Wiggle Wiggle Break: An Iridescent Adventure: May 2013

Potential

(POV: Tom Cedar)

Do not stop, Lapras. Do. Not. Stop.

His attacks are slowing...we're doing it...

Good. Lapras, return--

Alright...maybe later.

PRODIGA: Is your Elekid alright?

TOM: He should be, for now. He's not coming out of his ball until I get him to a Pokemon Center.

PRODIGA: Good, good.

TOM: That last Pokemon of yours is a bit of a disheartening foe for only the second gym.

PRODIGA: A win is a win, no matter how ugly--is your Lapras filling up my Poke Ball trench with water?

TOM: It likes water.

PRODIGA: That it does...

TOM: Besides, you've got two moats already. Why not a third?

PRODIGA: Why not?

TOM: Elekid would have been dead if I brought him here to face you three days ago, and now he's clasping on for dear life as it is.

PRODIGA: Just imagine how strong he'll be three days from now. He'll be something to really be proud of.

TOM: He already is...

PRODIGA: You aren't going to stay at this level. You'll grow, just like your Pokemon will, but you'll never know what you're going to become or what your Pokemon are really going to be like. They might evolve and change their personalities entirely. Same thing with people. The thing to remember is that everyone has a chance at greatness, but you can only decide who you'll be tomorrow. The future...well, who can say? Here, take this.

PRODIGA: The Potential Badge, along with $2500 cash, and this TM.

PRODIGA: Dragon Claw. Can't teach the more powerful Dragon-type moves to my Pokemon until hey evolve, but this one packs a wallop all the same. You know, you and your friends really saved all of our asses today. Your story might very well be told around here for a long time, Tom, but your story's just beginning. You gotta get to Mastam and figure out what's going on with the S.S. Anne's radio signals. Good luck.

TOM: By the way, you may want to talk to Lucius. A Fire-type like his in a room with a moat may not be such a good idea.

PRODIGA: Pokemon training is ugly sometimes, but both of our species would have died out by now if it weren't for the other.

TOM: From my experience, it seems like the one is constantly trying to kill the other...and hell, ll I ever do is walk through the grass from time to time. Heh...

Did...did I just laugh at the fact that I almost get killed on a daily basis? What is wrong with me--?

ELEKID! SHIT! THE POKEMON CENTER! HANG ON, BUDDY!

No Mercy

(POV: Lapras)

Oh, for Kyogre's sakes, he calls me out again and I'm STILL not in water? Does he even know how to use--?

Wait...he looks really rather upset this time. I...I wonder what's wrong?

That thing over there has his hands covered in blood, but whose--?

Doesn't he keep the little yellow Pokemon in there? The Elekid--?

Oh, no, something must have gone terribly wrong--

TOM: No mercy. Ice until he drops. Until...he...drops.

At last...a true chance to show off my power.

You, little one, are going to regret whatever you did to force him to call upon me.

So, you have elected the way of icy death. Such shall be your folly!

Behold my might, so-called dragon!

Will you not yield?! You have met your better!

FOOL! YOU HAVE SEALED YOUR FATE!

No mercy received...none given!!!

Here Be Dragons...

Wow...would you just look at this place? It's massive! Deceptively so, considering the outside. There appears to be another moat here---

Filled to the brim with Poke Balls?! Holy hell, this must be some kind of treasure horde.

Across the moat, there spans a bridge of stone...

At its apex, there sits a throne, and upon the throne...

Sits Prodiga. Fitting. No sense in waiting, but where are the spectators? There are a few balconies behind her, but not many have come to see the grand re-opening of the gym.

TOM: Not many people came to see the battle today.

PRODIGA: What did you expect? It's the first battle since the gym reopened, and a lot of people have other problems on their minds.

TOM: Very true.

PRODIGA: Well?

TOM: Prodiga, I need to fight this battle to strengthen my skills as a Pokemon trainer. You need this battle to strengthen your people's faith in you. However, I think Isis needs this battle the most to strengthen the people's resolve and to get them through this tough time.

PRODIGA: Being a gym leader is a lot...bigger than I thought. We don't get elected to the position; we just sort of become what the city needs and try to do the best we can to lead them. I was just a kid when I stepped up...I still am, really. Thought it was all fun and games, and when things were going well I was happy to take the credit, but then they turned on me. You see, everyone thinks they know what they will become, but no one really knows. You just sort of have to roll with the punches. I've got a lot to learn.

TOM: Don't we all?

PRODIGA: You don't know where you'll end up, but you can't forget the steps ahead of you--

TOM: Or the ones behind you.

PRODIGA: Benn talking to Tera, huh? She might have been tough, but I beat her.

TOM: She says that to everyone who beats her, and if I heard it, you know where that lands us...

PRODIGA: Your next steps lead to me. I hope we haven't scared you off with all this rioting madness.

TOM: I'm still here, aren't I?

PRODIGA: Thank you. So...what now, Tom Cedar?

TOM: I say we give these people the fight they came here to see. Go, Pinsir!

Let's see these dragons of yours, Prodiga!

Tiny little guy, but I'm not about to count you out that quickly--

Damn, he's quick! Pinsir! Into the ball-pit! Get ready to Dig!

Don't rush it, girl. Prodiga knows what's going to happen, but we need to provoke her into getting her dragon close. Use Focus Energy and get ready.

It's getting closer. Harden and be ready to strike on my mark...

She's having her Pokemon blast the balls out of the moat!

NOW!

Direct hit! Great going, girl! He's on his back, now we just have to--

Look out!

Pinsir, are you alright?! Those tusks pack a massive punch! Don't let them hit you again!

It's trying to slash through your chest with those massive teeth of his, but it needs to brace its legs against your pincers to get the leverage; grab its legs and slam it into the bridge!

That's how we do it, girl! Slam him again--!

It's charging up another Dragonbreath attack! Throw it as far away as you can!

Good dodge, girl! He's almost done, now charge him! We aren't gonna let him tear your guts out! Vicegrip!

Pinsir, wait--!

DON'T LET IT SLIP UNDER YOU--!

You put up one hell of a fight, girl...get some rest.

Now, Prodiga, let's bring out the big boys.

NOW! QUICK ATTACK!

GET HIM, GLIGAR!

KABOOM! Great hit, little lady! Keep at him--!

This does not bode well...

Gligar, you're still up! Give it one more Quick Attack! Just one more!

Direct hit!

Great job, girl! You did it! We've won--

Wait, is it night yet?

Damn it, all! We were so close, girl!

We'll get you to evolve one day, but right now, I need you to hang tough for me, okay? That's my girl!

Alright, Prodiga...who's next?

These Dragon-types sure look nasty. Gligar, I need you to hang in there and do as much as you can to this guy to help out the rest of the team, okay? Use Sand-Attack!

Great shot! Now, get out of there before it can get you!

PRODIGA: He doesn't know what he's getting into, Gible! Sand is your domain!

Why...why would she say that--?

It did a Sand-Attack, too?! Good thing Gligar was high up there and didn't really get hit by the attack, but...could that thing also be a Ground-type? Gligar, let's test this out! Dig into the concrete floor!

Great job--

It's making for the ball-pit! Get up right underneath it and hammer it--!

(Oh, you son of a bitch. It was going so well, too! Fuck you, dice app. Fuck you.)

And Gligar digs up, explodes from the pit, and bashes her head against the underside of the stone bridge. Fantastic. She's still in there, though, if only by a thread--

PRODIGA: Let's make things interesting, Gible! Sandstorm!

I knew it! It IS a Ground-type as well as a Dragon-type! But...how is Sandstorm going to work? There's no more sand around here. The only thing here is--

OH DEAR LORD POKE BALL TORNADO! POKE BALL TORNADO!

Gligar! Duck and weave! Get me one more shot in on this sharky little bastard! Quick Attack!

Crud, Gligar's gone down into the pit. I can't see a thing unless I get closer, and I can't get closer with all those balls up in the air. I just...gotta wait...for an opening...now!

Gligar, are you alright--?

Damn...Gligar, return.

Prodiga, you've done well so far, but you've betrayed your Gible's greatest weakness. Now, go!

ICE PUNCH IT INTO THE GROUND!

And that is all she wrote for the proud and powerful Gible.

PRODIGA: That's a powerful little Pokemon you got there!

TOM: Same to you.

PRODIGA: In a few months, he'll be real strong...but you ain't fighting me in a few months. You're fighting me now. Let's see how strong he really is. Go, Bagon!