xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Castelia City, 12:30 p.m. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Ladies and gentlemen." Don George said as he grabbed a microphone and walked to the center of the battle arena. "Today's competition has been quite the show, wouldn't you say?" He said as he addressed the crowd. "What started with a fishing contest to test trainer's abilities to acquire unique Pokémon then became a clash of eight skilled combatants to decide who would take home a lofty cash prize." Don George continued as the crowd looked on.
"And a contest bound to end in a ton of excitement." Burgh thought as he watched his co-commentator give a rousing speech.
"But now we are down to two final contestants in the PokéPotluck. And it's time for a winner to be decided. Allow me to introduce the two trainers who have made it to our final battle." Don George said calmly as he raised his left arm to direct the audience to one of the entrances in the arena as a Battle Club referee took position on a stand.
Emerging from the darkness and into the light was a young man in his teens sporting a blonde mullet, a brown and black pilot jacket over a green shirt and wearing brown pants and shoes. Approaching a side of the battle arena, the teen had a cocky smirk on his face as he looked around at the crowd.
"Currently undefeated in the Battle Club, with a winning streak in the double digits and all predominantly with just one Pokémon. From Pyrite Town, this is Carter." Don George said as Carter stood ready.
"Been waiting for this. Hehe." Carter said with his arms folded.
"His semi-final match against Lennon and her Panpour was over in less than a minute." Burgh thought as he looked at the teenage trainer.
"And his opponent." Don George said as he switched hands and pointed in the opposite direction of where Carter stood.
Emerging the same way as his opponent was a young adult with a husky frame, a beard with no moustache, messy short brown hair and sporting a rolled-up sleeve button up shirt with a green camo design over a long sleeve puke green shirt with two buttons down the collar with an image of a Haunter on it, light brown cargo pants and black sneakers. Walking up to his side of the arena, the trainer scratched his head as he eyed the smug look on Carters face.
"A new addition to the Battle Club, his first actual victories in the Club were here today. From Ecruteak City, this is Keats." Don George said as Keats looked at Don George.
"Hey! Was that necessary?!" Keats exclaimed in an annoyed tone.
"Is it not true?" Burgh asked as Keats looked at the Unova gym leader.
"I... I- shut up!" Keats said in a flustered tone.
"Pfff!" Carter laughed. "What a loser!" He said, insulting Keats.
"And you!" Keats exclaimed as he pointed at the teen. "I'm going to put you in a hole in the ground and kick you like a football!" He angrily threatened.
"Like hell you are! What's gonna happen is that I am going to beat you and then you're going home back to your miserable life in whatever small dung heap you live in while I roll around in the cash." Carter angrily shouted back.
"Quite a heated confrontation between this pair." Burgh said with a calm smile.
"Calm down you two. Save it for the battle." Don George said as looked at Keats and Carter before returning to looking at the crowd.
"Fat idiot... But I'll show you how "weak" I am without your sisters Lopunny." Carter thought as he looked at Keats.
"Little turd... Better hold his end of the deal... And hope my strategy works." Keats thought as he looked at Carter.
"I will now hand this over to the referee so we can begin the final battle of the PokéPotluck." Don George said as he took his microphone and went back to the commentary desk and sat next to Burgh.
"The battle between Carter from Pyrite Town and Keats from Ecruteak City is about to begin. It will be a three-on-three battle with the winner being decided when all of the opposing teams Pokémon are unable to battle. Are the combatants ready?" The referee asked towards the trainers.
"Yup!" Keats said loudly.
"Let's get this over with!" Carter proclaimed as he took out a Pokéball.
"Let the battle... Begin!" The referee exclaimed as the match had commenced.
"Pawniard, come on out!" Carter said as he opened up his Pokéball and out came his Pokémon.
Small and bipedal with a round red and black head, the creature sported a sharp blade on top of its skull. Four steel spikes protruding from its black torso and red legs with two white toes. On the ends of its red arms was short blades for hands.
"Paaaawn!" Pawniard exclaimed as Keats' eyes widened at the sight of it.
"That thing is carrying a knife!" Keats exclaimed.
"Actually, that's a part of its body." Don George said towards Keats as Rotom popped out of his pocket.
"Let me read itzzzz Dex entry." Rotom said as it scanned Pawniard. '"Pawniard, the Sharp Knife Pokémon, a Dark and Steel type. A pack of these Pokémon forms to serve a Bisharp boss. Each Pawniard trains diligently, dreaming of one day taking the lead."' The phone Pokémon said as it read off the Dex entry before going back into Keats' pocket.
"Dark and Steel..." Keats said quietly to himself. "Okay, let's see how this goes..." He thought as he pulled out a Pokéball. "Pineco, you're on call!" Keats exclaimed as he opened up his ball.
"Pineco!" Pineco said as the Bug type had appeared on Keats' side of the field.
'"Oooohhhhh!"' The crowd said collectively in intrigue at the sight of the unfamiliar Johto Pokémon.
"Oh my!" Burgh exclaimed in excitement. "A Pineco! I've never seen one of those before!" The gym leader said in an ecstatic tone.
"Certainly makes the final battle more intriguing." Don George said as he rubbed his chin. "Have you heard the story of the giant Pineco that was discovered near Aspertia City?" He asked towards the Bug type specialist.
"Why yes I have! Quite the story, I was planning on heading there once the tournament had ended. A large Bug type like that would make a great addition to my team in gym challenges." Burgh said casually as Keats overheard.
"I'm getting a plane ticket as soon as this is over... I'm never coming back to this region..." Keats thought nervously as he shifted his eyes left and right.
"Pawniard, use "Metal Claw!"' Carter ordered as Pawns blade hands extended and begun to glow with a silver light.
"Pawni!" Pawniard exclaimed as it ran at Pineco.
"Pineco! Use "Protect!"' Keats ordered towards his Pokémon.
"Pineeeeco!" Pineco said as a green barrier formed around her body as Pawniard slammed its blade against the shield, blocking the attack.
"Pineco! Attack with "Spikes!"' Keats exclaimed as Pineco hopped backwards to make distance from Pawniard and then proceeded to jump into the air.
"Pineco!" Pineco shouted as she proceeded to spin in a clockwise motion.
"Pawniard! Swat them away!" Carter ordered as Pawniard readied itself
Ejecting from her body was a series of caltrop-shaped projectiles, aimed directly at the Steel and Dark type Pokémon. Using its extended blades, Pawniard proceeded to knock away the "Spikes," preventing them from doing damage to it. As the caltrops landed onto the arena floor, they began to sink into the ground.
"That the best you got?!" Carter said with a malicious smile. "Doesn't even matter if it's a Ground type move, it's not like that's going to-" He continued until he was cut off.
"Pineco! Use "Spikes" again! But aim around Pawniard!" Keats ordered as Pineco jumped back up into the air and proceeded to shoot caltrops once again.
"Pineco!" Pineco said as she spun around and threw caltrops all around Carters side of the battlefield.
"Pawniard?" Pawniard said in confusion as it noticed that Pineco wasn't even aiming at it.
"...What are you doing?" Carter said in confusion as he noticed Pineco wasn't attacking his Pokémon.
"Something that a dumb kid who relies on raw power that's not their own like you wouldn't get." Keats said with squinted eyes towards his opponent as Don George and Burgh looked at one another with confusion.
"Grrr..." Carter growled from Keats' comment. "Pawniard, use "Metal Claw," one more time!" The angry teen shouted as Pawniards blades glowed once again.
"Pawniard!" Pawniard exclaimed as it ran at Pineco to attack.
"Pineco, use "Protect!"' Keats shouted as Pineco formed a barrier once more, blocking Pawniards attack.
"Seems we're at a standstill." Don George said as he watched on from his commentary desk.
"It is interesting to see a battle like this where Carter's Lopunny isn't out to sweep his opponent." Burgh said as he critiqued the battle.
"You can only block with "Protect" so many times in a row!" Carter bellowed in frustration. "Let's end this already! Pawniard, use-" He said until being cut off once again.
"Pineco, return!" Keats said as he pulled out Pinecos Pokéball and brought back the Bug type into her ball.
"Keats has recalled his Pineco?" Burgh questioned.
"Hmmmm interesting." Don George muttered
"What?!" Carter exclaimed. "Why'd he do that?" He thought, confused.
"Had to look over the rules but turns out, there's no limit on swapping out as many times as I want." Keats said with a grin on his face. "Druddigon, you're on call!" He exclaimed as he opened up his Ultra Ball and out came his Dragon type.
"Druuuud!" Druddigon screamed as it appeared on Keats' side of the battlefield.
"Hmph! You swapped out a Bug for a Dragon against a Steel type, dumbass!" Carter shouted with a confident and cocky smile on his face.
"Weren't paying attention during my match earlier?" Keats asked.
"No, why?" Carter replied.
"What's a weakness of Steel types?... Ground moves." Keats said with an angry smirk. "Druddigon, "Dig!"' He shouted as Druddigon proceeded to burrow into the ground.
"Guh!" Carter mumbled.
"Pawn?! Pawn!?" Pawniard said as it looked around for Druddigon.
Suddenly, underneath the Steel and Dark type, the earth begun to shake as Druddigon emerged from directly under the small, bladed creature. Clotheslining Pawniard with his arm and with pieces of stone expelling from the battlefield, the Dragon type knocked the Steel and Dark type into the air and then landing on its back with super effective damage.
"Pawugh!" Pawniard grunted in pain as it hit the ground.
"Druuuud!" Druddigon roared as he jumped back to Keats' side of the field.
"Ha!" Keats laughed bluntly as he pointed at Carter as he begun to twitch in rage.
"...Screw the agreement!" Carter thought as he took out one of his Pokéballs. "Pawniard, return!" The teenage trainer said as he recalled his Pokémon and pulled out a different ball. "Lopunny, come on out!" Carter screamed in frustration as he summoned out his powerful and stolen Mega Evolving Normal type.
As Lopunny emerged from her ball, the rabbit-like Pokémon stoically landed on Carters side of the battlefield. Suddenly, however, the ground beneath Lopunnys feet begun to glow as she looked down to notice a myriad of glowing spikes extended from the floor. As the spikes pierced and phased through her feet, a small series of firecracker-like explosions went off as Lopunny took damage, falling to one knee in response.
"What the- what was that?!" Carter exclaimed in surprise.
"Oh my." Burgh said from his commentary desk.
"Ahhhhh I see what happened." Don George said as he analyzed the battle with Carter and Burgh turning towards him. '"Spikes."' He said casually.
"What?!" Carter screamed in confusion.
"It's called "Spikes."' Keats said as he caught Carters attention. "Sometimes it works as an attack, but it also has a nice aftereffect." He said as he enjoyed the aggravated look on his opponent's face. "It makes so it when you swap out Pokémon, they get a nice little surprise when they pop out. A nice little set of explosive needles through their feet!" Keats said with a surprising level of confidence in his tone.
Twitching in anger, Carter proceeded to lift his hand with his Mega Stone ring and pressed on it without saying a word. Upon doing such, Lopunny began to glow brightly as the Mega Stone she was holding on her arm reacted, transforming her. Her ears taking a braided form, her arms and feet being padded by cushioned fur and her legs now covered in a black layer, Lopunny now became Mega Lopunny, gaining the Fighting typing.
"It's time to end this! Lopunny, use "Bounce!"' Carter screamed as Lopunny proceeded to jump high into the air as Keats and Druddigon looked up.
"Wait for it..." Keats said as he looked at Lopunny. "Hope this works too..." He thought with a bit of sweat dripping down the side of his face.
"Now kick his stupid Dragon Pokémon!" Carter yelled as Lopunny descended towards Druddigon, attempting to dropkick him.
"Druddigon, use "Roar!"' Keats screamed as Druddigon took a deep breath.
"Drraaaaaahhhh!" Druddigon screamed as he used "Roar."
As the shockwave of yelling overtook Lopunny on her way down from the air, her body was suddenly overtaken by red light. Turning into energy, Lopunny was suddenly recalled back into her ball in Carters pocket.
"Wha?!" Carter exclaimed in surprise as a red light emerged from his pocket and out came Pawniard once more.
"Pawn!? Pawn?!" Pawniard said in surprise as it looked around, unsure as to how it was called back out.
Underneath the Steel and Dark types feet, the same glowing light that affected Lopunny had returned as Pawniard looked down. See-through spikes had extended from the earth below it and phased through its feet, letting off firecracker-like explosions once again, damaging Pawniard.
"Pawniardard!" Pawniard grunted in pain as it fell down to its knife hands and knees.
"Pawniard!" Carter said in shock. "What happened?! I didn't swap out!" He said towards the referee and commentators.
"How exciting!" Burgh said with interest as he watched the fight go on.
'"Roar" has the ability to send away Pokémon in a battle. If it's against a wild Pokémon, it makes them leave you alone but in a battle against another trainer, it can force out a different Pokémon." Don George explained.
"I will say it again... "Ha!"' Keats said calmly before doing a blunt laugh once more.
"Grrrr!" Carter growled in response to being outsmarted by Keats' surprisingly well-thought-out strategy.
"Druddigon, use "Dig!" One more time!" Keats ordered as Druddigon proceeded to go underground and dug towards Pawniard.
"Dodge it!" Carter screamed towards his Pokémon.
"Pawwnn... Pawn!" Pawniard said in pain as it was still on its bladed arms and knees as the Dragon type emerged from the earth below, clotheslining the Steel and Dark type once again as it fell back onto the ground with its eyes swirling, signifying its defeat.
"Pawniard is unable to battle! The winner is Druddigon!" The referee declared as Keats' managed to knock out one of Carters Pokémon.
"Guh!" Carter muttered in surprise.
"Impressive showing." Burgh said calmly as him, Don George and the crowd looked on.
"Think that's the first time I've seen Carter lose a Pokémon in a battle." Don George said as he scratched his chin as Carters eyes twitched profusely.
"This can't be happening..." Carter thought with rising anger. "You-you beat just one of my Pokémon... But you're not going to beat this one!" He said with a frustrated tone as he pulled out his Pokéball and recalled Pawniard before switching to a different ball. "Eelektrik, come on out!" Carter screamed angrily as he threw his ball.
What came out of the Pokéball was a black and white eel-like creature with a pair of round eyes, red leech-like lips and yellow fins with a red tailfin, floating above the ground. As it levitated, the eel-like Pokémon sparked yellow electricity around its body.
"Hmmmm..." Keats mumbled as he took out his Rotom phone and scanned Eelektrik for its PokéDex entry.
"Let me zzzzee..." Rotom said. '"Eelektrik, the EleFish Pokémon, an Electric type. These Pokémon have a very big appetite. When they spot their prey, they attack it and paralyze it with electricity."' The phone Pokémon said as it read off the Dex entry.
"It's not touching the ground..." Keats said to himself as he put away Rotom again.
"That's because Eelektriks ability is "Levitate."' Carter said as he caught Keats' attention. "It means Eelektrik is immune to your little caltrop field and is even immune to Ground type moves. Eelektrik and its evolutionary forms are the only Pokémon in existence with zero weaknesses!" He said with a tone of confidence and braggadocio.
"Is that true?" Burgh asked towards Don George.
"Correct. Tynamo, Eelektrik and Eelektross are the only Pokémon currently known who can't be hit with a move that normally would be super effective." Don George replied bluntly.
"Eelektrik, use "Discharge!"' Carter commanded.
"Eeeee!" Eelektrik exclaimed as its body begun to spark up with yellow electricity as bolts of lightning expelled from its body.
"Druuuuudd!" Druddigon screamed as it was struck by the Electric attack, but the Dragon type held his ground.
"You can fly but aren't a Flying type thankfully..." Keats thought as he saw his Pokémon tank the hit. "Druddigon, come on back!" He said as he took out his Ultra Ball and recalled Druddigon back into his ball.
"Oh? Another substitution?" Don George said, curious.
"Pineco, you're on call!" Keats exclaimed as he took out a different Pokéball and brought back out his Bug type.
"Pineco!" Pineco said as it landed on the ground.
"What did I just say!? "Spikes" is a Ground type move; it won't work on my Eelektrik!" Carter said with a malicious smirk. "Now! Use "Spark!"' He shouted as Eelektriks body was covered in a layer of electricity and proceeded to lunge at Pineco.
"Pineco, use "Protect!"' Keats ordered as Pineco once again covered herself in a green barrier to block Eelektrik as the floating eel slammed its head against the barrier.
"Will you stop doing that?!" Carter shouted angrily.
"Bite me!" Keats replied with a similar aggravation. "Pineco, it's not going to hit but do it anyway! "Spikes!"' He ordered as Pineco jumped into the air and threw out caltrops for a third time during the battle.
Shooting them aimlessly, the caltrops sunk into Carters side of the battlefield once more as Eelektrik looked around at the caltrops, not hitting it.
"Waste of time..." Carter muttered with an annoyed attitude. "Eelektrik, use "Dischar-" He ordered but was cut off once more by Keats.
"Pineco, return!" Keats said as he recalled his Bug type once again.
"You've gotta be kidding me! Again!?" Carter exclaimed.
"Timburr, you're on call!" Keats shouted as he called out his Fighting type Pokémon.
"Timburr! Timtim!" Timburr said as the mole-like creature stood firm with his squared log over his right shoulder.
"So, it appears we know all three Pokémon on both sides now. Carter has Lopunny, Pawniard and Eelektrik and Keats has Pineco, Druddigon and Timburr." Burgh said from his commentary table.
"But currently, Keats is in the lead." Don George commented as Carter turned his head towards the play-by-play table.
"Not for long!" Carter exclaimed before turning back to the battle. "Eelektrik, use "Discharge!" Once again!" He commanded.
"Eeeee!" Eelektrik bellowed as it sparked up once more.
"Dodge!" Keats shouted as Timburr readied himself.
Unleashing lightning bolts from its body once again, Eelektrik shot them all throughout the arena, but Timburr managed to dodge them by weaving past the strikes. At points, even using his squared log as a shield for himself by carrying it overhead as some of the lightning hit the log to block it.
"Timburr! Go for "Poison Jab!" Let's try and poison it!" Keats commanded as Timburr dropped his log upon the stoppage of Eelektrik's "Discharge."
"Tiiiim!" Timburr said as his right-hand glowed purple and rushed at Eelektrik.
"Dodge! Then use "Spark!"' Carter shouted in response.
"Keep going!" Keats screamed back.
Between the screaming from the trainers, Timburr and Eelektrik went back and forth attempting to strike one another with Timburrs poisoned palm and Eelektriks electrified mouth but continually ducked out of the way of their attacks. As the continuous dodging occurred, the PokéPotluck crowd watched on in with looks of intrigue and excitement at the heavily competitive battle before them.
"Son of a- hit that damn thing already!" Carter complained at his Eelektrik for being unable to hit Timburr.
"Okay, time for plan B..." Keats thought as he continued to watch Timburr miss his "Poison Jab." "Timburr, grab your log!" He ordered as Timburr jumped backwards and picked up his log from the ground.
"Whatever you're doing, it's not going to work!" Carter shouted. "Eelektrik, levitate up to dodge!" He ordered.
"Eeeeee!" Eelektrik squealed as it floated upwards, several feet above the arena.
"Timburr, use "Smack Down!"' Keats exclaimed as Timburr nodded.
"Timb!" Timburr said as an orange aura appeared around Timburrs log.
Squatting and then placing his hands underneath one of the ends of the log, Timburr proceeded to caber toss his orange glowing log into the air. With powerful force, the log flew high above Eelektrik until it descended downward across Eelektriks body, causing it to descend back to the ground and onto the arena floor.
"Eeeeee!" Eelektrik screamed in pain as the Electric type fell to the ground with Timburrs log now on top of it.
"Guh!" Carter grunted in surprise.
"Ahhhh... "Smack Down." Good choice of tactics." Don George said as Carter turned to look at the commentators once more.
"A Rock type move that can be used to knock down Flying types or Pokémon with levitation abilities." Burgh explained.
"What?!" Carter exclaimed before turning back to the battle.
"I had to spend so many hours figuring out how moves worked last night before today's battles." Keats said as he looked at Carter. "Then I had to spend time today between the matches just to watch everyone's battles to see what to do! I think I've lost some important stuff in my head! I knew a recipe for "Glalie Snowballs" in my skull and now it's been replaced with how "Spikes" works!" He complained while pointing at his head.
'"His brain's not big enough to retain all that?"' Carter, Don George and Burgh thought in unison.
"Mmmmm... "Glalie Snowballs" are delicious." Don George said.
"Chocolate and cream with a nice layer of coconut and marshmallow." Burgh said as he shook his head with a smile.
"I once made those at home!" Keats said with a smile, distracted.
"How'd they come out?" Burgh asked.
"It took me twelve tries but I finally got it down. I ended up buying a bunch of pre-made ones, separating them the coconut and marshmallow layer and the chocolate and cream internal parts into two bowls and then just got some cupcake tins and put them in the oven for a moment." Keats said as Burgh and Don George looked at him with confusion.
"...That's not a real recipe." Burgh said with a concerned tone.
"The hell is going on?" Carter thought with an exasperated expression as his Eelektrik continued to flounder under the log as Timburr was waiting for Keats to make a command while looking at his trainer with a judgmental expression.
"Forget it! Timburr, "Poison Jab!" Keats ordered as he got back to paying attention to the battle.
"Timb!" Timburr said as he rushed at Eelektrik and proceeded to smack the eel-like Pokémon in the face with a purple open palm.
"Eeeeee..." Eelektrik moaned until it passed out, its eyes swirling into unconsciousness.
"Eelektrik is unable to battle! The winner is Timburr!" The referee for the match declared as Carters body begun to shake with rage.
"And now it's down to one for Carter and three for Keats." Burgh commented.
"And for a third time... "Ha!"' Keats said with dual finger guns and a grin.
"This... Is..." Carter said slowly and angrily as he took out his Pokéball and recalled Eelektrik. "Crap! Crap! Crap! Crap! Crap! This is nothing but a load of bullcrap!" He thought as he started to smack his knees in frustration.
"The heck?" Keats thought as he noticed Carter was starting to have a fit.
"I am done... I am so done with you, you annoying fat moron!" Carter muttered in anger. "Screw the stupid hazard!" He screamed as he took out his last Pokéball.
"Whoa, wait!" Keats said in surprise.
"Lopunny, get out here!" Carter said as his stolen Lopunny emerged from its ball once again, still in her Mega Evolved form.
Upon landing on the ground, the "Spikes" activated once again as clear spikes emerged from the arena floor. Phasing through her feet, small firecracker explosions went off, damaging her. However, unlike before, Lopunny stood up straight and withstood the blasts, completely stoic and undisturbed.
"She didn't even flinch..." Keats said with a shocked tone as he and Timburr were surprised at Lopunnys lack of reaction.
"Lopunny, use "Close Combat!"' Carter commanded as Lopunny rushed at Timburr, the Fighting type getting caught off guard by how quickly she sprinted at him.
"Bl-block it!" Keats said in a flustered tone.
Making fists, Lopunny proceeded to punch Timburr multiple times with the mole-like Pokémon using his log as a shield with some of the strikes hitting the log and some striking Timburrs face. Switching it up, Lopunny proceeded to lift her legs for roundhouse-style kicks, knocking away Timburrs log with one kick and then another hitting Timburr in face, knocking him to the floor.
"Timb-ugh!" Timburr grunted in pain as he fell to the ground.
"Oh no!" Keats exclaimed.
"Lopunny! Use "Energy Ball!"' Carter ordered as Lopunny put her hands close to each other and a large orb of green and brown energy began to form.
"Damn it! I wasn't expecting them to be so quick!" Keats thought as he looked at Lopunny readying her attack. "Timburr, come back!" He shouted as he took out Timburrs Pokéball and recalled the Fighting type.
As the ball turned Timburr into energy and was returned to the safety of his Pokéball, Lopunny threw down her orb and exploded against the ground. Looking at the damage, Keats' eyes widened in surprise at the crater before looking at the complete lack of emotion on her face and then at Carter who was still shaking with rage.
"Jeez... Calm down kid..." Keats thought as he saw his opponent failing to conceal his anger.
Someone call an ambulance because I think someone is on the verge of a seizure. I should know, I have gotten angry before when I've had to wait for the douchebag writer to get these chapters out and I was borderline ready to go to the hospital because the dumbass was on that stupid break he took- I have been told to shut up now. The battle between Keats and Carter has begun and while Keats has managed to get a solid lead by defeating Carter's Pawniard and Eelektrik, the real challenge has begun with Mega Lopunny now on the field. Tanking Keats' "Spikes" strategy upon Mega Evolving, Keats now has to see if he can win with his trio against one really powerful Pokémon. Stay tuned...
Keats' Pokémon:
1. Pineco.
2. Timburr.
3. Druddigon.