"You know you don't have to follow me," Amanda whispered.
We are currently in the thrones of enemy territory. Sir Aaron's insistence on me accompanying you is a wise decision.
"You know this isn't the first Rocket Base I've sneaked around, right?" Amanda said, "And I have my own Pokémon to protect me?"
All of which are currently trapped in those torture devices you carry them in. And if some were to go wrong when you summon them, your life would be lost.
Amanda rolled her eyes, "Can you at least be quiet while do this? Don't really want to attract any unnecessary attention."
I am speaking to you in a closed link, no one else may overhear do not concern yourself.
"Yeah, that doesn't make me feel better. Because while you might be in a closed link. I am not and to other people I'm talking to air like a crazy person."
Understood.
Amanda resisted the urge to sigh, honestly, it wasn't like she couldn't defend herself. She's trained in martial arts and could easily take down some rocket grunts. It also wasn't like she and Uncle Aaron were all that close. Why was he being so protective? There was no reason that he should want Lucario to be with her.
She bit the inside of her cheek, taking a deep breath. Looking stressed out would only bring more suspicion to herself.
Schooling a blank expression, she blended back into the crowd. A hand on her bag strap with the other in her pocket. She had kept her makeup on a more neutral color palette, her usual goth esthetic would draw more attention. And had swapped out her glasses for colored contacts, turning her eyes purple. With a beanie to hide her hair, and off the shoulder sweater, she looked like a different person. Just another young trainer in a crowd of fellow competitors.
Amanda had lucked out, in tournament of 24 trainers, her round one match up was number 12. It should give her some time to at least figure out the best way to access the main frame. She had already had Pichu sneak in and set the camera in the terminal room on a loop. So, security wouldn't pay much attention to it. Or at least think nothing is happening in there.
"All patrons, please proceed to the stadium the tournament is about to begin!"
"That's our que," Amanda whispered.
She had positioned herself near the entrance, that way she could follow the crowd as they journeyed deeper into the building, before slipping not into the arena, but rather the less popular stairwell near the bathroom to the second floor.
The crowds up there were thinner, but that just meant she needed to be more wary of the cameras. At least, that was what she would usually do. Now Amanda had a stow away. She signaled Lucario, gesturing towards the cameras with her eyes when he looked at her.
"Stay out of their line of sight, but don't draw attention to yourself," she murmured. Lucario nodded.
As they continued through the halls, the crowds thinned further. The tiles on the floor started to get more smudged, and the paint on the walls had more chips. Eventually, they came to a spot where the lights were flickering, and the space was empty. The door to the terminal room was unassuming. Unassuming and locked. Good thing she brought a pic-kit with her.
You know how to pick locks?
"Yep, why is that so shocking?" Amanda said.
From my understanding you are from a noble class, wouldn't such skills, not be encouraged that you learn?
"I've done worst then this and you know that."
I am aware, but I have been curious.
"About what?"
You. Mostly. You are unlike Master, or Ash. Despite being family.
"Family doesn't mean you're like everyone you share blood with."
A truth. However, you are intriguing.
Amanda huffed, "In what way?"
You are stubborn and capable. Much like Sir Aaron and Ash, yet you do not trust people. You look at someone, and see a possible enemy, not an ally.
She couldn't disagree, "So what if I do?"
I see it the same, sometimes. I see that people can cause harm rather than aid. It became worse when the trust I put in others appeared to have been broken.
"Really?" Amanda said without even caring.
I suppose my query is...who broke your trust?
Amanda bit her lip, holding her tongue from answering.
The lock opened with a soft click.
Goh looked out over the arena. The battlefield was on the smaller side, with only one floor of basic metal bleachers. It was a cheap tournament, but it was run by team Rocket so...
"Decent turn out?" Sir Aaron said.
"Given the circumstances...that not half the people here know about," Goh said.
"Ignorance is bliss."
"In this case that's very much true."
Goh sighed, already bored of waiting for the competition to start. He honestly felt kind of useless. Amanda and Ash were really the ones pulling this operation forward. Amanda with her hacking skills and Ash with his battling. Sure, Goh was also on distraction duty with Ash as a competitor, but he knew he wasn't making it past the first round. He just wasn't a good battler; it wasn't his goal. And he knew that most people were okay with that. Still didn't make his upcoming defeat any less embarrassing.
He looked to the ground finding Raboot stretching. At least she was excited. Then he looked up and found the people manning the snack standing, staring at him. The blue haired man, and pink haired woman quickly turned around once he caught them. Weird.
The thrill of walking out into the arena made his body buzz with excitement. Itch with anticipation. The bright lights and cheering crowd, stealing his breath, and making his heart stop. Ash loved it.
"Please welcome our first competitors to the battlefield! Ash Ketchem from Pallet Town, and Jace of Mauville City!"
Ash watched his opponent as they both took their places on opposite sides of the field. The trainer was a young man, maybe a few years Ash's senor, closer to Amanda's age. Jace was thin, with dirty blond hair and green eyes. His clothes were comprised of thin white muscle shirt and camo military cargo pants. Kinda of like a younger Lt. Surge.
The rotom-drone zipped around the field before settling in the middle. Ready to start the match.
"This is an official Pokémon league battle. The terms are three Pokémon per trainer. Substitutions are allowed. A Pokémon will be deemed unfit to battle on account of fainting. No lethal measures are allowed. Trainers select your first Pokémon."
Jace was quick to enter. Throwing a pokeball and out popped a Swampert. Most likely his starter given he was from Hoenn. Ash could tell it was well cared for. The Pokémon was strong and healthy. This was going to be fun.
"Riolu?" Ash asked the Pokémon standing next to him.
He didn't have to elaborate, the pup pokemon leaped forward, enthusiastically taking his place on the battlefield.
"Ready? Battle Begin!"
"Let's start this battle fighting!" Ash screamed, "Vacuum Wave!"
"Protect!"
The small blast from Riolu was quickly blocked by a simple movement from Swampert. The pale blue glow halted by a bright shield. Riolu flipped back waiting for the next command in a battle-ready stance.
Ash quickly mulled over this action. Jace was being cautious. He knew that he could block any attack Ash threw at him. Leading to him learn Riolu's entire move set. It was a good strategy. All he needed was Ash to attack.
Well, two can play that game.
"Double team!" Ash ordered. Can't use protect against a defensive move.
Riolu dashed around the arena, false clones of himself appearing around him and...Ash knew which one was real? Oh, that was new. Must be from the aura training, as none of the clones had souls. He could tell that now.
Ash saw Jace smirk.
"Earthquake."
The ground surrounding the field shook and split. Riolu screamed, as he was thrown back by the attack. Ash gritted his teeth, wincing at his Pokémon's shriek. Okay, earthquake that's something he had to look out for. But how to counter it? Wait.
"You oaky Riolu?" Ash called.
Riolu jumped back on to his paws, shaking the dust off ready to fight again.
"Good! Use double team again!"
Riolu jumped back into the fray. Clones filled the battlefield once again.
"Earthquake-"
"Vacume Wave the floor!"
"What?"
Riolu, flipped off the ground. And blasted a vacuum wave into the breaking ground. The earthquake attack completely missing him. It flung the little aura Pokémon up high. Almost on top of the Swampert. The double team wore off, leaving just Riolu in the air.
"Ice Punch!" Jace ordered.
The Swampert's fist began to gleam...
"Reversal!" Ash screamed.
The ice punch landed, but Riolu's hit was tenfold on the Swampert. Throwing the water/ground type into the dirt. Wounded by the phantoms of their own attacks. Riolu landed a few feet away.
"What a move! Dodging using an attack and then take advantage of the opponents attack to damage them! This battle is heating up folks!"
"Airtight! keep it up! Use Force Palm!" Ash yelled.
"Waterfall!"
Water began to flood the arena. Washing Riolu away, before the hit could land. The water faded leaving everything soaked. Riolu shook off, standing back up. Stubborn as ever. Ash could tell he was hurting. They had to end this quickly. Un close and personal
"Vacuum Wave yourself at them!"
Riolu leaped forward at blinding speed. The glow of vacuum wave propelled him forward.
"Water-"
"Reversal!"
Both attacks, clashed a mass explosion. A steam plume filled the field. The shock wave made Ash's hair ripple.
"Riolu and Swampert are both unable to battle! Choose your next Pokémon!"
Ash recalled Riolu back into his pokeball, "You did great buddy. Take a good rest."
Ash hummed, taking another pokeball off his belt and throwing it into the ring, "Gengar I choose you!"
"Ghost type huh?" Jace called out, "Breloom I choose you!"
There was a flash from the pokeball being released and the Grass type came onto the battlefield with an excited cry. Igniting the crowds with a fresh wave of applause.
"Battle Begin!"
"We'll start this time, Bullet Seed!" Jace said.
Bright green glowing seeds rained down on the field. Gengar getting hit with small explosions dotting his form, before Ash had time to order a dodge. Gengar was thrown back but recovered by floating before he hit the ground.
"You okay?" Ash said.
"Gen!"
"Good Shadow Ball!"
Gengar jumped up, spinning on his head as he released several Dark spheres that tumbled around the battlefield. Hurling through the air with such speed the crowd could barely make out their shape.
"Dodge!" Jace called out.
To the Breloom's credit, they did manage to avoid a few of the hits, however once one hit the rest came crashing down on to the Pokémon.
"Shake it off!" Jace said, "Bullet seed!"
"Dodge it!"
Gengar zipped across the battle fields narrowly dodging in between every single one the seeds. All while making teasing faces at their opponent. Classic Gengar.
"Annoying Spector," Jace said, "Trap them! Rock tomb!"
Large heavy stones materialized around Gengar. Pinning the ghost type in, like the move's name described a tomb.
"Bullet seed!"
Nothing was stopping that attack from landing.
"Whoa, Breloom's Rock tomb had Gengar pinned! They can't move! What will Ash do now!"
Breloom kept creeping closer, firing bullet seed after bullet seed. Gengar continued to struggle again the tomb, but the rocks only became heavier and heavier. Crushing the ghost type. Ash needed to move and move fast. Gengar wouldn't last forever.
"Dazzling Gleam!" Ash yelled before he could think.
Gengar let out a screech as he began to glow. The Blast from the dazzling gleam exploded! Destroying the rock tomb and hitting Breloom who had been far too close. It threw the opponent Pokémon back, sending them tumbling across the battle field.
"What a genius move! Dazzling Gleam has freed Gengar from the clutches of the rock tomb!"
The crowd cheered.
"Now time for our finish!" Ash said, "Will-o-Wisp!"
Flames crossed the battlefield, striking Breloom in a blaze. The grass/fighting type fell to the dirt of the battlefield floor. The burns, enough to take the dazed Pokémon down.
"Breloom is unable to battle! Gengar is the winner!"
An Arcanine is sent out as their final opponent. The monstrous fire dog's fangs gnashed and burned with fresh flames as they growled.
"You good Gengar?" Ash said.
"Gen!"
"Battle begin!"
"Shadow Ball!" Ash screamed
"Not this time!" Jace said, "WiId charge!"
Gengar released another barrage of dark spheres, that spun and tumbled in the air, but none of them hit. Each one of them was destroyed by the giant storm of electricity that radiated across the field. The lights over head getting hit and shattering. For several minutes the entire indoor battlefield was pitch black.
Fortunately, the emergency lights kicked in.
Unfortunately...
"Gengar is unable to battle! Arcanine is the winner!"
Ash recalled Gengar, "You did great buddy," He looked at Pikachu, "Ready!"
"PIKACHUPI!"
Pikachu leaped on to the Battlefield.
"Battle begin"
"Start this off with Quick attack!" Ash said.
Pikachu zipped around the field.
"Extreme Speed!"
The Arcanine dashed off faster. Ramming into Pikachu at full blast. Knocking the mouse Pokémon off his paws.
"Quick catch your self with Iron Tail!" Ash said.
Pikachu's tail gleamed metallically, and he dug it into the dirt arena floor.
"Head smash!"
"Jump and use Electro web!"
Pikachu flung himself up, launching a sparkling web down on the Arcanine, pinning the dog-like Pokémon to the arena floor. The fire type laid there struggling again the shocking fibers of the makeshift net.
"A brilliant use of electro web!"
"We won't be put down that easy!" Jace said, "Use wild charge!"
The following explosion of sparks blasted away the web and once more sent Pikachu flying. Thankfully his little buddy caught himself before getting too beat up.
"Flare Blitz!"
"Use quick attack to dodge!"
Pikachu ducked underneath the flames, dashing away in a cloud of dust.
"Now get close and low..."
Pikachu weaved. Suddenly appearing underneath the Arcanine's maw...
"Use Iron Tail!"
The mouse Pokémon's tail, gleamed once more as it was hurled upward. It smacked the Arcanine in square in the jaw, sending the fire type tumbling into the dirt.
"Pika!"
"Critical Hit!"
The crowd roared with excitement.
Arcanine got back up, shaking their head to probably get rid of the dizziness of the blow.
"Can you keep going?" Jace called out.
Arcanine nodded.
"Good time to end this, Flare Blitz!"
"Use Thunderbolt to counter!"
Fire and lightning clashed in an energic inferno that lit up the arena with a metaphorical second sun. Ash shut his eyes to the light, blinded by the sheer power of the two attacks going head-to-head.
"Pikachu!" He called out.
The light faded, and the dust settled. Ash, Jace, the crowd all watched in silence. Simply watching the two Pokémon on the battlefield. Both still as statues...holding on.
Then Arcanine stumbled, slowly crumbling to the ground.
"Arcanine is unable to battle! Pikachu is the winner! The match goes to Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town!"
A/N:
Hi! People! This is the first ever pokemon battle I've written out. I hope it reaches standards. Action is one of the harder things for me to write.
Also, please give a big thank you to Reddit user, 'DukeSR8' for letting me use his trainer OC, Jace. We love you man I hope if you ever read this that you aren't too disappointed/offended by my portrayal of your character. Thank you so much!