In Her Image: a Pokémon RP

[CJ1145]

"So... Got any other moves?"

Daria stared back at her opponent, and raised an eyebrow at him. Then, she smiled.

"Recover!"


A red and white shine enveloped the Staryu, rejuvenating energy relieving the pain it had endured. A moment later it stood proud on its legs, bashing two arms together in preparation.

"HYA!"

Daria threw a right hook, already shifting back and forth on her feet as she got into the rhythm of the fight. "RAPID SPIN, PULL BACK, WATER GUN! ROCK 'EM, GIRL!"

"HYAHYAHYAHYAAAAAAAAAAA--" Gemini practically roared as it began to rotate faster than the eye could follow. It zipped across the arena in a jagged arc, its approach difficult to anticipate for the dozens of shifts in direction.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

The battle between Ryan and Jeremy was rather short, but it did allow for some insight into his team; especially that Arbok, what strength it had. Whilst its strategy was standard for pretty much all snake like Pokémon, it certainly proved to be an effective one. It was then that the next match was already about to start. It was between the man known as Forte, and...

"AND HIS CHALLENGER, THE PEWTER FIST FROM KANTO, DARIAAAA PAAAAACE!!"

"Annnnd..this is going to be loud." Darius said in response to the announcement.

"Definitely, but it at least shows that she has enthusiasm for battle. This will be one to watch; although she'll have a hard time against Forte's Hariyama, I mean it certainly had a lot of strength behind it." Caleb remarked in response, as he watched the battle with interest.

Go on then Daria, show him what your made of. He said to himself, quietly rooting for the woman from Pewter City. The battle soon went into full swing. With the Hariyama bringing out a powerful three attack combination, which significantly weakened Gemini; although most of the damage was negated with a timely use of Recover.

The Star Shape Pokémon then went into a Rapid Spin, as it zipped across the arena in a strange arc, hoping for its moves to be difficult to anticipate.

"Let's just hope this works." Caleb said to no one in particular, mostly just talking to himself. Raiden was surveying the arena walls and seats for signs of any suspicious activity. For a moment, he thought he saw a passing shadow of something down by the arena side wall, but it disappeared before he got the chance.

 

[JdaS]

"Recover!"

Forte sighed disdainfully as Staryu regained some health.

Troublesome skill...

"Hariyama. Use Arm Thrust. Then Force Palm twice."

Hariyama complied, thrusting his massive arms at Gemini. Gemini took the hit from two sets of thrusts before managing to evade the rest of the assault. Slightly hurt but not deterred Gemini was quickly back in the game as its Trainer's orders echoed around the stadium.

"RAPID SPIN, PULL BACK, WATER GUN! ROCK 'EM, GIRL!"

Gemini spun at Hariyama at blinding speeds, its shifting movements making it hard for the admittedly sluggish Pokémon to evade. And evade he didn't. The Water-type hit him squarely in the side of the neck, immediately retreating as per orders, causing Hariyama's retaliatory Force Palm to miss and hit the ground, the force from the hit instantly opening a crater in the ground.

Whoa there's that Force Palm! Incredible power! Mind explaining that one to the folks watching, Andy?

Sure thing, Terry. See Force Palm doesn't actually hit you with brute physical force. It's a technique in which fighting spirit, or Ki, is directed at the opponent. It won't turn your Pokémon into a crater, but it does sting, and it may paralyze.

Gemini, having regained its footing shot a Water Gun, hitting Hariyama in the gut and sending the nearly 560 pound bruiser flying backwards. Hariyama got up, groaning but still in the game and started making its way towards Daria's Staryu with surprising speed. As he got closer his had started to glow. Gemini tried to make another break for it but the fatigue of the battle was quickly setting in, it was too late. Hariyama's hand gently set on the Star Shape Pokémon's body...

*BOOM*

Ki shot out of Hariyama's hand and made its way through Gemini's body. Was it paralyzed?

HYA! HYAHYA!

Nope. It was fine, if a bit worse for wear again.

"Tch..."

 

[CJ1145]

Daria clenched her fists as the stadium roared, egging on the combatants in their violent dance. Her enthusiasm was written plainly on her face, though the thoughts beneath were well hidden. Won't he just go down?! Gem's a bruiser, but she isn't built for drag-out brawls against sluggers this size! She won't slow down, though. She can't slow down. I WON'T EITHER!

The Pewter Fist thrust out her left arm, sweat building up and dripping off of her skin from empathetic exertion of watching her Pokemon battle. "BETCHA YA WOULDN'T GUESS, TEDDI-BEAR, BUT SWEET LITTLE GEM HERE LOVES BATTLING LIKE NOBODY'S BUSINESS, RIGHT GIRL?!"

"HY-HYA!"

Daria swept a thumb across her nose, catching the bead of sweat before it could drop. "RIGHT! SHOW YOUR STUFF, WATER GUN! THEN, HARDEN! YOU'LL KNOW WHAT TO DO!"

Gemini complied with gusto, indeed knowing precisely what to do. Hariyama would get another hit in sooner or later. And when t did, the Staryu would be able to take the hit with a Harden. And then Forte's Pokemon would have nowhere to go to get away from another Water Gun.

Unless he used Earthquake. Forte seemed smart enough to figure that out, Daria supposed, but she wondered if his Pokemon shared the same brains...

 

[Anayna]

Ryan and Jeremy's fight was over and Rupert slumped down in his seat. That had been horrible to watch. Granted, Rupert wasn't much into watching pokémon fights. In fact, the battle between Darius and Savannah had been the first time he had seen the appeal in pokémon fighting as a spectator sport. Rupert couldn't exactly say that he had enjoyed it. It had been enthralling and awe inspiring, but not enjoyable. This on the other hand? This was no fight; it was a massacre.
Rupert imagined himself in Ryan's place, being so overpowered. The thought terrified him. He had lost his fair share of battles before, but neither Cubone nor Haunter had ever been so brutalized. Rupert wasn't sure if he could live with himself if he ever let that happen. And now he was considering undertaking a pokémon journey?

Mad! I must be stark-raving mad!

Rupert admired Ryan's composure as he walked out of the arena with his Mightyena. He was sure that such a loss would devastate himself. Ryan was a bigger man than Rupert.

"Hoooooo..."

Hoothoot low cry made Rupert turn to the Flying-type sitting on his shoulder. Just as he was about to ask her what was wrong he realized what had her concerned: he was trembling. Rupert got a bit mad at himself.

Heh. There you go again. Making your own pokémon worry about yourself. You're ridiculous. And you want to go on a journey to specifically seek out people like this Jeremy? You really are crazy.

"I-It's okay, girl. It's just a bit c-chilly out here, you know? Oh look, Daria is about to fight. You don't want to miss that, I promise."

With Hoothoot's concerns relieved Rupert shifted in his seat and watched Daria's fight with Forte, hoping that it wouldn't leave him as depressed as the previous battle.

 

[toobie]

Ryan was staring in front of him, looking at the pile of magazines on the table in the Pokemon Centre Waiting Area. Even though people around him looked at him (they had just seen him lose on the television hanging on the wall) Ryan didn't notice anyone nor say a word. He kept replaying the last half hour in his head. He had walked into that Arena as a happy man, and left as a broken one. As soon as Jeremy's Arbok was back in his Pokeball, Ryan had ran towards his Mightyena, Grabbed him and dragged him to the nearest Pokemon centre, tears stinging in his eyes.

Ryan had expected a hard battle against such a seasoned trainer, but he hadn't expected THIS. He had always thought of his Mightyena as a strong Pokemon, but agains Jeremy Mightyena might as well have been a bug, waiting to be crushed. And his family had seen it all. That realization was the worst of all. His family, friends and neighbours who had all been supportive (Some even financially supporting him) of his journey to the Championship, had now seen him get crushed in the very first televised battle he had been in.

"Your Pokemon is ready, Mr. Oliver." A nurse joy walked in with Mightyena walking besides her, head hung shamefully. Mightyena shared Ryan's sentiment about the battle. Ryan crouched down to pet Mightyena, and both their faces brightened up a bit. "Thank you," he said, but the nurse was already gone, taking care of another Pokemon. Ryan glanced at the TV as he walked out. The reporters had already forgotten him and were now focusing on the next battle.

As they went outside, Mightyena kept really close to Ryan. At first he didn't notice, but after passing the fifth large Pokemon, he heard Mightyena whimper. He was scared. Ryan understood, because Mightyena must've been in immense pain before they were at the Pokemon Centre. Ryan stopped, crouched again and looked Mightyena straight in the eyes. "Alright lad, listen up. We got crushed back there. That doesn't mean shit. All we need to do is train to the point that you're a fearsome beast, and that's exactly what we're gonna do. We're gonna go out to the forest, to the streets and every other place with Pokemon and trainers, and we're gonna crush them as hard as we got crushed back there. This Jeremy will regret the day he decided to mess with us, alright?" "Mightyena!" Good. Because there's no way i'm gonna let you get hurt again. Ever.

Ryan re-entered the Arena, trying to find the people he was supposed to team up with after the battle. He found them somewhere up high, and sat down next to them. "hey." This was one of the rare occasions that Ryan didn't know what to say, nor was he able the keep up his upbeat façade. So he just watched the match happening below them, while keeping an eye out for suspicious activity.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

"Hey." A voice said out of nowhere, turning his head, Caleb saw that it was Ryan; who must of recently returned from the Pokémon Centre after what must of been a rather crushing defeat at the hands of Jeremy. Caleb wasn't quite sure how to approach him after such a defeat.

"Ah, hello Ryan, good to see that you've joined us. I trust your Mightyena is feeling better?" He asked politely.

 

[Pappytech]

"Nheh, that's what I'm hoping for, brotha. Although lookin' at that bird o' yours up there, I think we'll have a Wailord of a time. By the way, that Daria chick a friend of yours? Cuz' that Staryu is on fire down there!"

"I... I'm not..."

For a brief moment, Matt drifted off into his own world, the stadium and his companions slowly losing definition and presence as they faded into the background. A slight buzz, like a persistent mosquito flitting about his ear, was all the young lad could hear, the roars and cheers of thousands blending together into a distant but omnipresent haze of white noise. Likewise, the stands and all their countless occupants were slowly obscured by an ever-thickening fog, a gray shroud that draped itself over the vibrant colors and roiling crowd, muting and diluting them until there were nothing more than a series of undefined shapes.

In a matter of seconds, the young man sat alone, the only living thing in a vast ocean of oblivion.

"...a friend of yours?

With everything that had been happening the past two days (although it felt like much, much more time had passed to the trainer), Matt had found little time to muse on the new people he had been staying with, nor had he considered the nature of his relationship with them. Daria, Remy, Caleb, Savannah; were they his friends?

Well, in order to answer that question, the lad found himself wondering what exactly a friend was. Spike, Ventus, Persephone; they were his friends, his companions through thick and thin, the ones that had helped him grow even as he raised them. Together they had grown stronger and wiser, learning from each other and always willing to lend a helping hand/paw/wing/tendril.

Now, what exactly had been his relationship with his new companions the past couple of days?

...A slight tremble overtook Matt's fist as he reflected on the immediate past. Besides his accusations, what had he actually offered to any of these people? Nothing, nada, zilch. All he'd done was leech off their encouragement and kind words, taking their good will and only offering the occasional smile or words or gratitude. As it was, it was more like they were his guardians then his friends, teaching him lessons he was far too old to just now be learning.

All in all, it was fairly far from an ideal relationship.

With the revelation weighing heavy on his heart, Matt slowly crept back to reality, with color, movement, and sound sluggishly returning to normal. Shaking his head, he noticed the trio of questioning faces staring at him, and started as he realized he must have zoned out for quite some time. "Oh! Oh, I, uh...

"Yeah. Yeah! Yeah, Daria's doing great! And her... Gemini, that's right, is pretty tough too!"

Focusing his gaze on the match below, Matt was unable to notice the slight, but persistent, trembling that seemed to have overtaken his hand. Then again, if he couldn't spot them, odds were no one else could.

"Geeze, this Forte's pretty tough as well, isn't him? Didn't he win with only one Pokemon yesterday?"

 

[JdaS]

As Matt came back to the real world, Gemini was busy fending off a rapidly aproaching Hariyama with its Water Gun. Although Hariyama was feeling the attack, it used Arm Thrust to get through the torrent and before he knew it, the Fighting-type was on top of his opponent, hitting Gemini with the last thrust. Gemini flew backwards hitting the stone wall at the edge of the battle area.

Hya! H-H-HYA!

This was it. Harden. Gemini's body gleamed as it became hard as steel. If it could sustain the next attack, an opportunity to strike at its foe one more time and bring it down. If it failed, it would be letting down the team.

"Hariyama. Vital Throw."

Gemini braced itself as the big lug rushed towards it. As Hariyama reached his foe, the Staryu attempted an evasive move. Futile. Hariyama's enormous hand grabbed it, spun it around once and threw it into the air. As Gemini came down, Hariyama grabbed it again, jumped, spun Gemini around one last time and threw it into the ground.

Its gem blinking rapidly for a few seconds, Gemini finally gave in.

And Hariyama prevails! Forte takes the first battle! Amazing last move by Hariyama!

Indeed! The Vital Throw that took out Ken Capins' Donphan in one shot proved too much for the Staryu to take. Amazing control for a Hariyama, I must say.

True Andy, true. Let's see what Pewter's Daria has in store for us next!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Remy looked on, genuinely on edge about the battle at hand.

"Damn... That Staryu took out Primeape... That Forte is no laughing matter. If Daria doesn't take that Hariyama out with whatever she sends next, she's as good as gone."

Zan. Zangoose.

Zangoose was impressed. During their travels and escapades, few Trainers and Pokémon had been more than an annoyance. It seemed, however that their view of the world was greatly limited. Zangoose thought of himself as being at the top, while in reality, he and his teammates were merely battling refuse. These were real fighters. Real challenges. It could feel its blood spoiling for a fight against any of these creatures.

Meanwhile, Jack was busy chatting up his opponent-to-be.

"Nhahahahaaa! Can't wait! Can't wait to be down there. Doin' what they're doin'. Against you brotha. I can feel it in ya. You have that spark ya know? That flame you rarely see. So many hobbyists these days ya know? But you. I'ma have fun with you. Nhihihihihiiii!"

 

[Pappytech]

"Nhahahahaaa! Can't wait! Can't wait to be down there. Doin' what they're doin'. Against you brotha. I can feel it in ya. You have that spark ya know? That flame you rarely see. So many hobbyists these days ya know? But you. I'ma have fun with you. Nhihihihihiiii!"

"Uh-huh, great!" Matt agreed nervously, a slightly forced smile on his face.

While he had no doubt that Jack was just trying to have some playful banter, the Hoennite's word choice was beginning to push Matt out of his already small comfort zone. While flirting was one of the many, many things that the young lad had never had a chance to brush up on, he highly suspected that if he or Jack were of the opposite gender, some very... well, incorrect things could have been assumed about the foreigner's words.

"Well, uh," the youth stammered, trying to come up with a suitable reply, "I bet that we're gonna... gonna... your mother...

"...I'm going to stop talking now, and just say that I hope we have a good battle, one that has both of us giving it our all and having a good time!" Matt exclaimed. "And, uh... your spark looks good too? Yeah, let's go with that one..."

[hr]

High overhead, Ventus shuddered as he made another pass over the stadium, his eyes sliding shut for a bit longer than a standard blink. Somewhere, Matt was making a fool of himself. Again.

 

[CJ1145]

Daria silently fished Gemini's Pokeball from her belt, calling it back with a swift motion. She lifted the ball up to her mouth and whispered "Ya did real good, girl; real good. Proud of ya."

She hung the ball back on her belt, and flashed a smile across the field. "Nice work, Teddi! Least ya got the skills t'back up that snark! Shoulda SEEN how many no-name chumps in this city tried to top me!" Even inside his Pokeball, the sound of Spiegel smacking his face at the double entendre could be heard. "But we'll see how long that lasts!"

She hovered her hand over her row of remaining combatants, her mind churning the gears as she worked her way through the problem of who to pick next. I wanna save Jet for last. Fast, good attacking power. Pinch-hitter to be sure. And Spiegel's good for the long haul, but he has his limits. Don't wanna waste his strength on a weakened Pokemon, if that Hariyama gets a hit in. But Slagger... that evolution puts him on even ground. Good defense to even out the super-effective attacks... OK!

With the manic grin that was her trademark back in full force, she selected her next Pokeball. And yet, save her impossibly stretched lips, the rest of her face looked calm. Confident. Serene, even. She tossed the Pokeball high above Hariyama, and shouted "TOXIC, BREAK, GO!"

ZZZSHAP

Spoiler

"GOL GOL!"

Slagger came down like an anvil from above, dripping purple toxic sludge as he prepared a Brick Break attack towards the more bulbous Fighting-Type.

 

[JdaS]

"TOXIC, BREAK, GO!"

As Slagger appeared, all 660 pounds of him hitting the ground with a healthy thud, Just about everyone was pleasently surprised. Forte didn't bother hiding his surprise, his eyes slightly wider at the somewhat rare sight of a fully evolved Geodude.

"Hmmm. Golem. An unexpected ace in the hole... But how long will it last?"

Jumping Jumpluffs! It seems Daria has been hard at work since her previous battle!

That she has, Terry. That there Golem is looking mighty fine, and is no doubt a great deal stronger than yesterday, when it was still a Graveler. Still, it IS facing a Fighting-type user so it seems that Daria is just looking to score some hits at the cost of her weakest link.

Remy, having missed the evolution, was also taken by surprise.

"Whoa! That is one mean looking Slagger! Wonder if it's still the same goofball?"

Zangoose. Goose.

Zangoose liked what he saw. Strong opponents only getting stronger. This Daria was a truly formidable Trainer. He was aching for a chance to face her Pokémon in battle once more.

"TOXIC, BREAK, GO!"

Toxins oozing out of every crag on Slagger's new and imposing rock-hard shell, he rolled toward the awaiting Hariyama, ready to douse him with the foul goo.

"Hariyama. Stop it with Force Palm. Follow up with an Earthquake."

As Slagger reached his target, Hariyama put up one of his palms as if to stop the rolling boulder of pain. As soon as the Rock-type came to a mere inch from the extended hand, a blast of ki sent him flying in the other direction. Daria didn't even flinch as more than 600 lbs whizzed by her at what must've been some 120 km/h, and crashed into the wall, sending dust and debris everywhere.

"Hmph. As impressive as your new Pokémon might look, it is still just a Rock-type. When faced with the might of Fighting-types, they can do nothing but cr- Hm?"

*CRACKLE* *CRASHH* *THOOM*

Like a bat out of hell, Slagger rocketed out of the hole he had made in the wall, whizzing past Daria as he prepared another dose of Toxic. Paralysis? Screw that noise! Jumping as he neared his foe, in order to avoid another Force Palm, Slagger managed to coat his opponent in the noxious ooze. Hariyama shivered and moaned as he was badly Poisoned, the toxins taking an immediate toll on his health.

"Ghh... Hariyama no rest. Use Earthquake now!"

H-Hari.

Pain was an illusion. Defeat was a lie. All that mattered was the end goal. Victory. At all costs. Overcoming the pain, Hariyama jumped up in the air and came down for another massive Earthquake. Slagger was thrown around and punished by the jutting pillars and cracking ground like a crashtest dummy, rock peeling off of his hide with every hit. Once the arena floor settled, it was quite hard to make him out from the rest of the debris. Not surprising, seeing as he wasn't there.

Daria, on the other hand knew exactly where he was. Forte realized this quickly after as well.

"UP THERE!"

Slagger had used the momentum he got from the quake to fling himself up into the air, and was now coming down with tremendous force. Hariyama looked up but it was much too late. 660 pounds of solid rock came down, straight onto the Arm Thrust Pokémon's face, lifting the hefty Pokémon off his feet and slamming its head into the ground. Slagger had successfully pulled off Brick Break. Hariyama tried to get up, but the hit had been too much. That, combined with the poison coursing through his veins was all he could take. Hariyama had fainted.

AMMMMMAAAAAZING! With an amazing two strike combo, Daria takes down the until now invincible Hariyama!

That there was a great play, Terry. Skill and determination mixed with a little bit of dumb luck, and Daria has evened the score!

"Hm. Have you? Admittedly, taking down Hariyama with a Rock-type was quite a feat, girl.."

Forte said calmly, while calling back his downed Pokémon.

"But look at it. Hariyama's Earthquake left your Pokémon quite exhausted."

Forte was right. Slagger's victory had been nothing short of amazing. However, after taking the hits from Earthquake, he was clearly in the red.

"Now then... On to my next Pokémon."

Another PokéBall opened, releasing Forte's second pick.

FERRRRRRRNNNNOOOOOOOOO!

Spoiler: Monferno

"Monferno, Mach Punch. Taunt. Flame Wheel."

 

[CJ1145]

"Monferno, Mach Punch. Taunt. Flame Wheel."

"Oop. No ya don't!"

The charging Monferno was denied its fight, when a red beam engulfed the Golem and drew him back into his Pokeball. Daria wagged a finger at Forte, a mischievous smile on her face.

"Ah-ah-ah. A little 'dumb luck' doesn't mean I'm stupid. Slagger's had his fun. I wanna spread the good times around a little, ya know? 'Sides, I think this'll be much more interesting..."

Should be similar stats. Probably a little faster, a little stronger. But Spiegel can take a punch better, I'd imagine... let's see how this stacks up.

She picked her next ball, and tossed it. "Spiegel, let's jam!"

ZZZSHAP

Spoiler

"CHARMELEON!"

Daria threw a ghost-uppercut, and bellowed "CUT THAT SPEEDSTER DOWN TO SIZE! SCARY FACE, THEN A GROWL! FOLLOW UP WITH DRAGON RAGE!"

 

[JdaS]

Spiegel was out and ready for a fight. First he'd go in wit-

*BAM*

Monferno was but a blur as he went in for the Mach Punch, a lightning fast flicker hitting Spiegel right in the jaw, dizzying the Fire-type for a while. Monferno jumped back to get some distance. Mockingly wiped his nose with his thumb, extended an arm and motioned for Spiegel to "Come and get it". A Taunt.

Spiegel snapped and tried a Fire Fang. Monferno evaded it with ease by simply side-stepping the attack. It was Monferno's turn. Somersaulting into the air and engulfing itself in flame, Monferno flung itself at Spiegel, the furry ball of flame hitting the Kanto starter in the back. As a Fire-type, however, the damage was negligible.

The Charmeleon was still pissed, though. Growling was not on the agenda, instead, this uppity ape would feel the power of his Dragon Rage. Charging a deep blue flame in his mouth, Spiegel let fly, the flame engulfing Monferno, who seemed less than pleasantly surprised that this particular flame actually hurt him. As the flames dissipated it was clear, Monferno had felt the hit.

"No quarter Monferno. Use Mach Punch again."

Monferno's speed was amazing as he yet again disappeared, appearing behind his foe and punching him in the ribs. Before he was able to get any distance however, Spiegel, having snapped out of his enraged state, engulfed his Sinnoh counterpart in yet another Dragon Rage.

Looking somewhat worn out, Monferno looked like it didn't expect the opponent's Charmeleon to put up such a good fight. Spiegel had been fooled by Monferno's Taunt and taken his share of hits as well, but it seemd as though the Kanto starter had the upper hand at that moment.

"Hm. Don't slack off, Monferno. Mach Punch again. Finish it with Brick Break."

 

[Pappytech]

As Spiegel and Forte's Monferno squared off far below, Matt found himself watching with a bit of bizarre fascination. There was no doubting that both of the Fire-types were adept and experienced combatants, and their trainers were just as, if not even more, skilled than their Pokemon. It was a heart-pounding and thrilling battle, one that seemed to send the temperature of the onlooker's blood skyrocketing.

However, even as he watched the Flame and Playful Pokemon brutalize each other, something continued to nag at Matt. That strange, elusive sensation that told him he was forgetting something, something very important. But what was it...

"Oh, crap," the trainer swore under his breath, cringing as the realization hit him like a ton of bricks. His own match against Jack would follow immediately after Daria and Forte's. And judging by the state of the combatants' current Pokemon, not to mention their already fainted (Or just weakened, in Slagger's case) teammates, the current battle wouldn't be lasting much longer.

"Hey, uh, guys," Matt spoke up, turning to his compatriots and eventual opponent with an apologetic grin. "Sorry, but I think I'm gonna head downstairs now. Need to do some, uh... stuff," he finished lamely, nervously rubbing his neck.

Snatching up his backpack, the lad began making his way towards the stand's concrete staircase. Seconds later, he slid to a sudden halt, the impact of his open palm against his forehead leaving a visible bruise. "You, uh, might want to cover your ears for this."

Inhaling deeply, Matt filled his lungs with air. Simultaneously, he brought his hands up to his mouth, forming a rough V-shape with his extended pinkies and sticking it just inside his lips. Then, he blew.

TWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

The high-pitched shriek lanced through the air like a swarm of invisible daggers, piercing the eardrums of anyone and everyone within Matt's current vicinity. Even worse, the whistle was not a brief, instantaneous affair. Instead it carried on for a solid ten seconds, growing steadily louder and higher even as the trainer's supply of oxygen decreased.

Smiling sheepishly at the annoyed glares shot his way, the lad stood awkwardly for a few more seconds before Ventus swooped down from above, landing on Matt's shoulder with practiced ease. A quick tap with a Pokeball later, and the Pidgeotto was reduced to a sphere of red light and clipped safely back onto his trainer's belt. "Alright, see you guys later then."

 

[CJ1145]

Spiegel was sent reeling by Monferno's quick barrage, and had barely been given the time to let off an attack of his own to counter. Daria scrunched her face and buried it in a palm.

"SPIEGEL!" she called out in her angriest voice. The lizard cringed and, with as much apprehension as physically possible turned to look at her.

"YA DON'T USE FIRE FANG ON A FIRE-TYPE! EVER! STICK TO DRAGON RAGE IF YA'VE GOTTA USE SOMETHING, GOT IT?!"

Spiegel frantically nodded, a mortified tear in the corner of one eye. He turned back to the fight just as Forte was having his own Pokemon get rolling again.

"Hm. Don't slack off, Monferno. Mach Punch again. Finish it with Brick Break."

Damn Mach Punch. Wish Spiegel knew Disable... Spiegel's fast. Come on, buddy!

No sense in countering a move that had priority. Best she could do was have her Charmeleon dodge, and then... ooh, that might just be crazy enough to work.

"SPIEGEL!" she roared, dropping to a knee and throwing a vicious right hook into the defeneseless air. "DUCK THE PUNCH, COUNTER WITH DRAGON RAGE! THEN, PARRY HIS BREAK WITH YOUR OWN!"

"CHAR!"

It was a crazy move with an even chance for failure. But then, Spiegel kinda liked crazy. He braced himself for the incoming punch, ready to weave out of the blow's path and make his move.

 

[JdaS]

"DUCK THE PUNCH, COUNTER WITH DRAGON RAGE! THEN, PARRY HIS BREAK WITH YOUR OWN!"

Spiegel was ready for this. This was it. Time to make the boss proud.

*WHOOOOSSSHHH*


Monferno's punch whizzed past Spiegel's face, missing by a hair's width. Now it was Spiegel's turn, turning towards his opponent, charging a Dragon Rage.

Not this time. Monferno spun around himself, following with a backflip to dodge the attack, the Charmeleon's move going to waste on the now vacated ground. Monferno was back in front of his Trainer, as was Spiegel. Both closed their eyes for a moment as they panted slightly from the exhausting battle. They could feel it. That feeling when a battle has taken its toll. The time and damage wearing down the body and mind until...

*HHHHWWWWOOOOOOOSSSHHH*

Spiegel's flame burst into a blaze. Monferno's did as well. Blaze. That roaring flame inside of certain Fire-types that tells them, cries out to them. "Never give up! Fight until the last dimming ember!"

Both sprang into a run, preparing to jump at each other and deliver that final blow. The last Brick Break.

Spiegel jumped. Spinning in the air and striking Monferno in the ribs with his tail.

Monferno doubled over in pain, but managed to keep it together and bring his outstretched palm down on his foe's neck.

Both hit the ground. Their flames, that just seconds ago roared with fury were now mere shadows of their normal selves. The two starters just lay there, waiting for the lights to go out. It had been a great fight.

Right before Monferno checked out he lifted an arm and stretched it towards Spiegel, his hand in a fist.

Mon! M-onfer. "Good match, brother."
______________________________________________________________________________________________

At the North end, Kayla and King were looking on with great interest. Suddenly King's keen senses caught a whiff of something. In a flash, the Growlithe rushed towards the smell. It didn't take long to find the source. At the top, near the center exit, an angry looking young man was following the match. He was exuding a dangerous smell. King knew this guy was trouble. Kayla had to be warned.

Grrrrrrr... GROW! GRROW!

 

[CJ1145]

Spiegel twisted his head up to look the Monferno in the eye, a bone in his neck popping back into place in the process. With a subtle, pained motion, he nodded back.

"Char... Charmele."

Spiegel raised his own fist, and pressed it against the Monferno's. And in a synchronized motion, both fell. The roar of the crowd was deafening as their faces hit the dirt, not a foot away from one another. Daria's face stretched into a deep frown as she glared at the outcome. But slowly, she forced herself to relent. She had a gentle smile on her lips by the time she called Spiegel back to his Pokeball.

"Ya earned a rest, partner." she whispered. "Good fight."

She plucked the sole Pokeball that had yet to be used, and began to toss it in the air repeatedly, letting it fall back into her palm each time.

"I've got one healthy Pokemon left. And so do you." she called across the arena. "Ready?"

She leaned back, ready to toss her Pokeball the precise moment Forte did his.

 

[CrazyBlaze]

Kayla was watching the match very intently. She cheered loudly for Daria when Spiegel and the Monferno both fell down and she booed for Forte. She was staring intently for the next pokemon the combatants were going to use. It wasn't until King started to gnaw at her leg that her concentration was broken. Turning around she was about to scold King when she saw the angry young man standing at the top of the stairs, starring at her. King was crouched down, teeth barred, fur standing up and was growling at the man.

"Who are you and what do you want!" Kayla yelled, her hand drifting to the rest of her pokeballs. "King. Ready ember"

King complied, flames filling his mouth.

 

[JdaS]

"Well done Monferno. Return."

Forte was impressed beyond the shadow of a doubt. Daria's training style had looked reckless and foolish to him as an outsider but now, having battled her himself, feeling her spirit first hand, he couldn't help but respect her abilities. But this last one was going to decide if her spirit had what it takes, or if she still had a lot of growing up to do.

"I've got one healthy Pokemon left. And so do you. Ready?"

"Indeed. He's been waiting for this moment ever since we woke up this morning. Now show me Daria Pace. Show me what makes you worth of that Pokémon."

Forte reached for his last PokéBall and called out his last combatant.

"Hitmonchan. Let us finish this."

Spoiler: Forte's #1 Fighter

Hit, Hit, Hit. Hitmon. Chan!