Battle Hall Challenge Chpt 5

"Unimaginable! The upstart Utack has defeated 49 Pokémon, and is now facing down none other than… Battle Hall Matron Argenta!" Roared the Announcer, thunderous cheers echoing behind him from the crowd.

"Wo-Wow…" Emma gasped, her gaze resting upon Utack. The boy was standing there, tall and confident, his Swampert by his side. The two of them had taken a much different tactic then they had in the previous three days. They moved quicker, quickly picking the attack that had the most effect, and timing their attacks to do the most damage, to end the battles in as few blows as possible. All 10 Grass types had fallen before their sped up Choice-Scarf Ice Punch, then Electric and Fire to their Earthquake. During the last two rounds, Utack and Swampy had only gone after lower ranked pokemon, picking from the different types available, but making sure to avoid the Ghost and Bug catagory for fear of Shedinja.

Their efforts had paid off, the two of them had won the last nineteen battles, and stood on confident on the stage as they awaited their final opponent. Emma could swear Utack seemed... Stronger. Maybe even handsomer? She quickly shook these thoughts aside, her gaze following Utack's, as he quietly watched the Battle Hall stage's entrance.

"Well buddy… Battle number 50…" Swampy mumbled, glancing down the runway. The lights all swarmed about, flashing multicolored as Argenta appeared. The spotlights zoomed in, focusing on the Matron as she strolled confidently down the runway, waving to her fans as she went.

"Yup…" Utack whispered back to his partner, "We've made it… Think we can pull one last win out of the hat?"

"Piece of cake!" Swampy chuckled, the two of them watching as Argenta took her position on the stage.

"Welcome! My Battle Hall allows trainers to mount challenges with their one favorite Pokémon. I imagine there were tense moments getting here with your chosen one." Argenta called, bringing a large grin and an egar nod from Utack as she continued, "But understand that one shines the brightest when a challenge is overcome. I am Argenta, and I am your final and most daunting challenge. I dare you to overcome my challenge!"
In a flash of light, a large ferocious looking Charizard stood before Utack and Swampy. It threw its head back and let out a fearsome roar, a huge stream of fire spurting from its jaws.

"Don't get over confident!" Emma called warningly as the fire type stared them down.

"Who, me? Wouldn't think of it!" Utack laughed, Swampy bounding forward, a growl rumbling in his throat to match the Charizard's.

"Battle Begin!" Cried the Announcer.

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"Swampy, Waterfall – Tailfin!" Utack commanded. Swampy's tailfin grew bright blue, and a jet of water shot out from behind it, propelling the Mudfish forward like a bottle rocket, directly at the Dragon.

"Charizard, Protect!" Argenta commanded. The beast smirked, and a bright red dome washed over the Pokémon, forming a protective barrier between it and Swampy.

"Nuts!" Swampy groaned, crashing into the protect dome. The shield held fast, and Swampy was bounced backwards, tumbling to the ground as his attack failed. He recovered on his second role however, and skidded to a stop, his fingers and toes digging into the stage as he jerked himself to his feet.

"Now, let's end this… Charizard, unleash your ultimate attack! Blast Burn!!!" Argenta cried out.

The beast gave a flap of its wings, and soared into the sky. Its entire body glowed a bright, blood red, and a horrific roar filled the entire hall. From its open mouth, a massive geyser of flames were launched. Blast Burn, the most powerful fire attack, the attack reserved for only the fire starters of each generation, exploded at Swampy. The Mudfish was completely engulfed in the inferno, flames swirling around it, creating a spiraling firestorm.

"The-There's no way!" Emma cried out, racing forward to Utack's side, her arm raised, shielding herself from the intent heat and light with her eyes. Utack's left arm shot out, blocking her from proceeding any further as the wind whipped around, being sucked into the blazing attack.

"…Heh. Is that all? Swampy, do it!" Utack cried, jabbing his finger into the air, pointing directly at the Charizard.

There was a hiss, and amongst the roar of flames, a loud, ear-piercing whistle was heard. All at once, from atop the fiery whirlwind, Swampy shot out, steam erupting from his tailfin, the waterfall attack vaporizing immediately from the intensity of the flames.
"Take this!" Swampy roared, reeling his fist back as he shot at the Charizard, staring at him wide eyed in midair.

"Waterfall - Arm Plates!!!!" both Trainer and Pokémon shouted at the top of their lungs.

Swampy slammed his fist directly into the Charizard's stomach, and the orange forearm plate flashed to life. Water erupted from his arm, blasting directly into the Dragon's gut, completely drenching the creature. The Charizard's wings shot back in surprise and pain, and the two Pokemon came toppling down, smashing into the stage, as the blast burn's flames gave one final roar before disintegrating away.

"It's over…" Utack gasped. Emma blinked, and glanced over, realizing that during the intensity of the attack, she had unconsciously been clutching Utack's arm. Slowly, she worked her fingers lose, letting her arms drop to her sides, and Utack's his. Swampy groaned, and slowly rose to his feet, shaking his head as he looked at the Charizard on the ground before him.

"It-It's not over…" Came a rumble from the beast.

"What?" Swampy gasped. The Charizard lay unmoving, but one eye blinked open. Swampy's gaze traveled down the battened Pokémon's body, and he recognized a familiar item.

"Utack..He's got a Focus Sash tied to his tail… By my guess: he's got one HP left…" Swampy called.

"…I said, it's over." Utack said, turning around, and strolling towards the exit.

"Bu-But Utack! If you leave without finishing the battle, you'll forfeit!" Emma protested. She forced her legs to move, and stumbled in front of Utack, spreading her arms, "You worked too hard to get here… You can't just walk awa-"

"There's no point." Utack interrupted her, raising his hand. He smiled, glancing behind him, at Swampy, who nodded and turned, strolling over to join his human companion.

"It used Blast Burn… Everyone knows that after so powerful an attack, the Pokémon can't move for a while… It's completely defenseless, I will not attack someone that can't fight back! I'd rather forfeit, than do such a low handed thing…" Utack grinned, rubbing the back of his head, Swampy giving a quick nod beside him.

"Bu-But…" Emma stammered.

"Oh...I detest how fun times seem to end so quickly." Came a call from across the field.

"Eh!?" Utack blinked, turning to see Argenta strolling over to her lying Charizard.

"You put up a magnificent brawl…But we must admit, that we've lost here today. I'm very proud of all your effort; now take a nice long rest." Argenta murmured to it, recalling the dragon back into its pokeball. She turned, and quickly strode over to Utack, Swampy and Emma, a large smile crossing her face.

"Tell me, your Swampert…It has a choice band under that hat of his, doesn't he?" She asked the stunned looking boy.

"Ye-Yeah!" Utack stammered, Swampy blinking in shock that the Matron had caught onto their little 'Swap scarf for band' trick so quickly.

"I see…That's why you continued to use Waterfall, and why it dealt such a powerful blow to my Charizard… Listen well, young challengers. A good Trainer doesn't force their favorite on anyone. A good one keeps with their favorite without drama or fanfare. That is how I see it, at least." She paused, nodding silently to herself as the trio all stared at her. "And, by the way I see it, you're an excellent Trainer! Be sure to visit the Battle Hall again with a favorite Pokémon." She laughed, reaching into her pocket, and flicking a small, silver piece of metal over to Utack, who quickly caught it in his cupped palms. "Until then, bye-bye!" She called, turning and strolling out of the hall.

"Wha…" Utack and Swampy blinked, before there was a sudden uproar from the crowd, the room filled with cheers of joy, shock, and amazement.

"What an upset! The upstart, who lost on his very first challenge four days ago, has just beaten the Battle Hall Matron Argenta, and earned from her a silver print! What a truly remarkable trainer!!!" The Announcer's voice roared over the crowd.

"Si-Silver print?" Utack asked Swampy, his head beginning to feel light and dizzy. The two of them looked into Utack's cupped hands, and gasped out in amazement, at the small metal badge, sporting a picture of Utack and Swampy, as well as Argenta against a silver Battle Hall.

"You did it Utack! You and Swampy did it!" Emma yelled, grabbing the boy and hugging him, causing him to drop the badge. Luckily, Swampy caught it, and grinning, tucked it under his hat, glancing away as the boy melted in the girl's arms as she squeezed him affectionately.

"Thanks to everyone for coming out! We hope you all enjoyed today's battles, and remind you to keep on pursuing your goals with your friends and partner, Pokémon!" Came the announcer's cry as those familiar strobe lights danced across the field, illuminating Utack, Emma, Swampy and the crowd, still cheering over the fantastic battle.