NSO Chapter 22
(Day 1, Part 1)
I don't own Pokemon.
"When is Gayle coming back from her Battle Club Camp again?"
"The camp lasts five days, Zenith. I've told you this before. She'll be back on the last day of our break. I must admit, it's nice that your school just lets us not go to school when there's nothing left to learn. It's only a week, but I'll take it!"
"I know, right? A week of no school, then Post-Exam Activities, then the last month of the year, which is also of a holiday, before going back to school as Year 4s!"
On her place on her bed, Cleo leaned over to look at Zenith, who was lying on the floor as usual. "You know, Zenith. I love every part of you and all, but I really wish you'd stop planning so far ahead sometimes. It really makes everything seem so short, and bums everyone out. Anyways, want to walk around the neighbourhood?"
"Sure. Not like there's anything else to do here anyway."
Getting up from the bedroom floor, he opened the door for the Vaporeon before leaving the room himself. The house was quiet as the duo walked down the stairs. Mrs Torrent had left for work, Cliff still had school, while Zoey and Julley had part-time jobs in this town.
However, the atmosphere of the neighbourhood was the total opposite. Most Pokemon, students of Kingdra High, suddenly found themselves with a week of free time due to her break. Pokemon stood on the pavement, chatting with one another animatedly, while those with nothing to do just stood around awkwardly, looking around for something to do. Some Pokemon were practising battle moves on a nearby field, and a game of soccer was playing out a short distance away. In short, the break was like a very long recess, and the neighbourhood was a school's playground.
And what was a playground without its bullies?
From the doorstep of the Torrent house, Zenith could see trouble making its way over to the battling Pokemon, in the shape of a large, Poison/Ground-type Pokemon. The Umbreon prodded Cleo with a paw and pointed towards the field, where she saw the same thing as he did. Silently, they padded over to the large, lush patch of grass, curious to see what the Nidoking would do this time.
On the field was a large circle of sandy ground, the grass trampled to death by countless playful Pokemon during countless bouts of fun. But now, the arena of dirt was occupied by a Blaziken and a Manectric, who were in the middle of a fiery battle, literally. As they clashed, every attack they made sent sparks and cinders flying through the air, bursts of flames heating up the atmosphere even more.
In the middle of the makeshift battling field was a small circular stone. It was the size of a large marble and was slightly translucent. Its surface was a gradient of purple, blue and green, and a small DNA spiral could be seen in the middle of the stone, but the ends of the spiral met together, forming pointed tips. Through the many conversations around him, Zenith could gather enough information to infer that this was a 'tournament' these Pokemon has come up with, and the prize was the stone in the middle.
Huh. I wonder what that stone is. Does it do anything?
Dialga? Any thoughts?
Dialga?
Before Zenith could get an answer to his question, a large "OOH" rose from the crowd around him. The Blaziken hit the ground with a thump, eyes in spirals. Small sparks of electricity served across the unconscious, feathered body.
"And Shockhound wins again!" The Manectric lifted his head to the sky and roared triumphantly, and the crowd surrounding the sandy ring erupted into thunderous cheers and applause.
The electric-type reached out to pick up the stone, but a guttural roar from the middle of the crowd froze him in his tracks.
This cannot be good.
The crowd fell deathly silent, Pokemon scrambling to one side to allow the hulking shape of the Nidoking to emerge and step into the 'arena'. The Manectric suddenly looked a lot less confident as he faced his new competitor.
"Well, Shockhound," Kurt sneered. "Looks like your winning streak's about to come to a very messy end."
The battle was almost painful to watch. The fight was only about three minutes long, if what Zenith watched could be considered a 'fight'. It would be more appropriate to call it an absolute thrashing. Due to type weakness and immunity, the Manectric was unable to make a scratch on Kurt, while the Nidoking just shrugged off all his electric attacks with ease. Zenith noted Kurt's battling method. It was a ruthless, all-out attack, not giving the opponent a chance to fight back or recover. He had obviously been training a lot more since his last humiliating defeat.
Zenith! You can't let Kurt get his claws on that stone!
What? Why? I mean, he's actually doing nothing wrong. Also, where were you for the past few days?
Never mind that! Kurt just can't have the stone! I can't explain this to you now, but it is of utmost importance that Kurt does not obtain the Me- marble! I mean stone!
One day, you and I are going to have a little chat where you explain all this to me.
Zenith looked around for Cleo and spotted her quite some distance away. She was sitting on her haunches, paws over her mouth as she watched the horrifying spectacle in front of her. Turning to look back at the fight, Zenith noticed that Kurt had picked the Manectric up by one of its limbs, and was now bringing the Pokemon above his head, before smashing it into the ground repeatedly, even though the Manectric has already fainted. Now THIS Zenith couldn't stand. He shoved his way through the crowd until he reached the Vaporeon's side, and told her what he was going to do.
"Just provide backup... if I need it. I don't think Kurt will fight fairly when facing me. But if he does, leave me to face him, one on one. I'm pretty sure I can take him on myself."
With Cleo's nod of acknowledgement, Zenith stepped out of the arena and into the sand circle.
"Hey, asshole! Leave the poor Manectric alone, you sick bastard."
The entire crowd was already silent, the only sound being the countless thuds of the Manectric being slammed against the floor again and again. That sound stopped as Kurt let go of the Pokemon in his claws, looking around to try to see the Pokémon that has insulted him. When the Nidoking's gaze landed on Zenith, his smile grew wider than anyone had seen before, causing the Umbreon to shudder at the creepy sight.
"Care to say all that again to my face, freak?" The Nidoking spat the last word out with hatred.
"Oh, I thought I already was. Or am I talking to your ass? It's pretty hard to tell between the two." Zenith managed to reply in a somewhat nonchalant tone, even though he was quivering like jelly on the inside.
Kurt took one menacing step towards Zenith, and it took the Umbreon all of his willpower to not step back out of instinct. But his bait worked. Now that Kurt was no longer near 'Shockhound', Zenith could see a few Pokemon silently slip out of the crowd to lift the Manectric back to safety.
Don't panic don't panic don't panic...
Relax, Zenith. I mean, you have to. I'm… using the PLC to… steady your heart rate, and making sure your face shows no signs of fear. Means you don't look like you're freaking out, so go for it.
Another collective "OOH" rose from the audience, this time in response to the Umbreon's witty comment. This enraged Kurt even further, his face flushing even redder, forming a shade of purple-red that was unpleasant to the eye.
"So what brings you here, freak? Unless you're here to challenge me for the stone, you'd better beat it. Fast. Before I beat you into the ground."
Zenith had to thank Dialga someday. He was now feeling a lot calmer, and a lot more confident. "As a matter of fact, I am challenging you for the stone. Just wanted to show you what pounding on unconscious bodies is wrong. The stone, and defeating you, is just a bonus," He replied, unfazed by the Nidoking's threatening tone.
"Okay, then. The time is ripe for payback, freak. They'll be sending what's left of you to the hospital in a matchbox."
The two Pokemon stood at the opposite ends of the sandy arena, staring at each other as they circled the perimeter. The crowd surrounding them was bristling with excitement, anticipation and fear, Cleo watching nervously in the midst of all the other Pokémon. There was silence for a moment, the air thick with tension as the two competitors stared at each other, motionless.
And the battle began.