COMPLETE: Jim: The Hero's Journey (EVERYONE)

[TPrower]

Chapter 19
Love is Power​

*SPLASH!*

From seemingly out of nowhere, a jet of water shot through the trees and struck the Scolipede on its side, stopping its attack and throwing it onto its side. Stunned, Jim turned to see Oshawott and Leanne stepping out of the trees, the former glaring boldly at the upended insect, Pidove fluttering by the latter's shoulder.

"Leanne!!' Jim croaked, setting June and Emolga down before rushing to her.

"Jim!!"

The two embraced each other tightly.

"You're all right!" Jim said, after finally breaking apart.

"Of course we are! We heard that Scolipede roaring and stomping after you and followed it. We had a feeling something had really got it steamed, but we didn't think it'd be you. Are you ok?"

"A little shaken, but otherwise, just fine. Did you ever find Zorua?"

Leanne's face fell.

"No. We didn't see him anywhere…" she said.

"Oh. Leanne, I'm sorry."

"It's all right…maybe I wasn't ready for it."

Their moment was interrupted, however, as the angered Scolipede had regained its footing. It began scratching the ground with its foot, like a bull about to charge. Its slit-pupil eyes were roving across the group, as if choosing its first victim, and finally, they landed on…June!

With a roar, its pincers glowing like purple fire, Scolipede barreled straight for her. Jim yelled and tried to rush over to her, but Oshawott, eyes blazing with anger at the endangerment of his beloved, had whipped off his scalchop and had lunged straight for Scolipede, like a medieval knight facing a savage dragon. His Razor Shell formed into a long, glowing blue blade, and as he got close, he leaped and struck the huge Megapede Pokemon a smart blow across the chest…but he had gotten too close. With a malignant gleam in its eye, Scolipede struck, and stabbed Oshawott right in the stomach with one of its pincers!

Leanne shrieked, and Jim gaped. June teetered, her eyes wide and mouth open, as if struck by a crushing blow.

She had tried to assert to others (and more to herself) that she only bore a certain tolerance to the charismatic Oshawott and his advances. Now, however, seeing him pierced with the venomous claw of one of the most dangerous Bug-types in the world…it brought her view of him into a much more different light. Of course he had been persistent in his attempts to win her heart, but he was also polite, friendly, and bold. He had thrown himself into the jaws of danger for her sake, and she had done nothing for him…

Such a sudden realization brought real tears to June's eyes, as Oshawott fell limply in front of Scolipede. The beast, for its part, had lifted its foot over the prostrate Water-type, ready to smash it beneath its foot. It had hardly moved, however, before something like a glowing green ball struck it square in the face. Glaring around, it looked for the source of the resistance, and saw June standing before it, tears of rage on her cheeks, her hands forward, and the leaf on her tail glowing white-hot in the pure sunlight.

"Stay away from him, you monster!" she snarled, another glowing ball forming in her hands.

Startled as he was, Jim took out his Pokedex to check this phenomenon.

"Energy Ball, a Special Grass-type Attack which has a small chance of lowering the target's Special Defense."

June fired the one she had just formed, which struck Scolipede again, but it seemed using a new attack under such anguish was too much for her, and she collapsed onto her face.

"JUNE!" Jim screamed, hurrying to retrieve her, as Scolipede bore down on her.

Suddenly, a lightning bolt struck Scolipede in the chest, stopping it short enough for Jim to scoop June and Oshawott up and return to Leanne. Leanne took Oshawott in her arms and cradled him, weeping into his fur. His eyes were closed, and his face had gone an unpleasant color. He was breathing, but very fast. Emolga had stepped in, cheeks sparking with electricity, glaring at Scolipede.

"Don't you dare hurt my new friends!" she snapped.

Scolipede shook its head to recalibrate its senses and glared at Emolga. Just as each was about to attack, however, something new had struck Scolipede in the face: an Air Cutter. Pidove had joined the fray, no doubt hoping to avenge her fallen friend Oshawott.

This was too much. Scolipede, buffeted and smarting from so many attacks inflicted on it one after the other, went into a blind rage, and it began spitting its venomous goo at the two interfering Pokemon. Both split to the sides, the slime splattering between them. Emolga soared around Scolipede, shocking its magenta hide as she went, while Pidove flitted here and there, peppering it with Air Cutters. At last, the two banded together to form a combo attack: Pidove sent a large final Air Cutter, and Emolga charged it with her electricity, electrifying it. It struck Scolipede square on its tender underside, sending it flying back to the edge of the cliff. Unfortunately for it, the cliff edge wasn't strong enough to bear its immense weight, and it crumbled. Everyone watched, aghast, as the Scolipede, so recent a menace, slipped and tumbled into the ravine. They looked over the edge, but there was no sign of it at all…

"Emolga…Pidove…you saved us…" Jim said, breathless.

Emolga was still looking stunned at what she had just done. Pidove, for her part, had thrown her wings open, trilled, and began to glow with a bluish light. Leanne gasped.

"Pidove! …She's evolving!"

Within the light, Pidove began to grow taller, her legs and wings lengthening. At last, when it vanished, Pidove was gone, and in its place was a new bird Pokemon. She was gray and black in color, with a red "half-mask" above her now sharp yellow eyes. She had a tufty crest on the back of her head and a plume of feathers on the back of her neck. Jim's Pokedex was out once again.

"Tranquill, the Wild Pigeon Pokemon, and the evolved form of Pidove. Tranquill will always return to its Trainer regardless of distance. It is believed that wherever Tranquill reside, there is no conflict or war."

Tranquill flew over and settled on Leanne's shoulder, nuzzled against her cheek. Leanne smiled and stroked her soft feathers.

"I'm really proud of you, Tranquill. You'd never have evolved if I hadn't brought you with me." Tranquill looked sad, however.

"I just wish I could have saved Oshawott…" she said.

Leanne could tell by her forlorn glance at Oshawott what she was saying, and she gloomily gazed down at her poisoned companion.

"Is there a Pokemon Center anywhere near here?" Jim asked, desperately.

Emolga hung her head.

"There is, but it's a long way off. By then, he may have already…"

Misery was etched on every face. The brave Oshawott had given his all, and had been struck so low...

Suddenly, Emolga perked up again, realization on her face.

"Pecha!"

"Gesundheit," said Jim.

"No no! Pecha Berries! We need Pecha Berries! They cure poison!"

"What? Oh! That's right!"

"Yes! Do you have any?"

"Tons!"

Jim went to his backpack and the cooler inside it, fishing around in it feverishly before finally extracting a whole, unspoiled Pecha Berry. Leanne was looking hopeful again as he hurried over to Oshawott. His face was still an unnatural hue, but his breathing had slowed. Jim gently shook him.

"Oshawott! Oshawott, stay with me, buddy…"

To his inexpressible joy, Oshawott's eyes slowly opened.

"I have something for you, but you have to eat it. I need you to do that for me."

He held the Pecha Berry to Oshawott's lips, and he took a bite from it, chewing slowly. As they watched, the natural color returned to Oshawott's face, and the wound from Scolipede's pincer lost the nasty color it had caused. At the same time, June began to come around, and she gasped when she saw Oshawott sit up in Leanne's arms, scalchop still in his paw.

"OSHAWOTT!!" Leanne croaked, cradling him close to her cheek. "You're all right! I was afraid I'd lost you!"

"I still wish I could have gotten a better fight with that brute…" he said, regrettably, "but I'm glad to be back among the hearty and hale. Oh, Leanne!"

He nuzzled her gratefully. Leanne looked over at Jim, and when she saw him holding June, and was giving her a meaningful look, she understood and nodded. Both Trainers set their Pokemon down to face each other.

"June?"

"Oshawott…I…" June started.

She seemed uncomfortable.

"What is it?…"

"…Thank you…"

She dashed forward and gripped his paws in hers tightly.

"If it hadn't been for you…I would've been the one poisoned, and not you…"

Then, a flash of anger crossed her face, and she slapped Oshawott with her tail-leaf.

"But that was a very foolish thing to do! What on Earth were you thinking?!"

Oshawott held his stinging cheek and grinned.

"Only of preserving your life, dear June…"

June gave a small gasp.

"Yes, it was reckless. Yes, it was foolish, but I didn't care. I did it out of-"

"Love?" June finished.

Oshawott paused, perhaps not expecting her to say that.

"To tell you the truth," she continued, "when you went down…I let my emotions sweep me over. I fought back, even though I had no chance of harming Scolipede. I did it because I was afraid I'd lost you…" Tears were in her eyes. "I don't know what to think anymore…"

Oshawott smiled gently and gripped her paws again.

"Don't think. Just let go…" he said, softly. "Let your heart guide you…"

June gazed into his bright, energetic eyes. She felt all the warmth and love he had harbored towards her overcome her. She closed her eyes, and then said, in an equally gentle voice,

"…I do love you…It took me so long to realize…I love you…"

"Dear June…"

"Dear Oshawott…"

The two of them held each other in a warm, close embrace. June's cheeks were tinged with pink, but it was no shameful embarrassment that reddened her face. It was pure romantic joy. Jim was beaming, and he looked over at Leanne, who was sniffling and dabbing at her eyes. Tranquill had fished a handkerchief from her pack and handed it to her. Emolga too had tears in her eyes, touched by such a warm scene.

It was then that Jim remembered.

"That's right! We never introduced you!"

He scooped Emolga up in his hands and turned to his friends.

"Leanne, Tranquill, Oshawott,"

Oshawott and June were now standing close together, each with an arm around the other, giving Jim their attention.

"I want you to meet Emolga. She's been our guide through Pinwheel Forest."

"A pleasure," said Oshawott, giving a low bow.

"Aww, she's adorable!" gushed Leanne. "Can I hold her?"

"Of course!"

He handed her to Leanne, who held her up.

"Just look at you, you little cutie!"

Emolga giggled, obviously loving the attention.

"Oh, you're a big girl, aren't you? I've got your little belly, yes I do!"

She tickled Emolga's stomach, making her giggle even more.

"Aw, Jim, can I keep her?"

Emolga looked a little surprised at this. She was looking at Jim, as if she hoped he'd say no.

"But Leanne, you've got Zorua."

"No I don't…now that he's run away…"

"Well…"

Suddenly, Leanne felt something tugging at her leg. She looked down…and there seemed to be another Emolga, only this one was much more slender than theirs.

"Huh? Another Emolga?"

"What are the odds of that?" Jim wondered.

But his question was answered as the Emolga flashed a familiar toothy grin, jumped up, somersaulted, and turned back into…

"Zorua!"

"I was watching the way you guys handled that Scolipede," he said. "That was way cool!"

"So then, what are you doing back?" Jim asked.

"Well, after seeing what just went down, I decided that, maybe I will stick around for a while. Besides, your friend seems like an ok girl."

"She's more than ok, Zorua. She's a wonderful Trainer."

Leanne blushed at this. Zorua rubbed against her leg affectionately, and then sat down in front of her, expectant.

"Oh, Zorua!" Leanne chirped. "You really want to come with me?"

Zorua nodded, smiling.

"Oh, wonderful!"

She then looked at Emolga in her arms, then to Jim.

"Hey, Jim, do you want Emolga?"

"R-Really? Me?"

"Yeah! She obviously seems to like you!"

She set Emolga in his arms, and just to prove the accuracy of her words, she snuggled up against him and gave him a lick on the chin. Jim smiled and cradled her.

"Of course I will!" he said. "It's gonna be you and me, little missy!" Then, a thought struck him. "Hey…Missy. That's not a bad name for you. What do you think?"

"Yeah! Missy! I like that name!"

"Great!"

He set Missy down and took out an empty Poke Ball, as Leanne did as well.

"Welcome to the team!"

They both threw their Poke Balls, and Missy and Zorua leaped to intercept them. They pressed the buttons and vanished inside them, landing in their Trainers' palms. They twitched a little, and then fell still with a click.

"Yeah! I've just caught…an Emolga!"

"And I've got me…a Zorua!"

They both held their Poke Balls aloft like prizes. June and Oshawott applauded. Then, Jim clicked his Poke Ball to bring Missy back out again.

"Ok, Missy, think you can lead us to the other end of the Forest, to Skywarrow Bridge?"

"No problem!" said Missy, cheerily. "Follow me! Come on, Tranquill!"

She took off into the air, Tranquill beside her, as Jim scooped June up. She was still rosy-cheeked.

"I'm really proud of you, June…" he said, gently. "I knew you could do it…"

June beamed and licked his cheek. Leanne picked up Oshawott, and the two Trainers followed the Flying types back into the dense mass of trees…

 

[TPrower]

CHAPTER 20
N Again​

They moved briskly all the rest of that day and into the next, Missy and Tranquill flying ahead. From time to time, Tranquill would fly above the trees to report if they were getting closer to the other side or not. Missy, for her part, kept their path lit by her electric glow, glimmering like a lantern. They saw more Venipede as they went along, but they kept their distance. It seemed they had become aware of what had happened to the Scolipede…

Despite being healed from the poison that had been inflicted upon him, Oshawott was still not allowed to walk on his own. He spent the rest of their walk cradled in Leanne's arms like a child. From time to time, Jim would let June snuggle up beside him to keep him company. It made him smile to see the little Snivy nestled side-by-side with her Oshawott pal. It made him laugh, also, when Missy would take a break from flying to settle in Jim's arms instead, where he'd scratch her behind her ears or rub her belly.

He wanted to get her into training, pitting her against Sewaddle or Venipede, but whenever this came up, she refused. She’d cross her arms and pout, and nothing Jim said or did made her budge. Eventually, he gave up and just had her lead the way, but didn’t notice June giving the Emolga a cold look as she went off...

Jim also took the opportunity to train Rok some more. It took a little to get him going at first, however, as he was still smarting from the battle with Scrafty, and there wasn't a Pokemon Center nearby. It did prove the perfect opportunity to properly implement Rok's new diet, which the little Archen was highly grateful for. Jim took a circular Tupperware dish from his pack and crushed a handful of Oran and Pecha Berries into it, making a purplish juice with a very sweet aroma. He then sliced up a Sitrus Berry into square chunks with a knife and dunked them into the juice mix. He then fed Rok as many chunks as he wanted with a fork.

During the first feeding, Missy got interested, and was going to taste a piece, but Rok, not knowing who she was, growled and snapped his fanged beak at her. She yelped and cowered behind Jim.

"No no no, Rok, it's ok," Jim soothed. "This is Missy. She's a friend."

"…Mizzy…friend?"

"Miss-see. Yes, friend."

"Ahh…Miss-see friend!" he exclaimed, with a smile.

Missy came back from behind Jim's leg.

"Me sorry for scaring Miss-see. Want bite?"

He held out a piece drizzling with juice.

"Yeah!"

She gladly accepted it and munched into it. Her face was smeared from cheek to cheek with the juice.

"Mmm! This is even better than apples!"

"Miss-see like apples?"

"You bet! A little too much, I'd say…"

She blushed and patted her rounded belly.

"Amazing how I can still fly…"

Rok gasped.

"Miss-see fly?"

"Of course! I'm an Emolga, silly!"

"Show Rok fly! Show Rok fly!"

Jim had never seen Rok so excited. His eyes had gone wide as saucers, and he was hopping like a rabbit, flapping his wings energetically. With a giggle, Missy climbed up the nearest tree, onto the lowest branch, then leaped from it, gliding around them in graceful loop-de-loops.

Rok was watching her every move with the keenest interest, and he was continually running forward, flapping his wings, as if trying to get off the ground. He went too fast, however, and smacked right into an old tree. Jim winced as he heard the audible bonk of his hard skull on the aged bark. He sat down, looked at his wings, then burst into wailing sobs. Everyone gathered around to comfort him.

"Rok, it's all right, buddy," said Jim, consolingly.

"No it not," Rok sniffed. "Me wanna fly, but me no fly!"

"Well, you've just come back from a really long sleep," said Leanne, "maybe you just need practice."

Rok sniffled and looked at her with streaming eyes.

"Think so?…"

"I know so, little pal." Leanne said, petting his head. "A few trials, a few battles, and who knows?"

Rok wiped his face with his wing and smiled.

"Ok! Me practice until best flyer ever!"

"That's the spirit!" said Jim. "Let's get cracking!"

Both got to their feet, and Rok sprinted into the brush looking for Pokemon to battle. Jim glanced at Leanne.

"Thanks for cheering him up," he said.

"Think nothing of it," she said. "I never liked hearing babies cry, but that was even worse…"

Both of them laughed.

***​

There was something very odd that happened later on in their travels.

They were nearing the other side of the forest, by Missy's reckoning, and would reach the Pokemon Center at the end within the next hour or two. Rok had just finished another round of training (it almost ended nastily when he got his beak cocooned by an especially grumpy Sewaddle), and was resting in his Poke Ball. They had come to a pond or a lake to the right of the path, decorated with flowering lily pads. Jim couldn't tell exactly what it was, but something about that space seemed close, guarded, and untouched, as if some unseen guardian had their eyes on everything at once in that space.

Then, as he was looking about, perhaps for a glimpse of who was keeping such close observations, he saw a strange shape in the shadow of the far trees. It had the form of a deer, but one with horns curved to the sides of its head. As he stared, he suddenly caught a glimpse of glowing eyes, and then, inexplicably, a rush of excitement and panic swept over him. He let out a yell of terror and fell back.

Everyone whirled around to look at him. Jim shook his head, eyes closed, and when he reopened them, the figure was gone.

"Jim?" Leanne asked, coming over. "What was all that about?"

"There was…in the…didn't anyone else see it?"

Nobody said anything. It was clear by their expressions that none of them had seen what Jim saw, and were possibly afraid he had become momentarily disturbed in the mind.

"There was some…something out there! It looked like a deer."

"A Deerling, maybe?"

"No…it was too big to be a Deerling. It looked at me with these sharp, glowing eyes, and I heard a voice in my head say "Begone!", and I guess it…spooked me…"

Unlike the others, June looked more understanding.

"Then you might have seen…but that'd be impossible…"

"What? What do you think it was?"

"It's just a fairy tale, mind you, but legends tell of a mysterious guardian of the Forest, vigilant and fierce, wary and distrusting of humans."

She turned her gaze to Missy, whose jaw was hanging open.

"I don't suppose you know about it?"

"Well, yeah, I've heard of it," said Missy, "but I've never seen it before. Nobody's really seen it, I guess, unless it wants to be seen. Besides, I hardly ever come by this section of the Forest."

"Oh, of course," said June, in a rather bitter tone of voice. “I wouldn’t expect you to want to wander far from your little apple tree.”

"What's that supposed to mean??" Missy asked, sounding offended.

"Girls, girls!" Jim said, stepping in to break them up. "Now's not the time for petty arguments. Whatever's in this part of the forest wants us to leave right now, so I say we do."

June clambered onto Jim's shoulder, giving Missy a cold look. The Emolga looked confused.

"What did I do?" she asked, taking off again to lead.

"What the heck was that about?" Jim asked June.

"I don't know if I trust her yet," she replied. "Mind you, she was the one who enraged that Scolipede."

"That was an accident!"

"I'm just trying to keep you from dragging along a free-rider."

"Free-rider? What's that supposed to mean?"

"Simply tagging along and reaping the benefits without putting in actual effort."

"What are you talking about? You saw her fight off that Scolipede!"

"No I didn't. I was unconscious, in case you forgot..."

"Oh…right. Still, you ought to at least give her a chance. She tried to show Rok how to fly, so she's not bad at all…"

"I suppose, although I’ve yet to see you put in the effort to train her as well. All you’ve been doing is petting her and treating her like a pet.”

“I’ve tried to get her to, but she doesn’t want to. I’m not going to force her to do something she doesn’t want to. How would you like it if I made you fight a Pokemon you had no chance against, and I wasn’t going to take no for an answer? That may be how Team Plasma would do it, but not me. I’m going to let her train at her own pace.”

June said nothing to this. On the one hand, she didn’t like Missy getting a free ride in all of this, without earning her keep. On the other hand, she did see some sense in Jim’s rationale, and certainly wouldn’t have wanted training forced on her. She’d keep a close eye on this Emolga, though...

***​

At last, accompanied by a loud trill from Tranquill, Missy settled on a branch at eye-level and pointed excitedly. There, up ahead, was a wooden building resembling a lob cabin, the roof bearing the familiar symbol of a Pokemon Center. Tranquill fluttered onto Leanne's shoulder.

"There it is!" Missy said, proudly. "Past the Pokemon Center is the entrance to Skyarrow Bridge!"

"Good work, Missy! You've been really helpful!"

Missy blushed. June rolled her eyes.

"You did great too, Tranquill!" said Leanne, stroking her feathers.

"So! You've managed to make it at last…"

The voice came from the direction of the Pokemon Center. They all looked, and to Jim's astonishment, there, leaning against the wall, was N, the boy he had encountered in Accumula Town.

"N! What are you doing here?"

"Simply enjoying the last stretch of untainted land in Pinwheel Forest, communing with the native Pokemon…"

His eyes fell on Missy.

"My, my, that's a very interesting Emolga you have. Had her long?"

"No. Just caught her today."

He reached up and stroked Missy's fur.

"If I'm not mistaken," he said, shrewdly, "you were using her to pick your way through the forest. Will the extent of human control over Pokemon never cease expanding?…"

"What's your point?" Jim asked, sharply.

"It's enough that we force them to battle, but using them as our guide dogs…"

He shook his head in a disappointed fashion. Missy looked puzzled.

"Who's this guy?" she asked.

"His name's N," said Jim. "He's a follower of a movement called Pokemon liberation."

"Liba-what?" Missy asked, scratching her head.

"He means, releasing Pokemon back into the wild," answered Oshawott.

"What?? But Pokemon and humans are friends! Why would they want to do something like that??"

"I can see that you are already succumbing, little one," N said. "It's no matter. You're just starting out, after all."

"Look here," said Jim, annoyed, "if you want to battle, just say so and be done with it. All this banter's unnecessary."

"Oh, I quite agree," said N, tugging up the brim of his cap, "I hope, for your sake, you've managed to strengthen yourself as I have."

"Oh, you bet!" Jim said, taking a Poke Ball from his belt. "What'll it be this time?"

"How about a three-on-three? That sound fair?"

"Perfect!"

"Then let us begin!"

N threw his first Poke Ball, and from it appeared…a Tirtouga! Jim's jaw dropped. There it was, an honest-to-goodness Tirtouga!

"Where did you get that??"

"My sources, are my own," N answered, mysteriously.

That wasn’t good enough for Jim, however.

"This is too coincidental."

"Pardon?"

"A few nights ago, Team Plasma stole a pair of Fossils from the Nacrene Museum, and now you turn up with a Tirtouga. What I don’t understand is how you managed to get your hands on one when we returned those Fossils. What, you follow their liberation agenda to a T? Does that extend to grand theft archeologico?"

"Are you calling me a thief as well? Come now, I may have the best interests of all Pokemon at heart, but I don't resort to something so low and deceitful!"

To Jim's surprise, N was sounding quite bitter, as if the idea of Pokemon thievery was something inexcusable to him as well. In fact, he could have sworn he heard N mutter under his breath,

"If they'd only listened…"

In a moment, however, he had regained his composure.

"Now then, choose your Pokemon."

"Gladly! Jolt, it's all you!"

He tossed up his Poke Ball, and Jolt appeared, pawing the dewy grass.

"A Blitzle, eh? The quintessential Electric type of a beginning Trainer. Don't let your fancies run away with you, however. It may have the advantage over Tirtogua's Water-type half, but the Rock-type half may win it for me."

"We'll see! Jolt, Shock Wave!"

Jolt's mane sparkled and glowed yellow before sending a large lightning bolt straight for Tirtouga.

"Tirtouga, Protect!"

Tirtouga withdrew its head and fins into its shell as a glowing bluish-green sphere, like a shield, surrounded it. The Shock Wave struck it and was deflected.

"Now, use Rollout!"

The shield disappeared, and Tirtouga, still in its shell, leaped up, turned on its side, and began to spin rapidly like a wheel. It then shot forward at astounding speed, too fast for Jolt. He was mowed down, as if he had been run over by a car, but that wasn't the end of it. Tirtouga, having rolled on some distance after hitting Jolt, had made a U-turn and came back for another strike.

"Jolt, jump!" Jim commanded.

Jolt sprang up, and Tirtouga rolled right beneath him. Tirtouga struck a tree, unfolded from its shell, and landed neatly back on its fins.

"Now, use Flame Charge!"

He knew this must have sounded like a daft idea, but it was better than Quick Attack in terms of power. Not questioning his judgment, Jolt blasted forward, shrouded in flames.

"How laughable," remarked N. "Tirtouga, Water Gun!"

Tirtouga spouted a blast of water from its beak. It struck the flame shielding around Blitzle, but to N's surprise, the flames didn't flicker at all. The water simply evaporated into steam.

"Impossible!"

"This is no ordinary Blitzle, N! This one's honed his skills to their max!"

Jolt struck Tirtouga, and though it looked buffeted, it was still standing. N smiled.

"Unfortunately for you, Tirtouga has double resistance against Fire-type attacks. Now, Tirtouga, Rollout once more!"

Once again, Tirtouga tucked into its shell and barreled straight for Jolt.

"But not to Electric-type!" Jim countered. "Jolt, hold it down with Stomp!"

Jolt struck out with his two hooves and managed to grasp Tirtouga's madly spinning shell in place. It grated against his hooves with the grinding sound of a whetstone being put to use. Jolt flinched, but still held strong.

"Now, Shock Wave!"

Jolt's mane glowed yellow again, and this time the electricity coursed from his forelegs right into Tirtouga's shell. Jolt then tossed it right against a tree. The force of impact brought its fins and head back out, and it slumped to the grass, eyes rolling dizzily. N shook his head as he recalled Tirtouga.

"My fault for test-driving a newly-revived Fossil in a Trainer battle."

"Relax. I had the same issue."

N looked up at him, eyebrows raised.

"Come again?"

"But now we're ready this time! Rok, it's your turn!"

He tossed his next Poke Ball, and out came Rok, wings wide open. N looked at him with very keen interest.

"An Archen! My, my, the natural opposite of Tirtouga. It seems we were tailor-made to be rivals."

"I never really saw it like that. So what's your Pokemon?"

"One that may offer just as much shock as your Blitzle did. Joltik, go!"

When N released his next Pokemon, Jim at first thought it was invisible. There didn't seem to be anything there. And then at last, looking down, he saw what looked like a tiny, furry yellow mite with large blue eyes. Jim's Pokedex was out to scan this curiosity.

"Joltik, the Attaching Pokemon. Joltik latches onto its prey and sucks the static electricity out of them. It then stores this electricity in a pouch within its body."

"An Electric/Bug-type. Really unique, but to be perfectly frank, that thing is…"

"Diminutive?" N finished. "Don't be fooled. What Joltik lacks in size, it compensates for with speed and strategy."

Tiny sparks crackled around Joltik's body.

"Let's get started then! Rok, use Rock Throw!"

Rok raised his claws up, and a boulder materialized in them, which he then threw at Joltik.

"Joltik, slice it with Fury Cutter!"

Joltik sprang with surprising speed, one of its little feet glowing green. It slashed at the Rock Throw and managed to cleave it clean in two, so that both halves fell beside it as it settled back on the ground.

"Really impressive," Jim admitted, "But try this! Wing Attack!"

Rok dashed forward, wings glowing at his sides.

"Joltik, latch on!"

Joltik sprang once again, and landed right on Rok's beak, right between his eyes, making him stop short.

"Now, Discharge!"

Joltik's body began to spark with electricity, then said electricity was zapped into Rok's body, making him yell out in pain.

"Rok! Get it off of you! Wing Attack!"

Rok blindly swiped at Joltik with his wings, but it remained firmly latched onto his beak.

"Keep using Discharge, Joltik!"

N commanded. Joltik sent shock after shock into Rok, causing him to squawk in pain and stumble around. He slammed against a tree, and, to Jim's surprise, Joltik's grip on Rok's beak slipped, as he was nearly knocked off. This gave him an idea, a desperate one, but an idea nonetheless.

"Rok! Use Quick Attack!"

N wasn't sure what to make of this. Rok was nearly blinded with electrical pain and with Joltik right between his eyes. What would this accomplish? Too late, he saw what Jim was planning as Rok took a wild dash in the first direction instinct told him to choose, headfirst toward a tree.

"Joltik! Get off!" he yelled, but it was no good.

Rok bashed his head against the trunk, the force of the collision knocking Joltik off his beak and back onto the grass. Rok stumbled backwards, and Joltik slumped against the trunk, both dizzy, but Rok had a hard skull, and he soon recovered his wits and his sight.

"All right, Rok, it's time to settle this! Dragonbreath!"

Rok took a deep breath, then expelled a white-hot stream of flame from his beak that struck right where Joltik was positioned. The tree shook with the impact, leaves cascading down. When all had quieted, everyone looked to the spot, and saw Joltik, still slumped, but out cold. Jim was jubilant.

"You did it, Rok! You won your first battle!"

Rok just stood staring at the Joltik he had just defeated, and then a huge smiled stretched across his beak and he leaped into the air, flapping his wings and trilling victoriously.

"Me won! Me won!" he crowed.

Jim scooped him up, and the little First Bird Pokemon flung his wings around Jim's neck in a surprisingly strong hug. Leanne, Tranquill, and Missy all applauded. June didn't say anything, but the smile on her face was proof enough that she was proud of him. N, for his part, recalled Joltik.

"That was pretty impressive," he said. "But I call it a lucky break."

Jim gave N a sharp look as he recalled Rok.

"Lucky break? What do you mean?"

"I was under the impression that nothing could remove a Joltik once it had gotten a hold of its prey. It seems this one wasn't up to snuff."

"Oh, so you're gonna blame your loss on a Pokemon not living up to what it's called in the Pokedex?"

"Certainly not," said N, calmly. "I blame myself for catching one that was apparently not battle-ready. But now, choose your third and final Pokemon."

"Whomever I choose won't do you much good," said Jim. "I've won 2 out of 3."

"You think I care about your statistical victory?" N asked, eyebrow raised. "I merely want to make this interesting…"

There was a sly look in his eyes that Jim didn't altogether like.

"…How so?"

"True, you might have beaten me 2 out of 3 times, which means you'd win by proportionate standards," he said, "but let's raise the stakes now that it's the last battle. Who are you going to choose?"

"Most likely Missy," Jim said.

At this, Missy glided over and landed rather heavily on Jim's shoulder.

"I see," said N. "Very well, then. For this, let us say that if you win, victory is completely yours, and I'll get out of your way…but if I win…you must let Missy go free."

Jim had the sensation of ice in his stomach, and he heard Missy gasp.

"…Let her go free?"

"Yes, Jim. We've played by conventional rules…now, we'll play by Team Plasma's rules…"

"Jim, don't do it!" Leanne shouted. "You have no idea what he's going to throw at you! He's trying to trap you!"

"Keep out of this," N said sharply, to Leanne. "This is our battle, not yours. He won twice out of three times, so it's only fair that I set the rules for the final match."

Jim looked from N to his friends.

"June, what do you think?"

But June wasn't looking at him. She was giving Missy a steady gaze, as if contemplating something. Then, she looked at Jim.

"You can take him, Jim," she said. "Besides, as he said, it's only fair."

Jim was taken aback. He had been under the impression that June would never want Jim to do anything that would jeopardize himself or his Pokemon. Was this merely confidence in his abilities, or was this part of her vendetta against Missy?...

At all events, Jim nodded and turned to N.

"I accept your terms."

"Jim…" Leanne groaned.

N smirked and took out his third Poke Ball.

"Wonderful. Well, then, Yamask, let's go!"

From the Poke Ball came one of the strangest Pokemon Jim had seen yet. It was all black, and had large red eyes, a crest on its head, a beak-like mouth, two long arms and a wispy tail. Held in its tail was what appeared to be a golden mask with a melancholy human expression on it. Jim took out his Pokedex.

"Yamask, the Spirit Pokemon. Yamask carries a mask that resembles the face it had as a human. It retains memories of its former life, and sometimes cries when it looks at its mask."

"A Ghost-type," Jim murmured. "Now, let's see what moves you have, Missy."

Missy hopped down and landed in front of Jim. He scanned her over with his Pokedex.

"Hmm…not a bad assortment…Ok, then, let's do this."

Missy took off from the ground and hovered level with Yamask as Jim pocketed his Pokedex.

"Ok, Missy, show them your Shock Wave!"

Missy's entire body sparked with electricity, and a large lightning bolt shot from herself towards Yamask.

"Yamask, Protect!"

Just as Tirtouga had done, Yamask raised its arms, and a translucent blue sphere surrounded it. The Shock Wave struck it and glanced off, then the sphere vanished.

"Don't hesitate, Missy! Acrobatics!"

Missy swooped at Yamask, but instead of striking it, she flew around him at a dizzying speed. Yamask's eyes rolled, and then Missy, rising high up into the air, went in for a dive-bomb, striking Yamask hard on the head. She somersaulted and landed on her feet, as Yamask tried to right itself. It seemed to be concerned with the well-being of its mask.

"Now, Missy, Shock Wave again!"

Once again, Missy launched a lightning bolt straight for Yamask. N, however, was ready.

"Yamask, dodge and use Will-O-Wisp!"

Yamask, just in time, floated to the side, causing the Shock Wave to blast past it, then it brought one of its arms back, as if ready to toss something. A ball of purplish fire appeared in its hand, and it launched it straight for Missy.

"Missy, get out of the way!" Jim yelled.

Missy sprang into the air, but had done so too late. The Will-O-Wisp struck her on the tail, and for a brief instant, it looked as if she were on fire. Flames literally sprang across her plump body, and she cringed in pain as she flopped back to the ground.

"Missy!" Jim shouted, distressed.

N had a wide smile on his face.

"Now that preparations are in order, use Hex, Yamask!"

Yamask's eyes began to glow a menacing red, and its raised its arms above its head. Thin beams of black energy seemed to shoot from its fingers into the air above it, meeting and forming into a smoky black ball of energy. Within it, to the disconcertion of Jim and his friends, an enormous, ominous eye appeared, its red pupil set in purple sclera, glaring down at Missy. The eye shined, and a beam of purplish energy, outlined in concentric rings, shot out and struck Missy where she stood. She was tossed across the battlefield and lay on her stomach at Jim's feet. Once again, like the light of a firefly, the flames surrounded Missy's body and disappeared again.

"Missy, no…" Jim muttered.

"It's a bitter irony," said N. "For you see, Hex strikes with twice the power if the user is afflicted with a status condition, such as a burn."

(He knew...He had this planned out from the start…and I walked into it like a sap…Missy…what have I done…?)

"As entertaining as this has been," N said, lazily, "I must wrap this up. I have places to be and things to do. Yamask, end the suffering with one more Hex!"

Once again, Yamask formed the smoky ball of energy with its deadly eye. As Jim saw the eye begin to shine, he knew he had to make one last desperate gambit. The Hex beam fired, heading straight for Missy.

"Missy, Double Team!"

Missy's eyes snapped open, and in a twinkling, where one had lain on the grass, there was now five! The beam struck the Missy in the middle…but nothing happened. N's jaw dropped.

"Impossible! She shouldn't be able to act!"

The four remaining Missies returned to their feet, still flickering from the Burn effects, but not ready to give up yet.

"Now, Acrobatics!"

The four Missies leaped into the air and began to swarm around Yamask, zooming around him like flies. Watching one was dizzying, but seeing four fly around in all directions was nearly vomit-inducing. Yamask swayed and spun, unable to keep itself steady, as the four Missies soared up, directly above it.

"Now, let's finish this up with a four-way Shock Wave!" Jim commanded with gusto.

All four Missies glowed with an electricity that seemed to fuse together and form into one attack. Sure enough, their four lightning bolts shot forth, and merged in the middle to form one enormous electrical arrow that plunged down and blasted Yamask on the spot. The Missies landed back on the grass, but as they did so, the doubles disappeared, and the real one stumbled, weakened from exertion and her burn.

Jim tensed. He knew that whichever one fainted first would decide the outcome of everything. Leanne was on tenterhooks, and June seemed tense as well. Both Pokemon wavered, suffering from the pain of their afflictions…and then, with a small sigh, down went Yamask, onto its back, hitting the ground a mere one second before Missy too collapsed.

Everyone gasped. N looked stunned at first, and then resolute. Without a word, he recalled Yamask and looked at Jim, who had bent to pick up Missy. He seemed to be studying him, as if he were seeing him for the first time. There was a calculating look on his face that Jim didn't know what to make of. Then, N closed his eyes, turned on his heels, and started to walk off.

"N!" Jim called.

N stopped, but didn't turn around.

"You're improving nicely," he said. "I look forward to our next meeting. Like I said, all paths converge at some point or other…"

With that, he headed off into the trees until he was out of sight completely…

 

[TPrower]

CHAPTER 21
Bridging the Gap​

"Did you see that??"

"That was so unbelievable!"

"A most unexpected turnabout!"

Jim, Leanne, Oshawott, and June were all seated in the Pinwheel Forest Pokemon Center, waiting for Jolt, Rok, and Missy to get healed up. They were still discussing Missy's amazing victory despite her setbacks. At least, the first three mentioned were. June had remained quiet about the whole thing, but she had muttered something that could have been discerned as "Beginner's luck…"

Soon, the chime which meant Jim was to come to the front desk rang, and he stood up and strode over. As soon as he was gone, Oshawott turned to June.

"Why so glum, dear? You should be ecstatic that Jim won!"

"I am, Oshawott, honest, but why did it have to be her that sealed it?"

"What do you mean?"

"Missy. That air-headed little suck-up. She didn’t deserve to win when she never put any effort into training."

"Now, darling, don’t be like that."

"I can’t help it, Oshawott. It's infuriating that she's too ignorant to know better. She just has to pull a couple of cute faces and Jim melts like a Castelia Cone in the hot sun, letting her have her way. She got lucky in that battle, knowing Double Team. She may have nabbed everyone else's affections, but she's not getting mine, not until she deserves it."

"June, think about it. Jim took a risk, letting her battle even after N made that dangerous condition. You should be grateful that he didn't have to lose another member of his team. She was willing to fight then, too."

June looked down and sighed.

"I just want to see that she can battle as well as she can act like a pet…" she said.

Oshawott put a comforting paw on her back, and she rested against his cheek. At that moment, Jim returned carrying three Poke Balls. He sat back down, opened them all up at the same time, and there were Jolt, Rok, and Missy, sitting and looking up at him.

"You all did spectacularly," Jim said, proudly. "Jolt, you really proved your resilience against that Tirtouga. Rok, you've finally gotten your first victory, and even after such a rough start. And you, Missy, I was afraid I was going to lose you, but you've really outdone yourself. All of you, well done!"

All three beamed proudly. Jim then recalled them one by one, but just as he was aiming Missy's Poke Ball at her, she leaped from the floor out of the recall beam's range and landed on Jim's lap, looking up at him with big, cute eyes. Jim couldn't help but grin as he stroked her ears.

"Ok, girl, you can stay out for a little while longer."

June's eyes narrowed, and she looked at Oshawott.

"See what I mean?…" she muttered.

Oshawott didn't reply, but he could see what June meant, even if he didn't quite see it as she did. Nurse Joy then stepped up to them.

"Is everything in good order, then?" she asked, politely.

"Very much so, thanks," said Jim.

"And your next destination is Castelia City?"

"That's right, across Skyarrow Bridge."

"Then I'd like to make a suggestion for you. As Skyarrow Bridge spans a good many miles from the forest to Castelia City, we offer Trainers free bike rentals to quicken the trip."

"Bike rentals?" asked Leanne. "Sounds awesome!"

"But then, how would we return them?" Jim asked.

"Oh, no need to worry about that," said Nurse Joy kindly. "We correspond directly with another Pokemon Center just at the end of Skyarrow Bridge. You can drop them off there."

"Wow, that's really convenient," said Jim. "Ok, we'll do it!"

"Wonderful! Have either of you had any previous biking experience?"

"As a kid, yes," Jim replied. "Cheren and I used to race each other around the neighborhood on our bikes. Bianca…wasn't as coordinated."

"I've biked before too," said Leanne. "Oshawott used to love sitting in the basket on the front as we sped down the sidewalk."

"Perilous, but invigorating," said Oshawott.

"Then it's all settled! How soon will you start?"

"Well, I don't suppose it'd be advisable to bike during the night."

"Oh, on the contrary, the bridge is lit up at night. In fact, I've heard from reliable sources that Skyarrow Bridge is a prime spot for young lovers."

Leanne giggled, but Jim turned red.

"Riding during the daytime is perfectly fine,” continued Nurse Joy, “but it does get foggy on cold mornings."

"All right, then. We'll set out after dinner," said Jim.

"What a wonderful concept," said Oshawott, grandly, "gliding along the steel and iron expanse of the Skyarrow Bridge under the moon and stars, with nary a care in the world…"

He turned to June, who had caught every word, and a dreamy look was in her large scarlet eyes. Missy was looking from one to the other from her place on Jim's lap, and a look of dawning comprehension crossed her furry face. In typical girlish fashion, she clapped her paws over her mouth to stifle her giggles. However, June heard them all the same, and she glared sidelong at the little Emolga. One of her vines rose up from her lapel, as if she were tempted to give her a good hard smack with it, but presumably out of a desire not to infuriate Jim, she restrained herself…

***​

That evening, after dinner, Jim and Leanne stepped out of the Pokemon Center, rolling a pair of bicycles at their sides. Beyond the Pokemon Center, through a sort of tunnel made out of the trees, they saw a great glimmer of light, as if someone was pointing an enormous flashlight towards them. Spurred on by this sight, they climbed onto their bikes, their Pokemon clinging tightly to their shoulders, and began pedaling along the grassy track. The path was devoid of twigs, as if it had been traveled countless times, so the riding was smooth and swift.

As they came out of the tunnel, they found themselves at what seemed to be a toll house, and sure enough, there was a guard seated at the window, leaning his elbow on the sill. He looked up as they came up.

"Evening, kids," he said, pleasantly. "Off to Castelia City?"

"Yes, sir. What's the charge?"

"Nothing if you have I.D."

Jim fished in his pockets and pulled out his Pokedex, while Leanne showed her Trainer card, which contained a photograph and short description of her person. The guard examined the Pokedex and pressed a button.

"This Pokedex is property of: Jim Stevens of Nuvema Town," it said, in a computerized voice.

An image of Jim appeared in its screen. Jim wondered when it had ever had the opportunity to take one as the guard handed it back to him.

"That checks out. You're both clear to go. Just be careful. We've had reports of a couple roughnecks being seen on the bridge."

"Roughnecks?" Leanne asked, tentatively.

"The usual. Loiterers, just wanting to pick a fight. Don't let them get to you."

"We won't. Thank you, sir."

Jim and Leanne biked off as the guard watched them off.

"Did you hear what he said? Roughnecks…"

"Don't worry about it. When I was a kid, I had my share of bullies. You just can't let them intimidate you. Show them you're above their lack of maturity."

Leanne smiled at his choice of words.

The lights were all on as they went across the bridge, but to their right, they could still see the moon hanging in the air. Jim gazed up at it in wonder, and as he did so, his mind strayed to what N had said before he left.

"All paths converge at some point or other"

But with how things had been turning out, did he really want them to? He had seen first-hand that Cheren had changed, for the better in one respect, and for the worse in another. He was beginning to have second thoughts of them meeting again, if it would mean having to face him, knowing what he had witnessed. And if Bianca was still with him, it may mean never meeting her again…

A tap on the side of the head brought him back to his senses. June was gazing down the bridge with a steady glance, and Jim, following her eyes, saw why.

Coming into view across the bridge were three people with their backs against the suspensions of the bridge. Three motorcycles stood beside them. Jim reasoned that these must be the roughnecks the guard warned them about, and inwardly wondered why they all had to look so outlandish. One was a tall and skinny man, with a garish orange mohawk and a pair of sunglasses. The second was a young woman with short hair, wearing a tank top and jeans with holes in the legs. The third, who stood between them, was a burly bald man in a huge bomber jacket, his brawny arms tattooed in several places. Jim looked to Leanne, and saw that she was looking nervous.

"Just act like you don't see them," he whispered. "Don't give them an excuse to bother you…"

She nodded quietly, and the two biked on, eyes straight ahead, past the three punks. They hadn't gone very far, however, before they heard a loud rumbling behind them. Before either of them could react, they saw the three punks zip past them on their motorcycles, U-turned, and stopped in front of them, forming a blockade. Jim and Leanne had no choice but to pull to a stop, face-to-face with the hoodlums.

"Going somewhere?" sneered the bald man.

"Actually, yes," said Jim, calmly, despite an inner feeling of disgust at the man's leering grin. His teeth could have done with a good flossing. "We're on our way to Castelia City."

"No you ain't," said the bald man, still sneering at him. "No one passes by us without earning it."

"Earning it? What gives you the right to decide who stays and who goes?"

The very next second, Jim was eye-to-knuckle with the man's huge fist, dangerously close to his face. Despite his effort to keep calm, Jim couldn't help flinching.

"This does!" he growled, obviously enjoying the sight.

Leanne's face reddened.

"Leave him alone! He didn't do anything to you!"

"Zip it, tubby!" said the girl punk. "We'll see to you next."

The red left Leanne's face, leaving it pale once again. Oshawott looked outraged at his Trainer being called "tubby", and seemed quite prepared to introduce the girl to his scalchop the hard way. Jim had recovered himself.

"Look, sir, disregarding your apparent need to solve every issue with your fists, I'm willing to "earn" my right to pass to the other side in the accepted fashion."

Calmly, he got off of his bike, set it to one side, and stood before the bald bruiser.

"A one-on-one should suffice."

"And what about the chick?" sneered the one with the mohawk.

Leanne's cheeks flushed at being mentioned. Jim looked at her. He knew it must be hard for her to witness this kind of verbal abuse.

"She and I will face you and your "chick" in a double battle."

The girl, surprisingly, didn't seem offended by this address. It appeared she was used to such a title as "chick". The bald man, who was obviously their leader, laughed.

"I like your spirit, kid!" he said. "All right, we'll do it your way. First, you and me, mano-a-mano!"

Leanne and the two other punks stood aside as Jim and the roughneck faced each other.

"Kick his hide, Skull!" rooted the one with the mohawk.

(Skull? Do these guys have any originality?…)

Skull took a Poke Ball from his belt.

"All right, Drilbur, show this wimp what you've got!"

He tossed it, and from it appeared a very short Pokemon resembling a mole. Its fur was dark gray streaked with purple, but it had a white, pointed muzzle with round eyes and a pink nose. Its arms were very broad and ended in enormous white claws. Jim took out his Pokedex to scan it.

"Drilbur, the Mole Pokemon. Drilbur can burrow underground by putting its claws together and rotating swiftly. It can tunnel at a speed of up to 30 mph, and can give a car running aboveground a good race."

"A Ground type, huh?" Jim mused, before turning to June.

"Looks like this one's all you, partner."

June grinned. Missy had been put back into her Poke Ball, but if she were still out, the Snivy would gladly have battled just to show her the "proper" way to do it. She leaped down gracefully to face Drilbur.

"A Snivy, eh?" said Skull, gazing down at the little Grass Snake. "Pah! I knew you'd go for type advantage. You dweebs are all alike, always hoping to win the old-fashioned way."

"Funny," said Jim, "I could say the same about people like you."

Skull stopped sneering. There was an ugly frown on his face.

"Bullies like you, always waylaying innocent bystanders who did nothing to harm you, just to satisfy your own sense of self-worth. What's more, you always act in groups or in the dark, since you don't have the courage to face people alone in the day. How pathetic."

Leanne and Oshawott looked at him in awe. Skull clenched his fist and his mossy teeth.

"You watch your mouth, you mutt!" he growled. "I'm gonna make mincemeat of you!"

"We'll see!" Jim retorted. "June, Vine Whip!"

June lashed her vines at Drilbur.

"Drilbur, dodge and use Hone Claws!"

Drilbur leaped aside to avoid the vines, and then began rapidly sliding its claws together, making a metallic grinding noise. When June drew her vines back in, Drilbur brought its claws apart again with a sound like a sword being removed from its scabbard. A sneaky look was in its eye and its Trainer's.

"Fury Swipes!"

Drilbur's claws glowed white, and it lunged at June.

"Dodge until you can get at it, June!" Jim warned.

June began ducking herself this way and that to avoid Drilbur's claws. She seemed to be gauging a pattern in its swipes, and looked like she had found her answer, as she launched herself into Drilbur's chest out of nowhere. She didn't get away clean, however. A cry of pain from her attested to that. She was flung back to her side of the field, a fresh cut on her cheek. Jim grimaced. This guy meant business…

"Now, use Metal Claw!"

Drilbur's claws became very silvery and shiny, as if, for the moment, they had turned into steel. It lunged for June, one arm raised for the attack.

"Counter with Leaf Blade!"

Despite the cut, June didn't seem to have been set back. On the contrary, it only seemed to fill her with a new sense of vigor. Quick as a blink, she whipped her tail, the leaf at the end glowing green, and it met the Metal Claw mid-strike. The recoil of the cancelled attacks sent them both back, though only June kept her footing. Skull seemed to be regarding Jim with a mixture of loathing and interest.

"What's the matter?" Jim asked. "Don't tell me you're losing your cool to a 'dweeb' like me."

"I ain't gonna lose to you, kid, so wipe that smug grin off your face!" roared Skull. "Drilbur, use Drill Run!"

Drilbur clapped its paws in front of its face, covering it up, and then it began spinning like a top, so quick and blurrily that it actually took on the shape and form of a drill. It launched itself like a bullet at June.

"June, stop it with Vine Whip!"

June's vines came out once again and struck at Drilbur. They whipped at it, but its spinning body merely deflected them off.

"Uh oh!" Jim groaned.

Skull smiled maliciously. Drilbur struck home, slamming straight into June and sending her flying in a heap.

"June!" Jim yelled. "Are you all right?"

Very shakily, June got back to her feet. A small drop of blood dripped from the wound on her cheek onto the pavement of the bridge. Jim clenched his fist. He'd never seen a Pokemon bleed before, and now that he had, he didn't like the look of it…

"Looks like we're gonna take this one home, punk!" Skull guffawed. "Drilbur, end this pitiful fight with one more Drill Run!"

Once again, Drilbur curled up into its drill shape and sped like a missile for June.

"June, you can't give in yet!" Jim encouraged. "Use Leaf Tornado!"

With renewed determination, June began to spin like a top herself, and a whirlwind of leaves surrounded her body. With an effort, she launched at Drilbur, who was swept up into the middle of it. The leaven cyclone scratched and buffeted the Mole Pokemon, and the next moment, it was tossed out of it, no longer in its Drill Run.

"No way!" Skull bellowed.

"Yes way!" Jim countered. "Now, June, Energy Ball!"

June threw her paws forward, cupping them, and a green-yellow ball of light, shot with an inner white glow, appeared between them. Then, it fired like a cannonball, smashing into Drilbur with explosive force. Drilbur plummeted and slammed, back-first, onto the road, unconscious. Skull's jaw dropped.

"You're out, Skull!" said Jim, confidently. "You put up a good fight, and you almost had me, too."

Skull recalled Drilbur, then looked at Jim.

"You ain't too bad yourself, squirt," he said, gruffly. "Most of the Trainers I fight don't put up a good enough challenge. This was kinda refreshing…but don't let that give ya a swelled head, get me?"

"I gotcha," said Jim.

Skull backed off to join his comrades.

"All right, Vince, Lara, show these two what you've got."

With a nod, the two took his place, and Leanne joined Jim, who was picking up June. He had fished a Potion from his backpack and was spraying June's cut. She flinched and yelped as the spray touched it.

"I know, June, I know," Jim said, consolingly, "but this'll help it heal faster. I'm really proud of how you battled."

Oshawott gripped her paw, and he felt her clasp tighter when she was sprayed. At last, the treatment was over, and Jim set June next to their bikes, Oshawott beside her.

"You done?" Vince jeered. "We ain't gonna wait around for you to play nurse."

"You hush," Jim snapped. "If that's how you view taking care of an injured Pokemon, I feel really sorry for you."

Lara spat contemptuously.

"We don't want your pity, kid," she said. "Preach it to someone who cares."

Jim looked grimly at them. They were the kind of people that would be easy pickings for Team Plasma…He took a Poke Ball from his belt.

"Let's do this, Echo!" he said, letting out his trusty Woobat.

"Zorua, time for you to debut!" said Leanne, and from her Poke Ball came Zorua.

Jim was pleasantly surprised.

"Zorua's first battle, huh?"

"Yep! Do you think you could check his moves for me?"

"Of course."

Jim took out his Pokedex and scanned Zorua once again. Leanne looked over his shoulder at the screen.

"Mm-hmm…ok…Wow! It already knows that?"

After that, they could see that Vince and Lara had drawn their own Poke Balls.

"Solosis, go!"

"Gothita, go!"

From Vince's Poke Ball came a pale green blobby Pokemon. It had a diamond-shaped mouth and small black eyes, and was completely surrounded in a bubble of something fluid-like. From Lara's Ball came a Pokemon that looked like a little human baby. It had a purple face and a black body decorated with a white zigzag. Large white bows adorned its throat and the sides of its head, with a small hair tuft between them. It had large red lips and round blue eyes that stared intently ahead. Luckily, Jim's Pokedex was already at the ready.

"Solosis, the Cell Pokemon. The special liquid that envelops its body allows it to live anywhere. They drive enemies away with powerful Psychic attacks."

"Gothita, the Fixation Pokemon. Gothita intently observes Trainers and Pokemon alike. The bow-like feelers on its head amplify its Psychic powers."

"Both Psychic types," said Jim. "This gives us another advantage."

He pocketed his Pokedex and faced Vince and Lara.

"You guys have interesting Pokemon, but you haven't been lucky with match ups, have you?"

Both punks grinned.

"Oh, you'll see," sneered Vince. "Make your moves."

Jim was inclined to feel disconcerted at this comment, but he brushed it off.

"Echo, use Shadow Ball on Gothita!"

"Zorua, use Faint Attack on Solosis!"

Echo cupped his wings, forming a black and purple energy ball, and then launched it at Gothita. Zorua sprang for Solosis, and halfway there, vanished, as if someone had dropped a curtain over him.

"Solosis, Protect!"

"Gothita, Psyshock!"

Gothita cupped its little hands together, and a thick ball of blue and purple energy appeared in front of them. This ball shot upward to meet the Shadow Ball, and the two attacks collided. Meanwhile, Solosis' fluid bubble had turned blue and glassy. Zorua, who had reappeared, struck the bubble and bounced back, landing on his paws. Jim, momentarily fazed, regained control.

"Ok, let's switch it up. Echo, use Air Cutter on Solosis!"

"And Zorua, use Fury Swipes on Gothita!'

Echo flapped his wings, sending slashes of energy at Solosis. They struck against its fluid shell, but even though it flinched, Jim wasn't sure whether it was being damaged or not. Zorua lunged for Gothita and began swiping at it with its glowing claws. Their Trainers, however, seemed prepared for this.

"Solosis, use Rollout on Woobat!"

"Gothita, use DoubleSlap on Zorua!"

Solosis' entire body began to glow with a whitish light as it began rolling like a ball. It launched itself at Echo, striking him square in the face and sending him plummeting. Gothita, meanwhile, was slapping Zorua's muzzle over and over with its little hand, until Zorua's cheeks were red from the stinging smarts. Echo barely caught himself before he hit the ground.

"Time to break up the partnership!" said Lara. "Gothita, Thunderbolt on Woobat!"

Gothita's tiny body started glowing and sparking with electricity. In the next instant, a bolt of lightning shot from it straight for Echo. It looked like curtains for poor Echo…but the blast hit, without striking him! Out of nowhere, Zorua had leaped in front of Echo and had taken the full blast of the attack. When it ended, he was very shaky on his paws, but still looked determined to fight. Everyone was stunned.

"Zorua…" Jim muttered. "He saved Echo…he knew that would have taken him out, and he took it himself…"

Leanne didn't say anything. She just stared at Zorua, whose fur was smoking from the attack. At last, Jim snapped himself back into attention.

"Echo, use Shadow Ball on Gothita, quick!"

Echo tossed another Shadow Ball, but this time, Lara was too late to act, and Gothita took the full abuse from the attack, bowling her over and knocking her onto her back.

"You'll pay for that, you little weasel!" Lara snapped. "Get him, Vince!"

"Way ahead of ya, babe," said Vince, as he took off his shades. "Solosis, Energy Ball!"

Solosis began charging a green and white energy ball in front of its face.

"Now! Zorua, Faint Attack!" Leanne commanded, right out of nowhere.

Though smarting from the Thunderbolt, Zorua still had some fight left in him. He leaped for Solosis and vanished once again. This time, however, he reappeared behind Solosis and lunged, slamming into it and making its Energy Ball go off course. Vince was livid.

"Ok, Echo, finish up with Air Cutter!"

Once again, Echo sent a wave of energy slashes from his wings, striking against Solosis. This time, Jim knew they did the job, because Solosis sank to the ground, unable to get back up. Leanne jubilantly hugged him, nearly making him fall over. Echo floated over to Zorua and held out a wing. With a little smirk, Zorua high-fived it with his paw. Both Vine and Lara sourly recalled their Pokemon.

"Not too shabby, runts," grunted Skull. "You actually gave us a run for our money, something no other trainer's ever done before. I hate to have to choke down humble pie, but you've earned the right to pass."

Jim and Leanne recalled Echo and Zorua and returned to their bikes. Jim tenderly picked June up and tucked her inside his jacket, while Leanne placed Oshawott back on her shoulders. As they pedaled past, Skull called after them.

"But you keep up on whatever training you're doing!" he said, warningly, "If I catch wind that you two ain't winning, I'll feel worse about losing to you!"

Jim couldn't help but grin at these words, threatening though they were.

"See?" he said to Leanne. "They all talk tough, but stand up to them, and they're still just human."

"It was still a pretty close call," said Leanne. "Weren't you worried?"

"Me? Maybe a little."

"Oh, only a little, huh?" asked Leanne teasingly, edging closer to him as they went. "You totally had white knuckles when June was fighting Drilbur."

"Says you," Jim countered.

Leanne giggled and gave the bill of his cap a jerk, catching him off guard for a moment.

"Hey!"

He swerved for a moment, then regained himself. A cheeky smile was on his face.

"Ok, you asked for it. First one to the Castelia Pokemon Center chooses the best bed!"

He pedaled faster and sped along the bridge.

"Hey, no fair, you got a head start!" Leanne called, still laughing, as she pumped harder to keep up.

 

[TPrower]

CHAPTER 22
Cirque de Pokeé​

After checking in at the small Pokemon Center at the other side of the bridge, they turned in their bikes to the Nurse Joy in attendance. Due to its size, it didn't offer sleeping accommodations, but Jim and Leanne didn't mind. They were anxious to get to bed, of course, but they preferred to be within the city itself. With that, they bid Nurse Joy good night and made their way along the short concrete path from the bridge to the city gate.

Castelia City was one of the most populous cities in all of Unova, composed nearly entirely of skyscrapers and high-rise buildings. Rightly called the "City of Grandeur", Castelia was a corporate and economic giant, rivaled only in size by Nimbasa City, which was, conversely, the entertainment hub of Unova. It possessed an expansive harbor, and as such, enjoyed an unparalleled view of the ocean as well as constant correspondence with cruise liners and commercial vessels. In fact, it was linked, by boat, to a small island simply known as Liberty Garden, of which little was known except that it was said to be the resting spot of a Pokemon of immense power and even greater rarity…

Despite arriving in this buzzing metropolis at night, Jim and Leanne could still make out the outlines of the window-lit buildings, rising so high that they "pierced the clouds", as the travel guides said. Not only that, but despite the late hour, the streets were still busy with people coming to and leaving from their businesses. Jim couldn't help noticing the public's attire as they biked along. Nearly every person they passed was wearing a business suit and carrying a briefcase: accountants, clerks, CEOs, and the like. Jim looked down at his own clothes. His favorite jacket was a little faded in places, and with their days traveling through the wilderness, it, his jeans, and his hat weren't exactly tidy. Still, it helped that he was only staying in Castelia for a short while. Tomorrow he planned to locate the gym, though he had no idea what Pokemon to expect.

They checked into the Pokemon Center, which was part of a block of buildings that was a divider between the inner-left and inner-right streets of Castelia. It was much more expansive than previous Centers (which was saying a good deal), but still possessed the usual accommodations and services. June, Echo, and Zorua were healed of their injuries in next to no time, after which Leanne took the opportunity of letting the latter sit across her lap as she stroked his shadowy fur. Despite his rough demeanor, his fur was very soft and pleasant to the touch, and he seemed pleased with the attention.

Luckily for June, the cut she had received from Drilbur had not gone deep enough to become a scar, something she had dreaded as they left the roughnecks behind. Indeed, she had become somewhat self-conscious of her appearance, and when she and Jim came to their bedroom, she went straight for the bathroom and climbed onto the sink to peer into the mirror. Amused, Jim stood beside her as she turned herself, craning her neck to look, as if worried she was getting fat.

"Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the prettiest Snivy of all?" asked Jim.

June shot him a look, but she nonetheless smiled.

"I wasn't before we got here," she said.

"Oh, what are you talking about?"

Her smile faded. She looked serious.

"Jim, I need you to be perfectly honest with me. Don't be biased just because you're my Trainer."

"Wouldn't dream of it," said Jim, solemnly, raising his hand as if swearing in court.

June turned to face him.

"Is travel starting to…show on me?"

Jim stared at her, thinking of how to phrase an answer to such a question without sounding like he was trying to favor her. At last, he sat down on the closed toilet and motioned for her to sit with him. She settled herself on his knee.

"You asked me to be perfectly honest, June, so here it is. I don't know what it is you're worried about, but here's how I see it. Travel is showing on you, but not in the way you think. It's showing in your battles, not in your skin. Sure, you've had a narrow escape against that Drilbur, but that shouldn't get you worried. You're a brilliant battler, a beautiful Snivy, and a true friend, and I'll always love you no matter what. So will Oshawott, I may add."

This seemed to be the consolation June had been hoping for. She leaned up, licked Jim on the cheek, and settled off to sleep in his lap. Smiling, Jim tenderly carried her off to bed.

***​

The next morning, Jim awoke with a start. There was a loud ruckus going on outside the Pokemon Center. It sounded like a multitude of people shouting, but in jubilation rather than in a riotous mood. There was also the unmistakable sound of a marching band. Jim got up, strode to the window, and opened the curtains. A long stream of people was bustling past, young and old, some carrying balloons or banners. He wondered if they had arrived on the eve of some political rally or public commemoration. Leanne wasn't long in joining him, and the two dressed quickly and headed downstairs. Nurse Joy was still standing placidly at her desk.

"Good morning!" she said, in a sunny voice. "Sleep well?"

"Yes, thanks," said Jim. "What in the world's going on outside?"

"Haven't you heard? The circus is in town!"

She handed Jim a flyer, printed on red paper. It dictated that "Cirque de Pokeé" would be performing live in the central plaza of Castelia City for that day only, before departing for the Kanto region.

"Cirque de Pokeé!" Leanne said, excitedly. "They're really famous in Unova! They have the best Pokemon performers in the world!"

"Boy, we sure picked a lucky time to arrive in Castelia, didn't we?" said Jim, who was getting excited. "Let's go check it out! The Gym can wait until tomorrow."

"That's the spirit!" said Leanne, and the two hurried off quickly, June and Oshawott in tow.

It was no easy job, picking their way through the crowd, but as they threaded their way through the crowd, Leanne suddenly disappeared from Jim's side. As he searched in vain for her, she suddenly popped up again, nearly giving him a heart attack. He would have been peeved with her, if it hadn't been for the fact that she had gone to grab a couple of Castelia Cones, an ice cream treat that the city was famous for. So all was forgiven for that little joke, and the two went with the flow of the crowd, licking their ice creams contentedly, and from time to time offering their partners a taste. At last they made their way to the central plaza, where an enormous tent had been set up in front of the fountain in the very center. Everywhere, the walls and street lamps were festooned with balloons, streamers, and banners, and there was a constant shower of confetti.

Jim and Leanne made their way inside, slowly, with the crowd, and shifted along until they came to some empty seats, June and Oshawott on their laps. Several other spectators had their Pokemon out to enjoy the fun as well. Suddenly, there was a click, the sound of a Poke Ball opening, and Missy had joined June in Jim's lap. Looking rather sour, June shifted herself to Jim's shoulder, beside his cheek, so the chubby Emolga had the seat all to herself, but she hadn't seemed to notice June's absence.

They had arrived during an interesting act. Pokemon resembling interlocked silver gears were floating in the air, two at a time. Each had the same face: one round eye, one X-shaped eye, a round blue nose, and an open mouth as if in surprise. They were grouped in a circle, and on the stage in front of them was a pile of metallic objects, such as saucepans, pots, and pipes. Some sort of magnetic force between them was causing the objects to levitate, and they changed height as the individual gears changed their positions. Jim took out his Pokedex.

"Klink, the Gear Pokemon. Klink is composed of two predetermined mini gears meshed together. Continuous rotation gives it the energy to survive."

"Professor Juniper was saying something about these once…" he said, thoughtfully. "Something about Chargestone Cave…"

"Obviously, that's where they come from. To be a Trainer and not even know that? Honestly!"

Jim stiffened. The voice was young, but snobby and British. He turned around, and saw a boy about his age, with neat blond hair, sitting behind him.

"Can I help you?" Jim asked, trying to be polite.

"New in town, are you?" asked the boy.

"Yes," Jim replied. "We're just passing through, but decided to stay and watch the circus."

"I suppose you would, if you're into that sort of thing," said the boy, now in a bored tone.

Jim wasn't sure he liked this boy, but he decided to stay civil. He held out a hand.

"Well, it's nice to meet you," he said. "I'm Jim, Jim Stevens."

The boy looked at his hand, but didn't shake it, as if he thought it was covered in filth.

"My name is Nigel," he responded, curtly, "Nigel Richmond, heir to the Richmond family fortune."

(Oh, great, a kid millionaire. How did I not see that coming, in a city like this?)

Nigel's eyes roved over him, and then fell on June.

"Oh. I see you have a Snivy."

"Yeah. This is my partner, June."

"Partner? How touching. To be perfectly honest, I've never taken much stock in the Snivy line. They lack the diverse move pool of most Grass types."

June glared at him from her spot on Jim's shoulder. Nigel took out a Poke Ball.

"This is my kind of Grass type."

He clicked it open, and from the Ball came a Pokemon resembling a monkey. It was about half as tall as Nigel, and was covered in leaf-green fur. It had a tall crest on its head, bushy white eyebrows and tufts at its shoulders, a cream-colored face, body, hands, and feet, and a long tail tipped with bushy leaves. It had a confident, almost smug smile on its face. Jim checked it with his Pokedex.

"Simisage, the Thorn Monkey Pokemon, and the evolved form of Pansage. When angered, it lashes out at opponents with its thorn-covered tail. It evolves through use of a Leaf Stone."

"So this is what Pansage evolves into…" Jim said.

His mind wandered back to his battle against Cilan's Pansage. June was staring down at Simisage with mounting dislike, but the latter merely gave a small "Hmph" and turned its head aside.

"So you live in Castelia?"

"Naturally," said Nigel.

He turned and scrutinized Jim further.

"Let me see…yes, judging by your garments and general appearance, I'd say you hail from one of the lower rungs of the Unova society ladder…Nuvema Town, perchance?"

Jim was quite nettled by this assessment of his hometown.

"And what's wrong with Nuvema Town?" he asked, a little more hotly than he would have preferred.

"Oh, nothing," said Nigel, sarcastically, "I'm sure it's a fine locale in its own right, but to be perfectly frank, it is the boonies of Unova."

Jim had gotten to his feet, Missy shifting from his lap, looking anxious at her Trainer's behavior. Leanne had been too absorbed in the performance to know what was going on, and when she turned, it was to find the two boys eye to eye, Nigel looking smugly triumphant, Jim red with indignation. Even June and Simisage were glowering at each other.

"Say that again…" Jim said, softly but dangerously.

"Oh!" said Nigel, in a tone of amusement. "Proud of your backcountry town, Stevens? You ought to feel lucky the Junipers even bother to stick around."

"What have you got against the Junipers?" asked Jim.

"Nothing, I assure you," said Nigel, dryly, "I simply mean that it's a pity that they have to waste their talents and studies among such low-class…"

Exactly what "low-class" something Nigel was going to name was never said. Before Jim knew what was happening, he had raised his fist, intending to punch Nigel square in the nose. Thankfully, Leanne grabbed his arm and held him back. His cap had fallen off, and his glasses were askew. Nigel had looked startled at the attempt, and Simisage had been ready to block Jim off with its tail.

"Jim, NO!" Leanne squeaked. "Don't!"

"Let go, Leanne!" Jim snapped. "I'll be committed to an asylum before I let him get away with that!"

"But what about ignoring what bullies say, and never letting them get to you?"

"You should listen to your girlfriend, Stevens," said Nigel, his composure restored. "She seems to possess more sense than you, though I can't say as much for her diet."

Leanne reddened indignantly.

"Well, this has been fun, but I've grown bored of these "festivities". Come, Simisage."

Simisage nodded, and the two turned to go.

"Hang on! This isn't over!" Jim snarled.

Nigel stopped and turned his head, a smug smile on his face.

"Oh, rest assured, we're not finished. We shall meet again, under more appropriate circumstances…"

With that, the two took their leave. Jim growled, and Leanne released her hold. Several spectators were wondering what the heck was going on.

"Low-class…boonies…who does he think he is?!"

"Jim, relax, this isn't like you. You shouldn't let him rile you up."

"Nuvema Town's the only home I've ever known, Leanne, and I'll never let anyone take its name in vain! The next time I meet up with that little weasel…"

"You don't know that you will, though," said Leanne. "Come on, just calm down. Don't let that stuck-up booger get to you. Enjoy the circus."

Jim sighed and looked down. Missy was holding up his cap for him. He took it and replaced it on his head, adjusting his glasses as well.

"You're right. I acted completely out of bounds…Let's just enjoy the show."

They returned to their former seats, and were caught by surprise by what was going on. The Klink act had commenced during the encounter with Nigel, and a new Pokemon had taken the stage. It looked like a girl wearing garments made of nature. She had long leaves for its hair, topped with a red, blooming flower. Her chest was covered with a collar made of yellow petals, leaving her midriff bare, the same shade of white as her face. She wore what appeared to be a skirt made of leaves, in the fashion of a ballroom gown. She had large red eyes, glimmering beautifully as she danced, making smooth movements with her leaf-like arms. Both Jim and Leanne seemed quite taken with her appearance.

"Wow…" breathed Leanne. "She's so pretty…"

Numbly, Jim held up his Pokedex.

"Lilligant, the Flowering Pokemon, and the evolved form of Petilil. The fragrance of the flower on its head causes relaxation. All Lilligant are female, and are popular among celebrities."

"Lilligant. They're supposed to need extra special care and devotion," said Oshawott, who was also watching.

"Why?" Jim asked.

"Do you see that flower on her head?"

"Yeah."

"That flower takes extremely skilled coaching to get it to bloom. Once it does, if the Lilligant is neglected, that flower will wilt."

"Oh, wow…It must be nearly impossible to raise."

"Not impossible, just difficult. It takes extreme devotion for your Pokemon."

"Something Team Plasma just can't understand…" Jim muttered, almost to himself.

Even at this moment, he wondered what they were up to, what Ghetsis was up to…

As his thoughts were wandering, Lilligant's dance ended, and she was bowing sweetly to the applause. She stepped off the stage, and a man, whom Jim guessed was the circus ringmaster, took her place. He was a barrel-chested man with one of the biggest, curliest mustaches Jim had ever seen, dressed in a red tailcoat and top hat.

"Another round of applause," he boomed genially, "for Lilligant, our floral diva of the dance floor!"

Another round was enthusiastically given.

"And now, ladies and gentlemen, I'm pleased to introduce our next act, those soaring simian siblings, the pride of Cirque de Pokeé, the Flying Simi Brothers, Torch and Torrent!"

He gave a wild, boisterous gesture up toward the top of the tent, and everyone looked up. Two blurs, red and blue, spinning so rapidly that they looked like rolling balls, had leaped from the platform of the high wire and were descending rapidly. They unfolded and landed on their feet, to reveal a pair of monkey Pokemon.

One had flame-red fur, with a cream-colored muzzle, chest, and paws. A ruff of fluffy white fur crowned its shoulders, its tail looked like a spout of fire, even the crest of fur on its head resembled flames. It had a sort of sheepish expression on its face, with sad eyes but a smile.

The other had water-blue fur, draped like a frayed tunic ending around knee-level, with white at the chest. Its head was crowned with curled dreadlocks, and its muzzle, arms, and legs were cream-colored. Its long tail ended in a tuft, and its eyes seemed to be closed in bliss. Jim's Pokedex was at the ready once more.

"Simisear, the Ember Pokemon, and the evolved form of Pansear. Simisear loves to eat sweets, which it uses as fuel for the flame burning inside it. It evolves through use of a Fire Stone."

"Simipour, the Geyser Pokemon, and the evolved form of Panpour. The jet of water Simipour expels from its tail is strong enough to crack a concrete wall. It evolves through use of a Water Stone."

"I suppose it makes sense," Jim mused, "circuses do abound with monkey business."

Leanne giggled, but June rolled her eyes. Torch and Torrent had begun their act. With astounding nimbleness, they had ascended to the trapeze swings, gripping them with their hands, and began revolving around them like wheels. At first, they merely swing between them back and forth, occasionally one would catch the other by the hands or feet and swing them around to the next trapeze, but then, to the audience's amazement, Jim's, nonetheless, both became wreathed in fire and water, and they still kept up their acrobatics with these elemental cloaks. Every time the two passed each other, a cloud of vapor formed from where they had been closest.

"That's so cool!" Leanne gushed. "They're using Flamethrower and Water Gun while spinning!"

"That's got to take unbelievable concentration," said Jim.

Then, the two swirling blurs seemed to come together and begin to swirl downward, like some UFO descending from the sky. Jim could guess that, still in their elemental coverings, they had gripped each others hands and were coming down, spinning rapidly like parachuting skydivers. What was most amazing was the fact that contact of the rotating flames and water were creating, with their owners' motions, a swirling cloud of mist, mysterious and enchanting. The crowd "ooh"-ed and "ahh"-ed at such a sight. The mist met the ground, and in the next second, Torch and Torrent had somersaulted from it, landed on one knee, and threw their arms open in a "Ta-dah!" fashion.

Everyone had risen from their seats, and was giving the two a standing ovation. It grew to be quite noisy, as even the Pokemon, June, Missy, and Oshawott included, were clamoring just as loudly as the human audience. Torch and Torrent bowed and left the stage.

"That was really something else!" said Leanne.

"Yeah!" said Jim. "Imagine having them as Pokemon in a battle! They'd be-"

But just what they would be, Jim never finished saying, for there was a tremendous uproar from the crowd. He and Leanne looked back toward the stage, and were horror-struck. The ringmaster was back on stage, and was in great distress. His hat was on the ground, his coat was hanging loosely, and he was tearing his hair, shouting for the police.

Off in the distance of the stage, in the dark but still visible, were two figures carrying something between them, something that was putting up a terrific struggle and slowing them down. Even in the dim light, Jim could see the bright red flower of Lilligant, and the glint of silver armor, adorned with a shield emblem decorated with a superimposed P…

 

[TPrower]

Chapter 23
Team Plasma Strikes Again​

"Jim! Jim! What's going on?! Who were those?!" Missy was asking, frantically, but he didn't hear her.

He had gone deaf to everything else, even the panicked screams of the spectators. Blood was pounding in his ears, an intense heat was burning inside him, his knuckles were ghost-white on his clenched fists. Never had he dreamed that Team Plasma could sink so low, but it appeared that every time he encountered them, they had reached a new level of despicableness. Stealing from children, stealing archeological artifacts, those were terrible in their own right, but dragging off an innocent performer in the middle of a packed tent!

He was knocked out of his heated thoughts by a sudden jolt. Missy had given him an electric shock to return him to his senses.

"Jim, what's going on?!" she repeated. "Who were those people who took Lilligant?! Were they-?"

"Yes, Missy," said Jim, gravely, answering her unfinished question. "That was Team Plasma."

"How horrible!" she squeaked. "Can't we do something?"

"We have to," Jim answered. "I can't let them get away with this, not by a long shot!"

In an instant, he was barreling down the bleachers toward the stage, Leanne and the Pokemon close behind. They passed the ringmaster, who was still in a transport of anguish. Jim wanted to say something encouraging to him, but he knew that every moment away from the pursuit was another moment Team Plasma could use to escape, so he kept on.

They headed for where the two kidnappers had escaped, and found that one of the support pegs of the tent had been wrenched away, allowing the canvas to be lifted. Jim held it up as the others passed through, and then, without wasting a second, Jim sent Echo from his Poke Ball.

"Echo, get as high as you can and scope the area out. Look for two Team Plasma grunts and a Lilligant."

Echo looked startled by this news, but understood and swept off into the sky. There was a click, and in an instant, Tranquill appeared in front of them.

"Tranquill, follow Echo," said Leanne. "Keep your eyes peeled for Team Plasma!"

Tranquill nodded, trilled, and flew after Echo. Jim and Leanne, for their part, pushed their way through the crowd, trying to keep their eyes on their aerial Pokemon. Missy was clinging to Jim's shoulder, looking apprehensive. June had perched herself on top of Jim's cap, her whole body tense and alert, as if she were ready to spring. Oshawott had drawn his scalchop, obviously prepared for battle, when it should come.

Suddenly, they heard Echo and Tranquill calling from way up above them. They were circling like vultures up above the western pier. Jim shaded his eyes with his hand, and he could pick out a sleek, black boat against the planks. Two figures, carrying a third, were making their way toward it, while a fourth stood by the boat. With a shout, Jim broke into a run. Missy couldn't hold on, and so glided beside him. As they went, they recalled Echo and Tranquill, who had come back beside them.

As soon as they were near, however, a voice shouted,

"Axew, Dragon Rage!"

In the next instant, something that appeared to be a stream of blue flames struck the pier, right in front of the Team Plasma grunts, causing them to stumble backwards, nearly falling into the water. Now that they were close, Jim could see Lilligant. She was pale and scared-looking, and tears were in her eyes. His attention, however, was arrested by someone who had just run up.

It was a girl, though she seemed to be younger than Jim, perhaps thirteen or fourteen. She had brown skin, large brown eyes, and the biggest bundle of hair Jim had ever seen in his life, two large pigtails with a mass of purple running down her back, like a ponytail handled by an overzealous gardener rather than a hair stylist. She was dressed in a long-sleeved cream shirt, a pink skirt tied in a big bow at the hip, and cream leggings that stopped below her knees.

Standing beside her was a little Pokemon resembling a baby dragon. It was greenish in color, with red eyes, a crest on its head, and a pair of white tusks on the sides of its face, pointing outwards. Jim brought his Pokedex out.

"Axew, the Tusk Pokemon. Axew marks its territory by scratching tree bark with its tusks, which grow back if broken. Constant re-growth makes its tusks stronger and sharper."

The girl heard the Pokedex and turned to look at Jim and Leanne.

"Don't worry, I'll handle this," she said, and Jim knew by her voice that she had ordered the Dragon Rage attack.

"I appreciate your bravery, miss-" Jim began, but the girl giggled.

"'Miss'? Never heard that one before. Call me Iris."

"Oh? Well, I appreciate your bravery, Iris, but this is a personal affair, so we'd like to help out."

"Personal affair? You mean you've met these guys before?"

"Right. They're Team Plasma. They claim to preach Pokemon liberation, but they're little more than thieves!"

He glanced contemptuously at the Team Plasma grunts, who were still keeping a firm hold on Lilligant.

"What?! That's horrible!" Iris said, glaring at the two grunts as well. "You creeps ought to be ashamed of yourselves! Pokemon are our friends!"

"You wouldn't understand, child," retorted one of the grunts. "We shall free all of the Pokemon of Unova, one step at a time!"

Iris's face flushed, and she stamped her foot, fists clenched.

"Don't call me a child!" she snapped. "You're talking to the apprentice of Dragon Master Drayden! Show some respect!"

"Drayden?" Jim wondered.

The name seemed to have a big impact on Team Plasma. They blanched and stepped back.

"D-Drayden?" stuttered one. "Drayden of Opelucid City??"

Iris smiled cheekily.

"What, are you scared of him? And here I thought you were big, tough thugs. What kids!"

Jim laughed out loud. It was highly satisfying to see three Pokemon kidnappers being put in their place by a young girl.

"Silence!" one of the grunts snapped. "How dare you mock us! You will pay for your disrespect!"

Each of a Poke Ball in their free hands and threw them up. From them appeared a Watchog and two new Pokemon. One looked like a little crocodile, sand-brown with black stripes. Its eyes were set within black sclera, shaped like a pair of goggles. The other looked like a dumpy green trash bag with little feet. It had a toothy mouth and a tied knot on top resembling a pair of tiny ears. Two of its arms seemed to be made of some form of solid grime, and there was a putrid smell coming from it. Jim took out his Pokedex again.

"Sandile, the Desert Croc Pokemon. Sandile's eyes are covered with a special membrane to protect them from the sun. It lives and hunts buried in the sands, except for its snout and eyes."

"Trubbish, the Trash Bag Pokemon. A combination of garbage and industrial waste gave birth to this Pokemon. It releases toxic gas in the form of belches which, when inhaled, will put a human to sleep for a week." They were all rounding on Axew, who didn't flinch from such unfair odds.

"Three against one? That's hardly fair."

He was just reaching for his Poke Balls when a pair of voices behind them called,

"Then let us cut in!"

Something flew over his head, and, to his astonishment, Torch and Torrent, the acrobatic Pokemon, were standing in front of him, ready for combat.

"What are you guys doing here?" Jim asked.

"Lilligant's part of our troupe, man," said Torrent, in a voice that reminded Jim strongly of how hippies in the 70's were portrayed. "She's family!"

"And we'd never let anyone take her away!" chimed in Torch, in a voice that, while bold, still bordered on timidity. "Leave them to us!"

"The more, the merrier!" said Leanne.

She, June, Missy, and Oshawott stepped aside as Jim and Iris took their places on the battlefield. On one side, Watchog, Trubbish, and Sandile, and on the other, Axew, Torch, and Torrent. Jim seemed awkward being in control of two Pokemon that weren't even his. The two Simi Brothers seemed to recognize his hesitation.

"Mellow out, bro," said Torrent. "You can totally handle this."

"We're with you all the way," said Torch.

Jim nodded, making a quick check in his Pokedex for their attacks. Just as he finished, everyone else was getting into position. It seemed the grunt with the Watchog wanted to battle Iris and Axew alone first, and the Simi Brothers had stepped back to give her room.

"Watchog, Rock Smash!"

Watchog lunged for the little dragon, its forearm glowing red.

"Axew, Dragon Claw!" Iris commanded.

Axew leaped to intercept, its little claws glowing bluish. The two attacks struck and cancelled each other out, but this seemed to be what Iris wanted.

"Now! Dual Chop!"

Axew's arms began to shine with a bluish light, and with the speed and precision of a karate master, struck Watchog straight on the cranium twice with its arms. Watchog stumbled back, eyes rolling dizzily.

"Don't let it get the better of you!" its Trainer yelled. "Thunder Wave!"

The bands on Watchog's body began to glow blue, and a bolt of lightning struck out from its body, straight for Axew.

"Axew, dodge it!" Iris screamed.

Axew leaped to dodge, but not quick enough. The bolt struck home, and Axew was flattened to the ground, sparking and twitching. Iris gasped, and Jim knew, with grim apprehension, that it was paralyzed.

"Now, Watchog, Rock Smash!" ordered the grunt, jubilant in light of Axew's incapacitation.

Watchog leaped at Axew, its forearm glowing again. It socked Axew right in the jaw and sent it rolling.

"Axew!" Iris cried. "Try to get up!"

Axew did try, but a wave of electric sparks surrounded its body, and it returned to its original position.

"This is bad," said Torch, pensively. "Rock Smash isn't strong, but it lowers the target's Defense. Axew's set up for some major damage…"

Jim grimaced at these words, and at the sight of poor little Axew, paralyzed and weakened.

"Slam!" commanded the grunt.

Watchog sped straight for little Axew and charged into it, shoulder-first, sending it rolling, grunting in pain. Iris looked absolutely distressed.

"Come on, Axew! Get up!" she encouraged.

Axew tried to get to its feet, but sparks surrounded it again, and it was forced to lay back down, cringing.

"This is game over for you, apprentice of Drayden!" said the grunt. "Hyper Fang!"

Watchog lunged for Axew once again, its fang glowing and elongating.

"AXEW!!" Iris shrieked. "DO SOMETHING!! PLEASE!!"

Axew slowly tried to raise itself, wincing in pain. Watchog was closing in, ready to strike…but Axew was not about to give in. A strange blue light seemed to be glowing in its body. Then, with a roar, Axew opened its mouth wide, and a stream of black and blue flames burst out, striking Watchog and sending it flat onto its back, where it didn't get back up. The grunt's jaw had dropped.

"Whoa!" Jim crowed. "That was an awesome Dragon Rage!"

"Way to go, Axew!" cheered Iris, who was hopping up and down in excitement.

Axew had gotten back to its feet, looking weak but triumphant. In the next instant, Iris scooped it up and hugged it so tightly that one would have thought it was an Axew plush toy. The grunt had sulkily recalled his Watchog, and the other two grunts and their Pokemon took their places as Jim, Torch, and Torrent took theirs.

"Ok, let's see if we can do this," said Jim, trying to keep steady about these odd arrangements. "Torch, Flamethrower on Trubbish! Torrent, Water Gun on Sandile!"

Both sent jets of fire and water, respectively, from their mouths straight for their targets.

"Sandile, Sand Tomb!"

"Trubbish, Acid Spray!"

Sandile seemed to take a deep breath, and then spat what appeared to be a swirling stream of sand, which struck the Water Gun and mixed into a pile of mud, splattering onto the ground between the two. Trubbish, for its part, spat a greenish liquid from its mouth, dousing the flames.

"Hmm, typical counter," Jim muttered. "Ok then. Torch, use Fury Swipes on Sandile!"

Torch leaped for the little Desert Croc, sharp claws gleaming white on his fingers.

"Sandile, Mud-Slap!"

Sandile reached one foreleg back, and then, with its claws, swept a glob of mud from the puddle straight for Torch. The muck splattered into his eyes, making him miss his mark as he swept. The grunts laughed derisively as he scrambled back to Jim as best he could, still trying to rub the mess out of his eyes.

"Torrent, can you wash it off?" Jim asked, concerned.

"No problem," he said. "Hold still, little bro."

He held up his tail in one hand, by the tuft, and a jet of clean blue water sprayed out onto Torch's face, wiping the mud clean, though Torch still wiped at them, trying to focus his gaze.

"That was a pretty smart trick, though," Jim said, hating to admit it, "mixing sand with water to make mud for a Mud-Slap. They're smarter than I gave them credit for. But that doesn't mean we're going to let them get the better of us! Torrent, use Acrobatics on Trubbish!"

Torrent crouched and sprang into the air, somersaulting rapidly before diving for Trubbish, feet-first.

"Trubbish, Stockpile!"

Trubbish opened its toothy mouth and seemed to suck in a great deal of air, swelling like a balloon. Torrent slammed his feet into Trubbish's body, but it didn't seem to harm it. Instead, Torrent bounced off as if he had leaped off a trampoline. Jim groaned.

"This is a stalemate, and no mistake," he muttered. "We can't get close to Sandile, or it'll Mud-Slap the attacker. If we go for Trubbish, it'll buff itself up with Stockpile…"

The grunts and their Pokemon grinned devilishly, knowing Jim was at a loss.

"Ok, Sandile, use Bite!"

"Trubbish, Take Down!"

Both Pokemon leaped, Sandile's fanged jaws wide open, straight over the mud puddle…

The mud puddle!

"Torrent!" Jim shouted. "Use Water Gun on the mud puddle, with your tail! Quick!"

Despite it being such an odd command, Torrent didn't hesitate. He shot a jet of water from his tail, so strong that it seemed like a cannon blast, right at the puddle. Sure enough, just as Jim hoped, the force of the jet sent a wave of mud up to meet the two attacking Pokemon. A great amount filled Sandile's gaping jaws, and a sick, choked look came over its snouted face. Trubbish got a face-full and fell short, blinded. Leanne and Iris cheered, while the grunts looked thunderstruck.

"Now, Torch, Torrent, Flamethrower and Water Gun, once more!" Jim commanded, brimming with new confidence.

The brothers once again shot their attacks, and this time, they made their mark, both targets incapacitated by the surprise mud-splash. Sandile was swept and splashed by Water Gun, while Trubbish was scorched and seared by Flamethrower.

"And now, for a grand finale, double Acrobatics!"

Both Torch and Torrent crouched, sprang into the air, somersaulted, and dove, striking Sandile right on the back and Trubbish square in the cranium. Both Pokemon slumped where they lay, unconscious. Leanne, Iris, and their Pokemon cheered louder than before, and Jim, Torch, and Torrent shared a three-way high five, all of them grinning from ear to ear.

"Awesome work, guys!" Jim said.

"Aw, it was all you, man," said Torch, modestly.

"He's right, bro," said Torrent, "you were the man with the plan."

Their jubilation was checked, however, by an odd sound: the sound of someone clapping slowly, mockingly, coming from the pier. Everyone turned, and Jim's insides first turned to ice, then blazed. There, at the bow of the ship, clapping with a smile of sarcastic approval, was none other than Ghetsis.

"Congratulations, indeed, young Stevens…" he said, his voice smooth and oily as ever, his eyes roving over the group. "Ahh, and your young lady friend is here as well…and what's this? The apprentice of Dragon Master Drayden? What a pleasant surprise…"

Leanne glared coldly at Ghetsis, and Iris also cast him an unfriendly look. Jim clenched his fists.

"I had no idea you'd be here, Ghetsis," he said, softly. "Here to oversee your lapdogs commit kidnapping?"

Ghetsis' pale face flushed briefly.

"Please do not mince words," he said, calmly. "I've told you, our goal is merely to free Pokemon from human bondage, and we are prepared to do whatever it takes to-"

"Oh, sure, whatever it takes!" Jim interrupted, hotly. "Stealing, kidnapping, it's all for the greater good for you, isn't it, Ghetsis?! I suppose next I'll see you commit arson or even murder to 'free an enslaved Pokemon'!"

Ghetsis' face turned stern and cold as he regarded Jim.

"As I said, Mr. Stevens," he said, almost in a whisper, "whatever it takes…"

The girls gasped. June and Oshawott were trying to get at him, fury etched on their faces, but Leanne held them back. Ghetsis turned toward the grunts.

"Recall your Pokemon and load the Lilligant into the ship."

Jim gaped.

"Y-You can't!" he shouted. "We beat them fair and square! And besides-"

But Ghetsis held up his hand.

"I have been observing your confrontation between my subordinates, Stevens, and nowhere in anything you have said did I hear anything concerning terms for Lilligant's freedom. Thus, you have no claim to her."

"You don't understand!" Jim said, desperately. "She'll die if she remains with you! A Lilligant needs love and care if her flower is to stay bloomed! If she's neglected, she'll wilt!"

"Precisely," said Ghetsis, with the air of a teacher correcting the stupidity of a student. "As long as she remains among human company, she will sooner or later encounter mistreatment or unhappiness, and thus wilt. If put back into her natural environment, among her own kind, she will have no fear of neglect. It is what's best for her."

Jim felt as if all speech had failed him. Ghetsis had perfect logic! He couldn't think of anything to counter it, try as he might. He felt a sense of hopelessness as the grunts, having recalled their Pokemon, were surrounding Lilligant, who looked utterly miserable and scared…

 

[TPrower]

CHAPTER 24
Rescue and Release​

"Leavanny, String Shot!"

The voice seemed to thunder from out of nowhere. And then, quick as a flash, something like a white thread, just visible in the morning sun, shot from somewhere behind Jim and bound themselves around Lilligant's waist, forming a sort of belt. Ghetsis and his grunts looked stupefied as, with a tug, Lilligant was thrust from their midst towards the Trainers.

Leanne caught her in her arms as she flew to them, and the thread broke off. Lilligant seemed to be looking quite intently into Leanne's face, and then, tears coming to her eyes, she wrapped her leafy arms around her neck and nestled her head under her chin. Leanne, not exactly sure what this meant, still smiled and cradled her, like a mother reassuring a child.

Jim looked behind him in time to see both the ringmaster, looking very much out of breath, and none other than Burgh! A Pokemon resembling a yellow praying mantis stood beside him, clothed in green leaves, and with a pair of blade-like leaves for its arms. Jim examined it with his Pokedex.

"Leavanny, the Nurturing Pokemon, and the final evolutionary form of Sewaddle. It sews clothing for small Pokemon out of leaves, using its sharp cutters and the sticky thread it spits. It warms its eggs using the heat from fermented leaves."

Leanne had set Lilligant down, and Torch and Torrent had run up to her, both hugging her tightly. The three of them then joined the ringmaster, who was overjoyed to see Lilligant safe and sound.

"Burgh!" Iris cried out, looking ecstatic at the artist's appearance.

"Well-met, young Iris!" said Burgh, grandly and with a bow.

"You two know each other?" Leanne asked.

"Of course!" answered Iris. "My teacher, Drayden, has always been on good terms with Gym Leader Burgh!"

Both Jim and Leanne's jaws fell open.

"D-Did you say…Burgh's a Gym Leader??" Jim asked, astounded.

He looked at him, who seemed quite unabashed at this revelation.

"But I thought you were an artist!"

Burgh laughed heartily.

"It seems you've yet to understand the true ingenuity of Unova Gym Leaders, Jim. Have your meetings with the Striation Trio and Lenora showed you nothing? We are more than certified keepers of League Badges and masters of one type of Pokemon; we are respected members of the communitarian world as well. I, myself, must wear two masks in my daily life. One the one hand, I am Burgh, wandering artist, born in Nacrene City, and celebrity of Castelia City. On the other hand, I am Burgh, Gym Leader of Castelia City, keeper of the Insect Badge, and master of Bug-types."

He proudly looked down at his Leavanny, who seemed to imitate its master's motions. Jim nodded slowly. He knew he should have remembered that Unova Gym Leaders also had second occupations, but never had he heard anything about Burgh being a Gym Leader…

"Very well said, Burgh," said Ghetsis, composed once again. "I expected no less profound words of wisdom from you."

Burgh turned his attention to the Team Plasma Sage, his gaze steady.

"I've heard a good deal about your organization, Ghetsis," he said, in a much more serious tone than Jim had ever heard him use. "You preach a powerful message about ensuring happiness for Pokemon, though you seem to have little regard for the happiness of humans, if this is your way of doing things."

"Knowledgeable though you are, Burgh, I would never expect you to fully understand. It all lies in the very origins of our land."

Jim started. The ‘origins of our land’? Was he talking about that legend?…

Ghetsis proceeded, not noticing Jim's reaction.

"The legends say that the Black Dragon appeared before a hero, a hero who had sought the most desirable, ideal way to bring together a world of conflict and war. The Dragon shared its wisdom, while simultaneously baring its fangs to those who dared oppose it. Together, this Dragon and its human partner combined their knowledge and skill to unite the hearts of everyone in the land…That is the origin of Unova."

Despite it being such a reverent dictation, Jim couldn't help but feel skeptical at Ghetsis' choice of words. Why only mention Zekrom and the Hero of Ideals? Weren't Reshiram and the Hero of Truth also responsible for the shaping of Unova?

"And that is where Team Plasma comes in," Ghetsis went on. "We shall do whatever we must to return the Black Hero and Black Dragon to our land, to once more unify our hearts and lead us to a new and better understanding, the understanding of Pokemon freedom…"

Jim's mind was reeling from all of this. "Return the Black Hero and Black Dragon"? Did that mean that it wasn't just a legend after all? There really was, somewhere out there, someone who was a direct descendant of the Hero of Ideals, who was destined to wield the might of the Black Dragon? Not only that, but that would mean the Hero of Truth's descendant existed as well, ready to inherit the White Dragon…

"I won't deny that your ultimate goal has good intentions behind it," Burgh answered, "but your methods of reaching it are not publicly favorable. We're all different in some way, but I think I can safely say there's one thing we can all agree on: our love for Pokemon. You remember your speech at Accumula Town? Before a certain interruption,"

Here his eyes fell on Jim for a moment, but with an expression of approval rather than reproach.

"You got me to rethink my relationship with Pokemon. For that, I thank you."

Ghetsis looked pleased.

"Splendid," he said. "I see you do have some sense in you…"

"I thank you," Burgh continued, emboldening, "for allowing me to strengthen my love for all Pokemon. I swore that my dedication would never waver. On the contrary, I would let it grow until I could possibly hold it in no longer! And that, Ghetsis, is why I will never support Team Plasma, now that I see what you truly are…"

Jim, Leanne, and Iris gazed at him, awed. Jim had always thought of Burgh as a pleasant-natured, slightly eccentric man. Seeing him speak so proudly and sternly was quite surprising.

Ghetsis, for his part, was stony-faced, as if the reality of Burgh's refusal to accept his doctrine had hit him hard. Then, he burst into a loud, cold, mirthless laugh, the exact sort Jim had figured he had.

"MYA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!" he roared. "You've surpassed my opinion of you, Burgh, by a considerable amount! You would have made a good Sage, among us Seven. We, who share our knowledge, wisdom, and guidance to our glorious king."

He gave a sort of ceremonial half-bow, hand on his chest, and all of the Team Plasma grunts did the same. Jim was struck dumb. He had always figured that Ghetsis, so formidable, terrible, and commanding, was the mastermind of the entire organization. To hear that he was merely a subordinate to a much higher authority…wasn't a comforting thought.

"But come," Ghetsis went on, still smiling, "we've wasted enough time. Team Plasma, we depart!"

"Yes, Sage Ghetsis!" said the three grunts, in a militaristic way.

"Your skills are improving, Stevens," Ghetsis added, his eyes falling on Jim. "Keep them up. I look forward to a much better demonstration soon…"

Jim didn't answer, but glared steadily at him. Still casting a calculating smile at the group of rescuers, Ghetsis went below deck as his soldiers filed onto the boat, and then, with astonishing speed, it pulled away from the dock and sped off down the water. Just like that, they were gone once again…

"Blast it," muttered the ringmaster. "They got away before we could have them arrested."

"Were you even able to get hold of the police, sir?" Iris asked.

"Unfortunately, no. I was getting desperate, especially after Torch and Torrent had disappeared as well, so I went to pursue them myself, and that's when I ran into Burgh. He seemed to understand the situation perfectly, and so we came with all speed here."

"But it wasn't entirely fruitless," Burgh said. "We've rescued Lilligant and foiled their scheme."

"Yes, indeed!" said the ringmaster, brightening, "I haven't forgotten that! And so it's you who is our young hero!" he added, turning to Jim, who reddened.

"Me, sir? It wasn't all me. Iris helped a great deal too…"

"Aw, don't be so modest!" Iris said, giving him a friendly punch on the arm. "I'd never have been able to take them on all by myself."

"You're amazing!" Axew chimed in, enthusiastically.

"And besides," the ringmaster added, "I caught a glimpse of your teamwork with the Simi Brothers. It isn't easy for most Trainers to battle with unfamiliar Pokemon, especially ones already owned by someone else."

"Well, that was…"

Jim was going to say "just dumb luck", but he figured it'd be best not to.

"And to show you just how grateful I am…" the ringmaster continued, looking a bit more serious.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out three Poke Balls. Jim was confused by this gesture, but the three performers seemed to guess what it meant, and became startled.

"S-Sir!" Torch stammered. "Y-You can't mean-!"

The ringmaster seemed to guess what Torch was saying.

"It's all right, Torch, it's all right," he said. "I've seen the way you two battled alongside this young man, and I have to say it was a most spectacular performance. Once I saw that, I realized that by keeping you under my tent, I was merely holding back what you're truly capable of. I want you to be able to go out, see the world, become stronger and wiser. I know that, as a circus troupe, we travel the world, but I can't feel like it's the same thing."

Now it was Jim's turn to be startled.

"You want them…to come with us?" he asked, dumbfounded.

"Yes, my boy. I can think of no one worthier than you to inherit them."

"B-But what about your circus? They're the stars of Cirque de Pokeé!"

"That is true. They've been part of my troupe ever since they were a Pansear and Panpour. However, ever since they evolved, I'd noticed a, how do I put this…a "change" in their performances. They were becoming…restless, sort of anxious for a change."

Torch and Torrent didn't protest. It seemed that the ringmaster was being completely truthful, and it was no use denying it.

"I can't take them back, now that they've experienced their true passion. That would be an injustice. Please, Jim, my lad. I know you're the right man for the job."

The two looked up at Jim, and Jim looked at them. This was too much to ask for. Two fully-evolved Pokemon, seasoned performers, for him? For an instant, his mind had flickered back to what he had heard Cheren say to Bianca, before Nacrene City…

"Bianca, you haven't been blind to everything that's happened, have you?…He's too perfect for his own good…"

Then, almost instantly, the fact that it was Cheren that had said it, out of spite and jealousy, overthrew his premonitions. He looked at the ringmaster and said,

"If they're on board with it, I'm prepared to accept your offer."

Torch and Torrent looked at each other, stunned but excited. The ringmaster beamed.

"Excellent! I knew I'd put my trust in the right lad!"

"But what about Lilligant?" Leanne asked. "Won't she be lonely without them?"

"Oh, you needn't worry about that, lass," said the ringmaster. "Which brings me to my next point. Er, what was your name, child?"

"Leanne, sir," she answered.

"Leanne…Leanne…" he repeated, as if pleased. "A lovely name, to be sure. Well, it's not something widely known, but Lilligant used to belong to my young daughter, whom, I daresay, you resemble astonishingly."

Leanne turned pink at her cheeks.

"I…I do?" she asked, flustered.

"She grew sick when she was just about your age…and didn't recover…" he said, very sadly and quietly.

Torch and Torrent lowered their heads.

"Oh…I'm so sorry…" Leanne said.

"Ever since her passing, Lilligant hasn't been the same. I know she may look bright and cheerful on the stage, but that's just it. She's a performer. She has to put on an act to disguise her emotions, or else channel them through her dances. That's why I think you would be perfect to take care of her, young miss, and I think she knows it too…"

Leanne looked down at Lilligant, who had come back over to her, and was gazing at her again, almost imploringly. With a tender smile, she knelt down and gripped her leafy hands in hers.

"If you think I'm the right Trainer for you…I won't say no."

Lilligant threw her arms around Leanne, hugging her tightly. During that moment, even Jim, despite his distance, could smell something; it was a very pleasant, flowery smell, that made him feel as if every single care he had ever had in the world had flowed out of him like a breath of air. Burgh and Iris watched on, the latter dabbing at her eyes with her big sleeves.

The ringmaster had taken the Poke Balls and was pressing their buttons, holding them longer than was usual. The reason became apparent, when a bluish glow surrounded Torch, Torrent, and Lilligant, then faded again. He had released them from those Poke Balls.

"And now, that's done," he said, a little heavily.

The three performing Pokemon went up to him, somewhat sadly. The ringmaster smiled and knelt in front of them.

"You all take care of yourselves. I know you will make far better Pokemon, than you were performers…"

They nodded, and then all three embraced him. A twinge of guilt smote Jim at this. He still couldn't help feeling responsible for the ringmaster losing his best acts, but it seemed that here was a man that cared more for the good of his Pokemon than for the good of his profession. It was a release, like Team Plasma would have wanted, but it was to hand them over to better owners, better friends, and so was not quite the same.

At last, the ringmaster, casting a last look at them, straightened up, turned, and made his way back towards the town square. Torch, Torrent, and Lilligant then turned to their new Trainers. A little numbly, Jim took two Poke Balls from his belt, and Leanne did the same.

"This has got to be the weirdest thing I've ever done," he said.

"Prep yourself for weirder, then," she answered. "We've only just begun."

"So true," said Jim, with a smile. "Ok, boys, here we go!"

He threw both Poke Balls into the air, and the Simi Brothers jumped to meet them, pressing their buttons with their hands. Leanne did the same with Lilligant, who hit the button as it reached her hand. All three Pokemon disappeared inside, and the Balls snapped shut. They wiggled for a few seconds in their hands, and then, with a final click, became immobile. They both held up their prizes.

"I've got a Simisear and Simipour!" Jim crowed.

"And I've got a Lilligant!" Leanne said, cheerfully.

June, Missy, Oshawott, and Axew all applauded. And then, quite suddenly, the Poke Ball holding Torch shrank to pocket size, and its button turned red. Jim stared at it, dumbfounded.

"What's going on? What happened?"

"Oh dear," Burgh said. "It looks as if you've surpassed six Pokemon. A Trainer can only have six active Pokemon on hand. Until you make room, that Poke Ball will remain shut."

"Oh, jeez, I hadn't realized," Jim muttered. "I guess I have to send someone to the PC, but I don't like the thought of them sitting cooped up in a computer box…"

And then, like a flash, an inspiration came to him.

"Hey…why not? Yeah! I bet it could work!"

Everyone looked at him, curiously. He opened his X-Transceiver and dialed a number. In the next instant, Professor Juniper's face appeared on the screen.

"Well, hi, Jim! How is everything?"

"Great, Professor! Listen, I need to ask something. Do you think you could put Fennel on the line? She never gave me her number."

"Oh, of course! One sec."

The screen turned to static for a moment, and then, Fennel's face came into view.

"Oh! Jim, hi!" she said, cheerily.

"Hey, Fennel. I wanted to ask a favor of you."

"Anything, just name it!"

"Can you rewire that Pokedex software upgrade so that my Pokemon get transferred to Professor Juniper's lab? I figured they might like that better."

"Oh, of course! I don't know why we never thought of that before! Maybe Amanita can work that into her next update…All right, it shouldn't take more than a few minutes. Hang on."

She looked away, and a clicking sound filled the call. Jim could guess that she was typing at her computer. Then, there was a whirring, a beeping, and then a ding, and her face bore a big grin when she turned back.

"There we are! All set!"

"Thanks, Fennel. You're a marvel!"

Fennel's already rosy cheeks reddened even more.

"Just doing what I can to help," she said, modestly. "Take care now, and give my regards to the professor!"

"I will, Fennel!"

The screen turned to static again, and Jim was once more looking at Professor Juniper.

"So, everything sorted out?"

"Definitely! Hang on a sec, I think you have a few ‘packages’ coming."

Juniper raised her eyebrows, obviously confused, but Jim was already punching in numbers on his Pokedex. The screen lit up, and then, two Poke Balls at Jim's belt vanished, and Torch's became normal sized again. Leanne gaped at this sight. Then, Juniper turned around, taken by surprise, as a machine to the back had lit up, and the two Poke Balls were sitting within it.

"Jim, what's this?" she asked, walking over.

"The first new demonstration of the Pokedex software, Professor," Jim answered, beaming.

Juniper clicked the balls open, and out came none other than Jolt and Rok. She took one look at the little Archen and gasped.

"Oh…my…goodness!" she finally said. "A real, live Archen! Jim, how did you ever-"

"A present," Jim finished, "from Lenora of Nacrene City. Do you think you could bring the screen down so I can talk to them?"

Numbly, Juniper complied, and lowered the arm holding the X-Transceiver, so that Jolt and Rok were looking through it.

"Listen, guys," Jim said, "don't get panicky or anything, but you're going to be staying with the Professor now. My team's filling up, and I've got to make space. Don't worry, though. I'll call on you guys whenever I need you. So be good, ok?"

Jolt gave a sort of cheerful whinny and reared on his hind hooves. Rok squawked cheerily and flapped his wings. It almost brought tears to Jim's eyes.

"That's my boys. I'll keep in touch, Professor!"

Juniper still couldn't say anything, so strong was her astonishment at seeing a real Archen in her lab, so Jim ended the call himself. Burgh stepped forward.

"Well, now that all of this excitement's out of the way, what do you say we schedule your Gym Battle with me?"

"Definitely!" Jim said. "I was planning on coming tomorrow!"

"Tomorrow it is, then!" said Burgh, brightly. "Until then, my friends! Come along, Leavanny."

He strode off down the main road, Leavanny trotting by his side.

"I'd better head off too," said Iris. "I told Drayden I'd be back after the circus. If you're ever in Opelucid City, let's meet up!"

"You bet!" said Jim. "Thanks, Iris. You've been a big help."

He held out his hand, and she shook it in both of hers.

"Same to you, Jim!"

She gave the same shake to Leanne, and then, picking up her Axew, walked off down one of the side-streets leading to the north of the town. June and Missy rejoined Jim, who scooped them up onto his shoulders.

"Come on, girls," he said, "and Oshawott," as a nearly-forgotten afterthought, "it's been quite a day, and it's not even noon!"

 

[TPrower]

CHAPTER 25
Battle for the Insect Badge​

Since the fiasco during the circus had really tired Jim out, he wanted nothing more than to go back to the Pokemon Center and rest. They had lunch, and then spent the rest of the day just lying on their beds, playing with and petting their Pokemon or talking about what had happened. Jim was especially interested in hearing Torch and Torrent's stories about their more hair-raising stunts.

"So, as the grand finale," Torch was saying, "I was to jump from a 200-foot high-dive into a tank of water."

"But aren't you a Fire-type?" Jim asked.

"Yeah, but I'd eaten a Passho Berry before I dived, so it wouldn't have affected me too much. We always take these precautions before a super-dangerous stunt."

"Ah, I see. Go on."

"Well, I leaped off the board into a jackknife dive, but when I looked down…the tank was empty!"

"No way!"

"Way! They'd forgotten to fill it up! Well, I was just about to mentally sign my last will and testament, when Torrent rushes in and fills the tank himself. I was grateful enough for that, but when I splashed in…he had used Scald!"

"Scald?"

"It's like a Water Gun, except it uses hot water instead of cold."

"Ohh, you must have appreciated that."

"Well, I hadn't been expecting it, so I was a little caught off-guard at first, but once I realized what happened, it felt like I had a new vigor in me, and so I finished off with an Acrobatics spin out of the tank, showering the ring with a warm drizzle."

"Wow! You two really know how to work off each other."

"What can I say?" Torrent said, grinning. "He's the only bro I've got."

He hooked Torch over to him under his arm and gave him a playful noogie.

Lilligant never had anything to say. She was very quiet and shy, so more often than not, her movements spoke for her. She was quite comfortable with her new friends, however, and was all smiles, though Jim was under the impression that it was partially due to Torch and Torrent's presence as well. Moreover, it was interesting to see her interactions between the two brothers. She treated Torch like a brother, but with Torrent, it was different. Her white face seemed to turn pink every time he looked her way, and she seemed awfully conscious of her leafy hair and the state of her skirt. She reminded Jim of a school girl who was in the presence of the championing honor student whose heart she yearned to win, but was much too meek to express herself in words.

Usually, though, she hung around Leanne as she lay on her bed, Zorua asleep on her pudgy stomach. Tranquill was sleeping on one of the bedposts, head tucked under her wing, and Oshawott seemed deep in thought of some new poetic production. Echo was sticking to the wall by his nose, snoozing, and June and Missy were snuggled against Jim, on opposite sides, of course. Missy had wanted to be next to June, but the latter made it clear (without actually saying it) that she wanted nothing more than to be away from her. It spared her the sight of watching Missy smile sappily and wriggle as Jim abstractly scratched her belly. What was more, after they had gotten back, Leanne had given her a surprise: a pink ribbon to tie around her neck, ending in a bow at the back. Missy grew very fond of this bow, and Jim even said it made her "cute as a Lillipup". This repulsed June even further, and affirmed her conviction that the chubby Emolga was little more than a pet, and Jim failed to see that…

That night, however, after dinner, all of Jim's Pokemon gathered around him, planning their strategy for the Gym tomorrow. Jim regarded Burgh's admission that he worked with Bug Pokemon a major slip, regardless of whether or not it was intentional. He had also been given a sneak peek at his Pokemon, with that Leavanny of his, but it was too early to say whether or not it was his signature fighter. June, reluctant though she was to admit it, said she'd be of no use in the Gym, as Bug-types were strong against Grass-types, and besides that, they usually had a second typing, most commonly Poison. With that, Jim decided to go with Flying and Fire: Missy, Torch, and Echo. He hoped Torch would be able to sweep a victory, depending on what was thrown at them, because he had a feeling that Burgh, like all sensible Gym Leaders, would be well-prepared to combat type disadvantages. He hated to make Echo feel like the last reserve, but the Bat Pokemon seemed to understand, and made no signs of disappointment.

***

The next morning, after a hurried breakfast (on Jim's part; Leanne had no need for rushing), the two left the Pokemon Center and, following the directions on street signs, found themselves at the doors of an enormous building. It had the appearance of an art museum, but its roof was domed and made of glass, and there was something greenish within it that Jim could even see from outside.

They were admitted inside, and at first, they found themselves in a long corridor filled with paintings in gilded frames. They were skillfully-painted and awfully lifelike: a Trubbish sitting contentedly among a heap of garbage, a pair of Deerling drinking from a brook, the goggle-like eyes of a Sandile peering out of the sand, and the three Elemental Monkeys sitting on the limbs of a tree, eating apples. Then, the corridor ended, and through another set of double doors…they found themselves in what appeared to be a greenhouse.

There could be no other word for it: a vast room with abundant vegetation growing, enjoying a warm bath of sunlight through the glass ceiling. There were Sewaddle clinging to the trunks of trees, and Venipede enjoying the cool shade of enormous leaves. There was another Pokemon as well: a round yellow creature that looked as if it was wrapped in a leafy cloak. Two antennae extended from its forehead, and its face looked quite gloomy. It was nibbling on leaves that sat in a pile in front of it. Jim took his Pokedex out.

"Swadloon, the Leaf-Wrapped Pokemon, and the evolved form of Sewaddle. Swadloon wraps itself in leaves to protect itself from the cold. In forests where it lives, the grass and trees grow abundantly."

"Remarkable, isn't it?" came a familiar voice, though Jim wasn't sure where it came from. "Pokemon of the forest all have their parts to play in making our world beautiful and healthy…it really is food for thought…"

Then, as if on cue, there was a soft burst of song, sweet and low, coming from some woodwind instrument. They both looked up, and there was Burgh, seated on a tree limb, an ocarina in his hands. His eyes were closed as he played, and the sound that came from it was enchanting, beautiful. The Bug Pokemon seemed to stop and listen, not wanting to miss the melody. When at last he finished, he swung himself down to the soft grass below. Jim noticed that, along with his usual clothing, he was also wearing a forest-green cape, clasped at the neck with a leaf-shaped brooch.

"So!" he said, brightly. "You're ready for our battle, friend Jim?"

"You bet!" Jim replied, eagerly.

"Wonderful! Come this way."

He turned and led them through a path in the foliage. At the end, they found themselves in a clearing, where a battlefield had been painted out on soft dirt. A young man carrying two flags, presumably the referee, was standing at the edge, in the center. Leanne took her usual place on the sidelines, joined by June and Oshawott. Jim and Burgh took their places at opposite sides.

"I suppose you know what you're in for, Jim?" Burgh asked.

"Yep! I don't know if you meant to let it slip or not, but I've prepared myself for whatever Bugs you throw at me!"

Burgh smiled wryly.

"Whatever Bugs, eh? We shall see…"

This disconcerted Jim a little. Had Burgh planned to throw him off from the start? He didn't have time to wonder long, however, as the referee was speaking loud and clear.

"You will each use three Pokemon! There will be no time limit! Let the battle commence!"

Jim drew his first Poke Ball.

"Ok, Missy, start us off with style!"

He tossed it up, and from it appeared the pudgy form of Missy, still wearing her new ribbon. June rolled her eyes and looked away.

"Well, isn't this a special start-off for our battle!" said Burgh, amused.

Missy looked flattered at being called "special". Burgh drew his own Poke Ball.

"Dwebble, let's begin!"

The Pokemon that appeared from his Ball looked like an orange hermit crab, but its shell seemed to be made of stone. Jim checked his Pokedex.

"Dwebble, the Rock Inn Pokemon. Dwebble makes its home in a suitable rock, carving a hole in it with the aid of a special liquid it spits. If the rock breaks, Dwebble remains agitated until it finds a new one."

(Uh oh. It's part Rock. He must've known I'd get cocky about my choices…Well, no point in blaming myself now.)

"Ok, Missy, let's go!" Jim said, confidently. "Shock Wave!"

Electricity flared around Missy's chubby body and then blasted itself in the form of a lightning bolt straight for Dwebble.

"Dig, Dwebble!" Burgh commanded.

Using its claws, Dwebble burrowed into the dirt, leaving a hole behind. The Shock Wave struck where Dwebble was and vanished. Jim wasn't sure what good that would do, besides dodging. Ground-type attacks had no effect on Flying-types. Burgh, however, seemed to guess Jim's thoughts, and he smiled.

"Don't worry, Jim. We're only just starting. Dwebble, come out and use Smack Down!"

In a blink, Dwebble burst from the dirt, a glowing, metallic orb floating in front of its face. This fired straight at Missy and blasted into her. Jim was anxious already, but it was only increased when he saw the little Emolga plummet straight down, as if a magnet were pulling her to the earth. She hit the ground with a soft thud.

"You see?" Burgh went on. "Smack Down bring all airborne Pokemon down to our level, restricting their resistance to Ground-type attacks."

Jim gulped.

"Now, Dig, once again!"

Once more, Dwebble burrowed underground.

"Missy, Double Team!"

Missy tensed, and three other Missies split from her to stand on the battlefield.

"Oh-ho," said Burgh, intrigued. "Now it gets interesting…"

Dwebble burst from the ground right beneath one of the Missies, but it vanished as soon as it came in contact.

"Now, Missy, Acrobatics!"

The remaining three Missies launched themselves at Dwebble, swirling around it and striking it as they zoomed by. Then, they soared right up above it and went into a soaring dive, one after the other.

"Dwebble, X-Scissor!"

Dwebble's pincers glowed purple, and it leaped at the diving Missy clones. Then, it crossed its claws rapidly, creating a glowing purple X in front of it, like a shield. It passed through one Missy, then the other…and at last, hit its mark. The real Missy was struck, and she went falling toward the ground.

"Good work, Dwebble! Now, let's finish with one more Smack Down!"

Dwebble once again formed the ball of metallic energy in front of its face.

"Missy! Do something!!" Jim yelled.

Missy's eyes snapped open, and all of a sudden, a buildup of electricity began forming at the tip of her tail. Everyone watched, amazed, as it formed into a sphere the size of her head. Jim's Pokedex was out again.

"Electro Ball: an Electric-type attack that is stronger if the user is faster than the opponent."

Just as Dwebble fired, Missy swerved, the Smack Down blasting past her and hitting the dirt. With that swerve, she also swept the ball right from her tail, shooting straight for Dwebble like a missile. There was an electrical explosion that ruffled the leaves and made them glimmer. The next instant, Missy landed neatly on her feet. Dwebble plummeted and fell onto its face, charred and unconscious.

"Dwebble is unable to battle!" said the referee. "Emolga wins!"

Missy hopped up and down, jubilant for its victory.

"Atta girl!" Jim crowed.

June was regarding Missy with an odd sort of look. She had tried to pass off her lucky victory against N's Yamask as beginner's luck, but somehow, seeing Missy pull off a newly-learned Electro Ball impressed her. It showed her that, under that flabby, silly exterior, there was a capable battler…still, the sight of the bow around her neck sickened her, and she was still convinced that Missy was a pet first, and a Pokemon after…

"Not bad, Jim, not bad," said Burgh, recalling Dwebble. "You have quite an Emolga there. But now, let's see how she stands up to this! Whirlipede, you're next!"

He threw another Poke Ball, and Burgh's second Pokemon appeared. To Jim, it didn't even look like a Bug at all, but a purple tire, marked with hexagons and bearing two pairs of feelers, one in the front and one behind. It had spikes along its surface, like the spokes of a bicycle wheel. In the very center, Jim could see, one on each side, a glaring yellow eye, disturbingly familiar. His Pokedex solved his bewilderment.

"Whirlipede, the Curlipede Pokemon, and the evolved form of Venipede. Whirlipede is protected by a hard shell and attacks opponents by running over them like a wheel. It remains motionless unless it is attacked."

"So that's the Pokemon between Venipede and Scolipede…" Jim muttered, apprehensive.

Burgh raised an eyebrow.

"What's the matter?"

"I…I've had a bad experience with a Scolipede."

"Perfectly understandable," said Burgh, placidly. "There are many Trainers who feel some aversion toward so formidable and aggressive a Pokemon. Still, to tame a Pokemon that's not only wild by condition, but wild by nature…that is the truest victory a Trainer can accomplish."

These words stirred the same feeling Jim had had of Burgh yesterday, when he was standing up to Ghetsis. Underneath the eccentric artistic speeches, there was a wise, thoughtful man beneath.

"Now then, shall we get started?"

"You bet! Missy, Electro Ball!"

Once again, the electric sphere appeared on Missy's tail, and she flicked it toward Whirlipede.

"Whirlipede, Protect!"

A clear blue bubble surrounded Whirlipede’s body, and the Electro Ball burst against it, dissolving into sparks.

"Uh oh."

"And now, Whirlipede, Steamroller!"

The bubble disappeared. Whirlipede then began spinning rapidly, like a wheel, and shot straight for Missy.

"Missy, get out of the way!" Jim shouted.

Missy leaped into the air, but to Jim's shock, Whirlipede leaped at that moment, and in an instant, was right above the little Emolga. She squeaked with fright as Whirlipede plummeted downwards, right on top of her with a THUD! Everyone winced but Burgh, who seemed to experience this very often in his battle. Whirlipede rolled backwards, and there was Missy, stretched out on her back, out cold.

"Emolga is unable to battle! Whirlipede wins!" said the referee.

Jim sighed. It was Missy's first defeat. He knew it would come sooner or later. Unknown to him, June nodded to herself, the smallest of smiles on her faces. She seemed satisfied, not merely because Missy lost, but because it proved to her that she wasn't a "perfect" Pokemon, and that was good enough for her. Jim recalled Missy.

"Good work, girl," he said, proudly. "You get a good rest."

He pocketed her Ball, then drew his next.

"Ok, Torch, it's your turn!"

He threw the Ball, and Torch appeared, to take Missy's place.

"Ah, here we go!" said Burgh, pleased. "I was waiting for you to choose our friend Torch. However, type advantage will only get you so far. Let's do this!"

"Torch, Flamethrower!"

Torch spewed a stream of flames from his mouth. They washed over Whirlipede, who flinched in pain, but otherwise didn't move.

"Wow," Jim remarked, "that's one strong shell."

"Whirlipede, Poison Tail!”

(Poison Tail? But it doesn’t even have a tail!)

This didn’t stop Whirlipede. Its back feelers began glowing with a purple light, and even lengthened. It rolled swiftly at Torch, then spun like a top, striking him with its glowing appendages and sending him skidding backward.

(Oh. I guess that’s how.)

"Once again!" Burgh commanded.

Whirlipede came at Torch again.

"Acrobatics, Torch!"

Just in time, Torch leaped into the air, somersaulting, and Whirlipede missed.

"Steamroller!"

Once again, Whirlipede began to spin rapidly, and it bounced into the air. The two spinning Pokemon struck each other and bounced back, Whirlipede still whirring.

"Keep at it, Torch!" Jim encouraged.

"Don't let up, Whirlipede!"

Both Pokemon leaped back into the air, somersaulting or spinning, striking again and again, neither willing to give in. This went on for some time, until Jim shouted,

"Torch! Dig!"

Torch stopped his attack in midair, and then dove beneath the ground, leaving a gaping hole behind. Whirlipede therefore overshot its attack and landed on the other side of the hole, its eyes roving, trying to pick out where Torch would come out. Suddenly, the Ember Pokemon burst out right beneath it, fist first, and the force sent Whirlipede flying, and caused it to land on its side. Burgh blanched.

"Whirlipede! No!"

By Burgh's face and Whirlipede's feeble struggles, it became clear to Jim that it was now as defenseless as a shelled animal on its back.

"Finish up with Flamethrower, Torch!" he said.

Torch leaped upwards, so that it had a clear shot of Whirlipede's interior, and let loose another blast of fire from his mouth. The flames struck Whirlipede right on the spot in a blinding blaze, and in the next instant, it lay charred and out cold.

"Whirlipede is unable to battle! Simisear wins!"

"Great job!" Jim said, ecstatically.

Torch seemed bewildered by his victory, as if he hadn't expected to pull it off. Burgh called Whirlipede back.

"You're doing a fine job, Jim," he said, approvingly. "I can see why Team Plasma should be wary of you, but you still have one more test to pass, if you wish to show me your true strength. And that final test is…Leavanny!"

He threw his final Poke Ball, and there was Leavanny, the Pokemon from yesterday.

"So your star is Leavanny, huh?" Jim asked. "This is gonna be interesting!"

"I quite agree," said Burgh. "Seeing as my Leavanny is a Bug and Grass-type, you must think Torch has an immediate advantage."

"I would think that," said Jim, "but you've probably faced a lot of Trainers who make that same mistake."

"Certainly. Now, let's see if you've indeed learned that lesson! Leavanny, Leaf Storm!"

Leavanny raised its arms, and a cloud of leaves surrounded its body. Then, it threw its arms forward, and the leaves went straight for Torch.

"Flamethrower!" Jim commanded.

Torch shot a jet of flame at the leaves, singeing them into ashes. Burgh, however, was quick on the draw.

"Now, Leavanny, String Shot!" Through the cascade of ashes, Leavanny spat a white webby string from its mouth. It wound itself around Torch, binding his arms to his sides. It even covered up his mouth! He struggled and strained, but he couldn't break free. Now it was Jim's turn to look frantic.

"Torch! Try to burn it off!"

He could see a fiery glow in Torch's face, but nothing happened. It seemed the String Shot had bound his mouth shut.

"Now, Leavanny, let's finish this! Hyper Beam!"

A golden orb, shot with white, materialized in front of Leavanny's feelers, and from it, with unbelievable force, an energy beam shot from it, blasting Torch right on the spot. When the smoke from the blast had cleared, Torch was lying across his back, unconscious, the string singed off.

"Simisear is unable to battle! Leavanny wins!"

Jim's face was quite grim. With Torch knocked out, Echo was his last hope. Still, hopefully he would be able to last with his Flying type against Leavanny's Bug and Grass. With this thought in mind, he recalled Torch.

"Good job, pal," he said. "You did fine."

He took out his last Poke Ball, his last hope, and looked at Burgh.

"You really know how to keep a Trainer on the ropes, Burgh."

"It's a trait all Gym Leaders need to possess," he said. "It's necessary to prevent an easy victory."

"I agree," said Jim, "which is why my final Pokemon is an appropriate challenge. Echo, I'm counting on you!"

He tossed up his Poke Ball, and there was the Woobat, fluttering his little wings. Burgh raised his eyebrows, obviously humored.

"A Woobat? Interesting final choice, Jim. I can't wait to see how this turns out."

Leavanny bared its blade-like forearms.

"Echo, I'm behind you all the way," Jim told his Pokemon. "I know it doesn't look good, but I know you can do this."

Echo seemed to regard him for a while, as if awed by his confidence. Then, he nodded and smiled.

"I'll do what I can, Jim," he said.

Then, he faced Leavanny. Unfortunately, in the time taken to swap Pokemon, the recharge Leavanny would have had to take after Hyper Beam had already gone by, so it was ready to go.

"All right, Leavanny, Leaf Storm, once again!"

Once more, Leavanny summoned hundreds of leaves, and sent them blasting toward Echo.

"Counter with Air Cutter!"

Echo's wings glowed blue, and he flapped them rapidly, sending blue slashes of energy at the Leaf Storm. They sliced through and tore the leaves to tiny shreds, though only those within their path; Echo was buffeted by the rest. The Cutters continued on and battered against Leavanny, who tried to shield its face with its arms.

"Hang in there, Echo!" said Jim. "Use Shadow Ball!"

Echo cupped his wings, and a black and purple ball appeared between them. Then, it batted it toward Leavanny with one wing.

"Block with X-Scissor, Leavanny!"

Leavanny crossed its arms across its chest, and its forearms glowed purple. The Shadow Ball struck and exploded, but Leavanny still stood its ground, though it looked tired.

"Looks like Leavanny's wearing out, Burgh," Jim said. "Those moves aren't exactly easy to pull off, are they?"

To his astonishment, Burgh was smiling again.

"True, Leaf Storm and Hyper Beam have drawbacks in the form of restricting defenses. However, the important thing is to make those setbacks inconsequential! Leavanny, String Shot!"

Leavanny spat its sticky thread straight for Echo, and it succeeded in binding his wings to his furry body.

"Oh, man!" Jim groaned. "Not you too, Echo!"

"Sorry, Jim," Burgh was saying. "You've put up an amazing fight, but the time has come for us to end this performance. Leavanny, Hyper Beam!"

Leavanny's feelers began to glimmer as the Hyper Beam began to charge. Jim was frantic.

"Come on, Echo! You've got to break out of that!"

"I…I can't!" Echo groaned.

"Yes, you can! I know you can!" Jim countered, stubbornly. "You don't give yourself enough credit, Echo! Sure, you've had a rocky start, but that's because this is just the start! We've still got a long way to go, and we can only get better from here! You're already improving! You've taught yourself Air Cutter and Shadow Ball! I know you've got more in you, Echo! You just have to try! I'M COUNTING ON YOU!"

Leavanny's Hyper Beam fired like a cannon…but something seemed to have snapped in Echo's mind. In the next instant, his entire body was blazing with blue light. In the next instant, he had swerved out of the way of the Hyper Beam, and it blasted a great hole in the wall. Everyone was gazing up at the glimmering Woobat with awe, but Jim's soon gave way to excitement.

"Echo…you're evolving!!" he crowed.

And so he was. His wings were bursting from the bonds of the String Shot, but they were larger, broader. Something seemed to be forming beneath him, like a lower body, including a tail. Lastly, on top, a head seemed to have formed, with a pair of ears. Like a shockwave, the light vanished, and Echo had been replaced by a new Pokemon altogether. What had once been his entire head and body was now the furry, white hide of a large, dark-blue bat Pokemon. His wings were much bigger, but still leathery. Beneath his fur, he had a rounded lower body with black, clawed feet tucked in. Behind, he had a curled pink tail, ending in a shape vaguely like a heart. The head was adorned with a pair of triangular ears, fused into one at the top, a pair of wide eyes, and a smiling mouth bearing a pair of fangs. The one recognizable feature was the nose, heart-shaped and set between his eyes. With trembling hands, Jim checked his Pokedex.

"Swoobat, the Courting Pokemon, and the evolved form of Woobat. Swoobat enjoy showering themselves with their own ultrasonic waves, especially around mating season. The waves it can emit from its nose are strong enough to break rocks."

"Astounding," said Burgh, breathless. "Jim, do you realize the magnitude of this?"

"What do you mean?"

"Woobat evolve into Swoobat only when their love for their Trainer has reached its peak. Those words of encouragement you gave it must have given it the final inspiration it needed to evolve."

Jim looked up at Echo, hovering proud and grand. Echo's love for him was that deep?

"Echo…" he whispered.

As if catching his word, Echo looked down at him and winked in a reassuring way. Jim smiled and nodded.

"There's something else about this, Burgh, something you've failed to address."

"And that is?"

"With this evolution, Echo's got his second wind, while Leavanny's still drained and tired."

Burgh's eyes widened. He looked from the fresh, alert Swoobat to his weary Leavanny, seeing the odds stacked against him.

"Regardless," he said, his voice still calm, "it's my duty as a Gym Leader to fight until the bitter end! Leavanny, Leaf Storm!"

With an effort, Leavanny lifted its arms again, summoning a cloud of leaves that went hurtling toward Echo.

"Not this time! Echo, Air Cutter!"

Echo's large wings glowed a brilliant blue, and with each flap of them, a blast of wind, bearing crescent-shaped energy slashes, blew at the Leaf Storm, the leaves shredded to bits and Leavanny struck again and again with the slashes. Burgh's teeth were gritted. He meant business now…

"Leavanny, use X-Scissor!"

Leavanny crouched and leaped, its forearms crossed in an X shape and glowing purple.

"Counter with Shadow Ball, Echo!"

Echo spread his wings out, and a large ball of sparking black and purple energy formed in front of him. Then, with one movement, he drew his left wing back and slapped it toward Leavanny like a tetherball. It exploded against Leavanny's X-Scissor, canceling it out and sending it plummeting back to the ground, but Jim seemed to have other plans.

"Ok, Echo, let's finish this battle once and for all! Show off your new Heart Stamp!"

Echo spread his wings, his nose glowing a pinkish purple. Then, with the agility of a bird of prey, he dived, wings tucked against his body, the light from his nose surrounding his entire body like a barrier, giving him the appearance of a dive-bombing missile. With an impact that seemed to shudder the very air, Echo crashed straight into Leavanny and slammed it right into the dirt, the light given off by the former expanding outward like an explosion. Everyone shielded their eyes from the impact, as dirt had been loosened and thrown as well. In the next instant, they could see Echo fluttering away from the spot, Leavanny prostrate and out cold.

The referee, momentarily stunned, raised his arm.

"Leavanny is unable to battle! Swoobat wins, which means the victor is the challenger, Jim Stevens!"

Jim let out a whoop of victory, throwing his fist into the air. Leanne was twirling Oshawott and June around by the paws, all three of them shouting "He did it! He did it! He did it!" Burgh sighed, smiled, and recalled Leavanny.

"I'm very proud of you," he said. "Well done."

Echo, meanwhile, had alighted on Jim's outstretched arm.

"Echo, that was amazing! You found your true strength and evolved…all for me?"

"All for you, Jim," said Echo, beaming.

He wrapped his wings around Jim's neck, hugging him tightly. Jim smiled as he returned the gesture. Burgh approached as they broke apart.

"Excellent battle, Jim! It ought to be immortalized on canvas: A Swoobat's Heartfelt Victory!"

"Thanks, Burgh. It was awesome to battle you as well!"

"And now, as Gym Leader of Castelia City, it is with pride and privilege that I bestow upon you, Jim Stevens, the official Pokemon League Insect Badge."

He held out his hand. Sitting in his palm was a glittering badge shaped sort of like the green body and wing of an insect. Jim received it and held it up, the sun gleaming down through the glass roof.

"Yes! It's all mine: the Insect Badge!"

His friends cheered from the sidelines, and Echo soared around them, squeaking excitedly. As he did so, Jim began to feel dizzy and unsteady on his feet. He seemed to realize why, however.

"I thought Swoobat liked showering each other with their sound waves…it didn't say anything about humans!"

Even as he stumbled, he could hear Leanne, Oshawott, June, and even Burgh laughing, and couldn't help but join in.

 

[TPrower]

CHAPTER 26
A Desert Trek: A Burglar Bagged​

"That sounds like quite a battle, Jim! You're really coming along fine in your travels!"

As Jim was waiting for his Pokemon to heal up, he had decided to give Professor Juniper a call. He was amused to see Rok sitting on a perch in the corner, like an oversized parakeet, eating from a bowl held in his claws. Jolt was in the other corner, galloping on a treadmill.

"I couldn't have done it if Echo hadn't evolved," Jim admitted. "So, where should I head next?"

"Well, if you're still planning to go the straight route for the League, your next stop would be Nimbasa City."

Jim felt a thrill of joy flit through his body.

"Nimbasa City! That's where I've wanted to see the most!"

His mind drifted slightly, as he fondly thought of the excitement he would experience in Nimbasa City, which would only be magnified by having Leanne with him.

"You'd better be careful, though," she warned. "To get there, you have to go through Route 4, which is a desert."

Jim's face fell.

"A…desert?"

"Now don't worry. There's a river that runs through it. And besides, if you have a Water type, cooling off should be relatively easy. They don't suffer dehydration as easily as humans or other Pokemon."

"Well, that should work out fine. I've got Torrent, and Leanne's got Oshawott."

"That's the spirit! Just be careful, and stick to the road. The desert is a prime locale for some pretty desperate characters and Pokemon…"

Jim was about to ask for elaboration, when the chime that signaled that his Pokemon were all healed up rang out.

"Whoops, gotta go!"

"Good luck, Jim!"

The call ended, and Jim went to retrieve Missy, Torch, and Echo's Poke Balls. Leanne was sitting with June and Oshawott, the latter of whom was reading off a bit of prose he had written up, entitled:

"The Ballad of Stevens"

Sing hey of the virtuous Stevens

A lad of morality and strength

With the patience of kings and the learned

His efforts span to indefinite length

Companion of Pokemon and humans alike

A Trainer of wisdom and charisma

The tamer of the Snivy, the friend of the Swoobat

And the terror and bane of Team Plasma

Jim caught all of this as he was coming back, and it made him blush.

"Aw, stop, Oshawott, that's embarrassing," he said.

"I meant every word of it, Jim," he said.

Jim smiled and petted his head.

"So, where to?" Leanne asked.

"The big one: Nimbasa City!"

Leanne's eyes lit up with excitement.

"Yes! I've always wanted to see Nimbasa! The amusement park! The Musical Hall! The sports stadiums! It's gonna be awesome!"

"There's a catch, though. Professor Juniper says we have to cross Route 4: the desert route."

"Oh, right."

Leanne's enthusiasm seemed subdued, but only momentarily.

"We've got nothing to worry about! You have Torrent, and I've got Oshawott!"

"To be sure," quipped Oshawott, "the harsh desert heat shall do nothing to deter my prowess at quenching the dry throats of my dear friends."

"It's decided, then!" Jim said. "We'll set out tomorrow! So, in the meantime, we should get a better look around Castelia."

This idea was greeted with much enthusiasm, and so, with everyone ready, they left the Pokemon Center.

***​

So, indeed, they spent the rest of the day walking around Castelia City, taking in the sights of the breathtaking skyscrapers, the businesspersons coming and going, and the street performers. These seemed to be quite prominent in Castelia: clowns, mimes, one-man-bands, break dancers, all performing more for entertainment of the public rather than monetary gain. Passing by town square, they could still see the Cirque de Pokeé tent, and they could hear the ringmaster speaking excitedly into a telephone. Jim could catch snatches of what he was saying, and was filled with relief. It seemed he had finished a successful transfer transaction for some new performing Pokemon: a pair of Electric mice Pokemon that seemed to exist to complement and aid each other, and a Psychic type that could dance like a ballerina, all three from the far-off region of Hoenn. He still wished he hadn't had to deprive the circus of its acts, but he was confident that they would be all right…

***​

The next day, Jim and Leanne prepared to take on the full intenseness of the desert. Jim had taken off his jacket, and had reverted to a light T-Shirt and a pair of cargo shorts. Leanne was dressed similarly, attired in a tank top and shorts. Slung at their waists were water bottles, filled with the icy cold water provided by Oshawott and Torrent's Water Gun attacks. Both had also donned sunglasses and had covered their skin, wherever it was bare, with a generous application of sunscreen.

So, set for the desert, they exited the Pokemon Center, walked to the northern end of Castelia City, and upon leaving the gate at that end, they found themselves in a sprawling grassland that ended in a rise. Down below, like a tan blanket, they could see the vast stretch of sand that was Route 4. Small flecks of green and blue dotted it here and there, especially along a long, curved river that snaked its way along the otherwise unending strip of sand, just like the asphalt road that cut its way through it. Far in the distance, to the east, was what looked like a massive crater, and there seemed to be something within it, like a building whose foundations had sunken. There was, as of yet, no sign of the other side.

"It may take a few days to cross," Jim said, grimly, "but we should be fine as long as we keep to the north. For now, let's stick to the asphalt as far as it goes. "

"Right," Leanne agreed. "Well…here we go."

With that, the two stepped down the grassy rise, and as they did so, the grass already began to brown, shrivel, and vanish as they got closer to the sand. Also, it began to grow warmer, until the sweat was already starting on their arms and legs, despite still wearing their long-billed caps. By the time they reached the bottom, they had set foot in sand, and were now looking out over the wide desert, which seemed much bigger now that they were no longer at a bird's eye view. The asphalt road was a few feet to their right. With a resolute sigh, Jim stepped that way, Leanne following.

***​

Instantly, they found themselves subjected to a, while not scorching, steadily warm heat as they walked along. Even through his shoes, Jim could feel the warmth of the asphalt, and prayed that he wouldn't trip, lest he burn his front on its surface. As they trekked along, they sometimes passed a few other wanderers: construction workers putting the finishing touches on the road (as it had been newly put there), men and women moving slowly and steadily with their backs encumbered with hulking backpacks, and once, a big bearded man dressed like a mountain climber. Jim wondered if they would have been willing to battle, but it seemed the desert heat and the need to get out of it drove all else out of their minds, something Jim was grateful for, as he didn't know if he would have the strength or concentration to battle in such heat.

It was especially bad around noontime. The sun was directly overhead, and beat down without mercy. They were at their water bottles frequently, and if it weren't for these, they'd have given up hope long ago. They frequently ran out, and thus had to send out Oshawott and Torrent to replenish their supplies. They were the only Pokemon they would allow outside in this heat, with the exception of June. Jim had fervently insisted that she stay inside her Poke Ball as they went, but to be cooped up in it for three whole days didn't suit her, and so she made herself comfortable on Jim's head, underneath his hat, like a lizard under a rock. Smiling a little at her stubbornness, Jim allowed her to stay there.

The nights passed without remark, but it was when they saw Pokemon more often. Jim could see the goggle-like eyes and crocodilian snout of a Sandile glide along through the sand like a fish in water, a Scraggy slumbering on or head butting stones, and a new Pokemon that behaved very oddly. They were small and dumpy, ovular in shape, with red fur, saucer eyes, a perpetually toothy grin, and curly yellow eyebrows. Two or three of them would either bounce around energetically in a group, or they would fall still and asleep, tucking their tiny limbs into their bodies. Jim took out his Pokedex to check.

"Darumaka, the Zen Charm Pokemon. When its internal fire is burning, Darumaka cannot settle down and run everywhere. When this fire dies down, it goes to sleep and becomes immovable."

(Only Pokemon like these could stand to be happy in this desert…)

Still, he couldn't complain when it was night. It had cooled considerably, and they were able to get a good night's sleep beside the road barrier. Luckily, the road was still being built, so there was no danger of cars.

***​

Unfortunately, by noon the next day, they were hit by a sudden jolt of disappointment: the road ended. Barricades had been put up, and two construction workers were leaning against them, mopping their brows.

"Afternoon, kids," said one, genialy.

"How far is it to Nimbasa City?" Leanne asked, hopefully.

The other worker whistled.

"About a day and a half, if you keep at it."

Both Jim and Leanne looked crushed.

"Sorry, kids. We're trying to get this road finished as soon as we can."

"We understand," said Jim. "We'll have to risk it."

"Just be careful," said one of the workers. "There've been reports of someone or something waylaying travelers and robbing them."

"R-Robbing them?" asked Jim, startled in spite of himself.

"Just keep an eye out," the worker said. "It might just be a wild Pokemon looking for food."

"We can only hope so…" said Leanne, unnerved.

With that, they took their leave of the two workers, stepping off the unfinished asphalt and into the sand. The heat emanating through Jim's shoes redoubled, so much so that it was all he could do to keep moving.

"Should we head for the river?" he asked.

"Yes, please!" said Leanne, emphatically.

So they turned to the northwest, to stay along the bank of the river, where the sand was cooler. From time to time, Jim and Leanne would send Torrent and Oshawott into the water and let them swim, something they seemed to really appreciate. During one swim, both came to the Trainers, looking excited.

"Jim! Leanne! We've found shelter!' said Oshawott.

"Shelter?" asked Jim, elated.

"There's an oasis just down that bend," said Torrent, pointing down the river, "with a big bunch of palm trees shading some grass."

"Great! You hear that, Leanne? An oasis!"

"Awesome! Way to go, boys!"

So, with renewed vigor, they made their way down the river, until at last, they reached the aforementioned oasis: a clump of palm trees shading a wide, grassy patch alongside the riverbank. Very gladly, they sat themselves down beneath the trees and took a well-deserved nap in the cool shade, enjoying the feel of the grass beneath them. A short stop like this shouldn't prove too costly on time, as Jim reasoned, and besides, they'd earned a break after so much trekking…

***​

When Jim reawakened, it was with a sudden jolt. There was a violent scuffle going on close by. Leanne had let out a scream. Focusing his sleepy eyes, Jim could now see what was going on. June, her eyes blazing with resilience and anger, had her vines wrapped around the snout of a Pokemon resembling a crocodile. It looked a lot like Sandile, as it had the same coloring, stripes, and pattern around its eyes, but was much larger and taller, and stood on two legs instead of four. It was fighting violently to break away, keeping a rucksack it had slung over its shoulder closed with one clawed hand. Perplexed, Jim took out his Pokedex.

"Krokorok, the Desert Croc Pokemon, and the evolved form of Sandile. The special membrane covering its eyes allows it to detect heat, and thereby see in the dark. They live in deserts, in groups of only a few individuals."

Jim looked from it to the rucksack it was carrying, and realization dawned on him.

"You!" he said, directly to the Krokorok, who turned his eyes to Jim, "You're the desert bandit, aren't you?"

With a violent lunge, the Krokorok had ripped its snout out of June's grip, only to have her vines bind his arms to his sides.

"Yeah, so what?!" he snapped, in a voice reminiscent of a streetwise thug. "A Pokemon's gotta make a living, and this is how I make mine! Get yer Snivy off me!"

"Did you steal anything?" Jim asked, in a hard tone.

"I was gonna," he growled, "but that Snivy of yours meddled. Now let go of me!"

"I can't," said Jim, "not if you're just going to go back to being a thief."

"Then let's rumble, smart guy!"

Krokorok, with a huge effort, released himself from June's grip, and just when she was going to grab him again, his jaws snapped down on her vines. She let out a cry of pain and retracted her vines. Krokorok laughed in harsh amusement. Jim growled.

"So you want to do this the hard way? We'll do it the hard way…"

Krokorok grinned nastily, obviously enjoying the prospect of a fight. Leanne stepped back, looking tensely at the approaching confrontation. Jim turned to his partner.

"June, can you still fight?"

"I'll be all right," she answered, glaring daggers at Krokorok. "Leave him to me."

"Then give him a taste of your Energy Ball!"

June cupped her paws to her side, forming a glowing green-blue ball of light, and then tossed it straight for Krokorok. However, with the agility of a fish, he back-flipped, dodging the Energy Ball and diving headfirst into the sand as if it were water, vanishing into it. Jim and June cautiously looked this way and that. Since they were standing on grass, Jim doubted that Krokorok would be able to spring on them easily through it. Little did they notice the shape circling around them, sinisterly, like a shark.

Suddenly, with a growl, Krokorok lunged at them from behind, fangs glowing white. June, however, hadn't been caught off guard so easily. Spying Krokorok with the tail of her eye, the leaf on her tail suddenly blazed with green-yellow light, and she somersaulted, dodging his snapping jaws and smacking him on the head with her Leaf Blade, right between the eyes.

"Atta girl, June!" Jim crowed.

But Krokorok hadn't given up yet. He smacked June away from him, then, with a growl of concentrated effort, raised his arm up, fist closed. There was a shudder in the ground, and from out of nowhere, a ring of jagged stones surrounded his body, orbiting like the rings of a planet.

"Jim, look out!" Leanne shrieked. "He knows Stone Edge!"

Krokorok threw his arm forward, and the stones rained against June, buffeting and scratching her.

"JUNE!" Jim cried.

This Krokorok really meant business…and he wasn't done yet. With a malicious sneer, he began to summon up another Stone Edge, ready to strike again.

"June, when he fires, counter with Leaf Tornado. Don't hold anything back!"

June nodded, her body covered with little scratches, though none of them looked serious.

"Say good night, ya goody-goods!" Krokorok shouted, throwing the stones forward with a lunge of the arm.

June, however, acted instantaneously. She jumped up and began spinning like a top, and as she did so, a swirling tornado of leaves surrounded her. Krokorok's jaw dropped in surprise. With a swish of her tail, June threw the Leaf Tornado, and the Stone Edge was sucked into it as it barreled for Krokorok. He tried to get away, but was swept into it himself, battered by both the leaves and stones. When it dissipated, he was sprawled on the grass, out cold. Leanne cheered.

"Way to go!" she cried.

But Jim didn't look thrilled by his victory. Instead, he had a resolute expression on his face, as if he had come to a tough decision. Without a word, he reached into his pocket and pulled out an empty Poke Ball. June's eyes widened.

"Jim! What are you doing?!"

He didn't answer. He threw the Ball, it struck Krokorok, opened, and drew him inside with a flash of red light. The Ball settled onto the grass, twitching and blinking. Nobody took their eyes from it. Jim's expression was unreadable, but both June and Leanne seemed to be hoping that the effort would fail. Then, with a click, the Ball stopped and stood still.

With no change in his demeanor, Jim walked over, picked up the Ball, and opened it. There was Krokorok, still looking weary, but with a look of hatred on his face.

"How dare you…" he snarled.

"It was our only option," said Jim, stonily. "You're a danger to us as long as we're in the desert, and we want to get out of here as soon as possible as well. But I'm willing to cut you a deal."

Everyone else, even Krokorok, seemed caught off guard.

"Jim! Why are you siding with him?!" Leanne asked, aghast.

Krokorok, however, was much more shrewd about this idea.

"What kind of deal…?" he asked.

"You know how to get around Route 4?"

"Know it like the back of my claw," he answered, smugly.

"Then lead us to the end of the route, where we'll get to Nimbasa City."

Krokorok's eyes widened in shock.

"Nimbasa?! You can't be serious! There's cops there! 'Sides, I'm a wanted Pokemon here! I've got a bounty on my head as big as your girlfriend's gut!"

Leanne colored, being addressed this way.

"Insulting my friends isn't going to help your case," Jim said, coldly.

Krokorok's eyes narrowed. He had the look of a hunted animal that knew it had no chance of escape.

"If I do lead you to Nimbasa, what's in it for me?"

"If you do as I've asked, and no trickery's involved…then I'll set you free."

June and Leanne looked at each other, with a mixture of wonder and relief. Krokorok himself seemed to relax.

"Do we have a deal?"

Jim held out his hand. Krokorok looked at warily, his eyes flitting from it to Jim's face. Then, finally, he held out his claw, gripping Jim's hand, perhaps rougher than necessary.

"Deal," he said.

"Good. Now, remember, I don't just have June. Both Leanne and I have Water-types. At the slightest hint of desertion or treachery, there won't be any mercy for you."

"I gave my word, didn't I?" Krokorok asked, pensively. "I may be a thief, but I've got my honor. Now I need a chance to rest before we head out. I won't name names, but somebody gave me a real thrashing."

With that, he sprawled himself out on the grass, arms behind his head, and dozed off in the shade of a tree, with the two humans and the Snivy watching closely.

 

[TPrower]

CHAPTER 27
A Desert Trek: Sand and Sage
​

After getting the snatch of rest he needed, Krokorok tersely told the two humans to follow him.

"It'll take us until the next day to get to Nimbasa," he said, "so you've gotta keep up with me. If you dawdle, chances are the desert Pokemon will pick you out for their next meal…"

"We're not defenseless," Leanne protested, trying to hide the fact that this statement disconcerted her, once Jim had translated it for her.

"Won't make much of a difference," said Krokorok, with a shrug.

Leanne gulped, but Jim gave her a reassuring look, and they set off, June back in place under Jim's hat.

Since they weren't being spied on, and since there wasn't really any cover, there was no need for them to skulk and sneak across the sand. Instead, they went at a deliberate pace, Krokorok in the lead, followed by Jim, then Leanne, who brought up the rear. At first, nobody said a word as they went. From time to time, however, Jim could feel June lift the bill of his cap to peer out at the Desert Croc with a very untrusting look. On the contrary, Krokorok didn't look back at them. He kept his gaze forward and didn't say anything to them. The only other thing he did, during most of their walk, was flinch when he heard the sound of Jim opening his Poke Ball to let Torrent out, but this was just to refill his water bottle, so Krokorok kept on, with a look on his face as if he were angry at himself for being easily startled.

As time went on, Jim quickened his pace to walk beside Krokorok. They'd throw each other quick glances from time to time, and once, their eyes actually met, though they quickly averted again. At last, Jim spoke up.

"How did it start?" he asked.

Krokorok acted at first like he hadn't heard, but then he seemed to resign himself to talking to Jim and replied,

"How did what start?"

"Your career as a thief."

Krokorok shot him another sharp glance.

"What's it to you?"

"I just thought it'd help me understand you better, Krokorok."

"Croco."

"Huh?"

"Call me Croco. It's easier."

"Oh. All right, then. So, Croco, how did it start?"

"Usual," he grunted.

"Usual? Bad home? Bad parents?"

"All of the above, junior," said Croco. "Y'know how it goes: rough living in the desert, gotta scrape a living when ya can."

"So, all you've done is rob? You've never-"

"No!" Croco said, sharply. "I told you, I've got my honor, even if I've gotta steal. I ain't so low as that."

"Well, that's some comfort."

"Hmph. You would think that."

"It's just…it's not natural for Krokorok to know Stone Edge-"

"It's for protection. I ain't the only bandit in this desert. I'd be lucky if I were. You gotta have a lot of resources to survive even a day out here."

Jim looked at him, even if Croco didn't look at him. There was something akin to pity and sympathy on his face, but what he was thinking, he didn't say aloud. In any case, the sun was beginning to sink below the dunes, so the heat was relaxing at last.

"How much further for today?"

"Until the sunlight's completely gone," he answered. "I can see in the dark, and I don't doubt you've got Pokemon to do the same, but we shouldn't chance it. The night's when the more desperate Pokemon are active."

Jim looked at Leanne, who didn't know what Croco was saying, but knew it wasn't anything comforting.

"So, you and her, huh?" Croco went on.

Jim colored as red as Torch's fur.

"And just what's that supposed to mean?!" he asked, irritated.

Croco smirked.

"Come on, kid, don't try to hide it from me. I've seen the way you're looking out for her. She's something special to ya."

"She's my friend," Jim muttered, "And that's all you need to know."

Croco chuckled.

"Don't worry about it, Stretch, you don't gotta say anymore about it."

Jim felt indignant at being ridiculed, and didn't especially like being called 'Stretch', but Croco didn't pursue the matter any further, so he couldn't exactly fire back. Then, after another length of silence, Croco spoke up again, but in a rather changed tone.

"Why'd you catch me?"

"Huh?"

"Why'd you capture me? You could have just left me out there, all vulnerable-like."

"Because I didn't think you were all that bad."

This time, Croco really did look at him, in surprise.

"No Pokemon's that evil, and for a while, I hoped that no human was. My father always told me everyone's got some good in them. and also that Pokemon are only bad because their Trainers are."

Croco just stared at him, jaw slightly open, but he seemed to catch himself.

"Yeah, well." he stumbled, "I didn't need the help…but thanks, anyway."

Then, as if reminded of something, he leaned in dangerously to Jim's face, glaring into his eyes.

"But don't start getting any ideas. This is just until we get to Nimbasa…"

"Don't worry, I remember," said Jim, calmly.

Croco snorted and turned away, refocusing his attention on their path. All the same, Jim felt satisfied by this display of gratitude, even if it was grudgingly given.

***​

The sun was merely a sliver on the horizon, and Croco was looking about for a place for them to rest. Leanne was lagging behind, and Jim had stepped back to support her, his arm around her shoulders.

Suddenly, Croco stiffened, and raised a hand up to stop them.

"What is it?" Jim asked.

"There's someone there," he whispered. "Over by the Relic Castle."

His eyes seemed to be focusing sharply on something off in the distance.

"Relic Castle?"

"It's an old ruined city in a crater."

"Must be the one we saw way off when we overlooked the Route."

"Right. It's a prime place for robbers to hide out, but these guys don't look like crooks."

"What do you mean 'these guys'? There's more than one?"

"There's two of them. A couple of geezers in robes."

"Geezers in robes?"

A description like that did seem rather outlandish, but upon further consideration, Jim was filled with a sense of horrified realization. This wasn't the first time he had encountered a ‘geezer in a robe’. He had encountered Sage Gorm in Nacrene City. Could these two that Croco was seeing also be a pair of Team Plasma sages? If so, what could they be up to?…

"What's wrong, kid?"

"Let's take a look."

"What? You crazy??"

"I think I may know who these people are, Croco. They're not bandits, but they are guilty of thievery and kidnapping. I want to see what they're up to…"

Leanne seemed to comprehend what was going on.

"Jim! You don't think-"

"I can't tell for sure, yet, but we've gotta check it out. Lead the way, Croco."

Croco hesitated at first, then nodded and led them silently along the sand to an enormous boulder sitting in the sand. They came up behind it, then peered around its edge.

Sure enough, two men, both dressed in long robes, were standing at the edge of an enormous pit, so large that neither of them could see the other edge from where they stood. Both were carrying lanterns, and while one seemed to be looking into the pit, the other was examining one of several objects that seemed to be statues, standing at the edge of the pit. They appeared to be simians made of blue stone, with curled eyebrows, wide blank eyes, and a grim expression on their faces. Jim figured they were a sort of tribal statue, but carved and crafted with unbelievable skill. They looked…lifelike.

"Bronius, will you stop dawdling?" said the one at the pit, in a sharp whisper. "You must come and see this!"

"I'm not dawdling, Rood," said the other, pettishly, "I'm examining these statues. They're incredibly intricate. They look as if they could come to life."

"And they can," said Rood. "Those are no mere statues, Bronius, but Darmanitan."

"Darmanitan? Don't be absurd. They look nothing like them!"

"That is because these are rare Darmanitan," said Rood. "These are Zen Darmanitan."

"Zen Darmanitan?"

"When they grow weary, they revert to this statue-like state, and use their minds rather than their brute strength to protect themselves, until they are revitalized. They are what prevents intruders from accessing the Ruins beyond the pit border."

"So, if one were to feed it, or give it a Potion-"

"Then it would regain its strength and be a regular Darmanitan again!" snapped Rood. "Honestly, Bronius, I wonder about you sometimes…"

"Don't treat me like a child. I've simply never seen anything so peculiar."

"Well, if peculiarity is what you wish to see, then stop wasting time with those statues and come over here."

Bronius stepped away from the statues and joined Rood.

"Ah…so this is where-"

"Yes, indeed, and it's where we shall recover our destiny, the destiny of our king…"

"Then, do we wish to-?"

"No. It's old enough as it is. The force of moving it would destroy what remains. When the time comes, we will make our declaration from the safety of our lord's castle…"

"And just what declaration is that, Team Plasma?" came Jim's contemptuous voice.

The two men whirled around, greatly surprised. Jim had stepped out from his hiding place, followed tentatively by Leanne, and then by Croco. In the glare of the lanterns, they could see that both men were as old as Gorm, with large white moustaches and lined faces.

"Does destiny mock us?!" shouted Rood. "The Stevens boy himself!"

"Always in our path to progress!" muttered Bronius.

"What does Team Plasma want with the Relic Castle? I don't doubt you have your own fortress."

"Our business is our own, boy," said Bronius. "But if you have been listening to what we've been saying, we simply cannot allow you to walk away with such knowledge."

"Come on, then!" said Jim, and he lifted his cap, allowing June to jump down in front of him and stand, battle-ready. "We're ready for you!"

Leanne let Oshawott out of his Poke Ball, and he stood beside June, scalchop in his paw. Rood, however, had a nasty smile on his mustached face.

"Tell me, Stevens, you've heard all we were talking about?"

"You know we have."

"Then you will have heard my little lecture to Bronius about these interesting 'statues'."

He placed a hand on the head of the nearest stone. Jim felt an uneasy feeling in his stomach.

"Yes?" he said, slowly.

"Zen Darmanitan, one of the more interesting Pokemon of Unova. Once its health is low, it reverts to this immobile state to conserve what energy is has left, thereby allowing it to use latent psychic powers. However, once its lost health is regained, it regains its mobility and strength…and its ferocity…"

He reached into the folds of his robes, and pulled out what looked like a spray bottle.

"Hyper Potion: stronger than your average topical rejuvenation."

He knelt down by the statuesque Darmanitan, the spray end of the Hyper Potion aimed at it. Suddenly, Jim understood.

"You wouldn't!" he shouted.

"Oh, wouldn't I?"

He sprayed the Darmanitan several times on its side, and the water-like liquid seemed to glisten as it dried into its body. And then, all of a sudden, the statue's eyes began to glow an ominous blue, and its eyebrows began to glimmer with a flaming light. Its body shivered, then wobbled, and then, its entire body was engulfed in a blaze of flames, forcing the two Sages to step back. Jim and Leanne shielded their eyes from the pyrotechnic display, and when it finally died down, they lowered their arms and could only stare aghast at what stood before them.

The Darmanitan was now mobile, standing on tiny legs and supporting its upper body with its enormous arms, knuckles in the sand, snorting steam from its nostrils. Its fur was now a deep red with an orange mask-like coloring over its eyes, its eyebrows ablaze like real flames, its round eyes now focused, and its mouth set into a toothy grin. Jim took out his Pokedex.

"Darmanitan, the Blazing Pokemon, and the evolved form of Darumaka. The fire within it burns at a temperature of up to 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit, giving it the power to demolish a dump truck in one punch. When it grows weak, it turns into a stone statue, sharpening its mind to fight on mentally."

"Darmanitan," said Rood, "these are your foes! Desecrators of the Relic Castle! Eliminate them!"

Darmanitan let out a battle roar, beating its chest with its hefty fists, flames erupting from between its pointed teeth.

"June, this isn't your fight," said Jim, cautiously. "Stay back."

June nodded and reclaimed her position under Jim's hat. He drew a Poke Ball from his belt.

"Torrent, go!"

He threw it up, and out came the Simipour, who stood side-by-side with Oshawott, staring down Darmanitan. Without waiting for a command, it lunged at them.

"Torrent, use Water Gun!"

"Oshawott, you too!"

Both Water-types spat streams of ice-cold water at Darmanitan, which struck it full force, but didn't seem to slow it down. Everyone scattered as Darmanitan barreled past them, then skidded and turned. Oshawott and Torrent crouched, ready, and Darmanitan pawed the sand like a bull.

Suddenly, without warning, Torrent rushed forward, charging at Darmanitan.

"Torrent! What are you doing?!" Jim yelled.

Torrent didn't seem to hear, however. His forearm had begun to glow with a white light. At the same time, Oshawott seemed to stiffen and tense, and all at once, a shield of water surrounded his body, and he went shooting straight for Darmanitan like a missile. Leanne's jaw fell open, and June gaped as well.

"That's…Aqua Jet!" Leanne gasped.

However, as Torrent struck forward with his glowing arm, he flinched, and the glow faded, allowing Darmanitan to punch him roughly in the stomach, making him crumple over. Similarly, as Oshawott came barreling toward the brutish Blazing Pokemon, it simply held out one fist at arm's length, and Oshawott collided with it, his head smacking against its knuckles. His eyes spiraled dizzily as he collapsed onto the sand in front of it. Torrent lay sprawled, feebly trying to get back up.

"Torrent!!"

"Oshawott!!"

"Game over, children," said Rood, darkly. "Darmanitan, finish them off!"

Darmanitan grinned malevolently, and its entire body seemed to glow with an intense fire.

"Yes, perfect! Incinerate them!"

Jim and Leanne fumbled for their Poke Balls, trying as quick as they could to try and recall their fallen Pokemon.

However, just as Darmanitan was about to send the blaze from its body at them, a volley of stones struck it full-on in the face, knocking it over and extinguishing its flames. Everyone gaped and turned. There stood Croco, his arm jutted out, and a fierce look on his face.

"Hey, ugly!" he snarled. "You want a fight? You got one! With me!"

"Croco! What are you doing?!"

"I said I'd get ya to Nimbasa, and I ain't going back on my word! Now stand aside, guys. He's mine!"

With a roar, the Darmanitan got back to its feet, its mouth ablaze with a brewing flame, glaring daggers at Croco.

"Come on, tough guy! I'm ready for ya!"

Darmanitan launched the fire from its mouth in a massive Flamethrower. Croco, however, somersaulted backwards and dove into the sand, vanishing beneath it. Darmanitan stood stock still, its eyes roving, trying to catch where Croco would spring from. Suddenly, there was a whistle right at the right side of its feet. Looking down, it saw Croco's head sticking out of the sand. Upon being seen, he stuck out his tongue and blew a raspberry at it. Furious, Darmanitan tried to pound him into the sand with its fist, but Croco ducked away again before it could hit. Now Croco appeared on Darmanitan's other side, and as before, he vanished before Darmanitan could get in a hit on him.

This went on for quite some time: Croco would peer out of one hole and mock Darmanitan, only to duck away and appear in the next one. Sometimes he faked him out by appearing in the same hole he had dove away from, knowing Darmanitan would think it had his pattern down. During the interruption, Jim and Leanne, who were quite amazed at Croco's cunning and gall, had the opportunity to rush to Torrent and Oshawott and drag them back to safety.

By now, Darmanitan was annoyed out of its wits; its eyebrows were blazing even fiercer than before. When it raised its fist again, this time, Croco leaped out of the sand like a shark and latched his fangs into the Blazing Pokemon's arm. The huge Fire-type gave a howl of pain and swung its arm around, trying to get him off, and indeed, it did seem as if Croco lost his hold very briefly, but that was just so he could bite down even harder!

"Darmanitan! You're letting that Krokorok make a fool of you!" roared Bronius. "Finish it off!"

Darmanitan seemed to comprehend this, and cocked its fist back, which then began to glow with fire. With one powerful swing, it socked Krokorok a harsh, flaming blow to the snout, knocking him off its arm and sending him tumbling.

"Croco!" Jim yelled. "You all right?!"

With an effort, Croco slowly and shakily got back to his feet. He was smiling.

"Better than ok, Jimmy," he said. "It's Payback time!"

He wheeled around to face Darmanitan, crouched, and clenched his fists, his teeth set and eyes narrowed. A purplish glow seemed to surround him, especially in the form of a shimmering orb in his stomach area. Perplexed, Jim took out his Pokedex.

"Payback: a Dark-type attack that deals double damage if used after the opponent has hit first."

Suddenly, Croco lunged forward, still glowing purple, and leaving a trail of afterimages behind him. He struck Darmanitan repeatedly with his fists, with more force than he had shown before. At last, the energy dissipated, and Croco leaped back to face his foe. Darmanitan was very battered and worn out, both from battle and from the fatigue in trying to hit Croco in his Whack-a-Mole-style gambit. Its eyebrows were beginning to shrink, and a bluish glow was surrounding it. At last, there was a blinding blaze of light, and when it vanished, Darmanitan had reverted to its statue-like state, immobile and stoic.

Bronius and Rood's jaws had dropped, unable to fathom their failure.

"This…this cannot be!" Bronius finally said. "You told me Darmanitan were an unstoppable force!"

"It is fate laughing in our faces! This Stevens boy is a curse upon our clan!"

Croco had taken his place next to Jim, and seemed to be waiting for a command to attack the two Sages. Jim, however, shook his head.

"Why not? They tried to kill you!"

"That may be so, but I'm not going to bloody my hands just because they tried to do the same. Isn't that what you told me?"

Croco looked at him, stunned by this comprehension of his morals. Jim directed his attention to the Sages.

"Take a message to Ghetsis: I'll always be one step ahead of you, Team Plasma, and these underhanded tactics of yours are nothing but an annoyance to me. Tell him that; you owe it to me for this victory."

Both Bronius and Rood glared at Jim.

"We will indeed deliver your message, young Stevens, but note that we shall never surrender in our endeavors. Be aware of that."

"I will."

Rood clicked a Poke Ball from somewhere within his robes.

"Sandstorm!" he commanded.

What the Pokemon was that came out, none of them saw, but a swirling whirlwind of sand surrounded the two Sages. When it disappeared, both of them had vanished, leaving only the Zen Darmanitan.

"You shouldn't have let them get away," Croco said.

"What could I do? Tie them up and leave them in the desert?"

"...Good point."

At this moment, both of the Water types finally roused themselves.

"Guys! You're ok!" Leanne said, scooping Oshawott into her arms.

Jim helped Torrent to his feet.

"Ugh…where's that Darmanitan?" asked Torrent, one paw clasped to his aching head.

"Right over there," said Jim, matter-of-factly.

Both whirled around, just to see the stone statue that was the Darmanitan that had knocked them out.

"But…how…who…?" asked Oshawott, surprised.

"You've got Croco to thank for that."

Jim nudged the Krokorok forward, who looked a little uneasy from this attention.

"After you both got knocked out, he rescued you."

The two looked at the desert bandit with perplexed admiration.

"My goodness," said Oshawott. "It seems we've grossly misjudged you."

"Yeah, man, we owe our lives to you!"

"Ah, stop…" muttered Croco. "I ain't good with these mushy moments. Besides, now we're even."

"I still wish we'd lasted longer against that thing," said Torrent, gloomily. "Guess I still need to practice."

"What was that move you were trying to pull off?"

"Brick Break."

"Really? You know Brick Break?"

"Trying to. I've seen the circus's strongmen, Throh and Sawk, use it to smash cinderblocks in midair, not missing a single one."

"Wow! That's unbelievable!"

"I know I've already got the advantage on Rock types, but I've been trying to add a little variety."

"And I think Brick Break would be an awesome move! We’ll help you learn it. Echo taught himself Shadow Ball, after all."

"Sounds awesome, Jim-bro!"

The two high-fived each other, and then Jim turned to Oshawott.

"And how about you? That Aqua Jet was really something!"

"Yeah! I had no idea you knew it yet, Oshawott!" said Leanne, proudly.

"Well, to be truthful," said Oshawott, "it was my first time performing it. and it didn't end so well, as you saw…"

"Don't worry about it," said June, consolingly, "it was a trial run. You're only going to get much better as time goes on." S

he placed a comforting paw on Oshawott's, and he couldn't help but smile.

"Get yourself a good rest now, Torrent. With luck, we'll be in Nimbasa City tomorrow," said Jim.

Torrent nodded, and was recalled into his Poke Ball.

"So, Croco?"

"We'll camp here. It's not like we're in any danger now," he said.

As they unpacked their sleeping bags and laid them across the sand, Jim glanced over at Croco. He was standing all by himself, staring up at the moon with folded arms. He seemed to be very deep in thought. Jim couldn't help but gaze at him. This roughened Krokorok, this born thief…had rescued them, without any command to do so. He had done it on his own accord…As if on command, the words of Burgh floated into Jim's mind.

"To tame a Pokemon that's not only wild by condition, but wild by nature, that is the truest victory a Trainer can accomplish…"

Now he could see what Burgh had meant. With that thought still lingering, he slipped into his sleeping bag and closed his eyes. He felt June climb on top to curl up and fall asleep on his stomach and heard Leanne give him a sleepy "good night", but he also heard and felt something else. Someone or something had settled down beside his sleeping bag, and was already snoozing peacefully. He opened his eyes again and looked to his side. There, curled up, like a sleeping dog, was Croco, sleeping as if he hadn't a care in the world. Jim smiled, turned back over, and drifted off to sleep.

***​

The going was much easier that next day, as they were so close to the end of the desert, and everyone was in much better spirits. Croco led them briskly across the sand, no one really having much chance to talk.

At last, by noon, they found themselves at a stretch of sand that ended into a grassy plain, and beyond that was the outskirts of a massive, brightly-lit city. Even from back there, they could see a sports stadium, a theater, and most prominent of all, a Ferris Wheel. June came down from her perch on Jim's head to join Oshawott in looking at the sight together.

"There it is," said Croco, pointing toward it proudly. "Nimbasa City, home of the Amusement Park, Musical Theater, and Subway Station."

Jim and Leanne looked toward it with faces of wide-eyed excitement.

"We've made it…we're finally almost to Nimbasa!" Leanne gasped out, her stomach puffing with her fatigued breathing.

"And almost to my fourth Gym Battle," said Jim. "Croco, we can't thank you enough for guiding us."

"Don't worry about it," he said. "Least I could do."

"Well, then, I guess this is goodbye," Jim said, solemnly.

"Eh? What do you mean?"

"Don't you remember our deal? I'd set you free as soon as we reached Nimbasa. It's what you wanted, isn't it?"

Jim held up Croco's Poke Ball.

"Right, now I remember…" muttered Croco.

Now that it had come down to it, he didn't seem all that enthusiastic about being set free. Leanne, June, and Oshawott looked at Jim, tensely wondering what would happen.

Then, Croco said, somewhat hesitantly,

"You know, I've been thinking…"

"Yes?"

"It ain't so great out here in the desert, I've never left it, because I was worried people would be out for me, but I’d be a free Pokemon if you took me away from dat-"

"Are you saying you want to come with us?" asked Jim, eyebrow raised.

“Well, let’s face it, kid: you’re gonna need my muscle out there. You barely stood up to that Darmanitan before I jumped in.”

June and Oshawott rolled their eyes.

“Besides, I think we make a pretty good team." He added, grinning.

Jim couldn't help but grin in return. He new Croco was just making excuses to hide the fact that he'd grown fond of them, but if that was how he wanted to take it, Jim decided to go along with it.

"Well, gang, if it's all right with you," said Jim, "Croco's gonna stick around for a little while longer."

June was about to protest, but Oshawott put a paw to her arm to stop her.

"He did save us, after all," he said.

June looked from him, to Croco, to Jim. Then, with a sigh, she nodded.

"Great! Well, Croco, welcome to the team!"

Jim held up his hand, which Croco gave an enthusiastic high-five. Leanne couldn't help but smile at their behavior.

"You've put in a lot of work these last couple of days, Croco. I'd say you've earned a rest."

"Thanks, Jimmy," said Croco, with a friendlier smile than they had seen him use before.

Jim recalled the Desert Croc into his Poke Ball, then turned to June, who had climbed onto his shoulder once again.

"Are you sure about this?" she asked.

"I'm sure that I've reached him," Jim said. "He's rough on the outside, but he's got a good heart in him. I'm hoping bringing him along will help flesh that out. Trust me on it."

June still looked doubtful, but eventually said,

"I know you're right."

She then gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze. Jim smiled and stroked her head before turning to Leanne and Oshawott.

"Come on, guys! Last one to Nimbasa buys lunch!"

With that, Jim started into a run, Leanne right behind, both laughing as they raced along the now-grassy path to Nimbasa City.

 

[TPrower]

CHAPTER 28
A Warm Reunion​

It seemed as if it had passed in the space of a second, but in what seemed like no time at all, there they were: standing at the entrance gate to Nimbasa City, one of the commercial giants of Unova, next to Castelia.

As Castelia was the economic and business capital of the region, Nimbasa was its entertainment counterpart. It was home to a massive sports stadium, where both football and baseball games were played annually, and a smaller stadium for tennis and basketball. It also boasted a spectacularly-decorated Musical Hall, which was said to be one of the crowning attractions of all of Unova. Here, supposedly, Pokemon actors would dress up and perform on stage, sometimes with "vocal" assistance from their Trainers. Besides the Musical Hall, there was the enormous section of town devoted solely for the housing of its amusement park, easily a must for any traveler passing through. Its star feature was a gigantic Ferris wheel, from the top of which one could see the entirety of Nimbasa, a sight especially bedazzling at sunset or at night. Last, but not least, was the Subway Station, within which innumerable subway trains zoomed their way through the underground of Unova. There were also stories that, 24/7, the station hosted a sort of contest, the winning of which would earn the lucky Trainer the privilege of battling the heads of the Subway themselves, known more frequently as the Subway Bosses…

"Man, so much to do! What should it be first?" Leanne gushed.

"I don't know. I'm pretty staggered myself," said Jim.

June and Oshawott perched themselves on their Trainers' heads to gaze at the enormous city in wonder.

"Well, it won't matter. We have all the time in the world!"

"You bet!" agreed Leanne.

With that, they strode under the archway into the city itself. Every building seemed to be decorated with some sort of special lightning or neon, which, since it was early afternoon, didn't show up at that time, but would no doubt look spectacular at night. The streets were packed with people coming and going, though it wasn't quite as bad as it was in Castelia City. This was probably due to the Subway line, since it allowed for more convenient travel.

Suddenly, Jim heard a sharp gasp, and a female voice screaming out,

"JIM!! JIM!!!"

Startled, Jim whirled around, and there, rushing towards him with unbelievable speed, was-

“Bianca!!"

Indeed, it was her, and he barely had time to register her sudden appearance before he was tackled and nearly knocked to the ground, and found himself being hugged tighter than he ever had before.

"Jim! It's really you! You have no idea how much I've missed you!" she sobbed, her eyes flowing with tears of joy.

In a twinkling, Jim had embraced her as well, hugging his dear, childhood friend like he'd never done in his life, so happy was he to see her.

"Bianca! This is unbelievable! You here, in Nimbasa?" he said, nearly laughing. "I've missed you so much…"

He took a moment to break away and hold her out at arm's length, to get a good look at her.

"You look in perfect health!"

He was quite impressed at how well she was keeping her appearance, given how messy she usually was. Travel was really suiting her well.

"Thanks," she said, smiling. "And so do you!"

Jim grinned in an embarrassed way. He was still wearing his sand-stained "desert duds", but he knew Bianca too well to know what she meant.

"I still can't believe this! You're in Nimbasa, right when we arrived!"

"Tell me about it!"

At that moment, she suddenly caught sight of June and gasped.

"June!"

Without preamble, she scooped the Snivy off of Jim's shoulder and gave her an affectionate hug.

"It's so good to see you again too!"

The cool-headed Snivy didn't seem the least abashed at this display; on the contrary, she gave Bianca a friendly nuzzle to show she recognized Jim's good friend. She was duly returned to Jim, and that's when Bianca finally noticed Leanne and Oshawott. Jim seemed to snap to attention, and he slapped his forehead.

"Duh! How could I forget? Bianca, this is Leanne. She's been my traveling companion since Accumula Town. Leanne, this is Bianca, one of my closest friends."

"Hello!" said Leanne, brightly, holding out her hand.

Bianca took it in both of hers and gave it a very vigorous shake.

"Great to meet you!" she said. "I was worried about Jim traveling alone, but now I'm glad he's found you to be his traveling buddy!"

Leanne blushed at this remark, though she smiled nonetheless.

"And you have an Oshawott too! That's so great!"

Oshawott gave a charismatic bow.

"How's yours doing, by the way?" Jim asked.

"Oh, he's not Oshawott anymore," said Bianca, in a surprisingly sly way, as she took out a Poke Ball. "Say hello to…Dewott!"

She threw the Ball up, and from it appeared a Pokemon much different than the Oshawott Jim was used to. This one was still an otter, but its fur was completely blue, and its whiskered face bore a serious expression. It had a crest on the back of its head, and what looked like fur resembling a cloth garment around its waist and legs, adorned with a pair of scalchops at the hips. Both Leanne and June looked at it in amazement, but Oshawott was regarding it with what appeared to be disdain, his little arms folded. Jim took out his Pokedex.

"Dewott, the Discipline Pokemon, and the evolved form of Oshawott. Strict training allows it to perfect its double-scalchop technique. Techniques vary between Dewott, and they never neglect maintaining their scalchops."

"That's great that Oshawott evolved!" Jim said, admiring the stoic Dewott.

On the inside, however, he felt a little awkward. Cheren's Tepig was now a Pignite, and now Bianca's Oshawott was a Dewott. He still had June as a Snivy. He wondered what Cheren would say if he had known this…then, suddenly, it struck him that he should inquire about his other friend (if he could even be considered that anymore).

"By the way, Bianca, you haven't seen Cheren anywhere, have you?"

For a fleeting instant, Bianca looked hesitant.

"No," she said, "not since Nacrene City. He must have been in a pretty big hurry to keep going, because I lost sight of him."

(Then maybe I won't have to meet up with him for a while…)

"That's a shame,” he said, aloud. “I was hoping to be able to see him too."

"Yeah, I know. It would have been a whole lot better! The three of us, together again!"

"Yeah..." said Jim, trying to mask his awkwardness at this remark.

It wouldn't do for Bianca to know just yet that he had heard their conversation at the edge of Nacrene City. Immediately, he took to a new course of conversation.

"Do you know where the Pokemon Center is? We want to freshen up. We just came off of Route 4."

"Ohh! So that's why you're all sandy! Yep, I know where it is! Follow me!"

She started off at a brisk pace, Jim and Leanne right behind.

"So, that's the Bianca you were talking about?" Leanne asked.

"Yep. She's been like a little sister to me ever since we were kids."

"I can see why. She's very sweet, if a little hyper."

"I know, but that's just part of her."

"What's the matter, Oshawott?" Leanne asked Oshawott.

He was still looking somewhat sulky.

"I'm not a fan of Dewott," he muttered.

"Why not?" Jim asked.

"They're just too strict for my tastes. I've never liked the idea of evolving in general. I know it's a natural part of Pokemon growth, but I prefer my strength and speed as an Oshawott. To evolve means to abandon what I've held onto for so long in favor of something radically new."

"So you've never gotten the urge to evolve?"

"Never."

"Well, if Dewott are like that, I wonder how Bianca's dealing with it. She's always liked Pokemon she could hug and cuddle."

"Oh, I'm sure there are exceptions to their behavior," consented Oshawott, "but for the most part, I just find them too serious for their own good."

During this conversation, June seemed unusually meditative. This talk of evolution had set her to thinking about herself. Did she prefer to stay a Snivy? Or would Jim appreciate her better if she herself ascended to the next level?

***​

They reached the Pokemon Center in next to no time, and Bianca waited in the lobby while they changed and attended to their businesses, Dewott standing in front of her like a security guard. Within less than an hour, Jim and Leanne were changed, cleansed, and refreshed, and their Pokemon were all healed up. It was if they had never traversed a desert at all. Bianca stood up as they approached.

"Now there's the Jim I remember!" she said, cheerily. "Hey, do you think I can meet your Pokemon?"

"Of course!"

Jim took out his five other Poke Balls and tossed them up. In bursts of light, there appeared Echo, Missy, Torch, Torrent, and Croco, all refreshed and in bright spirits. Bianca goggled at all of them.

"Oh my gosh! A Swoobat! And not just a Simisear, but a Simipour too!"

The three mentioned looked pleased at this approval.

"Aww, an Emolga! She's so cute!"

She lifted Missy into her arms, cuddling her to her cheek.

"I wish I'd found one. And a Krokorok too? Wow, Jim, you've got a really neat team! So balanced!"

"That's what I've been trying to keep, for the most part, anyway," said Jim, pleased that she admired his team.

"How about you, Leanne?" Bianca asked, turning to her.

She had set Missy down, and the roly-poly Emolga had resumed her place, beaming at the attention she had received.

"Me? Well, I only have a few."

Leanne took out her other three Poke Balls, and let out Tranquill, Zorua, and Lilligant.

"Oh, wow! I know lots of Trainers have Tranquill, but a Lilligant! That's so rare!"

Then her eyes fell on Zorua, and Jim could swear he had never seen her eyes widen to such a size as they did then.

"Oh…my…GOSH!! A real, live Zorua! It's so cute!!"

Smirking, Zorua somersaulted, glowing, and Bianca let out a gasp, for Zorua had transformed into her!

"That…how did…that's the coolest thing I've ever seen!!" she gushed.

She walked around Bianca-Zorua, examining her perfect replication. Then, with something of a troubled expression, she placed both hands on her hips.

"Are my hips that big?" she wondered.

Bianca-Zorua chuckled, glowed again, and reverted back to normal Zorua.

"Wow! You guys have such awesome teams!"

"How about your Pokemon?" Jim asked. "I'd love to see what ones you've found."

"Sure thing!"

She took three Poke Balls from her bag, and from them appeared a Herdier, a Munna, and a brand new Pokemon. It was a small, gray rodent, with large round ears and a fluffy tail.

"Aww, how sweet!" said Leanne. "You found a Minccino!"

Interested, Jim took his Pokedex out.

"Minccino, the Chinchilla Pokemon. Minccino love shiny things and dust them with their tails until they're shiny. They prefer clean and tidy habitats, and thus are always sweeping and dusting."

All of a sudden, Jim felt his Pokedex leave his hand. Minccino had leaped up and grabbed it in its mouth, taking it with it.

"Hey! Give that back!"

Minccino, however, had set the Pokedex down, and was brushing its tail vigorously.

"Oh! I'm so sorry! Minccino, we talked about this!"

Minccino didn't seem the least bit abashed at its abrupt behavior. It at last returned the Pokedex to Jim, who was startled to see how clean it was.

"Wow…now that's thorough."

Minccino gave a chipper squeak, proud of its accomplishment.

"Sorry about that. He's so incorrigible," said Bianca, picking Minccino up. "How many times do I have to tell you not to do that?" she scolded, like a mother speaking to a naughty child.

Minccino just blinked up at her adorably with its big eyes, until finally Bianca's frown melted.

"Aw…why can't I stay mad at you?" she teased.

Minccino leaned up and licked her cheek.

"So what were you doing before we showed up?" Jim asked.

"Oh! I was on my way to the Musical Theater!"

"The Musical Theater? Well, I guess we've answered our indecision," said Jim, turning to Leanne, who looked thrilled at the idea.

"Yeah! Let's go! I can't wait to see what they're showing today!"

With that, they all recalled their Pokemon, save for June, Oshawott, and Dewott. Just before they were about to leave, however, there came a loud, collective rumble from the three of them.

"Heh, oops," said Leanne, sheepishly. "Guess we forgot to have lunch."

"Does anyone remember which of us reached the city first?" Jim asked.

His joke was met with a playful punch in the arm from Leanne, and they all laughed.

"Ok, let's grab lunch together," suggested Bianca, "and then it's off to the Musical Theater!"

With unanimous agreement, the three headed for the escalator upstairs which led to the dining area.

 

[TPrower]

CHAPTER 29
Return of a Rival​

The Nimbasa Musical Theater was a large, purple, neon-decorated building at the north of the city. It boldly advertised itself in bright, glowing letters on its roof, even during the daytime. A large billboard beside its entrance showed a Patrat in a top hat and bow tie and a Deerling wearing a flower behind its ear, standing on a stage and appearing to be in the process of signing a duet. Musicals could premiere at any time, providing they had a full cast. There were several shows a day, due to most of them being short, and they never ceased to wow their audiences.

After a hearty lunch, Jim, Leanne, Bianca, and their Pokemon directed their steps toward the theater, joining in the crowd flocking to it already.

"Must be a show starting soon," Jim commented.

"Yeah! I think it's a performance of some love song or something."

"Really? Just one performance?" asked Leanne.

"Pokemon Musicals are pretty short, but the main thing about them is seeing the Pokemon themselves perform!" said Bianca.

"I'll tell you one thing," said Jim, "you'll never catch me on stage."

"Aww, but I bet you'd look great in a stage show!" teased Leanne, making Bianca giggle.

"Girls…" Jim muttered, but in a good-humored way.

They had reached the entrance to the theater. Inside was an ornate, carpeted lobby decorated with portraits and vases of flowers. At one side, a staircase led up to a landing, where a set of double doors stood. People were streaming up this staircase and through these doors, presumably getting seats for the theater. On another side, men and women were with various Pokemon in curtained stalls, dressing them up in various costumes and accessories, in front of a camera. It seemed this was where amateur photo shoots could be taken for dressing up Pokemon. A Drilbur, for example, was being fitted with a hard hat, a pickaxe held in his broad paw. In another stall, an Audino was wearing a apron, and was in the process of having a bonnet tied up under its chin.

"Aww! They look adorable!" gushed Bianca.

"So, the theater doubles as a fashion show," Jim commented. "Pretty efficient."

"Oh! Jim! You ought to let Missy do some dressing up!" said Leanne, excitedly. "She'd love that!"

"That might not be a bad idea," said Jim. "I’ve never been a fan of that kind of frou-frou frilly stuff, but she might like it. We'll try it after the show. If we waste any more time, we won't get a good seat."

"Oh! That's right!" Bianca gasped. "Come on!"

With her in the lead, they rushed up the stairs and through the doors. The theater was plenty packed already, but they were able to shift their way to three seats in the middle of the seating gallery. The show hadn't started yet, luckily, as the curtain was still down. They sat down and scooped their Pokemon up into their laps. The telltale sound of a Poke Ball opening told Jim that Missy was letting herself out again, and indeed, her felt her familiar soft, heavy body on his shoulder. He glanced at her, and upon being noticed, she smiled and nuzzled his cheek. June looked up at them, but said nothing. Her expression was indefinable. Upon looking over at Bianca, Jim saw Dewott being held in her arms, leaning against her chest. But what really surprised him was how complacent he looked. Before now, Dewott had always born the same stern expression on his face. Now, he looked completely at his ease, as if he felt there was no need for his stoicism.

At last, the audience hushed. The lights dimmed, and the orchestra was preparing itself. The show was about to start. The curtain rose, and there, in the center of the stage was a Leavanny, dressed in a blouse and ankle-length skirt. The audience "ooh"-ed at her appearance. She had her cutters clasped in front of her heart, and her head was bowed. The spotlight fell on her, and the orchestra began playing a soft, sweet piece in C major. Then, the Leavanny herself began singing, in the most serene, dulcet voice Jim had ever heard.

"Dreams to dream
In the dark of the night
When the world goes wrong
I can still make it right
I can see
So far in my dreams
I'll follow my dreams
Until they come true…"

As she sang, everyone seemed in awe. Since Jim could hear Pokemon speaking human language anyway, he guessed that, backstage, the Leavanny's trainer was singing the words she was mouthing, to give the effect that she truly was singing. It made no difference; the effect was spellbinding…

"Come with me
You will see what I mean
There's a world inside
No one else ever sees
You will go
So far in my dreams
Somewhere in my dreams
Your dreams will come true…"

He heard a sigh at his shoulder. Looking over, he saw Missy, and she was wearing the most enraptured expression on her face, a look that spoke of admiration, of longing, of desire. He could feel her little paws digging into his shoulder, as if she was restraining herself from leaping on stage to join the Leavanny in her song.

"There is a star
Waiting to guide us
Shining inside us
When we close our eyes"

At the word ‘eyes’, the Leavanny ‘belted’, so to speak, as the music shifted to a G key. Jim felt a tingle down his spine, and he could even feel June stir in his lap. Yes, even the cool-headed Snivy was not unaffected by such a voice…

"Don't let go
If you stay close to me
In my dreams tonight
You will see what I see
Dreams to dream
As near as can be
Inside you and me
They always come true…"

With the last few notes, the song was over, but even before the music had faded away, everyone had gotten to their feet, and every single spectator was applauding wildly, cheering. Both June and Missy had gotten onto Jim's shoulders, and were clapping just as ecstatically as he was. A good majority of the crowd was in tears, Leanne and Bianca included. The Leavanny bowed grandly, and the curtain closed around her.

***​

Back in the lobby, everyone was speaking excitedly about the performance.

"That was unbelievable!" Bianca gushed. "I know it was only one song, but that was so incredible!"

"The singer had such a beautiful voice, too!" said Leanne.

"It made me feel like my heart was going to spring out of my ribs," said Jim. "There's no words to describe it…"

They had stopped in front of the dressing booths, and Bianca immediately seemed to remember something.

"Oh! Jim! Leanne! Now we can dress Missy up like we said!"

"Oh, right!" said Jim, and he turned to the pudgy Emolga. "What do you think, Missy?"

"Yeah! Yeah! Let's do it!" she chirped, leaping off of Jim's shoulder and heading into the booth.

"Would any of you like to assist her?" Jim asked, somewhat embarrassedly. "I'm not exactly a…fashion expert."

"It's all right, Jim, we understand," said Bianca, cheerily. "You just leave everything to me!"

She hurried into the booth with Missy and drew the curtains back. From behind it, they heard her say,

"Ooh! Look at the size of this wardrobe! They've got everything in here!"

Jim and Leanne exchanged amused glanced, and then the former looked down at June. Her arms were crossed, and she seemed stern about something. Jim looked from her to the dressing booth, and then seemed to comprehend, as he rolled his eyes.

"Honestly, June, you're still on that?"

"I didn't say anything."

"You've got that look on your face. Look, she's proven that she's just as capable a battler as she is just being a companion. Are you saying that you wouldn't be a "proper" Pokemon if you started acting a little more free-spirited?"

"Of course not. There's a difference between being free-spirited and just being lazy. Mark my words, Jim: sooner or later, all of this pampering is going to go to her head, so much so that she won't even want to battle."

"Come on, June, don't be cynical. It's Nimbasa. Let's just unwind. We've earned it."

At that moment, the curtains drew back, and Bianca, beaming, stepped away to reveal Missy, garbed in a flowing amethyst-purple gown that just came down to her feet. Looking at her, one could hardly tell she was chubbier than most Emolga. An orange flower decorated her left ear.

"Wow! Missy, you look amazing!" said Jim, approvingly.

Several spectators saw what was happening and crowded around.

"Aww! Your Emolga's so cute!" said a young girl.

"Look at that ribbon!"

"And that little flower!"

June folded her arms. It seemed she was expecting her theory to come true, after all.

"Leanne, think you can snap her picture?"

"I'd be happy to!"

Leanne jumped over to the camera set up in front of the booth.

"Give me a good pose, Missy! Something that says 'lovely, yet sassy'!"

That seemed no problem for Missy: she put both paws on her hips and winked. Leanne took the picture without delay, and the camera printed the photo right out.

"Great!"

Leanne grabbed the waiting photo and handed it to Jim.

"Now that's what I call 'lovely and sassy'," he said.

Everyone else crowded around to take a look.

"June, why don't you join her?"

"Thanks, but I'll pass," she said, stiffly.

"Well, isn’t this just adorable?" came a familiar, drawling voice.

Jim stiffened. He turned around, and the crowd of admirers parted to reveal none other than Nigel Richmond, the rude boy from Castelia City, along with his smug Simisage. June's eyes narrowed.

"Nigel? What are you doing here?" Jim asked, both intrigued and suspicious. "I thought you were back in Castelia City."

"I was, because I was visiting as I was making my way through."

"What does that…Wait. You mean-?"

"Well! It seems you're not as dim as I thought," sneered Nigel. "That's right. I'm taking part in the Unova League challenge. I suppose you are too."

"Of course! I've already got three badges."

Nigel shook his head, tsk tsk-ing to himself.

"You're not bad with progress, Stevens, but so far, it appears I'm destined to stay one step ahead of you."

He snapped his fingers, and Simisage stepped forward, holding a small, oblong box in its paws. It opened the lid, and showed Jim four shining badges: the Trio, Basic, and Insect Badges, but also one shaped like a lightning bolt. Jim gaped.

"You've already faced the Nimbasa Gym Leader? Who is it? What Pokemon do they use?"

At this display of excitement, Nigel laughed haughtily, as did Simisage.

"Really now, Stevens. Do you honestly expect me to divulge an advantage to my opponents? And here I thought you had some sense in you."

"Just because you want to make yourself my rival doesn't mean you have to be unpleasant about it," Jim muttered, fists clenching.

Leanne and Bianca looked at each other, apprehensively. Missy had taken off her outfit and was standing beside Jim and June, glaring at the snobby boy and his Simisage.

"It's all in the spirit of competition," said Nigel. "But I will tell you this; if you want any hope of facing the Nimbasa Gym, then perhaps the Nimbasa Battle Tournament will help hone whatever skills you possess."

"Nimbasa Battle Tournament?"

"Indeed. It's being held in the Big Stadium, in lieu of the usual sports game, over the course of a few days. Sign up begins in an hour or so, and the tournament will commence with the first rounds shortly afterward."

"I thought you said you didn't want to help the opposition," Jim said, suspiciously.

"My dear Stevens, I'm merely passing along information for all to hear. It's what you do with it that's your own business. I might just attend myself."

"Then that'll be the perfect chance for us to settle this!" said Jim, heatedly. "All that you said about my home back in Castelia, I'm gonna make you eat those words!"

"We shall see," said Nigel, nastily.

Sparks seemed to be flying between the two as they stared each other down.

"So sorry to interrupt your little game of dress up. Do carry on."

With that, he turned and strode out of the Hall, Simisage following. The crowd, after watching for a few moments, dispersed once again, leaving the three friends and their Pokemon.

"Jim?" Bianca said, hesitantly.

"I'm ok, Bianca,” Jim sighed. “Don't worry."

"Who was that boy? What did he say about home?"

"His name's Nigel. He was insulting Nuvema Town, saying Professor Juniper's too good for it, for us 'low-class'."

Bianca gasped.

"He didn't!"

"Don't worry. I'm not letting him get away with it. I'm gonna join this Nimbasa Battle Tournament and show him just what I'm made of! Are you both with me?"

"Of course!" said Leanne.

"You bet!" said Bianca.

Jim and Missy leaped onto his shoulders, cementing their own support for him. Jim smiled confidently and jerked the bill of his cap lower.

"Then let's no waste any time."

With that, and with their Pokemon in tow, the three left the Musical Hall, and directed their steps toward the northwestern end of Nimbasa City, where the Big Stadium resided…

***​

Author's Note: Song used is "Dreams to Dream", sung by Cathy Cavadini. =)

 

[TPrower]

CHAPTER 30
The Nimbasa Battle Tournament​

Within half an hour, they had reached the Big Stadium, a massive metal colosseum that, every day, hosted football and baseball games. When Jim was a kid, he'd watch the baseball games on TV with Cheren, both of them rooting for their own teams: the Mighty Sawk for Jim, and the Raging Throh for Cheren; the Sawk being unstoppable batters, but the Throh being expert catchers and pitchers. Now, to be here personally, seeing the home of those televised games, it gave Jim both a feeling of excitement and pity; excitement because he himself would be here battling in a tournament, and pity that the sports games had to be postponed in favor of it.

When they arrived, there was already a crowd of people, but only a handful were waiting at the booth that read "REGISTRATION". Among them was Nigel, with his arms crossed and a bored look on his face. He looked up, however, as the three friends approached.

"So!" he said, in mild surprise. "Decided to join after all, have you? I was sure you were going to skip town and avoid the embarrassment."

"You kidding? I wouldn't pass up this opportunity for the world!"

"Obviously. Hoping to earn a bit of gold for your poor little town? I expect even a few Pokes would set the scroungers raving."

Jim gritted his teeth. Bianca looked outraged.

"Hey! What's your problem with Nuvema Town??"

"Oh, my. Are you from there as well, girl?"

"Yeah! What of it?"

"To be perfectly blunt, I just don't find Nuvema Town that interesting. A population of barely 15 people, only a localized market, and the only public institution being the Junipers' laboratory. With all that, do you still have reason to be proud of it?"

Bianca's face flushed.

"Of course I do! We have each other! That's all that matters!"

Nigel laughed.

"Oh, how droll," he said, mockingly. 'The power of love and friendship'? It's time you woke up and smelled the coffee: the dregs will always remain the dregs. Only the strong and wealthy survive."

Bianca looked as if she were longing to give him a good smack in the face, and Jim was at his boiling point as well, having his home (and consequently, him and Bianca) being called "dregs". However, a pair of strong hands settled on both of their shoulders.

"Well, I'm not wealthy, kid, and you don't see me croaking yet."

Jim knew that voice! He looked up, and found himself staring up into the rough, unshaven face of The Guy.

"Guy! You're here too?"

"Long time no see, Jim. Hello, Leanne."

"Hi, Mr. Guy!"

Nigel raised an eyebrow, a look of mounting disgust appearing on his face at The Guy's appearance.

"These your friends?"

"Well, one is. This is Bianca. She's been my friend since we were kids. Bianca, this is The Guy. Leanne and I have run into him a couple times."

"Pleased to meet you," said Bianca, not exactly sure what to make of this stranger.

"Likewise. A friend of Jim's is a friend of mine."

Nigel's expression hardened even more, attracting The Guy's attention.

"And I take it he isn't?"

"No. This is Nigel, from Castelia."

"It only makes sense," said Nigel, stiffly, "for someone from Nuvema Town to be acquainted with a man of such raggedness and filth."

His eyes roved over The Guy's patched trench coat, pants, and worn boots.

"You've walked the world as much as I have, kid, you're gonna look a little messy."

"So you're suggesting that what you lack in cleanliness, you make up for in knowledge? Don't make me laugh."

"You seem pretty fixated on outward appearances, kid. You shouldn't be so narrow-minded. It's unhealthy."

"As if I would take advice from someone who looks as if they slept in a bush."

The Guy crossed his arms, sternly looking Nigel in the eye.

"Not very respectful to your elders, are you?"

"There's a difference between my elders and my betters. You're one, but certainly not the other."

"Do you really think money's going to solve every problem you'll ever have?"

"It always has."

"You're in denial."

"What?!"

"I know your type. You've got money, you've got public respect, you've got power…but are you truly happy?"

"Of course I'm happy! I'm happy to be wealthy, happy to be secure, happy to be respected!"

Nigel's tone was bordering on indignant desperation.

"But is that the only extent?"

Nigel just stared at him, unable to say anything. At last, with a derisive snort, he turned away and headed for the registration booth.

"Whoa. You actually tamed him," Leanne said, in amazement.

"Oh, there's still fight in him," said The Guy. "All I did was give him food for thought. Now come on, we'd better sign up."

"You're taking part too??" Jim asked, astounded.

"Of course. I'd never miss a chance like this. Come on now."

Still numb with amazement at what had just happened, Jim complied.

***​

Jim gazed around him, filled with excited wonder. It was if a dream had just come true: he was standing inside the Big Stadium itself, standing among 15 other Trainers, four of whom were Leanne, Bianca, The Guy, and Nigel. The others were people he had never seen before. The Stadium itself had been altered for the occasion: the grassy field had been replaced with a dirt battlefield, through some process Jim could only guess at how it had worked. The enormous scoreboard had been replaced with an equally enormous view screen, which was currently flashing advertisements: "THE BATTLE SUBWAY: HIGH-SPEED COMBAT, BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE NIMBASA SUBWAY STATION".

Up in the commentator's box, Jim could see two men. One was unmistakably Don George, though this one must have been the local one, taking into account the size of the family. The other was a stocky, fair-haired man in a suit, who had the appearance of a businessman. At last, the screen cleared, to be replaced with one enormous word: "WELCOME". The crowd in the stands erupted into applause.

"Good afternoon, Nimbasa City!" said the man in the suit into a microphone. "Welcome to the 7th Annual Nimbasa Battle Tournament, hosted right here in our very own Big Stadium! I'm Charlie Burton, and joining me is my co-host, the Battle Club's own, Don George!"

More cheers from the crowd.

"Thank you, Charlie, it's great to be back!" said George into his own mike. "It warms my heart to see so many willing Trainers, ready to duke it out in the spirit of competition!"

"You and I both, George! Now, before we get started and designate our first match-ups, would you care to go over the rules?"

"Absolutely. The tournament will proceed as follows, everyone: this will be a four-round competition with 16 competitors. The first round shall take place today, followed by the next round tomorrow, and so on. Each battle will consist of a one-on-one battle with no substitutions. If your Pokemon is unable to battle, you are out of the competition, so choose wisely. The winner shall receive the following prizes."

He gestured with his arm to the big view screen, which flashed the number "$10,000".

"10,000 Pokes in cash…"

Next came two colorful slips of paper, decorated with a Ferris wheel.

"Two free all-day passes to the Nimbasa Amusement Park…AAAAAAND-"

The screen now displayed a picture of a subway train.

"The chance to meet and battle the Subway Bosses themselves, Emmet and Ingo!"

The stadium exploded with applause. Everyone looked amazed at the prospect of such prizes, all except for Nigel, who seemed used to such one-of-a-kind extravagances. Jim looked at Leanne and Bianca, who were both hopping on the balls of their feet in glee.

"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my GOSH!" Bianca gushed. "Free passes to the amusement park, AND 10,000 Pokes!"

"And seeing and battling the Subway Bosses!" said Leanne. "Usually you have to pass some kind of subway-sponsored contest just to see them!"

"This is gonna be great!" said Jim, turning his attention to June. "You all set, partner?"

"Definitely!" said June, her eyes blazing with an energetic fire.

"And now, let the match-ups begin!" said Charlie Burton.

The screen turned blank, to be replaced with sixteen rectangles, something like giant playing cards, their backs to the viewers. True to their resemblance to cards, they grouped together into one stack, shuffled around, and spread out to their new positions.

"And the results are…our first match-up…Anonymous vs. Grant!"

The first two "cards" turned, showing The Guy's face and that of a square-jawed, red-headed man. The Guy turned to look at him. He was tall and burly, with an abundance of facial hair and bare, brawny arms. He cast a contemptuous glance at his unnamed opponent, but The Guy didn't seem the least perturbed by this.

"Anonymous? Really?" asked Jim, in a half-amused way.

The Guy grinned.

"I told you, I'll let the world call me whatever the heck it wants."

Jim shook his head, still smiling at this.

"The second match will be…Naomi vs. Solomon Wright!"

Naomi was a pretty, curly-haired girl in a yellow sundress and parasol. She seemed lost in her own thoughts. Solomon was a wiry but neatly-dressed boy, his face framed by a tangle of black hair. He looked very calculating and composed.

"Our third match…Jim Stevens vs. Katherine LeClaire!"

A momentary hush fell over the crowd. Jim looked to see who this LeClaire was. She was a woman of about 30, and very precisely dressed, her hair done up in a neat bun, and a pair of spectacles perched on her nose. She looked like a schoolteacher, and had a certain, indefinably regal air about her. Jim felt nervous just looking at her. She looked over at him in turn, and gave him a small smile, which he returned, albeit uncertainly.

The Guy gave a low whistle.

"Boy, aren't you lucky?"

"You know her?"

"Everyone does. Katherine LeClaire is an S-Class Connoisseuse, and a really famous one as well."

"A C-Connoisseuse?! My first match is against a Connoisseuse?!"

"Don't worry about it," said The Guy, bracingly. "I know you'll do just fine."

(Against an S-Class Connoisseuse?…I highly doubt that…)

"Match #4:…Tony vs. Jimmy Ray!"

Tony was dressed in the duds of a "cool" kid: baggy jeans, T-shirt, ragged jacket, baseball cap, and shades. He looked odd, but it was nothing compared to Jimmy Ray. He was a man dressed in what looked like a Watchog costume. It literally looked like a Watchog was choking on him, his face sticking out of its mouth. Jim grimaced.

"Glad I don't have to face that guy…"

"Number 5...Hannah vs. Nigel Richmond!"

Jim glanced over at Nigel. He was regarding his opponent, a girl with pudgy cheeks and pigtails, with indifference. Jim felt sorry for her.

"Coming up on number 6...Cruise Greendale vs. Flannigan!"

Cruise was a blonde-haired, cheerful-looking boy, as opposed to Flannigan, who had the stiffness and uprightness of a soldier or police officer. He looked pretty intimidating.

"Close to the end with number 7...Leanne Summers vs. Samson!"

Leanne looked over to find her opponent. He was a mousy, sneaky-looking boy. Leanne didn't look too thrilled at having to fight him.

"And last, but not least, Battle #8, Bianca vs. Zach!"

Bianca's opponent was a boy who was tapping his foot impatiently, as if time were extremely precious to him.

"Those are our match-ups, ladies and gents!" said Don George. "So now, without further ado, let's get ready for our first battle: Anonymous vs. Grant!"

The crowd cheered.

"Good luck, Guy," said Jim.

"Thanks, kid."

The Guy made his way onto the battlefield, his trench coat billowing in the breeze. Grant took his place, still looking haughty.

"Ye think ye got what it takes to face me?" he asked, in a thick Scottish accent. "I'm the strongest in me village, where I hail from!"

"Well, we'll see if that strength applies outside of your home, my friend," said The Guy, complacently.

"I'm no friend of yours, Scruffy!" growled Grant.

"You're one to talk, jabbing at my facial hair," said The Guy, still calm and serene.

Grant looked as if he would blow a gasket at his threats being ignored. He drew a Poke Ball from his belt.

"Gurdurr, show him what ye're made of!"

From the Poke Ball came a human-like Pokemon, with gray skin, pinkish bulges on its body, with especially large ones around its shoulders, what looked like curly hair on its head, and a big red nose. Its body was shaped like an hourglass, and it carried a steel construction beam under its arm. Jim had his Pokedex out in an instant.

"Gurdurr, the Muscular Pokemon, and the evolved form of Timburr. This Pokemon likes to train and show off its strength by carrying steel beams. Gurdurr is so strong and muscular that even a team of wrestlers cannot move it an inch."

"Looks like a pretty smug Pokemon," said Bianca.

"Just like its Trainer," said Jim.

It was only too true. Both Grant and his Gurdurr had self-satisfied smiles on their faces. Jim was aware that a lot of Pokemon and Trainers resembled each other by habit, but this was just unpleasant. The Guy had taken his own Poke Ball out.

"Scrafty, prepare for battle!"

The ball opened, and there was The Guy's rebellious Scrafty. It and Gurdurr eyed each other narrowly.

"Our first match, then, is Scrafty vs. Gurdurr!" said Burton.

"This could go either way, Charlie," said George, sagely, "both are Fighting types, but Scrafty is also a Dark type, which may prove to be a disadvantage."

"That's right," Jim muttered. "Dark types are weak against Fighting moves."

"But wouldn't he have known that?" Leanne asked. "Why would he pick Scrafty if it has a disadvantage?"

"I think he wants the match on even terms. Besides, if he still has Ferroseed and Palpitoad, neither of them have much advantage either."

"That's true."

The referee, a man with dark eyebrows, wearing training clothes, had taken his place at the center, both of his flags in hand. He raised them both up.

"Let the first match begin!!"

***​

Author's Note: I'll admit, this was inspired by the Club Battle arc. I was dissatisfied with how it turned out, and wanted to try my own twist with it. ^^;

 

[TPrower]

CHAPTER 31
Round 1: Part 1​

"Gurdurr, use Bulk Up!" ordered Grant.

Gurdurr lazily tossed its steel beam aside, which made a heavy clang when it hit the ground. Then, bracing its feet, it crouched, flexing its arms inward, its face set. A bluish glow surrounded its body, and its already massive body seemed to bulge outward, so that the muscles were more pronounced, with such force that the ground shuddered slightly, and the dirt even cracked beneath its feet. Everyone gasped.

At last, Gurdurr straightened out again, leering evilly at Scrafty, its body still glowing. It stomped the ground, and the steel beam returned to its grip. The Guy, however, wasn't intimidated.

"Not gonna order an attack, are ye?" taunted Grant. "Fine! I will! Now, Gurdurr, use Hammer Arm!"

Gurdurr lunged toward Scrafty, its arm raised up and glowing red.

"Scrafty, Hi Jump Kick!"

Scrafty crouched and leaped at Gurdurr, its knee glowing reddish-orange. Gurdurr's Hammer Arm swung, clocking it on the head, but Scrafty's attack struck it right in the nose. The bulky Pokemon stumbled, off balance, but righted itself with its beam. Scrafty landed on its feet, grimacing from the harsh blow, but still looking ready to fight.

"Now, use Sludge Bomb!"

Scrafty reared back, then thrust its head forward again, spitting a large blob of brownish-black slime at Gurdurr, which struck it full on, which such force that it was like a cannonball. Furious, Gurdurr wiped the sludge away, but then winced, a purple glow surrounded its body. Grant looked aghast.

"What the-?! What have ye done?!?"

"Yes!" Jim crowed. "It's poisoned!"

"George, I cannot believe what I'm seeing!" said Burton. "Scrafty has just dealt Gurdurr a poison status affliction!"

"Very strategic indeed," agreed George. "Whatever happens next, that poison's gonna eat away at Gurdurr's energy."

Grant was furious.

"I'm not gonna let ye get the better of me!" he growled. "Gurdurr, Stone Edge!"

Gurdurr thumped its beam against the dirt and raised its other arm. Swirling rings of jagged stones materialized, orbiting its body, before shooting straight for Scrafty.

"Dodge it, Scrafty!"

Scrafty leaped to the side, and the stones struck the dirt where it had stood, implanting themselves there.

"Come on, Grant, you can do better than this. Aren't you supposed to be the best in your village?"

"I am the best!!" Grant screamed, his face beet-red. "Shut yer face or I'll use Stone Edge on YOU!"

"Temper, temper," said The Guy, smirking. "You shouldn't be getting so angry."

"It's your fault if I am!!" Grant snapped. "Gurdurr, show 'im you mean business! Keep using Stone Edge, and don't let up!"

Gurdurr made another storm of pointed stones.

"Keep on dodging, Scrafty, and use Sludge Bomb when you can!"

So it went. Every time Gurdurr sent a wave of Stone Edge at Scrafty, the latter would dodge, and when it saw an opening, it would shoot another Sludge Bomb. Over time, Gurdurr began to look weaker, and the purple hue its body received from time to time would become more frequent, more vivid.

At last, it could hardly raise its arm anymore, and the steel beam it held clattered to the ground. It had a sick, tired look on its face. Grant's jaw dropped.

"Gurdurr! What's the matter with ye?! Keep going!"

"It's over," said The Guy. "The poison, coupled with all those Stone Edges, have weakened it too much. And now it's time to end this! Scrafty, give it a Focus Blast!"

Scrafty cupped its hands at its side, and a glowing blue ball of light appeared, growing bigger with each second. At last, it raised its arms and the ball above its head, and then threw it straight at Gurdurr. The Focus Blast struck it right in the stomach and sent it toppling onto its back. One last purple glow, and Gurdurr passed out. The referee raised the flag in his right hand.

"Gurdurr is unable to battle! Scrafty wins!"

The crowd cheered.

"And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen! The first match has been decided! Anonymous will move on to Round 2!"

On the view screen, The Guy and Grant's mug shots appeared again, but Grant's was blacked out and scrolled away to allow The Guy's to take the center. Grant looked thunderstruck, but he was forced to swallow it and recall his Gurdurr. He turned and walked off without saying a word.

Jim, Leanne, and Bianca cheered wildly. Nigel, for his part, looked astounded. It seemed he had expected The Guy to lose spectacularly, but now, to see this scruffy, weather-beaten stranger come out on top when he had a disadvantage, was too much to take in. However, at seeing the satisfied look on Jim's face, he checked himself.

"Mere coincidence, that's all," he muttered. "Sludge Bomb only has a 30% chance of poisoning, anyway."

The Guy rejoined them.

"Great job!" said Jim. "You were awesome!"

"Eh, I've just always had a talent for putting blowhards in their place," he said, indifferently.

"And now, will the Trainers for Battle #2, Naomi and Solomon, please take their places!" announced Burton.

They turned their attention back to the battlefield to see the two mentioned on the battlefield. There wasn't much to their battle; Naomi used a Deerling, while Solomon used a Liepard. Naomi indeed was the preoccupied type, as she seemed to space out and forget to order her Deerling to attack. Solomon, on the other hand, took advantage of every opportunity, and Deerling barely put up a fight, being taken down easily.

When Solomon was announced the winner, Naomi asked,

"Oh? Is it over already? Oh well."

She recalled her Deerling and walked off, as if she hadn't even known a battle had even taken place. Jim gulped. He was next.

"You can do it, Jim!" said Leanne, encouragingly. "Show her what you've got!"

"Right. Can you hold June for me?"

"Ooh! Let me! Let me!" Bianca chirped.

"All right, then," said Jim, amused at her enthusiasm.

He handed June to her, and was promptly cradled in her arms. She didn't seem to mind, which was a relief, as Bianca tended to be rather over-excited when it came to Pokemon that were cute in her eyes.

"And now, for Battle 3! Jim Stevens and Katherine LeClaire, please take your places!"

Jim stumbled forward, taking his place on the battlefield, as LeClaire also did, with great calmness and grace.

"Mr. Stevens," she said, in a serene, complacent voice, "I've heard much of your exploits recently."

"Y-You have?"

"Indeed. Your resistance against Team Plasma is most inspiring. I've looked forward to seeing your skills in battle, and now I have the chance. Do not be fooled, however. I may be a Connoisseuse, but I am also a Trainer, and I will not hold back."

She drew out a Poke Ball.

"Maractus, my premium brand, it's battling time!"

From the Ball appeared a small, green Pokemon that looked like a cactus. It had a round head with yellow eyes, a jagged mouth, and ear-like appendages tipped with pink flowers. Its body was plump and eggplant-shaped, ending in a tiny leaf-like "skirt" extension, which also ringed its "ears", neck, and hands, the last of which bore yellow, pointed fingers. Rings of thorns surrounded its "ears", and there was one in the center of its forehead. The audience "ooh"-ed, and Jim took out his Pokedex.

"Maractus, the Cactus Pokemon. Maractus moves rhythmically, creating a sound like the shaking of maracas, which scares away predatory bird Pokemon. It resides typically in arid, desert regions."

"A Grass type," muttered Jim to himself. "Torch would be ideal for this, but she may have planned for that…"

At last, he nodded and drew his own Poke Ball.

"Echo, you're up!"

Out came his faithful Swoobat, hovering with his big, leathery wings. This drew a few "ooh"s and "ahh"s from the crowd.

"And there we have it, George: Jim Stevens is pitting Swoobat against LeClaire's Maractus, her premium brand Pokemon!"

"Yes, indeed. With Maractus being a Grass type and Swoobat being a Psychic and Flying type, it would seem like Stevens has this in the bag. However, it shouldn't all just come down to type, after all."

"A Swoobat. How interesting," said LeClaire, sounding pleased. "I take it you raised it from a Woobat?"

"Yeah, almost ever since I started out."

"Magnificent. As Woobat only evolve through happiness, it seems as if the bond between you and your Swoobat is parfait."

"…I'm sorry?" asked Jim, eyebrow raised.

"Perfect, my dear."

"Oh! Well, thanks. Echo and I have been through a lot, but it's really June who's my star."

He looked over at his Snivy, who was now positioned on Bianca's beret. LeClaire glanced her way as well, looking at her steadily before smiling and nodding.

"Yes. I can see it even from here. You have the most remarkable bonds with your Pokemon, Mr. Stevens, but, as a Connoisseuse, it's my duty to test such bonds and see how far they go. Maractus, en garde!"

Maractus got into a battle-ready pose, its movements indeed making a sound like the shaking of maracas.

"Get ready, Echo."

Echo landed on his feet, wings spread out, determination in his eyes. The referee raised his flags.

"Let the battle commence!!"

"Echo, use Air Cutter!"

Echo swept into the air, his wings glowing white. He flapped them hard several times, sending waves of crescent-shaped energy for Maractus.

"Dodge, Maractus, then use Acupressure!"

Maractus crouched and somersaulted, with the ease of a gymnast, and the Air Cutters struck the dirt. Then, as it landed, its thorn-like fingers lengthened and glowed white. It pressed the fingers of one hand into its side, and those of the other into its temple. Instantly, its body began to glimmer different colors. The last color to show up on its body was a faint blue.

"Uh oh," The Guy muttered. "That's not good."

"What? What's going on?" asked Bianca.

"Acupressure. It sharply boosts a Pokemon's stats, choosing one at random. Unfortunately, we won't have any idea which."

Jim, however, didn't seem as easily cowed.

"Give it a Shadow Ball, Echo!"

Echo brought his wings back, and a ball of sparking black and purple energy appeared in front of his face. He swung one wing back, then smacked the Shadow Ball at Maractus.

"Block it off with Needle Arm!"

LeClaire commanded. Maractus' arms glowed white, and it crossed them in front of its face. The Shadow Ball struck and exploded, but Maractus didn't seem much affected.

"Whoa…that's some amazing resistance," said Bianca.

"Looks like it got some kind of Defense boost," said Leanne.

The Guy nodded grimly.

"Now, Maractus, Pin Missile!"

Maractus pointed its arms forward, and a volley of what looked like lightning bolts sprang from its fingertips, flying for Echo.

"Dodge it, Echo!"

Echo swerved to the side, but only some of the Pin Missiles missed him. The rest struck his furry body, causing him to cry out in pain.

"This looks bad, George," said Burton. "Since Swoobat is part Psychic type, it still gets normal damage from Bug-type moves."

"That's right, Charlie, so Maractus does still have a chance of coming out on top."

"Acupressure once again, Maractus!"

Once again, Maractus pressed its fingers against its body, glowing various colors, before it settled on a faint red.

"We can't give up yet," said Jim, determinedly. "Echo, Air Cutter!"

"Maractus, Pin Missile!"

Both sent their attacks at the same time. Most struck against each other and cancelled out, but both Echo and Maractus got hit by some of each other's attacks. LeClaire didn't seem concerned about this.

"Now, Maractus, Return!"

Jim was stunned. Did she seriously order her Maractus to be called back? But she'd willingly have been disqualifying herself!

His confusion only increased, however, to see Maractus crouch and lunge for Echo, landing a wicked punch on him, knocking him onto his face.

"Echo! Are you all right??"

Echo shakily got back to his feet, panting.

"What WAS that?" Jim asked LeClaire. "I thought you were calling your Maractus back." LeClaire laughed.

"It's all right. I don't blame you for your confusion. I honestly have no clue why it's called that in the first place. Return is a move that gets its strength from its user's happiness. The stronger the happiness, the stronger the attack. And, as you can see…" she went on, as Maractus resumed its place, "my Maractus and I are in perfect sync!"

Both her and Maractus performed the same pose: hand on one hip, the other arm extended outward. The crowd cheered.

"That's LeClaire for you," said The Guy. "She's an expert Connoisseuse, remarkable Trainer, and knows how to make an appearance."

"It's hopeless," said Nigel. "Stevens hasn't got a chance. He's outclassed."

"Oh, I'm not saying he hasn't got a chance," said The Guy. "He just needs to be smart about this." Jim indeed was trying to contemplate his options.

(What do I do?…Maractus has got Needle Arm to block Shadow Ball, Return for direct damage, and Acupressure for stat boots…not to mention Pin Missile to counter Air Cutter and damage Echo…Wait…Pin Missile's a Bug type move…Maractus is a Grass type…Maybe…Yes!)

A smile was back on Jim’s face.

"Oh? You seem to have come across some last-minute inspiration,” said LeClaire.

"You could say that, Miss LeClaire. Echo, get ready for Air Cutter!"

Echo raised his now glowing wings.

"Will you never learn…?" said LeClaire, pityingly. "Maractus, counter with Pin Missile!"

Maractus fired off a round of Pin Missiles, but Jim was still smiling.

"Now, instead of Air Cutter, send them back with Confusion!"

LeClaire gasped, as did the audience. The glow faded from Echo's wings to be replaced by a pinkish-purple aura around his entire body. The cloud of Pin Missiles were surrounded with the same light. They slowed, stopped inches from Echo, then swerved and barreled for Maractus, striking it repeatedly.

"No! Maractus!"

Maractus swayed, battered and weakened. LeClaire's face became serious, though still smiling.

"Very clever, Mr. Stevens, but it all comes down to this! Maractus, Return! Give it everything you have!"

Maractus crouched, white energy seemed to surround it.

"Echo, counter with Heart Stamp!"

Echo swooped high into the air, his nose glowing pink-red. As he dived, the glow now surrounding his whole body like a shield, Maractus leaped, its arm jutted forward and glowing with white fire. Both struck, but seemed suspended in the air, like two missiles struggling against each other, but neither one yielding. For a few tense moments, it seemed to go in Maractus' favor, then Echo's, then Maractus' again.

At last, with a final bursting surge, Echo pushed Maractus earthward, slamming it straight into the dirt. Through the ensuing cloud, Echo swooped back to his side of the field, and there was Maractus, imprinted into the dirt and out cold. The referee raised his left arm.

"Maractus is unable to battle! The winner is Swoobat!"

The crowd exploded into wild cheers, especially in the contestant's row. Leanne and Bianca were leaping up and down in wild ecstasy. The Guy was applauding, his rough face beaming. Echo settled onto Jim's arm, and Jim stroked his head.

"Great job, Echo!" he congratulated.

LeClaire stooped by her Maractus, holding it in her arms.

"Dear Maractus, you did the best you could," she soothed.

She then recalled it into its Poke Ball and faced Jim.

"Remarkable work, Mr. Stevens. With that sort of bond, you and your Pokemon shall go far."

"Thank you, Miss LeClaire. It was an honor to battle you."

The two shook hands, and LeClaire took her leave.

"What an impressive display!" boomed Burton. "Despite a type advantage and victory on part of Swoobat, we were still granted a very close battle! Way to go!"

"I've seen a lot of down-to-the-wire battles, Charlie," said Don George, "but that was unquestionably unbelievable!"

Jim returned to his friends, Echo still perched on his arm like a falcon.

"That was so awesome, Jim!" said Bianca. "Your Swoobat was incredible!"

Echo soared around her head, squeaking happily. A dizzy look came over her face, and Jim and Leanne, knowing why, burst into laughter.

"I think he likes you," said Jim.

"So I noticed," said Bianca, woozily.

Jim fished around in his backpack, pulled out the can of Pokemon food chosen for Woobat and Swoobat, and poured a handful into his hand. Echo instantly alighted onto his arm and started chowing down with relish.

"Hmph," Nigel snorted. "It was nothing but a lucky break, that's all."

"Oh, shut up," said the boy Solomon. "I saw the way you were gripping the guardrail. Your knuckles were ghost-white."

Nigel shot him a sharp look. Jim smiled appreciatively at Solomon.

"And now, will our next combatants, Tony and Jimmy Ray, please make their way to the battlefield!" came Burton's voice.

Satisfied with his first victory, Jim joined his friends to watch the remainder of the first round battles.

 

[TPrower]

CHAPTER 32
Round 1: Part 2​

The next match didn't take too long, either. Tony used a Darumaka while Jimmy Ray, surprising nobody, used a Watchog. Darumaka put up a good effort, but Watchog had the fight from the start, and won handily, advancing his Trainer to Round 2. Next up, though, was Nigel's first battle, versus Hannah. He still looked disinterested as he took his place at his side of the battlefield.

"I'd really hate to be Hannah right now," muttered Jim.

"So would I," agreed Leanne.

Hannah drew out a Poke Ball.

"Let's do it, Stoutland!" she said.

The Pokemon that appeared looked like a large shaggy dog, its body covered in a thick coat of blue fur, and with two enormous mustache-like plumes extending from its face to the ground. Jim's checked his Pokedex.

"Stoutland, the Big-Hearted Pokemon, and the evolved form of Herdier. Stoutland is very wise and noble, and is skilled in rescuing people stranded on mountains or at sea, its shaggy fur shielding it from the cold."

"I've heard stories of people being rescued by Stoutland," said Jim. "They're real heroes of the Pokemon world."

"I can attest to that," said The Guy. "Once I passed out from fatigue while crossing a mountain range. If a wild Stoutland hadn't been nearby to take me the rest of the way down, I might not have made it."

"Wow."

The three teens regarded the proud Pokemon, and wondered what Nigel would use against it. He drew out his own Poke Ball.

"Simisage, prepare for battle!"

In the familiar burst of light, there was Nigel's Simisage.

"Simisage? There's an interesting choice," said Burton.

"Interesting indeed," said Don George. "With Stoutland being a Normal type and Simisage being a Grass type, none of them have an immediate advantage over each other."

"We can do this, Stoutland! Just do your best!" Hannah encouraged.

Stoutland barked. Nigel smirked.

"'Do your best'? How very trite."

Hannah looked nervous from this comment. Jim's eyes narrowed.

"Let the match begin!" said the referee.

"Stoutland, Take Down!"

Stoutland crouched low, then charged, barreling for Simisage.

"Simisage, Low Sweep!"

Simisage's left leg began to glow white, and it seemed to wait as Stoutland approached. Then, when it was nearly upon it, Simisage swept his leg and struck Stoutland's paws, tripping it and causing it to tumble some distance. It got back to its feet, growling.

"Resilient canine, aren't you?" asked Nigel, in mock admiration. "Simisage, Magical Leaf!"

Simisage raised one arm, hand opened, and its body became surrounded by a cloud of glowing green leaves. The Guy was staring at it intently.

"I see. That Simisage was specially bred."

"Huh? How can you tell?" asked Bianca.

"Pansage and Simisage can't normally learn Magical Leaf, unless they were born from a Pokemon that knew the move itself."

"Whoa. I've never heard of that happening before," Leanne muttered.

Simisage was sending the Magical Leaf attack straight for Stoutland.

"Use Fire Fang to block it off, Stoutland!" shouted Hannah.

Stoutland opened its mouth, and a cloud of flames seemed to spring from its jaws. The Magical Leaf struck the flames, burned, and fizzled away. Nigel growled at being foiled.

"Whoa! That was really clever!" said Jim.

"Indeed. You don't need to use an attacking move just to attack,” said The Guy, sagely.

"Simisage, use Swagger!" commanded Nigel.

Simisage sneered, and a red aura seemed to surround it. It held out one paw toward Stoutland, and made a ‘come and get me’ motion with its index finger. Stoutland snarled, and the same red aura seemed to surround it. Everyone looked tense, even The Guy, though Jim, Leanne, and Bianca were unsure why.

"What's going on?" Jim asked.

"Swagger," said The Guy. "It sharply boosts its opponent's attack power, but also confuses it. The aim is to have the opponent attack itself and cause major damage."

"Oh no..."

Stoutland was already starting to act agitated, pawing at the dirt.

"Come on, Stoutland, we can do this!" encouraged Hannah. "Use Fire Fang!"

Stoutland opened its mouth again, and the flames came springing from its jaws…but the flames struck Stoutland instead of staying put.

"Oh no!!" Hannah cried.

"That didn't take long," muttered The Guy.

"Oh, boy, George," said Burton, grimly, "Stoutland is already succumbing to the bad side of Swagger. This doesn't look good at all."

"Give it another Magical Leaf, Simisage!" said Nigel, smiling from the success of his plan.

Simisage sent another wave of luminescent leaves, and this time they struck home. Stoutland cringed from the impact.

"Stoutland, no!" yelled Hannah, who was almost on the verge of tears.

"And now, Simisage, let's finish this battle off! Solarbeam!"

The tufts on Simisage's head and tail seemed to glimmer with a greenish-yellow light. It cupped its paws by its side, and a glowing ball of energy of the same color began to form and grow.

"Stoutland, I know you can do this!" said Hannah. "Use Work Up, then Take Down!"

Stoutland let out a long howl, something more like a battle cry, and the red glow around it intensified. Then, it barreled forward, charging at Simisage, a white light surrounding it like fire.

"Fire!!" yelled Nigel.

Simisage threw its paws forward, and a beam of energy shot like a massive laser for the approaching canine. The two attacks struck, but seemed to be suspended in place, just like Swoobat's Heart Stamp against Maractus' Return. Then, slowly, inch by inch, Stoutland began to move forward. The two were mere feet from each other. Then, all of a sudden, the Solarbeam exploded, covering the battlefield in smoke and light. Everybody shielded their eyes from this display.

At last, they could finally see the combatants. Simisage was down on one knee, panting from the exertion. Stoutland was on its side, out cold. The referee held up his flag.

"Stoutland is unable to battle! Simisage is the victor!"

The crowd, stunned from the explosion, now erupted into cheers. Nigel simply stood, arms crossed, as did Simisage, after getting itself up.

"Naturally," he said, simply.

Hannah was kneeling by her Stoutland, hugging it.

"It's all right, Stoutland. You did your best," she said, softly.

"Come along, come along, hurry it up," said Nigel, impatiently. "We can't keep the next fighters waiting."

Jim gripped the guard rail, anger burning inside him. At last, Hannah left, not looking at anyone as she left.

"Poor kid," muttered Solomon. "She put up a good fight."

"Oh, please…" said Nigel, loftily, as he was just re-entering the waiting area. "I've never had an easier challenge in my life."

"Look, what's your problem?!" snapped Jim. "Why do you have to be so rude? Can't you be a good sport about it?"

"Where's the fun in that?" Nigel sneered.

Jim was about to start forward, but The Guy held him back.

"He's not worth it," he muttered.

Nigel glared at him, but simply turned away and went to stand at another end of the waiting area.

"I can't stand it," Jim said. "I just can't stand it! He brings out the worst in me."

"Easy, kid, easy," said The Guy. "You'll get your chance soon enough."

"So you think I'm actually going to make it to the finals?"

"Of course I do. I've got total faith in you."

"So, you're expecting to lose?"

The Guy laughed roughly.

"I may be good, but I'm not perfect. And I'm not saying you should convince yourself that you'll lose. I'm just saying, always be ready to expect the worst, and then do what you can, nothing more."

Jim regarded him for a moment, then nodded. He couldn't understand why, but he was drawn to this mysterious man. There was an odd sort of kinship between them, an understanding that couldn't be explained, one he would find the answer to eventually…

***​

The next battle was Cruise vs. Flannigan. Cruise had a Swadloon, while Flannigan had a Herdier. Herdier was quick and vicious, but Swadloon was no pushover either. It slowed Herdier up with a String Shot aimed for its legs, then bombarded it with Razor Leaf and Energy Ball, winning Cruise the match.

After him, it was time for Leanne and her fight with Samson. Jim gave her hand an encouraging squeeze with his, which she returned with a smile. She took her place on her side, and Samson took his.

"I didn't imagine that I'd have to knock out a girl to make it farther into the tournament," he said, in a voice that television made popular with geeky, nerdy characters.

Leanne crossed her arms.

"So you think I'm gonna be easy?"

"I know you will, because I'm ready for anything!"

He drew out his Poke Ball.

"Lampent, let's win this!"

The Pokemon that came forth looked like a floating gas lamp, with a wide-brimmed hat-like feature on top, long, skinny arms, and a glass head with yellow eyes and a small mouth, within which a blue flame could be seen burning. Jim took out his Pokedex.

"Lampent, the Lamp Pokemon. This Pokemon wanders through cities, looking for souls of the fallen. It appears at the moment of death to take souls away to the spirit world."

Both Jim and Bianca shivered. The crowd murmured, regarding the ghostly Pokemon. Leanne gulped, but took out a Poke Ball.

"Zorua, this is your time!"

From the familiar burst of light, there was little Zorua, looking eager and ready.

"And Leanne Summers's Pokemon is a Zorua! Very smart planning!" said Burton.

"Yes, indeed!" said Don George. "Lampent's a Ghost and Fire type, which means it can only use Fire-type attacks on Dark types like Zorua. Very clever!"

Samson's face fell.

"A Zorua?? Where did you find that?!"

"I got it as a reward," said Leanne. "Still feel prepared for anything?"

Samson fidgeted. Obviously, he wasn't expecting his opponent to have something that was so advantageous over him. But after his initial hesitation, he was back to grinning deviously.

"You bet I am! Like I said, I'm prepared for anything, and you're soon gonna see that this is no ordinary Lampent!"

Zorua crouched, growling.

"Begin!" said the referee.

"Lampent, use Flamethrower!"

A stream of flames billowed from Lampent's mouth.

"Zorua, dodge, then use Faint Attack!"

Zorua zipped to the side, the flames striking the ground, and then leaped, vanishing into thin air as it approached. Lampent looked about, trying to locate him. Then, suddenly, he appeared on the ground right behind it and pounced at it from there, knocking it for a loop. Samson growled.

"Lampent, use Smog!"

The flame inside Lampent's head seemed to turn into gray smoke, and this smoke billowed out of Lampent's front, clouding around Zorua.

"Zorua!" Leanne yelled.

Samson grinned, his confidence regained.

"Now, Lampent, Flamethrower!"

The flame returned, and Lampent expelled another stream of flames at Zorua, and this time, it connected. The little Tricky Fox was blown back, his fur smoking from the flames.

"Zorua! Are you ok??"

Zorua got back to his paws, teeth bared.

"That's the spirit! Use Fury Swipes!"

Zorua leaped at Lampent, claws outstretched, and swiped at the Lamp Pokemon…but its swipes seemed to go right through it! Samson laughed uproariously.

"You have got to be one of the most inept trainers I've ever had to face!" he said. "Don't you know Ghost aren't affected by Normal-type attacks?"

Leanne stood as if stunned, clapping a hand to her forehead.

"Shoot! I forgot about that!"

"Well, if Faint Attack and Fury Swipes are all you have to offer," said Samson, "then I think it's time to turn up the heat! Lampent, Fire Spin on yourself!"

Lampent began spinning in the air like a top, faster and faster, and as it did so, flames erupted from its mouth, and began to swirl around with it. This created a narrow cyclone of fire that completely surrounded it. Everyone gasped.

"This looks bad," said The Guy, grimly. "With that Lampent protected by its own attack, Zorua will be hard-pressed to get a hit in."

Indeed, Zorua seemed uncertain of what to do. He tried to dash at the flames, but had to stop short and come back, cowed by the heat. Another time, he actually charged at it to do Faint Attack, despite Leanne's protestations, but he was blown back, hurt by the flames.

"Now, Lampent, since Zorua is unable to strike back, Flamethrower!"

For the very briefest moment, a gap appeared in the flaming cyclone, and a stream of fire was sent out, blasting Zorua on the spot. Leanne had taken off her hat and was wringing its brim in her hands in a fit of agitation. Samson, meanwhile, was looking smug as a snake. Jim was gripping the guard rail so tight that his knuckles were ghostly pale.

"Come on, Leanne…"

"What do we do…What do we do…?" Leanne muttered.

Suddenly, Zorua stiffened, then crouched. A strange purple-black glow was surrounding his body, and his eyes had an odd glow to them.

"Zorua?…"

"Lampent, let's end this pitiful display," said Samson, "with one more Flamethrower!"

Once again, a gap in the cyclone opened, and the Flamethrower shot toward Zorua. Then, without warning, Zorua opened his mouth with a howl, and a beam of purple and black energy blasted from his open jaws, striking the Flamethrower and pushing it back inside, sending Lampent flying out of the cyclone, which dissipated. Samson's jaw fell open, as did a fair many others.

"What…what the heck was that?!" Jim spluttered.

"Well, well," said The Guy, smiling roughly. "Tell me, Jim, where did Leanne get that Zorua?"

"Huh? It was hatched from an Egg a Day Care woman gave us."

"That explains it then. That move was Dark Pulse, which Zorua can learn only through breeding. Odd that it would only now come out."

Leanne had snapped out of her surprise, replacing her cap onto her head with a confident flourish.

"Great work, Zorua! Now that Lampent's out of the fire and back into the frying pan, use Faint Attack!"

Zorua lunged forward and vanished once again. Samson was too struck by the surprise Dark Pulse to order a command, and Lampent was thrown to the ground by the attack, where it did not get back up.

"Lampent is unable to battle! Zorua wins!"

The crowd exploded into ecstatic cheers, which were all the stronger on the side where Jim, Bianca, and The Guy were stationed. The latter merely stood, smiling with arms crossed, as the former two leaped and pumped their fists in the air with joy. Leanne scooped Zorua up into her arms.

"We did it, Zorua! You did it!" she said, hugging him to her, and the little Pokemon nuzzled her cheek.

Samson, in a state of shock, recalled his Lampent and stumbled out of the arena.

"That was great!" gushed Bianca as Leanne returned. "Your Zorua is so amazing!"

"Well done," said The Guy. "That Dark Pulse came right of nowhere."

"I know! I wasn't expecting it, either!"

"Give it a little fine-tuning, and you'll have one heck of a weapon on your hands," he said, looking at Zorua under his heavy eyebrows.

At that moment, Bianca pushed past, as it was her turn to battle.

"Good luck, Bianca!" Jim called.

Bianca waved, and stood opposite Zach, who was still tapping his foot impatiently.

"Let's just get this over with," he said, grumpily.

Bianca blinked. She wasn't quite sure what to make of this. Zach took out his Poke Ball.

"Sawsbuck, ensure me a quick match!"

The Pokemon that appeared was a tall brown deer with a white belly, Its antlers were adorned with what appeared to be an abundance of red-pink leaves.

Leanne gasped, and Jim took out his Pokedex. Just like when he scanned Deerling before, there were four images of this Pokemon, though they weren't all different colors. The difference lay with their antlers and fur: one's antlers was adorned with flower buds, another with green leaves, and the last had no plants on its antlers, but possessed snow-white fur at its chest and hooves.

"Sawsbuck, the Season Pokemon, and the evolved form of Deerling. The plants growing on their antlers change with each season, and these changes are what drives Sawsbuck's migration pattern."

"It's so majestic!" breathed Leanne.

"A Normal/Grass type? That's pretty rare. Makes me wonder what Bianca's gonna use. I didn't see any Fire types on her."

Indeed, Bianca seemed to be contemplating what Pokemon she could use, scratching her hair beneath her beret.

"Come on, come on!" snapped Zach. "Make it quick!"

"Don't be so pushy, I'm thinking," said Bianca, huffily.

Then, she snapped her fingers with a gasp of inspiration. She fished around in her rucksack and drew out a Poke Ball. The way it gleamed as she took it out showed that it was polished to an unbelievable extent.

"Minccino, let's do this!"

She tossed her Ball, and out came little Minccino, who gave a chipper little squeak as he appeared. Several girls "aww"-ed at the sight of it.

"Minccino?" said Jim, surprised. "Why send it out against a big Pokemon like Sawsbuck??"

"Perhaps she's going for speed and evasiveness, rather than raw power," said The Guy.

"Begin the battle!" said the referee.

"Sawsbuck, Megahorn!" said Zach.

Sawsbuck crouched, its leafy horns glowing bright green, then charged for Minccino.

"Dodge it, Minccino, then use Swift!”

Minccino leaped away to dodge the glowing antlers, then, as it was airborne over Sawsbuck, it swung its tail, sending a shower of golden stars raining down, striking Sawsbuck in the back.

"Catch it with Double Kick!"

Sawsbuck planted its front hooves into the dirt and struck out with its hind legs, its hooves striking Minccino a hard blow and sending it toppling to the ground.

"Minccino!" Bianca squealed.

"Ooh, that's gotta hurt!" said Burton. "Double Kick's a Fighting type move, and when used against a Normal type like Minccino-"

"-It spells potential trouble for Bianca," concluded Don George.

"Now, Sawsbuck, use Energy Ball!"

Sawsbuck reared up, a ball of green energy forming in front of its muzzle. The ball shot forward, straight for Minccino.

"Minccino!!"

Minccino got to its feet shakily, and could see the Energy Ball coming toward it. Almost on instinct, its furry tail shone a brilliant white, and with one movement, it swung itself around, slapping the attack with its tail with such force that it bounced back and rocketed off into the sky. The crowd gasped.

"What the hey?" Jim spluttered.

"That was Tail Slap," said The Guy. "It's Minccino's signature move."

Bianca looked thrilled.

"Yes! Great job, Minccino!"

Zach growled.

"Your resistance is wasting my time! Sawsbuck, Megahorn!"

Sawsbuck charged once again, horns glowing green.

"Minccino, Sing!"

Minccino clasped its paws together, closed its eyes, and began to sing in an unusually melodic voice. It had no words, just vocalizing, but the sound was beautiful. Not only that, but bobbing musical notes seemed to float from its mouth, disappearing as they touched Sawsbuck. Its charge slowed from a gallop to a canter, then to a trot, as its eyes became heavy and droopy.

"Great! Now, while it's sleepy, use Tail Slap!"

Minccino lunged, its tail glowing again, and smacked Sawsbuck several times across the muzzle with it. The last strike carried it onto its side, where it lay, snoozing.

"Sawsbuck is unable to battle! Minccino wins! The victor is Bianca!"

Bianca hopped up and down in absolute glee, and Minccino leaped into her arms to nuzzle her. With an impatient huff, Zach recalled his incapacitated Sawsbuck.

"Complete waste of my time," he said, and exited the stadium swiftly.

"You were amazing, Bianca!" praised Jim, as she returned.

"Thanks, Jim! I had no idea Minccino could use Tail Slap like that!"

"The three of you are just full of surprises," said The Guy, approvingly. "Keep it up, and those that try to stop your climb to the top will never know how to keep you down."

The three nodded, grateful for his words of wisdom. Jim glanced over at Nigel, who was still standing off by himself. He wondered how many surprises he would have up his sleeves…

 

[TPrower]

CHAPTER 33
A Hard Night's Prep​

"Well, ladies and gentlemen," said Burton, "that concludes the preliminary round! We shall now determine the match-ups for Round 2 tomorrow! George?"

"Thanks, Burton. The matches will proceed as follows:"

As Don George spoke, the accompanying pictures appeared on the view screen.

"Anonymous vs. Solomon! Jim Stevens vs. Jimmy Ray! Nigel Richmond vs. Cruise! Leanne Summers vs. Bianca!"

Jim's face fell. It looked like he would be fighting the weirdo in the Watchog outfit after all. Bianca and Leanne, meanwhile, were regarding each other pensively. They didn't seem willing to accept that they had to battle each other.

"Hey, don't sweat it, girls," said Jim, trying to be placating. "It's just a competition, after all. It's all in good fun, right?"

"Yeah, I guess you're right," said Leanne, after a little hesitation.

"We just don't want to have to be the ones battling over the chance to face you," said Bianca.

Jim reddened.

"Now stop it," he said, in a gentle yet reproving tone. "There's no guarantee that I'll be going on to the semifinals."

"Oh, come on," said Bianca, brightly, "you've seen that Watchog that Jimmy Ray guy has. I now you'll have something to counter that!"

"Maybe," said Jim, thoughtfully.

Burton was giving his final words.

"Remember, competitors, get a good night's rest, and be prepared for tomorrow! As always, I'm Charlie Burton-"

"And I'm Don George-"

"And this…is the Nimbasa Battle Tournament!" they said, simultaneously.

***​

Chatting excitedly, the stadium began to empty, and the remaining competitors lagged behind, Nigel far in the back. From their talk, Jim was able to learn a few things about his fellow Round 2 competitors, Solomon Wright and Cruise Greendale.

Solomon was from Castelia himself, and had known Nigel's family, the Richmonds, since he used to deliver newspapers in their neighborhood. According to him, they were all just like Nigel: pompous and condescending, feeling superior to everyone else. They specially bred all of their Pokemon, which made sense, considering Nigel's Simisage knew Magical Leaf.

Cruise, on the other hand, was the son of a Pokemon florist in Striaton City. He, his father, was famous for his hedge sculptures, which consisted of many Pokemon not found in Unova. Jim had the suspicion that he had been the one that crafted that "Pikachu" one he and Leanne had seen. Therefore, Cruise was proficient with Bug and Grass Pokemon, hence his Swadloon.

"Solomon, you know the Richmonds. Why are they so hateful to people from Nuvema Town?" asked Bianca.

"It's not just Nuvema Town," said Solomon. "They're pretty much against any settling that doesn't come to their expectations, but Nuvema and Accumula rank up with the top. To them, money is everything, and when they look at towns that look like they don't have that kind of money, it pretty much further proves their self-convictions."

"Nigel also mentioned the Junipers," said Jim, "how their talent was wasted on us from Nuvema Town."

"Well, it's small wonder. Professor Juniper and her father used to travel the world, accumulating and spreading their knowledge to everyone they met. Naturally, they made quite a name for themselves, but when they settled down in such a small community as Nuvema Town, some people, like the Richmonds, thought it was a waste of their potential."

"Well, what's it to them?" Jim asked, snappishly. "It's not up to them to decide how the world works!"

"But they'll never recognize that, I'm afraid," said The Guy, gravely. "All you can do is true to ignore the stuff he says."

"I try, but it's difficult."

"I know, I know. It's always difficult to withstand attacks on what you're proud of, but if you can show him you're above such taunts, and don't give him the satisfaction of riling you up, you'll prove you are better than him." Jim smiled and nodded. His respect for the mysterious, nameless Trainer seemed to be increasing with every conversation they partook in.

***​

By that time, they had reached the Pokemon Center. Cruise and Solomon went off to do their own things, while the others congregated to the dining area. There, as they ate, Jim got to hear what Bianca had been up to ever since she had run away from home.

She had not personally been present for the speech from Team Plasma at Accumula Town, but had seen it televised when she stopped over at a Pokemon Center down a byway in the path. At first, she had been stricken dumb with surprise to see Jim stand up to Ghetsis, but then had whooped and hollered with excitement when he caught Echo and engaged in a double battle alongside Leanne. She had thought about going back, but had decided in the end to keep on, as she was sure he would catch up eventually. She had thankfully chosen to battle Chili for the Trio Badge, since her Dewott (who had still been an Oshawott then) was best suited.

Jim waited for the part he was dreading, but surprisingly, Bianca made no mention of meeting Cheren or having the awful conversation Jim had overheard in secret. There was no hesitation in her voice, either, as if she had practiced for this eventuality. Jim asked no questions about it; he knew it would just stress her out. She had had a very narrow battle against Lenora, during which Oshawott had finally evolved, just like Cheren's Pignite, but had come through in the end to win her Basic Badge.

Strangely enough, she had a relatively easy time in Pinwheel Forest, reaching the end in less than a day. When Jim and Leanne expressed astonishment and wondered on Earth she could have gotten through so quickly, she said she had used her Herdier (it had evolved from Lillipup by then) to sniff out the way. Despite her excitement to reach it, she didn't spend much time in Castelia City, only enough to earn her Insect Badge, and then was on her way again, since she was so eager to reach Nimbasa City. Jim then asked how the desert fared for her.

"I didn't go by the desert," she said, tilting her head in slight confusion.

Jim and Leanne looked at each other, with expressions of those unsure if they had heard right. Jim cleared his throat, in an attempt to sound casual.

"…Pardon?"

"I know the straight way to Nimbasa City is through the desert, but I took the way around. It only took me a couple days."

She beamed, proud of how resourceful she had been. Jim and Leanne looked stupefied. They had spent nearly three days wandering the desert, in the scorching sun and across burning sands, while Bianca, by pure luck, had found a much easier path on the other side.

"I knew you were full of surprises, Bianca," said Jim, at length, "but this is just ridiculous. What are the odds of you finding so many shortcuts?"

Bianca thought about it for a moment, then shrugged.

"I dunno," she said. "Just luck, I guess."

"Some luck," Jim muttered.

He returned to his brighter mood in a twinkling, however.

"But, all in all, I'm just glad you've been doing so well. Ever since you ran off in the night, I was really worried about how you were faring."

"Aww, that's so sweet," said Bianca, touched. "I thought about you a lot, too, especially after-"

Here she stopped herself. She seemed on the verge of disclosing information that would not have been advisable to speak of at that time.

"Yes?"

"Especially after…that Team Plasma thing!" she said, hurriedly, though it seemed clear that was not what she was going to say. "I was afraid they might have bothered you again after what happened."

"Oh-ho, trust me," said Jim, grimly, "we've had quite a few run-ins with those 'merry' folk, but nowhere near as pleasant as our little party in Accumula Town."

Here, Jim told Bianca of their encounters with Team Plasma since the public meeting: the kidnapped Deerling near Wellspring Cave, the theft of the Nacrene Museum's fossils, kidnapping Lilligant from Cirque de Pokee (Bianca expressed great disappointment at not having stayed to see it), and attempting to sic a Darmanitan on them in the desert.

"That's…that's horrible!" Bianca gasped, dumbfounded at what Jim had described. "What kind of people are they?!"

"The kind you and I would do very well to stay away from," said The Guy, who had remained silent all throughout their conversation. "There's no doubt they're only trying to follow what's best for Pokemon, but they really need to set their priorities in order."

"No kidding. Resorting to thievery and attempted murder…"

The four remained silent for some time, and then The Guy clapped his hands together.

"Well!" he said. "Since we're all finished, I'd wager we should prepare for tomorrow."

"Oh! Good idea!" said Jim.

They all got up from their chairs and left the dining hall.

***​

There was a grassy pavilion at the back of the Pokemon Center, almost like a park, complete with topiaries and arranged flowers. It had obviously been set up to help visiting Trainers prepare for the competition, as there were also wooden targets and sack dummies. Here, the foursome broke up to confer with their Pokemon. Jim went off to one corner, and turning back, he saw The Guy with his Pokemon, Ferroseed, Scrafty, and Palpitoad, talking to them stiff and erect, like a military officer. Jim let all of his Pokemon out, and there they stood, looking expectantly up at him. June clambered down from his shoulder to join them.

"Ok, guys, we're already into Round 2," he said, "and we all have Echo to thank for that."

Echo grinned in an embarrassed way as the others applauded him.

"But we can't slack off yet. We're going to be facing Jimmy Ray, who's got a Watchog. We can't be sure what he's going to throw at us, so we have to be prepared for anything. Torrent?"

"Yeah, bro?"

"This is as good a time as any to get Brick Break down pat."

"Right. I'd just need something to practice on, you know?"

"I do. Croco?"

"Eh?"

"Think you can lend a claw in this?"

"Why me? I ain't no punching bag."

"You could let him practice on your Stone Edge attacks."

"Ah! Why didn't ya say so from the start? Sure, I can do that."

"Sound good, Torrent?"

"Absolutely!" said Torrent, flashing him a thumbs-up.

"The rest of you, I'll monitor your training in the meanwhile. Let's get started!"

***​

For the rest of that evening, Jim supervised the others as they practiced on the training equipment, particularly with their projectile attacks. The targets looked as if they were made of ordinary wood, but they were impressively sturdy, exemplified by the number of times one target was bombarded by a Shadow Ball or Energy Ball. Torrent and Croco, meanwhile, were in full swing. Croco summoned a cloud of Stone Edge rocks, forming a sort of barrier around himself, and Torrent was to use Brick Break to smash through it. He charged at it with great gusto, but as soon as he jutted his fist out, the telltale glow around it vanished, and he just ended up tumbling headlong into the jagged stones, making Jim wince.

"Keep going, Torrent," he said, bracingly, "I know you'll get it."

He looked about the pavilion at his other Pokemon, and then stopped, with some surprise. Missy wasn't among the Pokemon preparing for the upcoming battle. Instead, she was settled on a tree limb, a ripe apple in her paws. Jim crossed over, arms folded.

"Missy, this is no time for loafing. We have to take this fight seriously."

"I'm not loafing," she insisted, "I'm watching and learning."

She looked up at Jim, hoping this was a good enough explanation, but her ears lowered at the sight of how unimpressed he was.

"Aw, come on, Jim. Fighting's not my niche. You probably won't even need me tomorrow."

Jim's glare hardened. It was just as June had predicted…

"I have no way of guaranteeing that," he replied, sternly. "A good Pokemon team is prepared for anything, even if they don't see immediate action. Laziness is not an option! Now hop to it!"

"I'm not lazy! I just don't like battling! You can't make me if I don't want to!" she retaliated, pouting.

This made Jim even angrier. She was acting just like a spoiled little child.

"Now you listen here, young lady," he said. "This is a competition, and in a competition, there is absolutely no room for idle behavior and shirking training! You see the others out there, preparing with everything they've got, and I expect you to do the same! What happened to the Missy I first met, the one who helped save us from a mad Scolipede?!"

Missy looked terrified at this scolding; it was so unlike Jim. Her lip trembled, and she looked up at him with big, sad, soulful eyes, the apple still clutched in her tiny paws.

That was enough.

Jim sighed, wearily, feeling awful for what he had just said. He took his hat off and knelt down to get to her eye level, putting a hand on her furry head.

"Look, Missy, I didn't mean to yell at you like that. I know not every Pokemon is enthused about battling, but even if they aren't, they have to give their best when the time calls for it. You fought great against N's Yamask, or Burgh's Dwebble."

Missy looked down at the grass, ashamed at this reminder.

"Believe me, I don't like forcing you to do what you don't want, but we all have to be prepared for the unexpected. That's what battling is all about. Just give it a try. For me?"

He smiled down at her, so gently and fatherly that Missy nearly cried. At least, there was the beginning of tears in her eyes. She nodded, dropped the apple, and raised her little arms for a hug, which Jim granted. Then, with a small smile to him, she jumped down from the tree and went to join her teammates. Jim replaced his cap back on his head.

"Nice going."

Jim started and turned. June was standing on the branch Missy had just left.

"You handled that very nicely."

"I guess you were right, June."

June put a consoling paw on his arm.

"Don't blame yourself," she said. "It wasn't your fault. You did the right thing in being firm with her."

"Do you still hate her?" Jim asked, shrewdly.

"No, but I still want to make sure her behavior's kept in check. I'm just trying to look out for the stability of the team."

Jim smiled.

"I had no idea you were the team mom," he said.

June looked as if she might have taken offense at that, but on reflection, she smiled and chuckled.

"Hey! Jim! June!"

Jim and June turned to see Torch scrambling towards them.

"What is it, Torch?"

"You've got to see this! Torrent's finally getting it down!"

"Really??"

They followed Torch back to the other side of the pavilion, just in time to see Torrent rushing forward again. Croco had raised a new wall of Stone Edge rocks, and Torrent's arm was ablaze with white light. With a lunge, he threw his arm back, then jutted it forward. There was a crumbling crash, and the stones within the range of his fist were smashed into gravel, so that his fist kept going and socked Croco in the stomach. With a wheeze, he doubled over and fell onto his back, the stones clattering to the grass beside him before vanishing. Torrent stood, panting and cringing, gripping his wrist.

"Torrent! You did it!"

"Yeah, I guess I did," he said, with a smile. "Not too good right now, but it's getting there."

"Definitely. As long as keep it up, we'll have it refined into the perfect Brick Break."

There was a loud zap and crack at that moment. They whirled around, and saw that Missy had unleashed an Electro Ball at one of the beleaguered wooden targets, finally splintering it. The portly Emolga gazed proudly at her work, then over at the others, who all applauded her electrokinetic display. Jim, especially, looked pleased to see her taking her training as seriously as Torrent had done, and, as he glanced at June, he saw that even the stern Snivy had a smile on her face.

 

[TPrower]

CHAPTER 34
Round 2: Part 1​

"Good morning, Nimbasa, and welcome to Day 2 of our battle tournament! I'm Charles Burton-"

"And I'm Don George-"

"Reporting to you live from Nimbasa's own Big Stadium! We're about to begin the quarterfinals, starting with our first battle: Anonymous vs. Solomon!"

The two were already in place, Jim, Leanne, and Bianca standing by in the waiting section, all eyes on the battlefield. Both combatants were looking perfectly composed and collected. Unfortunately, Solomon had done his training away from the others, so Jim had no idea what other Pokemon he had. Just as he was pondering what he could have, the aforementioned Trainer drew out a Poke Ball.

"Duosion, let's do this!" he said as he threw it.

The Pokemon that appeared was quite an oddity. It was pale green, with a large head with black eyes and a diamond-shaped mouth, a small body, and stubby arms, all encapsulated in a translucent blobby dark green shell. Jim took out his Pokedex to scan it.

"Duosion, the Mitosis Pokemon, and the evolved form of Solosis. Because its brain is divided into two, it utilizes its full power when both halves think the same thought."

The Guy regarded the strange Pokemon with complete calm, then drew his own Poke Ball.

"Palpitoad, stand by for battle!"

The Vibration Pokemon appeared on the battlefield, sticking out its tongue impetuously again. Confused murmurs spread throughout the crowd.

"Why would he choose Palpitoad?" Cruise asked, stupefied. "Scrafty's a Fighting type, but it's also a Dark type, meaning it can resist Psychic attacks! Palpitoad doesn't have any advantage!"

"I think he knew that," said Jim, who was standing beside him, "and didn't want an unfair dominance."

"Unfair dominance? He'd have this fight in the bag! Just because he wants to fight fair doesn't mean he should take such risks!"

"But isn't that what makes Pokemon battling so special? The risks you take?"

Cruise looked at him in surprise, and couldn't find anything to argue against that.

"Well, George, it looks like our first battle of the day shall turn out to be an interesting one," said Burton.

"That's right, Charlie. Neither Pokemon has a type advantage over the other, so all it comes down to is skill and moves."

The referee raised his flags.

"Begin!"

"Duosion, start off with Psyshock!"

Duosion tensed, and a ball of glowing blue and purple energy formed in front of it, launching for Palpitoad.

"Palpitoad, defend with Muddy Water!"

Palpitoad tensed as well, and seemingly out of nowhere, a ring of brown water appeared around it, rising up like a swirling barrier. The Psyshock struck the water, leaving a gap but no other damage.

"Now fight back with Mud Shot!"

Palpitoad whipped its tongue out, which had begun to glow yellow. It swung its tongue like a rope, and a volley of mud balls struck at Duosion, striking it repeatedly. Strangely enough, Solomon didn't order an attack to prevent it.

"That's weird," mused Bianca. "You'd think he'd have some kind of shielding move or something."

"Yeah," said Jim, regarding Solomon with a grim look on his face. "Just what is Solomon up to?"

"All right, Duosion, use Psyshock again!"

Duosion sent another glowing blue and purple ball at Palpitoad.

"Palpitoad, Muddy Water, this time to strike back!"

Palpitoad let out a vibrating croak, and another cyclone of brown water surrounded it, but this time it converged into a solid point and struck, like a snake, at the Psyshock. The two attacks struck, fighting to best each other, but finally, the Muddy Water won, and Duosion was swamped by it, literally. Again, Solomon didn't seem perturbed by this. On the contrary, he was smiling, despite his Pokemon's obvious fatigue.

"You find something funny about all this?" The Guy asked.

"Not funny, per se, but you've played into my hand nicely."

"…How's that?"

"Well, best not to keep you waiting. Duosion, Endeavor!"

Duosion tensed, its eyes narrowed in concentration, as its inner body began glowing a rainbow of colors. Then, it settled on pure white, and a beam of the same rainbow-colored light blasted forth and struck Palpitoad, who cried out, its body also glowing this colorful myriad. Then, all of a sudden, it slumped, looking far too battle-damaged for having been struck once. The crowd gasped. Bianca and Leanne's jaws dropped, and Jim and Cruise were no less stupefied.

"What…what was that?" Jim asked.

"That was Endeavor," replied Cruise. "It's a move that damages the opponent to the exact point the user is at. It's sort of like sharing the pain."

"And now, Duosion, Recover," said Solomon, quite at his ease.

A strange glow surrounded Duosion's body, and when it faded, all visible signs of damage on it were gone.

"No wonder Solomon didn't try to defend," said Leanne. "He was waiting on using that Endeavor, and then refreshing Duosion while Palpitoad's exhausted!"

"He's really crafty," muttered Jim.

Oddly, throughout all this, The Guy had hardly stirred. His face had never even registered dismay at this sneaky ploy. Instead, he was frowning, eyebrows lowered, as if pondering what he should do. It hardly looked as if he was bothered at all by what happened. At last, he nodded and smiled.

"I won't deny it, Solomon, that was very clever. Endeavor plus Recover isn't a very common move set, and you've displayed it admirably, but do you really think I never expected this?"

Solomon looked slightly taken aback.

"When you've traveled the world as much as I have, you know all the quirks of every Pokemon you've encountered. The minute I saw that Duosion, I had a feeling in the back of my head you'd try something like that. That's why I'm prepared for it."

"Ha! You're bluffing! Duosion, Hidden Power!"

A ball of brownish energy appeared in front of Duosion and shot for Palpitoad.

"Oh, am I? Palpitoad, dodge and use Aqua Ring!"

With an effort, the exhausted Palpitoad leaped aside, the Hidden Power striking the dirt. Then, it let out a croak, and a multitude of glowing blue rings, which seemed to be made of water, surrounded its body. A bluish glow surrounded it, and in the next instant, Palpitoad looked much better: not quite fully healed, but with a look of determination returned to its face. Collective gasps and shouts of admiration came from this display. Jim laughed aloud.

"Ha-HA! I knew he wouldn't be unprepared!"

"Whoa," muttered Cruise. "He took a big risk, but it's really paying off."

Solomon looked dumbfounded, but smiled after a bit.

"So, back to square 1, are we?"

"Guess so. Ready when you are."

"Duosion, Psyshock once again!"

Once more, Duosion sent its psychic sphere at Palpitoad.

"Counter with Mud Shot!"

Palpitoad swung its glowing tongue, releasing a shower of mud globs. One struck the Psyshock and caused an explosion, but the others slammed Duosion.

"All right, Duosion, get ready for another Endeavor!"

Duosion began to glow rainbow colors once again.

"Not this time. Palpitoad, Uproar!"

Palpitoad took a very deep breath, and then let loose something like a roaring croak, so intense in volume in power that the air was actually distorted in waves, Everyone clapped their hands to their ears to shut out the noise. Duosion stumbled, the beam of its Endeavor firing way off.

"And now, Palpitoad, finish this up with one more Muddy Water!"

Palpitoad's clamor subsided, and a swirling mass of dirty water rose up, struck forward, and overcame Duosion. Just as quickly as it had come, the water disappeared, and there lay Duosion, unconscious.

"Duosion is unable to battle! Palpitoad wins!"

The crowd exploded into wild cheers. The Guy merely grinned in appreciation of his victory, while Palpitoad danced on the spot. Solomon sighed and recalled Duosion.

"Good work, old friend. You deserve a rest."

The Guy approached him.

"Thanks, Solomon. You gave me one heck of a fight."

"Glad to oblige," he replied, smiling.

The two shook hands and returned to the competitor waiting area.

"You both were amazing!" said Leanne. "I had no idea who was gonna come out on top!"

"You were both pretty well prepared," said Jim. "Not just Aqua Ring, but Recover and Endeavor? I've never heard of such a strategy!"

"It's helped me win quite a few battles," said Solomon, gratified by someone praising his technique.

"I still say you would have had an easier battle if you just used Scrafty from the start," Cruise said to The Guy.

"I doubt that," said Solomon. "My Duosion's Hidden Power was Fighting type; a failsafe for Dark-type opponents. Even if he had chosen Scrafty, it wouldn't have mattered."

Once again, Cruise was struck dumb by his convictions being refuted.

"Well, bud, it looks like you and me are next," said an unfamiliar voice.

Jim turned, and found himself face to face with Jimmy Ray, his oddly-garbed opponent.

"Er, yeah, I guess so," said Jim, uneasily.

"Can I ask you something? Not meaning to offend, but-"

At this, Jimmy Ray laughed.

"Don't worry, it's not a real Watchog pelt. Pretty lifelike, though, isn't it?" he added, fingering one of the ears of the pelt.

Jim grimaced.

"Unnervingly lifelike," he muttered.

Still, despite his odd attire, Jimmy Ray seemed quite amiable, if a little goofy. At that moment, however, both were called out to the arena, and so they took their places, June once again situated with Bianca. Jim swallowed hard and drew out a Poke Ball.

"Ok, Torrent, it's show time!"

There was a burst of light, and there stood the cool-minded Simipour, arms crossed, complacent.

"A Simipour, eh?" said Jimmy Ray. "Tell me, Stevens, just what Pokemon do you think I'm going to use?"

Jim rolled his eyes, mostly from how "sly" his opponent was trying to make himself out to be.

"Well, gee, let me think…a Watchog maybe?"

Jimmy Ray laughed.

"You're a riot! This is going to be fun. In any case, you would think that, but no. Watchog is my favorite, of course, but I've got something else in mind….

Jim raised an eyebrow. The way Jimmy Ray was building up to his Pokemon was…disquieting. There was a sort of cunning slyness to it. He reached into the folds of his costume and pulled out his own Poke Ball.

"Now, my champion, dazzle this tournament!"

He threw it high, and it opened.

The flash of light that usually accompanied Pokemon coming out was much brighter than usual. It was like a sunspot more than a blink of light, and Jim couldn't help but cover his eyes. When he uncovered them, he gave a start, his jaw hanging open. A fair amount of spectators gasped.

Jimmy Ray's Pokemon…was an Audino.

It was not like any Audino he had ever seen before. All Audino he had seen had sweet, motherly expressions on their faces, but this one had a crafty, self-satisfied smile on its face. Secondly, all the Audino he had ever seen were plump, but this one seemed toned, with a barrel chest rather than a round belly. Lastly, and most striking, all Audino were usually pink and cream, but on this one, wherever there was supposed to be pink, there was instead purple.

"What kind of Audino is that?" Jim asked.

"A very special one," said Jimmy Ray, "one I was extremely lucky to come across. A Shiny male Audino."

"S-Shiny??" Jim spluttered.

He had heard tales about Shiny Pokemon: Pokemon that seemed normal, except that they were a completely different color. They were extremely rare, almost impossible to find, and thus were much sought after. Jim was beginning to feel uneasy. He had never seen an Audino in battle, unless he could count the skirmish in the Dreamyard, but he knew they were able to learn an unbelievable amount of different moves, and also had incredible resilience, comparable to a Pokemon he had heard of from the Kanto region, called a "Chansey", though he didn't even know what one was. He was beginning to wonder if sending Torrent out was a good idea. He shook his head briskly.

"I can't back down now. Special Audino or no, we're not going to go down so easily. Torrent, get ready!"

Torrent got into a battle position.

"That's the spirit!" said Jimmy Ray, as his Audino followed suit.

"Hold on to your hats, folks," said Burton. "We've got a once-in-a-lifetime match here: a battle against a Shiny Pokemon!"

"In fact, Charlie," said Don George, "this may be the first time ever in any Nimbasa Battle Tournament that a Shiny Pokemon has been used."

"Truly a historic event, George!"

Historic or not, however, Jim was determined to bring it down like the rest.

"Begin!" said the referee.

"Torrent, use Scald!"

Torrent took a deep breath, then spat a stream of steaming water straight at Audino.

"Audino, Safeguard!"

Audino jutted his chest out, and a greenish-blue force field temporarily surrounded him, before the Scald struck. He grimaced in pain from the hot water, but otherwise was unmoved. Jim frowned.

"Pretty clever," he muttered. "He's making sure Scald doesn't leave a burn." He then said, aloud, "All right, Torrent, Acrobatics!"

Torrent sprinted forward, so quickly that he seemed to leave afterimages behind. He tackled past Audino several times with astounding speed, but the Hearing Pokemon didn't move an inch. Jim growled in frustration.

"This is ridiculous. But then again, this is why we prepared for this strategy."

Torrent seemed to read what Jim was planning, and went into another battle-ready position, one arm pulled back.

"Sorry, Jim, but I'm afraid I can't let you do that," said Jimmy Ray, in an imitation of the big bad of an action movie. "Audino, Secret Power!"

Audino's entire body glowed a violent shade of pink, and the ground seemed to flash the same color. Audino threw his arms up, then forward, the energy blasting forward in a beam to overwhelm Torrent, bowling him over.

"Torrent!" Jim yelled.

Torrent crawled back onto his feet, but he seemed rather unsteady.

"Hang in there, buddy. Use Scald again!"

Torrent shot another spray of scalding water, but his aim was way off, splashing into one of the far walls of the arena.

"Torrent! What was that about?!"

Jim looked from Torrent to Audino, and frowned.

(That attack Audino did must have done something to Torrent; messed up his accuracy or something…)

Jimmy Ray was smiling, in such a self-satisfied way that it made Jim's blood boil.

"Torrent, wipe that smug look off his face! Acrobatics!"

Torrent dashed forward like before…but he veered to Audino's left side, sprinting this way and that without once making his mark. Jim slapped a hand to his forehead in exasperation.

"I can see my Audino's Secret Power has you confounded, Jim," said Jimmy Ray, crossing his arms, as Audino imitated him. "You see, it has a different effect depending on where it's used. In this case, since we're on a dirt battlefield, Torrent faces a reduction in accuracy."

Jim blanched.

(I knew it…Well, now I have no guarantee of Brick Break making its mark. What do I do?)

Jimmy Ray, obviously, was not one to wait around while his opponents contemplated how to save themselves.

"Now, Audino, use Secret Power again!"

Once again, Audino glowed pink and sent the same blast at Torrent, sending him flying. Jim grimaced. Leanne and Bianca gripped the guard rail in intense anxiety.

"Whoa-ho, George," said Burton, "this isn't looking too good for Stevens!"

"Not at all, Charlie. As Jimmy Ray himself said, Secret Power on a dirt battlefield has the chance of lowering the opponent's accuracy. Stevens' Simipour is going to be hard-pressed to get a good hit in."

Jim set his teeth. He wasn't in the mood to be reminded of the peril he was in. Torrent was as good as half-blind, but he couldn't just throw in the towel based on that technicality.

"Torrent, use Scald again!"

Torrent, back on his feet, spat another Scald, and this time, he made his mark, but it didn't seem to make much difference. Audino still showed little sign of being affected beyond a flinch from the impact of burning hot water. Jimmy Ray yawned.

"Well, Stevens, I'll admit this was entertaining, but it's time to put this performance to an end!"

With a dramatic flourish of his outstretched arm, he directed his Pokemon to the assault.

"Audino, Giga Impact!"

A hushed murmur fell over the crowd, and Jim felt the blood drain from his limbs. A Giga Impact now, when Torrent had been struck by two Secret Power attacks, would mean the end of the match, if he didn't do something. He didn't have much time to think, either, as Audino was beginning to glow with white energy. Frustration had given way to fierce desperation. What was he to do??

"SAY GOOD NIGHT!!" crowed his outlandishly-garbed opponent, and with that, Audino charged like a bullet, moving so fast that his feet seemed to leave the ground.

Finally, Jim couldn't take it anymore.

"TORRENT!!" he yelled, "IT'S NOW OR NEVER! USE BRICK BREAK!!"

Torrent gave something like a start, as if snapped into attention, and then, his closed-eyed face set with new determination, uncaring that there was a chance he could miss altogether, he pulled his arm back, which began to glow white. The glow intensified as he swung his arm in a circle, as if he were a baseball pitcher winding up for the wickedest throw he could muster. In the next instant, Audino was upon him, and Torrent struck!


WHAM!!


The sound of the blow echoed throughout the stadium like a gunshot, and the force reverberated like an earthquake. People gasped, and even the announcers were at a loss for words. From their vantage points, it was nearly impossible to say who had struck first. Both Pokemon were frozen in place, head against head, no change in their expressions whatsoever. Jim and Jimmy Ray stood where they were, a mixture of astonishment and grim determination set on their faces. At this point, the fight could still go either way…

And then, with still no change of his expression, Audino tumbled backward, falling onto his back and lying there stiffly. A livid bruise was in his midsection, and Torrent's arm, fist clenched, was still outstretched. The referee raised his flag.

"Audino is unable to battle! Simipour is the victor!"

It took a moment or two for this outcome to sink in, but then, gradually, the entire stadium exploded into wild applause. It took even longer to register with Jim, but at last, when he finally saw what had happened, his stupor gave way to jubilation. He rushed over to Torrent, who nursing his fist, and threw his arms around him. With a big grin, the Simipour returned the embrace.

"You did it, Torrent! Just like I knew you would!"

"Never would without you, bro," he replied, though it was only just audible over the din of the crowd.

Jimmy Ray, after staring with shock for some time, at last smiled and helped heave his Audino into a sitting position.

"You did spectacularly, my friend," he said, gently, "I'm proud of you, loss or no."

Audino weakly smiled, and was recalled into his Poke Ball. With Torrent by his side, Jim approached his Watchog-clad opponent.

"Thanks, Ray. You gave me one of the toughest fights I've ever experienced. Your Audino's something else."

"So is your Simipour. I'm proud to have had the honor of battling you."

The two gave each other a hearty handshake, then turned to return to the contestant's area, amid the cheers and wild, disjointed shouts of disbelieving excitement from the two announcers.

 

[TPrower]

CHAPTER 35
Round 2: Part 2​

The instant Jim stepped back among his fellow Trainers, he was enveloped in a double-hug from Leanne and Bianca.

"THAT WAS UNBELIEVABLE!!" they both squealed.

June had jumped back onto his shoulder and gave him a warm nuzzle.

"Aw, shucks, girls," said Jim, coloring.

Even Oshawott was giving him an appreciative smile.

"Nice work, kid," said The Guy. "Teaching your Simipour Brick Break was a nice touch."

"Took a lot of doing to perfect it, though."

"All training takes a lot of doing. It's seeing those moves perfected in action that's the ultimate payoff."

The Guy gave him a paternal smile and clapped his other shoulder. The girls let go of Jim, as Cruise and Nigel were being called for their battle. Jim looked up. He hadn't seen or heard from Nigel since their confrontation after his preliminary battle yesterday. Today, however, there he was, coming strutting out of nowhere, past the group of friends. He acted like he didn't even see them.

"Good luck, Cruise," Jim said.

"Thanks," Cruise replied, before stepping out.

The two combatants faced each other, and Cruise took out a Poke Ball, which he held with what looked like an appreciative reverence.

"Servine, I'm counting on you!" he cried as he tossed it.

The Pokemon that appeared had a long, snake-like body, green with a cream underbelly, but had small arms and legs, making it appear more like a lizard. It had a pointed snout, red eyes, a crest on its head, a yellow collar-like adornment across its chest and shoulders, and pointed leaves running down its tail, ending in one at its tip. Jim felt June grip his shoulder rather tightly, and looking askance to her, saw that she was regarding the Pokemon with a kind of wary dislike. Jim took out his Pokedex.

"Servine, the Grass Snake Pokemon, and the evolved form of Snivy. Servine avoids detection by sneaking through thick foliage, then surprises its opponents from behind with its whip-like vines."

"Wow. So that's what you'd evolve into."

"Hmph…"

"What? What'd I say?"

"Look at that smug, condescending face…"

Jim regarded her with some astonishment, then looked at Cruise's Servine. There was no denying that it did look cocky and sure of itself.

"Are you saying you'd never want to evolve?"

"Not if it means I'd become as boastful as that."

At first, Jim didn't think it was fair of June to be so judgmental. Bianca's Dewott might have been stoic and disciplined like all Dewott, but he still maintained his loyalty to his Trainer. Then again, if June did evolve one day into a Servine…would he lose the June he had grown to love? Such was indeed food for thought, so much so that he nearly forgot the battle was still about to start, and Nigel was choosing his Pokemon.

"Elgyem, come forth!"

The Pokemon that appeared this time was small and gray, with a large, egg-shaped head with ovular green eyes and odd, black lines in the forehead. It had a stubby tail and broad, fingerless hands that were set instead by three buttons or lights, red, yellow, and green. Many people gasped or muttered excitedly. Jim scanned this one as well, his Pokedex still out.

"Elgyem, the Cerebral Pokemon. This Pokemon was never been seen by humans until it appeared in the desert 50 years ago. It uses its psychic powers to cause painful headaches."

"50 years ago?" Jim mused.

"Elgyem are an extremely peculiar race indeed," said The Guy. "No one knows what they are, where they came from, or how they came here at all, but they seem to have adjusted to their surroundings like all Pokemon."

Jim looked at Elgyem, wondering what it could be capable of, being a Psychic type.

"Let the match begin!" shouted the referee.

"Servine, use Leaf Tornado!"

Just like June would, Servine spun like a top, becoming surrounded by a hurricane of leaves which then tossed themselves at Elgyem.

"Elgyem, Teleport!" commanded Nigel.

With a blink of light, Elgyem suddenly vanished on the spot, as if it were the image of a TV screen being shut off. The leaves bombarded past, denied their target, who then appeared left of the spot. Cruise clenched his fist, while Nigel merely grinned.

"Don't let it get to you, Servine! Use Slam!"

Servine charged forward at astounding speed.

"Counter with Headbutt!" ordered Nigel.

Elgyem shot forward headfirst like a missile, a faint glow surrounding it. Just when they were about to collide, however, Servine jumped and wrapped its tail around Elgyem, pulling it to a sharp stop, much to it and Nigel's collective astonishment. Then, with an effort of strength, it pulled a somersault, throwing Elgyem over its head and slamming it right into the dirt. Now it was Nigel's turn to grimace and Cruise's to smirk. Jim gripped the guard rails in anticipation.

"I'd love to see Cruise wipe that smug look off Nigel's face permanently," he said. "This'll teach him not to discount the Snivy evolutionary line."

"Don't get too confident, kid," said The Guy. "Cruise has got his head in the game, sure, but Elgyem's still a Psychic type, and they can pull off some really nasty tricks."

Jim looked at him, but said nothing. He didn't think it wise to contradict him; after all, he'd had more experience.

"Elgyem, use Psybeam!"

Elgyem had lifted itself back up, and had held its hands forward, palms first. The lights began to blink rapidly, and in the next instant, a beam of rainbow-colored light erupted from between its hands, shooting for Servine.

"Dodge it, Servine, and then use Leech Seed!" Cruise ordered.

Servine crouched and leaped with great agility. The Psybeam blasted past and struck the opposite wall of the stands, discombobulating several spectators. Meanwhile, the spiny leaves on Servine's tail had begun to glow a bright green. In the next instant, it swung its tail in a wide sweep, and tiny, glowing projectiles were flung from it to strike Elgyem. They were so small, Jim couldn't see what they were, but in the next instant, he saw a multitude of green, creeping vines encircle Elgyem's body, and a reddish glow seemed to emanate from them. Elgyem winced in pain, and small orbs of the same red light fled from the vines and absorbed into Servine's body.

"What a spectacular tactical maneuver!" said Burton, excitedly. "It looks like Cruise has set himself up for a slow but steady victory!"

"Yes, indeed, Charlie," said Don George, "Elgyem will still be able to attack, but that Leech Seed's gonna eat away at its health little by little, while that energy goes to Servine."

Jim pounded the guard rail with his fist.

"Ha!" he shouted. "I knew Cruise would one-up on Nigel! Let's see him get out of this!"

"You might want to look again, Jim," said Solomon. "Nigel doesn't look too concerned."

Indeed, despite this setback, Nigel still looked completely at ease, as if all of this had been taken into account.

"Oh my," he said, in a sarcastically concerned voice, "You've roped my poor Elgyem into a Leech Seed trap. Whatever shall I do?"

Cruise raised an eyebrow, nonplussed from this show.

"Oh, wait, I know exactly what I'll do," said Nigel, a glint in his eye. "Elgyem, use Heal Block!"

A gasp ran over the crowd, as Elgyem's eyes began to flash a pale yellow. The same glow surrounded Servine, and it seemed, in the next moment, to fade away and turn a rusty copper color, as if the light had died.

"What…what did he just do?" asked Jim.

"Heal Block," said Solomon, grimly. "It's a move that keeps the victim from regaining health by any means. Leech Seed will still damage Elgyem, but Servine won't get the benefit of restoring its health from it."

Jim beat the guard rail again, but this time out of frustration.

"That sneaky…" he muttered.

Cruise was taken aback by Nigel's ploy, but was clearly trying to regain his stance. Nigel was laughing.

"It's just as I said to Stevens," he said, coldly, and Jim looked up. "The Snivy line will never match up to my idea of a perfect Grass type. Too little variety, very predictable…"

His cold eyes were narrowed with devious glee.

"Not bad, Nigel, not bad. That's an oddly specific strategy you've worked out. It doesn't change the fact that Heal Block is still a double-edged sword. Servine can't regain health, but that doesn't make Elgyem immune to damage. It all comes down to pure skill now."

"Precisely," said Nigel, composedly.

"Then let's proceed! Servine, use Aerial Ace!"

Servine crouched, and a white energy seemed to surround its body. It lunged forward, but its feet weren't touching the ground. It was actually soaring through the air, like a bird! Jim couldn't take its eyes off it; never before had he seen anything other than a Flying-type Pokemon fly so gracefully. Even June was watching it with wide-eyed wonder. Nigel, for his part, was so caught off guard that he didn't order Elgyem to dodge, and Servine struck head on. At the same time, the telltale red blink told everyone watching that Leech Seed had zapped more energy.

"Once again, Servine!" ordered Cruise.

Servine, pulling a spectacular U-turn, rocketed toward Elgyem once again, but this time, Nigel had regained himself.

"Teleport!" he commanded.

Elgyem vanished, causing Servine to blast right past where Elgyem had been and crash into the dirt. A collective groan of "Ohh!" ran through the crowd at the sight of the impact. Nigel's smile was back on his face as Elgyem returned to view above the prostrated Grass Snake Pokemon.

"Headbutt!" he ordered.

Elgyem inverted itself and struck Servine square in the back, like a pile-driver. Cruise winced.

"Again!"

Once again, Elgyem slammed down, headfirst. Servine looked as if it were in terrible pain.

"Come on, Servine! Hang in there!" begged Cruise.

Servine very shakily got to into a crouch, but it was clear that it was extremely battered, and with no way to recover. Nigel's devious smile had become even more unpleasant.

"You put up a valiant effort, my dear Cruise," he said, "but even you must know when to admit defeat. And now, Elgyem, end this pitiful display! Psybeam, full power!"

Elgyem brought its arms back. The lights on its palm blazed with the rainbow-colored light of the brewing Psybeam. Then, it brought its hands together, palms forward, and with the speed and ferocity of a gunshot, it fired! The blast overwhelmed Servine, hitting it full force and sending it crashing into the wall behind it. When the light vanished, Servine was sprawled against the wall, out cold. The referee raised his flag.

"Servine is unable to battle! Elgyem is the winner!"

It took a moment for the audience to recover itself from such a display, but they burst into cheers soon enough. Nigel proudly recalled Elgyem as Cruise rushed to his Servine and picked it up in his arms.

"You did wonderfully, Servine," he whispered. "I'm proud of you."

Jim was glaring at Nigel as he returned to the spectator's area, followed by Cruise.

"Oh, come now, Stevens, are you such a sore loser that you get mad even when you're not the one who lost?"

Jim said nothing, and Nigel went on his way.

"Sorry, Cruise. I really wanted to see you win."

"It's all right, Jim. I'm surprised I even got this far."

"Your Servine's really something else. That Aerial Ace came out of nowhere!"

"Thanks. I taught it to Servine to give it a little variety."

"It was perfect timing, if you ask me. For just a moment, it wiped that smug look off his face. 'Very predictable', huh?"

He didn't care if Nigel could hear or not. Cruise laughed, then he paused, as if struck with an idea.

"If you want," he said, "I could teach your Snivy Aerial Ace."

June perked up, caught off guard by this suggestion.

"Really?" Jim asked. "You'd do that?"

"Sure! If she's willing, that is."

"What do you think, partner?" Jim asked.

June's eyelids lowered.

"Would I have to take orders from him?" she asked, pointedly.

"I suppose so," said Jim.

June sighed, resignedly.

"Well, compromises have to be made, I suppose," she muttered.

"So?" Cruise asked, expectantly.

"She's not too jazzed about being taught by her evolved form, but she'll do it."

"Awesome! Don't worry, Servine's no drill sergeant. He's like a big brother to my other Pokemon."

"You hear that, June?" Jim asked, looking at her hopefully.

She said nothing, so he dropped it.

"Will contestants Leanne Summers and Bianca make their way to the arena, please?" called Burton.

Both girls jumped at being addressed.

"Well, here goes," said Leanne.

"Wish us luck," said Bianca.

"Good luck, girls, and remember, just battle like you normally would."

If this reassured them in any way, he didn't know, as the two just made their way out to the battlefield, taking their places. Both, however, seemed to have made up their minds on who to use. Leanne had taken Oshawott with her, and he was now standing by her side, at the ready. Bianca took out a Poke Ball from her rucksack.

"Let's do this, Dewott!" she said.

The ball opened, and there was the Discipline Pokemon, standing cross-armed and stern-faced.

"Well, well, well!" said Burton. "We have a very unique match up for our final battle of the day: Oshawott vs. its evolved form, Dewott!"

"It's certainly not the first time we've had this sort of battle," said Don George, "but each time, they've managed to surprise us. Let's see what they've got up their sleeves."

"Let the match begin!" said the referee.

"Dewott, use Water Pulse!"

Dewott cupped his paws in front of his chest. A swirling ball of compressed water appeared between them, then shot forward toward Oshawott.

"Counter with Water Gun!"

Oshawott spat a stream of water from his mouth, striking the Water Pulse. Unfortunately, the attack didn't cancel out. Instead, the Water Pulse barreled through and mowed Oshawott over. He was back on his feet in an instant, however.

"Good work, Oshawott! Now, use Razor Shell!"

Oshawott drew his scalchop, and the familiar glowing blue blade appeared at its wide end.

"You use Razor Shell as well, Dewott!"

Dewott drew both of the scalchops at his sides, forming a pair of shorter, slimmer blades than Oshawott's. He spun these in his paws demonstratively, then got into a battle stance not unlike a ninja, while Oshawott's was one akin to a medieval knight. The two leaped at each other, and while Dewott was very swift and furious with its blades, Oshawott's was larger and thus more capable of blocking and repelling. Both obviously had proficient skill with their weapons, and neither seemed to have an advantage over the other. At last, however, Oshawott succeeded in prying his Razor Shell between Dewott's crossed ones and, with an upward sweep, broke them apart, sending them flying in two directions and allowing the pre-evolved Pokemon to land a hit against his evolved form. The crowd cheered at the result of this contest of wills.

"This is an astounding performance already, George!" said Burton. "One would think that Dewott, the evolved form, would possess a more immediate advantage, but Oshawott is holding its own very admirably!"

"Yes, indeed, Charlie," said Don George. "What Oshawott may lack in brute strength, it makes up for with strategy!"

Bianca smiled as Dewott recovered his scalchops.

"Not bad, Leanne," she said. "Your Oshawott's really something else! But my Dewott's now pushover either! Show them, Dewott: Fury Cutter!"

Dewott crossed his arms, scalchops in both paws, and translucent blades appeared once again, but these were green instead of blue. He lunged at Oshawott and swiped with first one, then the other, and Oshawott dodged or blocked with his Razor Shell. As Dewott kept attacking, however, the blades of his Fury Cutter seemed to grow longer and glow a more vivid green. Not only that, but he struck harder and faster as well, giving Oshawott less and less time to react.

"That's not good for Oshawott," said Cruise. "Fury Cutter's a move that gets stronger each time its used. Dewott's building it up as Oshawott doesn't take action."

At last, Dewott struck so quickly that its movements were almost invisible. With one stroke, it knocked the scalchop from Oshawott's paw. Then, with the other, it struck Oshawott a hard blow across the face, sending him rolling. Leanne cringed.

"Hang in there, Oshawott!" she said.

Oshawott shakily got to his paws, then froze, a panicked look on his face. He looked this way and that, frantically, for his misplaced scalchop. At last, he spotted it and sprinted for it.

"Don't let him get to his scalchop, Dewott! Use Water Pulse!"

Dewott shot another pressurized water ball at Oshawott, striking the ground between him and his scalchop and stopping him short. Leanne grimaced.

"You can keep fighting without your scalchop, Oshawott! Use Water Gun!"

Oshawott shot a jet of water at Dewott.

"Block it, Dewott, then use Revenge!" commanded Bianca.

Dewott crossed his arms, and the Water Gun struck. Right after which, a golden glow surrounded its body, which then expanded like the sphere of an explosion, blasting Oshawott and throwing him for a loop.

"Oshawott!" Leanne cried out.

"What was that?" Jim asked, astounded.

"Revenge," said The Guy. "A Fighting-type move that gets its true power after its user's been damaged."

"Man, Bianca's been training Dewott really well…" said Jim, reflectively.

He would never have thought it of her, her being so…well, her. It also made him wonder, if Bianca's Dewott was this powerful, how strong were Cheren's Pokemon by this point?…

At any rate, it looked really bad for Oshawott, blown from his scalchop and struck with a powerful Revenge attack. However, Leanne seemed to have decided on her course of action.

"All right, Oshawott, it's time," she said. "Unleash our secret weapon!"

Oshawott, who had staggered back to his feet, nodded resolutely. A swirling column of water encapsulated his body and, with this water still surrounding him, he rocketed toward Dewott. If both Trainer and Pokemon had been expecting something, it wasn't this. Dewott was swept off his feet, struck squarely in the chest by Oshawott's attack, but Oshawott wasn't done there. He curved around and struck again from the side, so hard that one of Dewott's scalchops went flying.

"Catch it, Oshawott, and use Razor Shell!"

Even if it wasn't his own, Oshawott seemed to know how to handle any scalchop. He grabbed the weapon in his paw, the Aqua Jet dissipating, and, somersaulting as the blade formed, came right down on top of the disoriented Dewott and struck him squarely on the skull!

Both Pokemon seemed to freeze after the blow, neither moving an inch, frozen like statues in that position. A tense feeling spread over the crowd, waiting for what would happen next. Then, without warning, with no noise or change of expression, Dewott fell backward onto his back, defeated.

"Dewott is unable to battle!" said the referee. "The victor of this match is Oshawott!"

The crowd roared with applause at this unexpected turnabout, Jim loudest among them. Leanne was leaping in the air with excitement, while Bianca looked somewhat disappointed. Dewott had gotten back up into a sitting position, and was startled to see Oshawott standing over him. The latter handed the former back his scalchop and held out his paw for a sportsmanly handshake, a gesture which Dewott graciously reciprocated. Oshawott then scurried across the battlefield and retrieved his own scalchop, but was immediately afterwards scooped up into Leanne's embrace.

"You were amazing, Oshawott! You did it!" she squealed.

Oshawott smiled and nuzzled her tenderly. Bianca, meanwhile, kneeled by Dewott and hugged it.

"You did a great job, Dewott. I'm not mad at you for losing," she said.

Dewott smiled as well, and was recalled. Bianca then approached Leanne.

"Your Oshawott's something else, Leanne! That Aqua Jet came out of nowhere!"

"Your Dewott was nothing to sneeze at, either," said Leanne. "I just hope you're not too mad for losing."

"It's a shame that I couldn't keep going," Bianca admitted, "but one of us had to win anyway. Good fight!"

She stuck out her hand, and Leanne gave it a hearty shake. Jim couldn't help but grin at this; what had begun as a tense reluctance ended in admirable sportsmanship between his two female friends…or was it sports-woman-ship?

 

[TPrower]

CHAPTER 36
Aces Wild​

"And with that unbelievable outcome, ladies and gentlemen," said Burton, "we now conclude Round 2 of the Nimbasa Battle Tournament! Tomorrow will be the semifinals: only two matches and four combatants to go!"

"Before we end off today," said Don George, "let's review who our combatants will be. Match 1 will be Anonymous vs. Jim Stevens, and Match 2 will be Nigel Richmond vs. Leanne Summers."

Jim paled slightly as he regarded the stoic wanderer. He'd seen how he battled against Grant and Solomon, and wondered what else he could have up the sleeves of his trench coat. Leanne, meanwhile, looked askance with an uncomfortable expression at Nigel, who was paying her no mind. He looked utterly bored, as if he didn't even know she existed.

"So rest up and prepare yourselves, Trainers," continued Don George, "because it's not over yet! From Nimbasa City, this is Don George-"

"And Charles Burton-"

"Signing off!" they said in unison.

***​

"I've gotta say, Jim, you haven't had very enviable opponents in this tournament," said Solomon.

"Yeah, I mean, an S-Class Connoisseuse is one thing," said Cruise, "but a guy with a Shiny Audino too? And now you're facing that Anonymous guy! And just think, if you win, you'll have to face Leanne or Nigel, whichever of them wins!"

"Yes, Cruise, I'm aware of my less-than-admirable match-ups in this tournament," said Jim, wearily.

The three boys, Leanne, and Bianca had regrouped and returned to the Pokemon Center together. The Guy had gone off by himself, not really giving a reason for it, but no one asked.

"I'm not saying that as a bad thing," said Cruise. "You totally wrecked them!"

"I hate to burst your bubble, Cruise," said Jim, "but hanging on by the skin of my teeth isn't my idea of 'wrecking'."

The girls giggled.

"Anyways," said Cruise, "we still on for teaching your Snivy Aerial Ace?"

"You bet I am! I just need to consider what I ought to use against The Guy."

"Well, you know he's got a Scrafty and Palpitoad," said Solomon.

"And Ferroseed."

"Pardon?"

"We've met him a few times before. He also has a Ferroseed."

"Hmm, I see. And the fact that you've met him before adds more to complicate your planning. Chances are, he knows what Pokemon you plan to use. He seems to know how you operate pretty well."

"Yeah. It's a little unsettling, to be honest. It's like he's everywhere at once, especially when Team Plasma's involved."

"Well, do you have any Pokemon in reserve? Any he might not have seen?"

Jim pondered this for a moment. He had Rok back at Professor Juniper's, and he would probably cause quite a sensation if brought before a stadium full of spectators. Unfortunately, though, The Guy had battled Rok already and would most likely know how to deal with him. On the other hand, there was…

"Jolt!" he said, slamming his fist into his palm, out of getting a brainstorm.

"Jolt?"

"My Blitzle! It's been a while since he's seen any action!"

Leanne smiled upon hearing this; it had been a while since they had gotten to see Jolt or use him in combat.

"Cruise, if I make a call to Professor Juniper and get my Blitzle, do you think you can handle kicking off June's training?"

"Definitely!"

They had arrived at the Pokemon Center and its adjoining pavilion. Jim set June down.

"Now pay attention to what Cruise and Servine tell you, June, and behave," he said, strongly emphasizing the last word.

June crossed her arms, but nodded to show she understood.

"Atta girl. And don't rush yourself. I know learning new moves takes time."

He stroked her head, which, despite her temper at having to take orders from someone else, she appreciated.

"I'm gonna go call Professor Juniper and tell her I'm swapping Jolt for tomorrow, but I'll be back to check on you, all right?"

"All right."

"I'll see you all in a bit," he said to the others, then he went into the Pokemon Center.

***​

Taking a seat, he took out a Poke Ball and clicked it upon. In a flash of light, Missy appeared on his knee, bow and all. As soon as she saw that she and Jim were alone, she lunged at him in a hug, nuzzling under his chin. He laughed and stroked her back.

"Hey there, girl. Listen, I'm gonna need you to do something for me, ok?"

She looked up at him, expectant yet hesitant.

"Relax, it's nothing too bad. I'm going to call Jolt in for tomorrow's match, but I need to swap one of you guys for him. Would you be all right with staying at Professor Juniper's lab for tomorrow? I'll call you back when the matches are over, I promise."

By her face, he could tell she was having mixed feelings. On the one hand, it meant not having to battle. On the other hand, she'd be away from Jim.

"Come on, it won't be too bad. I'm sure the Professor would love to meet you."

Her expression brightened somewhat at this, and in the end, she finally said,

"Ok, Jim. I'll do it."

"That's my girl," Jim said, giving her a hug.

With that, he turned on his X-Transceiver and dialed the Professor's number. After a moment of static and ringing, her face appeared, still chipper and genial.

"Jim! Hello! Glad to see you!"

"Likewise, Professor. I've got some great news!"

"It's about the Nimbasa Battle Tournament, isn't it?"

"You know about it?"

"Of course! It's aired all across Unova, after all! We've all been rooting for you! You performed spectacularly in your battles, you and Bianca!"

"Aw, shucks, Professor…" Jim said, modestly. "In any case, I called to let you know I'm gonna make a party shift."

"Splendid! Who will it be?"

"Jolt."

"Couldn't have chosen better myself. He's shown so much improvement since being sent here."

"And Rok? How's he doing?"

"Much better after settling in. He was quite, well, curious about his surroundings, but he's gotten used to it by now. I have to say my research has taken a major skyrocket since you sent him to me. I had no idea about an Archen's Nepi Berry diet, and that we had the ability to reproduce it in so simple a way! Sitrus Berry in Oran Berry Juice! Who knew?"

"Tell me about it," said Jim, grinning. "Anyway, I'm going to be sending you my Emolga, Missy, in exchange. Just be careful; she likes to be pampered."

He lowered the X-Transceiver so Missy could peer into the screen.

"Oh, Jim, she's darling! Don't worry, I'll take good care of her in the meantime. Good luck!"

"Thanks, Professor. Give my best to Mom!"

With a smiling nod, the Professor ended the call.

"Ready, Missy?"

"Ready!"

Jim recalled Missy into her Poke Ball and took out his Pokedex, turning on the Pokemon switch software. After inputting the necessary information, Missy's Poke Ball began to shimmer and glow white. It vanished, only to be replaced by another Poke Ball, which Jim picked up before standing up and exiting the Pokemon Center.

***​

When Jim came back outside, he could see that training was already underway. Prominent, however, was Servine, given a wide berth by his comrades, and June, both standing at one end.

"Again, as I do it," said Servine, in a much kinder tone than Jim would have expected from a Pokemon known for deceit and trickery.

Just like in the battle with Elgyem, Servine crouched, then launched forward, propelled by some unseen force as white energy trailed past him. He soared down the grassy expanse, pulled a perfect U-turn, and swung back to his old position. June, eyes narrowed out of either concentration or contempt, attempted to emulate him. She crouched, and for the single space of a second, she was propelled forward, but only by a foot or two, after which she flopped onto the grass. A few of the Pokemon, like Zorua, laughed, but quieted when she stood up again, angry.

"You're definitely showing progress," said Servine, approvingly. "That was at least a start."

It looked as if June were dying to tell him off for being condescending to her (when he seemed to be acting nothing of the sort), but she saw Jim approaching and bit back her bitterness and resigned herself to a simple 'Thank you'. Everyone looked up as Jim came into view. He drew out his remaining Poke Balls.

"All right, everyone: roll call!"

He tossed them up one by one, with them appearing in the order in which he called.

"Echo! Torch! Torrent! Croco! And last, but not least, Jolt!"

The ball opened, the traditional burst of light blasted from it…but everyone gaped.

The Pokemon that came out couldn't have been Jolt. It was a zebra, sure enough, black with white stripes, but this one was at least twice as tall, standing tall and proud. Instead of one shock of white mane protruding like a lightning bolt, there were two, and the tail ended in a frizzy ball. Perplexed, Jim took out his Pokedex.

"Zebstrika, the Thunderbolt Pokemon, and the evolved form of Blitzle. Zebstrika is dangerous when angry, as it shoots lightning in all directions from its mane. When running at full speed, it lets loose a roar of thunder in its wake."

Everyone stared up at the intimidating Pokemon, who was gazing directly at Jim. Tentatively, Jim approached.

"Jolt? Is that really you?"

The Zebstrika lowered its head to look Jim straight in the eyes, and Jim stared into them. After several tense moments, a wide grin spread across his face and he threw his arms around the Pokemon's neck.

"It is you!" he cried.

Jolt, now properly recognized, nuzzled the size of Jim's head, and a wave of relief spread over the group, though they still gazed in amazement at the impressive Pokemon. Jim stepped back to look at him.

"Look at you! You look amazing! I had no idea you'd evolved!"

"The Professor's lab suited me," said Jolt.

For those acquainted with him (those who could understand him, anyway), the change in his voice was surprising. Gone was the cocky voice or rough accent; he had the deep voice of a boy who had officially become an adult, as well as a tone of calm confidence.

"Her paddock had a lot of running room."

"I can imagine. We are gonna wreck the competition!" said Jim, excitedly.

Jolt grinned.

"Hey! That's what I said!" said Cruise.

Everyone laughed, and Jim led Jolt to his teammates.

"June, Echo, you remember Jolt."

June nodded in recognition of her old friend. Echo, on the other hand, fluttered around him in excitement.

"Oh my gosh! Is that really you, Jolt? I can't believe you've evolved! But then again, so did I! This is so awesome!"

"I can see you haven't changed at least, Echo," said Jolt, with a laugh and shake of the head.

"These are our new partners, Jolt: Torch, Torrent, and Croco."

The two Simi Brothers waved in a friendly way, but Croco crossed his arms in an aloof way. Jolt raised an eyebrow and looked at Jim, who only shook his head to intimate not to let the Krokorok's attitude get to him.

"Now then, everyone, as you might have guessed, we've made it into the semifinals. Kudos to Torrent for getting us there."

Everyone applauded the Simipour.

"It was nothing, dudes and dudettes," he said, modestly, "it was Jim-bro all the way."

Jim smiled.

"We're up against The Guy now, and let's face it, he's familiar with our team. He hasn't seen Jolt in action, though, so I think we might be able to pull off a surprise by using him. What's more, Jolt's evolved, and has some new tricks up his sleeve. I'm going to take Jolt to an open stretch where he has plenty of running room. Anyone who wants to watch can accompany us. Meanwhile, June, you're doing good, so keep it up."

"Yes, Jim," she said, casting a not-too-friendly sidelong glance at Servine.

***​

Croco and Echo opted to stay and watch June train, so Torch and Torrent followed Jim and Jolt. Within a few minutes, they found a wide glen in the pavilion, ringed by trees.

"Perfect," said Jim. "Ok, Jolt, let's see what you got. Got your Flame Charge down pat?"

"Like you wouldn't believe," said Jolt. "Watch this!"

He stepped forward and began stomping the ground with his hooves. Then, when he had built up the proper momentum, flames erupted around his body, and he blazed around the perimeter of the glen, performing several laps in only a matter of seconds. At last, he pulled a perfect stop right in front of Jim, kicking up dirt and grass. Jim, Torch, and Torrent applauded.

"That was spectacular!" Torch whooped. "The best pyrotechnic display I've ever seen!"

"Yeah, Jolt, you've really gotten good at that!" said Jim. "Let's time it now. I'll count how many times you can circle the pavilion in…let's say 30 seconds. Can you handle that?"

"Not a problem," said Jolt.

He got into a race-ready stance as Jim switched his X-Transceiver to its clock mode.

"Ready…go!"

Jolt started instantaneously, flames blazing around him as he sped off. Torch and Torrent were swinging their heads back and forth with his revolutionary progress. If one were to view from above, they would have seen what appeared to be a ring of flames encircling the glade, like a comet chasing its tail.

At last, Jim yelled, "Time!", and Jolt pulled to a stop, once again kicking up grass and dirt.

"So? How did I do?"

"I counted at least 30 times. 1 lap per second! And considering a space this size, that's really impressive!"

Torch and Torrent applauded wildly.

"I could have done a bit better," Jolt admitted, "but I didn't want to go overboard."

"Aw, now, don't be so modest," said Torch. "You were fantastic!"

Jolt grinned.

"Now that we know speed's no issue for you," said Jim, "let's see your electrical prowess."

He bent down and picked up a large pine cone.

"Watch as I throw it and try to zap it. Got it?"

"Got it."

Jim pulled his arm back and tossed the pine cone high up, its silhouette illuminated by the moon. Jolt's eyes followed the pine cone's progress, his white stripes and mane instantly glowed yellow, and his whole body sparked with electricity. A blast of lightning shot from the horn-like protrusions of his mane, striking the pine cone and blowing it to smithereens. The explosion was like a burst of fireworks, and the three spectators shielded their eyes from it.

"Whoa! A blast worthy of the 4th of July, man!" said Torrent, awed.

"Man, Jolt, you've really improved from the reckless Blitzle I caught. Seems real long ago."

"I couldn't have gotten this far without you, Jim," said Jolt. "If it weren't for you, I'd probably still be picking fights with other Pokemon on Route 3."

Jim couldn't help but grin at this.

Suddenly, through the trees, there came the yell of a boy's voice, as if in pain. Jim and his Pokemon whipped around, surprised. Through the trees, there came a burst of bluish light, a scream of terror, a roar, as if from some maddened beast, and someone shouting.

"No! Down!"

Jim stiffened. It was The Guy's voice!

"Come on!" he said, and rushed into the trees, his Pokemon following.

They stopped at the edge of another clearing, obscured by the bushes. Nigel was prostrate on the ground, holding his arm, his hand bleeding. The Guy was pocketing a Poke Ball, none of his Pokemon visible. He looked furious.

"What were you thinking?!" he snapped. "Sneaking around the pavilion like that!"

"Who was sneaking??" Nigel snapped, though his voice was shaky. "I was merely taking a stroll!"

"Oh, sure," said The Guy, sardonically, "taking strolls always involve leaping out of the trees and shouting 'Aha!', don't they?"

Nigel's face reddened, but he said nothing as he got to his feet.

"You're lucky he didn't tear you a new one. You never, ever sneak up on a Ferroseed like that! I've heard of one that almost gouged a reckless Trainer's eyes out!"

"If you're trying to spook me-"

"Spook? No, kid, I'm trying to keep you on your guard. This ain't your precious mansion in Castelia. This is the big time, the real world, and unless you play by its rules and not yours, you're in for a heap of trouble."

"As if I need advice from a scruffy ruffian such as yourself," Nigel said, bitterly.

He turned to leave, but The Guy called to him,

"And don't worry, I'll tell Jim you were looking for him."

Nigel stopped and whirled around.

"How did you-?"

But he stopped, catching himself before he said too much. He cleared his throat.

"I mean, I have no idea what you're talking about. Good night."

He briskly left the clearing. Jim had held his breath all throughout the conversation, and now let it out silently with Nigel gone.

"Hope that gave you an earful, kid," said The Guy, seemingly to no one in particular.

He wasn't looking in their direction. Jim gave a jump.

"How did you know I was listening?" he asked.

"You lived alone as long as I have, in the wilderness, you get a few 'upgrades' to your senses."

"So he was spying," Jim muttered. "I had a suspicion of it during his battle with Cruise. It was way too convenient for him to have an Elgyem perfectly prepared for energy-draining attacks, like Servine's Leech Seed."

"Indeed. That Nigel's dangerous. He's very resourceful, which is small wonder, considering he's lived his whole life surrounded by resources. Now that you know what he's been up to, make sure you keep an eye out for anything 'suspicious'."

Jim nodded grimly. It would have been disastrous if he had walked in on him testing Jolt's power, or worse, seeing Snivy preparing for Aerial Ace.

"You've got it. So he spooked your Ferroseed?"

"Yeah. He's all right now, just went a little nuts. He's got a wicked temper."

"Well, if everything's all right, I'll leave you to your training."

"Yeah. Good night, kid."

"Good night, Guy."

With that, he and his Pokemon stepped away from the bushes and down the path. As they left, Jim turned to look back at The Guy. He was still standing much as he was when they spoke, arms crossed, gazing at the moon above.

***​

Jim said nothing about his encounter with The Guy, or the scene he had witnessed involving Nigel, when he rejoined his friends. Croco and Echo were chanting June's name encouragingly as she crouched at the ready. She looked tired and sweaty, but there was a fierce fire burning in her eyes, a fire of indomitable spirit, of one who refuses to call it quits. Servine was standing close by.

"You've got guts to even want to keep going now," he said, "So let's try once more. Remember, feel the air around you. Don't fight it; let it buoy you."

June's eyes narrowed in concentration. There was a burst like a small explosion, and she shot forward, surrounded by streaks of what appeared to be wind turned visible. She kept her arms out, like wings, her tail flat, the leaf at the end seeming like a big rudder. Everyone whooped, as this must have been her best progress yet. She flopped to the ground after going about 10 feet, but didn't get up. Jim rushed over to scoop her up.

"June! Are you all right?" he asked, concerned.

She opened her eyes and gazed up at him.

"How…did I do?…" she whispered, weakly.

"Wonderfully," said Jim, proudly. "You're really getting the hang of it. I'm so proud of you."

He hugged her close to his chest, and she nestled against his jacket, apparently glad to receive his comfort.

"But now that I can go that far," she said, "I think I can teach myself. Servine's decent, I'll give him that, but I still prefer calling my own shots…"

She rested her head on Jim's chest out of tiredness. Jim just laughed gently and stroked his stubborn Snivy's smooth back. Whatever happened tomorrow, he was well on his way to preparing a spectacular strategy for the remainder of the tournament.

 

[TPrower]

CHAPTER 37
Every Ferro Has Its Thorns​

"Welcome once again, ladies and gentlemen, to the Nimbasa Battle Tournament! I'm Charles Burton-"

"And I'm Don George-"

"And we're about to proceed into the semifinals! Our four remaining contestants have really shown us their strength in the previous rounds. Let's not waste any time and dive into our first battle: Anonymous vs. Jim Stevens!"

"Both have shown amazing promise in their battles, Charlie."

"That they have, George, but all eyes seem to be on young Jim Stevens, who not only defeated renowned S-Class Connoisseuse Katherine LeClaire, but was also the Trainer who stood up to the wandering cult known as Team Plasma in Accumula Town, making waves all across Unova!"

Jim's face reddened at being singled out like this, but he still took his place at the other side of the field, across from The Guy. Bianca, Leanne, Cruise, and Solomon were all cheering from the sidelines, along with June and Oshawott.

As Jim looked them over, his eyes fell on Nigel. Neither had spoken to each other since yesterday (Jim had no desire to speak to him, anyway), but Nigel seemed much more wary, guarded, and Jim could guess it was a result of his sneaking around the pavilion being compromised, and the thought that he had been trying to spy on his training above all. It was an unsettling thought, but he couldn't let it get to him now.

"I've really been looking forward to this, Jim," said The Guy, returning Jim's attention to the impending battle. "Ever since our first match outside Pinwheel Forest, I've been hoping to see just how much stronger you've gotten. You've done incredibly well up to this point, but now it's time you showed me personally."

"Then hopefully I won't have you leaving disappointed," said Jim, drawing his Poke Ball.

With a grin, The Guy drew his own.

"All right, Jolt, let's take this battle up to 11!" Jim shouted, tossing his ball up.

In a blaze of light, the Zebstrika appeared, pawing the ground with his head high and electric-colored eyes fixed on The Guy. Many people murmured at the sight.

"Zebstrika, huh? Then this ought to be pretty interesting indeed. Prepare for battle!"

He threw his own Poke Ball up…but it wasn't Ferroseed that came out, and Jim's jaw dropped at the sight. The Pokemon that appeared was much larger and saucer-shaped. It still had the same yellow eyes, and was covered in silver armor plating and numerous thorns, but there were also three green vine-like attachments extending from its body, ending in spike-covered, spherical ends. Jim took his Pokedex out.

"Ferrothorn, the Thorn Pod Pokemon, and the evolved form of Ferroseed. It hangs from cave ceilings, shooting steel spikes at those who pass beneath it. It battles by whipping its spike-tipped feelers, which have the power to reduce a boulder to rubble."

Jim could do nothing but gape at the unexpected appearance, and wondered when on Earth it had the time to evolve between when he and The Guy had talked that night. And then, it hit him.

(That light! The one we saw when we heard Nigel getting attacked! That must have been Ferroseed evolving into Ferrothorn! It must have taken a lot of effort to hold it back…)

"Well, well!" he said aloud, "Your Ferroseed evolved just before our battle? That was lucky."

"Biggest stroke of luck I think I'd ever managed, and believe me, that's saying a lot."

"This actually makes our battle a lot more interesting," said Jim.

"How's that?"

"If it were Jolt fighting Ferroseed, I wouldn't have felt it fair, but now that it's a Ferrothorn, it's much more even."

"That it is, Jim, that it is. You ready?"

"You bet I am!"

"And with this, folks, our first semifinal battle is about to get underway: Zebstrika vs. Ferrothorn!" said Burton.

"With Ferrothorn being a Grass and Steel type, and Zebstrika being an Electric type, it may be a close match indeed," said Don George.

"Begin!" said the referee.

"All right, Jolt, let's open up with a Thunderbolt!"

Jolt's stripes glowed yellow, and then his whole body was surrounded by an electric aura. He let loose a massive lightning bolt straight for Ferrothorn, who didn't move. The blast struck, and Ferrothorn flinched, but didn't seem affected otherwise.

"Sheesh," muttered Jim, "that's one tough shell.

"Ferrothorn, retaliate with Power Whip!"

One of Ferrothorn's feelers began to glow a brighter green. It whipped this one back and swung it straight for Jolt.

"Dodge and use Flame Charge!" said Jim.

Jolt began stomping the ground, kicking up a cloud of dirt. The Power Whip disappeared into the dust, but seemed to have missed its target, as Jolt came blazing forth, all aflame, to the left of the attack. He rammed right into Ferrothorn, but was then thrown back, several scratches on the front of his body.

"Jolt! What happened?"

"Uh oh," said Burton. "It looks like Stevens forgot about Ferrothorn's Ability."

"Iron Barbs," said Don George, "which results in damage inflicted when an attack involving physical contact is used."

"Oh…I should have guessed those spikes were there for a reason," Jim muttered. "You all right, Jolt?"

He hardly needed to ask. Jolt was already pawing the dirt again, ready for more.

(I'd better save Flame Charge for when we need it most…Still, that was a Fire-type attack, and Ferrothorn's a Grass and Steel type. It must have taken substantial damage from an attack like that…)

He looked at Ferrothorn. Its shiny metallic shell was flecked here and there with buffs or scratches, but otherwise, it looked like it wasn't going down anytime soon.

"Well, Jim, now we see where we stand," said The Guy. "If you want to risk your only super effective attack, you need to pay the price for it! Ferrothorn, Pin Missile!"

Ferrothorn raised one of its feelers, and a shower of needles shot from it, flying straight at Jolt and striking him like a swarm of angry insects. Jolt cringed from the stinging impact.

"Don't let it get to you, Jolt! Use Thunderbolt!"

Jolt unleashed another massive lightning bolt, but it still didn't seem to cause much effect on Ferrothorn.

"Counter with Power Whip, Ferrothorn! One after the other!"

All three of Ferrothorn's feelers began to glow a lighter green, and it raised one to strike.

"Dodge them, Jolt!" ordered Jim.

Each time a Power Whip struck, Jolt darted to the other side, making it strike into the dirt with a heavy thud. However, after a bit of this, Ferrothorn seemed to guess the Zebstrika's pattern and actually faked him out. As it raised its left feeler and threw it forward, Jolt dodged to the right, but Ferrothorn changed its direction and finally hit home, hitting him squarely in the face.

A loud, collective groan swept through the crowd, in the "that's gotta hurt" way. Jim fidgeted with his cap, sweat beading his forehead. Ferrothorn was a tough opponent, even tougher than Jimmy Ray's Shiny Audino. He also remembered the tough time he had had against Lenora's Herdier, until…

A sudden inspiration struck him.

"Wait a minute…" he muttered. "That's it!"

"What's going on, kid?" The Guy asked. "Are you losing your cool already?"

"I was about to," Jim replied, "until I remembered one of my previous battles. It helped decide what I should do now. Jolt, use Thunderbolt on yourself! Don't hold back, either!"

The entire crowd was thrown into confusion at this reckless tactic, but a smile had come to Jolt's muzzled face; he knew where Jim was going with this. With that, he sent a stream of lightning straight into the air, which arced and plummeted back down, striking Jolt's body and sending off a massive discharge of electricity. Everyone gasped, and even The Guy seemed taken aback. If he didn't move a muscle, at least his face showed that he wasn't expecting this ploy. Jolt's body was now surrounded by a golden aura, his stripes glowing yellow, and a hum like a generator coming from him.

"What in the world just happened?!" Burton asked, aghast. "Jim's Zebstrika just attacked itself!"

"I've seen ploys like this in double battles," said Don George, no less stupefied, "but never in a single battle!"

"Kid…what was that?" The Guy asked.

"A little bit of improvisation," said Jim, grinning. "Since Jolt's Ability is Motor Drive, I can't count on my opponents being gutsy enough to attack him with an Electric attack. So, in my battle with Lenora, I tested a thesis of mine, and it came true: activating Motor Drive by myself."

The Guy merely stared from Jolt to Jim in amazement, and then he smiled himself, in an almost paternal, proud way.

"I've got to hand it to you, kid, you're a cut above the rest. In all of my years in wandering Unova, seeing all kinds of Pokemon and Trainers, I've never met one who takes as many risks as you do. That's why I like seeing you battle: you always know how to keep your opponents guessing."

Jim couldn't help but smile broader at this praise.

"However," The Guy continued, "unconventional or not, you've still got to get past me, and I doubt a Speed boost will add much to helping you accomplish that! Ferrothorn, Power Whip!"

Once again, Ferrothorn raised its feeler to strike, but Jim was ready this time.

"Jolt, as soon as it strikes, dodge, then ram into the feeler with Flame Charge!"

The Guy's eyes popped wide open, wondering what in the world Jim was up to. As soon as Ferrothorn sent its feeler in for the attack, Jolt zipped aside so quickly he was nearly a blur. Then, quick as a blink, he shot forward, cloaked in flames, and rammed into the Power Whipping feeler, which swung its way back as if it were made of rubber, the tip glowing red and fiery from the impact of the Flame Charge. The momentum carried it around Ferrothorn's circumference and clocked it right between the eyes.

It let out a roar of pain and anger from the blow, and, after disengaging itself from its feeler, began stomping and slamming the ground in rage. Several people screamed in terror, fearing a rampage from the monstrous Pokemon. Jim recalled, grimly, that The Guy had said it had a 'wicked temper'.

"Ferrothorn, settle down!" shouted The Guy severely, but Ferrothorn didn't seem to take any heed.

It tucked its feelers around its body, turned itself on its side, and began rotating swiftly in place, moving so fast that its body was one ovular blur, like a working buzz-saw. Perplexed at its behavior, Jim took out his Pokedex.

"Gyro Ball, a Steel-type move that is stronger if the user is slower than the opponent."

A pang of apprehension struck Jim in the stomach. With Jolt's Motor Drive and Flame Charge having added massive Speed boosts to the already nimble Pokemon, even if Gyro Ball wasn't very effective, it would still deal massive damage when calculated. He had to stop it right then and there, before it went out of control.

"Jolt! Stop Ferrothorn with Flame Charge!" he commanded.

Jolt stomped the ground, building up his steam. With a roar, Ferrothorn launched forward like a missile, rolling like a wheel. Then, all of a sudden, Jolt lunged forward…but it wasn't Flame Charge he was using. Instead of flames, he was surrounded by a shield of blinding electricity, and he was galloping so fast it was almost as if he were flying. Jim's Pokedex, still out, dictated the phenomenon to the awestruck Jim.

"Wild Charge, an Electric attack that results in recoil damage."

At this point, Jim didn't care what attack it was or what its effects were, just as long as Ferrothorn was stopped before it could let loose its rage in an unwanted way. Both Pokemon charged at each other, mere blurs as they honed in on each other, and then…

*BOOM!*

The impact was like the explosion of a bomb. The entire stadium shook with the force of the blow, and the battlefield was enveloped with a thick cloud of smoke and dust. Jim's friends clung to the guard rails to keep from being blown off their feet. All was eerie and quiet; not a sound was to be heard within or without. Jim strained his eyes, hoping to see what had happened.

Then, the smoke began to clear, and there, standing stock-still, head still jutted forward and looking very battered, was Jolt. All the way across the field, upended into the dirt, its feelers splayed at its sides, was Ferrothorn, pacified into unconsciousness at last. The impact of the Wild Charge had tossed it all the way back across the battlefield, into the position it now rested in.

Not even the referee could be unaffected by such a display, but eventually, he managed to catch himself and raise his flag.

"Ferrothorn is unable to battle! Zebstrika is the winner!"

The stadium roared with wild cheers from the stupefied crowd, so unbelievable was the display. Burton and Don George were both shouting incomprehensibly into their microphones in a state of excitement. Jim, for his part, could hardly believe what had just happened. He felt unable to move at first, but eventually, he found himself stumbling over to Jolt, who was standing unsteadily on his hooves, tired out from the battle. Jim came up to him to both support and hug him.

"You were outstanding, Jolt!" he shouted over the din. "I've never seen anything like that!"

All Jolt could do was give him a weak, but genuine, smile, and was gratefully recalled into his Poke Ball. The Guy was taking no risks, and immediately recalled the temperamental Ferrothorn before it could wake up. A look of grim anxiety was on his face, most likely at his lapse of control over his Pokemon. It passed, however, when Jim approached.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again," he said, "you really are a cut above the rest. You're gonna go far, kid, really far."

He held out his large, weathered hand, and Jim took it, receiving a firm, hearty handshake from the wanderer. With that, amid the wild cheers (and expletives from people who had expected The Guy to win), the two made their way back to where their friends awaited.

 

[TPrower]

CHAPTER 38
Frillish Out of Water​

When Jim and The Guy returned to their circle of companions, none of them seemed to be able to articulately express their astonishment.

"That was…I mean…I can't even…!" babbled Cruise.

"OHMYGOSHTHATWASTHEMOSTUNBELIEVABLETHINGIVEEVERSEENYOUGUYSWEREAMAZING!!" squealed Bianca, the complete opposite of speechless.

Solomon, fortunately, was more composed.

"I must admit," he said, "the both of you were spectacular. It was a clash worthy of such a tournament."

"I'm just glad Ferrothorn was calmed down," said The Guy. "He really knows how to fly off the handle when he's riled."

"Tell me about it," said Leanne. "If Jim hadn't stopped it, it would have come crashing into us…"

"And do you know what this means, Jim?" Bianca asked, excitedly. "You're moving on to the finals!"

"I told ya, kid," said The Guy. "I knew you were gonna come out on top."

"Aw, come on, you guys," said Jim, modestly, "you're embarrassing me."

"How utterly touching," said a familiar, cold voice.

Everyone looked up to see Nigel standing near them.

"I will admit, Stevens, you put up an amazing display. Perhaps you're not as lackluster as I had imagined."

Jim said nothing, not wanting to bait him into another confrontation.

"Nevertheless, make no mistake: I will come out on top, and show you once and for all why you should have stayed home in cozy little Nuvema Town…"

He mentioned the town and its adjectival attachment in a patronizing, mocking way that brought the blood to Jim's ears, but he still didn't rise against him. Instead, he said,

"You still have to get past Leanne, you know."

Nigel cast his gaze at her.

"Yes, of course. I'm sure she'll put up a worthy performance," he said, in a bored voice.

Leanne colored, but Nigel took no notice, and was already heading onto the battlefield.

"Kick his butt, Leanne," Jim said, putting a hand on her shoulder.

She nodded and smiled.

"I'll try," she said.

With that, she joined her opponent out on the field. Nigel had already drawn his Poke Ball, balancing it in the palm of his hand. When Leanne took her place, he tossed it up high.

"Frillish, come forth and win me the day!"

The Pokemon that appeared in the burst of light resembled a jellyfish, floating above the ground. It was blue, with a rounded head, set with red eyes, a frowning mouth, and something resembling a white crown at the top. A frilly white collar surrounded its neck area, and below it was a long body ending in three tentacles. Two more, most likely its arms, were where its shoulders likely were.

Jim took out his Pokedex. Just like Deerling, there were different versions of this Pokemon. The other was pink and was smiling. Both were labeled with a gender symbol: male for the blue and female for the pink.

"Frillish, the Floating Pokemon. Frillish paralyzes prey with toxic secretions from its tentacles, then drags them down to their lairs far below the ocean's surface."

"How morbid," he muttered.

He looked at Leanne, and wasn't surprised to see that she was also discomforted by the creature's odd appearance. She seemed to regain her confidence, however, as she drew out her Poke Ball.

"Lilligant, let's go!" she shouted.

The ball opened, and sure enough, there was the shy Grass type, standing demurely in front of her Trainer.

Jim's jaw dropped.

"Lilligant??" he spluttered. "I didn't know she battled!"

From his belt, two Poke Balls opened, and Torch and Torrent appeared. They were no less surprised.

"Lilligant!" said Torch, aghast. "What's she doing out there??"

"Why didn't she tell us she was going to battle?!" asked Torrent.

"Can she even battle?" Jim ventured.

"Sure she can," said Torrent, "but she's never really had a lot of battles before. She uses her moves only as an added touch to her dancing Seeing her use Quiver Dance and Petal Dance…it's enchanting…"

Torrent, reminded of the memory of such a spectacle, gained a wistful, faraway expression to his face. Jim couldn't help but grin at the sight: it was obvious Torrent was head over heels for Lilligant, and it was hard to blame them; she was so cute and innocent. So much so, in fact, that he was still baffled how Leanne could let her battle in this tournament. Nigel, on the other hand, was nowhere near as such.

"A Lilligant? Quite an extravagant Pokemon for someone of your appearance. Did you inherit it from someone, or did they bestow it upon you out of pity?"

Leanne said nothing, something Nigel hadn't seemed to expect. Most likely, he had been hoping for some angry reaction to his taunt, but being denied this, he decided to press on.

"Very well, then. We'll see just what it can do."

"And so begins our last semifinal battle," said Burton, "Lilligant vs. Frillish!"

"With Lilligant being a Grass type and Frillish being a Water and Ghost type," said Don George, "it's safe to say we can expect a toe-to-toe battle from the word 'go'!"

"Begin!" said the referee.

"Frillish, show this peasant what we came here to prove! Water Pulse!"

Frillish cupped its arm tentacles in front of it, creating a swirling ball of compressed water. It then threw its tentacles apart, and the ball launched for Lilligant.

"Dodge, Lilligant! Then use Quiver Dance!"

With the agility and grace of a gymnast, Lilligant spun to one side, dodging the aquatic projectile. Then, she began to spin faster and faster, her leaven hair whirling about her. When she had finished, she stopped and gave a great flourish, a thousand dazzling sparkles emitting from her body. Many people in the audience "ooh"-ed and "ahh"-ed. Jim was spellbound, and the two Simis were absolutely entranced.

"What exactly did that do?" Jim asked.

"Quiver Dance," said The Guy, who was probably one of the few who hadn't been mesmerized, "is a rare Bug-type move. It increases Special stats as well as Speed."

Jim gazed in wonder at Lilligant. She had seemed so delicate and innocent, but she seemed to be possessed by a new resolve, a new determination.

"And now, Lilligant, use Magical Leaf!"

Lilligant raised one arm, and a swirling mass of vibrantly glowing leaves appeared around her before shooting for Frillish. The attack blazed through it, slashing and buffeting it. Nigel was looking at it with a form of expectant urgency, but seemed disappointed when what was apparently supposed to happen didn't happen.

"Well, it seems you have some bite in you, yet," he said, "but then again, so do I! Frillish, Night Shade!"

Frillish closed its eyes, and when they reopened, they were glowing a frightening, ominous red, and a spooky glow surrounded its body. It raised its tentacles, and this glow seemed to expand from its body like an explosion, sweeping over Lilligant. She had closed her eyes, and looked as if she were being pained by a nightmare or unwholesome mental image.

Everyone else seemed to be affected in some way or another by the Night Shade. Jim, for his part, felt as if his blood had turned to ice.

"Hang in there, Lilligant!" said Leanne, though her teeth were chattering. "Use Magical Leaf again!"

Shivering, Lilligant raised her arm, summoning another cloud of glowing leaves, and sent them flying at Frillish. They struck home, and the Night Shade dissipated, to the relief of everyone else present. However, something odd happened to replace it. Upon being struck, Frillish's body began to glow a smoky black. That same glow somehow seemed to transfer to Lilligant, causing her to flinch. Nigel smiled deviously. Jim couldn't see why he should be so content, as Frillish looked extremely battered from two super-effective attacks done on it.

"What…what happened?" Leanne asked, confused. "What did you do, you weasel??"

"Oh, I really shouldn't spoil it," he said, tauntingly. "Why don't you try and attack again? I dare you."

"Oh, you do, do you?!" Leanne snapped. "Lilligant, Magical Leaf!"

Lilligant raised her arm, but this time, no leaves appeared. The crowd gasped. Lilligant tried again, but still nothing.

"Lilligant! What's going on?! Why isn't it working?!"

"I'd been waiting for this, and it seems luck has shone down on me," said Nigel. "My Frillish's Ability is known as Cursed Body. It has a 30% chance of disabling the last attack used on it."

Leanne gave a quick gasp, realizing how she had just been conned. Jim gripped the guard rail in pensive fury, and Torch and Torrent were beside themselves with anger.

"You…you little sneak!" said Leanne.

"And just what do you plan to do about it?"

"This! Lilligant, use Petal Dance instead!"

Lilligant began to spin gracefully again, like a ballerina. Instead of leaves, a swirl of pink flower petals surrounded her. This wave of arboreal projectiles launched at Frillish.

"Dodge, Frillish! Dodge until she wears out!"

With surprising agility, Frillish wove this way and that, evading the onslaught of petals, moving with rapidity despite its weakened state. At last, Lilligant stopped spinning, but was now teetering this way and that, looking dazed. Torch and Torrent had expressions of utmost anxiety on their faces.

"Oh no. I was afraid of this…" muttered Cruise.

"What?" Jim asked.

"Petal Dance leaves the user confused. Nigel's open to retaliate."

"That's not good…"

Leanne was no less anxious in seeing Lilligant reduced to confusion.

"Frillish, Recover," said Nigel, complacently.

There was a shimmer of greenish light around Frillish, and the wounds it had sustained seemed to melt away, leaving it healthy again. Leanne bit her lip.

"Lilligant, try and use Petal Dance again!" she said.

Lilligant wove dangerously to one side, but still spun once again, summoning a storm of petals to throw at Frillish. They were way off target, unfortunately. Everything was falling apart for her, and after she had had such a strong start, too.

"Too bad," said Nigel, "and here I hoped you were actually going to prove a worthy challenge. Frillish, Water Pulse!"

Frillish formed another ball of compressed water and threw it. This time, it struck home, and Lilligant was thrown for a loop, more out of the force of the shot than actually being susceptible to it.

"This is looking pretty bad, George," said Burton. "Lilligant was off to an amazing start earlier, but the tables have turned so suddenly!"

"Yes indeed, Charlie," said Don George, "what Frillish lacked in type advantage, it has made up for with strategy and tactics."

"Come on, Lilligant, I know you can do this. Petal Dance, once more!"

Lilligant seemed to be putting in every last effort to steady herself, and so began to spin and conjure up another cloud of petals.

"Give it up," said Nigel. "It's not going to connect."

Lilligant, however, tossed her attack, and this time, it did strike home on Frillish, buffeting it. Nigel's jaw dropped, but his sneer returned to his face when he saw the telltale smoky glow that indicated Cursed Body was once more taking effect. Lilligant was once more touched with the same glow. Leanne blanched.

"Oh no," she groaned. "Magical Leaf and Petal Dance are her only attacking moves, and now they're both disabled…"

Nigel's smile broadened even more.

"Pardon me, but am I to assume you have no means of fighting back anymore?"

His tone was so condescending and jeering that Leanne hung her head by way of answer.

"Now, now, I will say this. You put up a tremendous performance. I never expected you to last this long. But come now, we both knew who would come out on top in the end, didn't we?"

Leanne said nothing. Jim gritted his teeth, gripping the rail until his knuckles were pale. "

Frillish, I think it's time we closed the curtain on this battle. Ice Beam!"

Frillish cupped its tentacles, forming another ball, but this one was white-blue, and the energy swirling around it seemed to be wind or snow. The ball let off a beam of the same color, with the force of a cannon, straight for Lilligant. It struck her square in the middle, enveloping the field in a blaze of ice-blue light and smoke. When it cleared, Lilligant was prostrated on the ground, knocked out. The referee raised his flag.

"Lilligant is unable to battle. Frillish is the winner!"

Those in support of Nigel cheered loudly, but it wasn't much of a majority. He didn't seem to care, however, and recalled his Frillish coolly. Leanne ran to Lilligant and picked her up in her arms.

"Lilligant, I'm so sorry…" she said, in a tearful voice. "I wish you hadn't gone through that, but I'm still proud of you for how you did. Please don't be too angry with me for putting you through that."

Lilligant opened her red eyes slowly, looking at her contrite Trainer, and by way of answer, put her leaf-like arms around her neck and nestled against her chest. Fighting to hide back tears at this display, she carried Lilligant back to her friends. As soon as she was set down, Torch and Torrent immediately attended to her, taking her to a corner of the spectator's section to be with her. Neither Jim nor Leanne objected; they had been family in the circus, after all.

"I'm sorry, Leanne," Jim said, sympathetically. "I hated to see Lilligant taken out like that. Both of you did very well, too."

She responded by giving him a warm hug, which he reciprocated.

"Thanks.It was just that stupid Frillish's Cursed Body that messed me up. I would have done better otherwise."

"Blaming your opponent for your own shortcomings, as I knew you would."

Jim stiffened. Nigel was right by them, smirking.

"Your mistake was relying on that Lilligant in the first place. It's a show Pokemon, bred for appearance and companionship-"

He said this word with some derision, then continued,

"-not for battle. But then of course, how could you possibly have known that? You're from Accumula Town, are you not? You're nearly as backward as Nuvema Town."

Jim was resisting the urge to lash out at him, but it was difficult. Thankfully, only his fist was shuddering, and he had it in his jacket pocket. He was not about to let Nigel have the satisfaction of riling him up. Nigel seemed to catch on that his taunts were producing little effect, and with a snort that seemed to suggest 'you're no fun', he stalked away. Jim breathed out in relief after he was out of earshot.

"Good work, kid," said The Guy. "Don't give him a reason to keep antagonizing. At least, not until your match."

"Don't worry. I'm gonna show him tomorrow," said Jim, decidedly.

Burton and Don George were commentating again at that moment.

"With that, ladies and gentlemen, we can now conclude the semifinals of the Nimbasa Battle Tournament!

"Tomorrow, we'll experience the exciting conclusion: the final battle!" said Don George. "Jim Stevens vs. Nigel Richmond, both of whom have shown undeniable skill and technique throughout this entire tournament!"

"And with that, folks, this has been Charles Burton-"

"And Don George-"

"Signing off!"