"Unfortunately, there isn't much we can do," the League agent told me. "It would have been better if you'd called us right when they sat with you."
"I understand," I sighed. "Next time, I'll alert the League the moment I see a Flux admin."
"We appreciate that," the woman said. "However, I do advise caution. While the grunts you run into will not pose much of a threat, our intelligence says each admin is around the strength of the Elite Four. They'll recognize when you're calling for help and deal with you accordingly."
"Well, that's not a cheery tip."
"It is the truth. With how often you seem to run into them, it is better you know what you're dealing with. Take care, and good luck in the tournament."
The League agent disappeared without a sound. I stood in front of the bar, slightly tipsy from the drinks the bartender poured me. "Well, it's not like they aren't trying to help."
I walked back to my room at the Magenta Plaza PokéCenter. The tournament starts tomorrow. We'd trained as much as we could, but it was time to rest and relax with the team. I ordered two pizzas from the canteen so I could pick them up when I arrived. That, some other snacks, and a movie were the plan for tonight. Nova was sure to enjoy the food and leisure time.
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Opponent: Pierre Dumas, 2 Badges
Pokémon: Hitmonlee, Phantump
Location: Jaune Plaza
10 Minutes to Initiate Tournament Battle
Start Battle?
Yes No
"Alright, time to get to Jaune Plaza," I told myself. I was already near, sitting along the bridge connecting Jaune and Vert Plazas enjoying a light lunch. My nerves almost got the better of me as the day dragged on, but seeing the alert for my first battle fired me up. As I neared the edge of the plaza, I heard someone shouting my name.
"Marco! Come out and face me, coward!"
A teenage Trainer was walking and yelling like a lunatic, his Rotom phone following behind him. "Bzzrt. There he is!" the Rotom exclaimed.
"So, finally decided to stop hiding?" the kid smirked.
"You're so embarrassing, I was wondering if I want to be seen battling against you," I shrugged. "Let's get this started." I tapped the 'Yes' on my phone's screen. It alerted me that a Sycamore Labs Assistant was on the way.
"You won't get under my skin that easily!" the kid responded. "You're just another NPC in my grand adventure."
"Oh, please," I retorted. "At best, you're the side character that always gets beaten during the villain's rampage."
The assistant arrived and released a Mr. Mime, who set up a barrier. The lab assistant's own Rotom phone floated in the air, ready to record the battle. "This will be a two-versus-two battle between Marco Pérez and Pierre Dumas," she declared. "Neither Trainer is allowed a switch unless it is by a move. Items are allowed. The battle will continue until both Pokémon of one Trainer have fainted, one Trainer forfeits, or the ten-minute time limit is reached. Do you agree to the battle terms?"
"Yes." / "Got it!"
"Release your first Pokémon!"
"Inkay!" / "Phan!"
Nautilus floated in front of me, staring intently at the Phantump. I saw a shudder run through him before he slapped himself and glared at the floating tree. The Phantump giggled and circled the kid's head. A few people had already been watching our exchange, but the lab assistant's announcement of the battle brought a small crowd to watch.
"Are you ready?"
"Ready." / "Bring it on!"
"Start!"
"Hypnosis!" / "Will-O-Wisp!"
"Peck." Nautilus burst forward and dodged the incoming status move. Phantump wasn't quite speedy enough as the rings of Hypnosis washed over its woody head and its eyes dimmed into sleep. Pierre scowled as he tried to wake the stump Pokémon.
"Pluck!"
Pierre cursed loudly, causing a father to cover his daughter's ears. I saw Nautilus force his beak through the top of Phantump's wooden skull and pull out an Oran Berry. 'Cheeky fucker,' I thought. 'I need to figure out items.'
A wave of green washed over the Ghost Type, and it promptly woke up. "That's right, Natural Cure asshole! Leech Seed." Several large seeds shot out of Phantump's mouth and landed on Nautilus, vines slowly spreading out from where they landed. "Stay away and kite with Magical Leaf!"
"Tch, that's annoying," I muttered, frowning at the tactic. "Disable and Psyshock. Pluck when you can."
Even with Leech Seed draining Nautilus' energy, not having access to Magical Leaf and getting hit with Psyshock was too much for Phantump. By the time Disable wore off, Nautilus was close enough to get another Pluck in. Watching Pierre's face morph from glee to shock to fury as his Pokémon was easily beaten scratched an itch I didn't know was there.
"You think you're tough, don't you?" Pierre asked as he returned his downed Phantump.
"It's not really about what I think, is it?" I asked back. "It's the results that matter for a tournament like this."
"Trainer Dumas, please send out your next Pokémon."
"Fine. Let's see how you do against Savateur!" The PokéBall opened and released a Hitmonlee, its muscles rippling with each movement. I saw how its legs contracted and expanded as it jumped. "That's gonna be a problem, Nautilus. Stay ready."
"Kay."
"Are both Trainers ready?"
"Yes." / "Of course!"
"Begin!"
"Mach Punch!" / "Payback into Pluck!"
Hitmonlee sped forward faster than my eyes could keep up. He was on top of Nautilus in a second, his hand blurring forward and punching my squid. He cried in pain but delivered the Payback in full force. Hitmonlee staggered backward, giving my starter enough room to hit with Pluck. Nautilus took a Sitrus Berry this time, recovering some much-needed health. Pierre smiled, which meant something bad for us.
Hitmonlee's body glowed for just a moment. "Low, High, Double!" Pierre shouted, and Hitmonlee disappeared. I didn't see him until he crashed into Nautilus, leaving a small crater behind as Hitmonlee used Low Kick to sweep him off the floor and delivered a Double Kick that ended the fight.
I returned Nautilus' slumped body to his PokéBall. Hitmonlee had become way too fast for it to be his natural speed. 'Since it happened right after Nautilus Plucked the Berry off of him…'
"Trainer Pérez, please release your next Pokémon."
I grabbed Nova's ball, a plan formulating in my head. She had the moves to win, but we needed to get it right. I threw her ball out, releasing her right in front of me. "Hitmonlee took out Nautilus pretty easily, Nova. Let's get this done. I believe in you."
I heard murmurs in the crowd as they noticed the Paldean Pokémon. Pierre's cocky smile stiffened. "A Paldean Pokémon? Whatever, it looks weak."
"Are both Trainers ready?"
We both nodded. It was time to decide a winner.
"Start!"
"Curse!" / "Low Sweep!"
Nova hunkered down as Hitmonlee appeared in front of her and kicked her feet from under her. At least, that's what he tried to do. She slid away from him, stacking another Curse and going for a third as he rushed toward her and started raining Double Kicks. Nova tanked each hit, growling in annoyance.
"Hi Jump Kick!" Hitmonlee jumped and landed the attack in seconds, leaving Nova bleeding. She'd maxed out her defense and was still ready to go, which meant the next part of my plan would be easier to manage.
"Slack off!" Nova's scowl turned predatory as the Normal-Type energy covered her body and visibly healed her wounds. Pierre's eyes practically popped out of their sockets.
"Swor-!"
"Yawn! Disarming Voice, keep it up!" The Yawn just barely missed Hitmonlee as it canceled its Swords Dance and dodged, but it ran right into Nova's Fairy attack. She aimed it at his knees, causing him to buckle and take the sustained hit for even longer.
"Hi Jump Kick!" Pierre commanded. Hitmonlee could stretch his legs to attack, but then he'd risk Nova using Disarming Voice on his legs and weakening them. Then, the pride of every Hitmonlee would turn into a liability. It made sense that he'd close the gap, even with the heightened defense. However…
"Crunch!" Hitmonlee's Hi Jump Kick definitely hurt Nova, but she had enough grit to chomp down on his leg. I didn't miss that she chose the ankle instead of the calf, which was right in front of her. Hitmonlee howled in pain, smashing Brick Break after Brick Break in a panicked dash to get her off.
"Don't let go and use Dig!" Nova reacted instantly and disappeared underground with Hitmonlee. We could still hear his pained cries until they stopped. It was completely silent for ten seconds. Then, the ground rumbled a bit, and Hitmonlee popped out like a rag doll. Nova popped a few seconds after, using Slack Off to recover more health.
'Show off.' I couldn't help but smile. It was unfortunate that Nautilus didn't win both battles by himself, but Mitchel's sister, who worked for Sycamore Labs, told him everyone had at least one Gym Badge. That meant everyone here was competent to some extent, and I needed to prepare for closer matches.
"Both of Trainer Dumas' Pokémon are unable to battle. Trainer Pérez is the winner and continues in the tournament!"
I received a few claps and congratulations, including the father who scowled at Pierre. Pierre stormed off as the crowd dispersed, leaving me with Nova and the lab assistant. "Congratulations on your win," she said. "Enjoy some time before your next match. If you're lucky, you have at least an hour free."
She walked away, heading toward the rebuilt Prism Tower. I looked at Nova, who looked bored now that no one was paying attention. "Let's go get healed up."
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I appreciate everyone who takes the time to read this story, comment on the content, and critique my writing style. It helps me learn and develop as an amateur writer. As of now, I have five (5) Pokémon planned for the team. I plan for Marco's team to have around ten (10) Pokémon. Here's a poll of possible additions to the team.
What should be Marco's fifth Pokémon?
Kabuto
Remoraid
Wingull
Clamperl