The Poison Champion

Icyshore isn't really a big town. At some point in our trip the snow rain stopped but still the whole place is covered with snow. Maybe the roads never really run out of snow but what's surprising is it's not really that cold in here. Unlike the previous cities where the majority of infrastructures are compressed, the buildings here were slightly far from each other. There is no landmark from here that I can recall so we just round the town until we saw a café. We settled in and ordered some cakes and coffee. We ate to our stomach's content with Shaymin occasionally poking out for a dab of icing and after a few slices and a cup or two we were so stuffed. We were about to leave when we saw some lads passed by running towards the town square.

"What are they running there for?" Noel asked.

"Well, might as well check out. It's on the way to the train station anyway." I suggest and went out of the café. The sun still hasn't set and the air outside suddenly became chilly to my taste. More kids passed us by towards the square.

"Let's go." Noel said as he run towards the same direction. He went ahead until he was lost to the crowd.

The town square isn't really spacious but enough to contain the almost a hundred kids that aggregated towards it. What could've been the show here? As we get nearer, I heard someone whispered, "Someone from the Elite Force is having exhibition battle…" Oh, so that's why. But who could it be? I guess someone so popular. Maybe it's Lance or Kenji. A moment later, Noel was walking towards me a little hastily.

"I heard a GEF member is having a friendly battle with Icyshore's Gym leader. Wow, I met two champions in one day. How can this be more exciting?" Noel exclaimed in excitement. "Come on Jes, we better hurry or we might miss it."

"Alright, alright." I said as we squeeze into the crowd of spectators. "Keep yourself out of sight, eh." I whispered to Shaymin. He curled itself more tightly in answer.

There was a whistle followed by some woo-hoo and a bit of shouts. It must've started then. But who could it be? Noel was already by the sidelines so I squeeze around some more until I'm beside him then looked at the two trainers in the center of the square. The first one I saw is a blue-haired man wearing gray suspenders arms crossed on his chest. Walter, gym leader of Icyshore. Beside him is his best partner, Floatzel. I shifted my gaze to his opponent expecting to see Lance but was surprised to see a man around 20 years old with purple hair, very chinky eyes and a very knowing smile holding a Pokeball. Kevin. Just my luck.

"Swalot, prepare to intoxicate." He said as he threw it and a purple plump with whiskers appeared in the battlefield. The crowd gave an impressed reaction. Cool! Nothing's even happening and they're already getting so pumped up. What fame can't do? I sure didn't expect Kevin, the poison champion, has a lot of fans, but a GEF is still a GEF so what do we know?

"Floatzel, use Whirlpool!" Walter commanded that also got me out from my chain of thoughts. The Pokémon quickly obeyed and whipped a huge swirling of water emanating from its mouth.

"Impressive Whirlpool." Kevin complimented. I can't help but to agree. That Whirlpool sure looks powerful I don't want messing up with it.

"I know right and we're not done yet, use Aqua Jet to the center!" Walter followed-up.

Floatzel engulfed itself with water and launched itself into the center of the whirlpool. It changed the direction of the whirlpool, making it follow as it pass through and when it emerged to the other side, Floatzel was completely cloaked with a swirling stream. There was another round of shouts of awe from the crowd. Now this is more like it.

"I might say you've been watching Pokémon Contests too much eh, Walter." Kevin said. "But that flashy move won't sway us a bit. Swalot, use Stockpile!"

As I've expected. Swalot isn't really a fast Pokémon most definitely not with Floatzel as comparison with its Aqua Jet-boosted speed and there's no way it will be able to dodge. Swalot sucked in a huge amount of air that made its body plumper and bulkier. Just as then, Flaotzel hit it right on the stomach. It was pushed back but no serious damage was apparent. Floatzel withdrew out of reach quickly. Swalot gave it a smirk.

"You got a tough one." Walter commented. "Worthy of being a GEF's Pokémon. But we've got more under our sleeve. Floatzel use Ice Fang!"

Floatzel bared its fangs smoking with freezing temperature as it lunch itself towards Swalot again.

"Swalot,Stockpile again." Kevin commanded again.

Swalot braced itself and as Floatzel connects, unlike earlier, it managed to root itself on where it's standing. Of course, Stockpile raises all defenses so using it over and over would really toughen up a Pokémon.

"Let's end this one Floatzel, use Aqua Jet rapid succession!" Walter shouted.

"Keep on it Swalot." Kevin said.

Floatzel unleashed a fury of Aqua Jets as Swalot only defended itself. It doesn't even seem to be taking any damage.

"What the? That Swalot isn't even feeling a thing." I heard Noel mutter to himself. I'm kinda seeing what's gonna happen now.

"Floatzel, give it all you got, Aqua Jet full power!" Walter commanded.

"It's time! Swalot use Spit!" Kevin suddenly ordered.

Floatzel was already on its way towards Swalot and the moment it reached a certain distance in front of it; Swalot fired a yellow light from its mouth. It collided with Floatzel with an explosion and when the smoke cleared Floatzel lay on the ground unconscious.

"Wow, some power." "That was worthy of a Hyper Beam." I heard someone from the crowd muttered. They suddenly compressed forward trying to get close to the Poison Champ. A little more and there will probably a riot.

"Floatzel you were awesome, thanks. And thank you Kevin for a wonderful battle." Walter said as he returns his fainted Pokémon in its pokeball.

"No sweat." Kevin said coolly. People started to gather around him taking pictures or asking for autographs. Walter disappeared behind the crowd.

"He is so cool!" Noel blurted out. Geez, not you too. What a kid. Noel started to squeeze in through the crowd again and of course I followed. The best thing I want now is to get away from here but whatever.

As I get closer Kevin, he glanced towards my direction. Darn. Here it goes.

"Aaah, I didn't expect to see you here. My rival," He said pointing me.

All the people around us look in my direction even Noel.

"Rival?" They exclaimed in chorus. A lot of whispers from the crowd as they studied me like "Who is he?", "Is he strong?", "He must be!". I hate this.

"Well, well if this is a popularity contest I've won it big time. Ha! These people don't even know you." Kevin said in his own way specifically staged to annoy me, but it never works.

"Then I'm lucky it is not then." I answered. Noel eyed me curiously. He then grabs me by the shoulder and whispered. "You know each other?"

"Oh yes, we know each other to well, we've team up a very few times but we've battled a lot of times, and with those battles, mostly I am the one who emerge victorious." Kevin said to theatrically. Noel was awe struck again. He really is such a kid.

"Why didn't you say you know really cool people? Can you get me his autograph?" Noel blurted out as he shook me.

"Shut up." I said. Shaymin was watching Kevin with wonder. I wonder what it is thinking.

"Ow, I would be glad to give it to you." Kevin answered for me again. "What do you say we battle today eh? Let these people see how I my excellent Poison Pokémon beat you." The crowd started to cheer him.

Geez, what a talker, but it takes more than that to provoke me.

"I would've loved to but I'm running on a tight schedule. Noel we have to go." I said turning my back.

"But, but how about my autograph?" Noel complained.

"Too scared eh? I'll probably be if I were you. Don't wanna get embarrassed in front of these people."

Okay, that's a bit unignorable. I faced him.

"If you really want a battle, then wait me on Omega Regional Live Battle Tournament. Let's see how much of that talk is true." I answered. Okay that was a bit uncharacteristic for me even Shaymin did a double take. Maybe I'm turning vain just like him. I started walking again not even bothering to check if Noel is behind me.

"Well then I accept your challenge. That's where I'm off to anyway. Prepare as I, the Poison Champion Kevin crush you in that tourney." Kevin said laughing. The crowd fell silent at that and I continue leaving until I can't hear his voice.