Pokémon Forums Story: Victory Road Chapter 4

Arlo walked into a dark, seemingly empty room with no trainer in sight.

“I have come to challenge you, show yourself!” said Arlo.

Dead silence. A minute passed until Arlo lost patience.

“Huh, I guess he isn’t here. Hey this is the last call to come out before I move on to the Champion” Arlo said with a smirk on his face.

“Oh but I am right behind you.” Said a mystery man right behind Arlo.

Arlo looked back and jumped in shock, with his heart nearly beating out his chest. The mystery man gave a great chuckle of amusement that reminded Arlo of a menacing Mighteyena. The room was too dark to make out any details, but the mystery man gave a snap of the fingers, and the entire room came to life. The room was in fact a glamorous arena with bleachers filled with an audience loaded with anticipation. In the center of the arena is a Pokémon battle ground. With a slick black semi long hairdo, a black leather jacket with a grey flame decal, and black jeans, stood the final member of the Elite four.

“I got you there, didn’t I!” Said the mystery man with a wide grin on his face.

Arlo, still in shock took a moment to respond, “You scared me half to death!”

The mystery man’s grin only grew wider “Ah but I forgot to introduce myself, my apologies. I am Gerald, the fourth and final member of the prestigious Elite four. It seems we have a real diamond in the rough, haven’t had anyone challenge me formally since the champion strolled past here years ago.”

“So, I guess you’re pretty rusty, huh?” Arlo asked.

“Maybe, but I am truly looking forward to this battle, it has been a long time since a worthy trainer has stepped in this arena! I run a battle coliseum here for the strongest trainers but usually don’t participate because they aren’t Elite four strong, but man a real competitor!” Gerald was fidgeting with his Pokéballs like a schoolboy at a candy store “Man this is gonna be great!” Gerald said with excitement, but he restrained himself ”Alright, well the rules are simple. We will have a double battle, you can only use four Pokémon, no healing, and the last Pokémon standing wins. No Mega Evolution, no Z-moves, no V-max, and no crystallization mumbo jumbo, got that?”

Arlo replied “Yeah, but what if I accidentally send out a 5th Pokémon?”

Gerald’s entire expression changed to a gaze that could make even a Krookodile tremble in fear. “You break any of these rules and you’ll regret it.” A touch of paralysis haunted Arlo until Gerald broke the curse with a loud chuckle. “Don’t worry, I am teasing you. But in all seriousness follow the rules, it would be quite disrespectful. Now, to each of us our corner”

Arlo felt an unusual, almost feral aura about Gerald, as if he was a mad Mightyena that broke out of his Pokéball. He realised that Gerald was going to be a truly fierce opponent and may possibly be the second strongest trainer in the region.

“Now…” said Gerald with a low voice, as if he is charging up “are you ready to rumble!” Gerald said with a loud screech!

“Come on team, the final hurdle to the Champion” Arlo whispered to himself. A fire light in Arlo’s eyes and yelled “I’ll take you on!”

“Now that’s the fire I want to see in our battle, let’s do this!” yelled Gerald.

Arlo sent out Duraludon and Serperior and Gerald sent out Pangoro and Houndoom. Both seemed to have a similar strategy, have a heavy hitter to take most of the hits and a light hitter to attack the weak points. Single Strike and Rapid Strike, perfect synergy. Pangoro ran towards Duraldon and used Arm Thrust, which Duraldon defected and countered with Dragon Claw. But with Duraldon’s guard open he took Houndoom’s fire fang. Stunned, Houndoom looked like he was charging up Inferno.

“Serperior, use slam” Arlo yelled.

With that command Serperior knocked Houndoom out of the way preventing Duraldon from getting knocked out, but at the same time taking some of the Inferno.

Without a moment to spare, Arlo snapped Duraldon out and said “Duraldon, use flash cannon on the Houndoom!”

With that Duraldon charged up and knocked out the Houndoom. Houndoom was out of commission, but as fast as he fainted a Mightyena came to finish what Houndoom started, taking out Serperior with Sucker Punch. Arlo pulled back Serperior and sent out Pawmot.

The crowd was excited! Gerald gave a grand chuckle “Man this is intense, Pangoro and Mightyena take out the cover!”

Pachamp attacked the Duraldon with low sweep, leaving the Duraldon at a critical state. As Mightyena was gonna follow up with Throat Chop he was knocked out of the way by Pawmot with Thunder Punch.

“Duraldon, come back!” Arlo yelled as he recalled Duraldon to his Pokéball and sent out Pyroar in his place.

“Change of strategy, alright I can dig that, come back here Panchamp” Gerald said as he took back the wounded Pachamp “Let’s do this Absol” Gerald screeched as he sent out Absol.

Both pairs of Pokémon charged at each other, Mightyena anticipated for Pyroar to attack it but made a false judgment missing with Sucker punch, left open for Pawmot’s Thunder Punch knocking it back. Absol followed up with Brutal Swing, knocking back Pawmot leaving the space open for Pyroar and Absol to duke it out. Pyroar charged forward and Absol followed, with counter after counter, hit after hit, until both Absol and Pyroar fainted.

“Huh, a truly equal battle.” Said Gerald with a serious tone “You don’t see that too often. Well, it’s down to the last two Pokémon, man I am feeling thrilled! Panchamp, you’re back out!”

Pachamp came right out, and with that Arlo sent Duraldon back after the time for recovery.

“Oh man, let’s make this a battle to remember!” yelled Gerald with a smile for the ages.

For a moment Duraldon and Pawmot stood in peace with Panchamp and Mightyena abiding by the peace. Even with the cheers of the crowd it was a silent stage, even the slightest creak could be heard. Despite that, with the snap of Gerald’s fingers the peace was broken and the duo charged towards Duraldon and Pawmot and with that the crowd broke into a fit of excitement! Mightyena changed forward with Bite knocked away by Pawmot with Electro Ball, knocking out Mightyena, to leave Pangoro the opportunity to hit Duraldon with Arm Thrust, knocking out Duraldon. Both Arlo and Gerald retreated their downed Pokémon.

“So, the last two standing. Let’s see who wins!” Gerald said with a wide smile!

“I am with you there! Pawmot, give it your all!” said Arlo.

And with that Pawmot charged forward with Wild Charge, partially blocked by Pangoro. Pangoro then used Low Sweep, knocking Pawmot back and to his feet. The crowd was in shock as a winner was about to be declared. Pangoro used this opportunity to use Hammer Arm but unknowingly to Pangoro, Pawmot was charging Focus Blast.

“Pawmot, use Focus Blast!” Arlo yelled, and with that Pawmot unleashed its power catching Pangoro off guard and knocking him out!

“Pangoro, come back.” Gerald said with a serious expression. There was a lingering silence in the room until Gerald gave a faint laugh which broke into a fit of laughter. “Now that was a battle for the ages! You are truly a strong trainer!” The crowd roared with excitement, now having a craving for more. “Man I think you may give the Champion a run for his money. You may move along to the Champion’s chambers!”

“It was a pleasure battling you!” said Arlo.

“You too, now the Champion awaits!” said Gerald “Oh and make sure to come back for seconds, I would love a rematch!”

And with that Arlo cleared the final member of the Elite four, ready to take on the strongest Trainer in the region!