From: Time Lady <sailrgal@swbell.net> Subject: [PW!][League]Wet 'n Wild on the Water Field: Lynne vs Sarah Jane Date: Monday, December 20, 1999 10:43 PM Breathing a sigh of relief, Sarah Jane walked into the Pokemon Center. There was still plenty of time before her battle, and she could not only pick up her other Pokemon, but she could have the ones that battled healed. Pteryx, now wide awake, sat perched on Sarah Jane's head, her underdeveloped claws holding on to Sarah Jane's headband. Cuddles, exhausted from her battle, slept in Sarah Jane's arms. Spunky followed dejectedly on his leash. "I know you want to battle," said Sarah Jane, "but the next field I'm on is the Water field." "Ni do ran...." "Yes, I know you can swim... but it will be hard for you to both swim _and_ battle. If you're well behaved, maybe I'll let you battle on the Grass field." Spunky continued to grumble as Sarah Jane stepped up to the desk. "May I help you?" asked Nurse Joy. "I'd like to have my Pokemon healed," said Sarah Jane. She handed Cuddles to Nurse Joy, along with the Pokeballs containing her Dewgong and Hypno. "I also need to get my Mr. Mime and other Pokeballs." "You're the girl that defeated Lance on the Ice field, aren't you?" asked Nurse Joy. Sarah Jane nodded. "We were watching the match on the television in the back. Some of the Pokemon like to see what's happening with their trainers. Your Mr. Mime was rather enthusiastic about the battle. I'll get him." Nurse Joy disappeared into the back. Spunky was becoming restless, so Sarah Jane gave him the PokeDoll to play with. The Nidoran attacked it furiously, releasing his pent up frustration at watching his sister get to be in an important battle. Pteryx flapped her wings occassionally, trying to maintain her balance. The baby Aerodactyl began to flutter precariously, so Sarah Jane moved her to the counter. Nurse Joy returned with two Pokeballs and a Mr. Mime in tow. Shields rushed around the counter to hug his trainer. "I missed you too," said Sarah Jane. "I really could have used you in that last battle." She looked at Nurse Joy. "How long before my other pokemon are ready?" "Since they're not hurt too badly, just knocked out, it shouldn't take more than an hour. The female Nidoran is just sleeping, but we're making sure she's reenergized for you." "Thank you," said Sarah Jane. Since the next round of battles were in progress, the Center was relatively quiet. She found a seat by one of the televisions and waited. Pteryx squawked and tried to engage Spunky in play, but he was still in something of a funk. Shields took a piece of string out of Sarah Jane's pack and trailed it along the ground, distracting Pteryx. He moved it out of the way just before the baby could grab it. After making sure her Pokemon were still within a reasonable distance, Sarah Jane turned her attention to the television. She blushed when she saw that the announcers were doing a report on her battle with Lance. "I don't see what all the fuss is about," she said to Shields. "I mean, if I was just facing him as part of the Elite 4, no one would have cared." She listened as the announcers repeatedly showed the scenes of Cuddles versus the Dragonite, then sighed with relief as they switched to the next field. Periodically she checked up on Spunky and Pteryx. The incident with the kidnapper made her wary, and no doubt Team Rocket would be lurking around the competition hoping to steal rare Pokemon. Sighing, she bent down and picked up the scraps of the Pokedoll Spunky had demolished. He had worn himself out and was dozing on the floor. Pteryx became tangled in the string. By the time Sarah Jane had untangled her, a Chansey walked over. "Chansey. Chan chan see..." "Oh, thank you. I'll be over in a moment." Sarah Jane roused Spunky, set Pteryx in her carrier, and walked over to the counter. "Here you go," said Nurse Joy as she returned Sarah Jane's Pokeballs. Cuddles, now alert and refreshed, jumped off the counter and lept at her brother, bowling him over. Irritably Spunky snapped at Cuddles. "Spunky, cut that out," admonished Sarah Jane. "Thank you very much, Nurse Joy." After attaching Cuddles' leash, Sarah Jane walked out of the Pokemon Center.... and right into a swarm of reporters. "Excuse me Ms. Eckert," said a reporter. "Can we have a word with you?" said another. Someone shoved a tv camera almost in her face. Another stuck a microphone out. Cuddles and Spunky growled at the proximity of the strangers. Shields looked at the reporters irritably. "We just wanted to talk to you about your match earlier. Could we get you to say a few words?" Sarah Jane blushed furiously. The attention was more than she was used to. She tried to move away, but the reporters pursued her. The guy with the microphone made a mistake by shoving his microphone too close to Pteryx. The baby Aerodactyl, thinking the microphone was something edible, nipped at it, pulling off the foam cover. "Hey!" complained the microphone man as he tried to retrieve the cover from Pteryx, who then nipped at his fingers. Another reporter carelessly didn't watch where he was walking.... proved by a small yelp, followed by the sharp teeth of an already irritable young male Nidoran. "Oww owww owww!" shrieked the reporter as he hopped around. Panicking at the increasing throng of reporters, Sarah Jane picked up Cuddles and Spunky and held them close. Shields tried to intervene on behalf of his trainer, but the reporters didn't take the clown-like pokemon seriously. So many strangers.... pushing....shoving..... all Sarah Jane wanted to do was to get away.... Cuddles and Spunky both snapped at reporters as they continued to shove their microphones and cameras at Sarah Jane. "Please.... leave me alone...." she begged them. "Just a few comments on your match...." "She asked politely to be left alone," said an authoritative male voice. "If you persist in badgering her, I will call Officer Jenny." Sarah Jane sighed in relief as her grandfather stepped through the crowd and positioned himself between her and the reporters. "We just wanted to hear her opinion of her previous match..." protested one of the reporters. "And you are about to make her late for her next match. Should my granddaughter wish, we will stage an organized press conference. However, should you continue to force the issue, I will call in the police." Confronted with the possiblility of being banned from the competition, the throng of reporters quickly dispersed. Sarah Jane buried her face in her grandfather's chest as he embraced her. Lillian quickly joined them. "They just wouldn't go away," said Sarah Jane tearfully. "They just kept pushing and..... and... I was afraid..... I was scared I would...." "Shhhh..... they're gone now," said Lillian gently. "We had better walk you to the water field, in case other reporters are lurking," added Dr. Eckert. He took Spunky from Sarah Jane, while Lillian took Cuddles. "I'll talk to Officer Jenny about reporters keeping away." "They were worse than Gyarados in a feeding frenzy," interjected Lillian. "I.... was afraid...." began Sarah Jane in a low voice. "We know sweetie," said Dr. Eckert. Sarah Jane shook her head. "No.... I wasn't just afraid of the reporters.... I was afraid I would use my mind.... the way I did against the kidnappers...." Lillian and Xavier looked at each other. Shields put his hand on Sarah Jane's arm reassuringly. "After the tournament, there's some things we need....." Dr. Eckert was interrupted by the PA. "Would all contestants report to their fields.... all contestants report to their fields...." "You and Shields better run ahead," said Lillian. "But...." began Sarah Jane. "Go ahead," said Dr. Eckert. With a nod, Sarah Jane and Shields began to run towards the field. As Sarah Jane entered the stadium, she could hear the announcer introducing her opponent. "Now entering the stadium is the red trainer, Lynne from Celadon!" Sarah Jane reached the gate just in time to see a rather self assured appearing young woman enter from across the field. Lynne walked up to her trainer's box, certain she would win. The announcer next announced: "And on the other side of the field is the green trainer, Sarah Jane Eckert from Rosetta!" Sarah Jane steps out onto the field, followed by Shields. Lynne looked at Sarah Jane from across the field. Sarah Jane knew the "what's a little girl doing here" look. "Go Scyther!" called Lynne as she tossed out her Pokeball. Sarah Jane bit her lower lip. She wished Bombadier was still alive, as the Fearow would probably be the best one to beat a Scyther. She couldn't help it though. "Go Nipper!" Sarah Jane's Kingler appeared on the field. The two Pokemon faced each other, waiting for the referree's signal. The flag lowered. "Quick attack!" ordered Lynne. "Dive underwater," called Sarah Jane. The Kingler dove into the water a fraction of a second before the Scyther managed to strike. It looked around, trying to find Nipper. "Use your Strength!" "Double Team!" shouted Lynne. Nipper lept out of the water to find himself facing multiple Scythers. He looked around in confusion. "Slash him now!" ordered Lynne. The multiple Scythers struck out at Nipper, with the real one landing its blows. "Nipper, go underwater again!" called Sarah Jane. The Kingler again lept into the water, leaving the Scyther waiting. "Get ready with Agility!" commanded Lynne. Sarah Jane bit her lower lip. The Scyther was almost too fast for Nipper..... She thinks a moment.... "Nipper, churn up the water with Surf!" Jets of water begin to erupt around the field. The Scyther duplicates disappear under the water onslaught. "Keep up the Agility," shouted Lynne. "Nipper, keep it up!" As fast as the Scyther is, it can't completely elude the jets of water constantly erupting around it. One of the jets hits it full force, knocking it into the water. "Get out of there Scyther!" "Cut now!" Nipper's pincirs clamp onto the Scyther's leg as it tries to struggle out of the water. It finds itself being pulled under. "Come on Scyther..... use your agility!" Scyther, however, is unable to comply as it floats to the top. Kingler comes up to the top, burbling happily. "Scyther, return," said Lynne. "Good try, but that was beginner's luck." Sarah Jane tried to not roll her eyes. Why is it everyone assumed she was a beginner? "Ditto, it's your turn," called Lynne as she tossed out her next Pokeball. The referree signaled the start of the next round. Lynne was a fraction of a minute quicker with her order. The Ditto transformed into a copy of Nipper. Sarah Jane's eyes narrowed. She didn't want to try and face down another Kingler.... better if she switched. "Nipper return! Shields, go!" The Mr. Mime jumped from the podium to one of the areas provided for the non-swimming pokemon. The scoreboard reflected Sarah Jane's change. She hoped it wouldn't be costly in the end. Again the referree signalled the start of the match. "Ditto, transform again!" called Lynne. Mentally, Sarah Jane cursed as the ditto transformed into a Mr. Mime. She tried to remember how a Ditto's abilities worked..... "Light screen," ordered Lynne. The Ditto/Mr. Mime looked at his trainer in confusion. Sarah Jane blinked. Lynne was going on the assumption that the Mr. Mime her Ditto was copying knew standard Mr. Mime moves. But how to command Shields without Lynne immediately knowing his moves..... "Try Barrier!" Again the Ditto/Mr. Mime blinked in confusion. Lynne looked somewhat frustrated. Suddenly, Shields Mega Punched his opponent, knocking him into the water. Lynne's Pokemon climbed out of the water. "Mega Punch!" she ordered. Again her Ditto/Mime did nothing. Sarah Jane heard the announcer theorizing on what was going on, but she knew he was totally off base. Sarah Jane looked at Shields and concentrated. He nodded. "Ditto, do something!" ordered Lynne in increasing frustration. She watched as it suddenly grasped its head in pain, then berated herself. Mr. Mime's were psychic Pokemon.... "Confusion attack now!" Shields shook his head, mildy disoriented by the confusion. Lynne's eyes widenend when she noticed the Mr. Mime's fingers moving. "Metronome! Why didn't I realize it sooner!?! Ditto, Metronome now!" Then, Lynne thought with a start "Waitaminute..... I haven't heard her issue a single command....." The crowd laughed, however, as Shield's metronome backfired with a splash attack. Lynne's Ditto/Mr. Mime countered with a metronomed horn attack. Shields grimaced in pain as the horns hit. Lynne watched Shields carefully for another Metronome. Which is why she was totally surprised by the Thunderbolt that caught her Ditto/Mr. Mime standing in a puddle on its platform. It collapsed and reverted back to its natural form. "All right.... you caught me by surprise that time. But not anymore." Lynne recalled her Ditto. "Omastar go!" Sarah Jane looked at her Mr. Mime and thought "Do you think you can handle it? If you're too hurt...." She felt Shields in her mind tell her he was all right. Somewhat doubtfully she nodded. She had lost the edge of Lynne not knowing Shields attacks, but hopefully he would be able to manage the prehistoric pokemon. The referree again signaled the start of the match. Lynne led off with a Spike Cannon, which managed to strike Shields for 3 hits. The Mr. Mime staggered to its feet, then let loose a psychic blast. It hit, but Shields lost his concentration. Anxiously Sarah Jane watched as the Omastar let loose an Ice beam. The weakened Mime was encased in ice. Gasping in surprise, Sarah Jane held out Shield's rarely used Pokeball. Unconcious, the Mr. Mime was too much for her to move. She tried to remember the Omastar's type, and chose a Pokemon accordingly. "Medusa, go!" The Tangela found itself on a platform facing the Omastar. She shook her vines in readiness. The flag dropped. "Omastar, use your bubblebeam!" The bubbles washed over the grass pokemon. It did little, if any damage. Medusa seemed to treat the bubble beam as a bubble bath. "Megadrain now," called Sarah Jane. A globe of light appeared over Medusa, zoomed over to the Omastar, who writhed in pain, then returned to Medusa. "Ice beam!" "Medusa get out of the way!" Medusa dodged, the ice beam only catching the end of a few of the vines. "TANGELA," complained Medusa. "Keep up the ice beams!" ordered Lynne, confident that she would be able to freeze the Tangela. "Sleep powder Medusa!" The Tangela shook her vines, releasing a golden powder. "Stay awake! Jump in the water to rinse it off!" "Solarbeam!" The Omastar jumped in the water just as Medusa unfurled leaves on her vines and began to absorb sunlight. Lynne's Omastar chose the wrong moment to leave the water, however, as it was hit full blast with a solarbeam. Omastar fell back into the water, then floated up, completely unconscious. "Match goes to the green trainer," announced the referree as he held up a green flag. Sarah Jane let out a breath that she didn't realize she had been holding. Tired from the match, she pulled off her glasses and rubbed her eyes. When she put her glasses on, she could see her opponent pounding the railing on the red box out of frustration. Briefly, Sarah Jane checked Pteryx, who had fallen asleep despite the excitement going on around.her. Sarah Jane climbed down from the podium. Her opponent was still standing, staring at her Omastar. Sarah Jane walked around the outside of the field, reaching the other podium just as Lynne climbed down. "Good match," said Sarah Jane as she extended her hand to Lynne. Lynne looked at her for a moment before accepting a brief shake. "My pokemon screwed up," said Lynne with a shrug. "They need to do better." Sarah Jane bit her lip, unsure of how to reply. Suddenly, the vultures better known as reporters began to descend on the field and the trainers. "Excuse me... I need to get to the Pokemon Center before it gets too busy," said Sarah Jane, who wanted to avoid further confrontations with the press. "Good bye." Lynne nodded. Sarah Jane slipped away just before the first reporters arrived. Lynne ignored the questions from the reporters as she tried to think about what had gone wrong in the battle. -- (o)_(o) || Time Lady, sailrgal@swbell.net _(^*^)_ || sailrgal@hotmail.com, sailrgal@my-dejanews.com (__ __) || Visit the Mystic Manor Homepage /_/\_\ || http://members.tripod.com/~MysticManor