Grant almost didn’t want to fight Gram’s brother after tangela’s near murder of Gram’s ponyta, but the challenge had already been issued. Gram’s brother was named Brandon, and his oddish stood in the projected battle arena ready to fight. Grant tried to focus, but he was struggling not to storm off and talk with tangela. Horsea kept shooting Grant confused looks, likely because he hadn’t laid out a gameplan for the fight like he had every other time they fought in a challenge. Their holo watches started the countdown and Grant realized if he didn’t get his head in the game horsea was going to get crushed.
“The challenge begins in 3, 2, 1.”
“Oddish use stun spore!
“Horsea smokescreen and then water gun!” A cloud of yellow spores launched towards horsea, who tried to dodge with moderate success. Grant still saw horsea inhale several of the spores as he evaded, and his movements did seem to stiffen slightly. Horsea still got the smokescreen off, and then fired a charged water gun at the oddish. It connected and sent the oddish stumbling back a couple steps.
“Good keep on the pressure!” Grant called.
“Oddish use solarbeam to disperse the smoke!” Grant couldn’t believe what he just heard. No way this oddish knew solarbeam unless Brandon had spent an absurd amount of money to acquire the tm. Solarbeam was a very advanced move, and not something and oddish could normally use. To Grant’s shock the oddish started charging up the solarbeam.
“Horsea keep up the water gun! We need to take him out before he can get off the solarbeam!” Horsea launched a fully charged water gun at the oddish. Since it was focused on charging solarbeam, it couldn’t move, and the water gun connected. Again, the oddish was sent stumbling backwards. For a split-second Grant thought oddish would be knocked out of the arena, awarding Grant the win, but he stabilized himself right on the edge of the arena. The solarbeam was almost charged now, and Grant knew it would be difficult for horsea to dodge, even in the smoke. Solar beam could be shot in a tight beam, or as a more spread-out attack, and when it was fired it would launch instantaneously.
“Again!” Grant called. Horsea started to charge up another water gun, too late. The solarbeam fired in a wide enough arc to encompass the entire smokescreen cloud. Horsea had no chance to dodge, and was struck full on, and sent flying up and out of the arena. Grant’s watch buzzed signaling his loss and sending his record to 2-2. Grant hurried to check on horsea, but he was just dazed from being thrown. The attack while strong, would have been more effective on a heavier opponent capable of tanking the attack. Horsea was too light to be able to take any major damage from a wide area solarbeam like that. Grant recalled horsea and nodded to the brothers before running back into the village. Horsea looked fine, but he would have him checked out just to be safe.
Several hours later Grant was sitting with horsea and tangela outside the pokemon center, a letter in hand. It had just been delivered and carried the news that tomorrow morning Grant would be fighting a legal challenge against the shop owner. It would be a 2v2 pokemon battle, Grant’s first, and he was feeling very nervous. Grant had spoken to tangela about not killing other pokemon while horsea had been getting checked over, and Grant thought tangela understood. He was still worried their day of training wouldn’t be enough. Losing to the shop owner would mean Grant was settled with a 6,000 pokedollar fine. This would essentially mean Grant would be going 6,000 pokedollars in debt and putting virtually all of his money towards paying for that debt for the foreseeable future. Grant had already explained the stakes to tangela and horsea. A somber mood had fallen over the team as they stared up at the slowly appearing stars. Grant pointed at a cluster of stars shaped like a large wing.
“That’s The Wing of Ho-oh.” Grant said, and then he pointed to another group of stars.
“That’s the eye of Giratina.” Grant kept pointing at stars and naming the constellations, and slowly Grant and his pokemon relaxed. It was nice for Grant to show his pokemon the constellations that his parents had shown him years ago. Horsea and tangela were as much family to Grant as the 6 homeless kids Grant had been taking care of since he was 9. He missed them and couldn’t wait to get to pewter city and introduce them to tangela and horsea. Grant wanted to defeat Flint and use the prize money to get them off the streets and into something a little more stable. None of that would happen if Grant lost tomorrow. Grant hugged tangela and horsea and recalled them to their balls. They needed their rest tonight. Grant looked up one more time at the constellations and wished his parents were still around to meet his pokemon and to watch Grant battle in the challenge tomorrow.
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Grant was up early the next morning. The challenge was scheduled for 9 am, but Grant was at the arena by 7. Truthfully, he hadn’t gotten much sleep, and had finally gotten up because he needed to do something. The arena where the challenge would take place was little more than a painted square of concrete with bleachers on either side of the battle ground. The arena was situated behind the pokemon center and was used only for legal challenges or other official league business. There was an arena like this in every village, town, and city, although the ones in towns and cities were generally a lot more extravagant.
Grant released and fed horsea and tangela after arriving. Grant tried not to think about the upcoming match as he watched his pokemon eat. He had given them lighter than normal portions so they wouldn’t get sick during the challenge.
After they ate, they went on a jog around the arena. Grant wanted them to get familiar with the odd rubbery material that the arena was made of, since it was so different than fighting in the wild. He also wanted to get them a little warmed up. By the time Grant was finished with all of his pre-match warmups it was nearly time for the challenge. People had filtered into the stands, the shop owner had arrived, and the official league adjudicator stood in the referees box. She waived over Grant and the older tank of a man Grant would be battling.
“You are Grant Wilson and Fredrick Fletch, correct?” She asked. Grant and apparently Fredrick nodded.
“Very good then. I am required by the league to ask if there is any way that this dispute can be settled amicably without a challenge. Fredrick, do you see any way forward where you and Grant here can settle things without a battle?” She asked. Fredrick shook his head firmly in the negative.
“The only way I would drop this challenge is if he handed over 10,000 pokedollars right now. Six for what he stole, and 4 for wasting my time.” Grant glared at the smugly smirking older man. Grant wanted to punch him.
“Grant are you able to provide the requested 10,000 pokedollars?” The adjudicator asked.
“No.” The adjudicator smiled.
“Excellent. I appreciate you two not wasting my own time and settling up. Take your places we will be starting promptly. Fredrick as you are the challenger you will release your first pokemon first. Shake hands and lets have an exciting challenge.” Fredrick tried his best to crush Grant’s hand when they shook and leaned in close so only Grant could hear his whisper.
“You’re going to pay for stealing from my shop boy. I don’t care if you used it to save the village, nobody steals from me and gets away with it.” Fredrick’s grin was feral as he walked to his side of the arena. Grant had to shake out his hand as he took his place. The venom in Fredrick’s words had shaken Grant. He had never been spoken to before with such absolute hate. Grant’s thoughts were interrupted by the adjudicator stepping into the center of the arena and silencing the small crowd that had gathered. Grant could see Ashley and Mable both sitting on the bleachers, although they weren’t sitting together.
“I, an official league adjudicator, will be refereeing this legal challenge between Grant Wilson and Fredrick Fletch. Grant is accused of stealing 6,000 pokedollars worth of goods from Fredrick’s shop during the recent dustox attack. If Grant wins, he will clear his name. If he fails to clear his name Grant will be required to pay the 6,000 pokedollars for the goods he stole. Are the trainers ready?” Grant and Fredrick locked eyes. Grant saw real anger in Fredrick’s eyes, but Grant was ready. They both nodded.
“Then let this legal challenge begin!” n