Note- Three months into 2019 and it's still raining nonstop! Hooray? I hope you've had a wonderful start to the new year! Chris still finds himself in December and under a different kind of precipitation. In the round of 8, he faces off now against Sarah- a friend of Seth's and a powerful trainer in her own right. Only knowing half of her team, Chris must now find a way to win with Typhlosion and his newly evolved Scizor! Can they make it to the Final Four? What other mysteries and big events does this chapter hold? Let's find out together in today's long, action filled installment of Heart and Soul! Hope you enjoy! Please Review and Subscribe!
Chapter 48
After a speed round of post match pleasantries, Chris and his former opponent were hurried off the battlefield. The trainer stepped back through the wall of spectators, his body vibrating with an energy it hadn't exuded since his semifinal win in the Whirl Islands tourney. If someone had approached him then, there'd be a fifty-fifty split on whether they received a hug or a punch. He'd never find out. His trip to the nearest healing station saw no interruptions. As he went to hand over the two Poké Balls, he held onto Scizor's capture device for an extra moment.
You embraced your new self, Chris silently acknowledged. In time, if all his teammates bought in like that…
"Sir?"
"Oh, sorry."
After his teammates had been healed, Chris hurried back to edge of the battlezone clearing. Only three battlefields still carried ongoing action. Two of the battles looked to have only recently started. The crowds had begun to shift toward these clashes, leaving the remaining battle with relatively few onlookers. Still energized by his recent victory, Chris felt the smaller crowd might help to even him out. He found some familiar faces upon arriving.
"I would have bet all my money on you losing this round," Sarah said without turning away from the battle. "So I'm assuming you won then, right?"
"I always appreciate a vote of confidence, but yeah, we did in a close one."
"Good."
"By the way, thanks again for the heads up," he said, unable to hide his sarcasm. "Really glad I took that info and evolved Scyther so he could have a quadruple weakness."
"Did I tell you to do that?"
Chris opened his mouth but slowly let it close. She had heavily insinuated he do exactly that, but she had never outright suggested it. He changed his approach. "I guess not, but I'm through either way. More importantly," he stopped to raise his eyebrows, "you know who I face next?"
"Yes."
"Think you might should have watched a bit more of my battles, then?"
Sarah continued to focus on the battle in front of her. "No. I finished my game plan in case of your victory about an hour ago."
"Oh really? Well… I've had my strategy for you prepared for two hours."
Sarah finally turned to him and dropped a hand to her hip. "How did you manage that? You've only seen one of my Pokémon."
The young man tapped his temple. "Intuition," he said.
She let escape a poorly muffled snort and turned back toward the battle. "I'm going to take a wild risk and assume your bluffing."
"Don't say I didn't warn ya'."
Chris drifted to the opposite side of the crowd, where he found one of the trainers he had spotted earlier.
"How'd the round treat you?" he asked the red headed trainer.
Seth seemed just as reluctant to turn away from the battle as Sarah had been. "We actually found it a bit easier than the last," he said. His eyes flashed over to Chris. "How about you?"
"Toughest battle yet."
"Heard someone in the crowd talking about a competitor evolving their Scyther between rounds. Please tell me that wasn't you."
Chris implicated himself with a chuckle. "I'm nothing if not a master of adaptation."
"Good to know," Seth replied. He nodded at the battlefield in front of them. "I don't think that would be enough to get you by this dude."
Chris finally turned his attention to the battle. The identity of the squatted trainer closest to them was obvious. As Dobbs struck the air with palm strikes, the thought of him being the recipient of Seth's endorsement nearly made the trainer's brain explode. That notion died the moment he surveyed the rest of the battlefield. Machoke staggered back and forth as he bounced like a pinball between his two foes. The opposing Scrafty absorbed the Superpower Pokémon's best strikes with a Substitute, before knocking him back with a Focus Punch. Repeated Scald attacks from the enemy Slowbro only increased the speed of his retreat. It didn't take long for the Fighting-type to find himself in the dirt directly in front of his trainer. As he went to stand for another double dose of pain, Dobbs reached out and grabbed his shoulder. The trainer rose to his full height before stepping in front of his teammate.
"We're tired of this tournament," Dobbs called—loud enough for everyone to hear. When the official tilted his head at him, he elaborated, "We're done."
"Dobbs and his team have forfeited." The judge's announcement drew an annoyed look from the stout trainer. "Prinny and his team are the victors."
Chris found himself looking over the same olive skinned trainer he had seen earlier. He didn't seem too perturbed when Dobbs strolled off the battlefield without any pleasantries, and instead, turned his attention to his victorious teammates. So his name's Prinny, Chris internalized.
"Good thing is," Seth cut back in, "he's on the opposite side of the draw."
Chris nodded slowly. "So I wouldn't have to face him until the championship."
A side of Seth's mouth curled up. "You'd have to get by her," he said, motioning to Sarah, "and then you'd have to deal with me."
"Think I've already shown that I can go toe-to-toe with you. Sarah… I don't know yet."
Seth's sly smile hadn't left his lips. "Hope you're taking the style of battle into account. You looked comfortable in our one-on-one affair. After catching pieces of your battles here, I doubt you'd argue you've been nearly as comfortable."
Chris sighed. "I wouldn't. This two-on-two stuff doesn't feel as natural, but I think we're getting a bit better with each battle."
"Considering you won your last battle with a newly evolved Pokémon and type disadvantages… I'd be an idiot not to agree. But Sarah will be your toughest challenge yet. She's precise, and she'll exploit any weakness you show."
"Oh, so you know her?"
A hand fell onto Chris' shoulder. Turning, he found it to be Sarah's.
"You haven't even told him about our friendship, Seff'?" she asked.
Seth rolled his eyes and turned to Chris. "Hope she didn't try this ditzy, cheerful act on you."
"I almost got him," Sarah interjected, her expression turning pouty. "But Seff', that doesn't excuse you from mentioning our lifelong friendship!"
"Seff'?" Chris asked.
Seth didn't even look her way. "She had a speech impediment when we were little. It's stuck since then."
"Oh, so you'll mention my past flaws, but that's it?"
"Arceus, have mercy."
"You guys grew up here in Johto?" Chris asked.
Sarah shook her head and pointed toward the lake. "Much further north."
"Sinnoh, then?"
She nodded. "Oreburgh City to be exact."
"That's cool," Chris said. He shot a mischievous grin at both of them. "It's a shame you won't be able to battle each other in the semifinals."
"Seth does have a pretty tough opponent before then," Sarah said.
The skin around Seth's mouth tightened. "I do," he said.
Sarah leaned in close. "You think Magnezone and Aerodactyl will be ready?"
Seth took a step back. "I best be off to prepare for said showdown. If I don't see you two again before your battle, good luck."
"Same to you, man," Chris replied.
Seth had bolted before his long time friend could even open her mouth. "Well… there goes the life of the party," she finally said.
"Think you may have played a part in that."
"Oh, no," she countered. "He's used to me after all these years. He left because he really does want to get ready for his next battle. He's trying to get into that 'zone' of his."
"I get it."
"Really?" She brought a finger up to her lip. "I guess I did see a bit of that when you forced me to double trade."
"Being completely focused during battle never backfired on anyone."
"But it sure does make you no fun to be around before, during, and immediately after that."
"So you're telling me you don't block everything else out around the time of a big battle?"
"I think all great trainers do," she replied, motioning toward the nearest battlefield, "but I've yet to face a big battle here. And I won't until I face Seth in the next round." Chris felt his jaw tighten but he managed to keep quiet. "I think you're a good trainer," she elaborated, "but I've seen enough to figure you and your team out."
Everything inside Chris screamed for a vicious retort. "I guess we'll see," was all that made it through his gritted teeth.
"You are important for one big reason though."
Chris didn't have a good feeling about this, but he indulged her. "And that would be?"
"Me and Seth traveled together through a big chunk of Johto. We split up not too long ago. When we met back up here he let slip that he'd battled you. Did he use Magnezone or—hey, wait. I just need to know a couple things!"
Once the final battle had finished, all remaining trainers were summoned to a building on the outskirts of the makeshift town. Chris was one of the last to arrive. As the eight trainers were gathered into a circle, he made sure to stand on the opposite side from Sarah. She never made eye contact with him, but she kept a shit eating grin on her face the entire time.
After 'Day 2' shirts were passed around, the tournament director grabbed their attention. He explained that the next round would begin at 10 am the following day, with the final two rounds being staggered in two hour intervals after. Each trainer was assigned a battlefield for their upcoming match. Before releasing them, the director introduced a representative from a fiber optics company in Goldenrod. He spoke about his company's work on the PC storage system and the regional interconnectivity they had fostered. Chris's father had mentioned their name on multiple occasions, adding to their credibility. The man gave a short spill about earning a potential sponsorship and then thanked them for their time. Before leaving, Chris made sure to fill out a sheet requesting further information and an application form with his signature be sent to his home in Cherrygrove. He wasn't old enough to apply without parental permission, but his detail obsessed mother might cosign after careful consideration. As tight as money was, and with a looming doctor bill, Chris could do with some extra cash.
As he stepped back out into the fading light of the setting sun, he knew he needed to give his team an update as soon as possible. He'd kept most of them in the dark during the last two rounds, and they'd no doubt be anxious to find out how things had gone.
With the Pokémon Center still packed full of residents, and a wait list a mile long, Chris decided to make for their former camping spot. A smile crossed his face when he passed the embankment that had led him to Will. After swinging around the eastern bend of the water, and traveling north for a time, Chris ultimately decided he couldn't wait any longer to speak with his team. They appeared in six simultaneous flashes of light.
"Ty'!" The Volcano Pokémon rushed to his trainer and grabbed one of his shoulders. "'Phlosion?!"
Chris's eyes met Scizor's. The Pincer Pokémon found himself surrounded by his awestruck companions. The normally stoic creature looked overwhelmed by the attention—his stare with his trainer serving as a plea to take charge.
"We're still in the tournament," the young man from Cherrygrove said. He felt his starter's grip on his shoulder relax. "Our newly evolved friend put the finishing touches on our third round win."
That seemed to send the rest of the team into an even greater frenzy. Chris finally stepped in when it looked as though Scizor might faint. "But our goal wasn't to make it to the fourth round." His father's words echoed loudly in his ears. He caught a stern look from Ampharos and knew he'd need to elaborate. "When we signed up, I had low expectations for myself. I'd never led two Pokémon in battle and I told myself that we would just use this tournament as a launch pad for further growth." He exchanged quick looks with his starter and Scizor. "But things have changed since then. We've made several mistakes, mostly due to my own inexperience, and yet… we've still managed to win." He wiped at a patch of icy, dried sweat on his forehead. "Our training with Kiyo… I think I underestimated its impact. Despite the other trainers outmaneuvering me for a good deal of all of these battles, you guys have proven to be stronger, more adaptable, and just... tougher than the competition."
"'Vee!" the Normal-type roared, smacking his stomach with a paw.
Chris brought his hands up. "I'm sure it's the case for all of us. I've just had more chances to see it from these two." Chris gave Scizor a slight nudge with his forearm. "And we'll keep getting better."
The Pincer Pokémon gave a nod. "Sciz'."
"And speaking of getting better," Chris said, motioning to the open space around them, "how about we get our other four teammates involved in some action. There's still enough sunlight for a round of paired sparring. Typhlosion and Scizor can be my assistant coaches!"
The team trained through dusk, stopping once the air had noticeably cooled and a biting wind had picked up. The double duty lighting from Typhlosion and Ampharos made finding their old camping area much easier. Chris had Scizor seek out and splinter off the firewood they'd use to combat the December night. The more chances the Bug/Steel-type had to adapt to his body, the better. The young man hadn't forgotten Seth's words. We can't show her any weaknesses to exploit, he said silently. Scizor will have to hold his own tomorrow.
The team woke to the sound of Chris's PokéGear alarm. As they ate a small breakfast, the trainer brought over his two combatants.
"We've gotta make sure we take advantage of what we know," he said. "We know she has a powerful Heracross that can also turn the tables on us with Reversal. Scizor can resist some of those Bug-type moves and hit hard with Wing Attack." He tapped his starter's forehead with a finger. "We need to make sure you keep your distance unless there's a safe approach or we have the numbers advantage. I'm sure Heracross will be packing some other powerful Fighting-type moves that we can't afford to absorb."
The Volcano Pokémon frowned but nodded.
"Minimizing mistakes will be the key today," Chris elaborated. "We're already gonna have our work cut out for us."
As they put out the remaining embers and the expounded smoke filled the clearing, the trainer felt a strong desire to get cleaned up. He had taken advantage of the community shower multiple times over his two week stay in the wild, and a part of him wondered if a shower before battle might give him some added confidence. I'll celebrate with one after our victory, he told himself.
He kept his team out until they had reached the Pokémon Center. The facility was packed with other trainers, leaving Chris with nearly a thirty minute wait. He fidgeted with his toboggan in a corner of the lobby, too nervous to sit. He'd woken up early enough to not have to worry about tardiness, but he'd wanted more time on location to mentally prepare. While he waited, he sent out quick updates to his mother and father. The message to his mother saw him mention his own safety and ask about how things were with her and her investigation. Looking up at the monitors above him, he saw nothing more about the Route 39 attack. A news broadcaster did mention that police had apprehended a wanted fugitive from Sinnoh in Cianwood City. Ghetsis is from Unova though, he reminded himself.
The letter to his father focused on his training around the Lake of Rage and his team's performance in the tournament. He also made sure to sneak in a section about his father slowing down and taking care of himself. He knew he'd be waiting a while on a response back about that.
He bolted to the counter at the mention of his name over the intercom. Swiping his six Poké Balls, he gave the nurse a quick 'thank you' and sprinted out the door. It was a half hour past nine when he scrambled down the hill toward the makeshift town. Fog still lingered above the grassland and completely obscured the lake itself. He passed several trainers, none of whom he recognized, as he reached the first line of buildings. As he neared the battlefields, the retreating fog revealed a massive wall of humanity. With the majority of the draw eliminated, Chris had expected most of the spectators to follow suit. The crowd surrounding the empty battlefields looked to have doubled though.
He took a hard right turn and headed for the obscured lake. As he approached the thicker cover, he looked toward the sky. The clouds overhead mirrored the look of the fog below, though they appeared to be a lighter shade. It was a sky that Chris had seen a few times, but only when he'd traveled north during the winter. He remembered seeing the product of these clouds when Kiyo had taken him to one of Mt. Mortar's bluffs. Snow.
The sound of static echoed across the plain, followed closely by a familiar voice. "The quarterfinal battles will begin in fifteen minutes. Participating trainers should begin making their way to their designated battlefields. All non participants should vacate the battlezone immediately."
Chris turned to head that way but stopped. He dug into his backpack and brought out two Poké Balls. He activated their release mechanisms and put on his most reassuring grin as Typhlosion and Scizor appeared. They examined their surroundings for a moment, before turning their confused stares on him.
"I just… wanted you to walk with me. We'll enter the ring together, if that's alright with you."
"Ty'."
Scizor echoed his sentiment with a short nod.
"Then let's go."
They passed by the last line of buildings and through the growing crowd. As they neared the battlezone, several onlookers wished him good luck. A few zingers were lobbed his way by some more snarky observers, but Chris barely heard anything. As he and his teammates passed through the spectator barrier and into the clearing, he could only hear the trio's breathing. The first wave of snow began to fall as the team made for their designated battlefield. What started as small flurries had developed into sizable flakes by the time Chris reached his trainer box. The judge had already taken his position and quickly identified and registered the trainer in his tablet. The other trainer box stood empty. Looking around the clearing brought no sight of Sarah. A five minute warning was given. A quick scan of every other battlefield revealed all the trainers in their places. Looking down at his PokéGear, Chris found the time to be 9:58.
Sarah appeared from the crowd less than a minute later. She walked at a gradual pace and with a carefree smile on her lips. When she reached her trainer box, she gave a short apology to the judge.
"I was beginning to think you chickened out," Chris shouted.
Sarah shook her head but said nothing.
"Once both trainers have released their Pokémon, we will begin on my mark," the judge announced.
As Sarah brought out her two capture devices, Chris motioned for his teammates to take their place on the battlefield. The two combatants split up as the Sinnoh trainer released her teammates to stand opposite them.
"Not this again," Chris muttered. Heracross stood opposite Scizor. The trainer had known they'd have to deal with the powerful Bug/Fighting-type. But opposite Typhlosion stood another creature that spouted flames from his body. After hearing Sarah mention her and Seth's childhood in Sinnoh, perhaps Chris shouldn't have been surprised to see an Infernape grinning at him. But it doesn't make the sight any easier to digest, he thought. Like Gliscor in the previous round, the trainer noticed a small orb hanging from a necklace around the fire starter's neck. After studying the multicolor orb for a moment, and noticing the orange ring at its center, he deduced it to be a Life Orb. So those Fire-type attacks will do even more damage.
The trainer caught the Pincer Pokémon's eye. The two exchanged a quick nod. They'd dealt with type disadvantages in every previous round, including this double weakness to fire. They could overcome it again.
"Are both trainers ready?" The judge waited until he had received confirmation. Then, he raised both flags. "Let the battle begin!"
"Flamethrower at Heracross!" Chris commanded, before turning to Scizor an instant later. "Then, strike him with Wing Attack!" It would finally be their turn to gang up on an opponent.
As the stream of fire burst from Typhlosion's mouth, Sarah was quick to counter. "Intercept with Flare Blitz!"
Infernape pounced in front of his teammate as the flames from his head turned blue and surrounded his entire body. Orange met blue as the two Fire-type moves clashed against one another. The heat from the exchange briefly turned the snowfall into rain and forced Scizor to give it a wide berth as he made his approach. Once he'd gotten behind Infernape, the Pincer Pokémon's wings took on a brilliant white glow in preparation for his strike.
"Now!"
Sarah's call seemed nonsensical, but Heracross soon provided clarity. The Single Horn Pokémon leapt from behind his teammate and caught his approaching foe with a flurry of forearms, kicks, and wing strikes. The blows halted Scizor's momentum and forced the Bug/Steel-type back a step.
"Come right back with Bullet Punch!"
Scizor pressed off his back foot, his body slashing through the air like a silver bullet, and delivered a haymaker to his vulnerable adversary. With no previously built up momentum, the blow hadn't landed with as much strength as his trainer would have hoped. The counter managed to push Heracross back however, and prevented the Bug/Fighting-type from immediately retaliating. That didn't stop Infernape from tagging Scizor in the jaw with a swift punch of his own.
"Shoot," Chris hissed. He'd taken his eyes off the exchange between the Fire-type starters. Their attacks must have canceled out. Now, his prone Scizor faced off with two foes, while his teammate stood on the opposite side of the field. Even from here, Chris could see Sarah's smirk. She planned this entire sequence out? Chris asked himself. He shook his head. It didn't matter now; he had to focus on what he could change. Typhlosion had already begun to sprint that way when Chris called, "Quick Attack!"
That managed to take Infernape's attention away from Chris' outnumbered teammate. As Heracross and Scizor exchanged their Megahorn and X-Scissor attacks, Sarah called for another Close Combat, this time from her fire starter. As Infernape swung forward with a flurry of punches and kicks, Typhlosion pounced to the side and darted right past him. The opposing trainer's smirk vanished.
"Flame Wheel!"
With all his attacking momentum moving him in the opposite direction, Infernape would be a non factor in this exchange. Using his built up speed, Typhlosion flung himself at Heracross, his body now an orange ball of fire.
"Reversal!"
Heracross's arms shot out and intercepted the flaming sphere. A cry of pain came from the creature as the fire leapt onto his arms and up to his exposed torso and face.
"Break through!" Chris encouraged.
Typhlosion slammed both feet back into the earth, before driving himself forward again.
"Belly-to-belly!" came Sarah's direction.
Heracross' grasp widened, allowing Typhlosion's extra effort to bring the Volcano Pokémon nose-to-nose with him. The flames now encased both Pokémon. Even from this distance, the pain on the Single Horn Pokémon's face was evident. The Bug/Fighting-type lurched backward, seemingly unable to wrestle with the heat. But that's when Heracross's arms extended to clasp around Typhlosion's back.
"Watch out!"
The Single Horn Pokémon flung himself back-first toward the ground, his grip around Typhlosion still tight. An instant before he struck the ground, Heracross released his hold. The Volcano Pokémon found himself spinning end over end through the air. His flight was short lived. The back of his neck met the ground a moment later, followed by the rest of his body. As he slid to a halt, the flames around his neck dwindled to faint embers. Chris felt a sharp pain in his knuckles. He bit down on his tongue to keep from instinctively calling for a counter from Scizor. Sarah's smirk was back—this time directed toward her own starter.
After an added moment of thought, Chris commanded, "Wing Attack!"
"Over—"
"On Infernape!"
The Pincer Pokémon's eyes lingered on his nearby foe and downed teammate. For an extra second, Chris wondered if his teammate might redirect the attack to the target his trainer's heart desired. But Scizor ultimately turned and sprung for Infernape, his wings glowing.
"Don't!" Sarah called.
The growing flames atop her starter's head fizzled. The Flame Pokémon just managed to get his arms up to defend against Scizor's dual strikes. The super effective blow sent Infernape sliding back across the icy ground. The fire starter's arms dropped to his side, opening him up to further damage.
"Back him up with Close Combat!" Sarah quickly directed.
"Use Bullet Punch to get out of there!"
Scizor just managed to dart back, leaving Heracross's forearm to find nothing but air. The sudden retreat saw the Pincer Pokémon tumble to the ground upon landing, but the sight of the Single Horn Pokémon's exposed back had already grabbed Chris' attention.
"Flamethrower at Heracross!"
Typhlosion pushed himself to all fours as flames sprung up from his shoulders once more. When that same fire finally burst from his maw, Chris already knew it'd be too late. As the flames approached, Heracross's body took on a white glow. A calm command saw him escape from the stream of inferno with an Aerial Ace boosted jump.
"Mach Punch!"
Infernape's swift punch found Scizor, who had only just made it back to his feet. The metallic ring that echoed from the strike made Chris fear the worst, but Scizor barely gave an inch, forcing Sarah to call for a rapid retreat.
"Give him another Wing Attack!"
"Set your feet and counter with Flare Blitz!"
Even as Scizor did his best to sprint after him, his thin wings awash with light, his trainer could sense his command had come a second too late. As the Pincer Pokémon spun to deliver his heavy strikes, he was met by a flame-encased Infernape. The explosive tackle propelled Scizor away before he could even land his second shot.
The trainer from Cherrygrove willed his curses to stay behind his tightly shut lips. Scizor's rough landing only made them beat louder against his gritted teeth. The fact that his teammate could now tank physical attacks, even super effective ones, was the only thing keeping the curses from breaking through. As Heracross attempted to follow up with Megahorn, the trainer's thoughts shifted to other words.
"Meet him with Flame Wheel!"
Despite getting a head start, Heracross was caught from behind a moment later by a flaming top. The blow knocked the Single Horn Pokémon completely off balance, nearly causing the Bug/Fighting-type to spike himself into the frozen earth with his horn. Chris spun to quickly examine the other two battlers. Infernape had just recovered from Flare Blitz' recoil, which was just as well, as Scizor still hadn't made it back to his feet. As Chris returned his focus to Heracross' prone body, he felt more confident knowing Scizor would have enough time to —
"Overheat!"
A column of fire erupted from Infernape's flaming crown as a red aura surrounded the rest of his body. A golden, spiraling wave of inferno exploded from the Flame Pokémon's mouth, drowning out Chris' words of warning. Scizor had just made it back to a vertical base when the scorching assault overtook him. Chris brought both arms up as a searing heat struck his face. Through half closed eyes, he saw a flaming twister swirling around his recently evolved teammate. The vortex seemed to spin for ages, its flaming walls never even providing a glimpse of the Pincer Pokémon inside. Chris couldn't tear his eyes from it, to the extent that he barely registered Typhlosion being struck by the recently recovered Heracross. When the flames finally—mercifully—subsided, Scizor's grounded, motionless figure came as no surprise.
"Scizor is unable to battle!" came the judge's declaration. "The trainer must return his defeated teammate before the battle can resume."
Chris did just that, but not before offering his fallen Pokémon as much praise as time would allow. From this distance, the trainer wasn't sure if his teammate was even conscious, but that didn't stop him from continuing, even as Scizor dematerialized back into his device. As he put the ball away, Chris turned his attention back to the battlefield. Heracross's last attack had driven Typhlosion toward the judge's box. The Bug/Fighting-type stood a dozen yards across from him. A cooled off Infernape stood on Chris' side, very near the battlefield's center. As the trainer attempted to work out a strategy, the judge's words cut through his thoughts.
"The battle may now continue!"
Chris expected their two opponents to immediately pounce on his outnumbered teammate, but neither creature moved. His gaze found Typhlosion's. The two exchanged a second long look that seemed to last an hour. With a stiff nod, and a hard yank down on his toboggan, Chris pushed forward.
"Give Heracross a Flamethrower!"
With no direction from his trainer, the Single Horn Pokémon managed to narrowly avoid the stream of fire. In the time it took for the attack to begin and end, Infernape had crept over to stand behind his teammate. Another Flamethrower saw another narrow dodge, with both Pokémon again drawing closer.
Shoot, Chris silently hissed. He continued to weigh the two options before them, with neither course seeming enviable. To approach one of their opponents would only serve to open Typhlosion up to an attack from the other. The option they were attempting didn't seem much better. If they continued down this path, Typhlosion would soon find himself cornered and attacked from both sides simultaneously. He'd been able to stymie this for much of the battle by having even numbers. We have to find a way to strike without the other opponent being able to take advantage, Chris thought.
Infernape and Heracross took a couple more cautious steps forward. Typhlosion, now hunched low like a cornered creature ready to strike, took a step back in response. He glanced down at the painted line at his feet, then looked to Chris once more.
Wait. Something about the bent posture of his starter brought back a memory of Dobbs and his Machoke. Of all the people to think of during a moment of adversity, Chris thought. He felt the smallest of smiles work its way onto his lips. But maybe he's in my brain for a reason.
With their eyes still fixed on one another, Chris cupped his hands and made a slight gesture to his starter. Even from this distance, the Volcano Pokémon's widening eyes were evident. As he slowly brought both forearms toward each other, Chris pointed a finger upward.
"Now!"
"Up!"
Infernape's and Heracross's tandem Close Combats found nothing but air. The Volcano Pokémon had pressed hard off the ground from his crouched position, rocketing above both attacking foes. Sarah was quick to adjust, calling for a hot pursuit. Infernape, naturally the quicker of the two, lead the aerial chase. She also called for what Chris knew would be the safest move to lead with.
The flames atop Infernape's skull flared to life once more. The blast of hot air that went out from this Overheat attack was nothing like the first. It didn't seem to faze the precipitation which, over the course of the battle, had gone from a modest snowfall to something rivaling Froslass's Blizzard attack. Overheat was a smart play considering its ability to mix with and counteract Typhlosion's Flamethrower. And amidst the heavy snowfall, with Typhlosion's back to them, Sarah would have no reason to suspect any other attack. But as Infernape's stream of fire drew closer, Typhlosion spun around to reveal a glowing light in his paws.
"Fire!"
The Volcano Pokémon thrust his arms forward, launching the golden sphere into the stream of fire. The concentrated energy pierced through the weakened attack's front and sliced its way through the heart of the flames. Focus Blast found its mark, exploding upon its impact with Infernape. The blast rocketed Infernape back toward earth, but more importantly to his opponents, straight toward Heracross. The super heated Flame Pokémon slammed back first into the Bug/Flying-type. They both hurdled back to the ground, kicking up chunks of frozen earth to add to the wintry mix.
The trainers were silent as Typhlosion landed on his feet at midfield. The judge took a step forward and focused his gaze on the pile of Pokémon between himself and Chris's starter. It was difficult to see from where Chris stood, but it looked as though Infernape lay atop Heracross. Between the former receiving the attack, and the latter serving as the landing pad, Chris silently prayed for the double knockout.
"Shoot."
As the judge came to stand over the fallen teammates, Infernape scrambled back to his feet. A brilliant blue flame had overtaken his normally red crown. Steam rose off the creature's body, confirming what Chris had already assumed. He motioned an 'all good' to the official. Heracross proved to be less fortunate.
"The trainer must return her defeated teammate before the battle can continue."
At least now I'm back in my element, Chris thought. His body began to rock as Sarah returned her defeated companion. He could feel a surging heat in what had once been numb fists. Something poured down from his covered forehead and into an eye. What he thought was melted snow turned out to be sweat. He soon realized he was covered from head to toe in the stuff. As the judge raised both flags, Chris tore off his toboggan and tossed it over his shoulder.
"The battle may now continue!"
Sarah did not wait this time. "Close the distance!"
In just a few swift steps, Infernape had already cut the distance between the battlers in half.
"Focus Blast!"
Looking to lean on the move that had scored them their first victory, Typhlosion managed to charge and fire the move before Infernape had made it into striking distance. But with less time to prep and aim, the difficult to control move missed its target wide left. The approaching Flame Pokémon ignored the attack and increased his speed as he drew near.
"Close Combat!"
The flurry of blows that followed found a vulnerable Typhlosion. A punch sent him right, followed by a kick that brought him back left. A forearm sent him back. The spinning elbow that proceeded it staggered him. Infernape finished the flurry off with a leaping knee strike straight to the jaw.
"Typhlosion!"
The last shot lifted the Volcano Pokémon off the ground and deposited him onto his back a dozen feet in front of his trainer. At his trainer's command, Infernape rushed toward his downed opponent. Chris saw the judge take a step onto the battlefield, his right arm bringing up the flag in his hand. That's when he felt something tapping against his head. Looking up, a drop of water found his eye, forcing his gaze back down. Rain.
A familiar wave of heat struck his face. Steam expanded out to encompass Chris' side of the battlefield. Another blast of hot air whipped the cloud away, revealing a nearly six foot tall golden pyre.
"Infernape isn't the only one with the Blaze ability!" Chris shouted, punching at the air. "Quick Attack!"
Infernape's Mach Punch found an equally swift strike in the form of Typhlosion's tackle. As the Fire/Fighting-type dug in his feet to gain leverage, Chris called for the follow up.
"Transition into Flame Wheel!"
The golden flames that had already encompassed the Volcano Pokémon's body began to swirl as Typhlosion twisted his body. The fiery vortex expanded out and overtook Infernape's outstretched arm. A small explosion saw both starters launched away from one another. They landed on their feet and Infernape wasted no time in charging again.
"Flare Blitz!"
"Flamethrower!"
The blue flame atop Infernape's skull poured over the rest of his body. Each of the creature's footfalls left burn marks in the frozen earth. The Flame Pokémon took one final step and sprung forward like he'd been shot out of a cannon.
Red and gold mixed together as the fire encasing Typhlosion began to congregate around his shoulders. Sparks leapt from his neck in all directions, as did flares of brilliant light. The snow falling around him vaporized even before contact. Chris hadn't seen this kind of chaotic power from his starter before. As Infernape drew within striking distance, the flames vanished into Typhlosion's body. Then he opened his mouth.
"Let him have it!"
Infernape slammed into Typhlosion. A blinding pillar of golden fire erupted upward. The heat ray ripped through the grey gloom that hung over the battlefield. The concussive force behind the following explosion put both Chris and the judge on their asses. The other side of the battlefield disappeared in a cloud of smoke. What once was heavy snowfall had now melted into a warm downpour. For several seconds, Chris sat completely still, ignorant to the forced weather change and anything that didn't revolve around the center of the battlefield.
As the smoke faded, and the precipitation weakened to a drizzle, he caught sight of the judge, already back to a vertical base, inching toward the collision point. Fending off the lingering soreness in his knees, the trainer staggered back to his feet. That's when he caught sight of his teammate.
"Ty'."
"'Fernape."
The two combatants hadn't moved an inch since their exchange. They stood nose-to-nose, their torsos apart, but their shoulders locked together. No flames still burned around Typhlosion's neck, and the everlit flame that had simmered atop Infernape's skull had dwindled to a smoldering remnant.
A sudden motion caught Chris' eye. Typhlosion pushed off with one of his feet, forcing his heavier frame onto the Fire/Fighting-type.
"There ya' go!" Chris howled. "Drive him back!"
The Volcano Pokémon planted his other foot into the muddy ground and put all his weight into charge.
"Spin!"
As he began to topple backward under his heavier opponent, Infernape dropped his stance. As Typhlosion pressed forward, the Flame Pokémon planted his left foot into the slick earth and pivoted. As Infernape twirled away, the Volcano Pokémon toppled through the space his enemy had just occupied and slammed stomach-first into the dirt.
"Typhlosion is unable to battle. Therefore, Sarah and her team are the victors!"
Chris hobbled to his starter's side. When his first words of encouragement and praise found no reply, the trainer dropped to a knee to more closely inspect his teammate. That's when he realized his partner was unconscious.
A loud thud nearly sent Chris to his stomach to join his teammate. When he looked over his shoulder, he found Infernape—face in the mud and unresponsive. Sarah was there an instant later. Her attention remained on her teammate until he'd returned to his capture device, with praise and medicine priorly dealt in equal measure. Chris followed suit in the meantime.
As the young man from Cherrygrove put away his starter's capture device, a hand fell on his shoulder.
"That was a great battle," Sarah said.
"It was."
Sarah's lips squirmed as her feet shifted beneath her. She opened her mouth, then closed it. And then she was gone.
The next few minutes were a blur. Chris had his backpack around his shoulders and his toboggan over his head, despite having no memory of picking up either. Buildings passed. Then a snow covered hill. After what felt like a handful of seconds, he stood in the Pokémon Center lobby. A good sized crowd had gathered there, but relatively few stood in line at the counter. After dropping off his defeated teammates, he made for the communal showers. He stopped upon reaching the connecting hallway. I didn't win, he reminded himself. But when he squeezed into one of the few remaining seats and saw those on either side of him scoot back, he knew he'd have to swallow his pride. With a sigh, he staggered back onto his tired legs and made for the showers.
A yelp nearly escaped Chris' lips as the cold spray blasted his shoulders. He shivered as icy streams slid down his back and chest, draining into small pools around the rim of his swimming trunks. If he was going to go back on his word, he had to make sure he didn't enjoy it. But whether his body went numb, or he just grew used to the temperature, the young man managed to get on with his cleaning routine. And yet, even as the shampoo washed away the sweat and grease, it couldn't cleanse the regret that had built beneath the surface.
Why hadn't he used Wing Attack more? Both opponents had been weak to Flying-type moves. And why on earth had he allowed Scizor to go one-on-one with Infernape? Teaming up to take the Flame Pokémon down would have been the logical strategy given his team's makeup. If they'd accomplished that—even if one of his teammates had fallen—he would have been guaranteed a type advantage. He'd provided Sarah with a buffet of mistakes to feast on.
"You had an alright showing."
Chris' flip flops slid out from under him, forcing the trainer to reach a hand out to keep the shower wall from meeting his face. He turned and found a young man standing beside him. Through the steam, he recognized this fellow's olive-tone, dark freckled face. His expression remained neutral, even after nearly witnessing Chris's demise. It took an extra couple of seconds after he'd composed himself for the compliment to finally sink in. "Oh, I appreciate it." Whether driven by a desire to deflect in this awkward moment or a reluctance to continue reflecting on his own shortcomings, he added, "How'd your battle go?"
"I won."
"Was it a close one?"
"We managed to win without losing a teammate." Like his face, his tone remained neutral, but he didn't look displeased by the fact.
"Nice, man." When nothing more came to his mind, and the other male stayed silent, Chris turned away and continued his wash. But after catching no movement for nearly a minute, he swiveled back in the trainer's direction. The darker skinned man stood motionless, his head barely visible above the rising cloud of steam. His eyes were fixed on the wall between Chris and himself.
"So, your name is… Prinny, right?"
"It is."
"And, uh, are you staying here at the center during all this?"
"No. I camped out in the woods north of here."
"Hey, me too."
The young man turned to look at him. "Was it your Typhlosion that caused that fire last night?"
Chris shook his head. "I didn't even know there was one."
"My Slowbro managed to contain it. Could have been much worse."
"So you didn't find out its origin?"
"We heard odd growling beforehand and saw some of the flames being spit in the distance. But our priorities changed once the flames started to spread."
"Did you find anything after you'd dealt with the fire?"
"Just some claw marks on the trees and ground. Looked like some of the higher branches had been knocked down."
"Huh." Chris was surprised he hadn't at least smelt the smoke at some point. Then again, between having a fire of his own, the snow falling, and the changing winds, perhaps he shouldn't be surprised. "Well, glad it didn't keep you from taking care of business today. Perhaps I could have used something like that as a wake up call."
A sudden gleam entered the young man's eyes at that. "What do you think cost your team the win?" he asked.
The question came as a surprise, but its answers were still fresh on Chris' mind. "Too many to list," he replied.
"And yet you were still that close to victory."
"I guess so. Maybe if I'd had some held items of my own to even the odds..."
"Precisely." Prinny took a pair of steps forward, revealing his full figure, and that he felt quite comfortable showering nude in the communal setting. Chris unknowingly took a half step back. "Victory in battle can be dictated before the first attack is ever launched," he continued. "If you're going to compete as a pro, you have to prep like one."
The words and their matter-of-fact delivery struck the same disconcerting nerve as his father's message.
"I plan on being a pro," Chris said. "But I have some work to do before I can get there."
"Take my advice," Prinny said, vanishing back in to the steam's cover, "and you might get there sooner than you think."
Chris pulled on his toboggan and zipped up his jacket as he prepared to go from a cold shower to freezing temperatures. He stood back in the lobby, having just received his Poké Balls back from the nurse. But as he put the capture devices away, he felt torn about his next course of action. A part of him hated how much time he had spent away from the Gym Challenge these past few months, and wanted to get back to business. But he felt an equal tug toward watching Seth, Sarah, and Prinny duke it out for the championship. As he made for the door, a third option suddenly took hold of him.
"Nurse?" he asked, having returned to the counter.
"Yes?"
"Have you heard anything about a fire from last night?"
A frown came over the nurse's face as she nodded. "It's just one of several that have popped up in the area over the past couple months. We'd managed to go a few weeks without one before last night, thank Arceus. Can you imagine the hunt that would have ensued if all these pro trainers had been roped in. There wouldn't be a forest left!"
"Any ideas on the cause?"
"A Pokémon." She threw her hands up and let out an exasperated chuckle. "No one's been able to identify the species, but anyone who's gotten close says they've heard some aggressive roaring."
"Roaring, huh?" Chris scratched at some dry skin around his chin. "Where did the fire last night start?"
"It was pretty well north of here." She jabbed a thumb over her shoulder. "The man who told me mentioned it was up around the northern edge of the lake."
"Thank you!"
Chris was back outside and treading a familiar path north a moment later. The snowfall had slowed, but the flakes that fell were some of the biggest he had seen. As he churned his feet through the inches of white powder that already lay atop the grass, he kept his eyes and ears peeled for anything unusual. He knew his chances of finding what he hoped for were incredibly slim, but this had been the first possible lead he'd received. And despite the minuscule chance of this bringing him to Charizard's whereabouts, it held an undeniable similarity with the story of survival Luke had told him—even down to the forest fires and northern location.
The chilly weather didn't prevent the local wildlife from getting out and about. The trainer twitched every time a Furret scurried through the snow or a Noctowl soared around the leafless branches. As he continued north, the treeline grew closer and closer, ultimately consuming the entire beach. The sound of galloping hooves brought a charging Girafarig to the trainer's attention. With little time to think, Chris activated the capture mechanism on all six of his teammates' Poké Balls. The sight of six other figures appearing around her target brought Girafarig to a screeching halt.
A red gleam came over Gyarados' eyes at the sight of the unknown threat. He let loose a ferocious roar and reared up to his full height. Girafarig had vanished back into the woods a moment later. With peace restored, the team's attention turned to their two tournament competitors, and then to their trainer, who had only now realized the mistake he'd made. He couldn't hide his guilty expression from Typhlosion and Scizor.
"I'm sorry. I meant to speak to you two in private beforehand."
The team turned back to the two defeated competitors, who gave their trainer a quick show of support. But as he looked at the two Winter Classic participants, Chris noticed one still still held a frustrated look. This time, however, that negative expression stemmed from the other competitor. He forced his focus back to the rest of his team. "We fought our way into the final eight," he explained. "But we ran into a tough trainer from Sinnoh. We nearly had her this time, so I'm hoping we can get a rematch at the Silver Conference."
Ampharos went to congratulate her two teammates but stopped short upon seeing Typhlosion's contorted frown. Scizor took a step toward his battling partner, but froze when a flame flickered to life around the creature's collar.
"Ty'." The Volcano Pokémon ground his teeth and rose onto his back legs. It was the first time post-evolution that Chris had seen him angry. However, the trainer knew better than to make a scene out of it.
"There's another reason I summoned you all out here," Chris continued. "There's been some fire outbreaks in this area recently. Sounds like they've been caused by a single Pokémon too." At that, his team perked up somewhat. Typhlosion's jaw went slack, and a new look entered his eyes. "I know you haven't forgotten who we're still on the lookout for."
"'Phlosion."
"So here's what I'm thinking..."
Chris ripped his way through a tight cluster of trees, scattering dead branches and snow in all directions. He tap danced his way through a thorn bushel and limboed his way under a series of fallen trees. When he slid under the last trunk he suddenly found himself teetering on the edge of a fifteen foot drop. He managed to get a hand around one of the closest tree knobs to keep himself from going over. He looked up through the barren tree tops at the grey sky and sighed. Just Mother Nature's friendly reminder to stay on the beaten path, he told himself. Turning to his right, he shouted, "Be on the lookout for sudden drops!"
Typhlosion, who could just be seen through the foliage, voiced his understanding. The Volcano Pokémon had refused to search outside of visual contact with his trainer. He stayed low to the ground as he moved, weaving his way effortlessly around the natural debris, but stopping periodically to rise back to his full height. The Fire-type would have argued it helped to occasionally look out over his immediate surroundings, but Chris had a not-so-sneaky suspicion he just wanted to look tall if he came across Charizard.
Chris looked over his left shoulder and shouted, "How are things your way, Ampharos?"
The Electric-type's red beacon glowed clear through the spats of snow that still danced across the cluttered space. She disappeared as she made her way over a rock formation, but Chris heard the negative confirmation he'd been expecting a moment later.
"And none of the others have obviously had any luck yet."
They'd spread out in a wide, horizontal formation. Chris had made sure they all traveled within sight of the teammates on their left and right side. The line stretched back to the Lake of Rage, which saw Gyarados patrolling the shore for any clues. They had set off north, but bent west once they'd reached the edge of the lake. The Pokémon Chris had seen had either ran or been dealt with after a call to one of his closest teammates. The snow had covered whatever claw prints Prinny had seen and the marks found on the trees were indistinguishable from any other Pokémon.
The trees finally parted as the trainer stepped into a clearing. A circle of rocks lay in the middle of the flat, snow covered ground. As he drew closer, he caught sight of a wooden plank planted firmly in the ground beside the rock pit. Numerous craters lay scattered about, lacking any grass or snow. It looked eerily similar to Chris' own training spot. "So this is where he stayed," he said.
When he reached what had clearly been the fire pit, the trainer stopped. He stared down at the flattened cinders and black coals and noted no trace of any untouched fuel. Not a single twig, he mused. Then he caught sight of a wisp of smoke drifting from the pit's center.
"Everyone but Gyarados to me!"
Chris dropped to his hands and pushed away some of the white, wet powder. He circled the pit like this, drawing odd expressions from Ampharos and Typhlosion—who were the first to hit the scene. A few seconds later saw Crobat, Eevee, and Scizor reach him.
"I found—"
A series of cracks and loud snaps to the south grabbed everyone's attention. Then came a distant roar that only grew louder as the sound of breaking limbs grew close. Chris found himself surrounded by his five teammates, crouched and ready for battle.
"GYA'!"
A familiar red serpent smashed through a pair of trees bordering the clearing and rumbled his way toward them. Throwing back his head, Gyarados let out a guttural bellow that sent a handful of hiding Murkrow scattering in all directions.
"It's okay!" Chris shouted, bringing up his hands. "We're safe!"
The raging pocket monster swung his head left and right in momentary disbelief, scattering frozen debris that had lodged itself in his scales. It took him several seconds to notice his teammates' expressions and cease his flailing. The Atrocious Pokémon shouldn't have left the lake and been made to struggle through the dense foliage. Chris tried to remember which Pokémon had searched closest to the lake, but Gyarados's ferocious glare gave him his answer.
"Now, Eevee," he said, dropping to a knee beside the rattled creature. "Gyarados is too bulky to try and travel through these woods. That's why I called for everyone but him."
The Normal-type kept his gaze on the ground. "'Vee."
"Sciz'."
Chris looked up and found the Bug/Steel-type standing beside him. He pointed at himself with a pincer. "Scizor."
Chris's brow furrowed. "You told Eevee wrong?"
Scizor nodded. His eyes flashed down to Eevee for the quickest of moments.
Chris worked his way back to his feet and began to walk. "Well… just make sure you listen a little bit more carefully next time." He touched two fingers to the the side of Scizor's head. "I know you recently got some new ears so I'll cut ya some slack." He stopped beside Gyarados and pulled a splinter out of his red scales. "Thank you for battling your way here. You're a real trooper."
"Gya'."
"Back to the reason I brought you here." Chris hurried back over to the fire pit and waved a hand at the smoke. "The guy who camped here has been gone all day, yet there's still smoke, despite all the wind and snow. And," he stopped to kneel, "look at the embers still burning. Pretty impressive considering there aren't any signs of fuel that could have powered the fire."
"Ty'!"
The group's attention fell on the fire starter, who now stood hunched over something on the far side of the clearing. He motioned them over.
"That looks… promising."
At the center of one of the muddy craters, the indentation of a large, three clawed footprint could be made out. The soft ground behind it looked to have been compressed by something cylindrical. Perhaps a tail? Chris hypothesized. At that moment, a faint roar drifted across the breeze, freezing the entire team in place.
"Let's head a bit further."
The team hadn't traveled long before the ground beneath them solidified and transitioned into rocky offshoots of the mountains that separated Blackthorn City from the rest of Johto. They jutted up with no thought for the forest living above them. Indeed, it seemed the trees had not been perturbed by the ancient foundation, with many of them having grown around the mossy stones. Here, the snow refused to penetrate and stick. That did little to make the smooth rocks any less slick. Even with Gyarados back in his Poké Ball, the uneven terrain was difficult to traverse. But the wave of heat that soon overtook the party pushed all thoughts on the natural barriers to the back of their minds. Crobat, whose ability to fly had met little resistance so far, came zipping back after scouting the territory ahead. The look in his eyes only added to his trainer's urgency. A moment later, they'd stumbled upon the charred remains of what could only have been Prinny's forest fire. Dozens of soot covered trees lay half toppled in a roughly oval space. As Chris and his crew climbed over them, the trainer couldn't help but be impressed with the fire's containment.
Scaling a bluff that sat atop a hill of undergrowth and tree roots, Chris felt the air temperature around him continuing to increase. When he pulled himself up and over the edge, he found a short, flat expanse at the top. The intense heat atop this small peak reminded him of his traversal into the Safari Zone's volcano. And indeed, just like the fiery mountain David had led him and Luke into, this twenty foot by twenty foot rock featured a crater of its own. This crevice also had smoke pouring from it, though Chris doubted this came from the same source. He took a cautious step toward the opening, and immediately felt the ground shake beneath him. He could hear his teammates scrambling up the hill behind him.
"Wait!" he shouted. Crobat shot into the air above him, but Chris motioned for the Bat Pokémon to back off. He took another step forward, drawing another tremor from the rock and an intense cloud of smoke from the opening. The trainer took a deep breath. "Charizard?"
The smoke continued to slither out from the crevice, but no tremor followed. A blast of heat washed over the trainer upon taking another step. "Charizard, if that's you... it's me: Chris."
The roar that followed nearly brought the young man to his knees. A pillar of fire burst from the opening and exploded high in the sky overhead. The trainer put his hands over his ears and averted his gaze until he'd regained control of his senses. When he looked back at the crevice, he could see a pair of eyes glowing from the depths of the furnace. When he realized they weren't staring at him, he turned to his right and found Typhlosion. Chris opened his mouth to reprimand his starter, but the look on Typhlosion's face foretold how useless his words would be. The starter stood on his back legs, with a ring of fire encompassing the back of his neck. The crackling energy in the air made the trainer fear a confrontation was eminent. He took a slow step forward and put a hand on Typhlosion's chest. The heat coming off his starter's fur felt like he'd just stuck his hand in an active oven. Fighting back a squeal, Chris said through gritted teeth, "Do not attack."
Typhlosion's body cooled somewhat at that, but the fierce look in the starter's eyes did not change. Neither did the flames around his neck.
Chris turned back to the opening just ten feet from him. The eyes were still there, as was the steam. He took another long breath. "We aren't here to battle or capture you." That got no response. "We aren't here to drag you back to Luke, either." At that, the red aura surrounding the opening dissipated. The sweltering heat lessened. But the eyes had also vanished. Even so, Chris knew better than to assume he was in the clear. "I'm guessing you're still there. It's okay. You don't have to come out." Chris rocked on his toes, still unsure of what to do next. He eventually slung off his backpack and brought out some of the food and vitamins he'd purchased in Mahogany Town. "Before we leave, I want to give you with something. It has to be hard living somewhere like this by yourself. I'm sure finding food is a pain. Here." Chris sat the nourishment on the ground by the opening. "You may want to eat that before the wind blows it away. And… yeah. We'll be leaving now."
With a guiding hand on his starter's shoulder, Chris led them both back down the embankment. When they reached the bottom, the other four Pokémon surrounded them. Chris gave a slow nod, then said, "Let's head back."
The team stuck together this time, but that didn't prevent the trip from being a quiet one. None of his teammates looked eager to talk, and what brave wild Pokémon chose to battle the team didn't do so for long. For most of the journey south, the group let the wind do most of the talking. Only once the woodland had relented and Chris felt safe to step away from the group, did he dial Luke's number. The dial tone rang once, twice, and then a third time. Chris ended the call and tried again, but with no better success. He tapped the side of the PokéGear for a few seconds as he weighed his options. Finally, he settled on sending the trainer a message briefly detailing what he'd seen and where. More than anything, he just hoped the message found the Tohjo Falls native alright and in better spirits.
In regards to his team, it wasn't until they'd reemerged on the eastern bank of the lake that Chris openly broke the silence. "Typhlosion and Scizor—could I see you two for a second?" When they'd joined him, the trainer led the two back toward the treeline. "You guys battled your hearts out in that last match," he said.
Scizor, despite his frown, gave his trainer an appreciative nod. Even though he'd been the first to be defeated, the look of frustration that had been there prior to his evolution had vanished. And even after having just struggled through the dense terrain, Scizor had yet to come close to voicing a complaint.
Having still not diminished his flames, Typhlosion stood on the opposite end of the worry spectrum. The pent up aggression from his normally collected starter pushed Chris to prioritize him.
"Infernape got us," he said plainly. "Between his Life Orb and the more powerful moves… they were too much for us this time." Chris felt heat rise into his own chest. "And that pisses me off too." Typhlosion's expression seemed to soften a bit at that. "With your control, I think it's finally time we look into learning our own powerful attacks to counteract foes like Infernape. That's something we can accomplish before the Silver Conference. Something we can have in our arsenal the next time we challenge Infernape… and Charizard."
The flames around the Volcano Pokémon's neck surged even higher before suddenly snuffing out. The Fire-type nodded. "Typhlosion."
Chris then turned his attention to Scizor. "The damage you dished out to Heracross and Infernape gave us a great chance to win. You didn't let the type disadvantage break your spirit either. Don't blame yourself for getting knocked out first. I should have never thrown you into a one-on-one scrap with Infernape."
"Sciz'."
"We'll work to get you more comfortable in your new skin. And we'll have you playing to your strengths come tournament time. I guarantee it."
The Pincer Pokémon brought both arms close together. "Scizor."
When they'd returned to the grassland between the makeshift town and the Pokémon Center, Chris couldn't help but deviate west. Even with evening fast approaching, a sizable crowd still dwelt around the town. And as he drew close, the trainer quickly discovered why.
"What extraordinary resilience by Seth and his Aerodactyl!" an announcer wailed over the speaker system.
A wide crowd brought Chris and his team to a halt nearly fifty feet from the battlefield clearing. Even on his tiptoes, the trainer could see little outside of the quick aerial feats on display from the Rock/Flying-type. With a desperate glance, he caught sight of a line of trainers observing the battle from the water. Returning his teammates, Chris sprinted toward the bank and withdrew Gyarados's Poké Ball. Releasing the scarlet serpent into the lake, he hopped onto the creature's lower half, explaining his intentions as he quickly scaled the beast. With some fast reasoning, Chris talked the Atrocious Pokémon out of forcing his way through the line of trainers for the best view, settling instead to watch from just behind them. With Gyarados' tall figure, the trainer still had a nice view with which to catch the conclusion of the battle.
Seth's Aerodactyl swerved back and forth, narrowly avoiding the telekinetic clutches of the opposing Slowbro. After each near miss, the Rock/Flying-type found himself forced to confront the Scrafty that also hounded him. But just as Aerodactyl looked to have flown himself into a vulnerable position for the physical attacker to take advantage of, Scrafty staggered backward, a flurry of sparks bursting from his body. The paralysis was brief, but it allowed the swift Fossil Pokémon to unload on him with a pair of wing strikes. The super effective blows knocked the bipedal lizard on to his back, where he remained until his trainer had returned him. That trainer turned out to be the same olive skinned man that had spoken to Chris in the communal shower.
In the short intermission, Chris's eyes wandered over to the crowd. He found a very vocal and clearly animated Sarah jumping up and down near the front of the crowd. Chris frowned. Seth had to have beaten her to make it to the finals… but she's still here supporting him?
As the battle restarted, Aerodactyl covered the necessary ground before his already slow opponent had even had the chance to act. Electricity filled his mouth as he sank his fangs into Slowbro's shoulder. Sparks exploded outward from the contact point, drawing a grimace from the Hermit Crab Pokémon. But as Aerodactyl let go to position himself for a Rock Slide follow up, the air around him became distorted with a pink and purple hue. The Fossil Pokémon's wings stopped moving, but he remained suspended in the air. With one slight gesture from Slowbro, an invisible hand launched Aerodactyl stomach first into the ground below. And as he fought to make it back to his feet, a steaming blast of water drilled his torso and sent him toppling backward. After a brief moment of hesitation, the judge concluded the battle.
"Prinny and his team of Scrafty and Slowbro are the Lake of Rage Winter Classic Champions!"
A loud round of applause poured out from the crowd and the trainers in front of Chris. Focusing on Sarah, he could see what looked to be genuine sadness in her slumped shoulders. I may have been too hard on her, Chris thought.
With the snow having ceased and night nearly upon the land, the young man from Cherrygrove decided to skip a final conversation with the trainers. They were all seemingly headed in the same direction and toward the same goal. Their intertwined paths were bound to bring them all together again. And with the tournament over, Chris had an important—and monetarily prudent—battle awaiting him to the south. As he descended the shorter, more steep entrance to Route 43, with countless trainers surrounding him, he felt a smile creep onto his face. He knew just where to stop first.
And just like that, the Lake of Rage Winter Classic has finished! It was a tournament that saw Chris meet an Elite Four Member, Scyther evolve into Scizor, and the introduction of even more powerful trainers for Chris to keep an eye on! And what of the young man's encounter with the rampant Pokémon? Chris believes it to be Charizard but could he be wrong? And what about the looming conclusion of his battle with Kamon? His seventh gym badge and a steep medical bill are on the line! There will be even more to think about and enjoy in the next hype chapter of Heart and Soul! I hope to see you there soon! Please Review and Subscribe!