Pokémon Bloodstone | An Orre Fanfiction

Chapter 73: Challenger Rustie Vs. Elite Four

Dirk wasn't broken, like he was when Theta's Shadow Pokémon destroyed Weedle, but his friends had never seen him so quietly resigned. There was no time for Rustie to comfort him. She was called to the locker room.

'Challenger Rustie, #60, is challenging the Elite Four.'

Chobin's slightly creepy fanfare played. The technician didn't bother to fix the elevator doors.

'Yet another foolish challenger who thinks they can defeat Chobin! Chobin will put you straight!'

'Go on, Muk and Rapidash! We can do it!'

Chobin sent out Sunflora and Cacturne. Rapidash galloped. Sunflora was trampled by its flaming hooves. It wobbled back up. Cacturne let loose a Dark Pulse that left Rapidash wincing. Muk's slimy arm struck Sunflora. It fainted. Chobin sent out Sceptile. It glowed alongside his Key Stone. Muk was blasted by Dragon Pulse. Rapidash charged at Cacturne. It rocked back and forth before regaining its balance. It steadied itself to fire Hyper Beam. The furiously dazzling flash lit up the whole colosseum. When Rustie blinked the light away, Muk was a motionless pile of slime.

'You did great, Muk!'

Rustie sent out Pelipper. It was immediately battered by Sceptile's relentless Frenzy Plant. It tried to stand, but collapsed. Anxiety gathered in Rustie's chest. She couldn't lose to Chobin... she wouldn't lose to Chobin. Rapidash trampled Cacturne down. It fainted. Chobin sent out Jumpluff. Rustie sent out Sylveon. Dragon Pulse blasted Rapidash. Its legs gave way. Jumpluff used Swords Dance. Its attacking power was enhanced. Sylveon gathered all its energy to strike Sceptile with Moonblast. This time, when the light was blinked away, Chobin found his Pokémon unconscious. He sent out Tropius. Rustie sent out Ampharos. She held up her Key Stone. White hair billowed from Ampharos' head and tail.

Jumpluff used Swords Dance again. Sylveon dazzled it with Moonblast, but it floated back to Tropius' side. Tropius fired Dragon Pulse at Ampharos. It continued to stand tall. Thunderbolt struck Tropius. Then Jumpluff darted at Sylveon. It was relentlessly battered by Acrobatics. Rustie's heart ached when she saw it bruised and motionless. She knew she couldn't let her emotions get the better of her in battle, but she couldn't help it... another Dragon Pulse wasn't enough to take Ampharos down, but Thunderbolt wasn't enough to take Tropius down, either. Rustie sent out her last Pokémon, Tangrowth. Jumpluff immediately leapt at it. It wasn't just Sylveon. Tangrowth couldn't stand the brutal pummeling of powered-up Acrobatics, either. It landed face-down on the floor. Ampharos withstood Dragon Pulse. Thunderbolt finally knocked Tropius out.

Chobin sent out Sawsbuck. He was down to his last two Pokémon, too. Jumpluff planted Leech Seed around Ampharos. Sawsbuck used Swords Dance. It was knocked off its feet as Ampharos fired Signal Beam. Acrobatics was Jumpluff's only attack. It was ineffective against Ampharos. Sawsbuck leapt. Its hooves crashed into Ampharos' neck. Breath was pummeled from its stomach as it was slammed down by the pressure of Jump Kick. It crawled back into battle. Signal Beam knocked Sawsbuck out. Ampharos winced as Leech Seed sapped its health. Jumpluff darted. Ampharos defiantly weathered its beating. Thunderbolt left Jumpluff paralysed. As Leech Seed continued to drain Ampharos, it finally toppled over. Cail's whistle squealed.

'Challenger Rustie is defeated by Elite Four Chobin.'

No... no... no!

'Chobin won! Ahahaha! That will teach you not to underestimate Chobin! Chobin won!'

Tears streamed down Rustie's cheeks before she was even aware she was crying. Her clenched fists uncurled. The nurse healed her Pokémon. Rustie absentmindedly took their Poké Balls back. She felt as if she was frozen in place, staring her weakness in the face for all eternity, but her legs carried her back to the elevator without her knowing it. The staff door opened. Cail laid a hand on her shoulder.

'You OK, kid?'

'My Pokémon... my Pokémon who fought so hard for me... I've failed them...'

'Do you think I failed my Pokémon when I lost to you?'

'Of course I don't... but that's not your proper team...'

'Girl, my "proper team" loses to Hebon every damn Saturday. Hebon, man! A Bug Catcher! I lose to a Bug Catcher! Chobin's one of those guys who either goes down like a brick, or he wrecks you when you're least expecting it.'

Even a Gym Leader's kindness couldn't break through Rustie's clouds of despair. She would get over it. Of course she would. Now, though, she couldn't bear to show her face again in front of the crowd. She returned to the dock. When the elevator doors slammed shut and she realised she could only return to the peak by climbing Victory Road again or paying to enter as a visitor, she regretted it. She felt like a bad friend. Her friends assured her it was fine. There was no inspiration or bittersweet encouragement from being soaked by a wave for Rustie. She boarded the ferry to return to Gateon Port.