Slow, rhythmic drumbeats filled the stadium, proclaiming the start of the battle. I drew a Pokeball out of its hollow in the steel console before me. Its top half was purple with two large reddish circles and a white ‘M’ on it. “Let’s give them a show,” I whispered as I tapped the release button twice. With a furious shout, I hurled the metal ball out into the arena. It snapped open in a brilliant flash, and the soft blue wings of my Articuno spread out from the burst. It called out with its haunting cry and rose beautifully into the air, trailing its flowing plumage. The sharp crests on its head caught the rain and glowed dully.

Nagoya swiftly tossed his own Pokeball to the ground. A scaly, reptilian form emerged from the device. Its orange body resembled that of a massive, leathery iguana, its head adorned with a thick crest pointing backwards. It swept its tail from side to side, a large flame burning angrily at its tip. The creature stretched its three-foot tall body and extended its clawed hands. Nagoya had challenged Apollyon, my Articuno, with a Charmeleon. I looked down and saw my opponent’s face on the console display. He smiled, knowing that his fire-type had an advantage over Articuno. You’ll see, Nagoya.

My Articuno rose quickly into the sky, its weakness to fire somewhat negated by the downpour. I suppose Nagoya would have called for a delay, but lightning flashed in the sky—flying types are vulnerable to electricity. Apollyon circled its foe like a massive vulture waiting to feed…

Charmeleon lashed out without warning. A churning ball of fire burst forth from its mouth, trailing a blaze of brimstone. The burning comet streaked through the sky, narrowly missing its target. Rain sizzled off its surface, which cast pale red light on Articuno’s feathers. “Apollyon!” I commanded. “Ice Beam!” The majestic avian swept through the rain, the crystal crests on its head glowing with increased intensity. It called out with its plaintive cry, then unleashed a beautiful stream of freezing air from its beak. The rippling blue beam ensnared the falling raindrops and fashioned them into a frozen missile. The projectile slammed into the ground with a tremendous impact, shattering into sharp fragments and just barely missing the scurrying lizard. The rest of the beam swept along the ground, freezing it over in a slick layer of ice.

Charmeleon scrambled backwards and rolled away from the devastating beam, then picked itself up and launched more fierce Flamethrower attacks. The beast ran in a tight path, dashing about in random directions. Apollyon circled ominously overhead, dodging the firebursts and striking back with deceptively elegant Ice Beams. The crowd cheered in ecstasy at the spectacle, glowing light dancing across their faces. The swirling spectacle of crimson and azure lit up the arena in an awe-inspiring display of hail and embers. Many of the spectators put down their hand-painted signs to clap in appreciation.

Page Four
Page Four

Back _____Next