Pokemon Heroes: Sinnoh Saga [Book 1]

Chapter 53: Rematch with Maylene

"My rematch with Maylene did more than just earn me my badge. It earned me the friendship of another Trainer and Gym Leader, Maylene. I'll be honest; so much of that battle is a blur to me. I don't remember much. But I remember the victory after. I had used Pokémon with no particular advantage or disadvantage against Fighting type Pokémon. It was my Luxray, my Gabite and my Cranidos. I had my edge back. My element of surprise; my wit and ability to maximize a Pokémon's strengths over their type matchups was perfected in this battle. Battling like that is what made me famous."

"Gabite, use Dragon Rage!" cried Sam.

"Dodge, Lucario!" was Maylene's quick-time response.

Her Lucario narrowly escaped the flames, retreating back closer to its Trainer.

There was a short pause before Lucario pressed the offensive again, going in at Gabite with a Metal Claw.

Gabite, at Sam's command, grabbed Lucario's paw in its mouth with his sharp teeth, and bit down hard. Using all of his strength, Gabite tossed Lucario across the arena, back towards Maylene.

Sam stood there, sweat beading on his brow as he watched Maylene and her Lucario. Sam's Gabite panted heavily as it waited for the equally as exhausted Lucario to strike.

Sam was in the middle of his match with Maylene.

He fought this battle alone. His grandfather waited quietly in the stands, while his friends, Pikachu, as well as Dawn, Lucas and Barry watched with bated breath, standing in the side lines as the battle came down to a hair.

In the first round, Sam used his Cranidos against Maylene's Meditite. Cranidos was small, but she hit like a truck. Though Meditite was sturdy for a small Pokémon, it's defensive moves and diversionary long-range tactics were no match for Cranidos's sheer ability to demolish anything in its path.

Maylene's Machoke was her second Pokémon, making short work of Cranidos. Sam sent out Luxray second. Machoke was surprisingly quick, and its Rock Tomb would've made short work of a Pokémon like Staravia, and it had in the past.

But Luxray was faster. Luxray could also take a hit.

Karate Chop, Strength—they barely left a scratch.

Rock Throw was too slow for Machoke to land a hit with.

In the end, Luxray wore away at Machoke until he was exhausted, then brought the Pokémon down by sinking his teeth into the Pokémon's forearm.

While Machoke tried to defend against a feint Bite attack, it sacrificed its forearm, hoping to grab Luxray at close range and smash the Pokémon with its physical attacks.

But Luxray let out a horrific Thunder Fang just as Machoke went to move. The lightning surged through Machoke's body and knocked the Pokémon out.

Luxray collapsed shortly after the second round was called in favour of Sam.

Sam gave the Pokémon his rest and sent out his Gabite.

Gabite had been with Sam the shortest time and had seen the fewest battles. But Sam had been rectifying that lately, especially with this battle.

Lucario, however, seemed to be evenly matched with Gabite. Though neither had a type advantage over the other, they were both also equally as strong, fast, and quick on their feet, and they both hit just as hard.

Both Pokémon were exhausted, and everyone was waiting with anticipation and anxiety to see who would win.

Sam knew the next few moves would decide the match. He needed to be quick, and smart about this. He couldn't afford to lose a second time. That wouldn't be right; not after all the hard work he put into training himself and his Pokémon for this rematch.