Chapter 9: Pokémon Tournament!
"OK! Finish it Flareon! Flamethrower!" I yelled.
"Flare!" shouted Flareon as it spewed out a huge ray of fire at my opponent.
"Gloom!" Shouted the burnt Pokémon.
"Oh no. You okay Gloom?" asked the worried trainer.
After putting Gloom back in the PokéBall, he congratulated me on a victory.
"Wow, you're a good Pokémon trainer! You should enter the new tournament!" he said.
"Tournament? What tournament?" I asked him.
"In the town over there," he pointed towards a town about 1 mile from here, "they're holding a new tournament sponsored by Blast Off! Inc. The prize is $1,000,000!"
"ONE MILLION DOLLARS!" I yelled.
The boy nodded. A few minutes later, we said good-bye, and I rushed towards the town. Not only could I test my skills against some top trainers, but I would win a ton of money. Josh & Zach were rushing to catch up, but couldn't. Zubat was the only one to keep up pace with me. When we finally reached town, I saw an advertisement for the tournament. It was going to be held in a stadium not too far from here. I was ready to go in there, but Zach caught me and said I should heal my Pokémon first.
After visiting the Pokémon Center, I raced to the stadium. Josh, Zach and I signed up our names and were just hours away from the start of the show.. Before starting, they had many ads by Blast Off! Inc., showing a very ugly girl with curled up, red hair, and some guy with a big, purple afro. I had no idea what they were selling. They were acting like idiots. Soon afterwards, the lights dimmed, and one huge light was set onto the stage, a Pokémon battlefield. Each trainer was given a special seat to sit in so they couldn't watch the competition. There were 32 trainers starting out. After 1 round, the 16 winning trainers would proceed to Round 2. In Round 3, there would be 8 trainers left, 4 in Round 4, and 2 in Round 5. If a trainer won, he could then have his Pokémon healed for the next battle, while losing trainers would have to go to the Pokémon Center. The first round was restricted to one Pokémon per trainer. Round 2 allowed 2 Pokémon each, Round 3 had 3 each, Round 4, 4 Pokémon each and in Round 5, you could use all 6 of your Pokémon. Then the bell rang.
Josh and another trainer went up first. Zach was talking to 2 other trainers around his age, while I spied a very large, muscular, spiky-haired trainer. The kid next to me said he was The Unbeatable trainer, since he's never been beaten before. About 15 minutes later, the other trainer Josh was fighting came back, depressed. Josh had won his match. Zach's turn was next. About 10 minutes later, his opponent came back. Five matches later, it was The Unbeatable Trainer's turn. He won also. Two matches later, it was finally my turn.
I stepped onto the battlefield and saw my opponent. He had brown curly hair who's name was Joe. The announcer said to use 1 Pokémon each, and to choose now. We did, and the match started. Joe sent out a Victreebell, while I called for Raichu. Joe told Victreebell to use Wrap, and was successful in wrapping up Raichu. I told Raichu to use Thundershock, and it managed to break free. Victreebell then used Acid, but Raichu dodged and countered with Swift. Victreebell used Razor leaf, which hurt Raichu deeply. I called for Raichu to use Thunderbolt, and it did. The Thunderbolt really hurt Victreebell, but it wasn't out yet. Victreebell then Slammed Raichu, who countered with a Body Slam. Victreebell fell to the ground and fainted. I had won the match! I shook hands with Joe and went to get my Pokémon healed.
As I was walking there, the two sponsors from Blast Off! Inc. walked past, muttering something about tricks and winning. I didn't pay any mind to them and got my Pokémon healed. I went to the winners area and sat down next to Josh & Zach.
"Man, that match was pretty easy. I hope the future battles will be harder." I commented.
"Don't worry, they will be," said the one known as The Unbeatable Trainer.
I sighed and waited for Round 2. We all heard the crowd roaring. After the last match, we heard over an intercom that Round 2 will begin in 5 minutes. Josh was again picked to lead off. He and a guy with brown hair in a suit went to the stage floor. We heard some sounds of the trainer's Pokémon through the walls, but none was as loud as the final one, in which was a loud boom.
"I guess the trainer Josh was fighting had a Voltorb or Electrode." I said.
A few minutes later, Josh returned. He was victorious. The announcer called out the next two trainers to battle. About 7 battles later, Zach was called out. I and one other trainer were the last ones to battle. We chose our two Pokémon, and started. He called out his first.
"Pidgeotto, go!" the trainer called.
"Go get 'em Raticate" I said.
The bird attacked first with a Gust. Raticate was stunned, but came back with a devastating Tackle. After he tackled it, Raticate swung its tail and whipped Pidgeotto. Pidgeotto tried Quick Attack, but Raticate powered up with Focus Energy and unleashed a Super Fang on Pidgeotto and that match was over. The trainer called back Pidgeotto and sent out Vaporeon. Normally, I would send out Raichu, but I didn't this time. Raticate tried Hyper Fang, but Vaporeon's Water Gun washed up Raticate, and a tackle was all it needed for Raticate to faint. I called it back and sent out my other Pokémon, Zubat. Zubat stunned Vaporeon with Wing Attack, but it didn't do much good. Vaporeon tried Water Gun, but Zubat dodged it and bit it. Enraged, Vaporeon shot out multiple Ice Beams, but Zubat dodged 'em all and hit Vaporeon right in the face. Zubat then bit Vaporeon's tail and started Leech Life. Before long, Vaporeon was out. I had won my second match! Only three more to go!
There were only eight trainers left, so it wasn't as long a wait as Rounds 1 or 2. Zach went first, then Josh, then The Pounder, as he likes to be called, and finally me. I stepped up to the box. My opponet was a girl in a red vest with bright red pants and a red baseball cap. I had a funny feeling she liked the color red. I figured she would probably have Fire-type Pokémon, so Graveler was in. I picked my three Pokémon, and the match started.
I was right, the girl trainer called out a Growlithe. I called out Graveler. Growlithe tried Bite, but broke it's teeth on Graveler's skin. Graveler then used Rock Throw and Growlithe was gone. The girl recalled Growlithe and sent out a Charmeleon. I recalled Graveler and sent out Flareon.
"Why did you recall Graveler?" The girl asked.
"I wanted the match to last more than 3 seconds," I answered.
This got her steamed. She called to Charmeleon to use Slash, and it did some damage but not enough. Flareon tackled it, and Charmeleon got angrier. Charmeleon let out a huge Flamethrower attack, btu Flareon dodged it and used Fire Spin, which hurt Charmeleon. Flareon then tackled the lizard and he was gone. The trainer called back Charmeleon and sent out a Kingler. I guess she didn't have all Fire types after all. I recalled Flareon and sent out my last Pokémon, Raichu. Kingler tried Gillotine, and it worked. Raichu fainted. I was in trouble. I called for Flareon to Tackle it, but Kingler's Crabhammer stopped Flareon. Next I sent out Graveler. Kingler tried Crabhammer, but Graveler smashed Kingler's face with Mega Punch. Then it used Earthquake to stun Kingler before tossing it with Seismic toss. Kingler had fainted and I had won. Three rounds down, two to go!
After getting my Pokémon healed, I went back to the winner's room with Zach, Josh, & The Unbeatable Trainer, or the Pounder. I had asked him why he named himself "The Pounder" and he said it was because he pounds his opponent's Pokémon in the ground. I gulped. After 5 minutes, the announcer called out the trainers of the next battle, Zach and the Pounder. I wished my brother good luck before he went off. When the battle started, we could barely hear anything over the crowd's roaring, but we saw bright yellow flashes, so we guessed the Pounder had an electric Pokémon. I just wish Zach had Rhyhorn or Golem out when it was. After about 20 minutes, the battle ended, and it was Pounder who came back into the room. Zach had lost his match. Now the next-to-final battle, me vs. Josh.
"You ready to rumble?" asked Josh once we were on the field.
"I sure am!" I said with a smile.
We were allowed only 4 Pokémon, and I chose mine. The match began.
"Go Nidorino!" Josh called.
"Flareon, I choose you!" I yelled.
The two Pokémon stared into each others eyes until Josh called for a Horn Attack. Flareon was knocked off guard and was hit. I called for a Flamethrower, which toasted Nidorino, but it wasn't out for the count, as a Double Kick sent Flareon back. Flareon tried Ember, but Nidorino dodged and tackled Flareon. Flareon was about to be beaten, but I yelled for Fire Spin, which engulfed Nidorino, fainting it. Josh called it back and sent out Poliwhirl. One Water Gun and Flareon was out. I next called for Raichu. Raichu used a Thunderbolt and Poliwhirl was almost out. Poliwhirl used Hypnosis and put Raichu to sleep. I tried to recall Raichu, but Josh commanded Poliwhirl to use Doubleslap, which woke Raichu up. With Raichu awake, but injured, I called for a Thundershock, and Poliwhirl was out. Josh recalled the amphibian, and sent out Butterfree. Butterfree used Sleep Powder, and Raichu was out. I called it back and sent out Graveler. Butterfree tried Stun Spore, but Graveler jumped and bashed Butterfree. With Butterfree stunned, Graveler used Rock Throw and then Mega Punch. Butterfree fainted. Josh called it back and sent out his final Pokémon, Pidgeot. I decided to use Rock Throw first, but Pidgeot grabbed Graveler and dropped him onto the floor, after sailing to the top of the stadium. I recalled Graveler and sent out Zubat. Pidgeot Whirlwinded Zubat, but it flew past and bit Pidgeot. Pidgeot tried to use Wing Attack, but Zubat connected with his instead. Both Pidgeot and Josh were mad now. Then Pidgeot charged it's ultimate move, Razor Wind. Pidgeot would have fainted Zubat, if it weren't for the fact Zubat was super-fast and dodged Pidgeot's attack. Zubat then used Supersonic which confused Pidgeot into hurting itself big time, to which Zubat started Leech Life and finished Pidgeot. I had won! Now I was in the final round! After shaking hands with Josh, I went to heal Zubat and the others. Ten minutes later, the announcer called forth the final two trainers, me and The Pounder.
The bell rang.
"Go Dodrio!" The Pounder called.
"Raichu, I choose you!" I yelled.
The Pokémon were facing each other, Dodrio Pecked Raichu in the head several times, which got Raichu mad and it unleashed a Thunderbolt, which fainted Dodrio. Pounder recalled Dodrio and sent out Nidorina. Raichu used Swift, but Nidorina used Body Slam and hit Raichu hard. Raichu was really mad now, and called upon a powerful Thunder attack and a few seconds later, we had fried Nidorina. Pounder called back Nidorina and sent out Electabuzz. I returned Raichu and sent out Graveler. Electabuzz tried using Thunderpunch and Thunder, but they didn't affect Graveler, who used Rock Throw and Earthquake to finish off the electric Pokémon. Electabuzz was recalled Graveler and sent out Mr. Mime. Graveler tried to use Mega Punch, but Mr. Mime's Barrier and Confusion attacks and Graveler wound up. Seeing as how Mr. Mime was too quick, and the fact that it was confused, I recalled Graveler and sent out Flareon. Mr. Mime used Doubleslap, which hurt Flareon, but Flareon came back with Flamethrower, which toasted Mr. Mime. The psychic then used Substitute, which made a double of itself which absorbed Flareon's flamethrower and broke. Mr. Mime tried Barrier, but it didn't stand up to Flareon's Fire Spin and toasted Mr. Mime. The Pounder called back Mr. Mime and told me that I am the first real challenge he's had. My teeth clenched. How dare he say my brother is a weakling! I looked into the stands, and saw Zach & Josh cheering for me, as well as everyone who had lost except those who lost to me. Pounder decided to bring out a huge Onix. Knowing fire was weak against rock, I called back Flareon and sent out Raticate, who was pummled. I returned Raticate, and sent out Zubat. Onix lunged towards Zubat, but it missed. Zubat could only dodge, until I had an idea.
"Use the same plan we used on Brock!" I called out to Zubat.
Zubat smiled, then proceeded to tie up Onix, literally. Just like Brock's Onix, Pounder's Onix was a live preztel. Pounder called back Onix and sent out his most powerful Pokémon...Gengar. I called for a Wing Attack, but Zubat passed right through Gengar, who used Nightshade and hit Zubat. Zubat tried Leech Life, but Gengar was unaffected. Gengar tried Lick, but it missed. Zubat flew down, and lunged at Gengar. Gengar lunged at Zubat. Pounder called for Night Shade, but I called for Supersonic and confused Gengar enough to have him hurt itself badly. Gengar tried Dream Eater, but Zubat barely dodged it and managed to grab Gengar's ear. Gengar got mad and swapped Zubat. Zubat fell, and was weak. Gengar was getting ready to finish off Zubat, but then the blue bat bit Gengar's arm and sucked life energy out of it. Zubat only sucked away about 1/10 of Gengar's strength, but it was enough. Zubat was ready to go, and lunged toward Gengar. Gengar became clear, and Zubat stopped in the middle of Gengar. Gengar matieralized, and Zubat started messing with Gengar from the inside out. Gengar managed to get Zubat out of it, and was getting ready for the final Nightshade, when the Supersonic kicked in again and Gengar used Nightshade on itself, fainting it. I don't believe it! I won! I beat the champion! Zubat flew down gently into my arms. It was too weak to fight anymore. I shook hands with Pounder, and he said I have potential. Zach and Josh came out of the stands and congratulated me. I then walked over to the other end of the stadium, where I was to recieve my prize.
One million dollars was waiting for me, and as I picked up a wad of bills, I noticed only the first few bills were real. This whole thing was a trick!
"What's going on here? These bills aren't real!" I shouted.
"You got that right, kid. Now we're going to get our rewards!" A cat said as it jumped down from the roof.
I heard something then I didn't want to hear.
"Prepare for trouble!"
"Make it double!"
"To protect the world from devistation!"
"To unite all peoples within our nation!"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"
"To extend our reach to the stars above!"
"Jesse!"
"James!"
"Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light!"
"Surrender now or prepare to fight!"
"Meowth, dat's right!"
It was Team Rocket! They were Blast Off! Inc.! The whole tournament was staged to get Team Rocket some Pokémon! Since none of the trainers went to the Center to get healed, we were in a jam. Team Rocket demanded for us to give them our Pokémon.
"I don't think so! Go Flareon!" I called.
Flareon was the only Pokémon I could turn to. Zubat was weak, Raichu was tired, Graveler was confused and Raticate fainted. Pounder's, Zach's and Josh's Pokémon were of no help either. Team Rocket called out Arbok & Weezing and they battled Flareon. Flareon used Flamethrower, but it missed and Flareon got tackled by Weezing and wrapped by Arbok. I had no choice but to call Flareon back. I didn't know what to do. We were Poké-less. Zach mentioned that I do have one Pokémon left. I rejected, saying I vowed not to use it unless it was a last resort.
"I think this qualifies as a last resort!" Josh said.
He was right. I pulled out my Poké Ball, enlarged it, and looked at it. Finally, I threw it.
"Gyarados! I choose you!" I called out.
"GYARADOS!" Team Rocket yelled.
The mighty Pokémon popped out, leaned over Team Rocket, and roared.
"Gyarados, Hydro Pump now!" I said.
Gyarados didn't listen and crashed into the wall, sending Team Rocket blasting off again. Gyarados wasn't done thoough, and it started tearing up the stadium. It almost got me, but I managed to recall it, but not before it destroyed half the stadium. The mayor was going to have me fund for the reconstruction, but Pounder said that if it weren't for his Gyarados, Team Rocket would have all our Pokémon. Reluctantly, the mayor agreed. He then said that we would use the Prize money to fix the stadium. The damage came to $990,000. Later we said good-bye to the Pounder and walked to our destination, Cinnabar Island. Down the road, I asked a puzzling question.
"Hey, you know what's been buggin me?" I asked.
"What?" Josh asked back.
"I STILL can't figure out what Blast Off! Inc. was trying to sell!" I said.
Josh & Zach just laughed.
"We'll never figure that one out!" Zach said.
"Yeah, no one can figure out those two!" I commented.
To be continued...
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