BEFORE YOU READ: The PFFL is a fighting tournament whose intent is to harmlessly poke fun at the decidedly (and delightfully) weird world of Pokemon fanfiction, particularly its SI and Mary Sue aspects... though we are not limited to those. The 16 contenders for this tournament were chosen based purely on popular vote. New characters beyond those sixteen will not be admitted until such time as we choose to hold another tournament, and another vote to determine who *those* sixteen contenders will be. The match outcomes are also determined by vote, and a ballot for the upcoming card can usually be found posted at our homepage, along with the tournament's brackets. All readers are invited to cast their votes regarding the outcome of future matches. The show's writers, however, do not vote in said ballot, and make no decisions regarding the outcome of matches save in the cases of a tie vote. You may send comments and criticisms to the writers via e-mail: Alicia Ashby: lynxara@bad-candy.com Tim McLees: silvertooth@i-plus.net Enjoy the show! ______________________________________________________________ A cloudy grey artificial sky hung above the vast auditorium's metallic floor. Etched along the gundarium-alloy floor was the familiar squared circle of the Pokemon battle ring. The concrete bleachers and upper booths were vacant, and a silence loomed throughout the empty stadium. That silence was broken when the hover cam panned back to clearly see a dignified older man, dressed in a red tuxedo, pacing across the ring. The mustached, eyepatch-wearing gentleman regarded his surroundings with his remaining eye before addressing the camera. "If you will pardon me for a moment," the man apologized, "I would like to take this opportunity to explain to you the Pokemon Fight." As the announcer's spiel began, a map of the Kanto and Johto Islands materialized into view, along with profile photos of the PFFL's numerous contenders. "Throughout these islands and through many realities, Pokemon Fighters have assembled to test their skills," he began as footage of past PFFL matches rolled. "These elite sixteen trainers have been battling for the past three weeks to prove themselves. Each of them continues to fight..." A still of Messila's Oddish blasting Felixman's Charmeleon out of the ring snapped into place. "...and fight..." Another still shot, this time of Electrabuzz decimating Garrett Edgerton's Staryu with a pair of elemental Punches. "...and fight." A final freeze frame of Shadow Pikachu, blasting Arina's veteran companion Pikachu out of the ring with a maelstrom of black lightning and wind. "Until one Pokemon fighter remains supreme!" A final dramatic shot of an unidentified figure standing triumphantly on the cliffs above Indigo Plateau flashed into place, before returning to the red suited gentleman. "However," the announcer added ominously, "This year's Pokemon Fight has recently become complicated. The cause is one of those sixteen trainers, this young girl..." A sudden pan to the bleachers revealed an unusually introspective Arina Ketchum slouched against the railing, gazing up at the sky. She clutched a weathered black and white photo in her hand. A pair of rodent Pokemon, Ratatta and her father's Pikachu looked up at her in concern. "A Junior trainer in her own time, this girl has had her life turned upside down, thanks to the presence of two eerily familiar young men...." he continued somberly. A blown up version of the photo appears, showing a much younger Arina being embraced by an unidentified man. Off to the side of the worn break in the middle of the photo, an ethereal still image of Satoshi appears behind the young girl and fades into the distance. "One: A legendary former champion in an uncertain world..." As the smiling visage of the spiky haired trainer disappears, another cloaked and ominous image appears in its place. "The other: A warrior and freedom fighter, who has within his possession mysterious and forbidden powers." The camera returns to the red-suited announcer in the ring, pondering the blue-haired girl behind him. "Tonight, two sides of the same coin will do battle! With a chance at the championship on the line, and the hopes of Arina Ketchum, hanging in the balance." "We now begin the semi-finals of..." with a dramatic flourish, the announcer cast off his red jacket, revealing a stylish pink long-sleeved shirt underneath. His other hand reached up to remove his eyepatch, revealing a perfectly normal and healthy eye underneath. He then raised his fists to the sky triumphantly. "POKEMON FIGHT! READY... GO!" He proclaimed, a reverberating echo trailing his voice as the camera faded to the live feed... ----------------------------------------------------------------------- GUNDAM FIGHT ARENA NEO HONG KONG It's a clear evening in what appears to be your archetypical sprawling urban Hong Kong city scape. Hectic street-side vendors pack the dense, banner- filled streets that lead up to a modern sports auditorium. There, numerous colorful and extravagantly designed Mobile Suits loom over the audience. The towering, metallic Gundam Fighters stand motionless, as the camera pans down onto the scene for tonight's action: the same metal-floored arena we saw in the opening. "In the home of the multiverse's most extreme Robot Warriors! We are reporting to you live from Gundam Fight Headquarters here in the city of Neo-Hong Kong!" Joey Styles enthused with fanboyish glee. "... Mick Foley's a *fine* MC, dammit," his WWF cohort Jim Ross grumbled bitterly. "Let's just see Sir Kill-a-Lot take a Shining Finger, Jimmy..." Joey smirked back at him. "We're in the proverbial 11th hour of the inaugural season of PFFL and *WE ARE LIVE!" Former WCW lead announcer, Tony Schiavone, redundantly proclaimed. "Good evening, everyone, and welcome to tonight's program. What an exciting line-up we have planned tonight!" "We've got the semi-final matches for our first PFFL Championships coming up," JR added. "What we *don't* know is what other matches PTB Productions CEO Malahelicon has slated for us." The PFFL announcing crew's musings were cut off as the opening beats to Limp Bizkit's "My Way," the new trademark music of notorious American trainer duo the Partnerz in Kryme, ripped through the stadium. The two rogue youths tromped out from the curtains beneath the massive Mallytron screen, Felixman in his trademark trench coat and Ded in his oversized denim jeans and jersey. Behind the duo, Ded's bandana-wearing Nidoking strode down the rampway as well. "Apparently we've been graced with the presence of the American contingent in the PFFL tonight. Along with their mascot Bikerking," JR remarked flatly. "Don't underestimate these two, JR," Tony warned. "Despite their abrupt elimination from the tournament proper, they've been a force to be reckoned with here in the PFFL. "Still doesn't explain why they've ground things to a halt here though...." Joey shrugged. "Good evenin', peeps!" Ded yelled into his mic. "The Partnerz in Kryme have come to rock this house. I'm "Double D" Ded, along with faithful man-servant Felixman, and *we've* got all your base right here, baby!" The cackling boy chucked the microphone to Felixman, rubbing his closely cut blonde crewcut. "Shouldn't they be snooching to the hootch or something, or..." Joey rambled, as the elder, slightly more stable Partner began. "Indeed we do, Double D," The brown haired roughneck nodded. "One thing we *don't* have is TV time. Sure, it was nice to see that little brat Messila get punked last week...." Felixman glanced lazily across the jeering audience before he continued. "But we're the toughest SOBs here in the Pokemon FanFic League. We're America's *elite* Pokemon trainers, and we're stuck chillin' our heels back stage." "Yeah! We're eleet, G!" Ded protested. "We want action, y'know? So anyone back there? Come get some!" The smarmy thugs laughed amongst themselves... promptly freezing as the opening techno and odd Japanglish of Two Mix's "Naked Dance" cued up, causing both men to spin around to face the big screen. "Good gawd, now they've done it." JR joked, "They've done and got the attention of PTB head and the Mistress of Kitsch herself, Malahelicon!" "And she's arrived right on cue, too..." Joey smirked, casting a glance up at his embittered cohorts. The giant videoscreen cued to life... to show a winged, Spandex clad young lady with a dark complexion sitting in one of the regal luxury suites in the upper tiers of the stadium. She seemed unusually focused on the chess board in front of her, moving the golden Gundam-shaped pieces around the board, until she finally noticed the camera facing towards her. "Ah, boys!" Mally beamed with a bright smile. "Don't think your pleas have fallen on deaf ears. Things have just been *incredibly* busy here, getting ready for this season's grand finale... ooh! Tequila Gundam..." "Look, toots!" Felixman sneered up to the towering screen. "While you're behind your curtain playing with your *toys*, we've been dominating this League, with no screen time to show for it!" "Yeah! How rude!" his blonde companion frowned. The eccentric goddess sharply spun the chess piece in her hand and thrust it towards the camera, her voice taking on a more stern, British tone. "Now *you* look, sunshine! You two shut your traps and head down to that ring before I turn you two into Muppets!" The cheering audience echoed with approval of the Muse's commands as the Partnerz in Kryme scrambled down the ramp. "You just don't mess with a gawdess, folks," JR warned. "Not even one as 'unique' as our Malahelicon." "WAITASECOND!" Ded halted abruptly when he and his cohort reached the ring's edge. "She can't do this to us, my homey!" "Say, that's right..." Felixman realized, turning back to the Mallytron. "You're bound by the Muse's Clause of Non-Intervention. Meaning you can't directly interfere with the affairs of us *mere mortal competitors*." "Funny how they always remember that clause at random times, isn't it?" Joey smirked, further annoying his partners. The two American thugs continued to mock the PFFL head, who simply nodded somberly. "True... as one of the classical Greek Muses, I can not interfere with the affairs of humanity." She suddenly brightened with unnerving enthusiasm. "However!..." Both Partnerz in Kryme froze in their tracks, turning slowly back to screen. "'However'?..." "Boys, boys, there's *always* a however. That's why I'm in management!" Mally grinned. "I've been doing some hiring and found a particularly impressive individual to help oversee PFFL's recent affairs. I've assigned... a league commissioner!" "A PFFL Commissioner?!" Tony echoed in shock. "What could this new arrival mean to evildoers like the Partnerz in Kryme?" "Same thing a commissioner always means," JR interrupted. "A walking plot point." Malahelicon's visage faded from the screen... before the blaring guitar opening of Metallica's "Seek and Destroy" resounded across the arena, accompanying footage of battles featuring a familiar black and grey furred humanoid mouse... "Great Scott..." Tony breathed. "That music could only mean... that Mally has recruited the help of STING!" Schiovane's ECW counterpart groaned. "Tony, how many times do we have to explain this? It's *not* Sting, just someone else who likes old-school Metallica." "A *particular* someone who's a former 3A Moon Kingdom and Mobian Champion..." JR reminded as the curtains parted, allowing a short, but muscularly built anthro-mouse to advance. He wore the formal regalia of a U.S. Marine officer, and patches of grey were apparent on the tips of his jet black furred ears, but there was no doubt of the identity of the furry steadily approaching the nervous youths. Lieutenant Kyle "Wolf" Hawkins had returned. "At least it's not Jonathan Brisby again," Joey breathed a sigh of relief. "Mally was looking for someone to clean up after the more... messy members of her little monster league," the notorious Avatar grinned darkly. "Good thing Thinker was free... and I was off duty." In a sharp motion, Wolf removed his dark glasses, shooting a glare at the edgy Partnerz in Kryme. "You. Boy. You want some action, right?" the Marine rodent growled over to Felixman, who nodded with determination. "Then you've got it, bro. A return match with one Messila Samatha Wetall!" The coat clad roughneck visibly seethed and turned away in frustration. "...I don't think Felixman had a rematch with the girl that eliminated him in mind." Tony observed. "Yo, Mickey! You think you're so tough?" Ded shouted in anger. The black furred mouse looked up at the towering JNCO clad blonde that raved above him with an unamused glance. "You got somethin' to say to me, Mick--" Ded's ravings were cut off as the new PFFL commissioner swiftly raised a clenched fist, extending his adamantium claws with an audible *SNIKT*. Nidoking broke from his imposing silence to tear off his Dark Glasses, glaring at the short commando rodent. "Yeah, bub, just in case you two get any bright ideas, I'm having someone watch the young lady..." "YES! YOU ARE THE KING OF THE WORLD! YOUR DANCE WILL SAVE US ALL!" Wolf's smile widened as he turned away from the Partnerz in Kryme, the opening chorus to the "Dance Dance Revolution" remix of "Kung Fu Fighting" began. "3A Superstar Kyle 'Wolf' Hawkins has returned!" Tony proclaimed. "And it looks like he's ready to rein in the more chaotic competitors of the PFFL." "*And* that was a great way to kill twenty minutes of air time!" Joey grinned, glancing back to his disgruntled partners. "... what?" The bespectacled martial artist, Ben Masters, stood beside the enthusiastically bouncing Messila. The incoherent brunette trotted down to her post as the American roughnecks took their positions along the edge of the battle ring... FELIXMAN vs MESSILA SAMATHA WETALL Standard League Match "We can do it! From Chamarder go!" Messila exclaimed, casting out her first Pokeball. The fiery lizard Pokemon materialized and shot a cheerful fanged smile to the crowd. "CHAM!" "Heh..." Felixman snorted, drawing a Pokeball from the folds of his trenchcoat. "Let's stomp this ditz, Graveller." The small dragon Pokemon took a few steps back as the massive four-armed rock materialized. The anthropomorphic rock rotated its hulking mass down to shoot a menacing grin to Charmander. "Messila's off to a rough start, tonight," Tony pondered. "She's already at a type disadvantage." "Felixman may not be the most tactful of the PFFL competitors, but he's got one of the wider line-ups in his roster." Joey remarked as Graveller settled to the ground, bracing his large primary pair of arms into the dirt... "Looks like Graveller's settin' up," JR observed, just before the rock Pokemon launched himself along the ground, tumbling towards Charmander, "And it looks like he's attempting to end this early with a Rollout!" "But Charmander *narrowly* dodges!" Tony yelped as the red lizard dove out of the rolling rock Pokemon's path. "Now... they strike fighting poses!" "They have, in order to use your heading, Chamarder! Headbutt!" Messila ordered. The young girl's Charmander braced itself on one clawed foot then shot forth into a sudden charge. "Charmander's rushin' in for his trademark headbutt and-- oh no..." JR worried as Graveller reached forward with his stubby secondary arms to catch the incoming charge. Charmander had shoved his rocky opponent backwards, kicking up a lot of gravel and dust. "Graveller's intercepted the li'l dragon..." "Lay the beatdown, Rocky!" Felixman sneered, folding his arms confidently. "Graveller's pulling Charmander up..." Tony began, then suddenly winced as the stone Pokemon leveled slap after rock-hard slap with his primary hands. "Good Gawd! What power!" JR recoiled, "Felixman's made short work of Messila's Charmander..." With a casual toss, Graveller threw the battered fire Pokemon with a massive clawed hand. The pouting brunette dismissed her battered Charmander and pocketed her first Pokeball. With a deep breath, she steeled herself and attempted to give the tall roughneck an intimidating glare. "I'm not playing around this time, toots..." Felixman grumbled. "We're gonna beat ya down!" Ded sneered along with him, pointing menacingly. "Ya won't be so 'kicky fast' now!" "King," The massive poisonous Pokemon grumbled from behind the two boys. "We can strike it time this one for sure!" Messila retorted. "Hop with him and the fight above, Taratta!" "Messila's switching to her second Pokemon, Rattada." Joey remarked. "Gonna have to question going with a Normal type here, though." "You've got to remember, Joey," JR reminded. "Messila's got that unpredictable Thinker style-- And Graveller's a rollin' stone once more!" "Rattada's on the defensive," Tony began. Just as the tumbling rock Pokemon was about to crush the rodent, Rattada dove to the ground and clawed furiously, vanishing underneath the Graveller's path. "Oh! It buried underground!" "No kidding, Tony," Joey remarked flatly, before returning to the action. "And it looks like you were right, Jim! Don't think Felixman was expecting Ground moves from a common rodent." Felixman glowered as he scanned the ring for Rattata's attack. Graveller was also looking about cautiously. It began to raise off the ground... and the dirt beneath it began to crack and shake. "Receive a heavy basement, Taratta! Dig an attack!" Messila commanded. With a surge of speed, the white rodent erupted from the ground and sunk its fangs into the Graveller's flank. It emitted a deep, pained roar and twisted about in mid-air. It crashed back down to the ground, nursing its wounded side with one of his larger stone hands. The white rodent Pokemon landed nimbly, eyeing his opponent and awaiting his next order. "Messila's scored a critical blow!" JR cheered, "And she looks ready to pour on some more pain!" "Hold it in top, Ratarta! Use fast Schlammslap!" The young girl pointed triumphantly, and her mouse Pokemon turned, bracing itself with his front paws. Graveller slowly turned to face his opponent... only to be met with a salvo of dirt and dust, kicked up by Rattata's hind legs. "Great Scott! Messila has used... something!" Tony managed, attempting to decipher her last command. "Whatever she did it's staggering that big hunk of rock..." Joey observed. Graveller recoiled back in tune to the Ground-based assault... until it rolled over the ring's boundary. "And just forced it out of the ring!" "...blockhead," Felixman grumbled, glaring at his defeated Graveller before unsummoning it. "Ya got lucky, bitch, but playtime's over!" "That's tellin' her, Felixman!" Ded cheered as his taller partner whipped his trenchcoat open to draw his second Pokeball. "Looks like the elder Partner in Kryme's going for yet *another* new Pokemon, Spearow!" JR observed when the falcon Pokemon materialized above the Rattata, peering down at its prey. "Both Pokemon are circling each other... and Spearow swooping in!" Joey called out as the bird swerved in, Ratatta narrowly dodging its beak. The white rodent lifted his body to nip at the ascending Spearow, but fell just short of connecting with the bite. "Both normal types appear to be evenly matched here, folks..." "Neither Pokemon are giving up an *inch!*" Tony added. "Felixman's motioning for Spearow to back up. Looks like he's got something planned..." "Yo, F!" Ded called out to his partner, "This slow dancing reeks! It's time for some..." The coat wearing roughneck shot a devious grin to his cohort... "HEAVY METAL!" they both screamed. Felixman then glared at the bewildered young girl across the ring. "Spearow! Steel Wing!" The falcon Pokemon pauses in midair and stretched his wings majestically... and a silver gleam spread from it's breast to its wing tips and talons. "Great heavens!" Tony gasped, "Felixman's Spearow is becoming part metal... yet remains part real!" Schiovone's WWF counterpart acknowledged his remark with a roll of the eyes, while Styles stifled an annoyed sigh... "And Messila was not prepared for such tactics!" Tony continued, as the metallic Spearow flapped its wings forward and shot forth a barrage of serrated feathers. "Metallic version of a Fury Attack finds its mark! WHATAMOVE!" "And our capacity crowd is *not* happy with Felixman's tactics," JR returned, barely audible over the shocked gasps and shouts of protest from the crowd. "That girl's mouse Pokemon has been critically injured by those blades!" "Time to put her away, Spearow!" Felixman snarled. "DRILL PECK!" "The bionic bird's swooping in low..." Joey uttered as Spearow sailed low to the ground... before spiraling violently toward the vulnerable Ratatta. "And absolutely *gores* Messila's Pokemon. Absolutely brutal!" "Felixman's dominating this match-up thus far," Tony stated. The orange and brown falcon settled back to the ground, its metallic sheen fading. "Which Pokemon is Messila going to bring out?" "You haven't been paying attention, have you?" JR asked. Messila sighed as she returned her injured Ratatta to its Pokeball, then paused when she noticed the sudden surge of cheers flowing through Neo-Hong Kong Arena as she pulled out her remaining Pokeball. "And listen to this ovation!" "... that radish is more over than X-Pac and Albert!" Joey pondered aloud. "Who isn't, really?" Jim Ross shrugged. The Partnerz In Kryme looked about the stands, wary of the sudden cheers as the incoherent Thinker girl braced herself into a valiant pose, thrusting her remaining Pokeball forward. "Battle above, Ishodd!" Messila exclaimed. "For great justice!" "OSH!" The small grass Pokemon cheered, landing and striking as intimidating a pose as it could manage, narrowing his small red eyes with a smile at the contemptuous Spearow. "Felixman's wasting no time, he knows what that little radish can do." JR exclaimed as the metallic shine returned to Spearow's feathers. "It's getting ready for another airborne assault!" "Spearow's diving in with another flying body attack!" "It's a bird, Tony, they're *all* flying body attacks..." Joey corrected as the brown feathered falcon spiralled downward into another Drill Peck. "And Oddish can't take a Flying move like that. Messila better have something up her sleeve!" Spearow's steel-enforced beak was about to find its mark when a sudden eruption of light green spores emitted from Oddish's grassy flesh. "Oddish unleashes one of its trademark gas attacks, Sweet Scent!" Tony commented as the small grass Pokemon tumbled nimbly from the gas cloud. Spearow, on the other hand wobbled in mid-air as it fluttered its way out of the odd smelling fog. "And Spearow appears to be rather, umm, stoned..." Joey blinked. "That cooked gas, Oddish! Now Cut of use!" Messila ordered. Felixman cursed at his disoriented falcon Pokemon to no avail as Oddish spun and shot forth a barrage of leaf blades. "Spearow's trying to dodge Oddish's attack, but to *no avail*!" JR exclaimed as the Flying Pokemon flailed back in desperation. "That bird's just too disoriented. And it's boiled down to this, a familiar situation for both Messila and Felixman." "Each competitor is down to one Pokemon apiece," Tony added. "But Felixman has yet to draw his remaining Pokemon." "I don't like the looks of this, the Partnerz in Kryme seem to be having an impromptu meeting." Joey observed as both Felixman and Ded, along with their Nidoking, huddled together. The baffled young girl blinked as all three figures turned to her, deadly intent in their gaze. "Time to kick some ass... Nidoking." Felixman grumbled as his partner cackled maniacally. Behind them, the towering spiked Poison Pokemon casually removed his dark glasses and chucked them to the side as he trodded into the ring. "Can Felixman *do* that?!" JR gasped, appalled. "He's bringing in his partner's trademark Pokemon, the monstrous Nidoking!" "The Partnerz in Kryme have pulled a fast one on Miss Wetall!" the former WCW announcer added, attempting to build tension. "And her Oddish was *not* expecting to face this fearsome foe." "Obviously not, Tony," Joey replied as the spiked purple beast stomped towards the panicked Oddish. "Nidoking did a number on them last week, and it looks like he's ready to finish the job." "Stomp a mudhole in 'im, Nidoking! Double Kick!" Felixman shouted, folding his arms confidently. "That venomous monster's advancing with breakneck speed!" JR gasped as Nidoking rushed forward and struck with his armored shin, lifting the stunned Oddish off the ground and in position for a snap kick! "--and a buzzsaw kick almost launched Oddish out of the ring!" Joey cried out. "It's laying in an utter heap at the edge of the ring. no way it's getting up from that..." "But it is..." Tony interjected as the battered grass Pokemon teetered back to its feet. Oddish's massive opponent snorted and callously glanced at the defiant radish, lowering its raised leg heavily to the ground, resulting in a ground shaking rumble. The young girl and her Oddish staggered, but finally steadied themselves and glared back at their respective rivals. "Messila and her Oddish are easily, pound for pound, the toughest tandem in the PFFL." JR complimented. "This little radish is not backing down tonight." "C'mon, G!" Ded screeched, "Ya just have to shove it the hell out of the ring now! Ya got 'im!" "Go on, Tackle it." Felixman dismissed. "Gore this walking salad." "This could be it, gentlemen!" Tony warned. "The coup de grace!" Nidoking lowered in to spear his prey with his shoulder spikes... "You will give him a taste of its own medicine now finished!" Messila beamed, her Oddish focusing in response, "Use Toxic!" "Is it going to--" JR began as Oddish lowered its head and shot forth a familiar mass of green sludge from the top of its bulb into the face of Nidoking. "Yes! An eye for an eye!" The spiked beast staggered back and stood back up, more annoyed than pained by Oddish's sudden attack. Nidoking glared down at the defiant radish, wiping the green sludge from its face indignantly. "You gonna take that shit, bro?!" Ded raved. "Go on, Fury Cutter!" The Poisonous Bad Ass slapped his massive claws together... and a green aura shimmered around them as he stretched his plated arms apart, sneering down at the determined Oddish. The small grass Pokemon stood vigilantly still, preparing itself. "Messila's effectively fighting against *two* trainers," Joey remarked with a shake of his head. "And if that Bug-type attack connects..." Nidoking let out a primal roar and charged in to slash with both gleaming claws. Suddenly, an aura of emerald light flowed out of Oddish's form and intercepted the charging Pokemon... which promptly staggered to his knees. "Looks like the little combat radish took the big Pokemon down with an energy attack!" Tony raved in surprise. "That Absorb took a lot out Nidoking, Tony!" JR corrected. "And... what the blazes!? Oddish is *charging* that monster!" "Stupid little turnip. *Damn* stupid, little girl," Felixman sneered bitterly. "Horn Attack!" "Nidoking's ducking down to gore Oddish!" JR protested, then fell silent as Messila's trademark Pokemon managed a short jump onto the spiked monster's head, narrowly dodging its head mounted spike. "No! It managed to dodge!" "He's rearing his head upward and..." Joey gasped as Nidoking lurched back up. "And *GOOD GOD!* He just sent Oddish airborne!" The stunned audience fell silent as the small grass Pokemon tumbled upward, high above the ground. Oddish squinted as the leaf blades on top of his head stretched outwards... and his body began glowing. "I think that's right where Messila wanted him, Joey!" JR exclaimed. "Oddish is powerin' up..." "We have to you now!" Messila proclaimed, as Nidoking and the Partnerz in Kryme looked above them, shielding their eyes from the glowing empowered radish. "Enjoy this glorious coffee! SOLAR BEAM!" "OSH!" The airborne Oddish readied itself and tilted forwards towards the ground below... and let sail a dazzling golden beam from its leaves, pummeling the armored spiked Pokemon with the heat ray! "Extreme Impact!" Tony exalted, much to the confusion of his cohorts. "Critical hit connects for *major damage!*" Ded's face went blank as his favorite Pokemon let out a final weak roar before dropping face first to the ground. Felixman ripped his stylish dark coat off and slammed it to the ground, cursing in rage. The final trails of solar energy vanished from Oddish's outstretched leaves and it fell to the ground, stumbling as it landed before collapsing into a sitting position. "Osh..." it sighed with a tired smile before its trainer rushed up to lovingly embrace it. "Another tremendous victory for Messila and... Mah Gawd! NO!" JR exclaimed as the Partnerz in Kryme, finally succumbing to their fury pulled out their respective firearms. Felixman swiftly drew his sawed- off shot gun, while Ded inexplicably procured a rocket launcher. "But it looks like our resident Moo Gi Gong is getting right in to defend Miss Wetall! Ready to unleash his martial art prowess!" Joey proclaimed, as he watched Ben rush to intercept the sneak attack. Messila blinked and turned towards the ensuing melee. She squealed an incoherent cry and leapt to her feet, scrambling with Oddish in her arms. The bespectacled young man gripped his waist and, with a dramatic spin, loosened his belt and spun it, letting the leather strap wrap around his left hand as he gripped the buckle with his right. "With his belt?" Tony scoffed. "A Moo Gi Gong master is *never* unarmed, Tony!" Joey retored. Felixman and Ded laughed indignantly as they leveled their weaponry at the duo... until Ben lashed his belt in graceful arcs, slapping their hands and knocking their guns away. The Partnerz held their reddened hands in shock, then yelled in rage to charge the belt-wielding warrior. Ded was the first to fall as the unorthodox martial artist wrapped the belt around his ankle and tripped him. Ben spun and tightened his grip on the strap, lashing the buckle into Felixman's face, sending him flailing to the ground, clutching his nose. "He took out the Partnerz in Kryme with a *belt*," Tony stated, flatly. "That he did," JR smirked. Ben gave a crooked smile as he relaxed, standing back upright as he shouldered the belt strap. He nodded mellowly at the prone roughnecks... until he turned to walk away and ended up looking at the expansive chest of Nidoking. "His Kung Fu's good, but I'm wondering what Ben's gonna do now." JR wondered. "Just whipped that strap around Bikerking's massive forearm and... oh *no*..." Nidoking swiftly pulled his muscular arm up, leaving Masters dangling from the belt linking his and the poisonous Pokemon's arms. With a single motion, he lashed his arm straight up and slammed it back down, Ben's body landing with a sickening thud on the earth. "Oh my *GOD!*" Joey raved. "Masters is not getting up from that, but still that spiked beast is advancing..." "He's cupped a massive claw around that boy's head-- C'mon! He's *out cold!*" JR protested. A sudden commotion erupted near the front stands, the spectators parting to make room for the incoming run-in. "Look out! From the stands!" The former WCW commentator reflexively called out as the newcomer emerged and leapt gracefully on the steel railing of the stands. The figure was clothed in earth toned garments: an inexplicably snug brown tunic and a flowing forest green cape. "Mah Gawd! It's..." JR began, then blinked. "Who is that?" The druidess reached back and withdrew an oak quarterstaff from thin air. Then, with a leap, she literally flew horizontally - as if somehow suspended by invisible wires - to enter the melee. Nidoking turned and did a double-take towards the flying human, just before she slammed her staff across his spiked head, causing him to drop his prey. "Whoever she is, she's handing herself pretty well against Bikerking." Joey remarked. "The colors are off, but she's moving a lot like an elemental Master, like Ashura." "Great Scott, I don't think there's room for *two* Masters in the Pokemon Fan Fiction League..." Tony inserted with attempted tension. Ben Masters sluggishly sat back up, shaking his head. He then caught a glimpse at the intense duel before him... and was mesmerized by the emerald nature warrior, gracefully spinning around the spiked beast as she began her Petal Dance, finishing with a sharp somersault kick. "...and Mr. Masters seems quite smitten, gentlemen," JR grinned, adjusting his glasses. The cloaked female warrior shimmered with a sparkling gold and green aura as Nidoking staggered to his feet. "SO-LAH... BEAM!" she cried out, thrusting her palms forward to unleash the ultimate Grass technique, promptly flooring the Nidoking once and for all. "...you have strange powers," Ben mumbled. The druidess arched her back and stretched, then noticed the martial artist had recovered. "Not a bad job, fighter, just got a bit over your head," she advised. As she approached, Ben caught a glimpse at some of her face... as well as the lovely dark locks that edged slightly out of her hood. "I must be gone now. A storm brews." She finished ominously, before spinning dramatically and launching herself back into the stands. "Well, she was really... something." JR blinked. "Joey?" The ECW commentator wore a similar deer-eyed expression as Ben Masters had. "Styles! Speak to us!" "Gwuh, sorry guys..." Joey recovered. "Just in awe of the form fitting, yet billowing robes there..." The commentator's antics were abruptly cut off as the scene switched to the Green Room backstage, where Team Revelations members sat along a plush couch. Team leader Ryan Edgerton lounged uneasily, feet propped on the table in front of him and his hands on his brow. His younger teammates Garrett Edgerton and Jenna sat upright from the couch, edged forward slightly, taking in the gripping Christian-themed drama unfolding on the wide-screened TV in front of them... "...Kirk Cameron's a *genius,*" Garrett uttered, sniffling into a tissue. "And he's cute, too...." Jenna added in hushed awe. Ryan sighed and ran a hand through his dark hair, looked over at his transfixed cohorts... then bitterly changed the channel with the remote setting on his arm rest. "Gyah!... but... *RYAN!*" Jenna fumed. "C'mon! The diabolical Nicolai European was gonna appear next," Garrett pouted. "How can you two just *sit there* and munch on snacks when *Crystal Dagger*, an agent of our arch-nemesis, is competing for a chance to claim PFFL's first championship cup? How many times do we have to fall before we earn our rightful praise?!" "Brother, I understand you're still upset about last week's defeat," Garrett attempted to comfort him. "But surely Dagger will receive her justice tonight--" "From who? That *murderer* Adauchi? Lesser of two evils indeed." "Coulda been worse, Ry-chan." Jenna intervened. "We could have been forced to endure that harlot Sailor Pikagirl again..." The entire team shuddered reflexively, recalling the shapely Pikachu senshi. "Those clothes..." Jenna scowled. "Her tail..." Garrett grimaced. "And those *tactics* she used!" Ryan ranted. "Techniques akin to the sin of Gomorrah! I *almost* felt sorry for Dagger... what kind of creature would commit these acts?" The door to the Green Room opened up. "Oh crap, I'm late! Why didn't my alarm go off!" A female voice worried, its source revealed as the familiar red haired young girl Amanda. She stepped through the door and was promptly stopped cold by the combined deadly glares of the three Revelations members. "... what are you?" the blonde female Team Revelation trainer asked coldly. "Look I think I've got the wrong room..." Amanda attempted to edge back out. "I'm telling you she's a Pokemorph! A *stinking Pokemorph!*" Garrett jeered. The redhead shrunk away, shouldering her duffel bag as she slinked meekly into the room. "Indeed, what business do you man-beasts have here?" Ryan stepped forward. "Polluting this fair and dignified league with your animalistic ways..." Amanda was on the brink of tears, having endured all the accusations she could withstand. She spun to flee the Green Room... when the short uniformed figure of Lt. Kyle Hawkins entered, an icy glare hidden behind his reflective shades. "Ah... *Commissioner Hawkins*," Ryan forced out the greeting. "Edgerton," the black furred rodent morph uttered. "Sounds like you've got a beef against furries." "...you could say that." "Tell you what, you two work out your differences... in the ring, *tonight.*" Amanda glanced warily at the commissioner as the former Commando Rodent offered to usher her out. "With pleasure..." Ryan sneered. "Oh, and by the way?" Wolf turned to the elder Edgerton after he guided the redhead out of the room. "It's a Circle of Masters match." The black mouse offered a broad fanged smile as Ryan seethed, his teammates holding him back, as he vanished out of the room... Moments later, back outside in the arena, "La Soldier", the anthem from the Sailor Moon musical announced the arrival of Sailor Pikagirl. The gold-skinned Pokemorph strode to the ring with determination and turned back to the archway when she reached its center, giving her skirt a slight tug. "Amanda's been given short notice on this match-up," Tony reminded the audience. "But the PFFL's leading lady will *not* take Team Revelations' accusations lying down. "Well, she was given a nice pre-match segue, at least." Joey shrugged, looking around. Just then, hums of power filled the air, accompanying the pretentious rock sounds of Metallium's "Revelation." "And here comes Team Revelations leader--" JR began, before the roars of futuristic engines overpowered the music as a trio of blurs shot forth from the curtain covered archway. "Great Caesar's Ghost! What are those!?" The blurs slowed slightly... and revealed themselves as the trio of faithful Pokemon trainers, Team Revelations! They blazed a path down the rampway on silver hoverboards, several feet above the earth. "Looks like Ryan and company's going to their godly high tech gear," Joey remarked. "He's also being accompanied by his teammates, Garrett and Jenna." "Ryan's zooming into the ring!" Tony called out as the Christian Pokemon trainer sailed over the Pikachu senshi, narrowly missing her head. "And even in her Pokemorph form, Amanda's gonna be pressed to match his speed on that board!" SAILOR PIKAGIRL vs RYAN EDGERTON Circle of Masters Match "Ryan's looping back around, showing some slick moves on that board!" Tony complimented as the elder Edgerton swept the edge of the battle circle to make a run towards his opponent. "But Sailor Pikagirl's leapin' up to intercept!" JR yelped as the golden skinned senshi leapt forwards. "But our devout Pokemon trainer *narrowly* dodges that clothes- line!" Joey shook his head. "He's gonna have to be real careful against Amanda's superhuman prowess. Just one solid hit is all she really needs to floor him..." "Edgerton's turning 180 to face Sailor Pikagirl and *here he comes!*" Tony proclaimed, "Amanda's braced and ready for his charge..." "Waitaminute! Ryan's about to hit the ground!" Joey cried out as Ryan began to teeter nose-first... then spun around to his side, grinding the edge of his hoverboard into the dirt, kicking a wave of rock and dust into the face of the Pikachu Senshi! "And Amanda literally eats Ryan's dust!" JR exclaimed as the pokemorph shrieked and stumbled back, collapsing on her knees. "And it looks like she's picked up the elemental weaknesses of a Pikachu as well..." "Ryan's airborne once gain." Tony began as the Christian Soldier knelt down and leaned over, bracing a free hand onto the ground next to Sailor Pikagirl. "Looks like about to show off some more fancy boardwork." "Indeed he is, Schiovate," Joey added. "One hand planted... and he kicks his board squarely into her chin!" "Edgerton recovers and hovers back away from Pikagirl and..." JR scowled grimly as the elder member of Team Revelations stepped down from his hovering silver board, and blew a lock of dark hair from his eyes as he drew a pair of red and white spheres from his belt. "Is he drawing Pokeballs?" "Remember, Ross, it's *anything goes* here in a Circle of Masters match!" Tony chimed in enthusiastically. "Ryan's being damn liberal with his definition of 'weapons' though..." Joey disagreed as the elder Edgerton shot forth his hands and summoned Charmander and Geodude in a pair of crimson energy beams. "Worse, this essentially puts Amanda at a three-on-one disadvantage!" JR grumbled. "Strike down this abomination, soldiers." Ryan commanded. "Charmander, Flamethrower! Geodude, Dig!" Both Pokemon yelped in response, the small dragon unleashing a stream of flame from its mouth, while Geodude burrowed into the ground with its powerful arms. "Pikagirl's takin' evasive action against Ryan's fiery wrath!" JR exclaimed as she dashed off to the side, the trail of flame following her. A massive rumbling filled the combat ring as Geodude's fists erupted from the ground where the Pokemorph senshi had previously been standing. "Wait! She's suddenly stopped--" the former ECW announcer interrupted as she skidded to a stop, knelt down and vaulted high into the air. "*Barely* avoiding getting roasted!" The red lizard Pokemon narrowed its eyes and looked upward, following Sailor Pikagirl's path. Charmander took a deep breath and readied for another Flamethrower... The Christian youth's rock Pokemon was hoisting himself out of his self-made hole... when a shadow sailed over him, following by a resounding *thump!* behind him. "Here comes another fiery breath attack from Charmander!" Tony cried out, "But it looks like Sailor Pikagirl's got something planned." "Well, duh, Tony!" Joey smirked. "She's got enough ring presence to know where her opponents are. She's got Geodude right in her grip!" The gold skinned female warrior ripped the protesting anthropomorphic boulder from the earth. "She's pulled Geodude loose, but direct contact against an earth-based Pokemon *can't* be healthy for that lady..." JR pondered. Pikagirl gritted her team through the pain, and turned to see the incoming stream of flame. "She's spinning around, Geodude in her clutches... She's using it to shield off the flames!" "It's having little effect on Geodude!" Tony nodded sagely. "... umm, okay, Tony." Joey remarked politely. "Still, Ryan is *not* liking this! His two most experienced monsters are being, well, woman-handled here!" Ryan Edgerton looked on warily "And Pikagirl's hoistin' that boiling hot rock monster over head! What power!" JR cheered. "SEISMIKKU..." The Pikachu Senshi roared out in her random Japanese accent. "TOSS!" "Good *GOD!* She just sent Geodude flying!" Joey raved as the flailing boulder sailed across the circle. "And right into Charmander! Now *that's* super-effective!" "The flames of Ryan's divine justice have been extinguished!" Tony proclaimed, earning a pair of baffled glares from his cohorts. "You really *do* make this stuff up as you go along, don't you Schiovane?" JR grumbled. "Edgerton's just realized his ambush didn't work, folks," JR remarked. The Team Revelations leader set his hoverboard on the ground, frantically attempting to reactivate it. "He's trying to beat a path outta here but he's locked in Pikagirl's sights!" "The First Lady of the PFFL's rushing over with *blinding* speed!" Tony exalted as a golden blur blazed a path towards Ryan. The Pikachu senshi froze to a full stop as she slammed her forearm into Ryan's head. His eyes rolled back, and he was unconscious before he toppled back onto the ground. "And floors him with the dreaded *Clothesline!*" "... easy there, Lee Marshall," Joey snickered. "I shall avenge you, brother!" Garrett proclaimed from the sidelines rushing forward as he threw out his Pokeball. "Staryu! Hydro Pump!" The newly summoned starfish Pokemon braced itself and pointed three of its legs towards the Pikachu senshi to unleash a combined surge of water. "Garrett from behind! Fortunately, that mouse girl saw it coming." JR sighed, "And he ends up drenching Ryan's hoverboard!" Jim Ross' zeal wavered slightly as sparks began to erupt from the soaked metallic board. "And something tells me Team Rev's holy tech gear isn't water- proof..." Tony pondered. The yellow skinned turned around to see Ryan struggling to his feet, unaware of his malfunctioning board. Sparks continued to fly, and the device was about to reach critical mass. This left Sailor Pikagirl with one course of action. "She's charging towards Ryan!" Tony yelped. "And she just tackled the already injured Team Revelations leader!" "No she didn't, she's yanking that boy outta harm's way before that board--" The WWF announcer was interrupted as the silver mechanical hoverboard erupted in a shower of electricity and debris. "Explodes..." "Yeah! After all he said, she saved him," Joey sniffled, as the two trainers fell to the ground, well away from the fiery remains of the hoverboard, Sailor Pikagirl gripping the Christian youth as she crashed on top of him. "Well, if she's *not* attacking Ryan, why is trying to *smother* him now?" Tony protested. "'Smother', Schivone? What in God's green earth are you..." JR disagreed, then arched a brow as he noticed the awkward positioning of the two PFFL contenders. "Mah stars and garters..." "Smothered indeed," Joey snickered. "And Ryan Edgerton's currently the luckiest man in the PFFL..." The prudish Team Revelations leader was finally coming to from the shockwave of the blast, just in time to see Sailor Pikagirl's shapely fuku-adorned form raising slightly above his prone body, unintentionally allowing an ample view of her golden 'tracts of land'... Ryan let loose a horrific scream as he hastily scrambled from beneath the confused Pokemorph to rejoin his outraged teammates. Jenna and Garrett yelled furiously to Sailor Pikagirl, who finally dismissed them with a shake of her head, hands on her hips. Ryan, meanwhile, was sprawled at his teammates' feet, clutching his chest and hyperventilating. "Well, it looks no good deed goes unpunished for Team Revelations," Tony shrugged. "So... uh, who won?" "As far as I'm concerned? The fans," Joey replied. "And the semi-finals kick off next, right after this message!" JR finished as the shot of the feuding trainers faded away to black... It's a common day on the streets of Tokyo, the sidewalks are relatively sparse... until the booming bass of loud, bellowing rap surged across the air, each beat seeming to shake the surrounding streets. Cut to the apparent source of this sonic and spacial disruption: A wild haired pre-teen boy clad in shorts, a bewildering flame-embossed jacket, and most notably, the large round goggles over his eyes. The grinning lad, now easily recognizable as Davis Motomiya, took confident strides in time with the rap. His small blue draconian companion, Veemon, stomped dramatically along side of him. The duo earned a wide variety of looks from the bystanders they passed, ranging from horrified looks from a pair of elderly go players, to nods of approval from the more surly leather clad punks. Davis strutted cooly down the sidewalk, smiling nonchalantly to the bewildered citizens he passed... until he froze abruptly, eyes widening on a particular passerby. The blaring rap stopped... As a girl with short brown hair in a stylish pink and white outfit, roughly Davis' age, turned her glance to the youth as she walked by. Kari's feline familiar Gatomon walked alongside her, also turning to acknowledge Veemon. Davis adjusted his trademark goggles with pride, while the blue dragon Digimon pointed his foreclaws approvingly. Kari could be shaking her head with embarrassment, and Gatomon guffawed silently as they walked away. Davis and Veemon merely looked at each other and shrugged as the "hardcore" rap returned, cuing up a blown up image of the Digi-Destined's trademark headgear... Gogglez. The PFFL action returned with a shot of the trainers' Waiting Room, where alleged terrorists Satoshi and Adauchi converse. Their conversation was interrupted when Arina Ketchum entered the room and rushed forward to lovingly hug Satoshi, much to his cohort's ire. Her Ratatta and her "father's" Pikachu scampered behind her. "Hey, there Arina!" Satoshi smiled. "You haven't been able to find where Tenchu went off to, did you?" The blue haired girl sighed. "We still can't find him. Also learned some *major* news from Commissioner Hawkins. Turns out he's instating the old Solo Battle rules for your match tonight." "...which means Tenchu's going up by himself against that... thing," Satoshi shuddered. "Wolf was one of those hardcore fighters a few years ago, Dadd- Satoshi," the girl corrected herself. "He's probably got a few other surprises for us...." "Right now, it's more important now than ever to find him and make sure he's okay." "Will do!" Arina enthused as she and her two Pokemon companions rushed out of the waiting room. The seated Adauchi simply glanced up at his cohort, shaping his hands like puppets to mutely mock their exchange. "Look, Gary, *technically* I'm not her dad," Satoshi retorted. "But by all practical standards she's still my daughter. Besides, she needs someone watching over her around here. This place is nuts!" The man with the gravity- defying ponytail then smiled wryly. "Besides, don't you got a match to worry about?" With that Adauchi swiftly got up and looked Satoshi square in the eyes. His partner nodded knowingly, somehow understanding. "I know, I want a rematch over the PFFL Title, too. But just worry about getting Crystal Dagger first" "Chuten!" A familiar squeak came from the floor, as the experienced electric Pokemon Tenchu scampered into the room and lept onto Satoshi's shoulder. Adauchi silently saluted his accomplice and turned on his heels to exit the room, leaving the two alone. "Where have you been, pal?" Satoshi asked. "Chuten ten... ten ten chu." his rodent familiar replied, nodding and smiling with pride, causing his master to blink. "...a *white* Pikachu. Tenchu, that's absurd..." Satoshi dismissed as the scene cut back to the arena floor of the Neo-Hong Kong auditorium. ...The haunting opening strums of Rob Zombie's "Spookshow Baby" succumbed to more jarring chords as the arena went dark. "Here's a rather dark twist on the Cinderella story," Jim Ross grumbled. "This up and coming Team Rocket agent has battled her way through a pair of grueling matches: One against a member of her old enemies, Team Revelations; the second a *brutal* brawl against the pokemorph senshi Sailor Pikagirl." "And I have to question her choice of format for this crucial match," Joey added. "This is going to be another Circle of Masters match. She can't possibly be 100% recovered after last week!" The lights sprung back to life... and the PFFL commentators were greeted with the appearance of the dark haired assassin, standing defiantly atop of their desk, her black armor gleaming from the house lights. The former ECW announcer bolted from his chair reflexively, while his cohorts edged back warily. The Rocket agent turned to the three men with a cold smile before casually hopping off the desk and striding towards the center of the battlegrounds. "Well, Crystal Dagger appears to be in, umm, exceptional shape...." Tony stammered, glancing as the femme fatale wandered away. "It'll be interesting to see if she has enough to take on the Lone Gunman here tonight," JR nodded as Godsmack's "Keep Away" began to play. The lighting once more allowed for an ominous, smoky halo to illuminate the entrance arch and rampway, silhouetting the familiar overcoat and shaven head of Adauchi. He stood motionless as the jarring rock continued... until he swiftly reached into the folds of his jacket, and a pair of dull flashes flared out as he pulled his twin Glocks free. Simultaneously, Crystal Dagger snapped to attention and spun to face the silent hitman, drawing her blade... SHIGERU ADAUCHI vs CRYSTAL DAGGER PFFL Tournament Semi-Finals Circle of Masters Rules "Looks like Adauchi's starting this one early!" JR yelled as gunfire erupted from Adauchi's trademark Glocks. The hitman rushed silently into the battlegrounds, firing off bursts at the armored assassin. The raven-haired Rocket agent twirled her long sword in graceful circles, sparks flashing as the shots collided with her iridescent blade. " ... and Crystal Dagger's showing some *amazing* skill tonight! Using her blade to block and deflect the bullets!" Tony cheered. "Oh, the wonders she can do." Joey dead-panned with a smirk. A stray bullet screeched off in the commentators direction, and the ECW commentator shrank quickly behind the desk before the protective barrier around their station activated, dropping the bullet harmlessly to the ground. "Adauchi's finally entered the ring, and the lethal lady's waiting for him!" JR remarked as Crystal Dagger snapped one of her hands open, revealing a trio of throwing blades. The armored assassin flicked the blades towards her opponent. With superhuman grace, Adauchi took a short leap and spun, the flying knives harmlessly shredding through his billowing coat. He landed poised low, one knee on the ground, and snapped off another pair of shots towards the Team Rocket agent. Crystal Dagger vaulted into a high dexterous flip forward, sailing over the bursts. "They both seem to be going for long-distance tactics," Joey noticed. "Though it's a game that Adauchi definitely has the advantage in." "Which is exactly why Dagger needs to close the gap-- like that!" Tony yelped as Crystal Dagger thrust her long sword into the earth and lashed outwards, kicking up a mass of dirt and gravel onto the silent gunman. Adauchi quickly drew a forearm up to cover his face, giving his female opponent ample opportunity to advance. "Just *one second* is all Dagger needs to make this a melee match!" Joey raved. "She's got that meat cleaver leveled for Adauchi's head--" The former ECW announcer's comments, and Crystal Dagger's spinning slash attack, were abruptly halted as the Lone Gunman snapped a Glock up to her forehead, shooting a deadly glare from behind his round rimmed shades. The armored woman's ornate blade was poised inches away from Adauchi's neck, and returned his grim expression in spades. Both fighters stood stiff and silent... until Adauchi noticed Crystal Dagger's off hand lowering toward her belt. With a spin of his wrist, the silent gunman flipped his Glock around and smashed the butt of the pistol grip square into the hollow of her right collarbone! "She wasn't expecting that! Crystal Dagger's staggerin' back--" JR began as the armored woman clutched her shoulder. Aduachi flipped his pistol back to point towards the Rocket agent... and drilled a shot right into the same injured shoulder, that ripped through her indigo cape! "GOOD GAWD! He just drilled a weak spot in her armor! Absolutely hideous!" Crystal Dagger shrieked and collapsed to the ground, but not before side-arming her gem encrusted dagger, managing to embed it into Adauchi's palm before he could fire off his second Glock. Both combatants spun and fell to their knees, clutching their wounds. "First blood's been drawn on both sides!" Joey raved. "These two pros are definitely a match for each other." "Crystal Dagger's switching to her off hand, favoring her wounded shoulder considerably," Tony commented. Both warriors paced slightly, trying to bait their opponent. "The lady assassin's gonna be hard pressed to get close enough where she's most effective," JR reminded. " --And Adauchi's firin' away again!" "Dagger's rushing off to the side, *trying* to gain some ground on our Lone Gunman!" Joey hurried. "Looks like she's yanked something from her cape...." The armored Rocket agent withdrew a plastic sphere and slammed it into the ground. Her form was suddenly consumed in a cloud of indigo smoke. "NINJA VANISH!" Tony exclaimed. "Adauchi's prey has eluded him with classic shinobi tactics!" "Classic *ninja movie* tactics is more like it," his WWF cohort grumbled. "Where the hell did she go!?" "Adauchi wants to know too," Joey added. "You sure as hell don't want to have your back to a foe like Dagger-- and there she is!" In a blink of an eye, the armored assassin had re-emerged behind the silent young man. "She's ready to strike, ladies and gentlemen!" Tony uttered in hushed anticipation. "Adauchi's lunging right to dodge!" "Crystal Dagger swings and... waitaminute!" JR yelped. "She feints the blow and leans low and to the left--" A horrified gasp filled the arena as the Rocket agent's low slash spun and clipped the back of Adauchi's calf muscle. The Lone Gunman toppled to the ground clutching the back of his leg, and Crystal Dagger basked in the venomous boos, allowing herself a cold smile. "...and the crowd does *not* approve of Dagger's *dastardly* tactics!" JR finished in disgust. "On the other hand, the femme fatale no longer has to worry about playing keep-away..." Joey reminded meekly. "And it looks like Crystal Dagger's doing *just that!*" Tony intervened as the armored Rocket agent advanced on the crippled Adauchi and unleashed a series of sharp side kicks; once to the side, another to the head. "Now she's got Adauchi locked in a virtual ballet of death, assaulting him with spinning kicks and backhand strikes...." JR shook his head as Crystal Dagger finished with a slash across the gunman's abdomen. "And tops it off with that *accursed* sword!" "Adauchi's staggering back... Good God, he's still managing to stand up, albeit barely..." Joey breathed. The Lone Gunman stood before the indignant Crystal Dagger, supporting his weight on his good leg. His gun arm hung loosely at his side, while his other hand clutched his stomach. Blood dripped down from the wound within the folds of his trenchcoat. He methodically lifted his shaven head up to regard the dark haired woman from behind his round shades, a familiar snide smile forming on his lips. " ...is that all you got?" "This enigmatic hitman is showing some of his trademark tenacity in this dire situation," a stunned JR uttered. "But he has to be insane to jeer Dagger after her hellacious attack!" "It definitely infuriated our Femme Fatale!" Tony gasped in faked shock. "She's rushing in for the finishing stab and-- and what's he doing with his coat?" The announcers marveled when, as the armored swordswoman lunged in, Adauchi spun and whipped off his tattered trenchcoat in a single swift motion, revealing his dark black shirt underneath, and entangled the charging Crystal Dagger with it! "Adauchi's finally putting that huge coat to good use!" Joey yelped in surprise. "He's got her nice and bound up, twisting her about... and *finally* gets her to drop that damn sword!" "Dagger's trying to fight her way out of the Gunman's unexpected and admittedly unorthodox techniques!" Tony called out as she fought free of Adauchi's grip. She staggered back and threw the trenchcoat down in outrage. She turned her disgusted face back up face her opponent, only to see a ready Adauchi, waiting for her with his Glock leveled. A single shot rung out, followed by a resounding clang, and the armored Rocket agent was suddenly a crumpled heap on the ground. "OH MY GOD! That shot was dead on!" Joey raved in markish glee. "Chow Yung Fat's smiling somewhere!" "Crystal Dagger's counting her blessings that she has armor on," JR reminded gravely as she weakly got to her hands and knees, coughing up a mouthful of blood. "But that blast easily broke a rib or two." "And her trademark iridescent blade is a *long* ways away at the other side of the ring," Tony added ominously. "Both combatants have suffered heavy damage in this Circle of Masters fight tonight... but the fight is not out of either fighter yet! Crystal Dagger is back on her feet..." "And she's got her dagger out and is within spittin' distance from Adauchi once more! She's gonna--" JR was interrupted as, despite injuries and gravity, Adauchi managed to vault up with his good leg, his free hand braced on Crystal Dagger's shoulder. Her charge was promptly halted as Adauchi's weight caused her to stagger to the ground, and the Lone Gunman leapt upward. "...what the hell?" Tony blinked. "Don't ya get it, Tony!" Joey raved enthusiastically. "He's countering Crystal Dagger's mad Kung Fu with *GUN-FU!*" The former ECW announcer cackled with glee as the airborne Adauchi leveled a volley of bullets from his Glock. The armored Rocket assassin threw her arms over her head and curled into a fetal ball, desperately attempting to avoid a headshot. "...you're enjoying this way too much, Styles," JR scolded. "Impressive move from Adauchi!" Tony complimented... then winced as the silent hitman landed and collapsed down to one knee, losing hold of his pistol. "...though he needs to work on that landing...." "And Dagger's a walkin' mass of crimson from Adauchi's salvo..." JR gasped as she struggled to her feet, streaks of blood flowing from the more vulnerable points of her armor along her legs and arms. "She's death on two legs, boys!" Joey exclaimed, "Now all Adauchi needs to knock her out, maybe grab that gun and...." Before the Lone Gunman could get up, or recover his weapon, Crystal Dagger had leapt to his prone body, and lashed her back of her arm across his face. "Unbelievable..." JR uttered. "She's right on him and... and she's trying to choke him out!" The armored Rocket tightened her grip around Adauchi's neck, binding his arms in her grip, and arched her back. Adauchi flailed his arms in fury, lashing his outstretched hand toward the pistol on the ground. " 'Try' nothing!" Joey disagreed. "She's doing a damn good job at it! No swords or guns needed here... just traditional grappling...." Adauchi's snarls of outrage continued as Crystal Dagger continued the hold, adding to the pressure by binding her legs around his torso and further stretching him painfully back. Finally, the Lone Gunman's eyes began to glaze over, and his sprawling hands went limp. "Inconceivable!" Tony exclaimed, "Score *another* upset victory for the armored femme fatale, Crystal Dagger!" "... but she's not breaking that hold! Dammit the match is over!" JR shook his head. "*Finally* she breaks the hold," Joey sighed in relief, but too soon, "And -oh God!- she's going to go retrieve her sword...." "Not if Security can do anything about it." JR affirmed as the vaguely bishonen Thinker Avatar led a small squad of armored guards down the ramp. Satoshi rushed ahead of the group and into the battle ring, kneeling beside the unconscious Lone Gunman. He then turned and glared angrily at Crystal Dagger, who brandished her sword menacingly. "And Satoshi's ready to protect his cohort from that witch, too!" JR approved. The ponytail sporting young man supported Adauchi back to his feet. The armored Rocket assassin eyed the two gentlemen contemptuously, then looked back as Lord Thinker readied himself to draw his gunblade. Crystal Dagger reluctantly backed down, turning away and heading for the backstage area. Meanwhile, Satoshi somberly guided his injured comrade over to an awaiting medical squad of Chanseys. "Thinker's managed to defuse things for now..." Joey sighed with relief. "And Team Rocket has one of their own in the PFFL finals!" Tony exclaimed dramatically. "Hopefully, Satoshi will overcome this *hellacious* assault on his friend to fight at his best in tonight's main event!" JR assured. "And it's coming up next, right after this." The NERV control center was in turmoil as technicians scrambled to identify the new unidentified threat to their city. In the underground hanger, the imposing blue automaton EVA Unit-00 stood ready on the launching bay. Within the entry plug of the advanced robot, Rei Ayanami sat back in the cockpit, expression placid as her eyes processed the tables and graphs appearing before her. "All systems are at acceptable levels. Weapon placement: check," Rei intoned placidly. "Bay doors are opening, prepare for launch," Maya responded over the hanger speakers. "... proceed." Moments later, EVA-00 was launched upwards through numerous under- ground levels until she surfaced amongst the skyscrapers of Tokyo-3. The First Child reached over to a nearby building, as a section of the tower opened up to reveal a giant-sized rifle. She paced slowly through the more open streets, rifle poised ready. A primal roar suddenly bellowed behind her. Rei Ayanami narrowed her eyes and maneuvered her machine to aim at the beast... then paused when it was fully in view. Before her stood a giant biped turtle, its arms and neck moving about stiffly, not unlike an archaic and awkward costume. Rei blinked and cocked her head curiously to one side, not expecting such a curious Angel. EVA-00, likewise, shared her bemused expression. The scene abruptly changed to Rei Ayanami, standing before a surreal computer generated background, clad in her familiar form-fitting white plug suit. "Rei Ayanami, the First Child. I... am Sci Fi." Creed's hit song "Higher" was already beginning to play as the feed returned to the Neo-Hong Kong arena, and the ovation was building for Satoshi's return. "We're just moments away from the match that our capacity crowd has been waiting for," Tony said triumphantly, "From two parallel universes, these two forms of the legendary Ash Ketchum have fought to arrive at *this moment:* a chance to battle it out with Crystal Dagger for the coveted Pokemon Fan Fiction League Championship Cup. You'll notice that the arena crew has set up some metallic posts along the boundaries of the battle ring during the break. Obviously some special precautions courtesy of our new PFFL commissioner..." At the archway below the Mallytron stood the dark haired young man Satoshi, still slightly shook up from the brutal scene moments before. Beside him stood young Arina Ketchum, wearing her trademark League cap, offering a hand on his shoulder in comfort. Their respective familiars, the golden-furred veteran Tenchu inexplicably standing beside his former original self, Pikachu, stood with them "The tensions between these two have been further complicated as both assert themselves as having parental tendencies towards one Arina Ketchum," JR reminded. "I blame Hypertime for all of this, really," Joey shrugged. The Ketchum entourage were no further than halfway down the rampway when "Higher" was abruptly cut off by Metallica's hard guitar rips. "Ashura's making his presence known early, it seems...." Joey pondered as the Shadow Master emerged from the shadows at the edge of the. "But no sign of his ueber-mouse, Shadow Pikachu." Satoshi edged in front of his ward, peering down at Ashura from the rampway. The cloaked warrior returned the glare and folded his arms... just as a dark blur from off the side of the rampway leapt across and slammed into Tenchu, launching the ambushed rodent Pokemon into the ring and skidding to a stop in the dust. "And just like that dastardly rodent to sneak up from behind!" JR protested. The duo rushed frantically to the arena floor to join Tenchu. The brown-and-gold electric Pokemon shook the dust off itself and looked up... and saw his Shadow tainted nemesis looming above him. Shadow Pikachu shot an indignant smile down to his opponent, standing upright and placing his forepaws on his waist as the clouds above the arena rumbled with thunder.... ASHURA vs SATOSHI PFFL Tournament Semi-Finals Standard League Rules STIPULATIONS: Solo Battle - Shadow Pikachu vs Tenchu No Ringouts "And the opening bell finally sounds!" The senior WWF announcer proclaimed as the brown rodent hopped to his feet, glaring at the contemptuous Shadow Pikachu. "This is a match-up that many a fan have been waiting to see!" "And the waiting is over," Joey concluded. "Get ready, Tenchu..." The former Pokemon League champion advised. Satoshi's dark and intense doppleganger nodded his head, concealed in the shadows of his hooded cloak. "CHU!" Both electrical mice roared, swinging their stubby forepaws forward in a hail of punches! "Both Tenchu and Shadow Pikachu are trading glancing blows, testing one another's strength!" Tony remarked. The two rodent Pokemon gripped each others' forepaws, golden and indigo flares of electricity encircling them as the pressed their heads together. "And already we're seeing concern and confusion from Tenchu's corner," JR shook his head. "Neither Arina nor Satoshi have encountered a force of nature like Ashura and his familiar before." "And both these trainers *and* their trademark Pokemon are quite literally from the same cloth," Joey added grimly, as the rodent warriors spun, still braced against each other. "Except Shadow Pikachu has been shaped into a force of chaos, and his trainer is a man who can quite easily counter each of Satoshi's moves..." "Break away, Tenchu! He's getting ready for something!" Satoshi protested, tensing up. "Ten?" The brown veteran snarled, his tail crackling in preparation. Shadow Pikachu's face contorted into a darkly cute smirk... just before he slammed his forehead into Tenchu's. "He connects with a Headbutt! And Shadow Pikachu's gearing up for an electrical attack," Tony began as Tenchu staggered back. "Safe bet we'll see a lot of those," Joey replied flatly. "Excellent follow-up though and--" The dark Forbidden rodent Pokemon summoned a solid dome of indigo lightning, launching towards the edge of the ring. "Oh my *GOD!* This could be a quick ring out!" The announcers and the spectators throughout the stadium audibly winced as an electrical barrier hummed to existence between a pair of posts circling the ring, ensnaring Tenchu painfully in midair before dropping him onto the ground. "It looks like the 'precautions' Commissioner Hawkins has set up are going to prevent an easy win for either trainer..." JR noted warily. "No ringouts, this battle has to be fought to the Last Mouse Standing!" "Tenchu struggles to his feet, and it looks like Ashura's going to take advantage of the ring's new features...." Tony remarked ominously as the dark mouse rushed in to grip the side of his opponent's head and slam it forward, once more summoning the electrical force barrier. "Oh, this looks way too familiar, guys," Joey winced as Shadow Pikachu proceeded to grind Tenchu's face across the barrier, gaining momentum until he slammed him against the side of the tall iron posts. "And look at that dastardly rodent gloat!" JR scowled with disgust as Shadow Pikachu gazed down at his nemesis, a swarthy grin fixed on his face. "... there's an opening, Tenchu!" Satoshi called out. "Go for it!" Arina added in cheer. "Tenchu's perked back up and, yes, he *may* be going for the Spinarooni!" Tony exclaimed as the prone brown Pokemon twisted onto its back. "He's definitely swinging that tail around-- he snared Deathichu's feet and-- Oh, *DISS!* A takedown with a *Tail Whip* of all moves!" Joey snickered. "You just don't get overconfident against seasoned vets like Satoshi and Tenchu, perhaps a lesson our ninja duo has forgotten," JR sternly affirmed. "Both rodent warriors are on their feet and Shadow Pikachu's rightfully furious!" Tony exclaimed. The ebony mouse Pokemon cast forth his paws and let sail a pair of Dark Shocks, colliding with Tenchu in a violet-black flash! "Dammit! Tenchu's getting his first taste of the Forbidden Element of Shadow, and it doesn't look like it'll be the last," JR protested. Satoshi and his blue haired "daughter" looked on in hushed concern as Tenchu collapsed onto his back. "Indeed... looks like he's gearing up for one of his specialty moves, the Dark Bolt," Joey pondered, adjusting his glasses. Shadow Pikachu took a couple steps back and braced itself, indigo flares of electricity gathering around his short frame. "And there he goes!" Tony called out as the sinister Pikachu narrowed its indigo eyes and shot forth into a mass of crackling black energy. "Shadow Pikachu is bearing down and--" "Tenchu! Up on your feet!" Satoshi commanded. Reflexively, the brown Pokemon rolled onto its shoulders, then flipped forward to his feet, emitting a high-pitched snarl of determination as its aura suddenly crackled to life. "Nothing doing! Tenchu's back up..." JR yelped as Tenchu's electrical aura erupted, launching him straight towards the incoming black-violet Dark Bolt. "And immediately into the Thunder Cannon! They're on a collision course!" "Wait! It looks like Shadow Pikachu's veering away..." Tony mentioned as the dark electrical blur shot to the side at an angle. "Don't lose him, Tenchu..." Arina encouraged, as the experienced rodent Pokemon abruptly changed paths, following along his nemesis' path. "Both of those electric mice are keeping speed with each other." Joey began to worry. "They're also starting to get higher above the ground..." "Tenchu's finally edging in front of his rival. Satoshi's got something planned, fellas." JR wondered. "A little further, Tenchu... now GO FOR IT! Seismic Toss!" Satoshi ordered, tightening his fist. His cloaked opponent across the ring simply turned to the side emitting an offended snort. "Tenchu's behind him now! He's gearing up for a mid-air throw!" Tony cried out in stunned awe. "But Shadow Pikachu's spinning around to face him!" "He's going for the grab, anyway... but that dark dastardly varmint's got a hold of him too!" JR protested. "And both Pokemon are taking the dive..." The ECW commentator uttered as indigo and gold surges of power flared and spiraled rapidly into the ground... "...Damn it, Ashura! Snap out of it! They're going too--" Satoshi protested to his opponent as both electrical rodents crashed into the earth, melting a path along the ground until they were finally stopped by the resummoned barrier on the edge of the ring. "Oh my GOD! Those two little guys have gotta be reeling from that impact...." "And Satoshi's risking a DQ for crossing into the battle ring, gentlemen," Tony warned. The veteran trainer rushed forward a few steps into the ring, while Arina Ketchum stood in stunned horror. "After that absolutely *sick* maneuver, I don't think either of these mice will make it to the finals...." JR shook his head as Tenchu leaned up slightly, favoring the right side of its snout and looking across as his dark doppleganger lurched back to his feet, its ever-confident sneer returning to his face... Just before Tenchu narrowed its eyes and emitted a solid field of thunderous energy, narrowing into a cone onto the surprised Shadow Pikachu, staggering it back. "And that li'l guy's digging deep for a Thunder attack!" JR gasped. "Neither of them's stopping...." Joey breathed in concern. "And now the *mysterious* Shadow warrior Ashura's crossed the ring! We could have an altercation between trainers here!" Tony raved in protest. Both trainers beamed deadly glares at each other, standing motionless as Ashura's dark familiar flailed backwards against the Tenchu's relentlessly approaching electrical barrage. The surges from the Thunder caused the brooding assassin's cape and cloak to billow in the resulting winds. "Ashura," Satoshi began after a couple deep breaths. "In Zapdos' name, this is crazy.... this has already gotten out of control. It's not gonna stop until somebody's dead! This isn't a Battle, this is just mindless violence! Not even *you* can approve of this!" Both rodent Pokemon squeaked angrily as Tenchu closed to almost point-blank range, still pouring his Thunder into Shadow Pikachu's weathered form. The cloaked warrior remained silent. His counterpart clenched his fists, trembling in frustration. "Pikachu's still your friend! How can you let this continue... Damn it-- stop hiding behind that damn hood and *say* something!" Satoshi shouted. At that, Ashura suddenly shot his arm forward, narrowly missing Satoshi as he whipped it to the side and shrugged his cloak off, revealing his near-identical face to his irate twin. The clouds above abruptly rolled in above the arena and darkened... "Oh, this ain't good..." Joey squeaked as he and his cohorts stood up, eyeing the skies, as did the rest of the audience. "Pikachu... DARK THUNDER!" Ashura commanded, his eyes fixed on the aghast Satoshi. "*PIKA!*" Shadow Pikachu shot back in an dark blur away from his confused opponent... and an instant later an indigo-violet bolt of dark lightning roared from the heavens and consumed the golden electrical Pokemon. The smoke slowly began to clear as Tenchu lurched back upright when his dark nemesis slipped back into view beside him. "Pika." The dark blur side-stepped away, and Tenchu let out another cry of pain as a second violet lightning bolt shot into him from above. He collapsed forward, supporting himself weakly on all fours, and Shadow Pikachu once more emerged from the clouds of smoke, towering above the golden charred Pikachu. "Pika." ... and summoned another Dark Thunder to strike his injured opponent. "Good Gawd Almighty...." JR choked in disgust. "That Pikachu's out for blood! "...those two mice aren't playing around anymore, are they?" Tony inquired somberly. "Ashura's sending a lethal message to Satoshi here and *all* PFFL competitors tonight, folks," Joey uttered. The shockwave of a fourth Dark Thunder sent Satoshi flailing to his feet. He turned to see his wounded companion, smouldering from Shadow Pikachu's onslaught. The dark rodent stepped methodically towards the prone Tenchu, who was struggling to prop himself up. "... tenchu..." The weary gold-furred Pokemon wheezed angrily, turning his reddened eyes up to the ebony Forbidden Pokemon standing above him. Shadow Pikachu returned with a haughty grin, narrowing his cobalt blue eyes, thunder rumbling ominously above him... "Pika!" The clouds flashed to life above the arena, and before the dark Pikachu could move away, Tenchu rushed forward in a gleaming blur, tackling him and wrapping his stubby arms around its body. "Tenchu!" The vigilant electric Pokemon called out. Shadow Pikachu had just enough time to look up at the incoming Dark Thunder and back to the foe binding him in place before the indigo lightning consumed them both. A second, golden surge of electricity erupted from within the burst, sending both rodents sailing to opposite sides of the arena's circle. "Unbelievable, Tenchu's still got some fight left in him," JR uttered in shock. Satoshi paced along the edge of the battle ring, exhaling heavily and returning his attentions to the fight at hand. His blue haired preteen companion approached his side, eyes widening upon the epic battle. "This battle's taken its toll on Pokemon and trainer alike," Tony added dramatically. "Both Pikachu are struggling back to their feet..." "And I really don't like the looks in Shadow Pikachu's eyes...." Joey warned. And with good reason: the dark rodent warrior's eyes were now gleaming a bright crimson, as well as those of his master. "DARK...." The Shadow Master's voice chanted with crystal clarity over the increasing winds. A crackling nimbus of indigo-black electricity began to expand around the dark Pikachu's form. "...Get ready, friend." Satoshi nodded somberly, tightening and relaxing a clenched fist. "Ten." his fatigued familiar responded, now beginning to accumulate electrical strength of his own... The announcers and spectators shielded themselves from the increasingly hostile winds and elements, silently watching the two electrical mice prepare for their decisive strike... "LIGHTING..." The dark clouds above the arena parted, and a single column of dark electricity roared down and collided with Shadow Pikachu, who grimaced as the new black energies were added to its own formidable aura... "...APOCALYPSE!" Until the black rodent Pokemon released the stored power, which exploded into a rapidly growing dome of roaring black and indigo electricity. Satoshi and Arina lifted their arms up to shield their faces from the near- hurricane winds as Tenchu stood defiantly in the storm, a small glistening sphere of electricity in the path of the incoming wave of dark lightning... "Now, Tenchu!" Satoshi bellowed over the winds. "FIST OF HEAVEN!" "CHUUU!!!" With all the physical strength he could muster, Tenchu leapt high above the arena floor, and gazed upon the monstrous electrical force of nature that was Shadow Pikachu's final attack. The sky above the Gundam Fight arena suddenly began to clear, revealing the night sky above... where several stars appeared to fade and disappear. While the wind was as strong as ever, the roaring sound had vanished, leaving the arena shrouded in a deafening silence. Then, slender wisps of lightning flowed past the airborne Tenchu and into the center of the crackling black mass on the ground below. Tenchu, enshrouded in a sphere of ball lightning, spread his arms wide, letting additional trails of golden yellow electricity flow from his aura down to its target below. Then, with a flair of its short forepaws, the roars of the surrounding winds returned... and a solid pillar of blinding white electricity roared from the remaining clouds above, piercing the billowing cloud of black lighting and illuminating the darkened stands of the auditorium. After the near-divine onslaught of lightning, Tenchu descended, stumbling and falling to all fours as it landed. Both he and his human companions looked across to the dissipating Dark Lightning Apocalypse to see Shadow Pikachu, still standing in the cratered blast zone. The dark rodent's eyes were narrowed into red slits... which lazily blinked and returned to their usual indigo blue, then closed fully. The Forbidden rodent warrior coughed and exhaled in exhaustion just before collapsing face first onto the ground. A crimson X appeared on the Pokemon and his master's portrait on the Mallytron at the end of the arena. Shadow Pikachu had been defeated. "HE DID IT!!!" Joey Style cheered, pumping his fists triumphantly, "Tenchu finally took down that demonic rodent!" "And Satoshi is returning to Indigo Plateau for the chance at another League champion reign!" JR proclaimed. "After one of the most hellacious battles in this league's brief history." "Now both trainers are going out to check on their battle weary Pikachu." Tony added. "Can you *imagine* what's going through the mind of Ashura right now, gentlemen...." Satoshi leaned down to allow his golden-brown furred companion to climb back on top of his shoulders, while his brooding doppleganger had to lift his drained familiar off the ground and place him across his back. Both Ashes stood silently and faced each other, as young Arina Ketchum looked on a short distance away. "Do you realize why you lost today?" Satoshi finally inquired. "Of course," the shadow warrior snorted. "Because of this... archaic match standard, we were limited from using our *full* capabilities." "That's not the reason, Ashura... it's something I've learned from back home. Pokemon can grow to become strong, sometimes incredibly so. But that doesn't mean that the only purpose they have is for fighting. They're no longer companions then, Ash... just weapons." "You have *no idea* what pains I've endured back in *my* homeworld...." The robed Ashura hissed back at him. "Try me," Satoshi replied, folding his arms. "... I don't have time for your philosophic ramblings. I still have a job to do," Ashura scowled back at him. "Aww... isn't that cute." The trio of Ketchums gazed about in surprise, seeking the source of the voice. "They're gonna kiss and make up!" "Great, just when they were *finally* starting to make amends," JR shook his head bitterly. A technician on the arena floor cast off his hat and work shirt, revealing the wiry build of the one-eyed mercenary, Dario Dariani. "Looks like we'll get to kill three birds with one stone!" The gunman snapped the cylinder of his Beretta pistol in place. A distortion of air shimmered along the sideline of the battle ring, drawing the Shadow Master's attention. The blur took on a more feminine figure, and with a flair of her reflective cape, Crystal Dagger stepped forward, placing a gloved hand on the scabbard of her crystalline blade. "It seems hardly sporting to take them on now, in their weakened state," the dark-haired woman sighed. "But a contract's a contract." "Most definitely, milady..." A third, suave male voice replied. Satoshi's eyes widened in recognition as he clenched his fists. "... James?" A regal, uniformed man leapt over the railing and stood defiantly right beside the commentator's desk, running a gloved hand through his lavender blue locks. His attire was a more militaristic version of the classic Team Rocket outfit, complete with a flowing dark cape. Contemptuously, he grabbed for a nearby microphone. "My word!" Tony gasped, "That's former Team Rocket agent James Hallendale!" "More appropriately, Tony," Joey corrected, "judging from his get-up, he's originally from the more militant version of the criminal syndicate, Rocket United...." "Rocket United... could they be *invading* the Pokemon Fan Fiction League here tonight!?" "... Tony, it's just not working," JR finally intervened. "But it did when you guys..." "Just... no, Tony." "... but you're dead! I saw you die!" Satoshi rambled, shaking his head. "Oh, I *was*, Ash. Deceased, dismissed, *discarded* when I was no longer plot-convenient... like some kind of *supporting character*!" the blue-haired man raved. "But that's only in our home dimension... and as you and your little boyfriend have surely learned by now, the rules here are very different! Here, I'll have my *revenge!* And to that end, I've purchased the services of my dear amazon Crystal Dagger to dispose of you and Adauchi once and for all! Then *I'll* return to our homeworld, and be the STAR I was meant to be!" "And she's already taken out Trenchcoat Boy," Dario taunted, advancing on the trio with his gun aimed forward. "And I'll do the same to *you*, dear Ashton... at the Championship next week!" Crystal Dagger bitch-laughed with glee. "Mah Gawd! That's..." JR began in shock before pausing. "...that's a *really* roundabout way to carry out a hit...." "The writers here don't even pretend like they're not making this up as they go along, do they?" Joey sighed. "Waitasec!" Satoshi protested "That still doesn't explain how you're still alive! A body's a body, no matter what dimension it's in!" "You could say I was given a new lease on life," James smiled broadly, "From someone I'm *sure* your evil twin is familiar with." Satoshi and Arina both turned towards Ashura, who gritted his teeth as he turned from the former Rocket officer up to the now-active MallyTron. Upon the massive screen a faraway shot of the despotic domed metropolis Indigo City appeared, an ivory marble citadel growing from its center. Shadow Pikachu was starting to recover when he saw the imposing city scape and growled knowing at its image. "Can it be..." Tony shouted. "Has Dark Sonic returned!?" "That's not Sonotropolis," Joey replied flatly. "But you may be bloody close..." The perspective began to close in rapidly on the upper tiers of the citadel, finally resting on one of the top-most balconies... where a lean athletic form stood silently, the winds buffeting his dull grey robes and hood. His face was concealed by the hood of his cloak and a tight array of wrappings, and he wore a single leather glove on his left hand. "... Lord Garrick." The Shadow warrior snarled under his breath. "...'Garrick'?" Satoshi arched a brow, "What kind of name is... wait, wait, wait... oh, you've *got* to be kidding me...." "Citizens of the Kanto and Johto Islands." Garrick's voice resounded, softly, evenly, and earning a shudder of disbelief from Satoshi. "Before you stand the most formidable villians of *three* of your worlds. Through them, I have acquired data on but a few of these many realities. Next week... the PFFL Championships shall be the staging ground to *expand* the League Empire throughout the Multiverse, thus bringing every Pokemon World under the dominion of the Prophecy!" "Oh, not again," JR grumbled nonchalantly. "Lord Garrick's League Empire have allied themselves with Rocket United..." Tony breathed in awe. "This unholy alliance has *swerved* us all with their cunning and diabolical plan!" "This isn't a cunning plan!" Joey protested. "This is shaping up like something the villains just *threw* together at the last second so they'd have something to do next week!" "Nonetheless, Lord Garrick's presence is gonna taint what was *supposed* to be the momentous conclusion of our first PFFL season!" JR grumbled. Ashura finally turned back to his counterpart with a knowing glare, his familiar finally able to hop back to congregate with the other worried Pikachu-types. "Now do you see why I'm here, and why I fight?" Ashura brooded. "Now that the League Empire knows of this organization, there will be no stopping Garrick's reign of terror from spreading." "Question is, though, how do we stop it?" Satoshi wondered. "*You* just focus on winning the championship against Crystal Dagger. I'll tend to Garrick's minions in the meantime." Satoshi responded warily. "Wait. You're gonna take on Rocket United *and* King Gary by yourself?" The mystical ninja warrior smiled knowingly. "You forget, Ketchum. There will always be two. A Master... and his Apprentice." Satoshi's eyes widened as the meaning of Ashura's words dawned on him. He turned to face the young blue-haired girl who had accompanied him... who now faced the two Ashes with alarming determination. "Dammit, Ashura... not her...." "One shall be born from Thunder, bearing the Darkness... " Arina chanted, drawing a Pokeball and summoning Rattata with fluid precision. Satoshi could only shake his head in dismay, while his counterpart smiled darkly. "... and the Light," the girl continued, a stern smile forming as she swift cast forth her Spearow. "To rise up against Tyranny!" The dark warrior arched a brow over Arina's oath, turning to his now hopeful twin. The trio of Pikachus stood in confusion as Arina's Pokemon began their transformation. Spearow fluttered upward, and with each powerful beat of his wings, his feathers took on a silvery white sheen. Rattata, meanwhile clutched the ground with its claws, its fur dulling to a dark grey, then finally to a jet black. It opened its now indigo eyes and emitted a simultaneously cute and feral growl. "Faced at the Crossroads, she must travel down both trails...." Arina stood between the two empowered Pokemon. Ratatta leapt straight up to about the young girl's shoulder and flashed in a burst of indigo light. Spearow, likewise shimmered with a blinding white light... and an instant later a glistening silver katana and an obsidian black wakizashi hovered before her. The paired legendary Pokemon Masters stood dumbfounded. Satoshi was stunned that Arina had accepted Ashura's "legacy", while Ashura was realizing that the legacy was of her own design.... "And she will find her true path..." Arina took a deep breath, bringing her hands forward to reach the paired blades. "... to embrace her Legacy." She took hold of the daisho, and was instantly enveloped in the contrasting energies. The blue haired lass cried out initially, recoiling as the eldritch magics infiltrated her petite form, before finally resolving herself and standing at attention. Within the black and white energy cocoon, her clothes began to disintegrate from her silhouetted figure. In their place wisps of silver mist encircled her body and solidified into a form fitting one piece body suit. The cocoon shattered, leaving Arina hovering slightly above the ground. Ashura and Satoshi gaped in bewilderment at the final stages of her transformation, as fragments from the energy shell snapped into place, forming armored shin guards, bracers, and a band to bind back her flowing blue hair. The silver clad girl finally settled to the ground and opened her eyes, snapping her daisho in a dramatic pose. "Arina..." Satoshi uttered. "... you look... kinda cute, actually...." "You look ridiculous," grumbled Ashura, bitterly. "Oh, you're one to talk, Jubei," Satoshi shot back. The two Ashes proceeded to bicker over each other's child-rearing skills, as the empowered Arina tried to settle both of them down. Elsewhere, Lord Garrick's elite guard, James Hallendale, Dario Dariani, and Crystal Dagger stood in awkward silence, unsure whether another attempt to menace the heroes would be appropriate. "Clan Ketchum shall stand united against this force of darkness!" Tony exalted with gusto. "Yes, our heroic trio," JR dead-panned. Their ECW representative was fidgeting uncomfortably. "... I thought we were done with kids in spandex with all those damn EVA Kids...." "Regardless, a chaotic change of events for our Pay Per View next week," JR recovered. "And quite honestly, I don't think Mally and PTB Productions would have it any other way...." "Satoshi! Crystal Dagger! For the first PFFL League Championships next week! Along with other *extreme* Pokemon action!" "I'm Tony Schiavone and on behalf of my associates Jim Ross and Joey Styles, we'll see you next time! The closing shot featured the trio of electrical rodents, Tenchu, Shadow Pikachu, and the original Pikachu, expressing various degrees of exasperation at their respective humans. _________________________________________________________________ NEXT TIME on the Pokemon Fan Fic League: PFFL Championship Match: Satoshi vs Crystal Dagger Undercard Poke-Battles to be announced! Voting Ballot coming soon to a website near you! _________________________________________________________________ Author's Notes: Tim: Well, some unexpected twists to add some spice to me and Alicia's experimental league. And where else will you see Referential Comedy to G Gundam and Left Behind in the same place. As usual, let us know how you like the show so far, and stay tuned for the championship! Coming... umm, sometime. ^^; Alicia: This episode was set in Neo-Hong Kong just to remind y'all that Mobile Fighter G Gundam is the greatest TV show ever made. ^_^ _________________________________________________________________ All characters appearing within this story are *not* the property of PTB Productions. PTB Productions lays no claim to any licenses or trademarks in the making of this fic, and means no offense to anyone. This story is written in the spirit of good-natured comedy, and it is our sincere hope that you will read the original works these characters came from. You might just be surprised! The PFFL itself, however, is the creation of PTB Productions, all rights reserved. _________________________________________________________________