The cold, morning air filled Kaylin's lungs, clearing away the last tendrils of sleep from his mind and energizing his body. The trainer raised his arms and stretched as he made his way from the front entrance of the hotel toward the Battle Pyramid. Despite having been awakened at 6:30 to received his next assignment, Kaylin was in a fairly good mood. The hotel mattress was softer than the ground, the pillows were more comfortable than a rolled up shirt, and--perhaps most significantly--a day of new challenges awaited him.
As he walked down the stone pathway, Kaylin mulled over the information he had been given regarding the Battle Pyramid. Trainers were required to make their way through the seven floors of the Battle Pyramid with three Pokemon and no items except what could be found in the Pyramid, battling any wild Pokemon that could not be escaped as well as other trainers that might be met. In this case, stamina seems to be the key. That can be accomplished by either withstanding attacks or taking out the enemy before they can deal any significant damage. Given that my Pokemon are more offense-oriented, the latter choice makes more sense. But I can't count on dealing instant knockouts every time either . . .
A shadow edged into Kaylin's vision, causing him to look up. The Battle Pyramid loomed before him. Engrossed in his thoughts, the tamer had not noticed himself nearing the structure. "Here already, huh?"
Upon entering the Battle Pyramid, Kaylin's eyes quickly scanned the lobby. Only a few other trainers were present, suggesting that he was either early or late. The male strode up to the attendant waiting by the Battle Pyramid entrance and held up his Battle Pass.
"My name is Kaylin Maher, and I've been assigned to the Battle Pyramid today."
The man glanced at a list resting on a nearby stand and nodded. "Of course, welcome. You are aware that you are not permitted any items and only three Pokemon."
"Yeah, I heard." Kaylin took off his backpack and unclipped a Pokeball from his belt, then handed both to the attendant. "Take good care of them."
"We always do," the worker smiled before giving him a numbered tag. "Don't lose this. All possessions and Pokemon are matched to trainer name and ID, but the tag expedites the retrieval process considerably."
Kaylin nodded and tucked the tag into his pocket. "Got it. Anything else?"
"You have until midnight to complete the challenge, though you may choose to quit at any point. Here--this is your item bag, and this is worn around the neck."
The tamer looked from the hemisphere and attached cord now in his palm back up to the attendant. "What's this for?"
"It's your light."
"My what?"
"Weren't you told? You're going to be in the dark."
"I--"
"Best of luck, Mr. Maher." The man pressed a button, activating the transport pad beneath Kaylin's feet.
As he looped the necklace light over his head, Kaylin shifted his gaze to and fro. The dim glow provided by the device once it flickered to life allowed a field of vision roughly one foot in radius. Making his way along one wall, the male peered into the vastness on his right. I can hardly see anything. This could take longer than--
A blade. Kaylin sprang back, narrowly dodging a sword-like tail swiping at his head. Hissing maliciously, a Seviper wound its way into the pool of light, swinging its tail slowly in preparation for another strike. Without a word, the trainer tapped a Pokeball on his belt. A scarlet flash briefly lit the area before forming into another, larger serpentine shape. Finbar growled, his neck arched threateningly over his opponent. The Seviper briefly quailed, then sprang forward with its jaw slung open and fangs bared.
"Stone Edge."
At Kaylin's command, Finbar swung a tail of stone directly into the snake Pokemon's mouth. The poison type was smashed into the ground with broken fangs. Struggling slightly, the Seviper raised its tail to fight back.
Looking on calmly, Kaylin ordered, "Against the wall."
The Gyarados lifted its opponent by its mouth--still hooked involuntarily onto the water Pokemon's tail by the pieces of fang remaining. With one more swing, Finbar slammed the Seviper into the wall. The wild Pokemon slid to the ground unconscious, and after a few seconds the light hanging from Kaylin's neck grew a little brighter. That's interesting. Stepping forward cautiously, Kaylin stroked the side of the Gyarados' head as he inspected the fainted Seviper. Finbar nudged his head against his trainer's hand affectionately in return.
"Good work, Fin. Not bad for a wild Pokemon, though, and I have a feeling they'll only get tougher from here. Think you're up for it?"
Finbar said nothing but merely stared at Kaylin as though he ought to know the answer. The young man smiled amicably. "In that case, I'll see you again soon." A tap of the Pokeball, and the Gyarados vanished.
Though he attempted to proceed carefully, Kaylin remained starkly aware that he stood out not unlike a Roman candle against the night sky. The light was both a blessing and a curse. Hearing something move ahead, Kaylin ducked into a side passage, only to nearly trip over a Gulpin. Upset, the wild Pokemon stretched its mouth open and released a noxious gas. Kaylin covered his mouth and dashed past the Gulpin. Though the stomach Pokemon was not particularly fast or aggressive, the substances it secreted were still dangerous. As he slowed his pace, Kaylin felt his foot bump an object. For a moment he was concerned it was another Gulpin, but upon looking down he saw an Ether. Even better, at the edge of his vision the trainer caught the gleam of a blue tile. Picking up the Ether, Kaylin stepped forward onto the tile. A strange yet familiar sensation passed through him, and he found himself on the next floor. Looking down, Kaylin noticed the light around his neck had dimmed to its first stage. I guess it resets on every floor. He turned.
A Seviper.
Face to face with the snake Pokemon, Kaylin sighed. "Not again," he muttered, then turned and ran. Though he guessed any one of his Pokemon could defeat the Seviper, conserving their health and energy for emergencies seemed the best option. Still . . . The tamer glanced back over his shoulder at the small pack of Pokemon now pursuing him. Looks like two Skarmory and a Butterfree have joined the Seviper. If I don't find the transport pad soon, I might end up needing to fight after all. Kaylin skid around a corner and continued down the hall, the wild Pokemon close behind. Up ahead he saw a Butterfree hovering. Tch. Is there a way around it? As he drew near the bug type, Kaylin thought he saw something blue just beyond it. Maybe this'll work out after all. "Ice Fang, Finbar."
The Gyarados materialized beside its trainer and surged forward, closing its jaws about the Butterfree before the wild Pokemon knew what was happening. Before the frozen Butterfree hit the floor, Finbar was already back in his Pokeball. Kaylin circled his fallen opponent and slid to a stop on the blue tile a few feet away. He vanished, leaving his pursuers gazing at empty air.
Wiping the back of his hand over his forehead, Kaylin leaned back against a wall. I wonder if every floor's going to involve that much running. Might even be more, depending on how long it takes me to find the teleport pad. All I know is . . . The trainer straightened as a sweet aroma reached him. . . . my first opponent is already here. With a dead end to his back and the fragrance coming from down the only hall, meeting the source of the scent seemed inevitable. Kaylin rested his hand over his Pokeballs as he made his way forward. Before long a Roselia came into view. Facing him, the plant type raised its flowers in preparation for combat.
"So you've been expecting me, too," Kaylin commented, pressing a button on the center Pokeball. Angel appeared from the resulting ruby glow. "Flame Burst," he directed.
In the same instant Angel hurled an orb of fire at the wild Roselia, the Roselia cast forth a purple cloud. The flames cut through the cloud and struck one of the Roselia's flowers as it sidestepped. Angel backed away from the remaining smoke, coughing slightly.
Was she poisoned? "Angel, are you alright?" Kaylin asked, keeping his eyes warily on the enemy Pokemon.
The Chandelure flared slightly in response.
"Good. We'll take the enemy out at the next opening."
The Roselia, angered at the damage to its valued flower, sent a flurry of leaves at Angel.
Just what we needed. Giving a slight nod toward his Pokemon, Kaylin commanded, "Energy Ball the leaves, then Flame Burst."
Angel smiled knowingly as she sent forth a massive, glowing sphere. The sphere tore apart the leaves but, due to its reduced density, did not vaporize them completely. As the light dissapated, the Roselia peered through the falling leaf fragments, searching for a sign of its opponent. Noticing a light source behind it, the plant type whirled about in time to see a still-smirking Chandelure sliding noiselessly out of a wall. Angel released a point-blank Flame Burst, instantly knocking the Roselia out.
"Good work, Angel." Kaylin snapped the ghost type's Pokeball open and withdrew her. She'll put on a tough face, but that looked like a Toxic attack earlier. If there's something in this place that removes poison, I want to find it as soon as possible. With only a glance at the Roselia's still form, Kaylin dashed down the passage.
After passing through two open areas, a room, and turning back from three dead ends, Kaylin discovered an object lying on the ground. "Looks like a Pecha Berry," he murmured. "The last Hyper Potion and Cheri Berry were nice, but this is closer to what we need right now. Hopefully it's not too late." As he tried to pick up the Pecha Berry, Kaylin felt something pulling on it from other side. Instinctively he let go and stepped back.
A Gengar rose from the ground, grinning as it tossed the Pecha Berry from hand to hand.
"Want to make me work for it, huh?" Kaylin commented. "Normally I wouldn't mind playing, but I don't have time for that right now." The trainer reached down to his side and activated a Pokeball. "Take him out, partner."
Darcy roared as he burst forth, spreading his wings and rising to the ceiling. Energy frothed about the Hydreigon's mouth before shooting downward in a single beam. The ground shattered as the Gengar was flattened into it by the Dark Pulse. Smoke rose from the Pokemon's body, every inch scorched except the hand holding the Pecha Berry. Kaylin plucked the berry from the fainted Gengar's hand and tapped Angel's Pokeball. The Chandelure glanced to and fro, searching for her opponent before she noticed the item her trainer was offering her. She ate it without question.
"Feeling better, Angel?" the tamer asked.
She nodded. Not quite as tasty as a soul but more needed at the moment. Darcy and Angel traded glances with each other before vanishing back into their Pokeballs.
After a few more minutes of searching, Kaylin found the teleportation tile leading to the fourth floor. The male scanned the area. Almost halfway there. He adjusted the bag slung over his shoulder and started into the darkness. Though he nearly tripped over a couple more Gulpin during the next half hour, escaping them was not too difficult. Unfortunately the next teleport pad remained to be found, and he was starting to lose track of where he had searched.
"You're lost, aren't you?"
Kaylin whirled about. A girl with red hair and an impish gleam in her eyes smiled coyly as she approached him. From the light hanging about her neck, he guessed she was another contestant. "You could say that," he admitted.
Plucking a Pokeball from her side, she leaned in close. "In that case, I have a proposition for you." The girl flicked the Pokeball into the air, releasing a Hitmontop. "If you beat me in a three on three battle, I'll tell you everywhere I've searched. And if I win, you'll tell me everywhere you've searched."
"Do I have a choice?" Kaylin raised an eyebrow.
She laughed. "Nope. So let's fight already."
Sighing, the male selected a Pokeball. "Do I at least get to know my opponent's name?"
"Weeellll fiiiine," the girl teased. "My name's Leila. And yours?"
"Kaylin. And this . . ." He opened a Pokeball, releasing the Chandelure within. ". . . is Angel."
"Pleased to meet'cha and pleased to beat ya," Leila quipped. "Ready?"
"Ready."
Leila sprang back, sweeping her hand forward as she called out, "Hitmontop, Stone Edge!"
The fighting type's feet transformed to rock as spun on its head moments before it sprang toward Angel.
Kaylin did not flinch. "Knock it back with Shadow Ball."
Ghostly energy flew from Angel, slamming the Hitmontop back to the floor before it reached her and leaving it unsteady.
"Another Shadow Ball, and aim for the head," Kaylin directed. The spinning of the feet maximizes contact between Hitmontop and the Shadow Ball, but it also knocks more of the attack away. Time to see which strike does more damage.
"Dodge and Pursuit!" Leila commanded, her previously lighthearted features now grim.
Angel's Shadow Ball struck empty ground as the enemy Hitmontop sprang into the air. The fighting Pokemon came down on Angel headfirst, striking her center as she looked up. The Chandelure glared at her opponent and released another Shadow Ball as she fell, launching the Hitmontop back into the air. The moment it reached the ground, Angel's next Shadow Ball bowled it over. Breathing hard, the Chandelure stared resentfully at her motionless opponent.
With a sigh Leila withdrew Hitmontop and cast another Pokeball into the air. "Don't think it's over yet. Ivysaur, Vine Whip! Hold that Chandelure still."
The plant Pokemon emerged in a flash of light, vines shooting from beneath its flower bud and grasping Angel's arms.
"Now Rock Smash, Ivysaur!"
"Energy Ball, then finish with Flame Burst."
Using its vines, Leila's Ivysaur slammed Angel into the ground. At the same instant Angel threw an Energy Ball downward, slowing her descent enough to minimize the force of the blow. As the dust cleared, the ghost Pokemon sent fire running along her opponent's vines. The flames combusted the moment they reached the Ivysaur, knocking it out in one blow.
Seeing Angel struggling to raise herself back into the air, Kaylin grimaced slightly. "It's alright, you don't have to push yourself."
Both trainers returned their Pokemon to their Pokeballs and reached for another. Scarlet lit the field as two new fighters came into play.
"Kricketune, X-Scissor!"
"Finbar, Waterfall."
Insect and serpent charged one another, the Kricketune's blades flashing as they came down on the Gyarados. Water poured from beneath Finbar's scales, surrounding him as the two opponents smashed into one another.
"Grab him, Finbar."
Kaylin's command came as the Pokemon were falling away from one another. The water type, flinching from the cuts now on his face, swiftly recovered and wrapped his tail around the Kricketune.
"X-Scissor again, Kricketune. Make him regret trying to hold on to you."
"Stone Edge."
Kricketune's arms came down on Finbar's tail—now made of stone—sending vibrations back through the bug Pokemon's body. As the Gyarados' hold tightened, its opponent's strikes became increasingly frantic until, almost suddently, they ceased entirely. Kaylin tapped Finbar's Pokeball, causing him to turn to light and disappear. Leila dashed forward to inspect her fainted Pokemon.
"Don't worry," Kaylin reassured her. "He didn't have the defense to last long, but I made sure not to go overboard either."
"Thanks, I guess." The female trainer withdrew her Kricketune, then straightened. "Anyway, a deal's a deal. I've searched for the tile leading to the next floor all over in that direction." She waved her hand to her left. "My time in the Pyramid's up now, but good luck, Kaylin." Leila's light dimmed as she vanished, presumably teleported away.
Kaylin rested his palm against his forehead as the light hanging about his neck brightened. "That was interesting . . ." He felt something bump his back and turned to see Finbar. "Oh, right. Thanks, Fin--I'll heal her now." The tamer removed a Hyper Potion from his bag and released Angel. The Chandelure bowed slightly, allowing herself to be healed as the Hyper Potion was sprayed on her. Once the bottle was emptied, it disintegrated. "Feeling better, Angel?" Kaylin questioned.
The Chandelure stretched her arms and rocked slightly as a nod.
"Glad to hear it. I'll try to give you a bit longer to rest, but I may be depending on you again soon." As Kaylin recalled Angel, she frowned slightly--more likely in regard to the former statement than the last. Adjusting his glowing necklace, the male ventured back into the dark. Using his previous search as well as Leila's to narrow the possible areas, he found his way to the fifth floor in under ten minutes.
The moment he arrived at the next floor, Kaylin felt something dart past him. A thin line of blood slipped down his cheek. Touching his face, the trainer discovered a cut. A screech, a rush of air, and a second cut joined the first. Raising his light up, Kaylin caught a blur of purple just before a slice formed on his arm. That sound, the color, and this speed . . . a Crobat maybe? After casting a quick glance about, Kaylin sprinted down the nearest hallway. If it's a Crobat, I know I have no chance of outrunning it. I doubt any of my Pokemon can keep up with it either, so I'll have to rely on the strengths we do have. He slid to a stop just before slamming into a wall. "Looks like a dead end . . . perfect."
A wave of air struck Kaylin diagonally, hitting his shoulder and neck. Though a little dazed he was able to reach one of his Pokeballs. Finbar materialized in time to be hit by the wild Crobat's next Wing Attack. Roaring angrily, the Gyarados looked about for his enemy.
"Stay calm," Kaylin said as he rubbed his throat. "I'm sorry, friend, but you're going to take some hits here. Just trust me as you always do, and I'll get you through."
At his trainer's words, Finbar quieted and fell still. Kaylin returned his hand to his side, his grey-blue eyes intently staring into the dimness before him. A purple mark darted about, scarcely slow enough for the human's eyes to see and already in a new location before directions could be given. Another attack caused Finbar to flinch slightly. Judging by the wild Pokemon's position, that was a contact move. He seems to favor that move since five of the six blows he's dealt have been that one which, I am guessing, is a Wing Attack. Going by the three attacks to me and the two to Finbar, this Pokemon doesn't have a set attack pattern. He does have set attack times, though, which means . . .
"Waterfall, now." Kaylin's voice snapped like a whip.
Water poured from beneath Finbar's scales, hitting the wild Crobat in a wave just as it was swooping in for its next attack. In the confined space of the dead end, the liquid swirled about--pinning the bat Pokemon to first one wall then another before finally dropping it to the floor.
Soaked by the serpent Pokemon's attack, Kaylin pushed back a bit of wet hair. So it was a Crobat after all. "Finish it with Ice Fang. Don't let your enemy up."
Finbar loomed over his opponent, cold mist surrounding his jaws. As the poison type attempted to rise, the Gyarados' fangs flashed down once, leaving the Crobat unconscious. Relaxing slightly, Kaylin removed his jacket to wring it out. Before he could speak, however, he caught sight of a light approaching. Moments later he heard clapping.
"I saw your battle. That was some fancy fighting." A girl with short, platinum blond hair came into view. She appeared to be a few years younger than Kaylin and had one eye partially hidden beneath a cap. "My name is Rachel. Think you're up for another fight?"
"Well if that's an official challenge, I don't think I have much choice," Kaylin laughed.
"It is." Rachel produced a Pokeball from beneath her jacket. "And you don't. First up it's your Gyarados versus my Elekid. Elekid, let's go!" She cast her Pokeball forward. A yellow Pokemon leaped forth from a red glow, energy crackling about its body.
Looking up at Finbar questioningly, Kaylin asked, "Think you're up for another round?"
The water Pokemon growled and coiled forward, his eyes fixed on his latest opponent.
"Then we're all agreed." Rachel folded her arms across her chest. "Elekid, Thunderbolt!"
"Redirect with Waterfall, then Stone Edge."
Lightning shot forth from between Elekid's prongs, making a direct line toward Finbar. Water washed out from the Gyarados' body as the electricity hit, current running down the water as it hit the ground. Finbar gritted his teeth, feeling the health drain from him even as he raised his tail. Slicing through the wave he had created, he scored a direct hit with Stone Edge. The Elekid dropped, the electricity it had been casting finally fading away. Rachel frowned as she withdrew her Pokemon, pausing a moment before she released the next. "Alright then. Take him out, Ninjask."
Kaylin held up two Pokeballs. "Sorry, but you'll have to wait on that. Come back, Finbar. And Angel . . . I guess your rest wasn't as long as I'd hoped."
In two flashes of scarlet, the male trainer's Gyarados vanished to be replaced with a Chandelure. Kaylin returned his Pokeballs to his side. Rachel sighed. "Just my luck . . . Ninjask, Swords Dance then Aerial Ace."
Too many fast Pokemon on this floor. If Angel can get in one good hit, though, that should be enough. "Angel, Flame Burst. Knock out your enemy as soon as possible. We don't need it getting any faster than it already is." Failing that, we can do what we did last time we fought a Ninjask. If things go well enough, it'll work as well as it did then.
Glowing faintly, Rachel's Ninjask flitted about Angel, dodging the flames she hurled at it again and again. Occasionally the Ninjask swooped in for an Aerial Ace which the ghost Pokemon could not seem to completely avoid. With each attack, the Ninjask's speed increased. Though Angel's attacks grew quicker as she adapted to rhythm of the battle, the bug type was always one step ahead.
"I think that's enough, Angel, don't you? Use Clear Smog."
A wave of white mist rippled from Angel on all sides, striking her opponent before dissolving into the air. The Ninjask buzzed angrily before resuming its previous movements. Now, however, it was slower--considerably slower.
Rachel's eyes narrowed. She knew her Ninjask's speed had been reset, and she had a feeling about what was going to happen. "Ninjask, Double Team!"
"Flame Burst."
Just as the Ninjask's image was beginning to divide, an orb of flame struck it in the stomach. Though she had attempted to suppress her frustration, Angel could not prevent herself from making her attack hit a little harder than usual now that she knew she could follow her opponent's movements. Still simmering with anger, the Chandelure readied another Flame Burst attack.
"That's not necessary," Kaylin said quietly. "It's already over."
"This round. But I still have one Pokemon left," the female trainer reminded him as her Ninjask reoccupied its ball. She threw another Pokeball onto the battlefield. "Gabite, go!"
"Angel, return. Darcy, this one is yours."
Two dragons materialized, one on each side of the field. They gazed at one another appraisingly, a rumble in their throats. Almost simultaneously the trainers broke the tension.
"Dragon Rush, Gabite!"
"Darcy, Dragon Pulse."
Gabite swept forward, pushing Darcy back as it slammed into him. The Hydreigon's hands bit down on the Gabite's arms, holding it in place. A hint of madness showed in the dark type's eyes. Darcy's mouth snapped open, releasing a blast of energy. Kept in place, Rachel's Pokemon struggled as the Dragon Pulse battered it. Once the attack was complete, Darcy dropped his opponent steaming to the floor. The ground Pokemon forced itself to its feet and resumed a fighting stance.
"I'm impressed. Not too many Pokemon can withstand Darcy's Dragon Pulse--especially at that range." Kaylin smiled, then looked over at his partner. Though the Hydreigon was watching Gabite and its trainer, he sensed Kaylin's eyes on him.
"Gabite, Dragon Claw!" Rachel ordered.
Springing up, the smaller dragon swiped glowing claws at the larger's neck. Darcy turned his arm and released another Dragon Pulse from one of his smaller heads. The Gabite fell down unconscious as a small cut formed on Darcy's shoulder. Without a sound the Hydreigon lowered himself at his trainer's side. Rachel snapped open her Gabite's Pokeball and withdrew it.
"Well, I guess that's that." Adjusting her hat, Rachel tucked her third Pokeball away. "Thought you might want to know: I think I saw a useful item in one of those hallways you passed. Anyway, goodbye." The tile beneath her hummed faintly, and she vanished.
Darcy lowered his head and picked up his partner's jacket from where it had been dropped at the beginning of the match. Looking at the dripping article of clothing, Kaylin remembered he was still wet from Finbar's Waterfall attack. Funny the things you can forget during a battle. Kaylin accepted the jacket with a half smile. "Thanks, Darcy. Mind, uh, helping me dry off while we go grab that item Rachel mentioned?"
