Pokemon Heroes: Sinnoh Saga [Book 1]

Chapter 104: Elite Four Bertha!

"I hate Whiscash. I really hate Whiscash. Whiscash was the bane of my existence..."

Sam sat in the waiting room once more, waiting for the next match to be called. He wasn't allowed to meet with his friends or anyone else in between matches, just himself, his Pokémon and his Poké Balls, and technically the spectre of his grandfather.

Sam was glad no one else could see him, because having his grandfather here—despite the rules—was a comfort.

"You did great," smiled Aurelio, "I'm very proud. But it's not over yet."

Sam nodded. "I can't get cocky."

"No," agreed Aurelio, "Especially not against Agatha. She's been around long enough to see a variety of battle styles. She's probably your biggest hurdle to Valentina."

Sam nodded again. "She's up next," he stated, "She could make or break my Elite Four run."

"Do you know what she masters in?" asked Aurelio.

"Ground Types," replied Sam, "I've got Empoleon as my Water Type, and he can deal with Bertha's Pokémon. Rampardos could be used in a pinch, with Ice Beam, but she bears a type weakness to Ground, being Rock Type, and I don't want to rely on her too much after that battle with Vespiquen. She needs to rest, Full Restore or not, she's tired."

Aurelio nodded. "You have a tough battle ahead...you'll essentially be relying on a single Pokémon, unless you can exploit a secondary typing in her Pokémon, if they have them, and if you have the countering type available."

Sam nodded. He bit his lip. He had a feeling Bertha would be his biggest roadblock on the way to Valentina.

He could always try again, sure, but...Sam, in his ego and heart, wanted nothing more than to sweep the Elite Four in a single go.

But even Sam was starting to doubt he could do that now.

* * *

Palmer looked at Rowan with a serious look. "He's got a ruthlessness to him, just like the old man," he noted, "I wonder how that will carry into other parts of his life."

"Incredibly well," grunted Rowan, "You saw how he handled the Galactic affair. Damn near laid siege to Veilstone City with a makeshift army. Brought the city and its defenders to their knees, and then laid waste to their plans at Mount Coronet."

"He's like a Granbull with a bone," chuckled Palmer, "Just like his grandfather."

Rowan nodded slowly.

The conversation ended shortly after as the referee announced the beginning of the second round.

Sam returned to the Challenger's Box, and the box raised itself above the field once more.

The Elite Four member known as Bertha—though she needed no introduction, and her reputation preceded her.

She stepped into her box, and the gate closed behind her, and slid the box forward so it perched over her edge of the field.

Valentina shifted in her throne as she prepared to watch the fight between what she considered one of her strongest Elite Four, and her greatest challenger.

Sam and Bertha locked eyes.

The older woman smirked. "I hope you're ready for a tough fight."

"I thought that's what I was here for," laughed Sam.

Bertha nodded. "Yes, I suppose that would be the reason."

The referee recited the rules once more, and each of them chose their first Pokémon.