CHAPTER FOUR! WHOOHOOWHOOHOOWHOOHOO!



hope you enjoy! PS: Teddy, glad you liked the extract!






Chapter Four
A crush-clawing defeat
By Brit Chris



Chris

It's been a rough week. I've been in bed, and although I feel fine my Mum's going ballistic over my condition. I think she's expected me to go green or something. The family are convincing Grandma I have a migrane; women at 72 don't usually handle drug mistakings well at all. She was trying to use leeches on me, but I wasn't going to get sucked dry! I've been in bed, resting. Resting from the scare. In McDonalds, they've been putting cocaine into their McNuggets, and as I wolfed loads down (you get a free trading card...) I've been exposed to the drug. Seviper, and my other Pokemon who have eaten the McNuggets (I can't remember which ones that is, though; they're getting scanned soon) will also be exposed. The door creaked, and Grandma's old fat Skitty sulkily plodded into my room.

"Reear!" She cried. The stupid thing. Unfortunately, all my Pokemon were in the reserve so I had no way of repelling this evil cat. I lay in my bed as the cat slinkily paced towards me. It hated me. Seriously, it did. It pounced, but as it did, Suzie rushed into my room, Sunflora by her side. Sunflora cast a Sleep Spore, which lulled the cat to sleep. It smacked the floor quickly.

"You ok?" She asked.

"Fine, thanks" I said weakly.

"Seviper's still at Whitney's house" Suzie said. Her voice was very shaky. "Dad's ringing some Lawyer's up; he wants McDonalds shut down...but I think he might settle for a large wad of cash. Tim's gone to the park with Mum, Grandma and Brett"

Brett came home about four days ago. He was 21, and pretty broad. He had scraggy brown hair, lovely hazel eyes and a nice, beaming smile He was really clumsy. Olivine City had re-elected Jasmine as their leader, and the Pokemon League comittee moved Brett from his position. They did, however, send him to the brand-spanking new Gym in Pontarico Industrial Estate. He worked there now, but had a day off.

I lay in my room. The curtains were still drawn. The squares of cream colour projected the daylight into my room, so we weren't cast into darkness. The door, which was ajar, was at the opposite end of the room to my Bed. I had a poster of Good Charlotte, my favourite band, as well as a poster of the Elite Tournament, with Lorelei, Agatha, Bruno, Will, Karen, Koga, Phoebe, Sidney, Glacia and Drake surrounding a stadium. I wasn't good enough for that kind of tournament, and knew it myself. I didn't want to try my luck if I knew the result.

"I have to go, I've got work soon" Suzie said kindly. She worked at a car showroom, surprisingly, and was training as a mechanic. How strange. Tim didn't do much apart from watch Lord Of The Ring's, he had the special edition DVD which had about fifteen weeks of extras. He wasn't a geekazoid nerd, I still thought Tim pretty cool, but he was a lazy slob. Suzie walked out the room with Sunflora to change into her 'work clothes', leaving me all alone. I sat in bed. My eyes scanned the area for my TV remote, but it was miles away, I couldn't reach. I sighed heavily, before dropping off to sleep.

*

Brett

"It's too windy!" Grandma screeched. "FLAAFFY! GET MY HAT!"

Grandma's Flaaffy, greying and weak, plodding after the flowery fruitbowl that was Grandma's formal hat. The wind was very strong, and our trip feeding the ducks had turned sour. Tim and me endured the harsh gales. Mum seemed to be doing Ok, too, but Grandma was losing her hat, then her bag, then her hat again and then her glasses, somehow.

"This blows" Tim muttered to me.

"I have a ticket out of here, though" I smirked. I got my phone from my bag. "Hello? What? A challanger?"

This had drawn attention. Mum, who was supporting Grandma, listened as I went on. Tim's grin looked disapointed.

"Well...I was having a day off" I went on. "Urgent? Oh, I didn't realise! Well, no match is more important than my family"

"No, honey" Mum began. "We'll be Ok, go on to your Gym"

My mind cheered.

"Ok, new plan sir" I said. "I'll be down at the Gym in about an hour"

I put my phone away, even though I hadn't got a call.

"Well, it's been great today. I'll be home by about 7" I said kindly. "Goodbye, Grandma!"

"TIM! YOU'VE GROWN!" Grandma cried. Mum comforted her hysteria. Tim and Mum bid farewell to me as I gripped a Pokeball. I released it, and my big Skarmory appeared. He let out a healthy screech as his metallic wings flapped dust away. I clambered onto his back and shot off into the air, the clouds whipping into my face. Although I loved Grandma, and although I loved her toffee, spending time with her was such a chore!

*

Lewis

We walked down the road. Busted played through my yellow headphones. I strummed the beat on my leg.

"And I'm glad I crashed the wedding,
Nah-nah-nah regretting,
Nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh nuh, nuh-nuh-nuh nuh-nuh, he didn't wanna have a second name"

My Pokemon were all in their balls. I had actually sold my Slaking to the zoo for $100! I'll never have this much money AGAIN, I swear. I bought a nice watch, it had a fourth hand on for time travel...or something. I also bought a new backpack. The road leading away from Pontarico slowly wound towards my destination, which was the Gym on the Island. It had opened very recently, and since I've already competed in the Miami League AND had two badges from Hoenn, I felt strong enough to win.

The gym was a square shape. It was metallic silver. The words 'Gym' were above, in orange lettering. I approached the doors, when they both opened for me. I leapt back in shock. Cautiously, I crept inside, expecting a pitch-black room. However, I was greeted by a friendly reception area, with canary yellow and candyfloss pnik wallpaper. A lady typed behind a desk, while shouting the name of a trainer.

"Gentry, Mathew"

The boy, who looked 18, got up. He was very tall. His black hair was styled with wax. He wore jeans and a zip-up jacket. Mathew paced towards the staircase and walked down to face the Gym Leader. I took a seat and waited for my name to be called. As I waited, a girl walked in with a Jynx by her side. The two booked a battle and took a seat.

The cog's that powered my mind clicked and whirred as I began to think about whom to use against the Gym Leader. I didn't know the type, and besides, most Gyms used theme teams, they were awfully popular. That's why it really helped having a balanced team. I had dark, normal, grass, water, normal and fighting, as well as my egg. I wonder what it will hatch into?

About twenty minutes later, Mathew walked up the staircase.

"I won" He said, grinning at me. He clasped the badge in his palm. I couldn't see it. "Good luck mate"

Mathew walked out the doors and disapeared. I looked up at the receptionist, who called out:

"Adams, Lewis"

I leapt off my chair. My heart pounded happily. I paced towards the staircase and walked down the staircase. It was a spiral one, so I kept going round and round. The view from above disapeared, and as I walked, noticed that I was in almost pitch-black. I stopped. Staring above, I saw a velux window shining a patch of light on few of the metal stairs. I kept going. Soon, as I walked off the staircase I came to a shiny silver arena with red linings. A man stood at the other end. He had brown, scruffy hair and green eyes. He was about Mathew's size. He wore a pair of black jeans, with white stitches, and had a navy blue hoody on, the hood down.

"Lewis?"

"Y-yes" I replied shakily.

"Four Pokemon a side, that Ok?" The leader asked. I nodded. "I'm Brett, the Gym Leader. Let's rock"

Although we were bathed in light, more floodlights came on. Brett grabbed a great ball and threw it forward onto the arena. It opened mid-air and released the white energy, which formed into a large, dinosaur-like Pokemon. It had strange eyes.

"Armaldo" Brett cried confidently.

"I choose you, Lotad!" I cried, releasing Lotad from his Pokeball. Lotad screamed as he made eye contact with Armaldo. Brett looked confident. "Use water gun, Lotad! GO!"

Lotad leapt into the air and shot a stream of water out his mouth. Brett didn't even issue an attack. Armaldo was struck in the chest by the attack, but barely moved. He was forced back a small distance, but leapt forward and stomped the ground, causing a tremour. Lotad was hit. Armaldo began roaring loudly.

"Armaldo, crush claw" Brett snapped. Armaldo ran along the arena and grabbed Lotad. He then squeezed as hard as he could. Lotad was screaming loudly as he could as Armaldo gripped onto his fleshy body. "Armaldo, seismic toss, hyper beam combo"

Armaldo spun around a few times, Lotad still in his grip. He released Lotad, who soared into the air. From there, Armaldo released an orange beam of energy that flowed from his mouth gracefully. The beam hit the target, causing Lotad to drop limply from the sky. It smashed against the steel floor and twitched once, twice and once more. Armaldo stood over the Pokemon.

"Recall it, Lewis" Brett told me. "It's unconcious"

I grabbed his Pokeball and shot the beam at him.

"I'm sorry, Lotad!" I cried. Putting the ball away, I selected the next. "Try your luck, Meditite!"

Meditite formed from the light. He began practising a few punches. I cut in with the first attack. You see, I bought a book on battling. The first attack is always the decider. "Meditite, go for jump kick!"

Meditite leapt into the air, leg tucked into body. Roaring, he smashed his leg into Armaldo, who took the damage with force. Armaldo then rpared and forced his pick-like claw down at Meditite, but he leapt out the way. Meditite continued to leap out the way of Armaldo's stomps. Angered, Armaldo blasted a hyper beam at the floor, which Meditite had evaded.

"Great!" I cried. "Psybeam!"

From his palms, Meditite blasted a rainbow-coloured beam of energy. It reflected off Armaldo's shiny coat and smashed the ground. As Meditite leapt back, Armaldo stomped forward. He blasted another hyper beam and hit Meditite. He flew through the air and hit the ground heavily. I considered recalling him, but he sprang back up. Meditite sprang into the air and launched a focus punch, but it didn't do much damage at all. Armaldo swiped his claw and sent my Pokemon hurtling to the ground again.

"Meditite, go for a jump kick NOW!" I cried hotly. Meditite shook the damage off. Jumping, he forced his foot into Armaldo's face, and suceeded, Armaldo stumbling back. Meditite then launched an ice punch and hit Armaldo again. Unfortunately Armaldo hadn't been frozen, but took a lot of damage. Meditite, after dealing lots of damage, was pepped up and leapt high again.

"Yes!" I cried. "Attack with a psybeam again!"

"It won't work" Brett snapped. "ARMALDO! Blast furnace"

Glowing, Armaldo began roaring uncontrollably.

"It's ok!" Brett re-assured him. "Keep it up!"

It's body began to brim with heat, and red energy. It looked as if Armaldo, heating itself up somehow, was in extreme pain. It began staggering around wildly. It's metalic armour was flashing red and orange as he began to look up. He stared at the ceiling as the reddish glow fully eveloped his shiny body. Roaring, a large plume of flames soared into the air, before diving down at Meditite. It was continuous, as Armaldo was still supplying the heat for the attack. Meditite screamed its name as it was thrown into the air and slapped down to the ground. I watched on, concerned for him.

"Meditite's down" Brett told me sternly.

"Oh...umm...yes"

I took the ball in my hand, but hesitated for a second. I'd watched my idol, Ash Ketchum, and when his Pokemon were beaten up they managed to evolve to win. I stared at Meditite longingly.

"Meditite...come on, you can pull off another ice punch" I said gently. His body was charred and he looked awful, dare I say it. His eyes were closed and his breathing heavy. "Please, we're a team"

"Recall it" Brett snapped. "He's very hurt!"

"Ok, ok. Meditite, I want what's best for you, so if you can find the strength, we can win -

"RECALL YOUR ****IN POKEMON NOW!" Brett roared. "IT'S UNCONCIOUS FOR GODS SAKE!"

I sniffed as I recalled Meditite. TWO unconcious? Not for long. I sneakily clutched my next Pokemon and released it. The ball opened and from the burst of flashing, morphing white light, my powerful Shroomish formed.

"Shroomish, shroom"

"Haha! Show this thing how we battle" I said admirably, clenching a fist. Shroomish nodded.

"Armaldo, it's a weak one...AGAIN" Brett sighed, rolling his eyes. "Use an iron tail"

As its large, spiked tail flashed, Armaldo sent it swinging around. Shroomish crouched (as if that's possible), and leapt high, evading the attack. In mid-air, he blasted some razor-sharp leaves through the air. They repelled off Armaldo's coat. Shroomish then landed, and blasted a stun spore from the spout on his head. It whirred around the arena very quickly and soon, Armaldo inhaled it.

"Armaldo?" Brett questioned. His Pokemon had been frozen stiff. "ARMALDO!"

"HAHA!" I cried. "Great job, Shroomish!"

"Return" Brett growled. He recalled Armaldo and put the ball away. FINALLY, he was taken down.... Brett, however, grabbed another Pokeball, this one metallic silver on the top, and hurled it forward. After hitting the floor, the ball flew up and released the Pokemon. I'd seen it before, but knew not of its name. It had large steel wings and massive, clenchable talons. It gave a screechy cry.

"Skarmory's no pushover" Brett told me.

"Shroomish, another stun spore!" Came my cry.

As Shroomish's top opened and he blasted the thick, orange cloud into the atmosphere, Skarmory flapped high into the sky. Cawing again, it flapped its large wings with extreme force, sending the stun spore shooting back to our end of the arena. I began coughing heavily, but it soon dispersed. Skarmory then shot down to Shroomish, preparing for an attack. It smashed into my Pokemon and forced it back. Shroomish toppled over and looked pretty dazed. We had to keep going...

"Shroomish, try a solarbeam!" I yelled. The tip of Shroomish's head glowed as a green orb formed. Energy was leeched from the surrounding area and added to the ball, making it slightly bigger each time. Skarmory watched with Brett. Soon, Shroomish blasted the refreshing, green beam at Skarmory. His expression looked as if he was deep in concentration. It smashed into Skarmory's left wing, but it barely even moved. It then flapped high into the air.

"Steel types are resistant to grass" Brett told me, his voice low and contemptuous. "STEEL WING"

Wings sparkling silver, Skarmory tore through the air and sliced into Shroomish. The force sent Shroomish flying back into my arms. He had a large gash on his side. I pulled his Pokeball out and recalled him as Skarmory circled the sky. It then landed infront of Brett.

"Got anything else?" He asked. "Look, Lewis, this match is over"

"Not yet!" I cried hotly. "I have another Pokemon left!"

"It won't be a match for Skarmory, or my other two pokemon"

"How do you know?"

"I can safely guess" Brett said firmly. "Rules state I have to accept any challanges, which I have, and they also state I can end a match if I feel I am prolonging the inevitable, IE my opponent being too weak or too powerful. Please, just leave"

I looked into his eyes. He watched me with a determined look, but his voice seemed sympathetic and kind. What a contrast. I sniffed slightly and turned, leaving the arena and wandering up the spiral stairs. As I sniffed more, a pearly tear rolled down my face and down my cheek. I kept my hand clamped onto the banister as I patrolled up to the waiting room, where I had to face those people.

*

I came out the Gym and looked down the gravel path leading to the docks. The ships went to another Island in the distance, I think. I saw Krystal and Adam walking down the road happily. Krystal had released a Swablu, which flew in the skies with a Swellow which was Adam's.

"Hey there!" Krystal said happily.

"Hi" I mumbled.

"How did you do at the Gym?" Adam asked.

"Lost" I sighed.

"Nevermind, Gym's are supposed to test your strength" Adam said kindly. "Keep training and go back someday...teach that guy a lesson"

"I will" I said, my mouth turning to a smile. I wandered down the road and left those two to their happy thoughts. Brett wasn't going to win next time, not once my egg had hatched....

*

Chris

Today was drab. I'm feeling a little bit better. I came downstairs in my dressing gown and just watched daytime TV. Wobbuffet made me a get well cake, and even iced an ecstacy pill on the top, but unfortunately Grandma's Skitty wolfed it down with her pestery Taillow. Taillow had, in fact, broken out its cage, and when Mum, Grandma and Tim came back from a day out, Grandma assured Mum that Wobbuffet opened the cage, despite the fact the only key was tied around Grandma's ingrown toenail.

A few hours later, Brett had come back from another 'hard day at work'. He told me he was battling Lewis today, and that he whupped him to pieces. He also battled Rika, the Miami League Champion. She had been so strong and kept her Champion post for three years now, and was currently doing training to become a member of an Elite-style league in the North. Apparently she was very strong when battling Brett; He told me she used Ninetales, the same one that wiped me out in the Miami League finals, as well as a Gengar, Ampharos and a Medicham. Brett's standard was 4-4's; he used an Armaldo, a Skarmory, a Scizor and a Mawile. Mawile wasn't actually as weak as people made out; Brett's was very powerful; it had grown to 3 feet, and knew Hyper Beam. It was awesome.

Tim was outside with his Pokemon; he had caught a Houndour a year or so ago, and the two were running around with his Hitmontop. Tim really wanted Houndour to evolve, because Houndoom were the ultimate in cool Pokemon. I doubt it will; Houndour are rare, and Houndoom are even rarer. They take a very long time to evolve. Suzie came through from the Kitchen with a glass of Peach Juice and sat down next to me.

"How are you?"

"Fine"

"Your Pokemon seem to be Ok" She began, sipping the thick drink. "Although Dustox is a little drowsy... Thing is, most the immediate effects will have gone now, but there may be traces in their blood"

I noticed Suzie never mentioned "Cocaine" or "drugs"

"Jodi and Whitney came round this morning, when you were asleep. They brought Seviper"

"How is he?" I asked. I had been asleep till about 3PM.

"Very subdued. I think he's depressed" Suzie replied all-knowingly, taking another sip of her peach juice. I've tried that stuff, but it's too thick for my liking.

I stared out through the french windows. I could just see the reserve behind our Garden, with a load of Pokemon running around happily. I sighed. Dad was currently on the phone, ringing our Lawyer, Mrs Malarky. Why we have a Lawyer I have no idea, but she was apparently very professional. I thanked Dad as he talked. Mum was making tea, until Grandma started adding sugar until the Korma turned a sickly black colour and began shooting sparks. I turned my attention back to the TV.

*

"CHRIS! CHRIS!"

Suzie charged into my room. The door burst open as she handed me an envelope.

"Why are you shouting?" Came my inquisitive cry.

"I saved it from Houndour" Suzie said. "And he's quick"

I was worried, for a brief moment that sunday morning, that I had awoke to bed news. I took the envelope and ripped it carefully, before taking the letter out and unfolding it.

"Mr Haruka...blah blah...congratulations...surprise, random blood tests for three random Poke- OH MY GOD!

I raced out my bedroom, letter clutched in hand.