Disclaimer : I do not own anything from the Pokemon franchise aside from my own Original Characters and any Original Plots I make.
This fanfiction is inspired by the following stories:
The New Normal
When the Moon Rises
Borne of Caution
The Natural
The Other Trainers of Pallet
These Silver Eyes
Chapter 1 : The Indigo Conference
The roar of the crowd outside thundered in my ears as I sat on the bench in the waiting room, rolling a smooth, marble-sized Poke Ball between my fingers. My black fingerless gloves clung to my hands, a familiar comfort. Two years ago, if someone had told me I'd be standing in the finals of the Indigo Conference, I would've laughed in their face. But here I was, one battle away from claiming it all.
"Mr. Sinclair," a voice called. I looked up to see a Pokemon League official in the doorway, his smile polite but firm. "We're starting soon. Make your final preparations."
I gave him a quick nod, and he left, closing the door behind him. I stood, stretching out the knots in my neck and shoulders. My white bomber jacket lay splayed out on the bench where I had just been seated and I grabbed it, slipping it over my black muscle shirt. The fabric felt heavy, like the weight of everything I'd been through was sewn into the seams.
I grew up in an orphanage in Saffron City. No parents, no name, no future. To the world, I was just another street rat – someone to pity and forget. But I wasn't going to let that define me. Not anymore.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" The announcer's voice boomed through the stadium, shaking the walls of the waiting room. My heart jumped, and I straightened up, my violet eyes locking onto the door ahead. "THE MOMENT YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR HAS FINALLY ARRIVED! AFTER COUNTLESS BATTLES, THESE TWO TRAINERS HAVE MANAGED TO OVER COME ALL THOSE THAT HAD ONCE STOOD IN THEIR PATH AND HAVE FINALLY MADE THEIR WAY TO THEIR FINAL OBSTACLE! THEY ARE BOTH JUST ONE STEP AWAY FROM CLAIMING THEIR VICTORY IN THIS YEAR'S INDIGO CONFERENCE!"
I clenched my fists, the Poke Ball still snug in my palm. This was it. Everything I'd worked for, everything I'd fought for, came down to this.
There had been a time where I thought I would forever be a nobody, a useless speck of dust – lost and forgotten in the annals of history. Everything changed when I met the Pokemon who would end up becoming my first partner. A scrappy little thing, just as lost and alone as I was. We found each other in the back alleys of Saffron City, two lost souls with nothing to lose.
It was when I had found him that things changed. It was that chance meeting that drove me to take up the mantle of a Pokemon trainer. To make something of my life.
"ON ONE SIDE," the announcer continued, his voice rising with excitement, "WE HAVE A TRAINER WHO COMMANDS A POWERFUL TEAM OF GROUND-TYPE POKEMON! FROM CIANWOOD CITY, THE FAN FAVORITE – KATRINA VETTEL!"
The crowd erupted, their cheers shaking the ground beneath my feet. Katrina was a strong, a bugging Ground-type Master with a team of powerhouses at her beck and call. But I wasn't scared. I'd trained too hard, fought too long, to back down now. My Pokemon and I had surmounted obstacle after obstacle for this moment. There was no way in hell that we were going to lose.
"AND ON THE OTHER SIDE, WE HAVE THE UNDERDOG OF THIS TOURNAMENT!" The announcer shouted. "THUS FAR, HE HAS DOMINATED HIS WAY TO THE TOP WITH HIS TEAM OF POWERHOUSES! HAILING FROM SAFFRON CITY – A RISING GENERALIST MASTER, ARRAN SINCLAIR!"
My chest tightened as the door swung open, flooding the room with light. I took a deep breath, stepping forward. The noise of the crowd hit me like a wall, but I didn't flinch. This was my moment. My chance to prove I wasn't just some orphan, some nobody. I was Arran Sinclair, and I was here to win.
For the caretakers at the orphanage, who believed in me and funded my journey when no one else did. For my Pokemon, who had fought by my side every step of the way. And for my first partner, who started it all.
The cheers of the spectators grew louder and closer as I climbed up the short flight of stairs and stepped out into the arena. Immediately, the rays of the sun slammed directly onto my face, making black spots dance in my vision for but a moment before they cleared.
The crowd's roar was deafening as I walked up the steps of my respective metallic platform guarded by a railing, taking my place on the left end of the field while my opponent stood atop the platform on the right end. The arena was vast with countless spectators – too great a number to count – watching, waiting, and cheering with anticipation. Shields of psychic energy had been erected all around the battlefield by the League-appointed Kadabra, no doubt to protect the crowd from stray attacks.
The final match of the Indigo Conference had always been treated as an Elite-level match, for whoever would win the tournament would be considered eligible to become members of the Indigo Elite Four. However, there were two ways for members to be selected.
The first was for a candidate to battle an existing member for their title. If they won, they would take their place. This was the most common way, yet also the hardest of the two. The Elite Four weren't your average run-of-the-mill trainers; they were masters. I was confident that I could beat the likes of Elite Walker, though Elite Agatha and Elite Lance were a whole other story. Lance was an absolute beast of a trainer; he was called the Master of Dragons for a reason. Agatha, on the other hand, had far more experience than I had, and her way of fighting was far too tricky for me to handle.
The second was for a candidate to be selected by the Indigo League Committee, though this was only if there was a vacant spot in the Elite Four that needed to be filled. However, considering that Elite Blaine had just announced his retirement a few days before the tournament had started, this would most likely be the scenario. That meant that whoever won this match would be considered for the position of Elite Four.
I mentally shook my head clear of those thoughts. I was overreaching; thinking about the Elite Four could wait until later. What mattered now was the match against Katrina. I had to put my focus onto that and that alone. Everything else could come at a later date.
"THIS WILL BE A 6V6 BATTLE WITH THREE SWITCHES PERMITTED!" The announcer shouted from his room, his voice booming from the countless speakers fixed throughout the stadium. "TRAINERS ARE YOU READY?!"
I attached the Poke Ball I had been fingering back to its respective metallic clip on my belt before unclipping another and enlarging it. Both Katrina and I then nodded in response to the announcer's question.
"THEN, WITHOUT FURTHER ADO…BEGIN!"
"Donphan, I need your assistance!"
"Sylvan, come out!"
As soon as the announcer signalled the start of the match, we released our Pokémon in unison. On Katrina's side, a massive, armoured elephant-like creature thundered onto the field, its heavy frame shaking the ground beneath it. Its tusks, sharp and menacing, gleamed under the stadium lights as it let out a deep, rumbling bellow, its eyes burning with raw aggression. The crowd roared in awe at the sight ofDonphan, its sheer presence commanding attention.
On my side, a sleek, reptilian figure materialized with an air of calm. Sylvan, my Sceptile, stood tall, his emerald-green scales catching the light as his sharp, calculating eyes locked onto his opponent. The six yellow nodules along his back pulsed faintly with energy, and his long, forest-green tail swayed rhythmically behind him, like a predator sizing up its prey.
"Donphan, Rollout!" Katrina's voice sliced through the quiet, sharp and commanding.
Donphan let out a deep, rumbling roar as it curled into a tight ball, its armoured body spinning rapidly. The ground trembled beneath its weight, the sound of its spinning armour grinding against the earth like a war drum. With a sudden burst of speed, it launched itself forward, a blur of motion hurtling toward Sylvan with terrifying force. The crowd gasped, the sheer power of the attack shaking the psychic shields surrounding the battlefield. Chunks of earth were torn from the ground in its wake, leaving a trail of destruction.
"Sylvan, Agility!" I called out, my voice steady despite the adrenaline surging through me.
Rollout was a devastating move, especially once it had built up enough momentum. However, what gave Sylvan the advantage other than his type was his speed. My Sceptile was fast, faster than Donphan could ever hope to be.
And with Agility in play, that speed was only magnified.
Sylvan's body shimmered as he darted to the side, his movements a blur of green. Donphan's Rollout missed by inches, slamming against the psychic shields, the force of the attack generating a shockwave that sent cracks spreading across the battlefield. Sylvan was unfazed, however, as he landed gracefully, his tail flicking as he turned to face Donphan, his eyes narrowing with focus.
"Again, Donphan!" Katrina barked.
Donphan uncurled, its tusks gleaming as it swivelled on its hooves, prepared to charge once more. This time, it spun even faster, the ground cracking beneath its weight as it barrelled toward Sylvan. The sound of Donphan's spinning armour was deafening, like a freight train bearing down on its target.
"Leaf Blade! Cut it down!" I shouted, my voice cutting through the noise.
Sylvan's eyes flashed as the nodules on his back glowed brightly. In an instant, his arms transformed into sharp, glowing blades of energy, the leaves on his wrists extending into deadly weapons. He leapt into the air, his movements fluid and precise, and brought the blades down in a sweeping arc as Donphan passed beneath him.
The sound of the impact echoed through the stadium, a sharp crack that made the crowd gasp. Donphan's Rollout was immediately cancelled out as Sylvan's Leaf Blade struck its armoured back, sending it skidding to a halt. The Ground-type Pokemon let out a pained bellow, its body trembling from the force of the attack. Deep gouges were visible in its armour, evidence of raw power and precision behind Sylvan's blow.
But Donphan wasn't done yet. With a furious roar, it uncurled and slammed its tusks into the ground, sending a shockwave rippling through the battlefield. Sylvan leapt back, his agility saving him from the worst of the attack, but the force of the tremor still sent him stumbling. His claws dug into the ground to steady himself, his eyes narrowing as he regained his footing.
"Earthquake!" Katrina immediately yellowed.
The ground beneath Sylvan cracked and heaved, the force of Donphan's Earthquake threatening to knock him off his feet. I gritted my teeth, my mind racing. Sylvan was fast, but he couldn't avoid an attack that encompassed the entire battlefield. I needed to turn the tide.
"Sylvan, use Detect!" I commanded firmly.
Sylvan's eyes glowed a faint blue as he focused, his body moving with almost preternatural speed. He dodged the worst of the tremors, his movements a blur as he weaved through the chaos. The crowd erupted in cheers, amazed by his reflexes. He was like a leaf on the wind, untouchable and graceful.
"Now, bombard it with Energy Balls!" I shouted, seizing the opportunity.
Sylvan's tail whipped around as he summoned an array of glowing orb of green energy between his hands. The air around him seemed to hum with power as the orbs grew brighter, the energy crackling with intensity. With a swift motion, he hurled them at Donphan, the attack striking the Ground-type Pokemon in succession, the orbs crashing into it, one after the other. The explosions of energy sent Donphan reeling, its massive body skidding backward as it crashed onto the ground. Smoke and dust filled the air, obscuring the battlefield for a moment.
Katrina's eyes narrowed, her lips pressing into a thin line. She knew Donphan was in trouble. But she wasn't one to back down. I had to give credit where credit was due as well. Though Donphan had just been bombarded with an onslaught of super-effective attacks, it was still in the fight. Sure it was heavily injured, with cracks and gouges littering it's formerly pristine armour but still, it was commendable.
"Donphan, Stone Edge!" She commanded, her voice sharp.
Donphan roared as it staggered to its feet, slamming its tusks into the ground once more. The battlefield erupted as jagged stones shot up from the earth, hurtling toward Sylvan with deadly precision. The crowd gasped, the sheer power of the attack leaving them in awe. The stones were massive, their edges sharp enough to cut through steel.
"Sylvan, Agility to dodge!" I called out, my voice urgent.
Sylvan's body shimmered as he blurred past the Stone Edge, expertly evading each of the jagged spires. Within seconds, he had closed the distance between himself and Donphan. The crowd roared, their cheers growing louder with every move.
"Now, Dragon Claw!" I shouted, my voice filled with determination.
Sylvan's claws glowed with a fierce, draconic energy as he lunged at Donphan. The Ground-type Pokemon tried to defend itself, but it was too slow. Sylvan's Dragon Claw struck with pinpoint accuracy, the force of the attack sending Donphan crashing to the ground. The impact shook the battlefield, dust and debris flying into the air.
The stadium fell silent for a moment, the crowd holding its breath as Donphan struggled to rise. Its legs trembled, its massive frame shaking with effort. But the damage was too great. With a final, pained groan, Donphan collapsed, its body going still.
"WHAT A FINISH!" The announcer's voice boomed, cutting through the silence. "DONPHAN DISPLAYED AN EXCELLENT SHOWCASING OF ITS WILLPOWER AFTER THE ONSLAUGHT OF ENERGY BALLS BUT IT SEEMED SCEPTILE WAS JUST TOO MUCH FOR IT TO HANDLE! ARRAN NOW LEADS THE MATCH 1-0!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, the sound deafening as Sylvan stood tall, his chest heaving from the exertion. He turned to me, his eyes gleaming with pride, and I couldn't help but smile. We'd won the first round.
But the battle was far from over. Katrina's expression was unreadable as she recalled Donphan, her hand hovering over her belt as she contemplated which Pokemon to call on next. She had thirty seconds to choose though, which meant she couldn't think for long.
"Well done, Sylvan," I said softly, my voice filled with pride. "But we're not done yet. Stay sharp."
"Scep." Sylvan gave a short nod, before turning back to the field just as Katrina sent out her next Pokemon.
The burst of white light dissipated, revealing Katrina's next Pokémon: a towering Nidoking. Its purple, armoured body gleamed under the stadium lights, its drill-like horn gleaming menacingly as it let out a deep, guttural roar that reverberated through the arena. The sheer presence of the Poison/Ground-type Pokémon was overwhelming, its crimson eyes locking onto Sylvan with a predatory glare. Its tail slammed against the ground, sending a tremor through the battlefield, and I could feel the tension in the air. This wasn't going to be an easy fight.
"Nidoking, Sludge Bomb!" Katrina commanded, her voice sharp and decisive.
Nidoking's mouth opened wide, and a glob of toxic sludge formed in the back of its throat. With a violent heave, it launched the noxious projectile toward Sylvan. The sludge hissed as it cut through the air, leaving a faint trail of purple smoke in its wake. The attack was fast, but Sylvan was faster.
"Sylvan, evade it!" I called out, my voice steady despite the adrenaline surging through me.
Sylvan's body turned into a green blur as he darted to the side. The Sludge Bomb missed by inches, splattering against the psychic shields and sizzling ominously. Sylvan used the momentum to leap forward, closing the gap between himself and Nidoking. His speed was his greatest asset, and I intended to make full use of it.
"Now, Leaf Blade!" I commanded, seizing the opportunity.
Sylvan's arms transformed into glowing blades of energy as he lunged at Nidoking, his movements fluid and precise. He brought the blades down in a sweeping arc, striking Nidoking's side with pinpoint accuracy. The impact sent the Poison/Ground-type Pokémon skidding backward, its armour showing signs of damage. But Nidoking wasn't fazed. It let out a furious roar, its eyes burning with determination.
"Nidoking, Earthquake!" Katrina barked, her voice filled with urgency.
Nidoking slammed its tail into the ground, sending a shockwave rippling through the battlefield. The ground cracked and heaved, the force of the attack threatening to knock Sylvan off his feet.
"Sylvan, Detect!" I called out, my voice firm.
Sylvan's eyes glowed a faint blue as he focused, his body moving with almost preternatural speed. Just as he had previously with Donphan, he dodged the worst of the tremors, his movements a blur as he weaved through the chaos. But even as he avoided the brunt of the attack, the force of the tremor still sent him stumbling. His claws dug into the ground to steady himself, his breathing heavy.
"Nidoking, Poison Jab!" Katrina commanded, her voice sharp.
Nidoking's horn glowed a sickly purple as it charged forward, its massive frame moving with surprising speed. The ground cracked beneath its weight as it closed the distance between itself and Sylvan, its horn aimed straight for my Sceptile.
"Sylvan, Double Team!" I shouted, my voice urgent.
Sylvan's body shimmered as he split into multiple copies, the Poison Jab striking only an illusion. The real Sylvan darted to the side, his movements a blur of green as he evaded the attack. But I could see the toll it was taking on him. His breathing was laboured, and his movements were slightly slower than before.
"Nidoking, Thunder Punch!" Katrina ordered.
Nidoking's fist crackled with electricity as it lunged forward, moving faster than before. Sylvan was mid-dodge when the punch connected squarely with his chest. A surge of electric energy coursed through him, sending his body jerking violently as he was flung across the battlefield. He crashed into the ground, groaning in pain, sparks still flickering around him. His limbs trembled as he pushed himself up, his eyes clouded with pain.
"Sylvan, hang in there! Use Giga Drain!" I called out, desperation creeping into my voice.
Sylvan's tail whipped around as he summoned a glowing orb of green energy between his hands. The orb shot forward, striking Nidoking and draining its energy. The Poison/Ground-type Pokemon let out a pained roar as its strength was sapped, but Sylvan's movements were still sluggish. The poison was taking its toll, and I could see the strain in his eyes.
"Nidoking, Ice Beam!" Katrina commanded with a sharp flick of her wrist.
Before I could react, Nidoking reared back and fired a concentrated blast of icy energy. The freezing beam struck Sylvan dead-on, encasing parts of his body in frost. He cried out in pain as ice clung to his limbs, slowing his already weakened movements. I clenched my fists.
"Sylvan, break free! Swords Dance and then Bullet Seed, full power!" I shouted.
With a defiant roar, Sylvan crossed his arms and boosted his attack exponentially before he proceeded to spit out a bombardment of glowing green bullets comprised of nature energy. Each bullet smashed against Nidoking's armoured form with ferocity, leaving miniature explosions of energy in their wake.
The purple behemoth roared in agony as it was punished with no remorse but refused to back down. Instead, it slammed its tail into the ground, sending a massive shockwave rippling through the battlefield. The ground cracked and heaved, the force of the attack tearing through the arena. Sylvan tried to leap away, but his body was still stiff and sluggish from both the Thunder Punch and the Ice Beam. The tremors caught him mid-air, sending him crashing down hard. He hit the ground with a pained grunt, dust and debris swirling around him.
"Sylvan, hang in there!" I called out, desperation creeping into my voice. "Use Giga Drain!"
"Poison Jab!" Katrina countered swiftly.
Sylvan's eyes flashed as he staggered to his feet and attempted to summoned another orb of energy. Before, he could though, Nidoking lunged forward, moving way faster than I had expected, and struck my Sceptile with a horn that glowed a sickly purple. Sylvan cried out as the toxic energy sent another jolt of pain running through his system. However, perhaps through sheer willpower, he managed to conjure up an Energy Ball and smashed it down onto Nidoking's skull just as he was sent skidding back.
Nidoking, on the other hand, seemed to be trembling from the impact of that last Energy Ball. The countless attacks it had suffered had long since taken a toll and now, it looked as if a simple Gust was enough to knock it over. Nevertheless, it took a shaky step forward and glared at Sylvan who also looked as if here about to keel over at any moment. I narrowed my eyes as I noticed the tint of purple that covered his face before sighing.
He had been poisoned from that last blow. He wouldn't last much longer.
Just as I had thought, within the next few seconds, Sylvan sent me one final nod before his eyes rolled up to the back of his head and he collapsed onto the battlefield, succumbing to his injuries. However, he wasn't the only one. Nidoking soon followed after, his large frame falling backwards with a crash and kicking up a small cloud of dust.
"…WHAT A BRUTAL EXCHANGE OF BLOWS!" The announcer declared excitedly. "AFTER A FIERCE BATTLE, BOTH SCEPTILE AND NIDOKING ARE UNABLE TO CONTINUE! THIS BRINGS THE SCORE TO 2-1 WITH ARRAN STILL IN THE LEAD!"
The crowd's cheers swelled into a deafening roar, a tidal wave of sound that crashed over the battlefield. This was what they had come here to see – a clash between two elite trainers and their Pokémon, a spectacle of raw power, strategy, and heart. The air was electric with anticipation, every spectator on the edge of their seat, their eyes glued to the battlefield. This wasn't just a match; it was the culmination of a whole two weeks of gruelling battles, of countless trainers giving their all to reach this moment.
I ignored the roars of the spectators though and instead lifted Sylvan's Poke Ball and recalled him with a small smile. "You did amazing, Sylvan. I promise, I'll get you treated as soon as this is over. In the meantime, get some rest."
With my words of gratitude given, I shrunk the Poke Ball back to the size of a marble and clipped it onto my belt before looking down at the battlefield. It bore the scars of the battle so far. Craters from Donphan's Rollout and Earthquake pockmarked the ground, while scorch marks from Sylvan's Energy Balls and Leaf Blades marred the once-pristine arena.
The psychic shields continued to stand though, shimmering as strongly as they had when they were first erected. There were countless Kadabra working tirelessly to keep it that way though, so I wasn't surprised.
I then pulled my attention away from the field and to my Pokemon. With Sylvan's efforts, I was now in a two point lead. I had been under no illusion that my Sceptile would be able to sweep through Katrina's entire team; she was far too talented of a trainer for that to happen. But now, I had to think carefully about which Pokemon I would call out next.
After about ten seconds of contemplation, I finally decided on one and unclipped the Poke Ball from my belt, enlarging it. Across from me, Katrina seemed to have done the same and was fingering an Ultra Ball in her right hand.
"IF BOTH TRAINERS ARE READY, RELEASE YOUR POKEMON ON THE COUNT OF ONE, TWO, THREE!" As soon as the announcer finished the countdown, we both sent out our next Pokemon in unison.
"Rhydon, let's turn the tides of this battle!"
"Bors, take the field!"
Two bright flashes of light ensued, and crashes were heard as a menacing Rhydon and a regal looking Walrein materialized on the battlefield. The battlefield seemed to shudder under the weight of the two newly released Pokémon.
On Katrina's side, Rhydon stood tall, its gray, rocky hide glistening under the stadium lights. It carried the same unyielding intensity that Nidoking and Donphan had before it, though by now, I knew that all of Katrina's Pokemon were like that.
On my side, Bors was positioned with an air of ferocity. His massive, blubbery frame was imposing and littered with scars, his icy blue fur glistening as his hungry eyes locked onto Rhydon. His tusks gleamed under the lights, and his flippers rested at his sides, ready for action.
Bors was not my smartest Pokemon, but he was easily my most territorial which made him fierce in battle. Especially, when he was going up against another male like I assumed Rhydon was, considering how Bors seemed all too eager to get the battle started. It also helped that he had an advantage over Rhydon, giving his dual Water/Ice-typing.
"Rhydon, Stone Edge!" Katrina commanded almost immediately, and the battle went underway.
Rhydon's roar shook the ground as it reared back, its tail slamming into the earth with a force that sent fissures racing across the battlefield. Jagged stones erupted from the ground, their edges gleaming like shards of glass. They shot toward Bors with terrifying speed, the air whistling as they cut through it. Each stone seemed to home in on him, their precision deadly.
"Bors, Blizzard!" I shouted, my voice firm but edged with urgency.
Bors's eyes flared a brilliant blue as he reared up, his massive frame trembling with power. His jaws opened wide, and a torrent of icy wind and snow burst forth, howling like a winter storm. The Blizzard collided with the Stone Edge, the jagged rocks freezing mid-air, their momentum halted. The stones shattered as they crashed to the ground, scattering across the battlefield in a glittering cascade of ice and debris. Frost spread rapidly, coating the arena in a thin, slippery layer. The temperature plummeted, and I could see Rhydon's breath fogging in the sudden cold.
Katrina's eyes narrowed. "Rhydon, Bulldoze!"
Rhydon's tail slammed into the ground again, this time with a different kind of force. The earth beneath us groaned as Rhydon charged forward, its heavy feet pounding the ground with each step. The ground cracked and buckled in its wake, sending shockwaves rippling outward. Bors staggered, his massive frame struggling to maintain balance as the ground heaved beneath him. I clenched my fists, my mind racing. Bors's bulk made him a target for such widespread attacks, and I knew he couldn't afford to take many more hits.
"Bors, Aqua Tail!" I commanded, my voice cutting through the chaos.
Bors steadied himself, his flippers pressing into the icy ground. His tail glowed with a brilliant blue light as he swung it with tremendous force. A surge of water followed the motion, crashing into Rhydon with a thunderous impact. The Bulldoze's shockwave faltered as Rhydon stumbled back, shaking its head to clear the disorientation.
Katrina's lips curled into a determined smile. "Rhydon, Rock Polish!"
Rhydon's body gleamed as it sharpened its edges, its movements becoming faster and more precise. The Ground/Rock-type's agility increased noticeably, its tail flicking with newfound speed. I gritted my teeth. This wasn't good – Rhydon was already a powerhouse, and now it was faster too.
"Bors, Body Slam!" I yelled, my voice urgent.
Bors's body glowed with a faint light as he lunged forward, his massive frame sliding across the icy battlefield with surprising speed. He crashed into Rhydon with a resounding thud, the force of the impact sending both Pokémon skidding backward. Rhydon roared in frustration, its Rock Polish-enhanced speed momentarily disrupted.
Katrina's eyes flashed. "Rhydon, Thunder Punch!"
Rhydon's fist crackled with electricity as it swung at Bors. The Thunder Punch connected with a sizzling impact, sparks flying as the electric energy coursed through Bors's body. He roared in pain, his body trembling from the shock, but he held his ground.
"Bors, Ice Fang!" I commanded, seizing the opportunity.
Bors's tusks gleamed as they were encased in ice and frost and he lunged forward, his massive body sliding across the icy battlefield with surprising agility. The ice-encased jaws clamping down on the opposing Pokemon's horn. Ice spread rapidly from the point of contact, encasing Rhydon's horn and creeping across its body. Rhydon roared in pain, its movements slowing as the frost took hold.
"Use Hammer Arm! Knock it down!"
Rhydon's massive arm glowed with a brutal energy as it swung at Bors. The attack connected with a thunderous impact, the sound echoing through the stadium. Bors was sent skidding backward, his body trembling from the force of the blow. He landed hard, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
"Bors, hang in there!" I called out. "Use Brine!"
Bors's eyes glowed with a fierce light as he summoned a concentrated stream of saltwater. The Brine shot forward, striking Rhydon with pinpoint accuracy. The attack seared into Rhydon's rocky hide, the saltwater exacerbating its wounds. Rhydon roared in pain, its movements slowing as the Brine took its toll.
Katrina's voice was filled with determination. "Rhydon, Megahorn!"
Rhydon's horn ignited with a blinding white light as it charged forward, its movements powerful and deliberate. The attack was devastating, and I knew Bors couldn't afford to take another hit.
"Protect!" I shouted, my voice urgent.
Bors's body shimmered as a protective barrier formed around him. The Megahorn struck the barrier, the force of the attack sending cracks spreading across its surface. But the barrier held, and Bors emerged unscathed.
"Now follow up with Ice Beam!"
Bors's eyes flashed as he unleashed a concentrated blast of icy energy. The Ice Beam struck Rhydon square in the chest, the force of the attack sending the Ground/Rock-type skidding backward. Rhydon roared in pain, its body encased in ice once more.
Katrina's voice was sharp. "Rhydon, Break through with Hammer Arm!"
Rhydon shattered the ice with a furious roar, its massive arm glowing with energy as it swung at Bors. The Hammer Arm connected with a thunderous impact, sending Bors sprawling across the battlefield. He landed hard, his body trembling as he tried to push himself up with little success. It was only through the harsh training that I had made him undergo that he was still in the game.
The opposing Rhydon's triumphant roar shook the stadium, its chest heaving with exertion as the crowd erupted into cheers. The Ground/Rock-type stood tall, its armoured hide glistening under the arena lights, but I could see the cracks in its stony exterior – the frost from Bors's earlier attacks still clinging to its limbs like a second skin. Its breath came in ragged bursts, visible in the icy air, and its movements were slower, more deliberate. Bors had done his job – Rhydon was battered, but it wasn't out yet. Neither were we.
"Bors, hang in there!" I shouted, my voice cutting through the noise of the crowd. "Use Rest!"
Bors's massive body slumped to the ground, his icy fur shimmering as a soft, calming light enveloped him. His breathing steadied, and the deep gashes and bruises across his frame began to fade as Rest took effect. The frost on his fur sparkled like diamonds under the stadium lights, and the crowd murmured in awe. But Katrina wasn't about to let us recover so easily.
"Rhydon, Hammer Arm! Don't let it recover!"
Rhydon's arm glowed with a brutal, earth-shaking energy as it charged forward, its heavy footsteps cracking the icy battlefield with each step. The Hammer Arm came down like a meteor, slamming into Bors's resting form with a thunderous crash. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the arena, and Bors groaned in his sleep, his body skidding across the frozen ground. But the Rest continued to do its job – his wounds were healing, and his breathing remained steady.
"Now, Bors, Sleep Talk!" I called out.
My Walrein's body twitched, his eyes still closed, but his movements were deliberate. A low, rumbling growl escaped his throat as he suddenly surged forward, his tusks encased in a frigid ice. The Ice Fang struck Rhydon's shoulder, the frost spreading rapidly across its rocky hide like a creeping plague. Rhydon roared in pain, its movements slowing as the ice encased its limbs, weighing it down.
Katrina gritted her teeth, her eyes narrowing with determination. "Rhydon, shake it off! Use Stone Edge again!"
Rhydon reared back, its tail slamming into the ground with a force that sent fissures racing across the battlefield. Jagged stones erupted from the earth, their edges gleaming like shards of glass as they hurtled toward Bors with deadly precision. But Bors, still asleep, reacted instinctively. His body glowed faintly as Sleep Talk activated again, and a torrent of saltwater erupted from his mouth. The concentrated stream of Brine collided with the Stone Edge, shattering the rocks mid-air and dousing Rhydon in the process. The crowd gasped as the saltwater seared into Rhydon's wounds, the salt exacerbating its injuries and causing it to stagger.
"Knock it back with Snore!" I wasted no time in calling out my next command.
Bors's body rumbled like a distant avalanche as a powerful shockwave of sound erupted from him. The Snore attack hit Rhydon point-blank, the force of the sound waves sending it stumbling backward. Its ears rang, and its movements faltered as the frost on its body cracked and splintered. Yet, Rhydon refused to fall. It roared, shaking off the disorientation, its eyes burning with defiance.
Katrina's voice was cold and sharp. "Rhydon, Megahorn! Finish this!"
Rhydon's horn ignited with a blinding white light, the energy crackling like a live wire as it charged forward. The Megahorn struck Bors with devastating force, the impact sending him skidding across the battlefield. Bors groaned, his body trembling as he struggled to stay conscious. But even as he teetered on the edge of collapse, I could see the fire in his eyes – he wasn't giving up.
"Bors, Blizzard! One last push!" I shouted, my voice filled with raw determination.
At that moment, Bors's eyes flared open, his body glowing with an icy, otherworldly light as he summoned a massive Blizzard. The howling winds and freezing snow engulfed Rhydon, the frost spreading rapidly across its body. Rhydon roared in pain, its movements slowing to a crawl as the ice encased its limbs, locking it in place. The crowd held its breath, the tension in the air palpable as the two Pokémon stood there, locked in a battle of endurance.
Finally, with a weary groan, Rhydon collapsed to one knee, its body trembling from the combined effects of the Blizzard, Brine, and Ice Fang. Bors, too, was on his last legs, his breathing ragged and his body battered. The battlefield was a frozen wasteland, littered with shattered stones and patches of ice, a testament to the ferocity of their clash.
"AND WE HAVE ANOTHER DOUBLE KNOCKOUT!" The announcer bellowed. The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, the sound echoing like thunder. "JUST WHEN WE THOUGHT THAT WALREIN HAD FALLEN, IT STRUCK BACK WITH FULL FORCE, KEEPING ARRAN IN THE LEAD! THERE IS NO DOUBT FOLKS, THESE TWO TRAINERS TRULY DESERVE TO STAND ON THIS STAGE! I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE WHAT ELSE THEY HAVE IN STORE FOR US!"
I recalled Bors to his Poke Ball, murmuring words of gratitude for his incredible effort. "You were amazing, Bors. Rest now," I whispered, clipping the ball back to my belt. Across the field, Katrina did the same with Rhydon, her expression a mix of pride and frustration. The score was now standing at 3-2, with myself in the lead, but the battle was far from over.
There we have it folks! A story inspired by the fanfictions mentioned at the very top of this page! My OC, Arran Sinclair, is already a full-fledged trainer at the start of the fic, which I know many people do not like, but I will try my best to pull off properly. If you do want to read your traditional journey-fic, you can go to my page and check out Vigilance, which follows the tale of another OC, Vera Andersen.
I hope I've written the battles properly thus far. I'm not too good at that. Let me know what you guys think though. Also, below, I have created a character profile for my OC. In regards to his Pokemon, you will see that their nicknames have been stated, but many of them - other than the ones displayed in this chapter - have a question mark next to them. Feel free to think about who those Pokemon might be. They will all be revealed by the third or fourth chapter though.
Character Profile:
Name: Arran Sinclar
Status: Ace Trainer
Age: 18
Home Region: Kanto, Saffron City
Badges: 16
Active Pokemon Team
Gawain - ?
Vali - ?
Sylvan - Sceptile
Thalia - ?
Oberon - ?
Bors - Walrein
Fionn - ?
Phoebe - ?