A Tale of Two Rivals

Attack of the Masked Coordinator Part II

Mine and Roselia's battle with this 'Phantom' guy and his pokémon partner, Dusclops, did not go at all the way I had anticipated. As a matter of fact, the battle was a complete one-eighty from the way I thought it would go. In under five minutes, my Roselia was lying on the ground, completely covered in scratches and panting really hard, desperate to catch her breath.

Every last attack that Roselia had thrown at the 'Phantom's Dusclops, it dodged and even sent back at her with its own hits. Hits that turned out to be twice as strong as Roselia's were. I was completely unnerved by my own battle against this 'Phantom' kid. I had turned desperate and nervous, and those were two whole emotions I never felt these days; least of all when it came to battling. The combination of not knowing just who this 'Phantom' kid was and having no idea of his goal in our battle, however, was little help in keeping my cool. Of course, seeing Roselia, my strongest pokémon and the first friend I had ever made, so completely hurt on the ground only got my stomach churning.

At that point, what was originally a practice battle instantly began seeming more like a massacre. The 'Phantom', whoever he was, was completely relentless. The guy in the Dusclops mask and his pokémon had thrown out attacks every chance our opponent's pokémon got, not even allowing Roselia to catch her breath. Looking down at my bruised and beaten up pokémon on the ground, I knew not what to do at the time.

Yours Truly: Rats! Now what?!

My brain: Should I try to keep the battle going or should I just call Roselia back and risk hurting both of our pride?

Granted, I knew my Roselia well enough to know that the both of us shared the exact same thoughts and that giving up was just not an option for either one of us. In this case, however, there was somewhat of a chance that I needed to consider making an exception to that policy of ours. That was when I heard the 'Phantom's taunting.

'Phantom': With the reputation you have as a pokémon coordinator, Drew, I would have thought that you would put up a better fight.

I just ground my teeth together with that kind of taunt from the 'Phantom', I was so mad. I was not only losing to this kid, but I was also out of options. I had no choice left but to recall Roselia back to the safety of her pokéball to prevent her from getting hurt any worse than she already was. The 'Phantom' never once gave me the chance to recall Roselia back to the safety of her pokéball, though.

'Phantom' (continued): Now, it's time to finish you off.

The 'Phantom' moved about in his cape as he gave his Dusclops its next command.

'Phantom' (continued): Dusclops, Shadow Punch!

A massive barrage of seemingly endless double Shadow Punches was suddenly unleashed from the Dusclops' fists. I was instantly desperate.

Yours Truly: Dodge it, Roselia!

Calling for her to dodge was the only thing I could think to do at that point of the battle with the 'Phantom', but it was just no use as Roselia was far too weakened by all of the previous hits she had taken from the 'Phantom's Dusclops. She was pounded by the barrage of Shadow Punches as a direct result and cried out in pain from it. I could practically taste blood in my mouth I was biting my left cheek so hard when the 'Phantom's next command for his Dusclops came.

'Phantom': Will-o-wisp!

I could do nothing but watch in complete horror as the ghost-type's fire attack that had been the source of so much trouble in my battle against the 'Phantom' throughout the whole match had crashed into my pokémon once again and sent her flying and landing at my feet. My poor Roselia was totally still by then, and I just looked down at my injured pokémon, basically frozen in my tracks before finally speaking.

Yours Truly: Are you alright, Roselia?

When she did not respond right away, I could feel my heart skip a beat or two.

Then, strong gusts of wind and black flower petals had swarmed all around me, and I had to shield myself from the raging winds. These black rose petals from the 'Phantom' effectively added insult to injury, as they felt just like a sick twist of some kind on my poor Roselia's own famous Petal Dance routine. I could do nothing in those moments except for trying my hardest to withstand the insanity that had surrounded me.

The 'Phantom' began shouting something at me. I could not pay attention to it, though. I was far too worried about my injured pokémon on the ground to my feet at the time, along with trying my hardest not to be blown backwards.

I did not need to listen to the 'Phantom's own words to know what he was saying, though. I already knew without a doubt that it was something which had to do with a contest battle. In fact, I knew exactly what the 'Phantom' had been saying during the time of which he had blown those black rose petals in my direction.

'Phantom': If this had been a contest battle, you'd be almost out of points already, Drew!

I hardly needed him to remind me about the Verdanturf Pokémon Contest in which I would now be completely unable to participate, never mind win.

Just as quickly as it had appeared the storm of black rose petals had ceased, and I found myself alone once again. Only this time instead of being ready for tomorrow's contest battle, Roselia was presently injured at my feet. How it was even possible, I knew not. I only gave myself so long to wonder about it, though.

Yours Truly: He's gone! But, how?

Next thing I knew, however, I was on my knees as I cradled my Roselia to my chest, looking her over and assessing the damage that had been done to her. She was my first pokémon and my absolute best friend the world over. I just could not process that she was in such bad condition because I could not handle a few petty insults. I also knew that a part of it, however, was because that 'Phantom' kid was just plain insane. Of course, there were several moments when the match would have been called, and there were even moments when the match should have been called. Neither one of us had relented, though.

It still hurt, however, to see my number one pokémon breathing heavily in my arms like my poor Roselia were trying not to die. I just could not believe how I could have let something like it happen to her, especially when knowing exactly how much Roselia had meant to me.

My poor pokémon was in such bad condition, and I could see it. I also knew, however, that the extent of Roselia's injuries went well past all of the bruises and gashes that she had sustained on the outside of her body and that she was more than likely in even worse condition inside as well. This sort of thing was not something which could be fixed with just the potions and paralysis healing or antidote that I had on me. I knew for a fact that Roselia needed a Pokémon Center right away.

I did not even think to recall my poor Roselia back to her pokéball once the battle was over and the 'Phantom' had vanished or once I had picked her up, not even at any time along the way. I only carried her in my arms the entire way to the Pokémon Center. I finally made my way back into Verdanturf Town, simply ignoring every I had passed by along my way to the Pokémon Center.