Love in the Time of Teamwork

Chapter 14: An Effort

I always want story cover images for my story, but I'm never able to find them...or get someone to make them, since I suck at it. If anyone can offer their potential drawing skills, I'd be forever grateful! Oh well, Chapter 14 time!

Chapter 14

An Effort

Clemont was on the move, though he wasn't exactly having an easy time of it. Being far less athletically inclined than the rest of his teammates and even his sister, Clemont was huffing and puffing the whole way, driven on only by the prospect of winning the tournament. Thankfully, all of that was worked into their strategy for the tournament. Next to him, Luxray was dashing at a very easy clip, occasionally sending short bursts of Discharge into the air.

Sure, it might have alerted his enemies to where he was, but it also gave his other teammates a chance to know he was still in the fight. Similar spouts of electricity, flame, water, and even an egg were fired off periodically. On the screens that ran along the street Clemont was attempting to run down, Clemont could hears the cheers of the coliseum juxtaposed with the sounds of battle that had begun between Bethany of Team Brutal and Bruce and Trent of Team Trainer. So far, they had only exchanged a list of five moves.

That was clearly about to change.

"Chansey, use Egg Bomb!" Clemont nearly stopped in his tracks at the sound of Brock's voice on the monitor. How fast was he? Clemont had planned it that he would be going after the closest group on the monitors, but somehow, Brock had already managed to find a different group. That led to only a few conclusions: Brock was fast, Clemont's calculations were off and that group was actually closer, or Clemont was really, really slow. He was willing to bank on the latter.

"Brock has joined the party, making this a three-way battle!" Kalas roared out, his own voice indicating how excited he was to everyone.

"How will this affect the timed battle segment?" Sycamore was asking. Clemont started up again, but kept an ear open for the information. Any piece of knowledge was important for learning strategies and defeating their opponents. Just like switching Pokémon out, in a brawl like this, a trainer had to know when to fight and when to retreat.

"Since the Time Battle Zone was only activated by Bethany and Bruce and Trent, they are the only trainers subject to its rules. Remember that only a Locked Battle Zone can't be interfered with completely," Aston explained.

"In ozzer words, zis Brock is able to do as he pleases, while ze ozzer trainers must be mindful of zere moves," Pierre confirmed. Aston made a small noise in his throat to indicate that he was right. That was interesting to Clemont: only those who activated the zone had to be wary of its rules...which meant that if he walked into an already started battle, it was a free-for-all. Up ahead, the sounds of battle came closer.

"Get ready, Luxray," Clemont said sternly to his faithful Pokémon. Luxray grunted and slowed a bit, padding forward on his feet. The blond trainer and his Pokémon stopped on the edge of a plaza and peered into it. He had arrived at the square off between Team Rocket and Miette. Dawn had already retreated to who knows where, and Clemont could admit to feeling a little grateful. He didn't want to face a trainer as skilled as her this early. He figured he might win, but it would take too long and exhaust him before the real battles.

"Slurpuff, use Psychic!" Miette ordered. As Inkay was a Dark type, he was able to stay floating in the air without repercussion. Wobbuffet wasn't as lucky. He started floating up in the air, helpless to the bout of Psychic's blue aura that was gripping it.

"Wobba wobba!" he cried out, flailing his arms rather comically.

"Wobbuffet, hurry up and do something!" Jessie cried out loudly. James stepped forward and took the initiative.