CHAPTER 14

Frillish inhaled and released a stream of bubbles.

“Now, Togepi!” I yelled

“Toge!”

Togepi held out her little hands and wind started to form— gentle at first, and then as powerful as a small storm. I held on to my shirt and observed as the Fairy Wind changed Bubblebeam’s direction, making it hit the edge of a tree.

“That was great, everybody! Frillish, your Bubblebeam is getting faster than before, but we need to work on that power with the time we have. Togepi, you’re going great. Just a little more progress before we can use Fairy Wind in battle,” I said, congratulating my team.

Our battle with the gym trainer was fast approaching, and I was desperately trying to get Togepi to perfect her Fairy Wind. She was getting a good grasp of controlling the wind— something that was probably owed to her future evolution being flying type— but the fairy part of it? The part that would deal real damage against rock types? That part of the move was still rudimentary. I picked her up and caressed her head.

“Oof, you’re getting heavier. My poor arms…”

“To…”

“Don’t worry, I’ll still carry you around! Or maybe Frillish could,” I said sarcastically.

“Prrrri!” She chirped with a smile.

“Fri…” Frillish said, obviously disagreeing.

Suddenly, my Poketch started to ring. I put Togepi down and answered.

“Hey, it’s Denzel. Where are you right now?” He asked.

“Route 207. Why?”

“Might want to start getting to the gym. I’m there and the place is already starting to get packed,” He said.

“What,” I asked in a surprised tone. “But Chase Karlson’s battle is in more than two hours. What the hell is wrong with people?”

“Hey, don’t shoot the messenger—”

“I’m on my way,” I said, hanging up.

I recalled my Pokemon and headed directly to the gym. I cursed internally at Oreburgh for not having any public transportation like in Jubilife, forcing me to get there by foot. I alternated between running when I had the energy to, and walking when I got too tired and the pain from my abdomen got too serious. The cream the Center had given me was doing wonders, and had sped up my recovery to the point where I was sure I’d be ready for my gym battle with Roark. It would probably still be there for my battle against the gym trainer, however, but at least it was more of a dull pain at the back of my mind now instead of something I just couldn’t ignore— unless I moved too much that is.

I met Denzel inside of the gym, using him to skip a large part of the queue, which got me a few death stares. People here were mostly non-trainers who wanted to watch battles, but they had to pay for a ticket to get in. The League had to make money somehow. Trainers participating in the Circuit, however, got to spectate any match they wanted for free. We made our way deeper inside and reached the stands, which surrounded the entire battlefield in an oblong-like shape. Denzel managed to spot two seats in the second row to the arena’s side.

“Hell yes! I’m so glad we got good seats,” He said, sitting down.

“Yeah,” I said. I was kind of out of it. To me, this almost felt like a dream. The buzzing in my ears from everyone talking around us, the sheer size of this place, Roark getting ready for his next battle by healing a Geodude on the ground. The atmosphere here was so thick I could almost drown in it.

“Now that we got our seats, do you want anything? Hot dog, burger, fries?” Denzel asked me. I shook my head. “Alright, I’ll get myself some, then. I’ll get nervous if I stay too still.” He released Eevee and instructed the Pokemon to stay in this seat. “Don’t give it up under any circumstance, got it? Fight for it with your life! Grace, take care of him for me.”

And he was gone.

“I should have asked him for water,” I murmured.

Roark’s battlefield was larger than any I’d seen so far, and was specifically built to give rock types an advantage. Rocks and large boulders littered the field, and tall, jagged hills had been raised in each corner. There was also a small pond in the center-left that was there for water types that couldn’t fight outside of water, such as Goldeen— something each gym was obligated to have.

Soon enough, the next battle started. And then the next. Since Roark was battling almost all day, people were always filtering in and out of the gym. Most people only came for a single battle, or a few, and when those were over, they were out. Some more passionate about Pokemon battling would sometimes stay the entire day— but that category mostly included trainers trying to find any weakness in Roark’s battling style. I had already taken note of this before, but it was even more obvious when I saw the real deal. Roark was a brutal trainer to take on. Normally, someone would think rock types to be defensive Pokemon, but the gym leader was relentless and simply did not stop attacking.

I winced as a poor trainer’s Spheal was slammed against the ground repeatedly until it bled by Geodude. That hadn’t even been a move! The teary-eyed trainer left without shaking Roark’s hand. To think that a Pokemon that strong wasn’t even a part of Roark’s real team… it was sobering.

That could happen to Togepi or Frillish, I thought as I felt my palms get clammy. Or Denzel’s Eevee, I continued, looking at the little furry Pokemon. He was somehow asleep on his trainer’s seat, as if the loudness of the gym didn’t affect him whatsoever.

We made our choice. I won’t back down now.

Soon enough, Denzel came back with a bunch of food and two drinks.

“I got you fries and a soda anyway. I’ll eat ‘em if you don’t,” He said.

I felt my lips rise. “Thanks.”

“Did I miss anything?”

“Oh, not much. Just a few trainers getting their hopes and dreams crushed in front of thousands of people,” I said with a hint of sarcasm before grabbing a fry.

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In the next hour and a half, only one trainer managed to beat Roark by using a pretty innovative strategy. He ran out the clock with a Shuckle that had insane defenses, and according to Denzel, they were higher than normal. There had only been one trainer that had participated in the Circuit last year, and Roark used even stronger Pokemon against him, beating him by the skin of his teeth.

But now, it was Chase Karlson’s turn.

I leaned to the side to get a better look at him. He had dark hair, wore a cap, and was seemingly extremely well-built. That was all I could see from up here. I glanced at Denzel, who had his hands clenched around the handles of his seat.

“Welcome, challenger,” Roark began in a dry tone, as he probably had a thousand times before. “This will be a three-on-three battle with one switch-in allowed. I reserve the right to use any Pokemon in my arsenal that I deem fit, and killing any Pokemon will get you disqualified from the League Circuit. Now, send out your Pokemon.”

Chase sent out a Riolu, and Roark sent out a Rhyhorn. The referee raised his hand, and then threw it downward. The battle had begun.

“Begin!”

“Riolu, Quick Attack to get close, and get a Bone Rush ready,” Chase said.

“Rock Polish,” Roark said.

The Riolu shone, and then dashed forward in a blur as a bone grew out of its paws. Within seconds, it was on the opposite side of the arena, and it swung its bone downward—

Rhyhorn dodged to the side, almost as if it was figure skating on the rocks.

“Keep up the pressure until it hits,” Chase calmly said.

“Dodge, then Horn Attack.”

My eyes widened. Riolu was using two moves at the same time, something that should have tired him out in seconds! Especially with a move as intensive as Quick Attack.

Riolu struck again and again, hitting the ground and kicking up dust, rocks and sand. Rhyhorn roared and rammed into Riolu, but it ignored the hit, instead grabbing onto the rock type’s head.

“Circle Throw!” Chase said, raising his voice for the first time.

Riolu lifted the huge Rhyhorn and slammed him backward, flipping it on its back. Its palm began to glow blue, and it struck the poor Rhyhorn’s belly five times until his armor cracked. Roark recalled it and signaled to the referee.

“Rhyhorn is unable to battle. Leader Roark, send out your next Pokemon.”

Roark obliged and sent out Nosepass.

“Riolu, get in close and Metal Claw!” Chase said.

“Rock Polish,” Roark calmly said. “Then Thunder Wave.”

Using Quick Attack again, Riolu rushed toward the Nosepass with shining, metallic claws growing out of its fists. The Nosepass shone, and then sparks of electricity slowly materialized around it. Riolu feinted toward the left, prompting the Nosepass to dodge right, but then suddenly followed it and hit him straight in the face with two brutal Metal Claws. The Nosepass fainted before it could even paralyze Riolu.

The audience cheered and broke into thunderous applause. I discretely looked at Denzel, who was the most focused I’d ever seen him. He was barely blinking, analyzing every second of the battle.

“Nosepass is unable to battle. Leader Roark, send out your last Pokemon,” The referee said, not bothering to hide his astonishment.

Roark grabbed his last Pokeball, but didn’t send out his Pokemon. He frowned, and then placed it back on his belt before grabbing a new one and sending out—

A huge Onix appeared in the arena with a roar that shook me to my core. It stared down at the Riolu like it was a bug, and awaited for Roark’s command. It was the first time Roark had used it this entire Circuit.

Chase stared up in disbelief, unable to speak.

“If you won’t start, I will!” Roark said, seeming more alive than he had been the entire day. “Onix, Slam it!”

Onix’s massive tail slammed downward as Riolu jumped out of the way, recovering with a roll.

“Riolu, Metal Claw again! Get close!” Chase said, snapping out of his stupor.

Close to that monster? I thought. Why?

Using another Quick Attack, Riolu approached the Onix and slashed its hide multiple times. Onix roared in pain.

“Screech! Get it away from you and Rock Throw!” Roark yelled out.

The humongous Pokemon lowered its head toward Riolu and screamed, forcing even me to cover my ears. The sound was horrendous, like nails on a chalkboard, and it knocked Riolu to the ground. The Riolu squirmed in pain, covering its ears.

“Now Slam it! Knock it out!” Roark said.

Onix let itself fall onto Riolu, covering it completely. When it rose, Chase’s pokemon was down for the count. Chase’s face contorted into what I could only describe as pure rage as he retrieved Riolu.

“Riolu is unable to battle. Challenger, please send out your next Pokemon!”

Chase yelled as he released a Houndour.

“Don’t disappoint me,” He said. “Smog!”

A sinister purple smoke began to leave Houndour’s mouth.

Luckily these psychic barriers will protect us, I thought, But a fire type? This is going to be hard.

“Don’t let him! Rock Throw!”

Onix curled its tail around a boulder and threw it toward the Houndour.

“Jump out of the way!” Chase yelled.

Houndour barely made it out, and the rock slammed against the barrier right next to Chase, who seemingly paid it no mind.

“Now, Ember!”

Onix was starting to struggle because of the toxic Smog, but he was still a rock type. He took the Ember and barely flinched.

“Keep Rock Throwing! One is bound to hit!”

The battle kept going like this for the next minute, with Houndour barely dodging Onix’s attack and retaliating with Embers that barely scratched its opponent. Onix was slowing down more and more, however.

“Now, Smog again!”

“It’s all or nothing, Onix! Get in close and Screech, then Slam!” Roark yelled with his hand outstretched.

Onix slithered into the thickest part of the smog and screamed again, forcing the Houndour to stop its attack. Then, using its face, it slammed into the Houndour, sending the small Pokemon flying into the barrier.

“Houndour is unable to battle. Challenger, please send out your last Pokemon,” The referee said.

“Fuck, fuck!” Chase whispered, which was then picked up by his microphone. He sent out his last Pokemon— one I had never seen before. “Grubbin, you’re the last one. Do not lose.”

“Onix, let’s finish this quickly! Screech into Slam one last time!”

“String Shot! Don’t let it get near you!” Chase yelled out, letting panic slip into his voice.

The bug type Pokemon spit out an incredible amount of string, sticking and slowing the Onix down. However, Onix’s huge size meant that he barely had to move to get in Screech range. He used the move one final time, and again, Grubbin was stunned and unable to move. As Onix prepared to slam into the small bug, he stopped moving, and then fell to the side. Smog’s poison had slowly but surely finished it off.

Chase Karlson had won. Barely. But a victory was still a victory. The stadium erupted into a cacophony of applause and cheering as the referee announced Chase’s victory. Roark shook his hand, looking happier than he had ever been, and gave him the TM to Rock Polish, along with digitally adding money and his badge through his trainer card.

Again, Chase Karlson had won.

But he looked like he had lost.