Episode #14: The Rematch Against Palmer!

Morning finally came on the third day. Rain was one print away from getting access to the main tournament, and it was against Palmer, who had beaten him twice already. Rain gathered his things before heading down to the lobby to gain access to the Battle Tower’s battling rooms. He took out his Vs. Recorder and looked at each of his prints. The last one remaining was the Tower Print, which he needed in order to head off to the main tournament in a few days.

“It’s time,” Rain said.

Rain soon heard a knock on the door as he went over to open it. He saw Manny on the other side and opened the door with a smile.

“What’s up?” Manny asked.

“Just heading off to face Palmer,” Rain replied.

“How many Prints do you have?”

Rain showed him his Vs. Recorder with all four of his prints: The Factory, Arcade, Castle and Hall Prints.

“Just need to beat Palmer and I’m set!” Rain said.

“Nice,” Manny replied. “Hey, I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but…It’s about Shaymin.”

“They’re after her, right?”

Manny was surprised that he knew already. Then again, he should have known that Rain had discovered this information easily.

“Well, I’ve been eavesdropping on them for a while," Manny said, "and I managed to get some information on them. It seems that Shinsei wants something from Shaymin. So much that he’s willing to keep it captive for a while just to get it.”

“I wish we could do something," Rain replied.

“Yeah. You should be focusing on getting that Print for now. Leave the investigation to me.”

“Thanks so much, Manny. Don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Manny smiled happily in response to his compliment. Rain headed off to the main desk to get into the battle arenas in order to battle Palmer. Manny just hoped that he was able to beat him this time.

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Palmer was currently in the arena, waiting for Rain to come by. He was waiting for the past few days, but when he heard that today would be it, he just had to come by. Rain soon entered the doorway and hoped for the best. Palmer smiled as he took out Rhyperior's Poké Ball and prepared to go.

“Welcome back, Rain,” Palmer said. “I trust that you're ready?”

Rain nodded in response. He wasn't going to back down this time.

“I will not repeat the rules. We'll go straight into it!”

The two lights flashed, leaving Palmer to go first!

“Go, Rhyperior!” Palmer said.

He sent his Rhyperior to battle against whatever Rain was going to send out. He hoped that Gallade was up for it.

“Go, Gallade!” Rain said.

Gallade came out and prepared to battle. Rain didn't want to lose one bit; it was now or never. The two lights flashed to begin the battle.

“Rhyperior, use Rock Wrecker!” Palmer ordered.

Rhyperior dug into the ground and pointed the rocks at Gallade and fired immediately.

“Close Combat!” Rain ordered.

Gallade charged forward and punched the rocks with a powerful blast, breaking it completely. He continued forward and struck Rhyperior constantly.

“Leaf Blade!” Rain ordered.

Gallade fired a Leaf Blade that struck Rhyperior hard, but the Solid Rock ability wasn't doing a heavy amount to him.

“Megahorn!” Palmer ordered.

Rhyperior's drill began to swirl as he went after Gallade, striking him hard enough for him to slam on the ground. Gallade quickly got up and prepared to go again.

“Psycho Cut!” Rain ordered.

Gallade fired a Psycho Cut that dealt a lot of damage to Rhyperior. Gallade kept firing as Rhyperior continued to defend himself.

“Stone Edge!” Palmer ordered.

“Dodge the attack!” Rain ordered.

Rhyperior used a Stone Edge attack, which Gallade dodged. The numerous rocks were shooting up, but Gallade was avoiding them easily.

“Leaf Blade!” Rain ordered.

Gallade shot forward and struck Rhyperior hard and knocked him to the ground. He was soon unable to battle, leaving the green light to flash on Rain's side.

“Good work, Gallade!” Rain said.

Gallade stood up and crossed his arms, ready for the next opponent. Palmer recalled his fallen Rhyperior and prepared to send out his next Pokémon.

“Go, Milotic!” Palmer said.

Palmer sent out his Milotic for battle. She was as elegant as ever, but Rain didn't want to waste Gallade just yet.

“Gallade, return!” Rain said.

Gallade came back to his Pokeball, leaving him to send out Luxray next.

“Go, Luxray!”

Rain sent his Luxray out as he roared proudly. Palmer knew that he was waiting for Dragonite, but he was hoping to defeat him before it was too late. The two lights flashed to start the battle.

“Milotic, use Twister!” Palmer ordered.

“Dodge it!” Rain said.

Milotic fired a Twister attack that Luxray managed to dodge with his impressive speed. He immediately got behind her and began to spark up.

“Discharge!” Rain ordered.

Luxray launched a Discharge attack that struck Milotic, dealing a lot of damage to her. Palmer was impressed with how much Rain improved since last time.

“You aren't taking any chances this time, are you?” Palmer asked.

“Not one!” Rain said. “I'm going all out this time!”

“Bravo! Then how about giving me a thrill of a battle! Milotic, use Twister once more!”

Milotic used a Twister that hit Luxray and sent him against the wall. Milotic wasn't letting up and neither was Rain.

“Discharge!” Rain ordered. “Give them your strongest one!”

Luxray let loose a powerful Discharge attack that struck Milotic, dealing more damage than before.

“Recover!” Palmer said.

Milotic broke free from the attack and began to glow in a heavenly aura, healing her damage and returning to normal.

“Great,” Rain said. “Now what?”

“Recover will be hard to beat, kid!” Palmer said. “Just like you, I will not let up!”

Rain knew that Milotic was going to be hard to beat, but he wanted to have strong Pokémon for the battle against Dragonite. Rain got an idea that would make sure that Milotic couldn't recover.

“Luxray, use Iron Tail!” Rain ordered.

“Use Aqua Tail!” Palmer ordered.

Both Pokémon used their tails to strike each other as they pushed each other to their limits. Luxray was pushing as hard as he could, but Milotic's tail had more thickness to it than Luxray's skinny tail that she knocked him aside.

“Thunder Fang!” Rain ordered.

Luxray landed on the ground and ran back to bite Milotic's tail and electrocutes her greatly. Milotic shot him off and knocked him aside. He got up as watched Milotic's snake-like tail flap around.

“Charge!” Rain ordered.

Luxray began to power up his electrical power with a Charge attack, hoping to do more damage than before.

“Recover!” Palmer ordered.

Rain knew that Charge was going to take a while, but he couldn't risk Milotic getting away with it.

“Discharge!” Rain ordered.

Luxray began to power up stronger than before and let loose a powerful bolt of electricity that struck Milotic before she could get a chance to release the electricity. She soon fell to the ground, unable to battle. The green light flashed to signal Rain's victory.

“This is going to end up fine!” Rain said.

He knew who was coming next, but he had to be strong for this. Dragonite was possibly the strongest Pokémon he's ever faced in his life, and he wasn't going to lose now.

“I hope you've come prepared!” Palmer said, recalling his Milotic back into his Pokeball.

He took out his next Pokeball and prepared to make sure Rain was truly strong enough to defeat him. Rain was nervous, but he felt that he was ready for this.

“Go, Dragonite!” Palmer said.

Palmer's powerful Dragonite came out and roared proudly. Rain was waiting for this moment, and with all three of his Pokémon in perfect shape, he was ready for this. He, however, remembered when he was in this position before.

“The last time this happened,” Rain thought to himself, “I ended up losing to him. I need to get him without using Weavile. I have to weaken him somehow!”

The two lights flashed to begin the battle.

“Dragonite, use Dragon Rush!” Palmer ordered.

“Dodge it, quick!” Rain ordered.

Dragonite used a Dragon Rush attack and charged forward towards Luxray, who successfully dodged the attack.

“Now, use Discharge!” Rain ordered.

Luxray fired a Discharge attack that struck Dragonite hard. He immediately broke it loose and glared at Luxray.

“Hyper Beam!” Palmer ordered.

Dragonite fired a Hyper Beam that struck Luxray hard and sent him into the wall. He soon slid down, unable to battle. The red light flashed on Palmer's end and leaves him smiling.

“I've been waiting to see that,” Palmer said. “Odd how it's been my Dragonite causing it.”

Rain recalled his Luxray and prepared to send out Gallade to keep this going.

“Gallade, let's go!” Rain said.

Gallade came out, ready to fight more than ever. The lights began to flash to begin the battle.

“Psycho Cut!” Rain ordered.

“Twister!” Palmer ordered.

The two fired their attacks, but Dragonite's Twister was much stronger and grabbed Gallade within the storm and swung him across. He slowly got up, but Dragonite was within close range of him.

“Hyper Beam!” Palmer ordered.

Dragonite fired a Hyper Beam that struck Gallade at close range. It shot Dragonite across, but it was far better than before. Gallade, though, was unable to battle. Rain knew that he wasn't going to get anywhere with those two, as much as he hated to admit it. It was all up to Weavile to finish the job. After the failed event from before, he couldn't afford this loss now.

“Dragonite,” Rain thought. “There must be a reason why so many legends surround it. Legends of its strength. Palmer must be fortunate to train him.”

“I'm waiting for you!” Palmer asked. “Or do you realize it's hopeless now?”

“I will not surrender!” Rain thought. “Not now...not ever. Weavile...Please....WIN THIS!!”

Rain took out Weavile's Pokeball. He was the only one capable of dealing damage to him, and failure simply meant the end for him.

“Go, Weavile!” Rain said, stronger than ever.

Weavile immediately came out. He remembered what he said about focusing on the battle more than his opponent, but he didn't want to lose again either. This was it; this was their moment! The final light flash started the last Battle in the main round before the Tournament round!

“Dragonite, use Dragon Rush!” Palmer ordered.

Dragonite charged with his powerful Aura and began to charge towards Weavile, who was ready to fight.

“Faint Attack to dodge!” Rain ordered.

Weavile vanished, completely avoiding the attack and sneaking behind him. He smiled as Dragonite turned around.

“Ice Beam!” Rain ordered.

Weavile fired an Ice Beam on Dragonite's back, freezing his wings and dealing a huge amount of damage to him. Dragonite fell to the ground as he struggled to get up.

“Dragonite, use Outrage!” Palmer ordered.

Dragonite began to surge up with energy as he charged towards Weavile, striking him constantly. He smashed him against the wall and slowly got up. Dragonite was slightly confused, but he shook it off and went back into battling mode.

“Hyper Beam!” Palmer ordered.

“Faint Attack!” Rain ordered.

Dragonite fired the attack at close range, making Rain gasp in shock. However, Weavile was gone, presumably due to Faint Attack. Dragonite looked up as Weavile landed on his head, with him trying to get his opponent off.

“Ice Beam!”

Weavile fired another Ice Beam to freeze his head, jumping off once it was encased. Dragonite roared as he shattered the ice parts completely. Dragonite wasn't going to lose to Weavile at all, and he was sure of it.

“Ice Shard!” Rain ordered.

Weavile fired a number of Ice Shards that struck Dragonite as he covered himself in response.

“This kid,” Palmer thought. “He's not taking any risks. He's obviously giving it his all. Well fine, so will we!”

“Weavile, use Ice Beam!” Rain ordered.

“Dragon Rush!” Palmer ordered.

Weavile used another Ice Beam just as Dragonite powered his Aura and went for it. He shot himself across and struck Weavile hard, slamming him into a wall. This battle was making Rain want to throw up from all the nervousness, and it was hard for him to take all the action. Weavile was weak, and so was Dragonite, who not only took a lot of Ice attacks, but used so many powerful attacks as well.

“Ice Shard!”

Weavile fired another Ice Shard at Dragonite, who took the hit greatly.

“Twister!”

Dragonite used a Twister attack to strike Weavile constantly. He was still hanging on, however. He fell to the ground as he slowly stood up.

“He's weak,” Rain thought. “Weavile! You can't give up no matter what!”

Palmer knew that he was about to lose, just like he did before.

“Use every bit of energy you have! Everything you've got! If it feels like you're about to crash, don't let that happen! GIVE HIM YOUR STRONGEST BEAT UP!!!!”

Weavile powered up another Beat up attack. The power, despite using what was left, slowly attempted to fade, but Weavile pushed himself further than ever before to make it stronger.

“I know what will happen,” Palmer thought. “He'll fade like last time. Sometimes kids never learn.”

Weavile immediately charged towards Dragonite, who wasn't being given any orders. Weavile got closer, but felt pain in his back. Rain covered his mouth in disbelief, but Weavile knew what made him strong in the first place. He pushed himself farther than he had ever --- no --- than ANY POKÉMON has ever gone. Through a powerful miracle, the attack connected and sent Dragonite flying across and into a wall. Weavile sat on his behind and waited for Dragonite to fall as well. The smoke cleared to reveal Dragonite standing perfectly, bruised beyond belief and weak like hell. Rain continued to cover his mouth in shock and disbelief: he knew he was done for.

“No,” Rain said softly. “It can't be...”

Dragonite smiled, and simply fell on his face. Palmer was in shock as well at the sight of what just happened. The quick puff of smoke cleared, and Dragonite was unable to battle. The green light flashed on Rain's side, leaving him stunned that he actually won.

“Is it...over?” Rain asked, frightened at the possibility of failure.

Palmer didn't want to believe it either. He just smiled at the sight of his powerhouse Weavile. Rain went from a look of shock to a smile to cheering. Weavile slowly got up as he charged towards Rain and tackled him. Rain cringed at the thought of what he was going to do next, but when he opened his eyes, he saw Weavile smiling at him. Rain smiled as well, leaving him to give his Pokémon a hug.

“You're incredible!” Rain said. “You're truly something else!”

Palmer then clapped in response. He had never seen a Weavile that willing to win before.

“Well done, Rain!” Palmer said. “You've come so far within the first few days that I can't turn down your right for a Print now!”

Rain smiled in response as he pat Weavile on the head. Palmer went over to him as Rain took out his Vs. Recorder, so he could get his Tower Print. He happily accepted as he put the data in. He handed it back, showing all five prints assembled where the facilities would be on a map. He couldn't believe that he had all five Prints that easily.

“Now then,” Palmer said. “The tournament's in two says. I suggest getting some rest.”

Rain nodded as he and his Weavile headed off, cheering in response. Palmer looked at his Dragonite, who was slowly getting up after suffering a loss at the hands of a kid.

“No need to feel bad, Dragonite,” he said.

Palmer smiled, leaving Dragonite to smile as well. The two know that he was going to go far, and possibly win this entire thing as well. He hoped that it did happen, especially after beating him with an inch of Weavile's energy left. The tournament was going to be an interesting one, that was for sure.


To Be Continued!