"Well, what do you know? Looks like it's you and me, next."
The words barely registered, for Max. The clack of his fishing rod hitting the ground didn't, either. He turned his attention to Ash and Ritchie, who were chatting jovially, gesturing about.
"Dude."
They looked so carefree. Boasting, laughing, and exchanging words with their Pikachu that Ash could somehow keep up with. Like neither of them was about to knock the other out.
"Max!"
"Huh!?" Max snapped back to reality.
Max's traveling companion, Koda, was scowling at him, a Poké Ball clutched in his palm. They'd just been matched up together in the Top 16, via the bracket they'd fished up, moments ago. He was looking at Max like he had two heads. "Dude, you're spacing out. We're battling next."
"...Duh! Of course we are." Max huffed, putting his hands on his hips. "That's how it works."
"...Uh-huh." The other youth stared at him, but shook it off. "Hope you're ready to get your butt kicked."
"Oh, yeah?" Max's expression soured. "Don't be so sure! I could beat you with both hands tied behind my back!"
"Yeah? You can try that if you want, I guess." Koda shrugged his shoulders, nonchalant. "Good luck getting past calling out your Pokémon, though."
"Ooh, I'm so excited for you~!" May cooed, linking her hands together. "You get to duke it out with your buddy, tomorrow! It's going to be so much fun~!" She threw her arms around Max, pulling him into a hug. "We'll be cheering for you both up in the stands! Break an egg, out there!"
"May, I think it's break a leg," Ash supplied flatly. He wasn't taking this seriously, either!
Max's brow twitched. What was wrong with them? "Yeah, yeah. Real great!" Max squirmed his way out of the hug, pushing May to give himself distance. "I'm so glad everyone's taking this seriously!"
"Max…" May was taken aback, lightly biting the back of her knuckle. "Are you scared? I know battling someone you know can be hard, but-"
"I'm not scared!" Max snapped.
Koda grabbed the Petalburg native's shoulder. "Dude. I don't know what's up your butt right now, but you've gotta chill out. You're at a conference, dude. You're embarrassing us."
"My butt's not…!" Max's eyes trembled, with tears stinging in the corner of his eyes. As much as he hated it, Koda was right. He shrugged him off, turning to depart from the dome. "Look, don't worry about it! I'm just… gonna go prepare for the battle."
"Is he going to be okay…?" May asked, now from a distance.
"I'm sure he's just nervous," Ash answered. "There's nothin' to worry about."
Max's face burned, as he left the group behind.
Indigo Village was well-equipped for its many competitors; battle fields dotted any vacant spots that weren't already residential or commercial. Max was fine with that; he personally wanted to be as far from his company as possible. So, he chose an unoccupied field towards the southern end of the village. He stepped into the trainer's box of one of the dirt fields.
"Come on out, you guys!" Max called, throwing two Poké Balls into the fray.
A Poliwrath and a Gengar appeared alongside one another. Poliwrath bashed her fists against one another, while Gengar cackled, bouncing up and down on the dirt field. But, his joy didn't last; he frowned, glancing about them. "Gen…? Gengar?"
"The others aren't with us," Max answered curtly. "We're training on our own, this time."
"Ge-geh?" Gengar adopted a sour expression, imitating his former trainer, Koda.
Max had a grasp of their miming, at this point in their adventure. He shook his head. "I told you, he's not here! It's because we're battling him, tomorrow. We can't have him picking up our strategies!"
"Geh? Gengar! Genhehe!" Gengar bounced happily in place in response.
"Well I'm glad somebody's happy about it," Max muttered. "Alright, both of you! We've gotta be in tip-top shape tomorrow. So let's get some practice battling in, alright? In position!"
Gengar and Poliwrath cheered in affirmation, moving to opposite ends of the field.
"Okay… Poliwrath! Use Mind Reader!" Max ordered. "Uh, wait. There's no point in using Mind Reader if I'm calling both of their moves." He shook his head. "Forget it! Uh, Gengar! Hypnosis!"
Gengar bounced off of the field, grinning deviously. His leering gaze projected in the form of two red beams, making a path for Poliwrath. The Water-type somersaulted over the first Hypnosis, and Gengar fired again.
"Keep going, you guys! Watch that aim, Gengar! Stay on your toes, Poliwrath!" Max encouraged his Pokémon from the sidelines, as they entered a dance of attack and defense. Poliwrath was purposeful and efficient with her movements, while Gengar bounced about with all of his ghostly whimsy. For a short time, they were in a good rhythm. This training was going as planned!
Gengar managed to bounce over Poliwrath, flanking him while upside down. "Gengar~!"
Poliwrath made the mistake of turning to face her opponent. She found herself staring into a pair of glowing, leering eyes, and her cognizance started to blur. She stumbled, before falling asleep.
"Good job, Gengar!" Max praised. "Now, let's try…" His bunched up fists fell to his sides, as reality dawned on him. "Agh!" He slapped a hand against his forehead. "We can't train more if she's asleep! What was I thinking?"
"Gar…?" Gengar had been poking Poliwrath when he noticed his trainer's stress. He bounced over, watching his trainer with a touch of concern.
Max groaned, falling back to sit on his rear. "What's with me today? There's no way I'll beat Koda like this."
"An Electrode with no place to go might Explode, you know."
Max gasped. He knew that voice, and those poetry stylings, anywhere.
Professor Oak had entered the village, accompanied by Ash's mother, Delia. The elderly man had traded his usual lab coat for a sky blue floral vacation shirt, shorts, sunglasses, and a visor.
"Oh, Max, honey! It's so good to see you!" Delia cooed, speeding up to stop beside the training field. She'd traded her usual pink blouse and indigo skirt for a teal dress, a sunhat, a cream-colored vest, and sunglasses framed to match her blouse. She clapped her hands together happily. "Ash told me you'd be competing, but I didn't expect to see you, so soon!"
"Yeah, it's great," Max muttered. "Very cool."
The auburn-haired woman blinked, lifting her sunglasses. "Max, is something the matter? You don't seem like your usual smart-mouthed self."
Were he his seven-year-old self on his first journey, he might have snapped here and there. But, Max was getting too old for that, and he knew it. Delia was greeted with silence, instead.
Professor Oak and Delia exchanged a look, and nodded. Whatever was bothering Max needed to be handled with sensitivity, and crowding him wouldn't lead to the child opening up. Delia cleared her throat.
"Well, while you boys talk, I think I'm going to go find Ash! Have you seen him anywhere, Max?"
Max shrugged. "He was at the registration center, last I saw him."
"Oh, he must be getting ready for his next match… I'm sure he and everyone else could use a nice meal! I think I'll go find his cabin and start fixing something up. See you boys later~!" Delia waved, before going on her way towards the village's residential corner.
Professor Oak smiled. Delia was as emotionally intuitive as ever. Putting that aside, he tried to crouch down to Max's level, before realizing that his old bones wouldn't be happy with him for his posture. "Now, Max… Would you like to tell me what's bothering you? Maybe the old Pokémon Professor might have a bit of insight for you."
Max grumbled under his breath. It was hard to turn away one of his idols, even if he was now closer to being a family friend. "The final rounds start tomorrow," he answered. "I'm in the Top 16, and I'm up against my friend. It feels like the whole tournament's flown by, already."
"My, I could imagine so! Making it to the Top 16 of your first ever conference; surely, you've put up quite the fight!" The elderly man cupped his chin. "You know, Ash also made it to the Top 16, when he first entered the Indigo League. Quite a feat for a beginner."
"He did," Max replied, "but he still lost."
The Professor tutted. In the background, Gengar poked at Poliwrath until she finally woke up. Compared to Max, they seemed carefree, he thought. "Ash lost because he wasn't prepared."
"I'm plenty prepared!" Max snapped realized after speaking that he'd lost his temper, and averted his eyes, ashamed. "Sorry."
Oak only chuckled to himself, unoffended. "Every novice thinks themselves to be at their prime. It's one of the joys of youth… and one of its greatest pitfalls. Every pitfall looks like another gap to clear."
"So, are you saying I can't win?" Max asked, frowning.
"I didn't say that," Oak shook his head. "I'm saying that you should accept it as possible that you don't, and make peace with it. There are some awfully strong trainers in a Pokémon League. And the higher you climb, the harsher your competition becomes. And really, it wouldn't be worth winning if it were easy, would it?"
"...No. I guess not." Max folded his arms behind his head. "It's not all that, though. I mean, I know Ash is in this tournament, and some of our opponents are just as scary. Maybe. This must be how May and Ash felt, when they got into the big leagues."
"I don't doubt it!" Oak agreed. "I haven't watched quite as much of your sister's work, but Ash has faced obstacle after obstacle on his journeys, tall and daunting as mountains. It's helped forge him into the trainer he is, today!" He turned his gaze to Max, after having watched his Pokémon spar independently. "But, you said that your concern isn't just about losing. Is something else weighing on your mind?"
"My next battle is against Koda. The guy I've been traveling with," Max answered. "He may be a pain, and we may fight a lot… But he's still my friend. And no matter which one of us wins tomorrow, the other loses!"
Oak smiled to himself, shaking his head. The parallels to Ash's very own losing battle from back then were steep. But, Max didn't need to add that to his mental checklist. "The burdens of friendly rivalries… I'm afraid that outcome was inevitable, eventually."
"Well, sure! But… It'd be nice if he at least, like, cared." Max shrugged. "The guy's just being all whatever about it. The jerk."
"You know, Max… It takes all kinds to be a Pokémon Trainer. For an Espeon and an Umbreon, a day's beginning differs."
"An Espeon and… That's one of your poems!" Max's eyes widened.
"Right! Can you discern the meaning for yourself, Max?"
Max scrunched his nose in thought. "...An Espeon's day starts at dawn, since they get energy from the sunlight. And Umbreon's starts at night, since they can move easily in the dark without being seen. So, you're saying they look at things differently?"
"Very good!" Oak praised. "He might not be looking at this battle from your perspective, Max. It's entirely possible that he's just excited to battle his friend."
Max blinked slowly, internalizing the elder's suggestion. He shrunk into himself, resting his hands on his knees. "...Well, now I feel guilty. I blew up at him for it, and everything."
"Friendships have their bumps and scrapes," Oak replied. "I'm sure that if you're honest with him, then Koda will understand!"
"Yeah. I guess so." Max shrugged. "I'll talk to him. Thanks, Professor!"
Professor Oak smiled brightly, stretching his wrinkled dimples. "Not a problem, Max!"
"Oh! Just one more thing… You're going to be watching our battle, right?"
"Of course! It'll be a bit difficult to move between yours and Ash's in one day… But, this old sack of bones hasn't given up yet! Certainly not for two of this generation's most promising trainers."
Joy returned to Max's face, complete with content laughter. "Awesome! Thanks, Professor!"
Tracking down Koda was fairly simple, after the match; a lot simpler than Max thought it'd be. He feared having to search all over Indigo Village, wasting precious daylight before the bout to come. But, his traveling companion was back in their cabin, by the time Max returned. Apparently, Koda had seen his outburst and turnaround coming. Max yanked his ear for that.
The annoying thing about Koda was that he was very straightforward, and often right about it. The nice thing about it was that he didn't care to gloat or dwell on things. He let Max apologize and dropped the one-man feud. They agreed to spend that night camping out, after spending the day training separately. It was easier for Max to prepare, without anything fogging his mind.
Ash had pointed the two youths to a nice, earthy enclave outside the village that he was apparently familiar with; he and Ritchie had gone off to do the same, but they'd split up partway down the trail to give Max and Koda their space to bond. It was a boy's night for both parties.
A cozy campfire crackled intermittently, keeping Max, Koda, and their Pokémon warm. Their respective parties were conversing nearby; Gengar made eerie faces in front of the fire, causing Dugtrio to burrow underground to the former's amusement. Machamp and Poliwrath were arm wrestling, while Gardevoir scolded Machamp for using his extra hands. Venusaur held two sticks with his vines, roasting marshmallows over the fire; she and Skuntank didn't mix with fire. So, she retracted her vines, offering her fellow Poison-type one of them. Skuntank ate off of it.
"Y'know, it's funny," Max laughed. A mellow, bittersweet sort. "These guys are all actin' like the best of friends, like they won't be going up against each other tomorrow."
"They've fought before," Koda said, after downing another marshmallow, himself.
"Well, yeah, but… This is the big one. Our last big battle, I guess." He held out his stick, wistfully watching the flames lick at the puffy, sugar-y cylinders.
"Last one?" Koda raised a brow. "Dude, you're being weird. It's not like we'll never battle again."
"I guess," Max conceded. "But, like… you know? It could be the last battle of our journey. All of our Pokémon, like, act like a family now. It kind of reminds me of when I traveled with my sister, and Ash and Brock. All of their Pokémon didn't really care who any of them belonged to. But, those journeys didn't go on forever… And, whoever wins tomorrow, one of us gets knocked out of the tournament… So, that'll be it. Our League challenge will be over. At least for one of us."
He took a bite into a marshmallow. It was a little overcooked, thanks to him being distracted. Bittersweet. "Sorry. I know I'm being all mopey again."
"Crap, dude, you are. Way to bring down the mood." Koda leaned his weight back on the log he was sitting on. "Is that what you were freaking out about? That one of us would lose?"
"Well, yeah! I just… don't want that to be either one of us. It just stinks, you know?"
"Who cares?"
"Huh? What do you mean, 'who cares?'" Max frowned, coming short of losing his temper again.
"I mean… Duh. You know? I never thought I was going to win this thing," Koda said. "Did you?"
"I…" Max's mouth hung open. He realized he wasn't quite sure how to answer that. "I mean, I talked about it with Professor Oak today. That's at least part of why I was upset. But, he said to just accept that it might happen, and not to let it weigh me down. I'm not sure how."
"Think about it, man." The pale boy raised a hand conversationally. "That guy you used to travel with is competing. Ash is walking all over the competition. With the way you talk about him, I doubt he's even trying. Then there's that other guy with the hat, and Deidra… She's a freak. Not that we'll ever see her. Whoever wins tomorrow faces Ash anyway, if he beats Ritchie."
"...Yeah. I guess you're right." Max hung his head, resigning himself to the truth. "I don't know how you take that so easily. Losing out there, in front of a crowd… It sounds hard."
He recalled Ash and May's big losses. He recalled May bawling her eyes out.
"Look, no one ever said we were gonna be Champions," Koda replied. "Back where I'm from, Gym Leaders are a big deal. Crasher Wake makes Pastoria tick." Koda showed the rare smile, admiring his far-off idol. "Didn't you say that Petalburg's nutty over your dad, too?"
"A little too nutty," Max spat. "That goes out of celebrity territory into straight-up worship."
"That's weird."
"Don't even get me started."
The boys shared a round of laughter, which was rare. It was rare that they were ever in sync. So, even if they were too juvenile to admit it, both appreciated it. Max fell back into the grass and leaves, tossing his finished stick aside. Koda followed suit, staring up at the stars.
"It'd be cool if I could just do something like that, one day. Be a Gym Leader who's a big deal around home. Get the locals rallied, and make my Pokémon popular. If I fight enough Gym Leaders, I should pick up what they do, I guess. Then I can bring it home."
"That's my dream too," Max laughed. "Dad was always so cool, with or without the freakshows who follow him. He never needed them, or cared about them. Everything was just between him and the challenger. He wouldn't even let me or May watch!"
"Get out."
"No, really! He took it super seriously… And I guess that's just the kind of trainer I want to be. Someone who knows a whole lot, and can pass it on in battle. You know? It sounds fun!"
"Yeah. That sounds right for a nerd like you," Koda replied, smirking.
"Hey!" Max snapped. But, he couldn't work up a muscle to be angry, right now. The stars just offered too good a view. "...Yeah. I guess we can forget winning the League. Ash is so determined to do it, that I don't think even the Champion could stand in his way, if he wanted to."
"That guy's a freak of nature. So's his Pikachu." Koda, too, dismissed any delusion of defeating Ash. Even meeting that guy's eyes intimidated him, even if he'd never admit it. He looked so easygoing, but his gaze was powerful. Freaky. "Screw all that. Let's just make it a race."
"A race?" Max asked.
Koda turned to him, and grinned. "On who can become a Gym Leader first. Duh."
Max's eyes sparkled with excitement and wonder. "Hah! You're on!"
"Cool. Shake on it?" Koda asked, sitting up and offering his hand.
Max hesitated, staring at his friend's hand. "...Yeah. But, one more promise, first."
"Shoot."
"After we're done with the League… And, when we head off somewhere else — all my friends do, after they're done with a region — we'll still be friends, right? No matter what?"
"Not like I've got a choice," Koda shrugged. "Someone's gotta keep the egghead in line."
Max laughed, clasping Koda's hand in his. "And someone's gotta watch out for the brute!"
"Thank you, one and all, for coming to the next-to-last round of the Top 16! After several one-sided battles in favor of those advancing to the quarter finals, we hope for a sporting match in the B-3 block! So, let's take a look at our competitors!"
On one end of the field, Koda walked into his trainer's box, juggling a Poké Ball in his palm.
"On one end, we have Koda, from Pastoria City! A rookie trainer who's stormed through the preliminary rounds with straightforward, formidable force! There's no guessing as to what his approach to battle will be."
On the opposite end, Max marched toward his own. His posture was rigid and stern; a purposeful stride, not showing any signs of nervousness from the day before. He'd made a promise with his friend-turned-rival, and he planned to keep it.
"On the other, we have Max Maple, from Petalburg City! A clever and knowledgeable upstart, who breezed through most of his prior rounds with well-planned strategies! It seems we're up for a battle of brains versus brawn, today — a classic showdown!"
"Oh, there he goes…!" May leaned forward in her seat. "I hope Max has a great time out there. He seemed a lot more confident last night!"
"I have a good feeling that both of them will battle to the best of their abilities," Oak replied. "I had a conversation with your younger brother in the afternoon. He just needed a little push."
"I want to see how they battle against each other!" Ash cheered, bundling up his fists.
"Hopefully better than last time," Dawn deadpanned. "They couldn't even work together."
"That's exactly why I'm excited!"
The referee raised his flags. "You may begin!"
"Skuntank, you're up first!"
"Dugtrio, I choose you!"
Both Max and Koda released their first choices simultaneously. On Koda's end, his signature Skuntank appeared, addressing her opponents with a loud hiss. On Max's, Dugtrio appeared.
"Max has chosen Dugtrio, and Koda, Skuntank! A bad match-up, at first glance!"
"Crap," Koda cursed, holding out his Poké Ball. "Return, Skuntank!"
"Oh, no you don't!" Max declared, smirking. "I think they're staying put, right Dugtrio?"
"Trioooo!" Dugtrio cried in unison. The burrow around them suddenly expanded, swallowing half of the battlefield in a tremendous pit of dirt and sand. It expanded to swallow Skuntank, pulling her into the sinkhole.
The red glow of Koda's Poké Ball couldn't reach her. The youth grimaced. "Great…"
"Ooh, Dutrio's Arena Trap prevents Koda from switching! Just the sort of two-steps-ahead planning we've come to expect from Max, so far!"
"Talk about an ugly start," Brock mused.
"That's Max alright," Ash added with a chuckle. "Man… I remember being up against the same strategy in the Hoenn League, with Peeks. Koda better be careful."
"Now, it's all a matter of whether he keeps his composure," Drew added. "A disorienting opening like this one could be just as disturbing in a battle as it would be in a Contest."
"Come on, Koda! You already know about Dutrio's Arena Trap," Max boasted, smugly adjusting his spectacles. "Don't tell me you seriously fell for that."
"Of course I knew about it." Koda rolled his eyes. "I just didn't return her in time… But, we don't need to run from you. Skuntank, Night Slash!"
Skuntank lunged at Dugtrio, who laid at the bottom of the pit. She drew back razor sharp nails, coating them in violet, malicious energy.
Max grinned. "Sucker Punch!"
Dugtrio quickly submerged, confusing Skuntank. The Poison-type came to a half, sliding across the sandy slope on all fours. She looked around frantically; where the hell did they go!?
Her question was answered by a brutal strike to her gut, knocking the Pokémon on her back. She scrambled back onto her feet, wanting to steer clear of the sinkhole's bottom, and lunged at Dugtrio to strike at him with a vengeance.
"Now, use Dig!" Max commanded.
Dugtrio burrowed under a second time, avoiding the strike. This time, when Skuntank landed, the three moles struck her jaw with a vicious uppercut.
Skuntank squealed, knocked on her back by the super-effective attack.
"Oooh, a nasty one-two combo by Dugtrio! Max takes the early lead!"
"Use Toxic, Skuntank!" Koda ordered.
Skuntank aimed her tail, and fired potent poison at Dugtrio. The mole submerged to dodge the gunk, and reemerged nearby. The skunk fired again, and Dugtrio repeated the action.
"You're so annoying!" Koda complained, as the cycle continued. "Who battles like this?"
"Someone who wants to win," Max taunted. "And you haven't seen annoying, yet. Mud Slap!"
Dugtrio surfaced once more, striking the ground in such a way that mud splattered Skuntank.
The Poison-type hissed in anger, blinded by the grime.
"To make matters worse for Koda, Skuntank's vision has been obscured!"
"That… is the sort of annoying way I'd expect Max to battle," May admitted, wearing an exasperated smile.
"Hey, May. That's your brother," Misty said, frowning. "You should be rooting for him!"
"I am rooting for him!" May insisted. "Go get him, you little dweeb!"
"There's no love like that between a brother and sister," Delia said, chuckling.
"You said it," Misty deadpanned.
"Now we've got you," Max said triumphantly. "Now, Dig under, again!"
Dugtrio cried in affirmation, digging under.
"Hmph. Cowards." Koda couldn't quite see Skuntank from this angle. But, he didn't need to. "Hey, Skuntank. Sit and wait for them. And tuck your tail under your belly, while you're at it."
"Skun!" Skuntank grinned, bending herr fluffy tail to sit under her, rather than over.
"Huh…? What's he up to?" Max asked, frowning. "Only one way to find out. Do it, Dugtrio!"
The ground began to break under Skuntank.
"Now, use Toxic!" Koda cried.
Dugtrio popped up out of the ground, but there was no great impact like they expected. Instead, they were greeted with the tail end of Skuntank's tail. They recoiled in disgust, unable to stand the stench. Then they were doused in Toxic. It was all enough to retreat, surfacing at a distance.
"Ooooh! A nasty Toxic hits its mark!"
"No way!" Max exclaimed. "Using Skuntank's smell to ambush us… That's good. Gotta admit."
"You can't be the only one to have all the brainy ideas," Koda replied. "Listen for Dugtrio, and use Venoshock!"
Skuntank's ears perked up. The break in the sand nearby was enough of a guide for her. She aimed her tail, and fired green, deadly acid towards the mole trio.
"Dodge that!" Max cried. Dugtrio burrowed, and appeared nearby. That was enough for Skuntank to fire again, forcing a second retreat.
'Man… I can't just attack from under again. Skuntank could just repeat their same strategy, and taking a Venoshock after being poisoned is risky! It looks like Dig is out. So, now what…?'
"With a clear counter to Dugtrio's subterranean attacks, Koda and Skuntank have given themselves a reprieve! But, with Dugtrio's speed, they seem to be at a standstill…!"
"It's not a standstill," Ash corrected the emcee from the stands. "Koda's keeping him at a distance, waiting for the right moment. It's just like I did against Samurai and Pinsir."
"Then, he's waiting for poison to wear him down?" May asked. "That feels like more of a Max tactic than a Koda one; the kids's so straightforward."
"Not exactly," Ash shook his head. "That Toxic's going to take effect, more and more. And as soon as it makes Dugtrio slow down a little…"
"Venoshock!"
Another shot of green slime just barely missed a burrowing Dugtrio. Skuntank was panting, gradually tiring of consecutive attacks. Doing so while blinded took even more effort than usual.
Dugtrio, too, was starting to struggle. Avoiding one attack after another was typically easy work for a Diglett or Dugtrio. But with Toxic chipping away at him, they'd been suffering their loss to stamina underground, to avoid being a target. Their timing could only stay precise for so long.
"Trio…!" They groaned, doubling over from the latest surge of poison.
"Now!" Koda cried. "Venoshock!"
"Skuun!" Skuntank cried. Their next round of Venoshock struck, making Dugtrio struggle.
"Oooh! A direct hit! Although not very effective in type, Venoshock is twice as deadly when hitting an already poisoned opponent! Koda is overcoming theory, with the nasty characteristics of Poison and Dark-types! What will Max do!?"
"Dugtrio! Are you okay?" Max asked.
Dugtrio grunted in pain, but ultimately stood upright, answering with a battle cry.
"Okay… There's only one answer to this problem! Use Sand Tomb!" Max cried.
Suddenly, a whirlwind of sand erupted around Skuntank. She cried out, pummeled relentlessly by the abrasive sand and winds. Shortly after, the storm subsided. But, Skuntank was halfway submerged in sand, now.
"Oooh, Sand Tomb! Dugtrio attacks at a distance, chipping away at Skuntank's health with a super-effective move! Will that take out Skuntank first, or will Toxic do its job!?"
Koda snorted. "You have an answer for everything, don't you?"
Max laughed, adjusting his glasses, which illuminated under the afternoon sun. "I thought everything through! I know about Skuntank's Aftermath, Koda. If she faints from a move that makes contact, my Pokémon takes damage, too! That's why you sent her in first, right?"
Koda smirked. "You figured me out."
"Thought so. Knowing that, I don't have to attack you up-close. As long as Sand Tomb keeps you in place and wears you down, then Dugtrio comes out scott free!"
"Y'know, I thought you'd think of something like that," Koda said, sporting a nasty smirk.
Max's expression faltered. "What's that supposed to mean!?"
"It means I'm one step ahead of you," Koda boasted. "Skuntank! Explosion!"
"W-wait!" Max sputtered. "Dig, Dig!"
Dugtrio did their best to burrow. But the creeping dread of poison slowed them down. A massive, blinding explosion consumed the entirety of Arena Trap; going up in sand and smoke.
Finally, Arena Trap gave away. The earth shifted more-or-less back into place, revealing both Pokémon. Skuntank was on her back, unconscious. Dugtrio had swirls in each of their eyes.
"Both Pokémon are unable to battle!" The referee shouted.
"...That was a low blow," Max complained, shooting the other a glare as he recalled Dugtrio.
"Only because you didn't think of it first," Koda mocked, recalling Skuntank as well.
Max smirked. "Hehe, maybe!"
"A double knockout, with an all-bets-off explosion! Both Max and Koda are down to two Pokémon! What will they surprise us with, next!?"
"Well, so much for all of those mind games…!" May chuckled. "They just went right back to brute force and explosions."
"Direct and to the point. That seems more like Koda's wheelhouse," Drew said, shaking his head.
"The score is still tied," Ash said, leaning forward in his seat. He could hardly wait!
"I wonder who they'll send out next?" Dawn asked.
"Gengar, I choose you!"
"Machamp, you're next!"
On Max's end of the field, Gengar materialized, grinning. On Koda's, Machamp bashed his fists together. The two Pokémon taunted one another, while their trainers looked sterner than ever.
"Hey, hold on…" Ash's eyes narrowed. "I don't remember them having those Pokémon, before."
"That's because they didn't," May answered. "Max was the one who caught Machamp. From what he told me, Koda caught Gengar, earlier on! At some point, they traded."
"That's right!" Ash smacked a fist into an open palm. "I remember that; at the Dark City Gym!"
"I can see why. Haunter and Machoke are two of the Pokémon out there who evolve more easily by trading. It was mutually beneficial for them!"
"Oh, but to actually trust each other with their Pokémon…" Dawn sniffled. "Do your best out there, you two! Show Kanto what you're made of!"
"Erm…?" Drew raised a brow at Dawn's outburst.
"Dawn gets really emotional about trades," Ash chuckled bashfully.
"Machamp and Gengar come out next! This looks like another bad matchup for Koda, but as we've seen time and again, anything can happen!"
"Machamp, use Bullet Punch!"
Machamp was poised before the words even left Koda's mouth. He lunged to clear the distance between himself and Gengar, fists drawn back and coated with a silver luster. Consecutive, lightning fast punches battered the Ghost-type without relent.
"Now, use Knock Off!" Koda commanded consecutively, waving a hand.
Gengar bounced off the ground, reeling from the initial flurry. Machamp lunged at him, grabbing each of his feet with one of his hands. "Maaa-champ!" He roared, lifting the ghoul over his head before smashing him into the field. Gengar cried in pain, but found no reprieve, as the Superpower Pokémon's foot planted atop his torso, pinning him to the ground.
Machamp grinned, drawing back his fists a second time.
"Ooh! A nasty one-two combo, by Koda and Machamp! That Ghost-type isn't doing Max any favors, so far!"
"A Steel-type move to land the first hit, and a Dark-type one to bypass and take advantage of type advantage," Professor Oak mused aloud. "Not a bad set of moves to have on a Machamp!"
"After what Max has told me about Koda, I'm really impressed!" May praised. "All he'd talk about is how he'd bang his head against a wall. It seems like being around Max has paid off for him!"
"Machamp's looking as strong as ever," Max grinned. "Too bad that won't help. Hypnosis!"
"Crud, I was afraid of that!" Koda grimaced. "Juggle them, with Bullet Punch!"
Machamp punted the grinning Gengar, launching him skyward. Without reprieve, he lunged to meet the ghost's altitude, beating him mercilessly with flying fists of fury. Gengar flailed and bent in malleable fashion, as if made of rubber; his ghostly qualities on full display.
"Oooh! Machamp just isn't letting up, no matter what! What tenacity!"
Machamp balled both sets of fists over his head, ready to spike Gengar.
But, the ghoul met Machamp's eyes at the very last second. "Gehehehe~!"
A red, alluring glow captured Machamp's gaze. The Fighting-type's grip slacked, and his posture went limp. He collapsed and hit the dirt, sound asleep afterwards, snoring.
"Darn! Not fast enough…"
"That's the downside to having No Guard!" Max boasted. "You can hit as much as you want, but Machamp has to be as aggressive as possible, which means you can't dodge any of my attacks, either! It was all just a matter of time." He smirked, adjusting his glasses.
"Then, you were waiting on this." Koda's eyes widened, and he held out Machamp's Poké Ball.
"Now, Gengar! Mean Look!"
The red light of Machamp's Poké Ball hit its mark, then shattered. An eerie purple aura coated the slumbering Fighting-type; Mean Look had hit its mark first.
"Oooh, Hypnosis and Mean Look… A classic, nasty ghostly combo!"
"That figures," Koda grumbled. "Get up, Machamp!"
"Not likely! Gengar, Dream Eater!"
A transparent apparition of Gengar shot out of his ghastly form, diving into Machamp's psyche. Machamp tossed and turned, clearly succumbing to his psyche being invaded.
The apparition returned to Gengar, and reunited with him. A purple glow surrounded him; he's regained stamina from eating Machamp's dreams.
"Get up, Machamp! C'mon!" Koda pleaded.
Machamp grumbled and rolled, still asleep.
"Dream Eater, again!"
Gengar dove in for a second meal, sapping away Machamp's strength.
"This is just unfortunate to watch, folks! Gengar is draining away all of the damage they've taken so far! Things are looking grim for Machamp!"
"Come on, Machamp!" Koda shouted. "Use Knock Off!"
The unpleasant dreams finally woke Machamp. His eyes snapped open, and he dragged himself back onto his feet. He loomed over Gengar, dwarfing him in stature. "Champ…" He growled lowly, furious over his disturbed rest. He grabbed each of Gengar's limbs, and punted him. True to No guard, Machamp lunged at the flying specter.
"Hypnosis!" Max shouted.
"Bullet Punch!"
Another bone-breaking barrage battered Gengar's face in. With all of his regained vitality, though, Gengar prevailed. His face reformed, and he captured Machamp in his gaze.
Machamp fell from the sky, landing on his back. Snoozing, once more.
"Dream Eater!"
Gengar cackled and dove at Machamp a third time, sapping away his dreams.
Machamp grumbled and stirred, before finally going lax, with swirls in his eyes.
"Machamp is unable to battle!" The referee declared. "Gengar wins!"
"Yes! Good work, Gengar." Max praised, hopping for joy.
"Seriously? A cheap strategy like that on your own former Pokémon?" Koda critiqued.
"Hey, Machamp is really strong! Of course I know that," Max said, smiling. "That's why I had to hit him with a strategy he couldn't come back from."
"Of course you did," Koda sighed, recalling Machamp. "You're so annoying."
"Gengar's Dream Eater proves formidable, and Koda is left at a disadvantage with only one Pokémon left! Will the boy from Pastoria stage a comeback, or is it already over?"
"Just wait and see." Koda tapped his third Poké Ball's center button, expanding it to fit his hand. He slid his opposite hand in his sweatshirt pocket, and flung the sphere backhanded. "Fearow!"
The ball popped open in midair, summoning a ferocious bird with a craning neck. "Feaaaar!"
"Koda's last Pokémon is Fearow! Another straightforward fighter, at first glance!"
"Fearow, huh?" Max's eyes narrowed. "Let's take them down, right away! Use Ice Beam!"
Revitalized and raring to go, Gengar fired a freezing beam from his hands.
"Use Agility, Fearow!" Koda coached. The Flying-type shot through the skies, quickly picking up speed. The concerted effort to move faster than the naked eye propelled Fearow through the thick of Ice Beam, turning into a barrel roll to avoid its chill. Fearow emerged unscathed.
"Now, use Focus Energy, Fearow."
Fearow fanned his wings, shouting a hearty, shrill battle cry. An orange aura bathed their feathers in its splendor, indicating a spike in his concentration.
Max's eyes widened, and then narrowed in a troubled glare. "You wouldn't dare."
Koda smirked. "Watch me."
The youth's taunt didn't reassure Max any; particularly after months of traveling to brief him on just what the vicious avian was capable of. "Use Hypnosis, Gengar! Quick!"
"Gar!" Gengar cried, firing red projectiles from his eyes towards Fearow. Long before Hypnosis connected, though, the bird was gone in a blur. "Gen…?" Gengar looked about, frazzled.
"Where'd he…?" Max frowned, looking left and right for their opponent. It was only when he looked down at his own shadow, though, when he found it eclipsed by another.
Fearow hung above and behind Max and Gengar, with his wings fully spanned.
"Use Drill Run!" Koda cried.
Fearow dropped into a vicious spinning descent, barrel rolling towards a frightened and disoriented Gengar. By the time the Ghost-type was aware of him, it was too late.
A spinning beak jabbed directly into the Ghost-type's belly, sending him flying in a spiral. Gengar bounced off the field several times, landing on his face. He remained unmoving after the fact.
Fearow swooped back down, and landed in front of Koda, while the referee took a look.
"Gengar is unable to battle! Fearow wins!'
"Return, Gengar!" Max recalled the Ghost-type, smiling at the Poké Ball. "Take it easy, for now. We've still got this!" He returned his attention to Koda. "So, Focus Energy and Drill Run on top of Sniper, huh? I had a feeling that was what you were up to."
"Too bad you couldn't stop it." Koda smirked.
"Well, there it is — the answer to Fearow taking out a perfectly healthy Gengar! Focus Energy and Drill Run both increase the chance or critical hits! While Fearow's ability, Sniper, deals extra damage upon landing one! A fearsome, straightforward strategy!"
"My. What an effective strategy!" Delia cooed. "Straight to the point, and deadly!"
"I think that was the only way through an opponent like Gengar," Ash replied. "He needed to bring them down in one shot!"
"I've told him~! Sometimes the answer to all that brainy strategy is busting right through!" May chirped.
"Who's side are you on, again?" Dawn asked.
"I'm still on his side! Max still has one Pokémon left. Go and kick his butt, you lil' nerd!" May cupped her hands around her mouth to shout, to her companions' exasperation.
"Just wait, Koda. I'm still winning this!" Max clutched the cold steel of his last Poké Ball between his fingertips. "Poliwrath! You're up last!" He threw the sphere overhead, calling her forth.
"Poliiiii!" Poliwrath somersaulted out of her Poké Ball, hitting the ground with a heavy 'thud.' She flexed her burly arms, shouting a battle cry. "Poliiiii!"
"Max sends in Poliwrath; a Fighting-type! An interesting choice. Will it bear fruit!?"
"That speed won't help you if we know where you're going," Max claimed. "Mind Reader!"
Poliwrath's eyes flashed a bright blue. Instantaneously, she was clued into Fearow's thoughts for a short time; wherever he went, or dared to go, she would be two steps ahead.
"You're so cheap," Koda scolded. "Aerial Ace!"
"Feaaaar!" Fearow reared back, and then shot towards Poliwrath with his built-up momentum.
Poliwrath's eyes flicked left and right. Fearow's coming flight patterns came to her just as quickly as he thought of them. But, the bird disappearing from sight still left her dizzied. "Poli!" She stood her ground, waiting patiently for Fearow's next move.
Fearow was planning to flank her for a surprise attack. But by the time Poliwrath started to turn, it was too late; Aerial Ace crashed into her side, sending her flying into the sky.
"Reading minds won't help if we're too fast," Koda taunted.
"Says you!" Max barked back. "Dynamic Punch!"
Poliwrath had taken super-effective damage, but she was no stranger to a tough fight. She recovered quickly, somersaulting towards Fearow, who hadn't yet lost his momentum. She wound back her fist, waiting to read the avian's mind. He tried to veer left, out of her path.
She adjusted accordingly, and bashed him over the head with a haymaker.
Fearow plummeted, hitting the ground with a squawk.
"Good job!" Max praised. "Now, use Hydro Pump!"
Poliwrath landed, and spat a bone-crushing torrent towards the downed Fearow.
"Get out of there!" Koda urged. Fearow beat the ground with his wings, zipping out of range.
"Darn it!" Max cursed. "He didn't get confused…"
"Tough luck, Poindexter." Koda smirked. "We're still in the fight."
"Talk about a spot of bad luck at a crucial moment," Professor Oak mused aloud. "Confusion would have given Max a free opening that even type advantage wouldn't have mitigated; and at such a crucial point in the battle's third act."
"Dynamic Punch causes confusion, then?" Delia asked.
"It often does; more than most other secondary effects of attacking moves. A punch that powerful to the head could make anyone dizzy! A punch that powerful has poor accuracy, but combined with Mind Reader to eliminate that factor…"
"My, my. That's quite the clever play from Max!" The mother cooed.
"That's my brother!" May boasted. "Confused or not, he can still win!"
"Now, let's finish this!" Max commanded. "Use Belly Drum!"
"Poli…!" Poliwrath started to beat her chest with ferocity, pumping her fighting spirit up to its limits. The heavy blows dealt damage in the process, cutting her stamina in half.
"Ooh, talk about a gamble! Belly Drum cuts Poliwrath's health in exchange for overwhelming attack power! That's a do-or-die move, from Max!"
"Yeah? Two can play at that game," Koda said, eyes narrowing. "Focus Energy!"
Fearow cried out, bathing himself in an orange glow. He was fully focused for his next strike.
"Fearow uses Focus Energy! This may be the end, either way, folks!"
"Use Mind Reader!" Max countered.
Poliwrath closed her eyes, and tuned out her surroundings to focus entirely on her opponent and his intentions. A blue glow flickered in her eyes when they opened. "Poli!"
"Reading our minds won't help you. We're not running away!" Koda shouted. "Use Drill Run!"
Fearow beat his wings with concerted effort, drawing back his body, before dive bombing towards Poliwrath. He tucked his wings in, spinning horizontally with greater and greater velocity. The sound of a drill grated on the combatants' ears, and the avian became little more than a whirring blur, flickering with sparks of fiery orange. Poliwrath was within his sights!
Poliwrath widened her stance, digging her feet into the field.
"Fearow dives in for a killing blow! This is it!"
"Feaaaar!"
"Poli!"
The ground under Poliwrath broke. Sturdy, stubborn feet tore through the tough field, pushing the Water-type back towards the edge of the ring, forced through solid earth off momentum alone. Gradually, it slowed until Poliwrath stopped moving.
Tough, gloved hands were smashed together, clasping Fearow's beak. Rough friction scorched her palms; wisps of smoke and a faint burnt scent drifted away from them. The sharp point of Drill Peck came just short of Poliwrath's chest.
A bewildered Fearow couldn't so much as squawk, locked in Poliwrath's grip.
"What's this!? Poliwrath has caught Fearow's Drill Peck, stopping it in its tracks!"
"What!? No way." Koda complained. "We attacked you head-on."
A sinister shine crossed a smirking Max's glasses, as the youth adjusted them. "And that's why we were able to stop you. This is it, Poliwrath! Finish it, with Dynamic Punch!"
Fearow struggled and flailed his wings, digging his claws into the dirt to yank himself free. Even Poliwrath's grip with one firm hand held him still, though, while the opposite fist drew itself back.
"Poli… Wrath!" Poliwrath cried, striking Fearow brutally over the head.
The bird was sent ricocheting off of the field, landing in a heap nearby; swirls in his eyes.
The referee raised his flag. "Fearow is unable to battle! Poliwrath wins; which makes Max the winner of this battle!"
"...Wait, for real?" Koda asked, blinking dumbly.
"But, that was so…" Max trailed off in disbelief.
"...Fast," Koda finished.
The boys stared at each other, and then broke into laughter. The audience seemed to receive their good humor in kind; laughter and cheering echoed their conclusion from all around.
"No like, seriously. It felt like we were just getting started," Koda said, doing his best to hide his smile and play it cool, as he recalled his Fearow. "How are we already done?"
Max recalled Poliwrath with a word of thanks, and folded his arms behind his head, rocking on the heels of his feet. "Who knows? I guess we've just gotten too strong!"
"Our two challengers have said it better than I could! A battle between two friends has wrapped up remarkably quickly! That's what happens when you enter a battle with deadly, straightforward strategies on both sides!"
"Woohoo! Way to go, Max!" May hollered, standing up from her seat to wave her hands. "Way to clobber 'em!"
"Good for him," Misty smiled with approval, folding her arms. "He really pulled his weight."
"Smart call," Drew praised with a shrug. "Either of them could've won, there. But stopping Drill Peck head-on is a move Koda never would've expected. Taking it would've been the end."
"Aw, they looked like they had so much fun!" Delia clasped her hands together happily.
"Indeed," Professor Oak nodded sagely. "Friends fight and clash strategies. In the end, both will prosper, climbing to new heights."
"Oh, that was a poem!" Dawn cooed. "You're so right, Professor. That's the best way to get strong!"
"Gotta hand it to you, Kiddo." Ash smirked. He got up from his seat and hiked a foot up atop it, resting his wrist atop his knee. "You took on your half of the bargain, getting this far."
Peeks scurried up his trainer's shoulder, leaning over it to smile excitedly at the battle's conclusion. "He sure did. Now it's our turn."
Misty rolled her eyes in amusement. "Trying to look tough for your big showdown, hotshot? You've still got to get past Ritchie, you know."
"Yeah. I know." Ash's lips parted in a grin. He lifted his cap's brim. "I've got a promise to keep!"
In the center of the field, Max and Koda clasped hands in a firm shake. A moment of quiet — if not awkward — respect hung in the air. Of course, two abrasive tweens could never let that last.
Max sneered. "Looks like brains won over brawn, after all."
"If you wanna admit I'm the stronger one, whatever." Koda shrugged, matching him with a snide, if subdued smile. "You got the better of me, man. Looks like you'll get your match."
"My match…?" Max echoed.
Koda gestured his thumb over his shoulder. "Take a look up there. You've got a peanut gallery."
Max's eyes followed Koda's thumb, and he turned his eyes to the crowd. Only a few rows up from the field was the bulk of their friend group. May was cheering and hollering to the youth's own embarrassment, while the rest shared a more quiet approval amongst themselves, likely discussing the battle. Max wasn't too concerned about that, scanning for just one person.
There he was. A red cap, and a Pikachu. The rest of the crowd could have been a blur to Max in that moment, as he made eye contact with his hopeful next opponent in the stands. Wearing the same confident smile he always did, Ash towered over him; his jacket billowing behind him.
Max swallowed heavily, and adjusted his maroon jacket. Ash was next.