Had Rocky not been solely focused on the Stoutland, he would’ve shot Doug a Mean Look right there. Maybe another time, when he wasn’t deep into a fight. And besides, the Stoutland was acting smug too, so Rocky’s attention was on that display. Even as the Stoutland evaded his Accelerock, using his Rock Tomb as cover, Rocky pursued him, intent to get that hit in.

“They both look tired,” the Rotomdex said. Their fight was going to end soon, and at this point, it could’ve gone to either of them. “The Stoutland’s avoiding Rocky with those rocks, but he just jumped at Rocky and-”

Hideo knew what the Stoutland was going for - another attack. But he knew that even if he shouted for Rocky to avoid it, Rocky wouldn’t listen. There was nothing to stop the Stoutland from biting into Rocky, the Lycanroc letting out a yelp.

Rocky had run (heh) himself ragged chasing after that Stoutland, and the attack nearly made him fade out - until he heard Hideo shout one more order: “Get’im, Rocky!” And by Arceus, he did not want to let Hideo down.

Also, he was pissed, and he did not want to go down to this other dog.

His claws glowed once more, and he aimed to deal a Rock Climb strike right to the Stoutland’s belly, even as the frost formed over where he was bitten.

Rocky was hit by the Ice Fang

Rocky toughed it out to show his best side to Hideo.  Also because he angy.

Rocky used Rock Climb

John Sullivan

Badly timed relief could be one's downfall.

In Caesar's case, it came when Rocky first began to fade out. Relief had begun flooding his tired, battered body in that moment. But that merely slowed him down- made him more susceptible to a reversal.

And a reversal he got.

Following the slam to its gut, the Stoutland's eyes snapped wide open, before rolling to the back of its skull, its grip on Rocky weakening as it slumped off to the side, unconscious.

Frankly speaking, nobody was as surprised as Doug, despite his endless faith in Hideo. For a moment, he didn't know what to say or how to feel; his pride was rather confused...

But he could feel in his face a big grin tugging, so he guessed his body already knew.

The youth returned his pokemon to its net ball, before he began to clap his hands.

"Congratulations, Challenger Kino!" He said, a big grin on his lips.

He crossed over the distance of the battlefield, reaching over to ruffle Hideo's hair as he dropped on a crouch in front of the kid.

"I would give ya a badge, but ya already got that." He said. "So I'mma let'cha in on a secret instead. If ya manage to win against a Gym Leader in this tournament... They HAVE to give you their badge. No need for long waiting lists or convincing yer parents to let'cha go."

He winked, even if Hideo couldn't see it.

"Go get 'em, tiger. I expect a full Badge-case by the end of this tournament!"

---

-Ded Fainted.
-Hideo wins!

TAG: Hideo Kino

Nothing to break the tension like your flying, talking Pokedex. “Didn’t see that one coming.”

“Well I can’t see anything coming. What happened?”

He could hear the two canines hit the ground, and his heart beat harder as he waited to hear who came out on top. He got the answer: “The Stoutland is down! Rocky won!”

It took Hideo a moment to process what he was told. Some part of him struggled to believe that he’d actually done it. It wasn’t like with that gym challenge, when he was dealing with a lot of sleepy and distracted guards; this was a to-the-faint battle against Doug, the guy mentoring him for the past half a year.

But he heard Doug clapping. Congratulating him. Addressing him as a “challenger”. Holy crap he actually did it! He was immediately giddy with excitement, his hands shaking as he giggled to himself in pure joy.

Helped that it was also his first win of the Star Tournament.

Doug had approached him, rustling his hair (as usual) and letting him in on a little “secret”...which made Hideo pause. “...wait, really?” Not that he doubted Doug, just that...if he kept this up, he could actually get every badge.  He could actually go from here to battling the Elite Four to battling the Champion and-

But before he could get lost in his joy, he felt a very shaky Rocky brush up against him. “I...I should get you to a Center,” he said, procuring Rocky’s Pokeball and drawing him back in. “Thank you Doug, really! I hope you do well in the rest of the tournament!” He waved to Doug before making his way out of the arena - to a Pokemon Center he could drop Rocky off at before heading to his next match., his Rotomdex following him and guiding him all the way.

…

It was a good thing there were Pokemon dedicated to cleaning up the arenas after each battle. Because Hideo and Doug had left quite the mess with all those rocks lying about.

Hideo won!...barely

Rocky should probably see a Nurse Joy

-End Thread-

John Sullivan