Air Dragon
Ha, ha... not.
TCQ ch 30~2
<Master...> Zen said in shock, unsure whether to believe he was truly seeing his master seated there, staring at him in disdain, as though he thought he was weak, as though he, Zen had justified his exile, his abandonment; like he had deserved the hell he’d had to endure the past twelve months...
A fury such as never before began to rise within Zen like bile, a severe hatred for the man that had shattered his hopes, his dreams; thrown him away like a worthless pawn... he would show him, he thought as a forceful battle cry rumbled from deep within himself and ascended into a violent roar of rage as he threw the Machamp off him and rushed the Harleking, his fist clenched so tightly he was starting to bleed at the palm, the now useless prosthetic arm trailing sparks behind him as it screeched along the floor, the Machamp hot on his heels...
...he would show them all.
“Zen! What’re you doing? Fall back!” Sapph yelled in horror as Zen charged into the Harleking, swinging his only working arm at the Harlequin Pokémon wildly, screaming random oaths at the Pokémon who he was trying to punch.
Harleking saw each attack coming a mile away however and using its incredible flexibility ducked, swayed and folded his body in time with Zen’s furious attacks, making each one miss.
“Ace, keep the Machamp busy!” Sapph commanded his Flying type Pokémon, who nodded her helmet-clad head and swooped in, her expansive wings glowing white as she aimed for the lumbering Machamp’s back.
“Attacking from behind?” Chen said with a tutting sound. “How rude of you, Sapph Manson. Champ, Use Dynamic Punch behind you...now!” He ordered, waiting until the time was perfect to execute his order.
Ace, still dizzy from the repeated Doubleslaps to her head barely had the time to register Chen’s command in mid-dive, nor did she hear Sapph’s warning until what seemed to be a boulder slammed into her beak so hard she thought she had felt it become fractured. Ace went spinning away and flopped to the floor, out cold.
“Champ...” Chen ordered, ready to assist Lhi’s Pokémon when Lhi interrupted him, saying, “Leave this to Harleking, Brother Chen. You focus on catching your breath. Harleking,” he added in a shout to his Pokémon. “It is time to end this battle.”
<Yes, Master Lhi,> Harleking said calmly, not missing a beat in his evasive dance around the winded and furious Zen.
“Zen, try Aura Sphere! C’mon!” Sapph coaxed his Pokémon, noting that Zen would not follow an order to retreat and instead tried to order an attack.
However, for all the good it did, Sapph might have just as well yelled at the statues dotting the grounds. Zen, taking a great sweeping over-arm hook at the Harleking, found himself overextended, and right in the path of a right handed slap that resounded through the arena. Zen hardly had time to feel the stinging on his cheek before Harleking’s next attack, a rising left knee to the gut, forced him upright again painfully.
Haley found it too hard to watch as she shut her eyes, the loud smacks resonating through the air and filling her mind with awful images as Zen audibly retched, throwing up a quantity of blood as Harleking landed a straight Force Palm thrust to his opponent’s chest, sending the smaller Pokémon sailing back and crumpling in the middle of the arena, twitching and convulsing.
“Call ‘im back, man,” T.J. said pityingly. “He can’t take much more, Sapph.”
Sapph nodded silently. As much as he wanted to respect Zen’s desire to fight, he knew as well as the Pacifidlog local that even Zen had reached his limit. Raising his pokéball and said, “Zen, re-“
<NO, DAMNIT!> Zen roared, coughing feebly as he impossibly pushed himself to his feet once more, bleeding profusely from the mouth, nose and hand. <Don’t you... dare, kid. I haven’t lost... not... damned... yet... I... I,> he muttered, staring up at the man who raised him formerly malevolently, he screamed for all the mountains to hear: <I REFUSE TO LOSE!!>
“ZEN!” Sapph cried out in protest as the Taebrawl ran towards his opponent, screaming loudly. Harleking sighed and sliding low to the ground sent another Force Palm straight into Zen’s mouth without any sign of holding back. Harleking then proceeded to pummel Zen all over with quick jabs and kicks, before a final Force Palm to the chest sent Zen rolling over the floor like a gollywog, coming to a limp stop beside Ace.
Sapph thought the shock at Lhi’s brutality had robbed him of his voice; he was almost certain he’d never be able to speak again.
“Taebrawl and Mawhoot are both unable to battle! The first round goes to Masters Lhi and Chen!” the referee declared after a brief examination of Sapph’s Pokémon.
Sapph grit his teeth as he returned his bruised and (in Zen’s case) bloodied Pokémon. It looked like this battle was going to call for more than raw power, he thought as he lowered his Pokémon’s retrieval orbs silently back to his belt.
“Quite the strategy,” T.J. breathed, watching the gym leaders’ Pokémon in awe.
Haley nodded as she added, “The Machamp attacks first and takes all heavy hits, its muscly armour blocking all attempts to faze it. And Harleking’s remarkable flexibility acts as a defense to all attacks that get past the Machamp.”
“Not only that,” T.J. said as he watched Sapph pull off two new pokéballs from its belt, one of them pure white with a green line tracing its equator. “Harleking’s quick multiple attacks hurt as much as Machamp’s heavy hits. How will Sapph fight that?”
“OK, so now what’s next, Sapph?” Chen said eagerly, getting into the swing of things as his Machamp stretched its four arms wide.
“By now, you should have noticed,” Lhi said, opening his eyes now that the brutality exacted on Zen and Ace had passed. “That it’ll take more than power to crush our combinations, Sapphire.”
“I guess I have no choice, then,” Sapph said confidently. “If it’s a combination you want, that’s what you’ll get! Anuvi, Crimson, let’s go!” he yelled the last four words authoritatively, throwing down his last two Pokémon.
A blast of white and green light streaked from the air onto the pitch, the latter in a spiral motion and within seconds Sapph’s oldest Pokémon teammates hovered and stood before the Machamp and Harleking, dwarfed by the colossal Supewrpower Pokémon.
Anuvi whistled as he looked up into the Machamp’s face and said, <Yo, big guy. How’s it hangin’?>
<Your team mates, the Taebrawl and Mawhoot, were no match for us,> the Harlequin Pokémon said quietly. <I do hope you can surpass them long enough to make the match interesting.>
Bristling slightly at the news of Zen and Ace’s defeat, Crimson raised his four fists and said calmly, <Well, I guess we’ll have to see, won’t we?>
“Round two: Squirrage and Ledian versus Machamp and Harleking,” the referee said, raising both hands in the air. Crossing his fore arms, he added, “Begin!”
“We shall begin this time!” Lhi exclaimed. “Harleking, use Doubleslap on the Squirrage!”
“Champ, show that bug your Mega Punch!” Chen whooped.
“Crimson, Protect now! Anuvi, get moving!” Sapph commanded swiftly.
The hulking mass of bulging muscles ran in behind the smaller Harlequin Pokémon as it prepared to slap the Warrior pok’emon silly.
It matters not how fast Chen says that Squirrage is, Lhi thought determinedly. I am fully confident that Harleking will... what the?
Lhi’s eyes widened as Anuvi suddenly stood right in front of him, leaving his partner alone and quite unguarded. Anuvi smirked at Crimson who smiled back and produced his familiar green sphere around him to shield himself not only from the Harleking’s assault but to cause the Machamp (who was moving too fast to stop) to barrel into his own team mate’s back fist first, slamming the slighter Pokémon back into the impenetrable shield.
“Moron,” Chen yelled at his partner. “I told you to watch for his Squirrage, didn’t I? Now look what you made Champ do!”
“It is not my fault that your Machamp lacks the self control that should enable it to not crush its own team mate!” Lhi said in a quiet yet clearly affronted voice as the hit proved too strong for the Harleking to take as it keeled over, clutching its gut in pain and glaring at the Machamp vehemently, who could only grin back apologetically.
“<Oi, oi... are they serious?>” Sapph and his Pokémon thought in incredulous unison.
“Well, time to show you a combination move of our own,” Sapph said spritely. “Anuvi, Crimson! Get in position!”
<Roger!> Crimson yelled and Anuvi wordlessly nodded as they circled their prey, Anuvi moving slower that usual.
“Not if we hit you first, Sapphire!” Lhi exclaimed proudly. “Harleking, Doubleslap again!”
“Champ, Dynamic Punch!” Chen hollered, pumping his fist.
“Don’t wait for them, guys!” Sapph said urgently. “Move to meet them!”
Anuvi and Crimson ran towards the Machamp and Harleking like a pair of hot rodders playing chicken on the interstate.
Barely seconds from impact, Sapph yelled, “Crimson, use Mach Punch and...”
On Sapph’s command, Anuvi phased out of sight once more, avoiding the backhand slapping Pokémon, whose eyes widened as a small white fist came out of nowhere, connecting with his face dead centre and sending him flying.
“No where’s that Pokémon gone?” Chen said in frustration, getting his answer a split second later as Anuvi came sliding into Champ’s ankles foot first and tripping the behemoth up... onto the advancing Ledian, whose crossed fists covered his mouth as the Machamp saw his chance to body slam the Five Star Pokémon to the antipodes.
Champ was suddenly distracted by a slight weight on his back as Anuvi flipped onto his broad back and clapped his paws over his ears, his body in a crouched position as Harleking flew directly overhead.
“... SUPERSONIC!” Sapph yelled, blocking his ears as well.
In the stands, Haley stuffed her fingers into her ears upon hearing Sapph’s next command. Crimson uncrossed his arms and unleashed a powerful supersonic noise that resonated throughout the temple, causing a mass of painfull groans as all the monks struggled to shut out the painful sound. Champ who had received the attack at point-blank range, was shot into the air like a cork, his sense of balance and equilibrium shot to zero by the forceful auditory assault.
“Anuvi! Yaiba no Hayashi, let’s go!” Sapph yelled. “Crimson, use Comet Punch Thunder Style to end it!”
Anuvi gripped the leaves on his back over his shoulder and sprung off the Machamp’s back, propelling him back to the arena floor, where Crimson stood waiting, his four fists crackling with electricity. Bouncing off the ceiling of the large arena, Anuvi sped towards the defenceless Harleking, who had just begun to fall and with one flash of green light created the energy sword he had patented and slashed Harleking across the chest, sending him crashing into the ground like a rocket just as Crimson unleashed a flurry of electric punches to the Machamp’s abdomen, unloading critically-damaging voltage into his hulking frame and sending him on a one-way trip into unconsciousness with a loud thud ten feet away.
Raising his right hand as Anuvi touched down lightly besides his insectoid partner who hovered a few inches off the ground, the referee declared Harleking and Machamp unable to continue fighting, a note of shock in his voice. A feeling shared, at least, by Chen, who cursed ruefully under his breath as he returned his Pokémon despondently.
Lhi, however didn’t make a sound as he returned Harleking and drew out his second battler as Chen did the same.
<Whoa, whoa! Are you kidding me?> Anuvi gasped as he saw them draw out fresh Pokémon.
<You mean to say, that between them, Zen and Ace couldn’t knock out one Pokémon?> Crimson said in disbelief.
“Chin up, guys,” Sapph said confidently. “I have every confidence in you guys! We can take whatever they throw at us, no problem!”
“Well, we’ll beg to differ, Sapphire,” Lhi said calmly. “Hariyama, I require your aid!”
“Go Ku, let’s rumble!” Chen said; his grin back in place as he threw down his last battler.
Beside the chubby mass of muscle that was Hariyama, a much smaller Pokémon appeared beside it, chattering loudly as it clapped its long, hairy arms. Its eyes under its thick blue monobrow sparkled with mischief and its long tail burned brightly at the tip as it swished from side to side. It flexed its tan coloured fingers expectantly as Hariyama cracked his abnormally-sized knuckles, each one larger than his Pecha berry shaped head, an identical monobrow overlying its beady black eyes.
On seeing the Monferno’s flaming tail, Crimson’s eyes faltered as he said in a tiny voice, <Damn, another Fire type. Could this day suck any more?>
<C’mon, Bug Head,> Anuvi said coyly. <Don’t tell me you’re afraid...>
<Easy for you, Anuvi,> Crimson snapped in a high pitched voice. <You forgot what fear is when your mother dropped you on your nut-filled head!>
<Hey, you’re getting better at dissing, Crimson! Good for you!> Anuvi said proudly. <Only next time, leave the ‘yo mama’ jokes for the opponents, OK?>
“Well, he can’t burn you if he can’t hit you,” Sapph reasoned with his neurotic Five Star Pokémon. “Anuvi, wanna switch with Crimson?”
<Whaddya say, Crimson?> Anuvi said cheerfully. <Will it be the Simian Briquette or the Sumo Nutcracker?>
Crimson took one look at the Hariyama, who cracked his little finger knuckle with the sound of a gunshot and said hurriedly, <I’ll have the briquette.>
<Fair enough,> Anuvi said before facing the Hariyama, his right hand clenching tighter around the katana-shaped blade.
“Final round: Squirrage and Ledian versus Hariyama and Monferno. Ready... fight!” the referee announced with the final beat of the great drum.
“Here we go! Go Ku, attack the Squirrage with Poison Jab!” Chen commanded.
“Hariyama, use Fake Out on the Ledian, then Arm Thrust!” Lhi ordered.
“OK, Anuvi! Defend Crimson with Yaiba no Hayashi and employ evasive manoeuvres! Crimson, counter the Monferno with Comet Punch Thunder Style!” Sapph countered swiftly.
All four Pokémon leapt into action as one: the Squirrage named Anuvi swung his vegetation powered sword in a wide horizontal arc which stopped the hulking Arm Thrust Pokémon’s first attack and then ducked and weaved in and out of the larger Pokémon’s Sumo-like thrusts. Crimson’s wings beat faster as the four fists of cosmic power crackled with electricity once more as he traded lightning fast blows with the Monferno, whose paws glowed a vivid, sickly purple.
“Good job, Crimson, keep it up!” Sapph cheered on his Pokémon. “Anuvi, fight back with Razor Leaf!”
<OK,> Anuvi said, waving his free arm in an arc into the Hariyama’s belly and discharging a torrent of sharp-edged foliage towards him. Without missing a step, the Hariyama kept up its offense, shredding all leaves into compost. Anuvi gulped as he leapt back and resumed his dodging as the Arm Thrust Pokémon’s attack increased in velocity... and power.
Halfway across the stage, Go Ku and Crimson continued to trade attacks, blocking each other’s jabs with their own and not bothering to evade. The Playful Pokémon taunted Crimson, screeching, <I am monkey, so are you!>
Weirded out, Crimson merely replied by increasing the punches per minute he was doling out, surprised the Monferno, who had half as many hands was able to keep up with him for so long.
“Now, Anuvi! Leave Hariyama in the dust and help Crimson gain the upper hand!” Sapph commanded.
<Easier said... than done,> Anuvi panted, the strain of maintaining his speed movements beginning to show. Deciding to employ a wisecrack to throw Hariyama’s concentration, Anuvi adopted an impressed voice and said, <Hey, Tubby... work out much?>
As Anuvi leapt back, increasing the distance between them by a few more feet, Hariyama grinned suddenly and thrust his palm forwards with deliberate and insane force. Anuvi’s eyes widened as a blast of wind rushed towards him, sending him spiralling a few more feet back.
<Anuvi!> Crimson yelled, momentarily forgetting he had his hands full with the hyperactive simian Pokémon, who took the initiative to screech, <Buboom for you!> as Crimson took a shot of Poison Jab to his upper right shoulder.
<Gah!> Crimson gasped, flying backwards away from the prancing monkey towards Anuvi, who’d skidded to a halt, using the Yaiba no Hayashi to forcefully brake.
<Crimosn, you OK?> Anuvi asked a little winded as Hariyama seemed to let up a little, also panting hard.
Crimson gritted his teeth as the poison began to take effect, <No... damned poison...>
It seemed that last strike took about as much out of him as moving around at Squirrage speed took out of Anuvi, Sapph thought. Meaning now is the time to strike! But with Crimson poisoned, it’s best he moves as little as possible. In that case...
“Anuvi, attack the Hariyama with Yaiba no Hayashi! Crimson, try nailing that nutty Monferno from a distance with Supersonic!”
<Right!> Both Pokémon hollered as they moved to follow orders. Anuvi’s green nihoutou glowed again as he slashed through the air towards the Hariyama as the Five Star Pokémon unleashed an unearthly scream upon the Monferno.
“Ah, ah, aah... Go Ku, go evasive ‘til you see your chance and let him have it!” Chen commanded.
“Hariyama, employ your Arm Thrust again and move in for close combat!” Lhi ordered calmly.
Hariyama stepped into the offensive so hard the flagstone beneath his feet crumbled as he stomped down, releasing a second blast of energy that collided with the rolling arc of green energy the Yaiba no Hayashi had unleashed causing both attacks to cancel out. Hariyama then advanced in the wake of his attack, resuming the game of cat-and-squirrel.
Crimson also seemed to face difficulty in pinpointing the monkey long enough to subject it to his painful, ear-shattering sound attacks. Go Ku leapt around the battle field with almost as much agility as Anuvi, inching closer as he danced around the tiring Bug type Pokémon. About six feet away, he let a theatrical, hoarse laugh and said, <I curse you with my bad breath,> before puffing out his chest and, quite literally, spewing out bad breath which had ignited into a powerful Flamethrower attack.
Reacting instinctively, Crimson threw up his protective green bubble Anuvi was back to back with him, shielding them both from their attackers and drawing Hariyama into the line of... well, fire.
As the flames died away, Crimson gasped as he released the Protect bubble and sank to his knees, Anuvi raising the Yaiba no Hayashi in a defensive position as the Hariyama struggled to overcome the pain his burns were putting him through and rushing forwards with a shouted command from his trainer, rapped his large knuckles sharply atop Anuvi’s head, causing stars to pop and wink before the Warrior Pokémon’s eyes as he dropped the Yaiba no Hayashi, causing it to fizzle away into nothing.
By no means done with his quarry, Hariyama proceeded to grab him by the ruff and slap him repeatedly across the face, doubling the amount of stars Anuvi saw, before letting him drop to his feet dizzily, swaying as drunkenly as the Harleking had before him.
“<ANUVI!>” Sapph and Crimson yelled in worry as Anuvi tottered around, his mind messed up by the combination Knock Off and Wake-Up Slap techniques administered to his head.
<I’m OK,> Anuvi said giddily, struggling to get his bearings as the Hariyama swam in and out of sight. Pulling off a second leaf from his short cape, he reanimated the energy sword faster than blinking and laid a close range Yaiba no Hayashi dealing critical damage as the Arm Thrust Pokémon went flying, shocking Lhi tremendously.
Giggling softly he turned to his partners, and grinning flashed them a thumbs up as he said, <See? Now you two focus on giving Monkey Face a piece of your mind, Crimson...Sapph,> he said, laughing as he watched the Hariyama struggle to his feet.
“OK... Crimson,” Sapph said turning their attention to the only Pokémon yet to sustain any damage. “Get close with Mach Punch and follow up with regular Comet Punch. Think your body can handle it?”
Crimson struggled to his feet and said, <Well, we won’t know until we try, Sapph...>
His blue visored eyes fixed on his target, Crimson flickered out of sight with Go Ku playing too much to notice despite Chen’s outcry. A split second later, Go Ku noticed as a fist seemed to plow into him from out of nowhere. The rest of Crimson came soon afterwards, his other fists glowing with cosmic power as he laid into his opponent once... twice... thrice...
Well, to put it in a nutshell, it was only after fifteen seconds of furious pummelling that Crimson had had enough of smacking the silly monkey around and Go Ku crumpled in a heap that was breathing heavily for a few seconds before he rose to his feet, the black and blue bruising dotting his body swelling up as it winced repeatedly.
Anuvi and Hariyama leapt apart once more each possessing an assortment of fresh stinging injuries and breathing heavily.
Sapph and the young gym leaders looked on as all four Pokémon glared their opposition down, each looking close to the end of their tether, forming a rough spatial quadrilateral at the corners of which they stood.
Time to end this, they thought in unison and issued their final commands all at once:
“Hariyama... Long Range Arm Thrust!”
“Focus Blast, Go Ku!”
“Anuvi, Yaiba no Hayashi, one more time! Crimson, use Comet Punch Fire Style, now!”
Anuvi raised his energy sword above his head with both hands and gripped it tightly, sparks flying from the grounds around his feet as he stared at Go Ku, who had brought his hands to his side and created a golden ball of Qi with smaller, twinkling balls of light dancing within it, growling with a seriousity not yet displayed in the Fire type but showing intense focus.
Beside him, Hariyama raised one palm in front of him as he brought the other one to his chest, the energy growing to palpable quantities as he stared down the Ledian, whose four arms were blazing bright red, causing the crowd to murmur amongst themselves; it wasn’t every day you saw a Bug Pokémon use a Fire type attack of any kind.
What happened next resulted in a colossal explosion. Crimson, Anuvi, Go Ku and Hariyama released all their attacks at the same instant; wind, grass, fire and Qi meeting midway and colliding with enormously devastating consequence. Sapph, Lhi and Chen threw their hands in front of their faces to shield their eyes from the brilliance of the power struggles as the explosion enveloped all four Pokémon who let out simultaneous yells of pain for the next seven seconds before the explosive flames died away, leaving four severely wounded Pokémon in the aftermath.
Soon the match became a painfully, mentally tortuous game of endurance as the foursome stared at each other, sheer will power keeping them on their feet until Crimson passed out as the poison sapped the last of his strength.
Goku followed a split second later, the smaller Pokémon not trained to take as much damage as it had crumpling into an unconscious heap with a soft whimper.
Anuvi and Hariyama glared at each other a moment longer, their legs wobbling and with smiles full of respect for each other’s fighting spirit, passed out in unison.
“This wait is killing me!” Haley said in an anguished tone. “And I wasn’t the one who was battling!”
After the battle, Haley, T.J. and their Pokémon were grouped in the reception area of the Pokémon Centre. All ten of their Pokémon had been let out and were halfway through their meal, Phoenix and Bubbles amongst them.
According to Clyff Endlethorn’s new legislation, gym matches that ended in a simultaneous knockout had to be replayed for all the gym leaders to view and vote as to who won the match. Their judgement was to be based on careful analysis of the battle at various speeds of play: regular, slow and ultra slow motion/
T.J. glanced towards the swinging doors that lead to the Pokémon recovery wards and said calmly, “I hope Sapph’s Pokémon are OK. Tha battle they fought was toe-tally right-yours!”
“I just hope The Gym Leaders’ rule the match in Sapph’s favour,” Haley muttered, biting her thumbnail nervously. “Sapph really can’t afford to lose another gym battle on technicality.”
“Whatta you...” T.J. began in shock, before their attention was grasped by the double doors swinging open and Sapph walking through them, Lavender and Arcana at his heels, conspicuous only by the absence of his red anorak and lack of zeal.
“Hey, man,” T.J. greeted nervously as he slumped into the booth seat next to Haley.
“You OK?” Haley said quietly. “How are you holding up?”
“Fine,” Sapph said listlessly, his head bowed down as he petted Arcana and Lavender fondly before setting their meals before them.
<Like, how’re Anuvi and the others doing?> Bubbles asked the Evolution and Puppy Pokémon as they began to tuck in.
<They’re OK,> Lavender informed the others solemnly.
<For the mo’ part,> Arcana said after swallowing loudly. <Zen’s arm’s is totally busted. The nurse was talking about amputation.>
Mace whistled as he chuckled faintly, <Bet Zen loved that.>
<He went totally nuts,> Arcana agreed, frowning at Mace’s tone. <He... well, he said a lot of stuff as we left after the nurse. Sapph asked if there were any way to contact the man who’d created Zen’s arm in the first place.>
<She said it wasn’t possible,> Lavender said quietly, who was, although no fan of the rambunctious Taebrawl, feeling sorry for him nonetheless. <Zen was really upset at the result of the battle... he mentioned something about his old master seeing him lose again...>
<What?> All eleven Pokémon chorused in shock.
<Yeah. Apparently, Zen’s first trainer was a Black Belt trainer called Wei Hu from Pampa City, somewhere south of here... and he saw him in the stands during the match,> Lavender said dejectedly.
<So that’s why he looked the worst for wear when we saw them,> Arcana said thoughtfully. <But you said sometime ago that the guy abandoned Zen. Why would a guy like Zen care what he thinks of him now?>
<I dunno,> Lavender said sadly. <I wish he could let go of the past... it’s not healthy for anybody to do that to themselves.>
<Damn straight, girlfriend,> Arcana muttered darkly.
<Why so? I was the top of my class in the Nightspark Bay Buggle Academy, and the brightest of all my one hundred and forty nine siblings,> Ento said proudly.
<Ento, dude?> Vapor said through gritted teeth. <Shut up.>
The main glass doors of the Pokémon Centre slid open with a serpentine hiss and Lhi and Chen walked in, looking exhausted.
Upon seeing them, Haley sprang to her feet and said hurriedly, “What did you decide? Did Sapph win?”
Sapph and T.J. remained seated, although the latter was looking up expectantly at the gym leaders.
“Well, as per the new legislation, it was put to the vote,” Chen said wearily. “All nine gym leaders cast their vote – we cast separate votes - after watching the footage of the match.”
Haley thought she’d die from the tension the boys were putting on them. “AND?!”
Lhi threw Haley a sharp look before answering, his eyes on Sapph, “Two voted to be undecided. Three, in favour; four against.”
“Sorry, Sapph,” Chen said apologetically. “If it were down to me, I’d have given you the badge for the hottest match we’ve fought all season. However,” here, the boy threw a dirty half glance at Lhi, before exhaling heavily and said, “as per the new Corei League Legislation, page forty-two, section three, paragraph D...”
“...the challenger, Sapphire Manson, has been ruled to have lost the official gym battle due to a T.K.O.,” Lhi finished heavily, his eyes regarding Sapph in a wary, almost fearful manner.
About ten seconds of ringing silence rang through the air before Haley’s chest expanded in indignation, ready to let the Gym Leaders have a piece of her mind. T.J. could only gape in shock.
“It’s OK. Haley? Drop it.”
Sapph was much more deliberate in rising off the seat as he murmured softly, “I understand.”
Haley watched him leave the congregation in shocked silence.
Wordlessly, Arcana looked at Lavender, who nodded and both began to walk after their trainer through the double doors that lead to the recovery wards as well as the sleeping quarters for trainers passing through.
“Well, I hope you’re proud of yourselves!” Haley said indignantly, as though scolding them. “You lousy leaders and your stupid constitu-“
Haley stopped very abruptly and no one present needed to ask why: a voluminous explosion thundered through the doors and the doors nearly flew off their hinges as a great volume of dust and chippings swept into the reception area, making all four humans and ten Pokémon choke and gasp.
Letting out a violent expletive, Lhi, Chen Haley and T.J. raced towards the doors where with a bang they opened them into a scene of nauseating chaos.
Neon green light shone through a hole, spanning six feet in diameter, was carved in the right side of the corridor. The stone that previously filled the hole lay as rubble on the opposite wall, on top of which a small tan body was slumped, grasping his right shoulder just above the joint. Dark red blood flowed copiously from in between his fingers and a grisly trail of it traced his path through the wall.
As their eyes took in the ghastly sight, Sapph came running from the other end of the corridor, his face the epitome of shock and panic. Skidding to a halt beside Zen, who was rapidly losing consciousness, Sapph cradled the Combatant Pokémon in his arms and stared through the hole at an enraged Squirrage, who was giving off the light and staring down at Zen with demonic hatred in his eyes, which were blank and filled with the same eerie light as the fearful Yaiba no Hayashi, which glowed much brighter than usual in his left hand; Zen’s already dysfunctional prosthetic hanging from his right.
Oh, crap, Anuvi’s gone berserker! Sapph thought in panic. “Anuvi! Snap out of it!” he yelled to his Pokémon, as it tossed aside the damaged prosthetic which he had just decapitated from the Taebrawl and raised the energy sword slowly and silently.
<Anuvi, cut it out!> Crimson yelled, noticing Sapph get to his feet and raise his arms to block Zen from Anuvi’s attack.
<ANUVI!> Arcana barked in horror, too stunned to fight back. She had always thought of Anuvi as a goof ball, and a generally good humoured Pokémon who could be relied on if any of his team mates were in trouble. Now all she saw was an enraged vessel of Eowmad, hell-bent on seeing Zen on his knees before he killed him...
Anuvi’s second attack seemed to be viewed in muted slow motion by all witnesses: Anuvi seemed to see through Sapph as he swung the blade down, but instead of hitting Zen, who was its intended target, the shockwave from the Yaiba no Hayashi slashed Sapph across the chest, sending the boy sprawling soundlessly into the wall and slumping beside the Taebrawl, who’s eyes had grown wide with surprise...
Crimson seemed to be screaming in shock and fury as a red aura enveloped him as well. Ace had passed out from being in the immediate vicinity of two immensely powerful essence pressures in full berserker mode and Haley, T.J. and the gym leaders rushed to Sapph’s side as Lavender began to cry and Arcana felt the necessity to employ a few choice swear words herself as she watched Crimson throw himself on Anuvi, his fist resembling miniature suns.
The volume suddenly went back to full strength as Crimson released a flurry of fireballs that blew Anuvi back a few feet, but didn’t manage to fell him. Anuvi fought back with a series of high speed sword slashes that plowed into the Ledian’s Protect bubble. Realising his counterattack had failed, Anuvi released a feral snarl, that Crimson returned, the two of them totally out of control.
<No...> Arcana heard Lavender whimper feebly, her eyes brimming with tears. <Please... Anii... stop...>
Arcana’s head snapped back to the action as Crimson phased out of sight and reappeared near Anuvi, fist-first. Anuvi however was ready this time and stopped him with his bare palm. A leafy explosion erupted from Anuvi’s back and swept over Crimson, smothering him in a torrential flow of razor-sharp foliage. Crimson released a howl of wounded rage and the leaves burst into flames, which shot along the trail of leaves towards Anuvi, who had let go and sprang back a few feet to avoid further damage.
<Somebody... please, stop them...> Lavender wept silently, her voice wracked with sobs as the two continued to duel fiercely, flashes of red and green interchanging as the battle waged on.
The room was no longer able to contain the raw power of Eowmad and Sicten and they decided they needed more room to fight. A second explosion rocked the building and the wall that separated the inside and outside spaces was gone in a second, the rubble half burying the limp form of the Mawhoot and causing everyone to close their eyes in an attempt to keep the dust out.
<NOO! MAKE IT STOOOOP!> Lavender screamed on top of her voice unable to take the violence anymore.
“Gladly,” a voice said triumphantly.
Anuvi seemed the shudder a bit before the green glow began to fade. Crimson, seeing this lapse in concentration as a chance to end his best friend’s life fired up his wings and fists and charged in once more, his badly burned fists rearing back, when...
“That’ll do,” the voice crooned softly and a thick vine glowing with energy shot out from behind the Squirrage and whipped itself around Crimson’s neck faster than blinking and without a second thought, began to throttle him as it propelled him back into the wall, which made contact with the back of Crimson’s head, prompting the Bug type to pass out.
<Hey, what’s goin’ down, yo?> Arcana said in shock as Anuvi’s eyelids began to droop as his body generally sagged like a plush doll. Arcana prowled to the side to get a better look and saw with a thrill of terror that what seemed to be woody root had pieced Anuvi in the back and the rhythmical glowing of the root left little to the Growlithe’s imagination. Following the roots path she saw a bizarre figure standing in a hex-like circle, the root growing out of her navel as her wild green hair and scanty clothing rippled in the cool evening’s air, without a breeze. Her left arm was raised and from the palm of her hand the root that was throttling Crimson extended like a grotesque, thorny limb.
<Yo! Whatcha doin’ to ma homies, ya crazy hoe?> Arcana barked angrily as Bubbles and her teammates along with Lavender picked their way through the destruction to join her.
<Like, no way!> Bubbles yelled in shock as they stood transfixed in horror at the otherworldly sight before them, not knowing what to do. <Not you again?>
<Who is dat jungle hoe, anyways?> Arcana asked as Blitzkrieg his behind Mace and Vapor who stared transfixed in horroras the woman began to murmur to herself, “What... power! Eowmad’s... power... becoming... mine...”
<Zula,> said a weak voice and Ento, Bubbles and Arcana spun around to stare at the Swoop Pokémon who was being held up by Phoenix the Combusken and Torrent the Poliwhirl. <A Team Shadow captain...>
<But vot is he doing to the Squivage?> Oza, a chubby Makuhita and Phoenix and Torrent’s team mate, said worriedly. <Vot is ‘appening?>
<She’s most likely draining the essence of Eowmad from him,> Zen said blankly as he watched in wonder, struggling to his feet. <But that should be impossible for a mere human...>
<Why?> Torque, T.J.’s Hitmontop, who’d hung back to help T.J. revive Sapph with Pixy, said forcefully. <What happens when she’s done?>
Sapph had hardly opened his eyes and become aware of the stabbing pain across his chest when he heard Zen answer Torque quietly, <He’ll die.>
“Anuvi...” Sapph said weakly, raising a hand feebly to reach towards his first Pokémon, who was no longer glowing and seemed to be weakening before everybody’s very eyes, but feeling no strength to get up and help him. Zen watched Sapph for a moment with a strange-to-read expression on his face, and began to think...
<Anuvi very nearly killed the kid, just because he was trying to protect me. And now... after all that... he wants to save him? Looks like Crimson was right back then... Sapph does deserve respect... and if Anuvi’s been holding back... letting my attitude slide... so does he... they all do... and what have I done? All this time... I’m... could I live... knowing that I repay them... the way...>
Closing his eyes as he shakily rose to his feet, Zen told Torque and Pixy, <I’m such a ****wad. Stay here and watch them... I’ll deal with the pygmy witch.>
In the meantime, all of Haley’s Pokémon had stood up to Zula’s new form... and now lay at her feet, slumped over helplessly and clutching injuries.
“Soon... power... Eowmad’s power... mine... all mine,” Zula rambled incoherently, a truly insane expression lighting up her face as her hair began to glow.
<Guess again, you hag!> Lavender screamed. <Arcana, juice me up, quickly!>
<You got it, sistah!> Arcana barked, a barrage of small embers spewing from her mouth onto Lavender who felt the changes within and without herself as she glowed a burning orange and appeared in the likeness of a Flareon.
<Phoenix! I’ve got this!> Torrent yelled, taking Ace’s weight into his hands. <Go help them!>
<Got it!> the Young Fowl Pokémon agreed racing forward as his clawed feet began to spark and ignite.
<NOW!> They yelled in unison, brilliant flames licking at Lavender’s body as she charged in, a ball of fire increasing in diameter within her maw as Arcana unleashed a white hot Flamethrower attack right at Anuvi and Crimson’s assailant; Phoenix following through with a flying Double Kick, unleashing two meteors of fire upon Zula as a five pronged star of flame shot out of Lavender’s mouth from above.
All three attacks collided, creating a mini-explosion that sent snow rushing down a nearby mountain.
<Did we get her?> Phoenix asked roughly as Lavender hit the ground on all fours, panting heavily as she demorphed back into her Eevee form.
<Must have,> Lavender panted, her coat sleek with perspiration.
<Ain’t no way she... NO WAY!> Arcana screamed as the dust cleared and Zula stood calmly, her whole body glowed green and her injuries recently obtained from the firebrands’ offense healed before their very unbelieving eyes.
<Impossible...> Lavender whispered in horror. <We didn’t even faze her!>
<Damn... regeneration,> Pheonix spat in disgust.
<No way...> Arcana repeated. <There is no... friggin’... WAY!>
“Meddlesome insects,” Zula growled, her voice becoming bestial as her nail began to elongate. “BEGONE!”
Slamming her palm into the ground, thorny vines sped along the ground erupting from under their feet, throwing all three of them into the air, Lavender glowing bright green as she morphed into Leafeon and slammed into the ground with a thud.
“Malignant leech!” Zula raged in the same bestial voice. “Drain my power, will you?”
Phoenix and Arcana shook their heads to rid themselves of the bright lights popping before their eyes which widened in horror as they saw the roots rip out of Anuvi’s now lifeless form converge on the unconscious Leafeon, intent on draining every last drop of essence.
<Lavender...NO!> Arcana howled, struggling to her feet yet knowing she wouldn’t make it in time as unnoticed by all a glowing white form leapt from the tree from behind Zula and say, <Damn... didn’t I tell you I wouldn’t bail you out again, Lavender?>
Suddenly, Zula froze, a blank look arresting her face as she fell forwards on her side, passed out and a new creature stepped out of the shadows and into the evening sun.
Phoenix and Arcana stared at the newcomer as the vines loosened their grip on Crimson’s neck and he dropped on to his feet, and then promptly fell on all... er, sixes as he gasped for air.
The Pokémon stood at four feet tall and a tail reminiscent of Monferno’s (but with no flame) swung in and out of view as he looked down at Zula and exhaled softly. Glancing at the Fire types bewildered looks he stepped forwards on club-like feet and said in a sarcastic tone, <What up, Chicken Little? And Dog-breath, close ya trap before you hyperventilate.>
<Z-zen?> Arcana gasped, looking into the Combatant Pokémon’s yellow eyes which were half hidden behind a curtain of dark tan fur which covered every square inch of his body other that his white, rubbery fingers, feet, pointed ears and muscles. <Is- is that you?>
<Yes, Dog-breath, it’s me, alri- no...way,> Zen gasped, looking down at himself and his hands.
Yep, you heard me... hands. Complete with arms, fingers and shoulder. Zen was whole.
<Hu-how?> Arcana gasped, staring at Zen, who began to walk towards Lavender, to Zula, who lay on her side, unconscious, and to the room where the piece of metal that was formerly Zen’s arm, before snapping back to Zen, who had scooped Lavender into his arms and walked towards Anuvi.
<In a minute,> was all Zen said as the others started to come to and moved gingerly towards Zen and the two Grass types to watch what Zen was up to.
Zen placed a white palm on either Pokémon and took a deep breath through his dainty, catlike nose as he closed his eyes in concentration. Lavender began to glow green once more and reverted back to her Normal type form as his other hand which lay atop Anuvi’s chest glowed in symmetrical hue. The light seemed to drain into Anuvi’s chest and spread over Anuvi’s body before he gasped, his violet eyes flying open.
“Hey, Leaf Monkey,> Zen said, opening his yellow eyes and smirking slightly. <How’re you feeling?>
<Uhhh... Anii,> Lavender mumbled as she opened her eyes and saw Anuvi sit up painfully with Crimson’s help. <ANII!> She yelled with joy and leapt into him, nuzzling his chest madly.
<Oww... geddoff me, Lav,> Anuvi groaned, with a feeble laugh, as he patted the young Evolution Pokémon fondly.
<Like, thank Arceus,> Bubbles said, sniffling happily.
“Anuvi! You’re OK!” Sapph’s voice said weakly as he hobbled over with T.J., Haley, Lhi, Chen Torque and Pixy, supported between Haley and T.J. He looked awful, an angry red slash splashed across his bare chest, and his black T-shirt ripped in half down the front, but his smile was of utter joy as he grasped his Pokémon in a grateful, forgiving hug.
Zen took a step back to take in the affecting scene and turned around to look at Zula only to realise she had gone... with nearly all of Anuvi’s powers.
<Damn it...> he thought bitterly.
“Zen...” a voice he had formerly detested as belonging to a weak little boy who held him back ever time said gently. Zen turned around, yet couldn’t bring himself to look into Sapph’s blue eyes. Looking at the ground at the boy’s feet he saw a red and white sphere glint in the evening sun.
“Guess... you’ll want to leave... hunh?” Sapph said quietly, his steady gaze fixed on the Jutunkick’s shaking form. “I’m sorry I... didn’t take you’re feelings into consideration... all this time. I hope... you can... you know, forgive me?”
<Thanks, Zen,> Anuvi said fervently, looking at Zen’s eyes widen at his gentle tone. <Crimson told me what you did... for me... for all of us. Sorry about going berserk on ya... heh, heh... ouch,> the chuckling Warrior Pokémon groaned, clutching his side in pain
<You know...> Crimson said calmly. <We still have two chances to get into the league finals, and we can’t afford another loss. I know you’ll be instrumental in helping us win... if you stayed. But the choice,> he said, glancing sadly at the pokéball as well now, <is yours to make.>
All eyes were watching the Combatant Pokémon sadly, expecting their comrade to leave them after he’d just saved all their hides.
The Fighting and Psychic type picked up the pokéball, tears leaking out of the corners of his eyes.
<’Sorry’? ‘Forgive me’? ‘Thanks’?> He thought as he walked towards Sapph and placed the pokéball in his palm as he broke down completely, Anuvi and Crimson clapping him on the back warmly. <Those are my lines.>
Well, that was an epic to write! I thought of splitting it in half with a nasty cliffhanger in the middle of the gym battle but after letting you wait roughly two whole months for this, I decided to go for the grand total.
Next time on The Corei Quest: Sapph and Haley say goodbye to more than Dopeak City as they get back on the road to the next town... and say hello to perilous sub-zero adventures with an unlikely pair and even more unexpected consequences in Chapter 32: I’ll Tell You Snow Lies.
Get it first here, on Sppf.
And now... a couple of new Corei-Dex entries!
207 Jutunkick
Type: Fighting/Psychic
Species: Combatant
Pronunciation: joot-an-kick
Height: 4'01"
Weight: 143lbs
Habitat: Urban
Evolution Line: They usually follow this line:
Name Derivation: JUT kUN do(a form of martial arts) + KICK
Notes: JUTUNKICK can be found in four different varieties, each with distinct colouration. Each colouration is an indication of the element each one finds easiest to manipulate. Jutunkick command greater psychic powers, capable of heaving seven Snorlax with a mere thought.
245 Harleking
Type: Fighting
Species: Harlequin
Pronunciation: HAR-lee-KING
Height: 3’11”
Weight: 85lbs
Habitat: Mountain
Evolution Line: Harleking does not evolve.
Name Derivation: Spin-off on the word HARLEQUIN, a type of clown.
Notes: Harlekng's the most flexible Pokémon in existence with every joint in its body capable of full three-sixty degree rotations which it uses in spinning slaps and kicks.
Well, til the next chapter... L@er!
EDIT: My new fic, Heart of Seven Stones is out! Click on the linkie in the sig to follow on!
*continued from last post*
<Master...> Zen said in shock, unsure whether to believe he was truly seeing his master seated there, staring at him in disdain, as though he thought he was weak, as though he, Zen had justified his exile, his abandonment; like he had deserved the hell he’d had to endure the past twelve months...
A fury such as never before began to rise within Zen like bile, a severe hatred for the man that had shattered his hopes, his dreams; thrown him away like a worthless pawn... he would show him, he thought as a forceful battle cry rumbled from deep within himself and ascended into a violent roar of rage as he threw the Machamp off him and rushed the Harleking, his fist clenched so tightly he was starting to bleed at the palm, the now useless prosthetic arm trailing sparks behind him as it screeched along the floor, the Machamp hot on his heels...
...he would show them all.
“Zen! What’re you doing? Fall back!” Sapph yelled in horror as Zen charged into the Harleking, swinging his only working arm at the Harlequin Pokémon wildly, screaming random oaths at the Pokémon who he was trying to punch.
Harleking saw each attack coming a mile away however and using its incredible flexibility ducked, swayed and folded his body in time with Zen’s furious attacks, making each one miss.
“Ace, keep the Machamp busy!” Sapph commanded his Flying type Pokémon, who nodded her helmet-clad head and swooped in, her expansive wings glowing white as she aimed for the lumbering Machamp’s back.
“Attacking from behind?” Chen said with a tutting sound. “How rude of you, Sapph Manson. Champ, Use Dynamic Punch behind you...now!” He ordered, waiting until the time was perfect to execute his order.
Ace, still dizzy from the repeated Doubleslaps to her head barely had the time to register Chen’s command in mid-dive, nor did she hear Sapph’s warning until what seemed to be a boulder slammed into her beak so hard she thought she had felt it become fractured. Ace went spinning away and flopped to the floor, out cold.
“Champ...” Chen ordered, ready to assist Lhi’s Pokémon when Lhi interrupted him, saying, “Leave this to Harleking, Brother Chen. You focus on catching your breath. Harleking,” he added in a shout to his Pokémon. “It is time to end this battle.”
<Yes, Master Lhi,> Harleking said calmly, not missing a beat in his evasive dance around the winded and furious Zen.
“Zen, try Aura Sphere! C’mon!” Sapph coaxed his Pokémon, noting that Zen would not follow an order to retreat and instead tried to order an attack.
However, for all the good it did, Sapph might have just as well yelled at the statues dotting the grounds. Zen, taking a great sweeping over-arm hook at the Harleking, found himself overextended, and right in the path of a right handed slap that resounded through the arena. Zen hardly had time to feel the stinging on his cheek before Harleking’s next attack, a rising left knee to the gut, forced him upright again painfully.
Haley found it too hard to watch as she shut her eyes, the loud smacks resonating through the air and filling her mind with awful images as Zen audibly retched, throwing up a quantity of blood as Harleking landed a straight Force Palm thrust to his opponent’s chest, sending the smaller Pokémon sailing back and crumpling in the middle of the arena, twitching and convulsing.
“Call ‘im back, man,” T.J. said pityingly. “He can’t take much more, Sapph.”
Sapph nodded silently. As much as he wanted to respect Zen’s desire to fight, he knew as well as the Pacifidlog local that even Zen had reached his limit. Raising his pokéball and said, “Zen, re-“
<NO, DAMNIT!> Zen roared, coughing feebly as he impossibly pushed himself to his feet once more, bleeding profusely from the mouth, nose and hand. <Don’t you... dare, kid. I haven’t lost... not... damned... yet... I... I,> he muttered, staring up at the man who raised him formerly malevolently, he screamed for all the mountains to hear: <I REFUSE TO LOSE!!>
“ZEN!” Sapph cried out in protest as the Taebrawl ran towards his opponent, screaming loudly. Harleking sighed and sliding low to the ground sent another Force Palm straight into Zen’s mouth without any sign of holding back. Harleking then proceeded to pummel Zen all over with quick jabs and kicks, before a final Force Palm to the chest sent Zen rolling over the floor like a gollywog, coming to a limp stop beside Ace.
Sapph thought the shock at Lhi’s brutality had robbed him of his voice; he was almost certain he’d never be able to speak again.
“Taebrawl and Mawhoot are both unable to battle! The first round goes to Masters Lhi and Chen!” the referee declared after a brief examination of Sapph’s Pokémon.
Sapph grit his teeth as he returned his bruised and (in Zen’s case) bloodied Pokémon. It looked like this battle was going to call for more than raw power, he thought as he lowered his Pokémon’s retrieval orbs silently back to his belt.
“Quite the strategy,” T.J. breathed, watching the gym leaders’ Pokémon in awe.
Haley nodded as she added, “The Machamp attacks first and takes all heavy hits, its muscly armour blocking all attempts to faze it. And Harleking’s remarkable flexibility acts as a defense to all attacks that get past the Machamp.”
“Not only that,” T.J. said as he watched Sapph pull off two new pokéballs from its belt, one of them pure white with a green line tracing its equator. “Harleking’s quick multiple attacks hurt as much as Machamp’s heavy hits. How will Sapph fight that?”
“OK, so now what’s next, Sapph?” Chen said eagerly, getting into the swing of things as his Machamp stretched its four arms wide.
“By now, you should have noticed,” Lhi said, opening his eyes now that the brutality exacted on Zen and Ace had passed. “That it’ll take more than power to crush our combinations, Sapphire.”
“I guess I have no choice, then,” Sapph said confidently. “If it’s a combination you want, that’s what you’ll get! Anuvi, Crimson, let’s go!” he yelled the last four words authoritatively, throwing down his last two Pokémon.
A blast of white and green light streaked from the air onto the pitch, the latter in a spiral motion and within seconds Sapph’s oldest Pokémon teammates hovered and stood before the Machamp and Harleking, dwarfed by the colossal Supewrpower Pokémon.
Anuvi whistled as he looked up into the Machamp’s face and said, <Yo, big guy. How’s it hangin’?>
<Your team mates, the Taebrawl and Mawhoot, were no match for us,> the Harlequin Pokémon said quietly. <I do hope you can surpass them long enough to make the match interesting.>
Bristling slightly at the news of Zen and Ace’s defeat, Crimson raised his four fists and said calmly, <Well, I guess we’ll have to see, won’t we?>
“Round two: Squirrage and Ledian versus Machamp and Harleking,” the referee said, raising both hands in the air. Crossing his fore arms, he added, “Begin!”
“We shall begin this time!” Lhi exclaimed. “Harleking, use Doubleslap on the Squirrage!”
“Champ, show that bug your Mega Punch!” Chen whooped.
“Crimson, Protect now! Anuvi, get moving!” Sapph commanded swiftly.
The hulking mass of bulging muscles ran in behind the smaller Harlequin Pokémon as it prepared to slap the Warrior pok’emon silly.
It matters not how fast Chen says that Squirrage is, Lhi thought determinedly. I am fully confident that Harleking will... what the?
Lhi’s eyes widened as Anuvi suddenly stood right in front of him, leaving his partner alone and quite unguarded. Anuvi smirked at Crimson who smiled back and produced his familiar green sphere around him to shield himself not only from the Harleking’s assault but to cause the Machamp (who was moving too fast to stop) to barrel into his own team mate’s back fist first, slamming the slighter Pokémon back into the impenetrable shield.
“Moron,” Chen yelled at his partner. “I told you to watch for his Squirrage, didn’t I? Now look what you made Champ do!”
“It is not my fault that your Machamp lacks the self control that should enable it to not crush its own team mate!” Lhi said in a quiet yet clearly affronted voice as the hit proved too strong for the Harleking to take as it keeled over, clutching its gut in pain and glaring at the Machamp vehemently, who could only grin back apologetically.
“<Oi, oi... are they serious?>” Sapph and his Pokémon thought in incredulous unison.
“Well, time to show you a combination move of our own,” Sapph said spritely. “Anuvi, Crimson! Get in position!”
<Roger!> Crimson yelled and Anuvi wordlessly nodded as they circled their prey, Anuvi moving slower that usual.
“Not if we hit you first, Sapphire!” Lhi exclaimed proudly. “Harleking, Doubleslap again!”
“Champ, Dynamic Punch!” Chen hollered, pumping his fist.
“Don’t wait for them, guys!” Sapph said urgently. “Move to meet them!”
Anuvi and Crimson ran towards the Machamp and Harleking like a pair of hot rodders playing chicken on the interstate.
Barely seconds from impact, Sapph yelled, “Crimson, use Mach Punch and...”
On Sapph’s command, Anuvi phased out of sight once more, avoiding the backhand slapping Pokémon, whose eyes widened as a small white fist came out of nowhere, connecting with his face dead centre and sending him flying.
“No where’s that Pokémon gone?” Chen said in frustration, getting his answer a split second later as Anuvi came sliding into Champ’s ankles foot first and tripping the behemoth up... onto the advancing Ledian, whose crossed fists covered his mouth as the Machamp saw his chance to body slam the Five Star Pokémon to the antipodes.
Champ was suddenly distracted by a slight weight on his back as Anuvi flipped onto his broad back and clapped his paws over his ears, his body in a crouched position as Harleking flew directly overhead.
“... SUPERSONIC!” Sapph yelled, blocking his ears as well.
In the stands, Haley stuffed her fingers into her ears upon hearing Sapph’s next command. Crimson uncrossed his arms and unleashed a powerful supersonic noise that resonated throughout the temple, causing a mass of painfull groans as all the monks struggled to shut out the painful sound. Champ who had received the attack at point-blank range, was shot into the air like a cork, his sense of balance and equilibrium shot to zero by the forceful auditory assault.
“Anuvi! Yaiba no Hayashi, let’s go!” Sapph yelled. “Crimson, use Comet Punch Thunder Style to end it!”
Anuvi gripped the leaves on his back over his shoulder and sprung off the Machamp’s back, propelling him back to the arena floor, where Crimson stood waiting, his four fists crackling with electricity. Bouncing off the ceiling of the large arena, Anuvi sped towards the defenceless Harleking, who had just begun to fall and with one flash of green light created the energy sword he had patented and slashed Harleking across the chest, sending him crashing into the ground like a rocket just as Crimson unleashed a flurry of electric punches to the Machamp’s abdomen, unloading critically-damaging voltage into his hulking frame and sending him on a one-way trip into unconsciousness with a loud thud ten feet away.
Raising his right hand as Anuvi touched down lightly besides his insectoid partner who hovered a few inches off the ground, the referee declared Harleking and Machamp unable to continue fighting, a note of shock in his voice. A feeling shared, at least, by Chen, who cursed ruefully under his breath as he returned his Pokémon despondently.
Lhi, however didn’t make a sound as he returned Harleking and drew out his second battler as Chen did the same.
<Whoa, whoa! Are you kidding me?> Anuvi gasped as he saw them draw out fresh Pokémon.
<You mean to say, that between them, Zen and Ace couldn’t knock out one Pokémon?> Crimson said in disbelief.
“Chin up, guys,” Sapph said confidently. “I have every confidence in you guys! We can take whatever they throw at us, no problem!”
“Well, we’ll beg to differ, Sapphire,” Lhi said calmly. “Hariyama, I require your aid!”
“Go Ku, let’s rumble!” Chen said; his grin back in place as he threw down his last battler.
Beside the chubby mass of muscle that was Hariyama, a much smaller Pokémon appeared beside it, chattering loudly as it clapped its long, hairy arms. Its eyes under its thick blue monobrow sparkled with mischief and its long tail burned brightly at the tip as it swished from side to side. It flexed its tan coloured fingers expectantly as Hariyama cracked his abnormally-sized knuckles, each one larger than his Pecha berry shaped head, an identical monobrow overlying its beady black eyes.
On seeing the Monferno’s flaming tail, Crimson’s eyes faltered as he said in a tiny voice, <Damn, another Fire type. Could this day suck any more?>
<C’mon, Bug Head,> Anuvi said coyly. <Don’t tell me you’re afraid...>
<Easy for you, Anuvi,> Crimson snapped in a high pitched voice. <You forgot what fear is when your mother dropped you on your nut-filled head!>
<Hey, you’re getting better at dissing, Crimson! Good for you!> Anuvi said proudly. <Only next time, leave the ‘yo mama’ jokes for the opponents, OK?>
“Well, he can’t burn you if he can’t hit you,” Sapph reasoned with his neurotic Five Star Pokémon. “Anuvi, wanna switch with Crimson?”
<Whaddya say, Crimson?> Anuvi said cheerfully. <Will it be the Simian Briquette or the Sumo Nutcracker?>
Crimson took one look at the Hariyama, who cracked his little finger knuckle with the sound of a gunshot and said hurriedly, <I’ll have the briquette.>
<Fair enough,> Anuvi said before facing the Hariyama, his right hand clenching tighter around the katana-shaped blade.
“Final round: Squirrage and Ledian versus Hariyama and Monferno. Ready... fight!” the referee announced with the final beat of the great drum.
“Here we go! Go Ku, attack the Squirrage with Poison Jab!” Chen commanded.
“Hariyama, use Fake Out on the Ledian, then Arm Thrust!” Lhi ordered.
“OK, Anuvi! Defend Crimson with Yaiba no Hayashi and employ evasive manoeuvres! Crimson, counter the Monferno with Comet Punch Thunder Style!” Sapph countered swiftly.
All four Pokémon leapt into action as one: the Squirrage named Anuvi swung his vegetation powered sword in a wide horizontal arc which stopped the hulking Arm Thrust Pokémon’s first attack and then ducked and weaved in and out of the larger Pokémon’s Sumo-like thrusts. Crimson’s wings beat faster as the four fists of cosmic power crackled with electricity once more as he traded lightning fast blows with the Monferno, whose paws glowed a vivid, sickly purple.
“Good job, Crimson, keep it up!” Sapph cheered on his Pokémon. “Anuvi, fight back with Razor Leaf!”
<OK,> Anuvi said, waving his free arm in an arc into the Hariyama’s belly and discharging a torrent of sharp-edged foliage towards him. Without missing a step, the Hariyama kept up its offense, shredding all leaves into compost. Anuvi gulped as he leapt back and resumed his dodging as the Arm Thrust Pokémon’s attack increased in velocity... and power.
Halfway across the stage, Go Ku and Crimson continued to trade attacks, blocking each other’s jabs with their own and not bothering to evade. The Playful Pokémon taunted Crimson, screeching, <I am monkey, so are you!>
Weirded out, Crimson merely replied by increasing the punches per minute he was doling out, surprised the Monferno, who had half as many hands was able to keep up with him for so long.
“Now, Anuvi! Leave Hariyama in the dust and help Crimson gain the upper hand!” Sapph commanded.
<Easier said... than done,> Anuvi panted, the strain of maintaining his speed movements beginning to show. Deciding to employ a wisecrack to throw Hariyama’s concentration, Anuvi adopted an impressed voice and said, <Hey, Tubby... work out much?>
As Anuvi leapt back, increasing the distance between them by a few more feet, Hariyama grinned suddenly and thrust his palm forwards with deliberate and insane force. Anuvi’s eyes widened as a blast of wind rushed towards him, sending him spiralling a few more feet back.
<Anuvi!> Crimson yelled, momentarily forgetting he had his hands full with the hyperactive simian Pokémon, who took the initiative to screech, <Buboom for you!> as Crimson took a shot of Poison Jab to his upper right shoulder.
<Gah!> Crimson gasped, flying backwards away from the prancing monkey towards Anuvi, who’d skidded to a halt, using the Yaiba no Hayashi to forcefully brake.
<Crimosn, you OK?> Anuvi asked a little winded as Hariyama seemed to let up a little, also panting hard.
Crimson gritted his teeth as the poison began to take effect, <No... damned poison...>
It seemed that last strike took about as much out of him as moving around at Squirrage speed took out of Anuvi, Sapph thought. Meaning now is the time to strike! But with Crimson poisoned, it’s best he moves as little as possible. In that case...
“Anuvi, attack the Hariyama with Yaiba no Hayashi! Crimson, try nailing that nutty Monferno from a distance with Supersonic!”
<Right!> Both Pokémon hollered as they moved to follow orders. Anuvi’s green nihoutou glowed again as he slashed through the air towards the Hariyama as the Five Star Pokémon unleashed an unearthly scream upon the Monferno.
“Ah, ah, aah... Go Ku, go evasive ‘til you see your chance and let him have it!” Chen commanded.
“Hariyama, employ your Arm Thrust again and move in for close combat!” Lhi ordered calmly.
Hariyama stepped into the offensive so hard the flagstone beneath his feet crumbled as he stomped down, releasing a second blast of energy that collided with the rolling arc of green energy the Yaiba no Hayashi had unleashed causing both attacks to cancel out. Hariyama then advanced in the wake of his attack, resuming the game of cat-and-squirrel.
Crimson also seemed to face difficulty in pinpointing the monkey long enough to subject it to his painful, ear-shattering sound attacks. Go Ku leapt around the battle field with almost as much agility as Anuvi, inching closer as he danced around the tiring Bug type Pokémon. About six feet away, he let a theatrical, hoarse laugh and said, <I curse you with my bad breath,> before puffing out his chest and, quite literally, spewing out bad breath which had ignited into a powerful Flamethrower attack.
Reacting instinctively, Crimson threw up his protective green bubble Anuvi was back to back with him, shielding them both from their attackers and drawing Hariyama into the line of... well, fire.
As the flames died away, Crimson gasped as he released the Protect bubble and sank to his knees, Anuvi raising the Yaiba no Hayashi in a defensive position as the Hariyama struggled to overcome the pain his burns were putting him through and rushing forwards with a shouted command from his trainer, rapped his large knuckles sharply atop Anuvi’s head, causing stars to pop and wink before the Warrior Pokémon’s eyes as he dropped the Yaiba no Hayashi, causing it to fizzle away into nothing.
By no means done with his quarry, Hariyama proceeded to grab him by the ruff and slap him repeatedly across the face, doubling the amount of stars Anuvi saw, before letting him drop to his feet dizzily, swaying as drunkenly as the Harleking had before him.
“<ANUVI!>” Sapph and Crimson yelled in worry as Anuvi tottered around, his mind messed up by the combination Knock Off and Wake-Up Slap techniques administered to his head.
<I’m OK,> Anuvi said giddily, struggling to get his bearings as the Hariyama swam in and out of sight. Pulling off a second leaf from his short cape, he reanimated the energy sword faster than blinking and laid a close range Yaiba no Hayashi dealing critical damage as the Arm Thrust Pokémon went flying, shocking Lhi tremendously.
Giggling softly he turned to his partners, and grinning flashed them a thumbs up as he said, <See? Now you two focus on giving Monkey Face a piece of your mind, Crimson...Sapph,> he said, laughing as he watched the Hariyama struggle to his feet.
“OK... Crimson,” Sapph said turning their attention to the only Pokémon yet to sustain any damage. “Get close with Mach Punch and follow up with regular Comet Punch. Think your body can handle it?”
Crimson struggled to his feet and said, <Well, we won’t know until we try, Sapph...>
His blue visored eyes fixed on his target, Crimson flickered out of sight with Go Ku playing too much to notice despite Chen’s outcry. A split second later, Go Ku noticed as a fist seemed to plow into him from out of nowhere. The rest of Crimson came soon afterwards, his other fists glowing with cosmic power as he laid into his opponent once... twice... thrice...
Well, to put it in a nutshell, it was only after fifteen seconds of furious pummelling that Crimson had had enough of smacking the silly monkey around and Go Ku crumpled in a heap that was breathing heavily for a few seconds before he rose to his feet, the black and blue bruising dotting his body swelling up as it winced repeatedly.
Anuvi and Hariyama leapt apart once more each possessing an assortment of fresh stinging injuries and breathing heavily.
Sapph and the young gym leaders looked on as all four Pokémon glared their opposition down, each looking close to the end of their tether, forming a rough spatial quadrilateral at the corners of which they stood.
Time to end this, they thought in unison and issued their final commands all at once:
“Hariyama... Long Range Arm Thrust!”
“Focus Blast, Go Ku!”
“Anuvi, Yaiba no Hayashi, one more time! Crimson, use Comet Punch Fire Style, now!”
Anuvi raised his energy sword above his head with both hands and gripped it tightly, sparks flying from the grounds around his feet as he stared at Go Ku, who had brought his hands to his side and created a golden ball of Qi with smaller, twinkling balls of light dancing within it, growling with a seriousity not yet displayed in the Fire type but showing intense focus.
Beside him, Hariyama raised one palm in front of him as he brought the other one to his chest, the energy growing to palpable quantities as he stared down the Ledian, whose four arms were blazing bright red, causing the crowd to murmur amongst themselves; it wasn’t every day you saw a Bug Pokémon use a Fire type attack of any kind.
What happened next resulted in a colossal explosion. Crimson, Anuvi, Go Ku and Hariyama released all their attacks at the same instant; wind, grass, fire and Qi meeting midway and colliding with enormously devastating consequence. Sapph, Lhi and Chen threw their hands in front of their faces to shield their eyes from the brilliance of the power struggles as the explosion enveloped all four Pokémon who let out simultaneous yells of pain for the next seven seconds before the explosive flames died away, leaving four severely wounded Pokémon in the aftermath.
Soon the match became a painfully, mentally tortuous game of endurance as the foursome stared at each other, sheer will power keeping them on their feet until Crimson passed out as the poison sapped the last of his strength.
Goku followed a split second later, the smaller Pokémon not trained to take as much damage as it had crumpling into an unconscious heap with a soft whimper.
Anuvi and Hariyama glared at each other a moment longer, their legs wobbling and with smiles full of respect for each other’s fighting spirit, passed out in unison.
***
“This wait is killing me!” Haley said in an anguished tone. “And I wasn’t the one who was battling!”
After the battle, Haley, T.J. and their Pokémon were grouped in the reception area of the Pokémon Centre. All ten of their Pokémon had been let out and were halfway through their meal, Phoenix and Bubbles amongst them.
According to Clyff Endlethorn’s new legislation, gym matches that ended in a simultaneous knockout had to be replayed for all the gym leaders to view and vote as to who won the match. Their judgement was to be based on careful analysis of the battle at various speeds of play: regular, slow and ultra slow motion/
T.J. glanced towards the swinging doors that lead to the Pokémon recovery wards and said calmly, “I hope Sapph’s Pokémon are OK. Tha battle they fought was toe-tally right-yours!”
“I just hope The Gym Leaders’ rule the match in Sapph’s favour,” Haley muttered, biting her thumbnail nervously. “Sapph really can’t afford to lose another gym battle on technicality.”
“Whatta you...” T.J. began in shock, before their attention was grasped by the double doors swinging open and Sapph walking through them, Lavender and Arcana at his heels, conspicuous only by the absence of his red anorak and lack of zeal.
“Hey, man,” T.J. greeted nervously as he slumped into the booth seat next to Haley.
“You OK?” Haley said quietly. “How are you holding up?”
“Fine,” Sapph said listlessly, his head bowed down as he petted Arcana and Lavender fondly before setting their meals before them.
<Like, how’re Anuvi and the others doing?> Bubbles asked the Evolution and Puppy Pokémon as they began to tuck in.
<They’re OK,> Lavender informed the others solemnly.
<For the mo’ part,> Arcana said after swallowing loudly. <Zen’s arm’s is totally busted. The nurse was talking about amputation.>
Mace whistled as he chuckled faintly, <Bet Zen loved that.>
<He went totally nuts,> Arcana agreed, frowning at Mace’s tone. <He... well, he said a lot of stuff as we left after the nurse. Sapph asked if there were any way to contact the man who’d created Zen’s arm in the first place.>
<She said it wasn’t possible,> Lavender said quietly, who was, although no fan of the rambunctious Taebrawl, feeling sorry for him nonetheless. <Zen was really upset at the result of the battle... he mentioned something about his old master seeing him lose again...>
<What?> All eleven Pokémon chorused in shock.
<Yeah. Apparently, Zen’s first trainer was a Black Belt trainer called Wei Hu from Pampa City, somewhere south of here... and he saw him in the stands during the match,> Lavender said dejectedly.
<So that’s why he looked the worst for wear when we saw them,> Arcana said thoughtfully. <But you said sometime ago that the guy abandoned Zen. Why would a guy like Zen care what he thinks of him now?>
<I dunno,> Lavender said sadly. <I wish he could let go of the past... it’s not healthy for anybody to do that to themselves.>
<Damn straight, girlfriend,> Arcana muttered darkly.
<Why so? I was the top of my class in the Nightspark Bay Buggle Academy, and the brightest of all my one hundred and forty nine siblings,> Ento said proudly.
<Ento, dude?> Vapor said through gritted teeth. <Shut up.>
The main glass doors of the Pokémon Centre slid open with a serpentine hiss and Lhi and Chen walked in, looking exhausted.
Upon seeing them, Haley sprang to her feet and said hurriedly, “What did you decide? Did Sapph win?”
Sapph and T.J. remained seated, although the latter was looking up expectantly at the gym leaders.
“Well, as per the new legislation, it was put to the vote,” Chen said wearily. “All nine gym leaders cast their vote – we cast separate votes - after watching the footage of the match.”
Haley thought she’d die from the tension the boys were putting on them. “AND?!”
Lhi threw Haley a sharp look before answering, his eyes on Sapph, “Two voted to be undecided. Three, in favour; four against.”
“Sorry, Sapph,” Chen said apologetically. “If it were down to me, I’d have given you the badge for the hottest match we’ve fought all season. However,” here, the boy threw a dirty half glance at Lhi, before exhaling heavily and said, “as per the new Corei League Legislation, page forty-two, section three, paragraph D...”
“...the challenger, Sapphire Manson, has been ruled to have lost the official gym battle due to a T.K.O.,” Lhi finished heavily, his eyes regarding Sapph in a wary, almost fearful manner.
About ten seconds of ringing silence rang through the air before Haley’s chest expanded in indignation, ready to let the Gym Leaders have a piece of her mind. T.J. could only gape in shock.
“It’s OK. Haley? Drop it.”
Sapph was much more deliberate in rising off the seat as he murmured softly, “I understand.”
Haley watched him leave the congregation in shocked silence.
Wordlessly, Arcana looked at Lavender, who nodded and both began to walk after their trainer through the double doors that lead to the recovery wards as well as the sleeping quarters for trainers passing through.
“Well, I hope you’re proud of yourselves!” Haley said indignantly, as though scolding them. “You lousy leaders and your stupid constitu-“
Haley stopped very abruptly and no one present needed to ask why: a voluminous explosion thundered through the doors and the doors nearly flew off their hinges as a great volume of dust and chippings swept into the reception area, making all four humans and ten Pokémon choke and gasp.
Letting out a violent expletive, Lhi, Chen Haley and T.J. raced towards the doors where with a bang they opened them into a scene of nauseating chaos.
Neon green light shone through a hole, spanning six feet in diameter, was carved in the right side of the corridor. The stone that previously filled the hole lay as rubble on the opposite wall, on top of which a small tan body was slumped, grasping his right shoulder just above the joint. Dark red blood flowed copiously from in between his fingers and a grisly trail of it traced his path through the wall.
As their eyes took in the ghastly sight, Sapph came running from the other end of the corridor, his face the epitome of shock and panic. Skidding to a halt beside Zen, who was rapidly losing consciousness, Sapph cradled the Combatant Pokémon in his arms and stared through the hole at an enraged Squirrage, who was giving off the light and staring down at Zen with demonic hatred in his eyes, which were blank and filled with the same eerie light as the fearful Yaiba no Hayashi, which glowed much brighter than usual in his left hand; Zen’s already dysfunctional prosthetic hanging from his right.
Oh, crap, Anuvi’s gone berserker! Sapph thought in panic. “Anuvi! Snap out of it!” he yelled to his Pokémon, as it tossed aside the damaged prosthetic which he had just decapitated from the Taebrawl and raised the energy sword slowly and silently.
<Anuvi, cut it out!> Crimson yelled, noticing Sapph get to his feet and raise his arms to block Zen from Anuvi’s attack.
<ANUVI!> Arcana barked in horror, too stunned to fight back. She had always thought of Anuvi as a goof ball, and a generally good humoured Pokémon who could be relied on if any of his team mates were in trouble. Now all she saw was an enraged vessel of Eowmad, hell-bent on seeing Zen on his knees before he killed him...
Anuvi’s second attack seemed to be viewed in muted slow motion by all witnesses: Anuvi seemed to see through Sapph as he swung the blade down, but instead of hitting Zen, who was its intended target, the shockwave from the Yaiba no Hayashi slashed Sapph across the chest, sending the boy sprawling soundlessly into the wall and slumping beside the Taebrawl, who’s eyes had grown wide with surprise...
Crimson seemed to be screaming in shock and fury as a red aura enveloped him as well. Ace had passed out from being in the immediate vicinity of two immensely powerful essence pressures in full berserker mode and Haley, T.J. and the gym leaders rushed to Sapph’s side as Lavender began to cry and Arcana felt the necessity to employ a few choice swear words herself as she watched Crimson throw himself on Anuvi, his fist resembling miniature suns.
The volume suddenly went back to full strength as Crimson released a flurry of fireballs that blew Anuvi back a few feet, but didn’t manage to fell him. Anuvi fought back with a series of high speed sword slashes that plowed into the Ledian’s Protect bubble. Realising his counterattack had failed, Anuvi released a feral snarl, that Crimson returned, the two of them totally out of control.
<No...> Arcana heard Lavender whimper feebly, her eyes brimming with tears. <Please... Anii... stop...>
Arcana’s head snapped back to the action as Crimson phased out of sight and reappeared near Anuvi, fist-first. Anuvi however was ready this time and stopped him with his bare palm. A leafy explosion erupted from Anuvi’s back and swept over Crimson, smothering him in a torrential flow of razor-sharp foliage. Crimson released a howl of wounded rage and the leaves burst into flames, which shot along the trail of leaves towards Anuvi, who had let go and sprang back a few feet to avoid further damage.
<Somebody... please, stop them...> Lavender wept silently, her voice wracked with sobs as the two continued to duel fiercely, flashes of red and green interchanging as the battle waged on.
The room was no longer able to contain the raw power of Eowmad and Sicten and they decided they needed more room to fight. A second explosion rocked the building and the wall that separated the inside and outside spaces was gone in a second, the rubble half burying the limp form of the Mawhoot and causing everyone to close their eyes in an attempt to keep the dust out.
<NOO! MAKE IT STOOOOP!> Lavender screamed on top of her voice unable to take the violence anymore.
“Gladly,” a voice said triumphantly.
Anuvi seemed the shudder a bit before the green glow began to fade. Crimson, seeing this lapse in concentration as a chance to end his best friend’s life fired up his wings and fists and charged in once more, his badly burned fists rearing back, when...
“That’ll do,” the voice crooned softly and a thick vine glowing with energy shot out from behind the Squirrage and whipped itself around Crimson’s neck faster than blinking and without a second thought, began to throttle him as it propelled him back into the wall, which made contact with the back of Crimson’s head, prompting the Bug type to pass out.
<Hey, what’s goin’ down, yo?> Arcana said in shock as Anuvi’s eyelids began to droop as his body generally sagged like a plush doll. Arcana prowled to the side to get a better look and saw with a thrill of terror that what seemed to be woody root had pieced Anuvi in the back and the rhythmical glowing of the root left little to the Growlithe’s imagination. Following the roots path she saw a bizarre figure standing in a hex-like circle, the root growing out of her navel as her wild green hair and scanty clothing rippled in the cool evening’s air, without a breeze. Her left arm was raised and from the palm of her hand the root that was throttling Crimson extended like a grotesque, thorny limb.
<Yo! Whatcha doin’ to ma homies, ya crazy hoe?> Arcana barked angrily as Bubbles and her teammates along with Lavender picked their way through the destruction to join her.
<Like, no way!> Bubbles yelled in shock as they stood transfixed in horror at the otherworldly sight before them, not knowing what to do. <Not you again?>
<Who is dat jungle hoe, anyways?> Arcana asked as Blitzkrieg his behind Mace and Vapor who stared transfixed in horroras the woman began to murmur to herself, “What... power! Eowmad’s... power... becoming... mine...”
<Zula,> said a weak voice and Ento, Bubbles and Arcana spun around to stare at the Swoop Pokémon who was being held up by Phoenix the Combusken and Torrent the Poliwhirl. <A Team Shadow captain...>
<But vot is he doing to the Squivage?> Oza, a chubby Makuhita and Phoenix and Torrent’s team mate, said worriedly. <Vot is ‘appening?>
<She’s most likely draining the essence of Eowmad from him,> Zen said blankly as he watched in wonder, struggling to his feet. <But that should be impossible for a mere human...>
<Why?> Torque, T.J.’s Hitmontop, who’d hung back to help T.J. revive Sapph with Pixy, said forcefully. <What happens when she’s done?>
Sapph had hardly opened his eyes and become aware of the stabbing pain across his chest when he heard Zen answer Torque quietly, <He’ll die.>
“Anuvi...” Sapph said weakly, raising a hand feebly to reach towards his first Pokémon, who was no longer glowing and seemed to be weakening before everybody’s very eyes, but feeling no strength to get up and help him. Zen watched Sapph for a moment with a strange-to-read expression on his face, and began to think...
<Anuvi very nearly killed the kid, just because he was trying to protect me. And now... after all that... he wants to save him? Looks like Crimson was right back then... Sapph does deserve respect... and if Anuvi’s been holding back... letting my attitude slide... so does he... they all do... and what have I done? All this time... I’m... could I live... knowing that I repay them... the way...>
Closing his eyes as he shakily rose to his feet, Zen told Torque and Pixy, <I’m such a ****wad. Stay here and watch them... I’ll deal with the pygmy witch.>
***
In the meantime, all of Haley’s Pokémon had stood up to Zula’s new form... and now lay at her feet, slumped over helplessly and clutching injuries.
“Soon... power... Eowmad’s power... mine... all mine,” Zula rambled incoherently, a truly insane expression lighting up her face as her hair began to glow.
<Guess again, you hag!> Lavender screamed. <Arcana, juice me up, quickly!>
<You got it, sistah!> Arcana barked, a barrage of small embers spewing from her mouth onto Lavender who felt the changes within and without herself as she glowed a burning orange and appeared in the likeness of a Flareon.
<Phoenix! I’ve got this!> Torrent yelled, taking Ace’s weight into his hands. <Go help them!>
<Got it!> the Young Fowl Pokémon agreed racing forward as his clawed feet began to spark and ignite.
<NOW!> They yelled in unison, brilliant flames licking at Lavender’s body as she charged in, a ball of fire increasing in diameter within her maw as Arcana unleashed a white hot Flamethrower attack right at Anuvi and Crimson’s assailant; Phoenix following through with a flying Double Kick, unleashing two meteors of fire upon Zula as a five pronged star of flame shot out of Lavender’s mouth from above.
All three attacks collided, creating a mini-explosion that sent snow rushing down a nearby mountain.
<Did we get her?> Phoenix asked roughly as Lavender hit the ground on all fours, panting heavily as she demorphed back into her Eevee form.
<Must have,> Lavender panted, her coat sleek with perspiration.
<Ain’t no way she... NO WAY!> Arcana screamed as the dust cleared and Zula stood calmly, her whole body glowed green and her injuries recently obtained from the firebrands’ offense healed before their very unbelieving eyes.
<Impossible...> Lavender whispered in horror. <We didn’t even faze her!>
<Damn... regeneration,> Pheonix spat in disgust.
<No way...> Arcana repeated. <There is no... friggin’... WAY!>
“Meddlesome insects,” Zula growled, her voice becoming bestial as her nail began to elongate. “BEGONE!”
Slamming her palm into the ground, thorny vines sped along the ground erupting from under their feet, throwing all three of them into the air, Lavender glowing bright green as she morphed into Leafeon and slammed into the ground with a thud.
“Malignant leech!” Zula raged in the same bestial voice. “Drain my power, will you?”
Phoenix and Arcana shook their heads to rid themselves of the bright lights popping before their eyes which widened in horror as they saw the roots rip out of Anuvi’s now lifeless form converge on the unconscious Leafeon, intent on draining every last drop of essence.
<Lavender...NO!> Arcana howled, struggling to her feet yet knowing she wouldn’t make it in time as unnoticed by all a glowing white form leapt from the tree from behind Zula and say, <Damn... didn’t I tell you I wouldn’t bail you out again, Lavender?>
Suddenly, Zula froze, a blank look arresting her face as she fell forwards on her side, passed out and a new creature stepped out of the shadows and into the evening sun.
Phoenix and Arcana stared at the newcomer as the vines loosened their grip on Crimson’s neck and he dropped on to his feet, and then promptly fell on all... er, sixes as he gasped for air.
The Pokémon stood at four feet tall and a tail reminiscent of Monferno’s (but with no flame) swung in and out of view as he looked down at Zula and exhaled softly. Glancing at the Fire types bewildered looks he stepped forwards on club-like feet and said in a sarcastic tone, <What up, Chicken Little? And Dog-breath, close ya trap before you hyperventilate.>
<Z-zen?> Arcana gasped, looking into the Combatant Pokémon’s yellow eyes which were half hidden behind a curtain of dark tan fur which covered every square inch of his body other that his white, rubbery fingers, feet, pointed ears and muscles. <Is- is that you?>
<Yes, Dog-breath, it’s me, alri- no...way,> Zen gasped, looking down at himself and his hands.
Yep, you heard me... hands. Complete with arms, fingers and shoulder. Zen was whole.
<Hu-how?> Arcana gasped, staring at Zen, who began to walk towards Lavender, to Zula, who lay on her side, unconscious, and to the room where the piece of metal that was formerly Zen’s arm, before snapping back to Zen, who had scooped Lavender into his arms and walked towards Anuvi.
<In a minute,> was all Zen said as the others started to come to and moved gingerly towards Zen and the two Grass types to watch what Zen was up to.
Zen placed a white palm on either Pokémon and took a deep breath through his dainty, catlike nose as he closed his eyes in concentration. Lavender began to glow green once more and reverted back to her Normal type form as his other hand which lay atop Anuvi’s chest glowed in symmetrical hue. The light seemed to drain into Anuvi’s chest and spread over Anuvi’s body before he gasped, his violet eyes flying open.
“Hey, Leaf Monkey,> Zen said, opening his yellow eyes and smirking slightly. <How’re you feeling?>
<Uhhh... Anii,> Lavender mumbled as she opened her eyes and saw Anuvi sit up painfully with Crimson’s help. <ANII!> She yelled with joy and leapt into him, nuzzling his chest madly.
<Oww... geddoff me, Lav,> Anuvi groaned, with a feeble laugh, as he patted the young Evolution Pokémon fondly.
<Like, thank Arceus,> Bubbles said, sniffling happily.
“Anuvi! You’re OK!” Sapph’s voice said weakly as he hobbled over with T.J., Haley, Lhi, Chen Torque and Pixy, supported between Haley and T.J. He looked awful, an angry red slash splashed across his bare chest, and his black T-shirt ripped in half down the front, but his smile was of utter joy as he grasped his Pokémon in a grateful, forgiving hug.
Zen took a step back to take in the affecting scene and turned around to look at Zula only to realise she had gone... with nearly all of Anuvi’s powers.
<Damn it...> he thought bitterly.
“Zen...” a voice he had formerly detested as belonging to a weak little boy who held him back ever time said gently. Zen turned around, yet couldn’t bring himself to look into Sapph’s blue eyes. Looking at the ground at the boy’s feet he saw a red and white sphere glint in the evening sun.
“Guess... you’ll want to leave... hunh?” Sapph said quietly, his steady gaze fixed on the Jutunkick’s shaking form. “I’m sorry I... didn’t take you’re feelings into consideration... all this time. I hope... you can... you know, forgive me?”
<Thanks, Zen,> Anuvi said fervently, looking at Zen’s eyes widen at his gentle tone. <Crimson told me what you did... for me... for all of us. Sorry about going berserk on ya... heh, heh... ouch,> the chuckling Warrior Pokémon groaned, clutching his side in pain
<You know...> Crimson said calmly. <We still have two chances to get into the league finals, and we can’t afford another loss. I know you’ll be instrumental in helping us win... if you stayed. But the choice,> he said, glancing sadly at the pokéball as well now, <is yours to make.>
All eyes were watching the Combatant Pokémon sadly, expecting their comrade to leave them after he’d just saved all their hides.
The Fighting and Psychic type picked up the pokéball, tears leaking out of the corners of his eyes.
<’Sorry’? ‘Forgive me’? ‘Thanks’?> He thought as he walked towards Sapph and placed the pokéball in his palm as he broke down completely, Anuvi and Crimson clapping him on the back warmly. <Those are my lines.>
***
Well, that was an epic to write! I thought of splitting it in half with a nasty cliffhanger in the middle of the gym battle but after letting you wait roughly two whole months for this, I decided to go for the grand total.
Next time on The Corei Quest: Sapph and Haley say goodbye to more than Dopeak City as they get back on the road to the next town... and say hello to perilous sub-zero adventures with an unlikely pair and even more unexpected consequences in Chapter 32: I’ll Tell You Snow Lies.
Get it first here, on Sppf.
And now... a couple of new Corei-Dex entries!
207 Jutunkick
Type: Fighting/Psychic
Species: Combatant
Pronunciation: joot-an-kick
Height: 4'01"
Weight: 143lbs
Habitat: Urban
Evolution Line: They usually follow this line:
Taebrawl-(38)-> Jutunkick
Name Derivation: JUT kUN do(a form of martial arts) + KICK
Notes: JUTUNKICK can be found in four different varieties, each with distinct colouration. Each colouration is an indication of the element each one finds easiest to manipulate. Jutunkick command greater psychic powers, capable of heaving seven Snorlax with a mere thought.
245 Harleking
Type: Fighting
Species: Harlequin
Pronunciation: HAR-lee-KING
Height: 3’11”
Weight: 85lbs
Habitat: Mountain
Evolution Line: Harleking does not evolve.
Name Derivation: Spin-off on the word HARLEQUIN, a type of clown.
Notes: Harlekng's the most flexible Pokémon in existence with every joint in its body capable of full three-sixty degree rotations which it uses in spinning slaps and kicks.
Well, til the next chapter... L@er!
EDIT: My new fic, Heart of Seven Stones is out! Click on the linkie in the sig to follow on!
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Just kidding.