The two Electric types, Ampharos and Raichu, kept each other in check with their Iron Tails. Both Pokémon were struggling to keep the other held, but at one point, one Pokémon would have to let up and put down their tail. Unfortunately for Stephen, Volta’s tail slacked a bit, allowing the Raichu’s Iron Tail to land a hard body shot on the Johto Pokémon.
“Volta!” His Pokémon hit the dirt, but rolled quickly to its feet. The Trainer looked at their opponent; she stayed silent, but her Pokémon did all the work. The Raichu, much faster than Volta, cried out and dashed forward for a Body Slam. “One more Iron Tail, then follow the spin into a Fire Punch!” Stephen called out. Her tail started its metallic white glow once again, and she charged to meet the Raichu, and spun around for an Iron Tail. The Raichu negated the strike, using its own momentum to cancel the attack and catching the tail in its teeth. However, Volta was still in mid-spin, and her hand was in flames. It came down on the top of Raichu’s head, and the latter was forced to let go of her tail.
“Hoo hoo hoo!” Corruption cheered on from a distance. “Playing dirty, Kara? I knew I’d like you!” Kara continued to stay silent and expressionless.
This is troubling, Twilight thought. I have a feeling Stephen won’t know what to expect from this Kara person. She’s under Corruption’s control and I'm pretty sure he's forcing her to stay silent. She looked to her mentor, who looked just as worried.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen him worried like this. Celestia watched as the two Pokémon battled. May the stars help us if he doesn’t prevail.
Before Stephen could call another move, Kara’s Raichu used Double Team. The group behind him gasped as 12 life-like copies of the Mouse Pokémon just seemed to spawn around Volta.
“Calm down, Volta!” Stephen tried to get her to focus. “Just try and find the real one!” Volta kept turning and turning, but decided to strike with a Fire Punch way too late; the Raichu had charged up power in the time Volta wasted and shot out simultaneously with a Thunderbolt attack. The ponies gasped again at this cruel spectacle. Stephen had to get rid of these copies. They’re weak, defense-wise. He thought. I can get rid of them easily.
“Volta!” He called out again, hoping she had enough energy. “Use Discharge!” The multiple Thunderbolts had finished, leaving a very weak and dazed Ampharos. She heard Stephen’s voice and began charging her Discharge, when the Raichu had all leaped in for a group Quick Attack. “Release, now!” Just milliseconds before the Raichu made contact, Volta managed to release a great explosion of electrical energy, enveloping herself and the surrounding enemy. They disappeared, but something seemed off: The Raichu had 12 copies made via Double Team. Where was the original? Stephen looked around the field.
He saw Volta smiling and cheering, but had to calm her down. “Sorry, Volta.” Stephen was still looking around. “We’re not done here.” His eyes widened when he saw a hole in the ground by Kara. “Volta, watch-!” He was cut off by the original Raichu breaking through the dry soil under the Ampharos and delivering a hard hitting punch to the latter, sending her flying. Volta lay, fainted at Stephen’s feet “No!”
“Are we done here?” Corruption asked. “I think we all know the result of this battle.”
“No!” Stephen yelled out, frustrated. “We’re not done here!”
“Hmph,” the evil draconequus said. “Then hurry it up, Kara. We have better things to do.”
Damn, Stephen was seriously worried now. I originally had a 40% of winning against Kara originally. With Corruption’s influence, it’s down to 20% now. He returned Volta to her Pokéball and grabbed another Pokéball, as did Kara.
Shining was in complete shock; the one who was able to bring down a whole Changeling Army was getting beat by another human. He could only hope that Stephen could win this battle. Cadence had heard from the others that Stephen was talented and strong as a Trainer, that his Pokémon were strong and were used to save Canterlot from Changelings. She watched in horror as his first Pokémon fell. Luna and Celestia grew worried; what would happen if their Champion truly couldn’t defend Equestria?
The two humans, once again, silently tossed their Pokéballs upon which two very regal looking Fire types popped out, Stephen’s Arcanine and Kara’s Ninetales.
Good. Stephen reassured himself at the sight of the Ninetales. It’s the weakest on her team. But that doesn’t mean I should underestimate her. Corruption’s power is seriously unfair. Stephen could hear the ponies ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ at the sight of the two very impressive Fire types.
The Fox Pokémon dashed forward, flames surrounding her very body. Flame Charge, huh? Stephen watched the Ninetales get faster and faster and nearly reached Patrician before calling out.
“Dodge it!” Patrician, with his superior speed, managed to slip out to the side of the field at the last second, leaving the Ninetales to nearly barrel into Stephen. Thankfully, it turned and continued its Flame Charge at Patrician, getting faster and faster. ”Now, use Extreme Speed!” the Arcanine seemed to vanish; he was traveling at speeds nearly impossible to reach. In a split second, the Ninetales was sent flying. Patrician stood from where she was standing previously, ready for the next attack. “Again!”
Once again, the Arcanine vanished and hit the Ninetales from out of nowhere. This time, however, the Fox Pokémon struck back with a paw engulfed with dark energy, sending Patrician flying as well. He stood back up slowly; the attack was very strong.
Damn, Stephen cursed again. I have to watch out for that Payback. I could lose this one, too if I’m not careful. The Ninetales started another Flame Charge which Patrician barely dodged. And she’s getting faster. I need to end this quickly.
”Flamethrower, now!” The Arcanine obeyed, and a large plume of fire erupted from his mouth. When it cleared the Ninetales was still standing, a hexagonal shield of energy stood before it, known as Protect. Better finish it before she can put up another one. ”Now, finish her off with a Hyper Beam!” A giant ball of energy formed in front of Patrician’s mouth, and once it became as large as its head, he fired the beam of pure energy at the foe, knocking the Ninetales of her feet and carrying her in the beam. When it ended, the Ninetales landed on the ground, fainted.
“Well now,” Corruption now looked at Stephen with malice. “Things just got interesting. But, like I said, we have better things to do. So make this next battle your last for today, and we can finish this practice in the actual battle.”
“No!” Celestia yelled out. “Stephen will win the battle, and he will defeat your forces! You will not bring war to Equestria, and we will make sure of it!”
At this, Corruption began to laugh. “Win? Defeat my forces?” Corruption wiped a tear form his eye, then put on a voice of faux-terror. “Oh, I’m soooo scared.” He glared back at Celestia and countered, “How could he ever dream of defeating my army when he can’t even beat his own girlfriend in battle?” Corruption continued cackling, and looked at the two humans. “Poor, poor Stephen lost his girlfriend, and I’ve made her your enemy. You’ll never be able to get him to fight!”Cadence stared defiantly at the allies' mocking adversary.
Stephen took a deep breath and called Patrician back. He’s right. He thought, looking at the expressionless, cold face of Kara. I can’t fight her, and if I can barely defeat her team now, how will I beat Corruption’s team of legendaries? His hold on the next Pokéball tightened, and he could hear a voice from the ball reassuring him. Nova.
Stephen, Nova thought-spoke to him. We can do this. I know we can do this. If we can beat her now, we prove that we’re a good enough match to defeat Corruption’s army.
I’m sorry, Nova. Stephen heard her gasp. But I don’t think we can. Come on out; it’s your turn to battle. Nova emerged from the Pokéball and turned to me.
If you have no faith in us, Nova responded, sadness evident in her tone. Then I’ll fight this battle on my own. They turned and saw their next opponent: one of Kara’s strongest Pokémon ever, and one of the few to ever match up with Nova in power. Kara’s Gallade stood at the ready; its red eyes glared at both of them and was ready to strike them down as quickly as possible.
What are the odds? Stephen watched as Nova stepped forward onto the battlefield. Each Pokémon had met their typing partner. I should have expected this.
It would be safe to assume that Corruption may have done something, too. Nova responded, waiting for Gallade to make the first move. Stephen stepped back to watch the two most powerful Pokémon from both teams battle it out on their own.
As predicted, Gallade dashed forward, his arm glowing as a charge for a Psycho Cut attack. The Gardevoir, slightly slower than Gallade managed to counter it with a Thunder Punch, knocking it to the side and using her other hand for a Thunder Punch to strike the Psychic/Fighting type in the face. Gallade was sent stumbling back, and its whole body began to glow a blue aura; Nova had switched to using Psychic. A blue aura also outlined Nova as she sent Gallade flying next to Kara, but the Pokémon immediately got up.
I have to give Kara credit. Stephen watched as the two Psychics stared each other down. Even though Gallade usually aren’t capable of taking many hits, the one she trained was able to stay get up rather quickly after one of Nova’s strongest combos.
Stephen watched again as the Gallade lunged and dashed forwards again, this time, his arms glowing green. Both arms and green glow? Stephen put two and two together.
Watch out, Nova! He warned her. It’s X-Scissor!
She prepared herself to take the hit, but when it landed, Stephen could tell it had hit hard. Her breathing was a bit more labored. While Nova was strong in her Special Attack, Special Defense, and possessed high Speed, she could not take several physical attacks, especially any super effective ones.
I’m fine, Stephen. She reassured me.
Just keep your distance. Her trainer advised. Keep on with Psychic.
Nova had other plans. She used Double Team, and like the Raichu, she managed to encircle the Gallade once he came close and quickly confused him. Like Volta, he hesitated as he tried to decide which body to strike first. He took too long, and the Nova and her copies shot off Thunderbolts, weakening the Gallade. This one was smart, though, and used Double Team as well. Before the copies could attack, the Gardevoir all fired Magical Leaf attacks, and no matter how the Gallade dodged, they were all hit and dispelled by the Grass attack. The original Gallade stood in the middle, unable to take the attack. To finish it off, Nova and her copies all used Psychic. Soon, the mental energy began to pressurize within the circle; Stephen was beginning to get a headache from all of it, and could tell that even the Alicorns behind him were in pain.
“Ah!” Twilight cried out. “It hurts! Make… make it stop!” Celestia and Luna just winced as their headaches grew stronger and stronger. What power! Twilight thought through the pain. Just how strong is Nova?
The headache stopped, and Gallade was sent flying straight up at high speed, then landed hard on the dry ground, at the feet at the now lone and original Gardevoir.
Wow, Stephen watched as Nova calmly walked back to him. That must have taken a lot of energy, are you okay?
I’ll manage. Nova gave him a tired smile. See? I told you that we could do this. Remember, Stephen never give u- Ah! Nova was blasted forward and fell hard onto the ground as well. Stephen caught her, but found her to be unconscious.
“You do realize I was able to hear your whole conversation, right?” Corruption stood, irritated and hand smoking. He began mocking Nova with a high-pitched girly voice. “‘Oh, Stephen, don’t give up. Oh Stephen, we’re a good enough match for Corruption and his army.’ Hah! Don’t make me laugh.” He turned to Kara and said, “Leave whatever trash you have on your backpack here, Kara. We won’t need them where we’re going.” And with a snap of his fingers, they vanished. Twilight magicked the bag over to herself and copied her fellow Princess’ worried looks. Celestia and Luna immediately ran up to Stephen, who was still holding Nova in his arms.
“No, no, no… please, no…” the human whispered sadly as he reached for something in his bag. He managed, with shaking fingers, to pull out a small yellow, crystal like object and brought it to Nova’s forehead. Nothing happened. The Revive didn’t glow; it wasn’t working like it should. Nova was stuck this way.
“NO!” Stephen could feel a heartbeat, but his Revives were failing him. He pulled out Revive after Revive, but none made any change. He ended up sobbing over the unconscious Psychic type, his companion, his best friend, his little sister. She wasn’t dead, she was just unconscious, but that didn’t make the current situation any better for him.
“Stephen, please.” Celestia took a last look at where Corruption and Kara had stood moments before. Stephen looked up at the alicorn princess with tears rolling down his face. “Let’s return to the castle. We can try to heal her.” With that, the group teleported away, and reappeared in the throne room.
“Where’s the infirmary? Hospital? Anything?” Stephen was desperate to get Nova back on her feet.
“Stephen,” Celestia tried calming him down. “Please, get some rest. It’s been a long day. Please, just go, and we can take care of Nova.”
“NO!” Stephen would not let go of her. “Damn it, I said no! Just get her back with us, now!”
“I can’t, Stephen,” Celestia replied. “We need some time to-”
“No!” Stephen yelled again. “Do it now!”
Celestia could understand the Trainer’s frustration. She had to admit, while not one prone to anger, she would be just as infuriated if somepony, anypony, had somehow incapacitated any of her little ponies, especially Luna, Twilight, or Cadence. She hadn’t even been close to this angry when Chrysalis attacked.
“Luna,” Celestia turned to Luna. “Please.” The younger sister nodded, and approached Stephen. A golden glow enveloped Nova, and Stephen saw Celestia using her magic lifting his Pokémon away.
“No, please” Stephen jumped like a child trying to reach a cookie jar. “I need-” Luna’s horn began to glow, and Stephen’s eyes began to grow heavy. He felt dazed and suddenly very tired. “I… I n-need…” His head would have hit the ground if Cadence hadn’t reacted in time. Before he blacked out, Stephen completed his sentence.
“I need her.”