Chapter 116: On Hold

                                    

                                          
By the time Seth faced Perry, he knew why Jamie was gone. He had to defeat or stall him, but his team wasn't built to stall, so defeat was the only option. He sent out Vaporeon and Camerupt. Perry sent out Raichu and Jumpluff.
                          
It was difficult to predict Seth's Mega Evolution. He had three capable Pokémon: Camerupt, Heracross and Banette. On his adventure, it was Banette, but now he switched them around to mess with challengers. It couldn't be Camerupt. Nothing happened before Raichu planted Sweet Kiss on Camerupt to confuse it. Jumpluff's Sleep Powder missed. Vaporeon's Ice Beam shot it from the air and into the stands. A spectator hesitantly nudged it back onto the battlefield, where it was immediately obvious it was unconscious. It was a relief when Camerupt hit itself in confusion.
                          
Perry sent out Swampert. Seth withdrew Camerupt and sent out the shiny Celebi he received as an Egg from the Celebi who protected the Relic Forest. Raichu's Thunderbolt left Vaporeon paralysed, but it still blasted Scald back. Swampert rammed Celebi with Waterfall. It was ineffective.
                          
Celebi will one-hit KO Swampert...

                          
'Swampert, come back! Go! Garchomp!'
                          
Thunderbolt struck Vaporeon again. Seth's first Pokémon had been with him since he was three. It was a gift from Rui, his mother, when she ran the Pokémon Day Care in Pyrite Town. Vaporeon only winced before straightening up. Seth apparently predicted Swampert's switch. Celebi used Nasty Plot to boost its power.
                          
I can't lose to this guy. I won't lose to this guy! What do I do? If I don't get rid of Vaporeon, Garchomp is getting Ice Beamed. But if I don't get rid of Celebi, that thing's a murder machine after Nasty Plot! Argh...

                          
'OK, Raichu! Thunderbolt!'

                          
Vaporeon finally went down as it was zapped. Garchomp was faster than the average Celebi. Seth had more experience. Garchomp's skin was smashed open as Celebi leeched on to suck out its energy with Giga Drain. Poison bubbled on its fins. It lunged to stab Celebi with Poison Jab. It was a critical hit. Celebi was poisoned and bleeding.

                          
He's way stronger than me, physically... I can only beat him by outsmarting him. He seems a little distracted. I mean, he has to be distracted! He has to be thinking that I'm his wife's illegitimate son!

                          
Seth sent Camerupt back out. Perry's thoughts were in overdrive.
                          
He must be worried that Garchomp's going to hit Camerupt. It knows Protect, doesn't it? Gonna risk this.

                          
'Raichu! Thunderbolt! Garchomp, use Poison Jab!'
                          
That gamble paid off. Camerupt used Protect. Raichu zapped Celebi. It was ineffective, but if Garchomp could hit Celebi again, it would faint... if it could. Giga Drain sapped more of Garchomp's health. It fell to its knees.
                          
'Get up! Garchomp, get up! Get up! Get the fuck up!'
                          
Spectators weren't sure if it was determination or fear that propelled Garchomp back onto its feet. Poison Jab sank into Celebi's stomach. Perry held his breath as he waited for it to faint, but after Giga Drain, it did not.
                          
Fuuuuuuuck... oh! The poison!

                          
The poison wore Celebi down. Its wings feebly fluttered as it floated down to the floor. Its eyes closed. Fans cheered as it was zapped back to its Poké Ball. Most challengers never took down the legendary Pokémon. Seth sent out Banette. His Key Stone remained static in the locket around his neck.
                          
So it's Heracross.

                          
Perry was about to switch Raichu out, but he hesitated.
                          
That combo... usually means Camerupt is planning to use Explosion. I wonder...