New Rivalries - PW-R-059

New Rivalries


The cultural jewel of the Johto Region, Ecruteak City was a city steeped in history and myth. Many of the most prominent legends associated with the Johto Region were intrinsically linked to the city, thanks to it being the location of the long-burned Brass Tower and its successor, the nearby Tin Tower, both major landmarks to the region thanks to their links to the legendary Ho-oh. Between that, the city being a crossroads through the region, and the presence of a Pokémon gym, Ecruteak was a regular stop for many a traveling Pokémon trainer.

As she stepped past the city limits, Alex took a deep breath and smiled, glad to be here at long last. Nicholas noticed this and smiled as well. “Glad to finally be here?”

“For so many reasons. One part of having a Pokémon researcher for a father is having familiarity with all of the old legends, even the ones not related to Hoenn. Ever since I heard the myths surrounding Ho-oh and the Legendary Beasts, I’ve wanted to come here, maybe even visit the two Towers.” She sighed and noted, “Probably sounds silly to you.”

“Not really. I’ve already done it.” A proud smile, and the young Aura Guardian explained, “When I was young and Dad was home schooling me, he made it a point of taking me to all the major landmarks for every region we visited. I’ve seen both Towers, traveled through the Whirl Islands, and visited Celebi’s shrine in Ilex Forest. And that’s just here in Johto.” He quickly amended, “I’ve never been to anywhere in Unova, though.”

“Then you can bore me with all the details when I visit them today. I want to try and catch them before I have my Gym battle.” A surprised look from Nicholas, and Alex explained, “Hey, I’ve waited a long time to see this city, I can wait a little longer to battle in the Gym.”

A laugh. “Now that’s an attitude I can agree with. So where first?”

“The Pokémon Center first, then somewhere to eat or the remains of the Brass Tower, depending on the time. After that, we’ll figure things out from there.”

The two continued on their way, and eventually found their way to the Pokémon Center without incident. Before they could enter, however, they caught sight of a crowd gathered nearby, prompting their curiosity. “What do you suppose this is?”

“From the sounds of things, it’s a Pokémon battle.” The two approached the crowd and, glad once again for her impressive height, Alex found herself with a clear view of the battle as it unfolded. “Yeah, it’s a battle alright.”

“Don’t see why it’s gathered this much of a crowd. You see one battle, you’ve seen ‘em…” Finally catching what made this battle so different, he noted, “Ah. Triple Battle.”

Practically unheard of outside of the Unova Region, Triple Battles weren’t all that complicated; each trainer would send three Pokémon out to battle, and whichever trainer had the most Pokémon standing after the battle was done would be the victor. In this case, however, one trainer was already down to two Pokémon, his Magmar and Ampharos still standing while his Jumpluff was being recalled. Opposite him on the field, his opponent hardly looked winded and his Pokémon each looked impressive, especially the one in the middle. While a Typhlosion and a Skarmory were hardly surprising sights in Johto, even Alex had to admit some interest in the Samurott in the center.

The losing trainer, much to his credit, refused to go down without a fight. “Magmar, Flamethrower against Skarmory! Ampharos, Thunderbolt against Samurott!”

The winning trainer, however, took on a cocky grin and issued his next commands. “Typhlosion, Flame Charge against Ampharos!”

Flames spurt from the large Pokémon’s back as he stomped hard upon the ground with his forelegs, dust and dirt kicking up around him as his body was surrounding by flames. With an incredible burst of speed, Typhlosion charged forward and slammed hard into Ampharos, finishing her off.

“Skarmory, Air Slash!”

Orbs of energy formed before the large steel bird’s wings as they were flapped forward, the orbs bursting into discs and bombarding the Magmar on the field.

“Samurott, let’s finish this! Razor Shell!”

With a powerful cry, the large Formidable Pokémon drew a seamitar from one arm before charging and finishing off his opponent. The Magmar gasped as the blade struck, then collapsed into a heap, unconscious.

“Magmar! Ampharos!” With a dejected and depressed groan, the young trainer recalled his defeated Pokémon, but turned to his opponent and noted, “Man you’re tough.”

“Johto’s got its share of tough Pokémon, but it’s got a lot to learn from Unova.” The cocky trainer looked among the crowd and offered, “Anyone else want to test their luck?”

Nicholas looked less than impressed. “Bit confident.”

Alex seemed more accepting. “Eh, everyone’s entitled to a little bravado.”

Her voice, however, caught the Unovan trainer’s attention, and he turned to face her with amazing approval. “Hey you! Tall girl with brown hair! How about you? Want to test yourself against me?”

Alex politely smiled and shook her head, even as the crowd turned their attention to her. “Sorry, no.”

“Oh, come on! You look like a tough battler, and something tells me this crowd would love to love to see how you do against me, and I know my Pokémon will love the challenge!” His Pokémon called out to beckon her, and he added, “Come on! We’ll go easy on you, if that’s what you’re worried about!”

Alex laughed, already seeing that she wasn’t about to back out of this challenge. “Go easy on me? Trust me, that’s not the smartest of ideas.” The crowd parted as the earlier challenger backed out and Alex took his place. “Even if this is my first Triple Battle, it’s not all that different from a Double.”

The cocky trainer grinned. “Trust me, you won’t be thinking that for too long. By the way, the name’s Cal Turner. You’re gonna know me someday.”

“Alex Masters. And trust me, fame’s overrated.” She plucked three Poké Balls from her belt and sent out her choices. “Now, I’ve seen your Pokémon, so it’s time for you to see mine!” Daraxis, Surtur and Nadyra took their places on the field and assumed ready stances. “Now, you want to start this party, or shall I?”

Cal laughed at the lineup against him not out of arrogance, but simply because he was looking forward to the challenge. “Well, if you’re not gonna object, then alright! Typhlosion, Gyro Ball against the Blastoise! Samurott, Megahorn against the Meganium! Skarmory, Air Slash against Meganium!”

“Surtur, Blaze Kick against Skarmory! Daraxis, Flash Cannon against Typhlosion! Nadyra, Energy Ball against Samurott!”

Surtur’s attack came first as he charged and delivered a flaming kick to the Skarmory on the other end of the field. Skarmory’s attack came next, but the Air Slash narrowly missed its target, Nadyra weaving aside just in time. Samurott’s attack, however, hit its target, doing a fair amount of damage to the Meganium and causing her to stumble back. Typhlosion’s attack came next and did limited damage to Daraxis, his attack faring roughly as well, while Nadyra’s blow managed to even the odds.

Cal didn’t look a bit dissuaded. “Not a bad opening salvo. Alright, let’s kick it up a notch! Typhlosion, Defense Curl! Samurott, Skarmory, Shell Blade and Fly against Blaziken!”

Already seeing where this was going, Alex opted to keep it up in the hopes that she could limit the damage to come. “Same targets! Daraxis, another Flash Cannon! Surtur, Blaze Kick! Nadyra, Energy Ball!”

This time, Skarmory rose high into the sky, avoiding Surtur’s attack, while Typhlosion curling up deflected much of the damage from Daraxis’ attack and Nadyra’s strike was mitigated by the damage that Samurott dealt to Surtur.

“Perfect! Typhlosion, Rollout! Samurott, Shell Blade! Go Skarmory!”

Her Blaziken crouched down to help him recover, Alex didn’t need much imagination to see where things were going. “Surtur, brace yourself! Daraxis, another Flash Cannon! Nadyra, another Energy Ball!”

Surtur took the command as a signal to Bulk Up, even as Skarmory swooped down and landed a hard blow. That, coupled with the attacks that came his way from the Steel-type’s teammates, knocked Surtur into unconsciousness, even as their attacks reached their targets.

“That’s one tough Blaziken you’ve got there, standing up to all our attacks like that.”

“We’ve had lots of practice.” Alex wrapped one of Surtur’s arms around her shoulders as she helped him back to consciousness and to his feet. “You alright?”

The Blaziken’s response was typical. “<Uuugh…what do you think?>” He shook his head and added, “<Just make sure that doesn’t happen again, yes?>”

“No promises.” Alex nodded to her opponent and signaled, “Come on, we’re ready.”

“Okay then! Typhlosion, keep on Rolling Out, this time with Blastoise! Samurott, another Megahorn to Meganium! Skarmory, Air Slash against Meganium!”

“Daraxis, Surf! Nadyra, Energy Ball!”

Skarmory’s Air Slash, once again, narrowly missed, while Nadyra withstood the Megahorn and delivered her own attack. Daraxis, however, managed his attack without difficulty, a wall of water crashing into all of his opponents. While Samurott, Nadyra and Skarmory suffered minor damage, Typhlosion was finally taken out of the fight.

Cal took a second to recall his Typhlosion before issuing his next commands. “Alright, you’ve evened things up, but we’re not through yet! Samurott, Megahorn against Meganium! Skarmory, Air Slash against Blastoise!”

“Daraxis, Ice Beam! Nadyra, Energy Ball one more time!”

One of his shoulder cannons deployed, and Daraxis opened fire, even as Nadyra readied and fired off her own attack. While the Ice Beam did relatively little damage to Skarmory, Samurott finally fell, the damage taking its toll.

His two starters taken out, Cal held up his hands. “Enough! I give!” He recalled his remaining Pokémon and promised with a grin, “Next time’s gonna be different though. You can bet on that.”

Alex nodded in agreement. Next time would be different, one way or another.