Episode 5: PokéWorld

        Blu concentrated. The majestic silver bird stood in front of her and eyed her. She looked around the area, spotting only idle trainers. She conjured a master ball, aimed, and threw. The bird started to fly, but was caught in mid leap as it spread it's wings. The master ball opened and the bird swung inside. Without hesitating, Blu picked up the master ball and pocketed the ice bird. She tapped her TDT and flashed out.

        She exited at the doors of the Elite Four complex; Home to the best Pokémon Masters in this world. She walked inside, and was greeted by Nurse Joy. Blu reviewed the Pokémon in her possesion; a blue Ninetales, a Gengar, a Zapdos, a newly captured Articuno, a firey Moltres, and a Blastoise. Generic, but a good selection. She did intend to become the World's Best Pokémon Master today. She put the pokéballs into the tray and allowed Joy to place them in the recharging chamber. Afterwards, she trudged onwards, through the gates to the Elite Four.

        She entered a chilly room, and nearly slipped on the icy path. The arena was moderatly sized. Lorelei, first of the Elite Four, was seated in what seemed to be an icy throne on the far side of the room.

        "I come to challenge you, Lorelei, Mistress of Icy Pokémon," Blu stated.

        "Oh?" Lorelei asked. She rose, and came to the other end of the ring. She reached to her belt, and removed a pokéball. "You're pokémon will be at my mercy when they are frozen solid!" She tossed the ball into the air, and it opened and revealed a Dewgong. The Dewgong sat still, and Blu released Zapdos.

        "Zapdos, ZAP it!" She commanded. Zapdos let loose a bolt of electricity. The bolt shivered through Dewgong and that was all. Lorelei said nothing, and replaced Dewgong with Cloyster. Blu commanded the same, and Cloyster wasn't even able to take a shot before it fried.

        Lorelei then sent out Slowbro, and then Jynx, whom were taken care of by Zapdos. Zappy was as lively as ever, getting a high off of the winning streak. Finally Lorelei sent out her last pokémon, Lapras. Lapra's thick defensive shell prevented a one hit KO, and it managed to take off a hit on Zapdos before Blu ordered Thunderbolt, a special attack. The room darkened, and Zapdos shot a huge thunderbolt towards the swimming creature. Lorelei stared, angry. She said nothing as Blu passed into the next room.

        The next room reminded her ver much of the Pewter City Gym; there were rocks everywhere. Bruno, second Elite Four master, was seated cross-legged on a big rock.

        "Do you train with your Pokémon?" He asked.

        Blu arched an eyebrow. Oh. "Yes."

        "So do I." Not a man for words. "We will match out pokémon in a fighting showdown!" Wow, enthusiasm! Blu sent out Blastoise and made quick work of both his Onixes. Onix and other rock pokémon were weak against water, and Blastoise was chalk-full of water attacks. Next, she used Gengar against the fighting-type opponents, putting them to sleep with hyponosis, and then using Dream Eater. Gengar did well, and gained experience.

        "You must train you pokémon well," Bruno said. "You go on now to Agatha."

        "Yeah.....Thanks."

        Blu patted the huge guy on the shoulder, kicking in a little Aliroo strength and making him choke. She continued on, and found herself in a room that smelled like mothballs. There were gravestones everywhere throughout the dark room, and living things squirmed in the dirt floor. Agatha was standing ahead, leaning on a cane.

        "I've heard about you," she said, "And I refuse to be beaten by such an inexperienced trainer. Prepare to go back to the drawing board!" She flung out a pokéball and a Gengar appeared. Blu chose Ninetales and ordered a Flamethrower. Gengar burned, and dissolved into the ground. Zapdos took on Golbat easily, and Ninetales finished off the next Gengar and Haunter. Zapdos again for Arbok. Agatha grumbled, and seemed to fade back herself. Blu wondered whether she was doing this right; it was way too easy.

        She walked down a long hallway, and arrived in the largest gym of all. A man stood at the end of the arena. He wore a dark navy jacket and a cape. There was something archaic about him, but Blu couldn't place it. He reguarded her, and stepped forward.

        "So, Blu, you've made it to me. I am Lance, leader of the Elite Four. My dragons are stronger than any pokémon you may have; I will make quick work of you. Please do not be offended; to have made it this far is far too far for you to have come. I must defend my title and the honor of the Elite Four." He swept his cape aside in a graceful motion, and removed a pokéball from his belt. He tossed it into the water part of the arena . A giant Gyrados appeared. Blu marveled at the creature, large, dangerous with a huge gaping maw. She sent out Zapdos, and ordered a thunderbolt. The electricity shot down and electrocuted Gyrados. The water sizzled. Lance called back Gyrados.

        "Impressive. Gyrados is meerly a prelude to dragons, because it is not a true dragon. Experience the mythical power of the dragon!" He tossed out another pokéball, and suddenly a serpentine creature appeared.

        Blu gasped; it was a dragonair! The silvery blue dragon floated above the arena, levitating with a magical ambience. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. Its huge blue eyes sparkled in a blue watery light. She almost couldn't bear to fight it, but realized she had to if she wanted to keep her meeting with Trixxy on Katina. She sent out Articuno, and shot at Dragonair with an Ice Beam. The dragon was frozen, and Lance called it back. Blu felt a pang of guilt for the dragon. But she stood her ground as Lance sent out an Aerodactyl. She met his challenge with Zapdos, easily taking it down with a thunderbolt.

        Blu's face faltered as Lance sent out a Dragonite. Not because it scared her, but because it was such a majestic creature. She hated doing it, but ordered Articuno into a Blizzard attack. Dragonite froze over much as Dragonair had. She frowned as Lance called it back.

        He sighed, running his hand through his hair worriedly. She walked towards him, ready to go on to whatever was behind the doors. As she got closer she noticed his features better; he had dark blue eyes and a laughing grin. He looked gruff and mean, but she could see in his eyes that he laughed often. His hair was white, with gold and dark brown streaks.

        "So now what?" She asked, hanging her thumbs on the belt loops of her jeans casually.

        He laughed a bit shakily, and loosened the collar of his cape.

        "Well, you are the master. Of the world," he grinned. He offered his hand, and she returned. He had a good hand shake, strong and controlled. Blu smiled. This was awkward.

        "Well, if you will follow me then," he said. He gestured with a half sweeping, half bowing motion that left his cape hanging on his arm. She laughed and walked through the gates into a room. The room had a PC, with numerous doors to the sides.

        Lance brought her to the computer, and pressed a button. A screen showed, with her name and pokémon.

        "Well, Blu Flyer," he said, "You're in the Hall of Fame."

        Blu grinned, then checked her watch. "Thats neat. Hey, I gotta run. But before I go, could I ask you a question?"

        He smiled, showing very white teeth. "Sure."

        "Where can I get a dragonair?"

        He grinned. "I saw you eyeing Ripley," he said. "You can catch Dratinis in the Safari Zone, but they are very rare and hard to catch."

        Blu sighed. She wouldn't have the time.

        "Alright. Could I... See him once before I go?"

        Lance unclipped Ripley's pokéball from his belt, and summoned the dragon.

        Dragonair appeared, as beautiful as ever. It seemed to have recovered from the shock, and stared up at her with eyes that seemed as deep as oceans. She knelt down to eye level with it, and gently ran a finger down its neck. Ripley blinked and cocked its head, its fins swaying gently. It cooed, and nuzzled her hand.

        "Thanks for forgiving me," she whispered to it. She patted it on the head, and stood up. She faced Lance. He was only a few inches taller than she, and she didn't have to crane her neck to meet his eyes.

        "He likes you," Lance said to her, "And so do I."

        Blu looked away and laughed. "What do you mean?"

        "You command a special presence...Something different." He turned back to the PC, as if contemplating something very important. He turned back to her.

        "I have a special offer to make to you," he said, "I am prepared to offer you a spot as a member of the Elite Four. If you take it, we will be the Elite Five."

        Blu laughed again, but shook her head. "No, I don't have enough time. I can't. I have an appointment to make...I'm sorry."

        Lance's eyes glanced at the ceiling. He sighed. "No, thats okay. I really am getting sick of the girls, they are constantly bugging me about everything. Lorelei has ideas and Agatha is a witch. It would be nice to have someone new on the team, and you seem to know what you're doing. But, you said you have an appointment to make, so I won't keep you any longer." He stepped back. Blu waved as she opened the portal that would take her to the Katina Arwing hangar.