior.
"Ok it's a tough draw, but, well look at this way, we're all good enough to be here, right? You got 8 badges just like her. You made it through the preliminaries just like her. She hasn't won a Kanto Championship, and neither have you. Right now, you're equals."
"Yeah, that's right!" Janine chimed in. "It's the same as me and Elaine. She hammered me in our previous gym battle, but here, she hasn't won a title either! We're equals now."
Elaine side eyed Janine at the lack of championship comment but recovered her composure. "So what time are our battles tomorrow … mines just before lunchtime, and Janine … yours is first thing in the morning! Hopefully I'll be able to see it on the screen before I go on." Elaine traced her finger down the battle listings. "Looks like your battle is in the afternoon Amber, that gives you a little more time before hand to prepare and check out some of the competition battles."
"I'll definitely be watching your battles." Amber beamed with excitement feeling a lot happier.
"And I'll too be there rooting for you Amber." Janine matched Amber's enthusiasm.
The two friends exchanged smiles.
Elaine turned to the two younger trainers. "Well ladies, I'd say we've all had enough excitement for one day. How about we head into the village, grab some dinner and then call it a night? We'll all need our rest for tomorrow. Now the competition really begins."
Amber and Janine exchanged nods and the trio headed out into the evening.
"Welcoming to the Ice Field, Janine and Anonymous."
It was the next morning and the pokémon league tournament was under way. The ice field was jammed packed with spectators and supporters filling the small stadium with an electrifying atmosphere.
Janine and the hooded trainer appeared on their podiums, ready to battle.
The crowd in the mini stadium cheered even louder, anticipating the battle. Amber clenched her fists with excitement as she watched from the side-lines. This battle was going to be amazing!
"Familiar face Janine is the former Fuchsia City Gym leader and daughter of our esteemed Kanto Elite Four member Koga. A well-known and skilful poké-ninjitsu trainer, she is a firm favourite in this competition. Not much is known regarding her opponent, who has decided to enter this tournament anonymously. Could this mysterious upstart be the one to watch? All we know is anything could happen in this first round 3-on-3 match!"
Janine stood poised; her eyes closed as if in deep meditation. They flashed open and she released her Vulpix.
The mysterious trainer stood stoic, showing no reaction. He released his first pokémon with little fanfare. A mean looking pokémon emerged with dark fur, a large red crown of feathers and razor-sharp claws.
"Hmm what's that pokémon?" Amber pulled out her rotomphone.
"Weavile, the Sharp Claw Pokémon. Weavile is the evolved form of Sneasel. It is said to be extremely intelligent and its sharp eyes see everything."
"Ohhhh nice choices on the ice field, this should be good!" Ash leaned forward in his chair deeply invested in the upcoming match. Pikachu was ever perched on his trainers lap, also looking forward to the upcoming battles.
The Masters and Gym Leaders had all taken their seats in the stands, taking a special interest in watching their former colleague battle.
"Going up against an ice type, a fire type like Vulpix has a big advantage." Dusty remarked.
"Hm, I'm not so sure about that … in the wild weavile are known to prey on vulpix. This could be close." Brock noted.
"Not to mention Weavile will be able to navigate the ice terrain much more effectively." Gary added. "It's an interesting match-up."
Koga watched his daughter's match intently. Not commenting.
The anonymous trainer started the battle off. "Weavile. Hone Claws." His dark ice type began to sharpen his claws, boosting up in his attack.
Janine pointed her finger out over the ice field. "Vulpix start off with fire spin. Trap Weavile in a ring of flames!"
Vulpix opened her mouth and unleashed a powerful fire spin attack, the tornado of flames ripped towards Weavile.
The hooded trainer remained completely unphased. "Weavile. Up."
The agile ice pokémon leaped up, easily avoiding the ring of flames.
Anonymous went on the attack. "Focus Blast."
The move hit hard, knocking Vulpix out of the battle.
"Oh Vulpix!" Janine cried out seeing her friend faint. The referee held up his flag signalling Vulpix could no longer continue.
The crowds roared with excitement over the pokémon battle.
"One hit. No way!" Amber gasped from the side-lines. That weavile was something.
"Wow, did you see that?! What a move." Will commented, as all the gym leaders and elite four members watched in awe of the mysterious strong pokémon trainer.
Koga grunted, whilst Ash creased his eyebrows. His previous jubilant demeanour now replaced with a feeling far more subdued and serious. Pikachu looked up at his trainer noting the change in demeanour.
Janine was gobsmacked but regained her composure. She recalled Vulpix and pulled out her next pokéball. "Thank you Vulpix, you were great out there, now take a good rest. We maybe down one, but we're far from out yet. Ok you're up Cloyster."
"Cloyster, perfect choice for the ice field." Misty added positively. "Come on Janine, you've got this!" Erika cheered on her former colleague.
"Very impartial of you Erika." Sabrina commented sarcastically, the Grass specialist merely sweat dropped and offered a warm grin.
"I don't think anyone will hate on us for supporting a friend." Forrest offered a warm smile to his colleagues. Misty and Erika smiled back.
But once again the hooded trainer's weavile made short work of his opposing Cloyster, taking him out in a few moves despite the even type match up.
"Like no way!" Daisy, Lily and Violet chorused together seeing Cloyster taken out so easily.
"Janine is down to her last pokémon. And Weavile hasn't really taken any damage. Impressive I must say." Karen mused out loud.
Both Koga and Ash frowned.
"Janine is now down to her last pokémon, whilst Trainer Anonymous is still 3 pokémon strong and in a clear lead. It's not looking good for the Fuchsia City Gym Leader. But as we've seen here time and time again, anything can happen folks!"
"Down to my last pokémon … but you are truly all I need. Come out Nidorina!" Janine launched out her last pokémon.
"Heyyy back to a poison type, Janine is working to her strength now." Forrest pumped his arm in approval.
"Weavile. Hone Claws." Anonymous commanded his pokémon to once against boost his attack.
"Nidorina, Focus Energy."
"Night Slash."
Janine kept her cool. "Nidorina, stand your ground, let Weavile come to you on the ice!"
Weavile leaped at Nidorina, the slippery arena not giving the dual ice type any difficulties in manoeuvring.
"Now counter!" Janine called out.
Janine's plan worked as Nidorina countered the physical damaged incoming from Weavile, dealing twice the return. Weavile skidded across the ice.
Janine smiled. Finally, things were turning around.
"YES!" Amber flexed her bicep and pumped her arm in celebration. "That's the way to do it! Go Janine!"
The celebration was premature, Weavile may have been down, but definitely was not out. He jabbed his claws into the ice slowing himself down and regaining his composure. Weavile was back in the game.
"Weavile. Psycho Cut."
The weasel cat leaped up as psychic energy enlarged the pokémon's already dangerous claws and he barrelled down hard on the opposing Nidorina, giving her no chance of dodging the full-on attack.
It hit hard. Weavile slashing and swiping relentlessly at the poison type.
Janine started to feel helpless but knew they had to fight back somehow. "Nidorina, horn attack." It was all in vain, as Nidorina was too occupied taking damage. The gym leader knew there would be no coming back from this. It was the end of the battle. "No … Nidorina …" Janine teared up seeing her pokémon take on the super effective attack. She looked over to the referee who had yet to raise to his flag.
Nidorina didn't fight back, yet the weavile continued to use psycho cut.
The crowds in the stadium fell silent. This match had taken an nasty turn.
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Janine screamed out signalling for the match to stop. The hooded man lifted his hand up, signalling for his weavile to stop his onslaught. "Stop the match. We forfeit."
Amber's eyes widened as Janine's Nidorina went down. Weavile standing menacingly over the feinted pokémon, still ready to attack at any given moment. The hooded trainer however did not signal any further action.
The referee raised the flag. "This round and the match goes to Trainer Anonymous and his Weavile."
The crowds didn't cheer as his victory was announced. An eerie almost silence fell upon the ice field.
"Nidorina!" Janine slumped down as she recalled her injured pokémon and spoke gently into the pokéball. "You'll be ok, I promise, I'll get you to a pokémon centre right away."
Janine had lost the battle. The hooded trainer smirked and walked off. Offering no other emotion.
"And Janine of the Fuchsia City Gym has been knocked out in the first round, as anonymous proceeds to the second round without losing a single pokémon. A bitter blow for the former gym leader in this first round upset. What did we tell folks anything can happen. The next match on the ice field will start in 1 hour."
Janine vacated the battlefield solemnly. Her league journey … was over already?!
Amber stood in shock. How could Janine possibly lose? The younger teen rushed over to console her friend.
"Janine …"
Janine looked up and half smiled sadly at the redhead. "What did Elaine tell us huh? Expect anything."
"Yeah … but."
"Listen. Look out for that guy Amber. He's no run of the mill trainer …" Janine's face was serious. "There's something different about him. Cold, calculating … unempathetic. It's almost like winning wasn't his goal." With that the young woman walked off to pokémon centre.
Amber watched her friend leave with sad eyes.
Surge watched intently with the other masters. He felt bad for his comrade Janine, but he was more preoccupied with his protégé, as he noted the expression on her face.
"Woah. Talk about overkill. That was a tad unnecessary." Will folded his arms as the battle was fully over.
"Indeed. That weavile really was very strong." Karen commented. "I'd be almost impressed, if it's trainer showed an ounce of compassion. In my eyes he should be disqualified for battling so … ugly. Gives my dark pokémon a bad rep." The Dark Master turned her nose up is disgust.
"It was indeed an ugly performance Karen, but he was within the legal limits of an official match. We cannot discriminate someone for their, how do we say, different battling approach." Lance shook his head gently. "No matter how much we disagree with them."
"That kind of relationship between pokémon and trainer does not make a champion." Ash muttered angrily under his breath.
Surge up and left without saying a single world.
The gym leaders watched Surge leave with quiet surprise, he had been silent the whole match. It was unlike the electric solider to be so quiet and withdrawn.
"I'm headed off too, going to catch up on what's happening over at the Grass Field." Gary also stood up an excused himself from the solemn atmosphere.
"Hey! Isn't Elaineeee battling soon on the grass field?" Misty piped up, suddenly coming to a realisation.
"Is she? I wouldn't know." Gary shrugged unconvincingly and walked off.
Misty smirked knowingly. Usually Gary wasn't one for watching the battles until it got down to the final 16 at the Indigo Stadium. She then turned to see Koga with a unreadable expression on his face. "Oh Koga, that was … Koga?" Misty was cut short as the poison master got up from his seat and walked off without saying a word.
Ash and Pikachu watched Koga leave and then turned their attention back to the retreating hooded trainer and scowled. Something wasn't right. They could both could feel it.
Janine packed up her things in the locker room sadly. She wiped away a stray tear she couldn't prevent from falling and shut the door. She'd handed over her pokémon to Joy and was vacating her lot. Appearing from behind the locker stood her father. His expression was stoic.
"Father! I …" Janine started but dipped her head. She was so ashamed. How could the daughter of an Elite Four member perform so poorly? "I'm sorry … I, I let you down. I embarrassed myself out there, I embarrassed you, the Fuchsia Gym ..." Tears started trickling down the young woman's face. "I'm nothing but a disappointment."
Koga reached out and placed his hand firmly on his daughter's shoulder. "Daughter you did no such thing! You were the better out there today, everyone saw that. Stopping the match before Nidorina could get seriously hurt was the right move. It's as Master Ketchum says, not always the true victor prevails."
"Master Ketchum says that?" Janine raised an eyebrow not buying it.
"Well I maybe paraphrasing. But something to that effect. That was trainer was ruthless in his tactics. Something I never accept to see."
Janine looked down at the ground, feeling no better. She wasn't simply unlucky today, she was completely outclassed and everyone saw it.
Koga placed his other hand on her other shoulder and knelt slightly to look his daughter in the eye. "Do you know what it takes to battle here today? 8 badges from other gyms to prove you worth and strength as a trainer. You took in on yourself to do this, to come away from your security and you won over all the other gym leaders to be here You did that. You championed the Fuchsia Gym as one of the strongest in Kanto! You made the Fuchsia Gym proud today. I'm proud of you, my daughter. I feel maybe I haven't said that enough lately."
The two exchanged a long hug.
Janine wiped her eyes and took a breath, regaining her usual composure. "Would you like to go over to another field and watch the battles Father? We can analyse their battle style."
Koga gently shook his head. "You know what I want? Ramen. With fresh steamed dumplings and a side of sticky rice." He offered a rare cheeky grin.
Janine's face grew into a warm smile.
"Let's go get lunch. I can't remember the last time we did that together."
"That sounds good to me Dad."
The father and daughter left the mini stadium field and walked out into the village.
Amber stood outside the Indigo Stadium. She rocked Raichu's pokéball back and forth in her hand. Her mind was swimming with her friend's loss, the look of disappointment in Janine's face, the brutal way Anonymous trainer battled. Everyone watching in the stands with high expectations of her ... Mom, Dad, Cole, her aunties, her idol Elesa, her mentor Surge. Mew she didn't want to embarrass them all. And at the forefront facing Rosa again, the Unova League Champion who'd beaten her so easily in the past. This competition really was no joke … was she really ready for this?
A large shadow loomed over her. "You ok Kid?"
Amber looked over the shoulder. "Surge!" She lit up seeing him. "What are you doing here?"
"Ya friend lost an' now ya what? Questionin yaself?"
Wow Surge is good. Maybe he should be a psychic master!
"Rosa is a league champion …"
"So?"
"So, I just … I can't help thinking what chance do I have?! Janine lost in the first round to a nobody, without taking out any of her opponents pokémon. And she was the Fuchsia City Gym leader!"
"An' so are you."
"Huh?"
"Amber, I made you Gym Leader, you are a Vermillion City Gym Leader. An' now, you've surpassed that. Surpassed me. When we had our battle, kid, I wasn't holdin' back nuffin. Believe me. You've come a long, long way since that loss against Rosa. Time ta go show that Unov'un just how much!"
"Surge … I." Amber smiled and hugged her mentor. "You never stop teaching me do you?"
"Always. Now give 'em hell." Surge punched his fist into his open hand.
Amber grinned and nodded.
It was time for round 1.
"Now it's time for our next match up on the Rock Field and my word ladies and gentlemen what a line up we have for you! We welcome to the field, Rosa a Champion of the Unova region and Kanto's own up-and-coming Amber Ketchum, daughter of our very own home-grown hero's MASTER CHAMPION ASH KETCHUM AND HIS WIFE MISTY WATERFLOWER OF THE CERULEAN CITY GYM."
Upon hearing the name's, the crowd in the rock stadium went wild, the video screen panned to a grinning Ash and bouncing Pikachu and slightly embarrassed looking Misty, who were watching along with all the other masters and gym leaders in the box seats, minus Gary who had not returned from the Grass stadium.
The screams and cheers so loud, people could barely hear the announcer over the PA system.
"Rosa's is no stranger to these competitions and her well documented exploits in the Unova region have been nothing short of remarkable and of course we all remember earlier this year how young Miss Ketchum made her fame debut riding the Zapdos of legend to prevent further catastrophes to our region, like we experienced at Cinnabar. Truly folks we are in for real treat this afternoon with both trainers being dubbed ones to watch."
Amber and Rosa took their stands. Amber looking slightly nervously into Rosa's eyes, the latter offering no hint of emotion good or bad. The Unova champion was completely at ease.
"Ooooh what a treat! I've personally battled Rosa a few times. She really is top class, another level. What a shame your little sister drew her right off the bat." Elesa commented, leaning forwards as she became completely invested in the battle of her electric future sister-in-law vs her fellow Unovan.
Cole looked at his fiancé and then back at his little sister getting ready to battle, but said nothing. He too leaned forwards in his seat. You've got this Sis.
Surge took out a pokéball and unleashed the contents. Raichu appeared. "Let's give tha kid some morale support eh buddy?"
"Rai rai!" Surge's Raichu lit up seeing where he was.
"Pika Pika pika. PIKA!" Pikachu bounced up and down with mini pom-poms doing a cheer routine for Amber. Surge's Raichu looked at his pre-evolution with a little embarrassment. He wasn't going that far.
Amber took a deep breath. Ok we're on the rock field … not a great advantage for us, but we can work with this … I have the best team for the job. I KNOW I DO. "Geodude I choose you!"
Amber unleashed her Alolan Geodude. It's different skin tone and dark eyebrows standing it apart from it's Kanto counterpart.
"Oh fantastic! Geodude will navigate that landscape no sweat!" Ash and Brock both fist bumped at Amber's choice.
"Just goooorrrrgggeous!" Elesa swooned over the electric rock. Cole side eyed his fiancé. She truly lost her cool when faced with electric type pokémon. It was adorable really.
Rosa pulled out a pokéball and let free her simipour.
"A Simipour? Doesn't she know that an Alolan Geodude is part electric?" Misty commented on the unusual choice.
"That Rosa is no dummy. She knows what she's doing. Trust me I know." Elesa replied not taking her eyes off the scene.
Misty looked at Elesa and turned her attention back to the battle. Come on sweetie you've got this!
Amber started the battle off with Rollout. To which Rosa immediately got her simipour to water down the field.
In no time at all, the rocky field began to turn wet and muddy. The changes in surface instantly slowing Geodude's rollout attack till she became evidently stuck in the mud.
"Brock shouldn't Geodude be able to deal with a little mud?" Forrest looked to his older brother.
"If she was a Kanto Geodude, she'd be part ground type too and able to deal with it. But for an Alolan Geodude, it really has made the landscape that much harder. Geodude's speed will be greatly reduced. Amber's really got an uphill battle on her hands." Brock deduced.
"Told ya that girl was smart." Elesa added.
Surge clenched his fist. Come on Ambs! Yous can deal with a lil' water!
"Now Simi, use Hydropump!"
"Gotcha! Geodude use Discharge on that water attack!"
The electric attack hit the oncoming water attack and travelled up, zapping Simipour. But the hydropump hit harder knocking Geodude out before Simipour really felt the sting of the electricity.
"Geodude!" Amber called out to her pokémon but the referee held up his flag. Geodude was out.
"I really thought an Alolan Geodude would hold up against a water type." Misty sighed sadly for daughter.
"She's still part rock, Geodude really felt those water moves." Brock commented as it was bleak start for Amber.
"Come on Kiddo! Think!" Ash gritted his teeth. "Pii Kaaaaaa" Pikachu cheered for his friend.
Amber closed her eyes and took deep breaths. "Ok … we're on the backfoot … but we can pull this back … we can do this. I choose you. Lanturn!"
Out appeared the beautiful blue pokémon.
Misty beamed with pride. "Oh wow beautiful. Lanturn is looking great!" "Just gorgeous!" The Waterflower sisters and Elesa chorused in union with hearts in their eyes at the dual water type.
"Lanturn Take Down attack." Amber's pokémon used her fins to glide through the boggy terrain with ease, smashing effortlessly into the opposing simipour. The pure water type skidded back taking the full force of the powerful move.
"Simipour use Rock Slide!"
"Lanturn dodge it!"
Lanturn easily glided out the way of the incoming rocks.
"Now Lanturn use Electroball." Lanturn still gliding formed a large electric ball and flipped up smashing it hard with her tail sending it barrelling towards Simipour.
"Simipour dodge!"
Unfortunately for Rosa her previous tactic worked against her and the mud had lowered her pokémon's own evasive potential. The ball of electricty hit and Rosa was down a pokémon.
"Yes, now we're level." Amber pumped her fist in a small victory.
"ALRIGHT AMBER! PIKA PI KAAAA!" Her friends and family cheered from the stand. The crowds in the stadium cheered at the comeback.
"Serperior I choose you." Rosa released her second pokémon.
"Oooh Serperior. Nice. Amazing choice really, it's smooth body will move easily in the field and it's got a huge type advantage. Not to mention it looks well raised. Look at that deep green colour. Real strong." Ash spoke out loud. Misty whipped her head around with pure fire in her eyes. "WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE ROUTING FOR OUR DAUGHTER ASH!" Misty grabbed her husband and throttled him. "I .. am … I AM!" Ash choked out between violent shakes.
"Pi iii iii Kaaaa" Pikachu also felt the wrath of Misty whilst sitting on Ash's lap.
"Lanturn, Electroball again!"
Rosa was un phased. "Serperior roll in the mud!" The covering gave the grass type a protective cover, feeling no effect from the electric attack at all.
"Oh no .. electric attacks won't work ..." Amber gritted her teeth. This was a challenge.
Lanturn and Serperior went move for move against each other, neither trainer or pokémon giving an inch, but soon the type advantage won out and a well timed Leaf Blade attack from Serperior put Lanturn out of the battle.
Amber was down to her last pokémon. The crowds of the mini stadium were roaring around her.
"Once again, I'm replying on you, old friend. Raichu it's all up to you!" Amber threw out his pokéball and wasted no time. "Raichu. Use Mega Kick!"
After being tired out by Lanturn previously, the grass type fell easily to Raichu's attack. The match was once again even.
The Unova trainer smiled sweetly as she recalled her fallen pokémon. "You were absolutely amazing my wonderful Serpy, take a good long rest. Now let's finish this battle! Excadrill you're up!"
Rosa released her Excadrill. Amber shuddered. She remembered this pokémon alright … DeJa'Vu hit hard as she relived their previous battle of Surge's Raichu going up against Excadrill. A chill ran down her spine. But she shook it off. Remember what Elaine said .. stay loose, stay focused, anything can happen.
Surge leaned forwards in his chair and rested his chin on his hand. Excadrill vs Raichu … he glanced down at his own Raichu, who's ears went back slightly, remembering the large mole pokémon well.
Rosa went straight on the offensive ordering Excadrill to attack head on with Metal Claw, Amber's Raichu dodging every which way he could. The muddy floor increasing his effort twice fold.
"Raichu, save your energy, wait for Excadrill to get closer." Amber calmly commanded her pokémon. Trusting his trainer completely Raichu stopped his movements and waited, his body poised and ready.
Excadrill went once again on the offensive, lunged at Raichu.
"Now's your chance! Raichu jump up and Mega Kick!"
Raichu jumped out the way of the oncoming steel claws and bashed the big mole pokémon in the head with a well-timed kick.
"Yessss! Keep it up!" Amber commanded as the continuation of dodge and kick commenced.
Rosa frowned with frustration. "Enough of this game! Excadrill. Earthquake. Time to end this match with one move!"
Ambers eyes widened as her mind slipped back to their battle at the Vermillion City Gym.
*** Flashback ***
Amber looked up at her opponent who was smiling. It was a confident smile and then Rosa said a word that made a chill run-down Amber's spine and her brown eyes go wide.
"Earthquake".
It was over.
*** End ***
"We've learned from then Rosa! Raichu, use Grassknot!"
The grass move ran through the terrain, creating a solid foundation and protecting Raichu from the devastating Earthquake move. The grassy knots sprung up and smashed hard into Excadrill, causing the subterrene pokémon to fall backwards.
Surge and his Raichu beamed from the stand. Amber really had come along way in her journey.
"Now Raichu, finish this up with our signature Splishy Splash attack! GO!"
"Splishy what?" Rosa, Ash, Misty, the other Master's and the entire audience in the mini rock stadium all commented in unison with bewildered looks on their faces.
Raichu thundered forwards using his intense speed and full bodyweight to skid powerfully across the floor. The waterlogged terrain from the previous water attacks created a perfect mud wave, smacking into Excadrill hard. The super effective move knocking the ground steel type clean out.
Excadrill lay unmoving, eyes swirling. Rosa was out of pokémon. The Unova Champion had lost!
Amber's eyes glistened. "No … Way … We did it ... WE DID IT! Raichu, Geodude, Lanturn we beat Rosa … WE BEAT ROSA!" Amber jumped up and down on her podium and celebrated the victory.
Rosa stood stunned for a brief moment but closed her eyes and smiled softly and recalled her feinted pokémon. She was defeated and out the competition.
Raichu bounded back over to his jubilant trainer and joined her in the celebrating. Amber picking him up and spinning them around till they both went dizzy, both now covered in splats of mud, not caring at all.
"ALRIGHT!" Surge boomed, punching the air in victory. His student had become the master.
The other gym leaders smiled seeing the electric army lieutenant back to his former self.
The Unova Champion bowed her head and left her podium, walking away with her head held high knowing she'd battled her heart out. Despite the disappointing result, it was a thrill to know there were much stronger trainers out there and although a champion herself, she still had a ways more to grow … renewed with a new sense of purpose, Rosa beamed up at the sky. I'm going to go away and get even stronger. Next time we meet Amber Ketchum, I will beat you.
"Wow I can't believe she beat Rosa, and with her all out electric team! Outstanding. Her Raichu is simply dazzling!" Elesa applauded with vigour, hearts in her eyes completely blown away by Amber.
"Well, I got the good looks of the family, so I guess she must have got some talent." Cole clapped along with the crowd secretly overjoyed for his baby sister.
"That's our kid." Ash beamed with pride, hugging an equally jubilant Misty into his side. "Sure is Ash." Misty couldn't stop the tears of happiness forming in her eyes. "Sure is."
"Piiiii kaaaaaaaaaa" "Rai Rai" Pikachu and Surge's Raichu hugged, both overjoyed for their friends.
Amber looked to the stands where her friends and family we're applauding and whistling her. She caught the eye of Surge who offered her a simple thumbs up.
Amber smiled warmly and looked down to her own victorious Raichu. She faced her demons and come through. Nothing would stop her now. Her and her pokémon we're going all the way!
This competition was theirs!