Chapter 41: Kings of the Upper League!
A clear 2-0 victory decided the semi-finals of the Upper League tournament. Only one duel remained to decide which team would get the chance to qualify for the King's League.
"So Aurora, what the hell just happened?"
It seemed as if Marshadow didn't believe his team partner that she didn't know. Even though it was the truth.
"I'm not lying, I can only guess that it was aftereffects. But... let's look at the good side. I now know a Steel-type attack! And we're in the finals!"
Although the whole team was happy about the win itself, Kel still didn't seem really satisfied.
"You're right, but... Aurora, if something like that happens, you can't stay in the ring! What if you had had a different opponent? A win is not worth the risk!"
It was the most words the Arcanine had spoken in a whole, so the the Ninetales was surprised at first. She found it difficult to actually find an answer.
"Yes... I... I know, Kel. But I couldn't do much right there!"
Aurora mentally prepared herself for an argument, but it didn't come. Kel seemed satisfied with the answer he got. There was also no time for speeches anyway, because Elementaraeon had entered floor 50, where Team Polarna vatra had gathered, followed by three Pokemon. Weavile, Galvantula and Suicune. One of the other two semi-finalist teams.
"Aurora, Kel. And of course you too, Marshadow and Tyrantrum. You have arrived already. Perfect! Team Polarna vatra, Team Serelo, these are your opponents."
A short nod from the Galvantula followed, which Aurora returned on behalf of her team.
"Your two teams are the finalists of this season!"
Not everyone present seemed to understand the situation, because Weavile raised her voice.
"Weren't these guys literally in the Lower League last season? How can they be in the finals already?"
"Ask again after you have to go through all the shit we're doing!", Marshadow countered.
"And once the next season starts, it will be the King's League! Don't you dare underestimate us!", Tyrantrum followed up.
Elementareon wanted to get the situation under control again before it would escalate.
"Well, you are now playing for a spot in the relegation match. One duel decides everything. I will monitor the fight. Even if I honestly can't be fully unbiased. But only the results decide the score anyways! So, choose your first fighters!"
Just as Polarna vatra's planning was about to begin, Elementareon spoke up again.
"One important thing: In a match like this, a duel consists of at least three rounds! It would only be two against two in case a round five happens!"
Everything was quickly planned for Aurora's team. And it quickly became clear that this was their best chance. Kel was strong against all three opponents, even though Suicune was capable of dangerous attacks, and the same was true for Tyrantrum. Marshadow was at least able to effectively hit two of the three, one of whom would fight twice in an emergency. And thanks to her new technique, Aurora also had an advantage against two of the three opponents. Nevertheless, patience was required. Galvantula would not be able to fight Marshadow or Aurora in the best case scenario.
Soon enough, two Pokemon entered the ring. On one side Weavile, on the other side a lucky counter, Marshadow. And this was exactly what the shadow had hoped for, in more than one aspect. Because he knew that the icy Pokemon was not ready for his specialty, on the contrary. Snibunna immediately used valuable seconds to increase both attack and speed. However, Marshadow had expected this and with his clones created a ten against one situation. And on top of that, Fighting attacks hit incredibly hard. An icy shield should be the salvation, Weavile thought... but it was not. A single combo was enough to leave Weavile defenseless in the danger zone and Marshadow ended the duel. A simple victory.
Now the consideration for Polarna vatra was a simple process of elimination. Aurora would be the best choice against Suicune, Tyrantrum against Galvantula. A fifty-fifty chance, although it made more sense to send Monargoras now. The reason was a theoretical round 4. If Aurora now went into battle against Galvantula, then Kel or Monargoras would have to face Suicune. If it wasn't 3-0 by then, Team Serelo could send in Weavile again.
Based on this consideration, Tyrantrum entered the ring, but was up against Suicune. Polarna vatra's opponents had probably followed the line of thought and thus decided on the best choice. It would be a quick duel, but quite exciting. Both Pokemon countered each other with their most important types. So duel number two began, with Polarna vatra at an advantage. Tyrantrum began the battle like every Rock-type Pokemon always did: Rocks from the ground. They were too effective to be left out. But that didn't make it any less predictable. Suicune didn't hesitate for a second before attacking. He immediately used techniques that Tyrantrum was now better familiar with thanks to training with Aurora. He now knew that the slippery ground would not be a disadvantage for him if he just created pebbles as a path so that they supported him.
However, he underestimated Suicune's aggressiveness when the polar Pokemon immediately pounced on him again without wasting a second. This opponent knew that many Rock-type Pokemon preferred a passive fight, so he didn't want to allow this. The perfect tactic against the offensively rather sluggish Monargoras, who quickly lost the fight.
Now only Galvantula was left against Kel or Aurora. No question. And immediately the Arcanine copied the previous opponent's tactic of immediately going into the offensive. However, Galvantula seemed ready for a frontal attack. A specialty of the Bug type, an Electro Web, stopped Kel and slowed him down. Doubly so, as the electrical tension in the threads also paralyzed his muscles. Kel had thus quickly thrown away one of his advantages. Galvantula was not fast, but Kel was now slower. He was also not a very good long-range fighter, which made lowered speed all the more painful. In principle, the only options at a distance were rocks and Flamethrower. And… Kel only now realized that an electric Pokemon was the perfect opponent for him to keep his distance. Since the third option was Earthquake.
The spider immediately tripped over his own legs and fell to the ground, but struck and hit Kel as he tried to approach. But even if the attack had little immediate effect, it had given Kel a huge advantage: Intimidation. Galvantula was no longer willing to keep his distance from what was probably his most hated attack. But fighting a wild lion in close combat was also not an option. And yet he had to decide to do it. With nets, small stings and sparks, Galvantula tried to keep Kel just out of reach, but still hit him. However, the Arcanine had also expected such a strategy. A flame appeared in his mouth, which made Galvantula flinch. But instead of directing it at the enemy, Kel immediately burned all the nets sticking to his body and used Flare Blitz to launch a surprise offensive, thus putting an end to the duel.
"Match point for Polarna vatra! Aurora, Weavile, it's your turn! This might me the last duel!"
Weavile? Was Team Serelo not allowed to choose who would go next? Only now did Aurora realize the logic and unfairness of a different rule. They could have changed their plans from the start if they had known that Weavile would have to fight first again. But even so, Aurora was optimistic. She had a Steel-type attack that her opponent would never expect and also several Fairy-Type attacks. If she just performed well now, the entire tournament would be decided. At this thought, the Ninetales noticed how her legs began to shake. This one duel could bring her dream so much closer. What if she failed? All the pressure was on her, she was the favorite to finish this! What if she failed now?
But there was no way around this fight.
"You doubted our strength, Weavile. Now let me show you how Polarna vatra achieved their ascent!"
The brave words were mainly intended to cover up her own nervousness, with moderate success. The fourth duel began. Aurora immediately began to charge up Moon Blast, as she had done before, while Weavile increased her stats again. Team Polarna vatra's leader was immediately annoyed. She should have suspected this and punished it. Instead, Weavile now had an immediate advantage. And a brief flash on the Dark-type Pokemon's claw awoke new fear in Aurora. Steel was her own secret weapon, but she had repressed the fact that her enemy could also use it due to Metal Claw. Aurora's greatest weakness of all.
In response, Aurora immediately created a pillar of ice under her feet, on which she now stood to stay out of the enemy's reach. This was a duel similar to Galvantula versus Kel, but with the roles reversed. She couldn't get into close combat. Somehow she had to manage hitting a critical Moon Blast. This could be enough to decide the fight. But how? Weavile was probably the most agile of all the Pokemon in this room, even more so now that she had multiplied her speed again. And even when charged, Moon Blast still needed a moment before being used. In addition, Aurora had to keep her focus on the moon. The only thing she could do was... a surprise attack.
She immediately decided against all reason. It was a risk, but if she succeeded, victory would be assured. She jumped down from her icy pillar, which Weavile clearly hadn't expected. She immediately used her latest attack, Steel Beam, even if it was a bit strange. At first, Weavile clearly had no idea what was happening to her and she was caught critically. However, she managed to raise her claws in the middle of the beam and block the rest of the attack before appearing next to Aurora in a split second and striking with a Metal Claw. There was no time to dodge and Aurora immediately found herself in the danger Zone, falling to the ground. And Weavile, aware of her almost certain victory, showed her self-confidence.
"All these big words and in the end you still lost! You have to realize that you are still newbies! Last words, Snowball?"
Tyrantrum jumped up on the sidelines. He remembered this situation. He had once been here himself. In the qualifier when Team Polarna vatra became part of the Upper League. And this was exactly what Aurora had wanted to achieve.
"Just one. Checkmate!"
A pillar of ice shot up under a confused Weavile, creating enough shock for Moon Blast to connect in a critical hit. A loud ringing rang through the hall.
"It's decided! Team Polarna vatra wins this season's Upper League tournament with a three-to-one victory in the finals! Congratulations to you, it was a great fight from both teams."
Aurora stood up, somewhat hurt, but as she walked out of the ring her wounds faded.
"That was great, Aurora. That showed her!"
While the losers disappointedly left, Elementaraeon stayed with her friends.
"So much for the underdogs of the tournament, right? I knew you could do it! But don't get too excited! The relegation is still on!"
"Tomorrow, same place, same time, right?"
Kel's question wasn't particularly justified, as Aurora realized, thinking of Elementareon's last speech.
"No. Tomorrow at this time in Crowning. The arena of the King's League! You will fight in front of a large audience for the first time.", Elementareon answered.
Aurora had often been to this place, famous as it was. She had often sat between the hundreds, sometimes thousands in the audience and watched teams duel, always with the dream of one day being on the other side of the fence. That dream would now come true.
"As far as I'm aware, neither Marshadow nor Kel know the place, so I'd recommend that you set off early and take a look at the arena. I will arrive at lunchtime and do commentary for your big match! And I have to admit, I haven't been this excited about a relegation duel for a long time. And bring all your stamina. You will be introduced to the extreme form of fighting. The fight is only won after two full duels, which end for one team. Meaning, you have to win two Best-of-Three matches, maybe playing out three of them in the process!"
There was still one big question left in the room, and Tyrantrum was the first to ask it.
"And can you tell us about our opponents?"
Elementareon seemed excited.
"That's what makes it even more exciting. No matter what happens, only allies can win! You are going to challenge Team Slash for their rank!"