Chapter 9

When Greta suddenly opened her eyes, and woke up from her sleep, the dark, starlit sky was still there, guiding the night creatures to find their directions and hunts. Greta straightened up and pulled her knees to her chest. She felt a bit cold despite of being in the summer of 1996. She exactly knew why she woke up from her dream suddenly. Because her body was rushing to get over with tomorrow’s game. It was indeed a big deal for her, because she knew everyone had been considering her as an “easy-piece”, who was just there because she tries to learn something, not experience. It was true that she did not have an agenda to go out and explore in Kanto region. Instead, all she wanted was to get to know more about Pokémon and be able to work at their Day Care Service with her parents, even eventually, take over the place from her parents. That was her dream, but most of people would think that is an easy way to live a life. She knew, she could not lose the game tomorrow and let everyone think that she has no serious business there. She had to prove herself in order to be remarkable.

The camping was getting tiring for Greta. But she knew, she had only one last day. Then, she could spend her whole day sleeping. She deserved one day off, at least. Before going back to sleep, Greta checked her backpack and looked at the two precious PokéBalls. “Nidoran, Caterpie... No matter what happens, I will know you fight for me with your best. That’s all I care...” She whimpered.

The next day, unlike what Greta felt like, was the happiest day of the summer so far. The heat was neither overwhelming, nor lacking. The sweet breeze would lick everyone until their bones to let them feel refreshed. Even the grasses and the trees had a different shade of green in that day. Due to her lack of interest, Madison returned to the laboratory early in the morning. She said, she did not want to watch the battle. But Greta knew that the only problem for her was that Greta was in the final. When Madison left the Battle Platform, Greta felt a satisfactoriness that she could not explain. Redwald and Greta barely spoke, because Greta was too nervous to talk. As Professor Oak asked them, the three students met on the Battle Platform at 10 a.m.

Professor Oak did not reveal his friendly expression on his face. Redwald realized he never saw him that serious before, even when he was lost in his researches. He cared about that battle more than he ever imagined. He stood back and let Fennel lead the battle. Redwald walked next to Professor Oak and decided to watch the battle with him.

Fennel walked to the middle edge of the Battle Platform. She expected both trainers to stand in front of each other. Greta and Blake walked to the Platform and took the two sides. They were looking at each other. Greta had excitement and worries in her mind. Blake was not able to be read, but Redwald could bet that he was trying too hard to hide his feelings.

“Young trainers,” Fennel said, “you have gone through a long path to make it up here. You haven’t lost a single battle, and proved yourself as a worthy trainer who can bond with their partners. Now, this is your last chance to carry yourself to the position of Professor Oak’s Summer Camp 1996 Champion. If you are ready, please prepare your PokéBalls.”

Greta and Blake reached to their PokéBalls from their pockets. Greta already planned with which Pokémon to begin. Apparently, Blake was not any different. While they stared at each other, Fennel reminded the rules one last time.

“Each may use two Pokémon. You are allowed to substitute Pokémon during the battle. Once the two Pokémon by one side are unable to battle, the battle is over.

“You may start now.”

As soon as Fennel’s words are completed, Blake threw the PokéBall as tough as he could and called out his Pokémon with fury in his voice. When Cubone came out of the PokéBall, he showed up with closed eyes, hugging his bone. But seconds later, he opened his eyes and arms and almost declared a war to Greta. Greta knew it was not going to be easy for anyone, but she would not surrender easily either.

“Nidoran, I choose you!” She said while she pressed the button on her PokéBall. The PokéBall opened itself and let Nidoran come out with the beams that reflected from inside of it. Nidoran was standing right in front of fervent Cubone. Both Pokémon had the determination in their eyes.

Blake took the action quite quick and ordered Cubone a move. “Use Strength!”

The short words that Blake used scared Greta a little, because it felt like she was in a Pokémon Battle which was scripted. Blake planned everything at night, and now she was doing what he wanted. But she reminded herself not to be distracted for anything. Although, she realized that a bit too late, because Cubone was already too close to Nidoran with his glowing body. As soon as he reached to Nidoran, he attacked with Strength. Nidoran was damaged, driven back.

Greta felt the regret and ordered a counter move. “Go with Double Kick, Nidoran!” She ordered. But Blake’s response was quick. While Nidoran ran to Cubone, Blake told his Pokémon to dodge the move. When Nidoran came close enough, Cubone just ran against her and jumped on top of her. That move surprised everyone. Even Professor Oak did not expect that from Cubone. How could that fat Pokémon jump like that, Greta thought.

“Bone Club!” Blake’s another short command had come. Cubone seized on his bone and showed it to Nidoran with pride. Very typical, Greta thought. Then the Pokémon ran to Nidoran to attack her with his bone. Greta ordered Nidoran to dodge the move. But she was not fast enough to dodge it. As soon as she forced herself to run around, Cubone speeded up and caught Nidoran in no time. At that second, the bone Cubone had been holding glowed bright, as if even it felt the time for it had come, and Cubone attacked Nidoran’s face with it. Nidoran felt the pain on her face, and tried to pull herself together but the pain was too much to bear with it. She lost her balance and fell on the ground.

“Ground Type moves are super effective on Nidoran.” Greta thought. She realized, there was no point in using Nidoran for that battle. Substitution was the best idea, she thought.

“Thank you, Nidoran. I will get back to you later.” She said while she called the Pokémon back in her PokéBall. Now it was the other partner’s round. She pushed the button of the other PokéBall and called the Pokémon out. Little, naïve Caterpie appeared on the Platform. Her small body and weak appearance did not make a good impression on the other participants, but Greta knew Caterpie had a potential inside.

“Cubone, Dig!” Blake ordered. Cubone dug a hole on the Platform and disappeared. He was underground and Greta exactly knew what was to come. Once Cubone would come out of the ground and attack Caterpie with his best. She could not let that happen, but she had to make a decision.

Greta started to analyze her Pokémon in her mind. What had Caterpie accomplished so far, she thought. She had a major impact on getting rid of Kangaskhan back in the Pallet Jungle. It was all because of her String Shot move which restricted the foe’s speed.

“Use String Shot in the hole, Caterpie!” Greta ordered. That was the best thing Caterpie could come up with at the moment. Caterpie quickly ran to the hole but before she reached there, Cubone came out of the ground and attacked Caterpie with Dig. Caterpie was hit critically. She found herself on the ground lying, almost unconscious for seconds. But she pulled herself together and stood up to keep going.

Greta had no intention to give up on what she planned. “String Shot, try again!” Greta ordered. Caterpie stood high and used String Shot on Cubone. All the strings that came out of Caterpie’s mouth covered Cubone all around which decreased Cubone’s speed.

“Cubone, Bone Club!” Blake responded. But that order made Greta realize something. That, Blake finally raised his voice. Clearly, he was losing his control on his anger, and as he felt closer to lose it all, he got more nervous.

“Shoot with String Shot!” Greta responded. As Cubone ran to Caterpie, Caterpie used String Shot on him. Cubone’s body was once again covered with the strings. In the middle of the distance, Cubone stopped running and instead tried to get rid of the strings. But they were so sticky that it was almost impossible.

“He is quite out of the track now, Caterpie. Use Tackle!” Greta ordered. Caterpie ran the rest of the distance and used Tackle on Cubone. Cubone took the damage from his stomach and fell back. He was still struggling with the strings.

“Tackle once more!” Greta shouted. Caterpie ran around Cubone and used Tackle one after another. Although Blake ordered Cubone to respond with Headbutt or Dig, Cubone could not pull himself together, and eventually fainted.

Fennel raised her right hand. “Cubone is unable to battle.” She said. Suddenly, Professor Oak walked next to Fennel and talked to his grandson.

“Do you know why Cubone lost that battle, Blake?” He asked. Blake did not see this coming at all. Once Professor Oak asked his question, Blake stared at him with empty eyes. He was so shocked by the question, that he just stared at him for seconds with no response. Even Greta felt herself for putting Blake in this position. Redwald thought, Blake would not be so shocked if Professor Oak was friendly as usual.

“Because,” Professor Oak said, “you trained your Pokémon only to attack. You don’t have a strategy for defense. Look at that Caterpie, for example. First, she eliminated your Pokémon’s speed and then attacked him. You trained your Cubone great in terms of attacking. An average Pokémon could not stand a chance over two or three attacks, and it will get even better for sure. But you need more than just attacking.”

Redwald saw Professor Oak interrupting a Pokémon Battle and making analyzes out loud for the first time. Maybe because that was the final battle, he cared about it more than the other ones. But still, he did not expect to see him going to the Platform and talking to the trainers personally.

“You are right, grandfather.” Blake said. “I will work on that later.”

He took his second PokéBall and everyone knew what Pokémon was kept inside. Blake threw his PokéBall more silently compared to his call out for Cubone, but still it was loud, and Spearow showed up in the air. He opened his wings widely and expressed a brave cry which echoed through the trees around the Platform.

Greta told Caterpie to use String Shot. But Spearow kept the distance so long that it was impossible for Caterpie to let her strings reach him. Blake had a sinister smile on his face the whole time that he could not help. He raised his hand with hype and ordered the move Rage. Spearow’s eyes had the expression of hate as he began his move. He flew through Caterpie and attacked her with Rage. Caterpie was thrown back and she hit the tree before she fell down. The attack was not that strong, but Caterpie was just a beginner, after all.

“Use String Shot, Caterpie! I know you can do that!” Greta responded. But she sounded desperate. Blake must had realized that, because his sinister smile got even bigger. He nodded his head to Spearow. Spearow flew through Caterpie once more. His attack power was then even more compared to the first one. There Greta understood, the move Rage would raise the Pokémon’s Attack power as long as it is being used. Caterpie was effected deeply, therefore, she fainted.

“Caterpie is unable to battle.” Fennel responded.

Greta was not surprised that Caterpie could not defeat Spearow. But defeating one Pokémon was already a big deal for Caterpie. She thanked her Pokémon and called her back in the PokéBall to let her rest.

“Nidoran, come out!” She said. Now Nidoran was her only hope although being damaged. When Nidoran came out of the PokéBall, he stood on the Platform on her own, scowled and made a brave stand.

“Did you try this pose last night, Greta?” Blake said to spoil her motivation. But Greta did not care. Nidoran’s bravery that she had for her trainer made Greta very proud. But she had to get back to the battle.

“Nidoran, use Scratch!” Greta ordered. Nidoran attempted to reach to Spearow, but Spearow flew high and ignored Nidoran completely.

“Keep going with Rage!” Blake ordered. Spearow once again stared at his foe very angry while he flew through her. The expression on his face which was made of nothing but hate would scare any Pokémon in front of him, no matter how strong they would be.

“Nidoran, you have to dodge it!” Greta responded. Because every time Nidoran got hit, Spearow would be even stronger as if needed.

As soon as Spearow came close enough, Nidoran jumped on the right side and dodged Spearow’s Rage attack in seconds. Spearow maneuvered near the ground, but he provided his balance by flapping his wings when he was near the ground.

Suddenly it hit Greta. If Nidoran could not use any attack moves since Spearow would leave the surface, she could still use Nidoran’s Growl to stop Spearow’s non-stop going up power of attacks. Growl would not require a contact, after all.

“Nidoran, use Growl!” She ordered. Nidoran opened her mouth as big as she could and used Growl on Spearow. Spearow’s attack power was decreased. But Blake had no intention to worry about it. He already let his Pokémon gather some extra power already.

“Use another Rage, Spearow!” Blake ordered. Spearow flew around the sky and fell into decrease in a sudden. As he flew through the air and reached to Nidoran, he used Rage once more. Nidoran was hit, and she was super effected.

Greta knew, she had to come up with something else. Growl could not give Nidoran a free out ticket. But how could she even attack that Pokémon if Spearow does not let her contact him?

The only way would be letting Nidoran go up. But how?

Of course, in a natural way! Greta remembered how the species Doduo and Dodrio improved an ability to fly and turned into a secondary Flying-type Pokémon according to an encyclopedia that she read years ago when she was still a student. They had to protect themselves from the little Pokémon, so they began to provide a living space for themselves on the trees. Eventually, they turned into a Flying-type and even learned to use Fly. All Nidoran had to do was climb a tree and catch Spearow in the air.

Greta showed the nearest tree. “Climb that one!” She said. With her big claws, Nidoran would not have any trouble climbing a tree. She ran to the tree that Greta showed her, and she climbed it in seconds. On the highest branch, she waited for orders. Greta, in the other hand, waited for the best opportunity to jump on Spearow. As he was drawing circles in the air, she waited for the closest point to come. Seconds before that point, Greta ordered Nidoran to jump off the branch and use Double Kick. Before Spearow realized what was happening, Nidoran ran through the branch and jumped on Spearow with her glowing claws on her hindlegs. Caught in the air, Spearow attempted to get rid of the Pokémon, but Nidoran was so insistent on using her move, that Spearow did not get any chance to get rid of her. Nidoran used Double Kick for a couple of times from Spearow’s back. Spearow, as hurt and damaged, had to fly closer to the ground. Nidoran jumped off her back and landed on the ground. But the battle was still going on.

“I didn’t mean to use it in the battle, Greta! But you forced me to do it!” Blake responded. Greta tried not to look intimidated, but it was almost inescapable. Blake raised his other hand and ordered the move. “Take Down, Spearow!”

As Spearow flew through Nidoran, a white beam covered Spearow all around him. As he was flying towards her, Spearow began to get lost in the beam as the seconds passed. Eventually, the Pokémon hit Nidoran with all his might that Nidoran was thrown back and she hit the bars that held the Platform.

“Nidoran!” Greta shouted in worry for her. She ran to the broken bars to see her Pokémon. Nidoran was not fainted, but she was too close to. She could barely open her eyes, and her whole body was tired out. Greta put her paw on her hand, and looked at her partner with compassion.

“You’ve done your best, Nidoran. That’s enough.” Greta said. “I am withdrawing from the battle, but you proved your true self to me. That is all matters, not what the result says.” She smiled.

Nidoran, with her barely opened eyes, tried to respond her words, wanted to disagree. But she had no energy to do that. However, Fennel’s words interrupted their conversation.

“Spearow is unable to battle.” Fennel said. “Therefore, the winner is Greta and her Nidoran.”

“What?” Greta did not get that. Spearow was the one to attack. How could he be fainted? Especially after that strong move? She hugged her Pokémon and got back to her spot. Spearow was indeed fainted on the Platform. But Greta had so many questions in her mind that she did not even have any idea where to start asking.

Professor Oak, once again, came to the Platform. He knew that even Blake did not understand anything, and both trainers were in shock to say anything.

“Let me clarify this for you.” Professor Oak responded. “Spearow just used a magnificent move, and I should congratulate my grandson for being able to teach that kind of a strong move that soon. But unfortunately, the lack of knowledge brought him to lose the battle. If he simply kept using Peck, he had the best odds to win. But once he ordered his Pokémon to use Take Down, he made sure of his own end.”

“What do you mean, grandfather?” Blake interrupted. He only wanted to hear the truth, not criticizing analyses of his grandfather.

“Take Down inflicts the user also, even if it is not as much as it inflicts the foe.” Professor Oak said. “When your Pokémon used that glorious move on Nidoran, as you can see, Nidoran just went to her limits. It was very likely that she would faint, but she endured. You needed just one more round of attack.

“In the other hand, Spearow, look at that small Pokémon, could not endure the damage he took from his own move, which caused him to faint even before than his foe. Therefore, Blake, your Pokémon lost the game. But if you knew about that, or observed enough to realize how it hurts your Pokémon, you would have bigger chance to win it all. Still, it was an amazing final round and I want to congratulate you both for making this far. I am proud of both of you.”

After the battle, Professor Oak took everyone, including Redwald, to the Pokémon Center and let all the Pokémon rest there for a while. While the Pokémon rested in comfortable beds and good care, Professor Oak ordered lunch everyone. It was rather silent since Greta thought about her future and the expression on her parents’ face when she tells them she is the winner of Summer Camp 1996 Competition.

“Tomorrow is a big day.” Fennel said. “All of you will get to know if you get your Pokémon Trainer License, or not.”

“Right...” Redwald said as if he was woken up from a deep sleep. “Tomorrow is the last day in our Summer Camp.”

It indeed was, and the cards had been put on the table for the last time.

Humans

 * Redwald Walker
 * Greta Parker
 * Professor Oak
 * Fennel Walker
 * Blake Oak

Pokémon

 * Wild Kangaskhan (mentioned)
 * Wild Kangaskhan (mentioned)
 * Wild Kangaskhan (mentioned)
 * Wild Kangaskhan (mentioned)
 * Wild Kangaskhan (mentioned)