Pokèmon Legacy (Pokèmon Watty Awards 2013)

Chapter 30 - New Beginnings

“A Pokémon battle?” I asked, quizzically. “Why now…?”

“We never got to have a rematch after the Graduation Exam, did we?” Toby replied. “That’s why.”

As he walked to stand opposite me, I noticed him pull out a gold-plated Poké Ball. I noticed it instantly from when Professor Rowan had given it to him.

“Go! Victini!” Toby yelled, throwing the Poké Ball high into the air. Victini floated down from the whirl of light, smiling as always.

“Toby’s deadly serious about this battle…” I muttered to myself. I reached down and pulled out Totodile’s Poké Ball, throwing it high into the air. However, as Totodile appeared, I noticed that it was still worn out from the previous battle. Seeing my Pokémon still exhausted brought back the memories of the battles…Aaron’s death…

“Your Pokémon need rest, Sam.” Toby told me, strictly. “Use this Pokémon instead.”

Toby pulled out a new Poké Ball, and threw it towards me. I caught it with both hands, and stared at the new item for a few moments. Totodile slowly moved towards my side as I chucked the Poké Ball up into the air, and was shocked to see the Pokémon that appeared. 

“Articuno – the same Pokémon you fought when you battled against Lydia. It’s also the one that stood by your side when we battled Team Galactic at the Mountain Base.” Toby informed.

I was staring wide-eyed at the Pokémon before me. What…what was Toby planning…?

“Let’s get this started, then!” Toby shouted. “Victini, use Flamethrower!”

“Articuno, use…uh…” I muttered. My mind kept switching back to the battle against Madara. It was too painful to try and command a Pokémon after that, even if I wanted to. The final battle had shaken me…Before that battle, I had no idea that Pokémon could be used for such evil, nor that there were people who would try and kill them.

“Focus, Sam!” Toby shouted at me. “Pokémon are only hurt when they’re trainers abandon them in battles. Without commands, your Pokémon cannot function!”

As I watched Articuno be hit by the Flamethrower, I realised there was sense in what Toby was saying. But, despite that, saying commands was too painful. I could have lost my Pokémon in that battle...I could have died myself if it wasn’t for Axew jumping in the way of Shadow Lugia’s beam. How was it fair to put them in those kinds of situations…? Speaking with Izuna a few moments before had made me less mournful of Aaron’s death, but how could I forgive myself for the situation I put my Pokémon in?

“You remember how to battle, don’t you, Sam?” Toby asked me. I nodded. “Then tell me, how was it that you were able to defeat Shadow Lugia?”

Toby did not wait for an answer. “It was our Pokémon working as one. Our commands meant that our Pokémon could defeat one of the strongest Pokémon ever existed. Lugia, itself, is a Legendary Pokémon, and yet we defeated it with three starter Pokémon? Most people wouldn’t believe us if we told them. But we know that a mixture of the bond between our Pokémon and our commands achieved such a thing. Without our commands, Pokémon would not be able to achieve their maximum potential! Trainers are just as vital to Pokémon as they are to us!”

I breathed in, reflecting on Toby’s words. I…I had to do this. To save my friends, I had to get over what had happened!

“Articuno!” I shouted at the top of my lungs. “Use Ancientpower!”

Though I could not see it, Toby was smiling as he heard me give a command.

“Victini, dodge it!” Toby called before the rocks could hit his Pokémon. Victini expertly dodged the falling boulders, swerving inside and out of small gaps between them as they fell.