Unfinished Business - PW-R-042

Unfinished Business


A couple weeks had passed since Alex's victory at the Sootopolis Gym, and she found herself sitting on the front porch of her home, reflecting on how far she'd come. It had been the better part of a year since she'd set off on her journey, and yet, it felt like it had been both longer and shorter. Maybe it just felt that way, given everything she'd been through, especially within the last couple months, but still, she felt like she'd been at this for a while.

Not that she was getting old or anything, just that she felt like things had gone slowly for a long time, and had only recently started to pick up. With luck, progress would continue, and by this time next year, she'd be well on her way through whatever region she visited next.

"Alex?" She turned to find her sister standing beside her. "Don't you have a battle to get off to?"

Alex smiled. "Yeah, I do. I was just letting my mind wander is all."

-

Lilycove City had many parks, but much to Alex's surprise, she often seemed to find her way back to the same one near the Pokémon Center. There was a certain symmetry to it, and she didn't object; hopefully, that symmetry meant a repeat of the outcome from the last battle she'd fought here, if not the long-term results.

"Oh, I've been looking forward to thith!" Practically giddy with excitement, Amelia Blake glanced about the park and wondered aloud, "When do you think Ithabelle will make her appearance? I mean, it'th not like the'd thkip out on the battle."

"If she does, I won't complain." A small shrug, and Alex admitted, "I'll be a little disappointed, but I won't complain."

"Oh really? Looking forward to getting your ass handed to you again that much, Flatsters?" The three turned to find Isabelle entering the park, two girls that Alex and Cass instantly recognized in tow. Her usual sneer appeared on her face as she recognized Cass and Amelia. "I see you brought your cheering section, the failure sister and the lithping legend."

Amelia's face grew red with anger, while Cass' expression remained neutral. Sure, she'd done poorly with contests, but that hardly made her a failure. Besides, even if Isabelle could take on Alex's roster, she'd have a hard time measuring up against her own.

Alex, meanwhile, chose to ignore their comments, and turned her gaze to the two girls that Isabelle had brought with her. "Hey Mel. How's that brother of yours?"

Melanie half-smiled as she answered. "Drew's still a brat. Count your lucky stars your mom never had boys, Alex, and pray you never have one of your own. They're a handful."

Alex grinned. "All depends on the boy." She turned to the second girl and noted, "Let me guess, Melanie told you when this little showdown was going to take place?"

Natalie shrugged. "Hey, there's nothing wrong with keeping in touch."

"No there isn't." Her greetings out of the way, Alex turned her attention to her old rival. "Now, let's stop trading insults and start this battle. You remember the arrangement?"

Isabelle rolled her eyes. "Six on six. If I win, you stay here and quit your pathetic little dream for the rest of your life. And if you win, which you won't, you'll be able to repay me in kind for every bit of truth I've imparted to you about your family of failure."  

The other girls moved off to one side, content to sit and watch as the battle took place. As they approached, Amelia quietly asked, "Tho how doeth Alex know thethe two anyway?"

"They're old classmates, long story. They were a lot nicer to her than Isabelle was. Bit of an understatement, I know, but…"

"Better than being jutht ath bad." The four gathered at a set of park benches and sat down, Amelia taking a second to call out, "Kick her butt, Alex!"

Isabelle looked upon her opponent and smirked, generally unimpressed by what she saw. To her, Alex had always been a pathetic little thing that needed to be squished under her feet, and as much fun as it was breaking her when she was younger, it would be far more fun to do so now. "Well, let's start this off! Show them who's best, Altaria!"

On the opposite end of the field, Alex was quietly confident. Isabelle had always been cruel and arrogant, but she'd never quite learned that there was always a bigger fish out there. And even if there wasn't, the small fish could always grow into big ones. Win or lose, she'd show her rival exactly how things had changed since their youth. "Surf's up, Daraxis!"

A smug grin appeared on Isabelle's face as she remembered the last time she'd seen the Blastoise in action. Alex hadn't sent it out except at the very end of her battle with Flannery, opting to use two weakling Ground-types first. Odds are that if her Altaria could take them on, then she could handle the Water-type as well. "Altaria, Dragon Dance!"

The cottony Humming Pokémon looked upon the bulky Shellfish Pokémon opposite her with amusement, not at all intimidated by him. She rose into the air, closed her eyes and began charging herself, strengthening her attacks and increasing her speed so that when she attacked…

"Daraxis, Ice Beam!"

One of the Blastoise's shoulder cannons emerged and fired upon the floating Dragon/Flying type, knocking her for a loop. The Altaria looked upon him in shock, prompting Daraxis to quip, "<Never take your eyes off your opponent. Your first mistake.>"

Isabelle was just as surprised as her Pokémon, but quickly regained her composure. "A lucky shot! Altaria, Dragonbreath!"

"Daraxis, Protect!"

Flames spewed from Altaria's beak and raged towards her target, only to harmlessly cascade off the Blastoise's barrier. The same calm expression remained on Daraxis' face as the barrier faded, but his opponent was growing frustrated.

Pouting, Isabelle opted for a change in tactics. "Altaria, return!" Her Pokémon was swiftly recalled, and she swiftly picked a replacement. "Let's show them, Manectric!"

Alex was all too familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of the Electric-type that appeared before her, thanks to her sister having a Manectric of her own, and she swiftly opted to follow her opponent's choice. "Daraxis, return! Strika, rise up!"

Isabelle pouted as the Gabite appeared upon the field, hardly pleased that her opponent had opted to switch into an advantage. Still, she had a way of fixing that. "Manectric, Roar!"

"Strika, Dig!"

Before Strika could attempt to burrow underground, Manectric let out a terrible cry. She cringed, and was shot back into her Poké Ball, another one sending out a Pokémon in her place.

"<Wha-?>" Nadyra blinked, and quickly took stock of the situation, recognizing Isabelle based on what she'd been told of her by her trainer and teammates. "<Oh!>"

Isabelle grinned, her confidence returning. While a Grass-type wasn't the ideal opponent for an Electric-type, it was better than what she was facing before. "Manectric, Shock Wave!"

Alex grinned as well, glad for a choice she'd made a long time ago to balance her team as much as possible. "Nadyra, Earthquake!"

Shock formed upon Isabelle's face as the Meganium rose up on her hind legs while her Pokémon prepared his attack, bringing them down upon the ground and sending seismic shockwaves throughout. Her Manectric emerged and managed to fire off his attack, connecting with little effort, but he'd come off far worse than his opponent from the exchange.

Her frustration growing, Isabelle recalled her Manectric, a grin forming on her face. "Well Flatsters, it's obvious you've got a few cheap tricks up your sleeves." She picked her next Pokémon and declared, "Of course, I've got a few of them myself! Go, Sharpedo!"

Melanie and Natalie both grew concerned as the familiar form of the Brutal Pokémon appeared, twin notches in its dorsal fin and its maw filled with sharp teeth. Despite the slightly comical sight of it balancing upon a ventral fin, the Sharpedo looked dangerous, and they found themselves remembering how they associated Sharpedoes with Alex.

Isabelle smirked with confidence as she locked eyes with her opponent. "Scared, Flatsters? I remember how you were back then, always fearful of Sharpedo. You wouldn't even go into the water, you were so afraid of one of them coming up and biting a leg off. Well, it's not even safe to stay out of the water anymore! Sharpedo, Aqua Jet!"

With a terrible roar, water surged around the Sharpedo's body, and it went shooting through the air like a rocket, making a beeline directly for its target.

"Nadyra, Energy Ball!" A ball of green energy formed in Nadyra's mouth, and she sent it rocketing directly at her opponent. The attack hit, and the Sharpedo was knocked off course and sent flying, his attack dissipated. At Isabelle's shocked expression, Alex countered, "That was then. This is now. I've seen scarier things than Sharpedo in my time, Isabelle! You're going to have to do better than that!"

As her Sharpedo righted himself, Isabelle found herself staring at her opponent, her earlier overconfidence having fallen away in favor of shock. The same girl that she'd put in her place time and again in school, who'd meekly protested and often ended up a crying mess, was holding her own. Not only that, but she was locked upon her with steely determination, her brown eyes focused like lasers. "How the hell are you…?"

"That's the difference between you and me, Isabelle. You aren't all that different from who you were in school; self-obsessed and convinced that you have to put others down in order to raise yourself up. You still hold that view now, and thanks to that, you've become arrogant, self-assured, stagnant. You collected badges and rested on your laurels, refusing to test yourself and your Pokémon further, and convinced that others weren't much different. Me? I'm another matter! I've traveled far and seen many things, and held my own against all sorts, trainers and non-trainers alike! Even before you and I went to separate schools, I was growing, changing, learning about who I am and what I wanted! I'm more than I was then, the same and different, and if you think you can still call me 'Flatsters', then I've got one question for you – just who the hell do you think I am?!"

Isabelle's eyes narrowed with resolve as she answered, "A pathetic little loser, now and forever! Sharpedo, Ice Fang!"

"Nadyra, Ancient Power!"

As Sharpedo shot forward, its teeth soon frosting over, Nadyra summoned rocks which rose and floated around her like moons orbiting a planet, the attacks meeting as the shark made contact with its target. Nadyra emerged, weakened further, but she was better off than her opponent as Sharpedo collapsed into unconsciousness.

As she recalled her fallen Pokémon, Isabelle found something swelling inside of her. Anger, frustration, indignation, whatever it was called, was coursing through her veins. "So you've grown a spine, Masters! That doesn't mean you can back yourself up! Come on, Claydol!"

Alex grinned, taking Isabelle's change in address as a victory all by itself. "So you do know my real name." Once more, her opponent had picked a Pokémon that she was all too familiar with thanks to her sister, and one that she was more than prepared for. "Nadyra, return! Into the light, ShadowWarrior!"

As her opponent's Murkrow took to the field, Isabelle felt some of her old confidence return. After all, the Murkrow wasn't even fully-evolved; clearly, Masters hadn't been sensible enough to track down a Dark Stone and evolve the little freak properly. "Claydol, Ancient Power!"

"ShadowWarrior, Fly!"

Immediately, ShadowWarrior shot skyward, far faster than the Clay Doll Pokémon could ready and launch its attack. It looked up with half its eyes, the others closed, and was less than impressed. #Impudence.#

"Sorry, were you speaking to me?" ShadowWarrior grinned as he cawed back at his opponent. "That's the thing about us Dark-types, we can't pick up on telepathy! You're gonna have to use your mouth, oh mighty shakōkidogū!" He immediately went into a dive, completing his attack.

"Ancient Power again!"

Once more, rocks spiraled around the massive Ground/Psychic type before being sent off against their target. ShadowWarrior, however, nimbly dodged them, weaving through the storm of rocks and debris with practiced ease. He collided with his opponent, landing a solid hit.

"Again!"

"ShadowWarrior, Sucker Punch!"

Before his opponent could launch his attack, the Murkrow struck first, landing two solid punches with his wings and doing far more damage than he'd done with his previous attack. This time, however, the Ancient Power attack hit its mark, and ShadowWarrior was battered back by the storm.

Now a bit more confident, Isabelle decided to keep the pressure going. "Another Ancient Power, Claydol!"

"ShadowWarrior, Shadow Ball!"

A ball of purplish, ghostly energies formed in the Murkrow's beak, faster than the Claydol could prepare its attack, and was sent shooting towards his opponent. This last blow hit just as hard as the last, and was enough to finish the job, knocking the Claydol unconscious.

Isabelle fumed as she recalled her defeated Pokémon. How was Masters beating her? How was she holding her own?! Type advantage and varied movesets only explained so much, but she wasn't just beating her, she was making it look easy! There had to be a way to turn the tide, there just had to! "Claydol, return! Go, Armaldo!" With a sparkling flash appeared a shiny Armaldo, claws raised and at the ready. "Let's see your bird handle this!"

On the sidelines, Amelia found herself impressed. "Wow! Didn't thee a Fothil Thiny coming! Thame Alex ithn't uthing Pteryx!"

Natalie and Melanie looked at her in surprise as Cass laughed. "I think he'd be a little out of his depth." She turned to the girls and added, "I'll explain later."

"Let's not! ShadowWarrior, return!" Alex quickly called her Murkrow back to his Poké Ball and readied her next choice. While her team could all still fight, there were only a couple she hadn't called in yet. "Grospoliner, assume blade form!"

As the Metang appeared upon the field, Isabelle grew a little more confident. Steel might beat Rock, but Bug trumped Psychic. "Armaldo, Fury Cutter!"

"Grospoliner, Bullet Punch!"

The Metang's attack struck first, one clawed fist smashing hard into the fossil Pokémon's abdomen. Armaldo, however, countered by raking the Steel-type with its claws, doing little damage at the time but promising to do more.

"Another Fury Cutter!"

"Bullet Punch again!"

The same results as before, but this time, Armaldo's attack was stronger.

"Again! Fury Cutter!"

"Grospoliner, Psychic!"

This time, the Fury Cutter missed its mark. Grospoliner, however, didn't have the same problem, bombarding its opponent with psionic energies and further weakening it.

Isabelle found herself growing desperate, and quickly ordered, "Armaldo, one more time! Fury Cutter!"

"Grospoliner, one last Bullet Punch!"

Once more, Grospoliner struck first, landing serious damage. This time, however, the damage was enough, and Armaldo fell, defeated at last.

Isabelle recalled her Pokémon, her frustration beginning to simmer over. Clearly, she'd underestimated her opponent; Masters had come with a plan, and she'd come prepared. Still, her Pokémon had been weakened, and there was still a chance to turn this around. "Let's try this again, Manectric!"

"Grospoliner, return! One more time, Strika!"

Once again, the Gabite and the Manectric stood opposite one another on the field. Strika braced herself, hoping she could avoid being sent back before…

"Strika, Dig!"

"Manectric, Roar!"

Once more, Manectric moved too quickly, and Strika was recalled. This time, however, Grospoliner took her place, prompting amusement from Isabelle. "Back to get finished off! Manectric, Crunch!"

"Grospoliner, Bullet Punch!"

Once more, the Metang made the first strike, and this time, it was enough to finish Manectric off. Isabelle recalled her fallen Pokémon, and made a quick talley in her head; of her team of six, she was down to two, one of which was already weakened. Still, she had to try. "One more time, Altaria!"

"Grospoliner, return! Let's finish this, Daraxis!"

Again, the Blastoise found himself against the cotton-winged Dragon-type, who glared at him dangerously. If he was any way worried, he showed no sign, and stood ready to finish what he'd started.

"Altaria, Sky Attack!"

"Get ready, Daraxis!"

Altaria rose skyward, fiery red energies forming around her body as she ascended. Daraxis, meanwhile, braced himself, not even bothering to launch an attack.

"And go!"

"Daraxis, Surf!"

As Altaria shot down from the heavens, flames surrounding her body, Daraxis summoned a torrent of water and shot upwards, causing his opponent to collide with the watery column and take the full brunt of the attack. The column burst, and the Blastoise came falling down, slowing his descent with Ice Beam and skidding to a halt unharmed on the ground, his opponent unconscious behind him.

Isabelle recalled her Pokémon, the anger and frustration starting to ease out of her. It was obvious enough that the tide wasn't on her side. Still, she had one Pokémon left, and he was the strongest she had. "Well Masters, I wasn't expecting you to put up this much of a fight. You've brought me down to my final Pokémon. Unfortunately for you, he's the strongest one I have. Let's end this, Sceptile!"

Alex had been expecting this as Isabelle's last choice, the familiar giant gecko appearing on the field opposite her Blastoise and looking just as cocky as he had when she'd last faced him. She was going up against Isabelle's starter, so why not keep it fair? "Daraxis, return!" Her Blastoise returned to his Poké Ball, and Alex picked out her final choice. "Don't get the wrong idea, Isabelle. I'm not afraid to settle this. Far from it – I'm all fired up! Surtur!"

Her Blaziken took his place before her, flames spouting from his wrists as he laid eyes on his opponent, memories flooding back. "<Ah. You again. I hope you've learned some manners since the last time we tangled.>"

The Sceptile smirked at Surtur rather than give him a proper answer.

"So your little Torchic is all grown up. Good for him, but let's see how he compares to the fastest starter in the Hoenn Region! Sceptile, Aerial Ace!"

Sceptile crouched low and sprinted towards his opponent, arms spread behind him like the wings on a fighter jet. Neither Alex nor Surtur looked worried, however, both tensing themselves until…

"Now! Blaze Kick!"

Flames burst from Surtur's legs, and he swiftly raised one up and brought it down hard upon Sceptile's head, seconds before the Grass-type made contact. The resounding crash sounded throughout the park, and Surtur used the force of the blow to propel himself upward, landing perfectly while his opponent skidded to a halt behind him and slowly regained his footing.

Alex grinned and explained, "The trick isn't being fast, it's being fast enough."

At the stunned looks of everyone else in the audience, Cass elaborated further. "Moves like Aerial Ace are always accurate. Alex figured that with proper timing, you can take advantage of that, and deliver a devastating hit while avoiding the one coming at you." Heads turned to her, and she quipped, "Hey, Ash Ketchum isn't the only one who can improvise."

The two Pokémon turned to face one another, Sceptile now less cocky and more irritated, while Surtur maintained his calm attitude. Isabelle, like her Pokémon, was becoming livid, and quickly ordered another attack. "Sceptile, use Night Slash!"

"Surtur, counter with Rock Smash!"

Hands balled into fists, Surtur caught the swung slashing attack, taking some damage but dealing more than he'd received. The two broke off from one another and gained distance, restored to their places before their trainers, and prepared themselves for their next attacks.

"Sceptile, Leaf Storm!"

A raging vortex formed around Sceptile before surging towards Surtur, going vertical rather than horizontal.

"Surtur, brace for it and Bulk Up!"

Surtur prepared himself, and took the full brunt of the attack, the leaves pelting him like hail as he struggled to keep his balance. As the barrage ended, however, he violently spread his arms to his sides, pushing away the remnants of the storm. "<Come now! Is that all you've got?!>"

Her Sceptile growled, and Isabelle decided to show the oversized chicken she was facing just what they could do. "Sceptile, let's finish this! Leaf Blade!"

"A Signature Move? Fine! Have a taste of ours! Surtur!"

The long leaf-like extensions on Sceptile's arms extended outwards as blades, and as he prepared to strike against his opponent with one arm, Surtur caught his hand with one fiery claw. "<These claws of mine are burning red!>" The other blazed with fire and remained open. "<Their loud roar tells me to grasp victory!>"

"Here we go! Bakunetsu!"

"<FIRE PUNCH!>"

Surtur's free claw clamped hard upon Sceptile, covering the fearful expression on his face before flames erupted all over him. An explosion rang out, and smoke formed around the pair of Pokémon, slowly clearing. As it faded, Surtur stepped back, the flames dying down, and a scorched Sceptile collapsed, beaten into unconsciousness.

Isabelle looked upon the scene with shock, collapsed to her knees and looked to Alex. "How…?"

"Like I said, you rested on your laurels." Alex stepped forward and stood beside her Blaziken. "The world changes every day, and you can't live as if things are always the same as they were in the past. You have to move forward. I learned that the hard way when my father died, and I've been reminded every time my life has changed. It wouldn't hurt for you to learn the same."

The blonde kept her eyes on Alex, disbelief still on her face. "And? Aren't you going to…?"

"Do what, belittle you like you did me? I've said my peace, Isabelle; I did it mid-battle." Alex approached and added, "What you did to me, when we were younger, was cruel and immature and wrong. You accused my father of suicide and belittled my mother's memory, and that ignores the remarks you sent directly at me. All of them were falsehoods. What I said about you? That was the truth, and that stings far worse than any lie. But part of moving on means learning to let go." She recalled her Blaziken and finished, "So here we are. Try to learn from what I've said, hmm?" She turned and waved to Melanie and Natalie, then gestured for her sister and fangirl friend to follow her out. "Take care of yourselves, you three! All my best!"

Melanie let out a low whistle as she and Natalie rose from their seats and approached Isabelle. "Holy crap. You weren't kidding about her getting impressive. No wonder she beat Wallace one on one."

"Yeah, but something tells me it's going to be a while before she sees another battle with a Champion." Natalie turned to the shocked blonde beside them and asked, "You okay, Isabelle?"

"She beat me. And she told me how she did it."

"Yep. Look at it this way, though; it wasn't personal. And you'll probably never battle her again."

"Masters beat me." Isabelle then fainted in shock, the battle taking its toll.

-

"That wath awethome! Abtholutely, pothitively awethome! You kicked her butt twenty wayth to Thunday!"

"Yeah, I did." Alex took a deep breath. "Hot damn that was cathartic."

"And I guess that means you can continue on." Cass grinned and asked, "So how long before you're back on the way to Johto?"

Alex smiled. "I guess we'll see."