Chapter 4: Chapter 04
Notes: Thanks to my patrons- Josh, Cooper, Austin and TheBerryMan for supporting my writing. Thanks to you guys who engage the comment and powerstone system on behalf of the fic as well.
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[Rustboro City Pokemon School]
[*A Year Later*]
Silver was sitting in Roxanne's office within the Pokemon school where she taught as a teacher to younger children who were aspiring to be Pokemon Trainers, Researchers, Breeders, Groomers, Contesters, Battlers, etc.
He had just celebrated his thirteenth birthday a few days ago and was currently watching his brother, Steven's fourth and final challenge to the Elite Four happening in Ever Grande City.
Steven had challenged Drake to a 6 vs 6 with a total of six substitutions and the dragon master had accepted.
Silver watched as his brother was announced by the announcer followed by Drake's entrance.
Steven was dressed in a sharp navy blue suit, perfectly fitted and accentuated by a subtle pin-striped pattern. He complemented it with a crisp white shirt and a burgundy silk tie, exuding a sense of style and refinement.
The announcer seemingly done with making the same introductions of, 'Steven Stone, Elite Level Trainer, Fourth Elite Challenger' and 'The Fourth Elite, Drake, The Dragon Tamer' finally gave the call for the battlers to ready their poke balls and release at the same time.
Both of them removed a pokeball from their utility belts and immediately released their first pokemon.
A Bastiodon and an Altaria took to the field from Steven and Drake respectively.
Both pokemon were very sturdy when it came to defence.
"Iron Defense!" "Rain Dance!"
Silver was slightly surprised that both trainers had gone for set-ups. Drake was normally a very aggressive attacker and almost never used terrain set-ups.
As Bastiodon glowed in a white glow showing the use of a steel-type move, the stadium was covered in dark clouds that started to rain.
The rain poured down, drenching the battlefield as Altaria's feathers glistened with moisture. The announcer's voice boomed through the stadium, providing commentary on the intense battle unfolding before the spectators.
"Steven's Bastiodon strengthens its defences with Iron Defense, preparing for any incoming assaults. Meanwhile, Drake's Altaria summons a Rain Dance, altering the battlefield with a torrential downpour. This change in weather could potentially benefit Altaria, a Dragon and Flying-type Pokémon known for its agility and special attacks."
The rain intensified, creating a challenging environment for both trainers. Steven and Drake locked eyes, determination gleaming in their gazes as they assessed the situation and plotted their next moves.
"Altaria, let's start by taking advantage of the rain. Use Hurricane!" Drake commanded, his voice resolute.
Altaria spread its wings wide, gathering the swirling winds within its grasp. It then released a powerful gust, conjuring a mighty hurricane aimed directly at Bastiodon. The strong winds whipped through the rain, collecting water to drench the pokemon.
Steven's eyes narrowed, acknowledging the threat. "Use Stealth Rock!" he countered swiftly.
Bastiodon, surrounded by the glow of Iron Defense, shifted its focus to creating a defensive hazard on the battlefield. It stomped the ground with its massive feet, causing sharp rocks to materialize and scatter across the rain-soaked arena. These rocks would inflict damage on any Pokémon switching in or out of battle, further bolstering Bastiodon's defensive strategy.
The hurricane collided with Bastiodon, but the stalwart Pokémon remained resolute, withstanding the assault due to its fortified defences. However, the tempestuous winds were relentless, battering Bastiodon and chipping away at its endurance.
"Altaria, maintain the pressure! Follow up with a powerful Dragon Pulse!" Drake commanded, seizing the opportunity.
Altaria responded swiftly, gathering a concentrated ball of draconic energy within its beak. With a resolute cry, it unleashed the Dragon Pulse, a powerful special attack that surged through the stormy skies and streaked toward Bastiodon with ferocity.
Steven gritted his teeth, formulating a defensive strategy of his own. "Bastiodon, endure the Dragon Pulse! Use Iron Head!" he commanded.
Bastiodon braced itself against the incoming Dragon Pulse, its sturdy body standing firm amidst the powerful assault.
The clash was intense, the Dragon Pulse and Iron Head colliding in a dazzling display of power. The rain continued to pour down, intensifying the atmosphere as both Pokémon fought fiercely.
The announcer's voice boomed, capturing the escalating tension. "A clash of power and defence! Bastiodon and Altaria are locked in a battle of attrition! Which Pokémon will emerge victorious?"
Silver growled, "Of course, Steven will win you useless commentator."
His brother proved him right when his clenched jaws suddenly loosened replaced by a smirk.
"Deflect the attack away," Steven shouted to his Bastiodon which screamed,"Don!" before the shine of its Iron Head brightened and it turned its head just a tiny bit and the dragon's pulse seemed to slip off of Bastiodon's head and the ground behind him.
The pulse ravaged the field but left Bastiodon standing albeit a bit tired.
Drake who had watched his attack fail did not seem to mind it as he smiled back at Steven before shouting, "Thunder!"
Silver grimaced as he thought, 'Well the rain dance will make sure that Thunder hits Bastiodon and Bastiodon's rock typing won't save him thanks to him getting wet, looks like Steven is losing this round.'
Steven however did seem to think so as he roared, "Protect!!!"
Instead of the single shield that normally accompanies a protect, a total of three shields made of hundreds of small green polygons erupted above Bastiodon to protect it from the strike of electricity descending upon it.
The clash between the two moves commenced as the bolt of lightning collided with the Protect barrier. The impact created a blinding explosion of light and sparks. Thunder crackled through the protective shield, causing it to ripple and strain under the immense electrical energy. The clash of opposing forces created a brief but intense struggle between the power of Thunder and the resilience of Protect.
Despite the immense power of Thunder, the Protect barrier held its ground, successfully tanking the attack. Bastiodon's defensive manoeuvre proved its worth as the shield absorbed the majority of the Thunder's force. However, strands of electricity managed to escape through the cracks in the barrier, dealing minor damage to Bastiodon.
As the clash subsided, the Protect barrier showed signs of strain, its shimmering surface flickering and diminishing in intensity. The remaining electricity danced around Bastiodon, causing small sparks to jump from its metallic body. While the damage inflicted was minimal, it served as a reminder that even the most formidable defences could not completely nullify the potency of an attack like Thunder.
'Had the shield been higher away from Bastiodon, he would have taken zero damage to the move,' Silver should have added this part of the strategy to Steven when he was discussing how he wanted Eevee as a defensive pokemon. Steven and Silver often talked about Pokemon Training and Silver had told his brother of his plans and the type of pokemon he liked. Steven had understood Silver's love for more cool and malevolent-looking pokemon and even shared his own experiences with Silver. They had discussed ideas and strategies, both of them felt Steven could use during his championships often talking on the mobile phone for hours on end.
Silver had actively helped Steven build his pokemon team. His brother had been planning to get a Lileep and Anorinth as resurrected from fossils he had found during his journey and Silver had protested the choices violently since Devon would be the one that would resurrect the pokemon, Silver had gotten his brother to trade the fossils from the ones that were already in the inventory.
His brother had been reluctant since he wanted type advantages, but Silver had convinced his brother to get Shieldon, Aerodactyl and Tyrunt in return for the fossils and a few precious stones.
'His team is a lot more dangerous now than in the games.'- Silver was proud of the work his ideas had done, since Silver had always found his brother's reliance on Metagross as a sweeper bad. Steven, thanks to his brother's nagging now, boasted a far more notorious team even, if more steel and rock reliant then the original games.
Bastiodon, unfazed by the minor harm it endured, stood resolute on the battlefield. Steven and Drake were still unfazed by the attacks collision and both ordered at the same time.
"Power Shift!" "Agility!"
Again both trainers had chosen status-effecting moves at the same time.
Drake immediately followed with the order "Get in close and roast that tin foil with Dragonbreath."
Steven shouted an order in turn, "Let it come close... and Ice Beam."
The result was as expected when the ice beam tore through the dragon's breath and hit Altaria immediately taking it out of the fight.
The announcer called a 30-second break and Silver switched off the monitor before dragging himself off the couch he had been sitting on. Since the gym circuit was currently closed due to the League Championships, Roxanne had been increasing the time of their daily sessions. This was also not helped by his parents leaving him in Roxanne's care as they left to support Steven during his challenge for the title of Regional Champion.
Yes, as soon as Steven became League Champion, Elijah Stone changed his tune very quickly and also began supporting his son.
'The increase in sales after Steven's victory might have had a hand in his sudden increase in affection for big brother too.'
Silver hated that he couldn't have gone with his parents to support Steven due to his obligations in the gym program which did not allow for a leave of more than one day unless for medical reasons.
And since Ever Grande was literally on the other side of the region, he would have to take at least a week-long vacation for the trip since they would have to ferry across the region.
There were other reasons like Eevee being on the cusp of evolution too. Silver had planned to induce a stress evolution by battling at night in the coming days.
AN:
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