Chapter 16 Momentum

  Annabelle dug her prosthetic heel into the hard soil that made up the arena floor. Her heart felt like it was about to break free from her chest, so she forced herself to take a deep breath as the referee started to raise his hand.

  “Begin!”

  With an underhand throw she tossed a Pokéball out.

  “Wattson, light it up!”

  Her Galvantula burst forward in a flash, landing gently on all six legs. Static electricity ran through his fur as his limbs twitched with anticipation, his mandibles began clicking with excitement.

  Across the field, Caleb Grayson tossed a Pokéball. “Probopass, take point!”

  A hum instantly filled the air as the massive Steel and Rock-type hovered into place. Its prominent red nose was only outdone by its massive mustache but even that couldn’t hide the grin on its face.

  Annabelle tapped her temple with her index finger as she thought. “Tough matchup, neither Wattson nor Hank has the type advantage.”

  Caleb began shouting immediately. “Iron Defense!”

  A glimmer ran across the entirety of Probopass’s body as his skin hardened boosting his defense even higher than it already was.

  “Shit, Electroweb! Don’t let him move.” Annabelle snapped.

  Wattson scurried forward and launched a wide spray of silk that had electricity dancing between the filaments. The webbing tangled against Probopass’s rock hard skin. Sparks crackled as they grounded into the stone beneath.

  “His speed’s down,” Annabelle muttered. “Good.”

  Caleb narrowed his eyes. “Power Gem.”

  A bright light engulfed Probopass as a shimmering bolt of crystalline energy shot forward. Wattson dipped low and slid to the left, the blast grazed his back leg leaving a bald spot as the energy shaved his fur clean off leaving a small cut. The bolt flew past him and slammed into the ground, cracking the stadium floor.

  “Damn! Wattson avoid those at all costs!” He stomped his feet rapidly as if in agreement. “Now use Agility.”

  “Probopass! Rock Blast!”

  A rock the size of a football shot across the field and went right through the center of Wattson. The Crowd let out a stunned gasp as Wattson’s afterimage faded leaving behind nothing but empty space.

  “Whaaa…” Caleb couldn’t even finish the word before Annabelle cut him off.

  “Electro Ball! Now!”

  From across the field behind Probopass Wattson sat crouched with a giant glowing ball of electricity already charged.

  He launched the pulsing sphere, it struck dead-center filling the arena with a blinding light followed by a thunderclap that echoed off the walls.

  Students and teachers alike all covered their ears and winced in pain.

  Without waiting for the dust to settle Caleb’s commanding voice filled the arena. “Probopass Lock on!”

  Annabelle’s eyes widened in shock, speed meant nothing now. Probopass’s next attack is guaranteed to hit. “Wattson Discharge at full power!”

  A yellow glow began to radiate around Wattson and bolts of stray electricity lept from him and shot to the ground. A burnt metallic smell filled the air.

  Caleb’s voice echoed “Now! Stone Edge!”

  The ground began to shake as a table-sized boulder was ripped free from the earth. Before being hurled directly at Wattson.

  At the same moment a massive discharge of electricity left Wattson. The attacks collided in midair, the stone cracked and chunks of rock fell to the ground below, but Probopass’s attack couldn’t be stopped.

  The boulder continued unhindered and slammed into Wattson sending him flying out of the ring and crashing into the stadium wall.

  “Wattson!” Annabelle screamed.

  Slowly Wattson started to rise using his front two legs alone, before he began to cough up blood and fell back to the ground.

  The referee yelled above the roar of the crowd “Galvantula is unable to continue! Winner Caleb Grayson.”

  Annabelle ran over to Wattson and quickly returned him to his Pokéball.

  “You did unbelievable bud. Hank will get it from here.” She whispered to his Pokéball.

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  "Time to finish this," she whispered, pulling out Hank's Poké Ball. "Let’s go, partner."

  In a flash of white light, Hank her ever-loyal Arcanine appeared, his massive, crimson-furred form hit the ground with a thunderous stomp. His mane bristled as he locked eyes with Probopass.

  “Hank lets end this quick!” He let out a low growl. “Fireblast!”

  Caleb’s eyes widened “Substitute, now!”

  A massive ball of fire engulfed Probopass as the attack hit. Covering the entire field in a cloud of thick smoke.

  “Probopass, Rock Slide, aim for where he was!”

  Three stones burst through the smoke and smashed into the far wall.

  A murmur came from the stands. “Where did that Arcanine go? I didn’t even see him move.”

  “I don’t know, the smoke didn’t even distort as he ran through it.”

  The breeze slowly blew the smoke off the field revealing Probopass alone in the arena.

  Caleb looked all around but the only thing he saw was Annabelle. That’s when he noticed her arms were crossed and she was smiling from ear to ear.

  “What’s going on? Where is your Arcanine?” Caleb demanded.

  Annabelle held up three fingers. Slowly she lowered one, then another.

  Caleb cocked his head to the side in confusion.

  As the final finger fell Annabelle spoke.

  “Dig!”

  From directly below Probopass, Hank erupted from the ground and crashed into the underside of Probopass sending him flying.

  Probopass hit the ground and didn’t move.

  The referee stepped forward “Probopass in unable to battle, winner Annabelle Renfar!”

  The crowd went nuts, Caleb just stood there too stunned to speak. He returned Probopass to his Pokéball and grabbed another off his belt.

  In a flash of light and with a heavy thud, a Hariyama appeared on the battlefield.

  Hariyama extended his arm in a mock strike above his head. But Annabelle didn’t waste any time.

  “Extreme Speed!”

  Quick as lightning Hank slammed into Hariyama sending him sliding backwards four feet. Hank jumped back returning near Annabelle. Hariyama turned his head towards Hank while a large grin slowly spread across his face.

  Hariyama slapped his left palm into his chest, followed immediately by his right. He continued the rhythmic beat like a drum. Large welts and bruises started to form on his chest after each blow.

  “Oh, you did it now!” a touch of amusement was in Caleb’s voice. “Looks like you managed to piss off my Hariyama.”

  From above in the stands Wendel grimaced. “Belly drum, he just gave up half of his health.”

  “Isn’t that a good thing? Now the fights already half over.” Cecilia mentally replied.

  “No, it’s not. Hariyama just maxed out his attack power. If Hank gets hit this match is over…”

  Cecilia’s eyes locked onto the Arcanine below as she swallowed hard. “Good luck my friend”

  "Flamethrower! Keep your distance." Annabelle commanded immediately.

  Hank roared and released a sweeping jet of fire across the field, the flames curling toward the bulky fighter. Hariyama took the hit with a grunt, crossing his arms to shield his face. The fire singed the edges of his sash, but he charged forward through the blaze.

  "Hide in a Smokescreen!"

  Hank dug his paws into the ground, reared back, and exhaled a thick plume of choking black smoke. It engulfed the field in seconds, clouding visibility and drawing a wave of murmurs from the crowd.

  From within the cloud, a sudden crack rang out, Hariyama had slammed a heavy palm into the ground barely missing Hank.

  Annabelle grit her teeth. “He’s got a good read on us... again, Flamethrower, this time spread it wide!"

  A searing wave of fire lit up the haze, catching Hariyama in the chest this time causing him to stagger backwards.

  “Hariyama Rain dance.”

  “Stop him! Flame Charge!”

  Hariyama grumbled and lifted his arms above his head.

  But Hank darted forward through the smoke, fire danced along his coat as he slammed into Hariyama. The hit sent the heavier Pokémon skidding several feet back. His feet dug trenches into the dirt, and his knees buckled, but he stayed upright.

  “Force palm!”

  Hariyama’s eyes flashed with anger and he lunged forward.

  "Hank, dodge!"

  A colossal palm smashed into Hank’s shoulder with a brutal Force Palm, launching him sideways into the dirt.

  “Hank!” Annabelle cried out, her hand clenching tightly.

  The Arcanine staggered back to his feet, his front left leg was trembling under his weight. But he met her gaze and deep growl vibrated low in his chest.

  He was still in it.

  “Hank use smokescreen again and keep your distance.”

  Hank exhaled another burst of black smoke and began to move off to the right.

  “Flamethrower. Straight ahead!”

  Flames punched through the smoke towards their target.

  “I’m done playing hide and seek! Hariyama, Whirlwind!”

  With a wave of his hands Hariyama sent a massive bast of air outward. Blowing the flames and the smoke in all directions.

  Annabelle clenched her jaw “Hank use Agility and try and get behind him.”

  Caleb’s eyes narrowed. “Hariyama focus energy and wait for him to come to you.”

  “Hank find an opening and Flame Charge.”

  Flames engulfed Hank, his back legs strained as he launched himself at Hariyama’s exposed back with every ounce of strength he had.

  “Hariyama Focus punch behind you!”

  Hariyama spun, his right fist was encased in a blinding glow of energy.

  Hank dug his front claws into the ground his muscles screamed in protest, as he tried to stop…but his momentum betrayed him. The massive fist was coming straight for his head and there was nothing he could do.

  With a loud pop Hank’s injured left leg buckled from the strain, causing him to twist and fall forward.

  Wind from Hariyama’s punch whooshed over his head harmlessly, missing by less than a quarter inch.

  The rest of Hank continued forward tumbling end over end, and his butt smacked into the top of Hariyama’s head and slammed him into the ground with enough force to make a crater several inches deep.

  Hank rolled across the ground, coming to a stop in front of Caleb. His legs shook as he struggled to stand back up, refusing to put any weight on his front leg.

  For a few heartbeats the entire stadium was silent. “What the hell just happened!?” Caleb muttered.

  Then the referee walked forward and raised his hand.

  “Umm…Hariyama is unable to battle. The victory goes to Annabelle Renfar!”

  Cheers erupted through the crowd.

  Annabelle exhaled, and a knot in her stomach seemed to finally loosen. She rushed over to Hank, and knelt beside him, burying her fingers in his thick fur on either side of his head.

  “You did it, great job big guy.” she whispered.

  He let out tired huff, and licked Annabelle’s entire face. From her chin to her forehead.

  Annabelle quickly pushed his face away. “Eww, Hank no.”

  From all around her laughter rapidly began to replace the applause.

  Wiping the saliva off her face, she looked around and smiled and started laughing too.

  Caleb made his way towards Annabelle and offered her his hand. She grasped it and pulled herself back up until they stood eye to eye.

  “I thought I had you, thanks for the great match, Annabelle.”

  “If Hank’s leg wouldn’t have given out, you would have. You should be proud. Your team is strong.”

  Caleb smirked “Thanks, we will have to do this again.” He turned and walked away while waving to the crowd.

  High above in the stands, Headmaster Jorgen leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “Luck, the one thing no one can plan for.”