xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Castelia City, 10:50 a.m. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
'"Maractus, the Cactus Pokémon, a Grass type. Once each year, this Pokémon scatters its seeds. They're jam packed with nutrients, making them a precious food source out in the desert."' Rotom said to Keats as the phone Pokémon showed Keats the PokéDex entry for what he had beaten a moment ago.
Sitting at a table in a locker room waiting area was Keats with Rotom floating slightly above the table after his first official victory in a battle with another trainer.
"That's super gross." Keats said bluntly as he looked at Rotom.
"It's zzzzeedzzzz that grow into plants." Rotom explained.
"Doesn't sound like it to me." Keats said as he folded his arms. "Whoever wrote that for the PokéDex sounds like they were just spreading "foreign literature" more than examining some living cacti." He said in a critical tone.
"What doezzzz that even mean?" Rotom questioned.
"Term from the internet." Keats said with a smirk on his face as Rotom made a confused expression before scanning the web.
"That is a term you made up and I'm just gonna assume it'zzzz gross." Rotom said with a disgruntled look on its face.
"Ha! Made you look!" Keats said jokingly before looking upwards towards a television in the waiting area. "Hey, he's up." He said as Rotom turned to look as well.
Approaching the battle arena was Carter as he walked with a look of confidence in his eyes as he took his place. On the other side was a dark-skinned man with short dreadlocks in his hair, sporting a black tracksuit with yellow stripes with the sleeves rolled up and a yellow and green bandanna around his forehead named Kingston.
"Boom! Boom!" Kingston said loudly as he clapped his hands with each word.
'"Boom! Boom!"' The audience shouted in unison as Carter looked around, bewildered.
"The heck was that?" Carter asked.
"Seems Kingston's kinda popular with the Castelia City audience." Don George said from the commentary desk towards Burgh.
"I had quite the battle with him for a badge the previous day." Burgh said with an interested tone. "He's quite the strong trainer. A local too." The Gym Leader continued.
"Hopefully that means his odds are better than others in this tournament." Keats thought as he watched the battle begin.
"Let's bring the heat!" Kingston exclaimed as he pulled out a Pokéball. "Come on out! Darumaka!" He said as he threw his ball.
Out in a flash of light was a small round creature with webbed hands and feet. Sporting yellow fire-like eyebrows, large round eyes and three yellow spots on its stomach, the creature known as Darumaka jumped up and down in a happy manner.
"Daru!" Darumaka said joyfully.
"This should be good..." Carter said as he pulled out a Pokéball. "Lopunny, come on out!" He said as he opened up the ball and out came Lopunny, as silent as ever.
"This will be a one-on-one battle between Carter from Pyrite Town and Kingston from Castelia City. Are the contestants ready?" The referee said towards the trainers.
"Boom! Boom!" Kingston exclaimed once again with clapping.
'"Boom! Boom!"' The audience screamed in unison once more.
"I'll take that as a yes." The referee said calmly before turning to Carter. "And you?" He asked.
"Can we start?! I want my prize money!" Carter exclaimed in frustration.
"Then let the battle... Begin!" The referee said as the battle commenced.
"Lopunny! Time to Mega Evolve!" Carter screamed as the ring around his finger glowed brightly and the band with the Mega Stone around Lopunnys wrist shined as well.
In a flash of light, the brown and white furred Normal type had been changed into a Normal and Fighting type and sported a more athletic appearance. With slimmer legs, her ears appearing like they were braided, and the arms and feet padded to increase her attacking strength.
"Rotom?" Keats asked towards the Phone Pokémon as it shifted towards the PokéDex for Darumaka.
'"Darumaka, the Zen Charm Pokémon, a Fire type. This popular symbol of good fortune will never fall over in its sleep, no matter how it's pushed or pulled. It derives its power from the fire in its belly. If the fire dwindles, this Pokémon will immediately fall asleep."' Rotom said, reading off Darumakas Dex entry.
"It stays awake when it's hot? Huh, when I get too hot, I fall asleep." Keats thought as he watched the battle begin.
"That's not going to stop us one bit! Darumaka! Use "Fire Spin!"' Kingston exclaimed as his Darumaka opened its mouth.
"Makada!" Darumaka said as a spinning torrent of fire emerged from its gullet.
"Lopunny! Use "Bounce!"' Carter shouted as Lopunny jumped into the air, dodging the "Fire Spin."
"Daru!?" Darumaka said in surprise.
"Ah!" Kingston grunted. "Quick! Darumaka, use "Endure!"' He exclaimed as he commanded his Darumaka.
"Daru!" Darumaka exclaimed as its body began to glow orange.
Dropping down from the air, Lopunny attempted a stomp on Darumaka as the rabbit-like Pokémon landed on the round creature, but Darumaka held its ground as Lopunny stood atop its still standing body.
"What?!" Carter said in surprise.
"Now it's time for the... Boom! Boom!" Kingston exclaimed as he did his catchphrase once again with claps.
'"Boom! Boom!"' The audience screamed in unison another time.
"Boom! Boom!" Keats said in his seat with a pair of claps as Rotom looked at him with confusion.
"Oh knock it off!" Carter said in frustration towards the crowd.
"Darumaka! Use "Fire Spin!"' Kingston said as he ordered Darumaka to use its Fire type move once more.
"Daru!" Darumaka exclaimed as it spit out a spinning torrent of fire once more.
Engulfed in the inferno, Lopunny jumped backwards as a spinning vortex of flames spun around her body, damaging her slightly with each spin. Carter, looking on with anger rising in his eyes, begun to grind his teeth in response.
"Darumaka! Now use "Bite!"' Kingston exclaimed as his Darumaka ran at Lopunny, jumping into the flame vortex and biting down on Lopunnys right wrist as she winced in pain.
"Grrr..." Carter growled.
"My, my. Quite the impressive showing from Kingston against a Mega Evolved Pokémon." Burgh said from the commentary table.
'"Fire Spin" isn't particularly a powerful move but it leaves the opponent in a burning spiral for a period of time." Don George said, giving play-by-play.
"Note to self: look into "Fire Spin."' Keats thought mentally as he wrote "Fire Spin" in black marker on his hand in the waiting area.
"Having fun?" Carter said with agitation in his tone with his head down.
"Huh?" Kingston muttered in confusion.
"Because you shouldn't have gotten so close." Carter said with a malicious look in his eyes. "Lopunny! Use "Close Combat!"' He screamed as Lopunny looked at Darumaka, still biting on her wrist.
Flipping her arm upward and causing Darumaka to fly off her wrist, Lopunny proceeded to punch and kick Darumaka multiple times before the Fire type even hit the ground.
"Daaaarr!" Darumaka exclaimed in pain as it went flying towards Kingston.
"Ah! Darum- guh!" Kingston shouted before Darumaka was hurled into his stomach as the Fire type and its trainer fell down onto the ground with both of their eyes swirling. "Boom... Boom..." He said in pain on the ground.
"Darumaka is unable to battle! The winner of the match is Lopunny!" The referee declared as the crowd watched on as Carter recalled Lopunny into its ball.
"You should've taken care of it with the first move!" Carter said, criticizing Lopunny as he walked away into the stadium.
Meanwhile, back in the waiting area, Keats looked at the TV screen as he watched the aftermath of the battle.
"One hit..." Keats said with a headshake.
"Would have been zzzzmart to bring an item like Lopunny had." Rotom said as Keats looked at the phone.
"Like Timburr's log?" Keats questioned.
"No, I mean like a Held Item, zzzzt." Rotom replied. "Pokémon are allowed to carry one item at a time in circumzzzztances of battles. They can hold a Berry like an Oran Berry to regain a portion of health or even go so far as to give the Pokémon an advantageous item like "Leftovers."' The phone Pokémon explained.
"And Mega Stones count as a "Held Item?"' Keats asked with air quotes.
"Correct, zzzzt." Rotom said.
"Huuuuh..." Keats muttered. "The moment I think I know enough, they add something new..." He thought with frustration.
"Thizzzz is gonna be rough." Rotom said with concern in its voice.
'Hmmmm..." Keats mumbled.
"Idea forming, zzzzt?" Rotom questioned.
"You know... Ever since I saw him battle, He only really uses Marie's Lopunny." Keats said as he scratched his head.
"Hmmmm... I think you're right, zzzzt." Rotom said.
"You... You think Carter doesn't really train his other Pokémon?" Keats asked towards Rotom.
"Beatzzzz me." Rotom replied.
"Hmmmmm..." Keats mumbled as he contemplated what he said.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Castelia City, 11:22 a.m. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
With the fourth match of the preliminaries over, the semifinals were about to begin as Keats had walked out to the battle arena for his second battle in the PokéPotluck tournament. Taking his position, Keats looked on at his opponent for the second round, a man with a tan wearing cargo shorts and a tropical shirt with a pair of sandals and a small brown afro and five o'clock shadow. In his hand was half a coconut with a straw in it that he was sipping on.
"Yo." The man said towards Keats as he took a large sip and then put his drink on the floor.
"Yo." Keats replied.
"Beckham." The man said, introducing himself.
"Keaton, but you can call me "Keats."' Keats said casually.
"Cool." Beckham said.
"Cool." Keats said.
"Cool." Beckham said again.
"Cool." Keats said again as well.
"Cool." Beckham said a third time.
"Cool." Keats said a third time as well.
'"Get on with it!"' The audience screamed in angered protest over the delay for introductions, startling Keats and Beckham.
"The battle between Keats of Ecruteak City and Beckham of Humilau City is about to begin. Are the contestants ready?" The referee asked as Keats took out his Ultra Ball and Beckham pulled out a Pokéball that had a blue top to it and had black-ish X-marks on it.
"Okay, let's get this over with." Keats said to himself. "Druddigon, you're on call!" He exclaimed as he threw his Ultra Ball, with the Dragon type Pokémon emerging in a beam of light.
"Draaaa!" Druddigon roared.
"Come on out, Palpitoad." Beckham said as his ball opened up to reveal his Pokémon.
Emerging from the light was an oval-shaped creature that looked similar to a tadpole or early-stage frog. With tiny blue nubs for arms, it sported a light brown chest and a dark blue body with a white tail with three large light blue pads around its head. Looking at Druddigon, it proceeded to stick its long tongue out of its small mouth in a circular motion in a mocking manner.
"Palpitoad!" Palpitoad bellowed.
"What's that thing?" Keats said aloud as Rotom popped out quickly.
"I gotta make thizzzz fast." Rotom said as it scanned Palpitoad for its PokéDex entry. '"Palpitoad, the Vibration Pokémon, a Water and Ground type. On occasion, their cries are sublimely pleasing to the ear. Palpitoad with larger lumps on their bodies can sing with wider range of sounds."' The phone Pokémon said before returning to Keats' pocket.
"Thanks, Rotom. Big help." Keats said with an annoyed expression.
"Let the battle... Begin!" The referee proclaimed as the match started.
"Druddigon, use "Dig!"' Keats ordered as Druddigon proceeded to dig into the ground.
"Palpitoad, use "Dig."' Beckham ordered calmly as Palpitoad did the same thing.
Burrowing underground and a trail forming above of their movement, Druddigon and Palpitoard proceeded to pass each other as the two popped out from under the battlefield with their backs turned to one another, unsure of where the other was until they looked over their shoulders.
"Swing and a miss there." Don George commented.
"Damn it! Druddigon, go for a "Slash!"' Keats shouted.
"Drudd!" Druddigon exclaimed as its right claw begun to glow white.
"Palpitoad, dodge." Beckham said calmly as Druddigon lunged at Palpitoad.
Jumping at the Water and Ground type, Druddigon swung his claw to no avail as Palpitoad proceeded to duck down and slide on the floor away from the Dragon type Pokémon's attack. Standing up and running after Palpitoad, Druddigon attempted to attack again with "Slash" only for Palpitoad to continue to weave around his attacks with its slipperiness.
"Ugh! It just won't stay still!" Keats exclaimed in frustration as Druddigon continued to chase Palpitoad around the battlefield.
"Yeah." Beckham said as Keats looked at his opponent. "I trained this little guy in speed ever since it was a Tympole. Taught it how to do this too." He said while he looked at his Palpitoad making Druddigon look stupid as he gave chase to the blue frog-like Pokemon. "Palpitoad, use "Rain Dance."' Beckham ordered as Palpitoad stopped sliding.
"Palpi!" Palpitoad exclaimed as its body begun to glow with a blue aura.
As Palpitoad shined, storm clouds begun to appear above the stadium as rain droplets began to drop onto the ground. As the crowd begun to take out umbrellas, put on hoods and do what they could to protect themselves from the water, Keats took off his overshirt and put it over his head to shield himself as Beckham stood calmly in it, getting drenched.
"I better not get a cold because of this!" Keats complained.
"Eh, I'm used to it." Beckham said with a shrug as his small curly afro partially covered his eyes.
"My, what an interesting overcast." Burgh said as he held an umbrella over himself and Don George.
"That's "Rain Dance," it's a move that causes rain to occur. Sometimes to the benefit of the caster." Don George explained.
'"Benefit" how?" Keats thought as he looked on. "Druddigon! Go for another "Dig!"' He exclaimed.
"Drudd!" Druddigon shouted as he dug into the ground once more and burrowed around beneath the battlefield.
Digging through the earth towards Palpitoad, Palpitoad dashed around with incredible swiftness as Druddigon popped out of the ground, failing to land a swing at Palpitoad. Getting out of the hole, the Dragon type Pokémon looked around as Palpitoad was moving at such a speed that it appeared as if it was teleporting.
"Palpitoad!" Palpitoad exclaimed with a smile as it continued to move around as Druddigon looked in every direction to try and get an eye on it.
"It was already fast but how is it even faster?!" Keats shouted in confusion and surprise.
"It's called "Swift Swim."' Beckham said as Keats looked at his opponent.
"Ahhh. Smart." Don George said from his commentary desk.
'"Swift Swim" boosts the speed of the Pokémon with it in the presence of rainfall." Burgh explained.
"Hence the "Rain Dance" being utilized." Don George said as he reached his arm out to touch the rain.
"Crap..." Keats whispered to himself as Druddigon kept looking around.
"Palpitoad, use "Water Pulse."' Beckham said calmly as Palpitoad stopped running.
"Paaaall!" Palpitoad exclaimed as a pulsating orb of blue water had formed in front of it.
Launching it, the orb went flying as it slammed into Druddigon, causing the Dragon Pokémon to stumble backwards slightly.
"Ah!" Keats grunted in surprise.
"Now use "Rock Smash."' Beckham said as his Palpitoad proceeded to run at Druddigon in his dazed state.
Jumping up to meet Druddigon at eye level, Palpitoads front pad on its forehead begun to glow a brown-ish orange and headbutted the Dragon type Pokémon. Falling down onto one knee, Druddigon put its hands on its skull as its head ached from the pain.
"Crap!" Keats said in shock.
"That's a bellring- huh?!" Beckham said calmly until finally having a different reaction as he saw his Palpitoad now wincing in pain.
"Huh? Oh!" Keats grunted in surprise until realizing what occurred. '"Rough Skin!"' He said as he pointed at the commentary team.
"Ahhh the ability that causes damage when an opponent strikes the Pokémon with a physically attacking move." Don George said as he stroked his chin.
"Now Palpitoad finally has been hit." Burgh commented.
"Pa-Palpitoad! Use your speed!" Beckham exclaimed in a flustered tone as Palpitoad used the rainfall to run around in a circle around Druddigon once more.
"Oh, so you do have the ability to raise your voice?" Keats thought as he looked at his opponent finally showing an emotion besides apathy. "Druddigon, use "Slash!" Aim for the direction its moving!" He ordered.
As Palpitoad circled Druddigon, the Dragon type Pokémon's right claw glowed once again as he swung it in the direction the Water and Ground type had moved until Druddigon uppercut Palpitoad with its claw, sending it backwards onto its back.
"Palpi!" Palpitoad grunted in pain.
"Guh!" Beckham muttered in surprise.
"Ha!" Keats shouted as he finally managed a hit. "Gotta keep going!" He thought as he prepped for his next move. "Druddigon, use "Dig" again!" Keats ordered.
"Druddigon!" Druddigon exclaimed as the Dragon type dug underground once more.
"Not happening!" Beckham exclaimed in anger. "Palpitoad, use "Dig" too!" He ordered as Palpitoad jumped back up to its feet.
"Palpitoad!" Palpitoad exclaimed as the blue frog-like Pokémon dove into the earth once again as well, close to one of the holes dug prior.
"Just got to dodge like last time!" Beckham thought as he watched the two Pokémon burrow trails once again.
"They're gonna miss again... Unless..." Keats thought until an idea formed in his head. "Druddigon! If you can hear me, use "Dragon Tail" underground to light the way!" He screamed as Druddigon overheard.
"Drudd!" Druddigon said as its tail begun to glow a bright green from its move as the light started to make it easier for Druddigon to see.
Glowing brightly, Druddigons tail revealed a pre-existing pathway from earlier in the fight as Druddigon turned its head and begun to notice something running from down the path. Peering ahead, Druddigon saw Palpitoad approaching as Druddigon rushed at the Water and Ground type.
"Pal!?" Palpitoad exclaimed in surprise.
"Druuuuuuuddigon!" Druddigon bellowed as it swung its glowing green tail in an upward motion and smacked Palpitoad into the ceiling of the tunnel, crashing through it and back up top.
"Got it!" Keats said in surprise and happiness.
"No!" Beckham said as he grabbed his head in disbelief.
"Palpi... Toad..." Palpitoad exclaimed in pain as it landed on its back once again, now with its eyes swirling into an unconscious state as the clouds from "Rain Dance" began to dissipate and the sun and blue sky returning.
"Palpitoad is unable to battle! The winner of the match is Druddigon!" The Battle Club referee declared as the match officially ended as Druddigon dug itself out.
"Oh god damn it!" Beckham said in frustration and annoyance as he fell to his knees as he pulled out his Pokéball and recalled his Palpitoad.
"Druddigon!" Druddigon roared victoriously as Keats approached his Pokemon.
"Holy Miltanks! You actually won. I had zero expectations and you pulled it off!" Keats said towards his Dragon type Pokémon as Druddigon quickly froze in shock from Keats' words as Druddigon put his arms down and fell forward onto his face and chest.
"Drudd-drudd!" Druddigon cried in a pitiful manner on the ground from Keats' unintended insult attacking its pride.
"Well, that's quite a sight." Burgh said as he looked at Keats' Druddigon making a scene.
"That's one way to celebrate a victory." Don George said as he stroked his chin in confusion.
"Eh... So-sorry." Keats said embarrassingly as he pulled out his Ultra Ball and recalled Druddigon before anything else happened as he walked back into the arena as Rotom popped out of his pocket.
"Only one more to go, zzzzt!" Rotom said with a smile.
"And that would be Carter in the finals..." Keats said as he scratched his neck.
"Do you have a plan, Keatzzz?" Rotom asked.
"Hopefully the one I have does the trick..." Keats replied as Rotom went back in his pocket as he walked towards the waiting area once more.
Casually moving through the hall, Keats stopped at the doorway to the locker room. As he reached forward, he quickly pulled his hand away as he noticed the door was opening and stepped backwards. Exiting out from the locker room was a familiar but unwelcome individual: Carter, who noticed Keats.
"Well, well, well... Look who it is." Carter said with a smug expression on his face. '"Mr. Two wins and two losses". Don't think you're gonna be outpacing your fails though." He said as he closed the door behind him.
"You're saying that to try and get under my skin, but by now I think I know how to get under your skin." Keats said with squinted eyes as Carter looked at Keats with a confused expression.
"Oh yeah? How?" Carter questioned.
"I can guess why you always seemed to fight with just Marie's Lopunny. It's because your other Pokémon probably suck, don't they?" Keats said as he bent forward slightly to meet Carter at eye level. "Don't bother training them when you have one really powerful Pokémon, eh? That's not even yours." He continued with an angry tone.
"Oh, and what made you come to that conclusion?" Carter said with a smug face. "Easy to assume. But it doesn't mean anything if you can't even get past my Lopunny." He continued with a smirk.
"So you're saying I'm right then." Keats said with a similar smirk as Carters dropped his air of arrogance.
"What I'm saying is that you're not winning this tournament and you're definitely not getting my Lopunny. Cold hard fact." Carter said with a malicious tone.
"Not even your Pokémon and you win with it? Man, you must be an even worse trainer than me." Keats muttered as he looked away.
"And like I said, no one cares if it's not!" Carter shouted as Keats turned back to look at him.
"Well I do and Lopunnys actual trainer does! You wouldn't even be worth a damn if you actually used your own Pokémon to fight me!" Keats said.
"Oh, is that a bet?!" Carter shouted in a frustrated tone.
"Yeah! It is! What do you wager?!" Keats replied.
"Fine, how about this then! I'll battle you without using Lopunny first. And if I win, which I will, you can piss off back to Johto and live the rest of your miserable and pathetic life wishing you were a decent trainer." Carter declared angrily as he walked past Keats, bumping into the larger young adult's shoulder.
"And what do I get if I win?" Keats said as he rubbed his shoulder while looking at Carter walking away.
"You figure it out, you fat dumbass!" Carter screamed as he walked away.
"Dirtbag..." Keats whispered to himself with a sigh. "But at least I got a guarantee." He thought with worry.
But can we guarantee that that guarantee is guaranteed of its guaranteed...ness? Screw it, whatever. Carter has made it past round two with a resounding win over Kingston and his "Boom! Boom!" and his Darumaka. Following that, Keats made it to the finals after a tough battle with a rather lethargic guy with a Palpitoad to battle whoever wins the next round... But the winner seems obvious. Is the final battle up next?! I have no clue! I'm just the narrator!
Keats' Pokémon:
1. Pineco.
2. Timburr.
3. Druddigon.