“Swablu. Are you awake?”
“Yes, Grovyle, I am. What do you need?”
“I want to know one thing: when I got hit with the last one of those blasts, why were you crying?”
“I was afraid for you. You have to understand, when one of us got hurt...we didn’t have any way to help them get better. They either recovered or they didn’t, and we had no way to help. So...I was afraid you might die.”
“One of the perks of being with a trainer is that you get medical treatment. I thought you knew.”
“I do know, it’s just that...well...I really quite like you. And I guess...I was afraid of losing you.”
“...”
One week later
Littleroot Town
**BEEP BEEP BEEP**
“Ashe, can you hit the snooze button?”
“Sorry, Master. She says no.” I don’t even know how Spoink slept while bouncing up and down. Maybe she doesn’t sleep at all.
**BEEP BEEP BEEP**
“Fine, fine, I’ll get it.”
My mom opened the door a few seconds after I woozily pressed the snooze button. “Skarm, if you want to be up in time to ride with your dad to Petalburg, you need to get out of bed right now.”
“Ughhh...do I have to?”
“You could walk or ride your bike instead.”
“Alright, alright, I’m going...” I withdrew all my pokemon and hopped out of bed.
Dad yelled up the stairs, “Hurry up, Skarm!”
“So, wait, Dad...why are we fighting again? I checked the numbers, and I’m already qualified to fight in the League Qualifiers in the fall. I don’t need to fight you or any more gyms, for that matter.”
“Skarm, not fighting more gyms could work out for you, but I don’t recommend it. That’s the route your mother took, and she paid for it.”
“What happened to her?” Dad swung the wheel and pulled onto the freeway, probably hitting the gas harder then he should have. “Dad?”
“You probably know that there are two ways to compete in the League championships as a newcomer. There’s Gym Circuit entry, which you’re doing, and-”
“There’s At-Large spots, I know.”
“Right. Every trainer in the top 10 spots of the League trainer rankings can compete in the qualifying tournament to try to earn a spot in the official tournament. Your mother was the top ranked Trainer in Kanto back when she was your age, and she was an amazing battler and tactician. But she decided to stop fighting gyms, thinking that when she got to the qualifiers her experience would give her an advantage over the top 10 ranked trainers.”
“Let me guess: it didn’t work.”
“If you’re not fighting gyms, your strategies are different. Your mother had a team built to defeat gyms-a lot of different pokemon, all with their own strengths and weaknesses, very much like you do. But when you’re fighting a lot of small battles instead of a few big ones, it’s more important to just have a few extremely powerful pokemon then a well balanced team.”
“They caught her by surprise in the tournament. She was unprepared, especially since she didn’t have the advantage of film like you get in the main tournament. And she ran up against a trainer named Red.”
“RED? She fought against Red back in his glory days?”
“Yes. He and his Pikachu destroyed her. Most of her pokemon were killed in the battle.:
“It’s not exactly fair to blame that on her...it was only RED, the greatest trainer of all time, Dad!”
“Yes, but still, that’s why the Gym Circuit is so important. Because if you don’t do the gym circuit, and you decide to do the ranked battles instead, you’re rolling the dice when you get to the qualifiers. Who knows, you could be up against the next Red. Better to just beat all 8 gyms and get a guaranteed spot in the tournament.”
11:00 AM
Petalburg Gym
“We’re here at the Petalburg Gym, waiting for Skarm to enter the Arena. This will be an unprecedented FIFTH gym battle since he started his training career only a few weeks ago, an incredible feat for a new trainer, and one that’s never happened before in League history. Norman, what do you think of your son’s accomplishments?” Drayden
“Well, he’s an exceptional trainer, no doubt about that. I guess I’m not--”
“There is some doubt, about that, actually. Some league officials believe that you have been illegally assisting Skarm by giving him inside information.” Gary Oak said smugly.
“Gary, I know you say that every time Skarm comes up, but that’s simply not true. And I think it’s unfair and flat out disrespectful for you to keep repeating allegations that by now have been proven false.”
“They haven’t been proven false, though.” It seemed like Gary got even smugger while Dad talked. “Sure, there might not be any proof yet other then circumstantial evidence, but you’re the only person who’s gone on the record saying that Skarm isn’t cheating. And you’re his dad, so for all we know---”
“Enough. If you think Skarm’s a cheater, I think you’re going to have a surprise coming for you today. Because he taught himself everything he knows. And I know a lot more then him.”
“Alright, Norman, calm down. We’ll be back after a commercial break with Skarm’s battle against Norman.”
The elevator doors up to the arena opened, and I withdrew my pokemon and stepped in. On the way up, I heard soft, rolling music by ZZ Hitmontop, which made me grin for only a second before I focused back in. Then the doors opened to a roaring crowd that filled the entire stadium.
Dad was always a fan of old fashioned battling, and I knew his arena was the same way. Just a plain dirt floor, with no fancy platforms to protect the trainers. Oh, and the roaring crowds who probably aren’t my biggest fans.
The square on the ground, painted on in white, is all I have to protect me. Not that my dad is really all that known for flashy fireballs or lightning bolts. He’s always been a very conservative battler-he doesn’t do anything fancy, he won’t trick you or catch you with something you never expected. He wants to win in the simplest way possible; with an almost clinical combination of precision and brute force. And with luck, I’ll be able to use that to my advantage.
“Skarm. Are you ready?”
“I was born ready.”
“Very well. You remember the rules, right son?”
“I get to choose two of yours for you to use, you get to choose two of mine for me to use, and we each get to choose one of our own.”
“Correct. Do you need a list?”
“No. I’d like you to use both Slakings.”
“Okay...You’re going to use your Swellow and your Spoink.”
Those were interesting choices. Of all the pokemon he could have chosen, why one that could fly out of his Slaking’s reach, or one that could control its mind? It made no sense for him to choose them when he could have chosen Ashe or the slow glider Swablu.
“The competitors have 5 minutes to plan strategy before the battle commences.”
Soda and Spoink appeared in twin flashes of red light, along with Aron. “So, Dad chose you two to fight, and Aron, you were my choice. He’s going to have two Slakings, and this Vigoroth he’s been using every battle. Now, the Slakings are slow and lazy, and you guys know what we do to slow, right?”
Bounce circles around them, right, Master?
“You got it, Spoink. Now, Soda, you’re going first. I know once you get on a roll you’ll destroy them.”
“The battle will now commence. Challenger, send out your first pokemon.”
Soda and Dad’s Slaking stared each other down from across the room. It didn’t last long before Soda took flight around room, searching for an opening. Slaking sat still, because Slakings are lazy assholes who only really do anything when they mate. Soon enough, Soda was a whirlwind of activity, racing around the room at blinding speed and leaving deep, bloody cuts in Slaking’s coat.
Slaking suddenly punched its hand into the ground. It ripped a large chunk of the hard packed ground out, and threw it at a seemingly random spot in the air.
Of course, it didn’t seem so random when I heard a thunk, and then saw Soda’s limp body hit the ground at high speed.
“Holy shit...Wake up, Soda!”
“He’s not lazy. He’s just waiting for the right time to strike.”
“REF! IS SWELLOW DOWN?”
“Swellow is still able to battle. Continue, challanger.”
“WHAT?”
Present Time
Petalburg Gym Arena
Soda
I couldn’t believe it. How did he hit me like that, when I was moving that fast? The rock was like whatever Skarm called a fastball, and he hit me right in the wing joint.
I couldn’t even process it. I still can’t, now that I’m on the ground, my right wing bent at an awkward angle.
I know that I need to move and get up before Slaking gets over here. But it’s alright. I can take my time.
Can’t I?
Skarm
“THAT’S BULLSHIT! LOOK AT HIM, HE CAN’T EVEN MOVE! JUST LET ME TAKE HIM TO THE CENTER!”
“Return to your platform, challenger.”
“DO YOU EVEN HAVE A HEART IN YOUR ARCEUSDAMN BODY?”
“Return to your platform, or you will be disqualified.”
“Calm down, Skarm. Injuries are part of battle.”
“Soda! You have to move! Come back to the platform so I can take a look at you!” As soon as the words left my mouth, Slaking climbed off his lazy ass onto all fours and loped towards Soda. Suddenly, time slowed down, and I heard Spoink’s voice echoing through my head.
He can’t move quickly enough. His wing’s dislocated.
“Spoink, what do we do then?”
Recall him with the pokeball, and send me out in his place.
“Spoink, if I do that, he’ll get a free attack on you. Are you sure you can take it?”
I can see a little bit ahead. I think I can dodge it.
“Okay then...” I yanked Soda’s poke ball from my belt. “Soda, return!”
I returned Soda and sent out Spoink. Slaking lifted up its arms to smash the spot where Spoink was just standing, and barely missed when Spoink bounced out of the way. And then the fatass just laid down again.
“I think your pokemon have some motivation problems.” As I said this, I saw the rock that Slaking threw at Soda lift into the air by its own accord, and then embed itself in Slaking’s eye. Blood poured out onto the ground, puddling around Slaking’s spasming body, until it stopped moving.
“Slaking is unable to battle. Both sides have two minutes to plan before the next pokemon are sent out.”
Are we planning, Master?
“No, but come over here anyways. I need your help for a second.” Spoink bounced over to me, looking eager like she always did. “Help me fix Soda’s wing.”
Master, I don’t know how...but I think Swellow does.
“Why didn’t Soda do it himself then?”
He knows HOW to fix it. But someone with hands has to do it for him.
“Ok...can you tell me what he’s thinking?”
Alright...here we go.
Skarm....where’s my Sprite?
“I’ve got one right here for you, you did great. Just give me a second. Tell me what I need to do to fix your wing. Spoink will talk for you.”
Ok...this is going to hurt like a bitch I don’t want to maybe they could put me out for it i--
Swellow. Focus.
Right, right. Reach over the top of my right wing and grab as close to the joint as you can.
“Right here?”
Yes. Now put your other hand on the other side of my body directly across from the joint and push towards each other.
“Okay, here we go. One...two...three!” Soda grunted as I began squeezing.
“Thirty seconds left, trainers!”
Aim a little higher...too high, a little down...You found the joint, you’ve got to twist it in asdof[jfnavonvn[qnwnfqnwncvnvjkladnsfpqnjvlsjnvaahahhhahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
-click-
It’s in. I’ve got to go fight now, so cheer me on!
“Alright Spoink, time to go. Soda, stay here for a bit, stretch out that wing. I might have to put you back in the fight.”
Spoink bounced merrily back onto the battlefield, where Dad’s second Slaking awaited her.
Slaking began to move towards her, and then it froze mid stride. Spoink was obviously doing some work inside its head.
The voice was just a whisper, but it grew louder and louder.
noslakingSTAYdon’tmovejustknockyourselfoutnononononoSTAYSTAYOBEYME
Slaking snapped Spoink’s mental link, and closed the gap. It grabbed Spoink in a massive fist easily, even as she tried to bounce away.
STOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOP
Slaking held Spoink’s body in one hand and her spring in the other.
Then he pulled them apart, and dropped Spoink’s body on the ground. The crowd roared with satisfaction, or anger, or I don’t know what.
The world slowed down. I could see what was left of her spring attached to the bottom of her body, snapping in and out, struggling to bounce. Her breathing became short and labored.
“Spoink is unable to battle. Both sides have two minutes to plan until the next pokemon is sent out.”
“Spoink!” I rushed over to her limp body, rules be damned.
You can’t help. It’s over for me.
“NO! I won’t let it!” I picked her up and started slamming her body into my chest, trying to simulate a bouncing motion.
A noble effort. But one that is wasted.
“If we can just keep you alive...until you evolve...you’ll be fine.” The process was exhausting me already, and I wondered how much longer I could keep her alive by myself.
No, I won’t. I won’t evolve without being able to battle. So this is the end of the road for us, Master.
“But...you can’t give up! I can save you, everything will be alright1”
Only if you let go and finish the battle.
“I won’t.”
SKARM. PUT...ME...DOWN.
I felt it in my head, an irresistable urge. I had to...set her down....