Episode 103:
Icy’s New Rival

Last time,

“Trinity here. Ok, so I creamed yet another loser trainer and met this brat named Icy who thinks just because he’s won a few other leagues that he’s got the strength to beat me. Well, I’m gonna teach this Caterpie-loving fool a lesson.”

(Opening Theme plays)

“I accept your challenge Icy,” Trinity shouted.

“Great.”

“Great?? You battle now, there’s no one else left on the schedule. The other kid chickened out.”

“Alright then, we battle now.” Icy and Trinity glared at each other.

“Now entering the stadium, one of the best trainers in the Spectral Islands, TRINITY!!!!! Trinity hasn’t lost a battle in the past month of training and she faces off against yet another challenger. But this guy’s not an ordinary trainer folks. Please give a warm welcome, to the Indigo League’s, Viridian Forest Bug Gym Leader!!! ICY!!!!!” The cheered, impressed that a gym leader would visit to challenge a regular trainer.

From the stands, Sara watched her friend with Nicky and Kelly. Mars laid in Kelly lapse while Venus sat on her head. She giggled and watched the action. Nicky meanwhile, had eyes on something else.

“Nicky, they are starting,” Sara said poking the preoccupied kid.

“Oh, right, ehheheh,” Nicky said and turned his attention to where it should have been, the match.

“This will be a six on six match. After three pokémon on either side have been defeated, the floor will change. Are you both ready?” The current field was a grass field, kinda like a meadow and had a few small bushes too which could make perfect hiding spots.

“YES!” Icy and Trinity said together. They again glared at each other and selected their first pokémon.

“Jumpluff GO!” Trinity said sending the small grass type pokémon into action.

“Ready to fight, come in sight! ICY CALLS!!! BUTTERCUP!!!” Icy’s green Butterfree materialized and awaited her commands.

“Jumpluff, use your giga drain before that Butterfree has a chance to attack.”

“Buttercup, be careful, use your stun spore to stop Jumpluff.” Buttercup flew over Jumpluff who leaped into the air with the breeze. Jumpluff tried to use its attack but the stun spore hit first and it slowly descended, paralyzed.

The crowd was astonished. In just one hit, Trinity’s Jumpluff was rendered unable to battle. Nicky and Kelly were pleased, as well as Sara. “WOW, a rough start for Trinity as Icy’s Butterfree takes her Jumpluff out in a single attack. This could be the end of Trinity’s winning streak.”

Trinity mumbled to herself, “Oh just shut up already,” she wanted to say. She recalled Jumpluff and detached a second pokéball. “You just got lucky mister, but pokémon battles aren’t about luck. I’m gonna teach that Butterfree of yours a lesson now.” Trinity threw the new pokéball into the field and revealed a Larvitar. “GO LARVITAR.”

Icy was stunned for a moment. Larvitar was fire type, his worst fear for Buttercup to fight. “Buttercup, return. For your Larvitar, I’ll choose, HOCUS!!!” Icy threw Hocus’ pokéball into the field and his Kadabra jumped out, ready for battle.

“The trainers have sent out their next set of pokémon. Trinity is using her Larvitar, and Icy, being a psychic trainer as well folks, is using Kadabra. Let’s see how this round turns out.”

“Larvitar, earthquake now.” Larvitar used the horn on its head to burrow into the ground causing a giant crack to form in the field and taking Hocus off balance. “Great work, now, fury cutter attack!” Hocus was still too shaken from the earthquake to avoid Larvitar’s fury cutter attack and fell. “YES! You did it Larvitar!”

The crowd was on their feet while Icy recalled his Kadabra woefully. “And Trinity bounces back with her Larvitar, getting in that first critical shot which decided this round. Let’s see how Icy will retaliate.”

Buttercup released herself from her pokéball. “No Buttercup, you can’t fight that pokémon, it’s a fire type; you’ll get burnt again.” Buttercup shook its head as if to say she would be alright. “But…” Buttercup flew into her trainer’s arms and Icy hugged her saying softly, “Good luck friend.” Buttercup gathered herself and took a fighting pose in the air, facing Larvitar. “Ok Buttercup, let’s show this Larvitar who’s best! Psybeam attack now!”

“Crap, Larvitar get your defense ready!” Buttercup glowed multi-colored and released a large psybeam at Larvitar, pushing him back a ways but causing minimal damage. “Fire Blast attack.” Larvitar shot the giant flame from his mouth that sped towards Buttercup.

Icy’s eyes widened. “BUTTERCUP NO!!!” He covered his eyes. Somehow, Buttercup managed to use Teleport, and successfully avoided the strong fire attack. Icy uncovered his eyes to see his friend still flapping her wings gracefully in the sky, unharmed. “Buttercup, you are fine!” Icy clinched his fist. Buttercup’s eyes glared. She knew what to do now. “HYPER BEAM!!!!!!!!!”

“What! Oh I don’t think so. Larvitar, you can crush that puny pokémon with your own. HYPER BEAM!!!” Larvitar glowed white and fired its Hyper Beam just as Buttercup fired hers. The intense light blinded the trainers and the crowd. When the two beams hit, they created an explosion so loud, it shattered windows almost a mile away. The shockwave was enough to knock down both Icy and Trinity and blow back a few crowd members. When it was all over, both pokémon were down.

“BUTTERCUP. Speak to me, oh please be alright.” Buttercup opened her eyes and looked up at Icy as if to ask if she’d done a good job. Icy hugged his brave friend and nodded. “You did great Buttercup, I knew you would. Thanks a lot buddy, but now you should get some rest.” Buttercup nodded and transformed into energy as she was zapped back inside her pokéball.

Trinity was stunned. “He’s actually quite good.” She recalled Larvitar and waited for Icy to make his next move.

“Wow folks. Never before have we seen such an intense battle like this, and we are only in the pre-season! Remember, you can still purchase season passes to catch all the action during the regular season. And now, the score is tied with only 4 pokémon remaining to each trainer.

“Ready to fight, come in sight! ICY CALLS!!!!!” He threw the next pokéball into the field finishing, “CYBER!!!” The sharp, duck-like, cybernetic pokémon appeared. It’s very rare to see a Porygon outside the Internet, and the crowd was very excited to get to see this one.

“A Porygon? I’m gonna crash that cybernetic duck. Cyndaquil, I choose you!” Trinity’s Cyndaquil leaped out giving a cute “QQQQUUIIIIIIIILLLL.” “Alright Cyndaquil, overheat that pile of computer code with your flamethrower.” The holes on Cyndaquil’s back erupted in flames and it spit a large fireball at Cyber.

“You can’t hit what you can’t find. Cyber, double team!” Cyber quickly became nearly ten Porygons and Cyndaquil’s flamethrower hit one of the fakes. “Cyber, psybeam attack!” All of the Porygons fired psybeams, only one being real.

“Cyndaquil look out!” Trinity screamed. The nimble fire mouse dodged every last beam, impressing the crowd enormously. “Great work. Use detect. Find the real one.”

“Psybeam again Cyber!” The Porygon team fired their barrage of psybeams at the waiting Cyndaquil.

“You can do it,” Trinity said to herself. Cyndaquil was unharmed by the fake attacks until he detected the real one. “DO IT CYNDAQUIL!!! Fire blast the real one!” Cyndaquil jumped back and spit a huge fireball at the Porygons. It hit the real on dead one.

“No way!” Cyber was overheating a fainted. “How could it figure out which was the real one? She’s good…” Icy thought to himself. “Cyber return.”

The crowd cheered as the announcer came back on. “And Trinity defeats Icy’s third pokémon Cyber. That means we will now have a field change. The second environment for today is a small lake and ice surface. Let’s see how both trainers deal with this change.”

“I’ll be fine. They almost always make this sorta change. First grassland, then water or ice. I’ve saved all my water types just for this. That kid’s gonna learn why I’m number one here,” Trinity thought to herself.

The field finished changing and Trinity’s Cyndaquil slid back onto the ice. Its hot body was slow melting the surface below him forcing him to stay in motion. Icy selected his next pokéball and threw it. “Static GO! Bounce your thunderbolt into the water.” Icy’s plan was to use Cyndaquil’s heat against him. He hoped it would work. Static charged up and sent a thunderbolt into the lake section. Sure enough, the places where Cyndaquil was standing had melted enough for the electricity to connect with him and electrocuted Cyndaquil.

“Wow! Amazing strategy by Icy using Cyndaquil’s heat against him. These two trainers certainly know how to battle well. This match could go down to the wire!”

Static stood on the ice, moving now and then in case it melted, and waited for Trinity to send out his next opponent. Trinity recalled Cyndaquil and grinned. “I’ve only begun to fight. Now you’re gonna feel my real power. Chonchii go!” The small electric and water type pokémon appeared.

“A water type pokémon. Electric too… Something’s not making sense here. Static, use swift attack now.”

“Chonchii get out of there and into the water. It’s too cold for that Pikachu to follow you.” Chonchii nodded and danced around the swift stars and did a double flip in the air before completing a perfect dive into the water. The crowds gave their approval and Chonchii surfaced only for a second to smile at them.

“Static, thunder attack!” Icy assumed that since it was in the water, the electricity would easily knock it out. Static used his ultimate electric attack, but Chonchii did not surface.

“It’s gonna take more than a little electricity to defeat my Chonchii. It’s an electric type too and I’ve trained it to withstand huge amounts of electricity. Seems that training paid off. But now, I’m afraid Chonchii’s gonna have to close this match. Zap cannon attack Chonchii,” Trinity yelled from above the ice. Below, Icy and Static could both see Chonchii light up, but it was too late, and the zap cannon attack shattered through the ice and paralyzed Static.

“No, Static return,” Icy said hitting him with the pokéball beam before Static slipped into the freezing water. “They like to play hard eh? I only have Neptune and Leafy left. She’s still got that Chonchii and two others. I know Neptune will have some advantage with the water, so I’ll use Leafy now.” Icy detached the pokéball and expanded it. “Ready to fight, come in sight! ICY CALLS!!! LEAFY!!!” Icy’s Gloom, Leafy emerged. “Ready, go! SOLAR BEAM CHONCHI NOW!!!”

“Chonchii, dive down!” Chonchii retreated as far down into the pool as it could but was just not far enough to avoid being burnt by the intense solar beam attack as it ripped through the ice and down to Chonchii. It floated back up and jumped onto the ice. “Chonchii, are you alright? Thunder attack Chonchii.” Chonchii’s little antennae glowed and struck Leafy with a large lightning bolt, stunning the large plant and doing heavy damage since Leafy could not ground herself on the ice.

“We, can’t lose. Leafy, Petal dance now.” Leafy surrounded itself with petals which confused Chonchii because it could no long find its target. “Giga Drain now.” Leafy sapped Chonchii’s power dealing more damage since Chonchii is a water type.

“Agghhhh, Chonchii return.” Chonchii was zapped back into its pokéball.

“Well, it’s down to 2 on 2 folks. Icy’s Gloom Leafy will now face whatever of Trinity’s two remaining pokémon. Can he pull off a victory where so many others have failed?”

“I so wanna kill him,” Trinity thought to herself.

Meanwhile, up in the stands, Nicky and Kelly were getting worried. “I think Icy’s in real trouble. The only other pokémon he’s got is Neptune, a Horsea. She’s not gonna be much of a fight against whatever Trinity’s got left,” Kelly said.

“You’re right. Icy may actually lose… but Trinity was the favorite.”

“Nicky! You are supposed to be routing for Icy,” Kelly was disappointed.

Nicky suddenly stood up and cheered. “GO ICY!!! C’MON, YOU CAN DO IT!!!” Kelly sweatdropped and asked Nicky to sit down before he made a fool of himself.

At that moment, only a few miles north of the stadium, a dark man riding a steel bird pokémon observed the city coming within range of view. “They are here. I have my orders and I shall not fail this time. Come Eamudo, we have work to do.” The steel bird screeched and carried its trainer towards the city.

Trinity threw her fifth pokéball into the field. This time, Leafy would have to beat Qwilfish.

“No problem, Giga Drain.” Leafy aimed for the water pokémon but Trinity had other plans.

“Qwilfish, use hydro pump to block the giga drain.” Her plan was successful and Icy had to quickly rethink strategies while Trinity appeared ready to finish the now scared Gloom. “Don’t wait for them Qwilfish, use sludge bomb.” Qwilfish got very large and then coughed up a giant ball of sludge and hurled it at Leafy. Leafy suffered major damage from the poison attack and was defeated.

“And this could be it, Trinity appears to have Icy beaten. With just one pokémon left, Icy’s got a bit of catching up to do.”

“Neptune, go!” Icy sent out his final pokémon, Neptune, a Horsea.

“Qwilfish, use pin missile and take out that tiny sea horse.” Qwilfish fired pins from its body but Neptune was able to avoid being hit doing some fancy footwork before retreating to the water. “After it Qwilfish!

“Now we got her! Do it Neptune!” Trinity could only gasp as she realized she’d just sent Qwilfish into a trap. “Dragonbreath attack!” Neptune blazed Qwilfish with her strongest dragon attack and Trinity had to recall it. “Great work Neptune. We may just win this yet!”

“That’s what you think. I’ve saved the best for last.” Trinity took out a pokéball with a brownish star on it. “Sneasel GO!” The ice, dark cat pokémon appeared on the ice, having no trouble standing or moving. “Let’s win this! Lure that seafood out, hehehe.” Sneasel reached into the water and grabbed Neptune throwing her onto the ice.

“Neptune, bubble beam!”

“Sneasel, fury swipes to block and follow through to attack!” Sneasel sliced the bubbles apart then took swipes at Neptune.

“Neptune, look out, dodge it!” Neptune managed to dodge some of Sneasel’s attacks but still took a fair amount of damage. “Ok, use hydro pump on that cat!” Neptune fired the jet stream of water at Sneasel but the nimble feline gracefully dodged the mighty water attack.

“Blizzard attack Sneasel!” Trinity shouted. Sneasel landed then launched her blizzard attack.

“Neptune. We won’t let her win like that. Counter attack with your blizzard too. Make a break for the water afterwards,” he said lightly so Trinity wouldn’t overhear. Neptune used her blizzard attack as well causing a massive snowstorm to form. Freezing, Neptune made her way for the water pond but hit something before getting there.

Sneasel wasted no time in swiping the nearly frozen Horsea with its claws and Neptune fell easily as the snow began to clear. The referee raised his flag and announced Trinity’s Sneasel the winner. The crowd cheered and Icy recalled Neptune.

“And Trinity has once again pulled off victory, though this time it cost everything she had. What an exciting match we’ve just witnessed. I hope the Spectral Gym Leaders were watching, because if the challengers are THIS good, you’re in for a showdown for sure! Remember folks, you can purchase videotapes of today’s match at the souvenir stands on your way out. Be sure to pick up one to remember this awesome match! The next pokémon match will begin in a half hour. We hope you stick with us for more heated action!”

Icy walked through the stadium tunnel feeling quite down. It had been a while since someone was this difficult a trainer to beat, and he wasn’t able to win it this time. “You guys fought well, she’s definitely a worthy rival,” Icy said quietly to his pokéballs. Somehow, he knew they could hear him, and knew he was proud of them regardless of how the battle turned out. Sara, Nicky, and Kelly were there waiting for him as he came to the end of the tunnel.

“Icy! Wow, what a battle, you and your pokémon were totally awesome!” Nicky said.

“Yea, my Eevees were bouncing around the whole time from the excitement,” Kelly added.

Sara ran up to Icy and gave him a kiss and hug. “You were so cool out there. It’s been so long since I’ve seen you get to battle such a talented trainer, it was really awesome to watch you.” Icy blushed and hugged Sara back.

“Thanks Sara. I had a fun time too. My pokémon really did an awesome job. But we’re gonna have to train even harder if I want to beat that trainer Trinity.” Icy knew they’d meet again in the Spectral League. The four kids exited the stadium and walked down the now silent streets. The next pokémon battle had started.

“Another battle in my favor… But he was different from the others. I actually… enjoyed that battle… Ughh… Whatever, he’s no different from the other ignorant kids I’ve crushed so far.” Trinity placed Suihou in her arms and walked home. “And you, well, I’ll figure out what’s with you sooner or later.” Suihou smiled making Trinity giggle a little. “C’mon, I’ll show you your new home.” She walked off into the afternoon horizon.

Meanwhile, the man flying on the steel bird spotted Icy and his friends walking along the empty street. “Now, I have my chance. Eamudo, we shall not fail this time.” The main gave the command to attack, and Eamudo swooped down for Icy and the others.

“What the,” Icy said suddenly as he sensed Eamudo closing. “DUCK NOW!” They all fell to the ground just in time. “What the heck was that?”

“D***. He could see me coming. No matter. Eamudo, prepare to engage the enemy.” The steel bird allowed its trainer to dismount then took up a fighting pose.

“No way!” Icy shouted. Sara kinda hid behind him, Kelly hid behind Nicky.

“Who’s that?” Nicky asked.

“I’m not sure, but he looks familiar.”

“We have meet once before Mister Icy. I may have failed in my first attempt to vanquish you, but this time I shall not. Prepare to face your destiny at my hand, Eamudo get ready!”

“Who the heck are you?” Icy asked.

The man just laughed and drew his gray cape. “I am known as Gamma. It will be the last name you ever know. Eamudo, steel wing attack!”

Icy grasped Sara’s hand and she joined with Nicky and Kelly. Just moments before Eamudo’s powerful steel wing could strike them, Icy teleported the group a safe distance. “You want a battle, I’ll be sure to see that you lose,” Icy said reaching for a pokéball.

“No Icy, they are too weak from battle. That Eamudo is really powerful looking. Let me battle it while you guys escape, I’ll be fine.” Nicky selected a pokéball when Icy took the girls to safety.

“I shall crush you and then your friend Icy. I will show no mercy.”

“I’m not afraid of you,” Nicky said bravely.

“You will be…” Gamma pointed in Nicky’s direction and Eamudo darted for him.

“AGH. GO WIGGLYTUFF!!!” Nicky’s giant pink Wigglytuff emerged. “Sing now!!!” Nicky plugged his ears with a special Wigglytuff-Sound-Proof-Wax (available at a fine convenience store near you). Gamma grunted as Wigglytuff began singing.

“Curses. Eamudo, get back here!” Gamma mounted Eamudo and flew off before he’d fall asleep. “You live this {yawn} time Icy. {yawn} But I’ll be back… Oh yes. Right after I take a nap.”

Wigglytuff stopped singing and Nicky thanked her for saving them. He rejoined Icy and the others. “That was close. I don’t know who that guy was, but you sure know how to make powerful enemies Icy,” Nicky said.

“I dunno, but I think I better keep an eye out for him. He’s attacked us before.”

“C’mon, we can stay tonight at the Pokémon Center. I’ve already asked Nurse Joy,” Nicky said. The group retired to the pokécenter for the evening.

Meanwhile,

“Twice your agent has failed you… I am not pleased.”

“He knows what he is doing. Every confrontation builds character. Next time, Icy shall not be so lucky.”