Originally Published: Jan 23, 2023

Part III: The Midnight Matchup

Meanwhile, back at the Beta Pokémon Center, in Saucez’s room, it was past 11 PM, and the family was having a bit of a feud with each other about the payment for the treatment. “I keep telling you, Edano, these injuries are that cursed Milotic’s fault! And now we are the ones paying for it!” The father argued loudly at his son. “And I keep telling you that it was an accident, and she didn’t mean any harm!” Edano shouted back at his father. “Will you two knock it off already?!” The mother cried out loud. “What’s all of this arguing going to do for our poor, little girl? Nothing!”

Edano and his father just turned their backs on each other and hmphed. “Look, guys. You need to find something to do while I watch our Jessi to alert the doctors if anything happens to her.” The mother intervened. “I’m sorry, mother. I’m just also upset that they’re likely going to cancel the midnight matches tonight because of what happened to that one Hitmontops.” Edano told his mother. “Yeah, I hope they find a replacement and fast.” His father added. The family earlier saw the disappointing news on the television in the room, which is probably what elevated their feud due to their rising stress levels. “Uh, that’s not what I’m seeing out of the corner of my eyes, looking at the screen, guys.” The mother pointed at the television. “What?” The two men questioned, both raising an eyebrow.

The mother then grabbed the remote to turn up the volume of the television set. The family stood by their daughter as they looked up at the television to retrieve the news about the wrestling event. “Huh? It says here on the heading. “Producer found a new wrestler allegedly a... Milotic?!” Edano read aloud and was surprised by the last word in the heading. “Aw, too bad sis is unconscious. She would’ve loved to hear about the Milotic representation going on in the Pokémon Wrestling Federation.” Edano commented. “Yeah, and now I’m starting to feel bad about what all I said to her own.” His father moped.

Suddenly, there was a groan that voiced out of the girl they’d been watching over. The groan was able to pull the family’s attention away from the television. “Oh my goodness, she’s becoming more responsive now!!” The mother shrieked. “Well, that was unexpected!” Edano commented and then looked back at the television for the news about his favorite show. “That snake didn’t do too much to Jessi then.” The father added. Edano gasped at the bottom text scrolling through for the newscast. “Woah! That thieving Zorua struck the Snack-sol Café again!” He explained what he just read aloud. “This time, he got knocked out... by a Milotic...” and was arrested by law enforcement but managed to escape the jailhouse. Sis is just missing out on all of this Milotic mania.” He added. “Can’t they just capture that brat in a Pokéball?” His mother asked with a shout. “Man, I don’t know if it was a good idea to contact Jessi’s boyfriend about her injuries because this thievery wave started happening ever since his last visit.” The father said.

Going back to Astarte’s odyssey that is now being held at the Pokémon Wrestling Federation Stadium, she was amazed at how interested the public was surrounding the stadium and wanted to get a peek at the Milotic newcomer. However, the studio workers wanted to keep her identity protected because she was considered a temporary wrestler until their Hitmontops participant recovered. Astarte was shocked by the public’s interest even after what happened earlier in the day at another competition. “Wow! The public is going wild!” Astarte commented, gazing out of a heavily tinted window at the outside crowd going wild in excitement. “Where in the city of Atlantis were these peeps when I was chasing after Walker?” She mumbled sarcastically.

“All right, Miss, uh, Milotic, whoever you are. Since we got your paperwork for insurance and policies all completed and I admire your talent in being able to sign those with your mouth, we’ve just assigned your temporary coach because we’re not sure if you’re going to have to have this position forever or not.” The producer explained to Astarte as he pointed to a doorway. “Come on in, coach!” He commanded. “But... I already have a trainer... who’s in crippled condition.” Astarte muttered. A blue, bipedal, canine-like Pokémon stepped into the room. It was a Lucario.

“Salutations, Miss! I’m Perejilo, Coach Perejilo. I’ll be your coach for this match. I would like to say thank you for joining the P.W.F. on such short notice. We wouldn’t have had this event held if it wasn’t for you.” The Lucario introduced himself. “So, what’s your name, sport?” He asked his wrestling Milotic. “Astarte, coach.” She replied. “No, no. Not your real name, sport; we need to spice things up a bit. You know, add some pizzazz into the mix! What’s your nickname for wrestling?” Perejilo asked with confidence. “Well, um...” Astarte didn’t know how to respond to that question as she hadn’t thought of that. “I’ve got it!” The Lucario snapped his fingers as if he just brainstormed a brilliant idea. “How about the Masked Milotic? Doesn’t that feel good on the tongue, Miss?” Perejilo said with a cheerful smile on his face. “And how about the Fistless Fighter? Yeah, that’s perfect!” Perejilo resumed while punching the air as if he were in boxing. Astarte was about to comment, but Perejilo just resumed spatting out more phonemes. “Oooh, the best nickname for ya, miss! The Beauty and Brawns! Ohh, yeah! I like that! So creative!” Perejilo smacked his hat on his reversed kneecap and gave a cheer after voicing out that nickname for his respective wrestler.

“There’s no time for training because your match is already scheduled to be the very first one. I heard you’re aiming for the prize money, but you only receive the ultra-bonus of payment if you win the midnight match. This ring ain’t giving out major participation trophies!” Perejilo shoved out of his mouth. Astarte is frowning in disappointment at what requirements she was just roped into doing for this temporary employment for wrestling. “But, you still get paid, just only 20% of what the winning amount would be,” Perejilo emphasized for Astarte to make her prioritize her victory because that amount of money still wouldn’t be enough for the treatment.

A tailor woman and a Sylveon stepped into the room, holding what looked like some kind of blue mask you use to cover your entire face. “After taking all of those measurements of your head while you were signing all of that paperwork, we have your mask all ready for you, Milotic.” The tailor woman says as she walks up to the Milotic and holds up the blue-colored head-covering for Astarte to put on and wear for the match. “Let’s try it on!” The tailor says as she pulls up a stepladder to expand her level of reaching distance for the tall Milotic. “Sylvia, could you give me a hand?” the tailor asked her Sylveon. “Of course, Mushi.” The Sylveon replied as she reached over with her ribbons to help put on Astarte’s mask. Mushi climbs up the stepladder and briefly puts on the mask for the Milotic with the help of Sylvia’s ribbons to see how it looks. It was a bit awkward to put on the mask because of the nob on top of Astarte’s head that all Milotics have. It fits just right, and it looks cool on her. “Neato burrito! It fits on like a glove perfectly!”

The mask was made from nylon, and it felt funky at first, but Astarte eventually got used to the feel of it. The mask looked cool. It was the color blue with a white pattern of curves going underneath her eyelids. The fibers covering her nob had a slick pattern of two white, zigzagging patterns parallel to one another, and the shades of blue got darker for each space of blue after each of the white, zigzag patterns going upwards. The finishing touch was the white curves were connected to form an emblem of what seemed like three tailfins sticking out that looked just like her own four tailfins. “Oh, my star! I like this mask!” Astarte fangirled, looking at the mirror to see the mask. “I see, the mask sparks your interest,” Sylvia commented. “I guess since you’re a temporary member, you can keep it if you would like to.” The Sylveon giggled. “I’m going to keep it all right. With pleasure!” Astarte turned her head to face the Sylveon to express her satisfaction with her themed mask. “Well, good luck!” Mushi complimented as she and Sylvia waved and left the room.

“You’re a temporary wrestler, so by policy, we must keep your name and information confidential. So, we can’t refer to you by your real name during this match.” Perejilo explained to the Milotic. “You must be ready!” He continued. “I work out at the gym daily on the punching bags. It’s a stress relief and feels good on my tailfins.” Astarte let Perejilo know so he doesn’t have to be as concerned about her loss. “Well, at least we’ll know you won’t be slaughtered out there.” Perejilo chuckled. “Let’s do this! We don’t have much time to prepare, so let’s go, go, go!” Perejilo patted Astarte’s long, snaky back and skipped out into the main corridor to the entrance of the ring. Astarte followed behind her temporary coach.

“So, no staging or scripts?” Astarte questioned. “Eck! No! Those scripted wrestling shows you see on T.V. are just style over substance nowadays!” Perejilo gagged out. “What’s the point of rooting for someone if it’s just going to be rigged towards one fighter on purpose? It’s so boring and pathetic!” He continued to grumble as they were on their way walking into the ring. “But, not this, sport! This is genuine wrestling! Oh, yeah!!” The Lucario hopped up with a fist in the air.

“And my opponent is?” Astarte curiously asked with her head tilted a bit. “You’re up against Bebe the Pikachu!” Astarte’s blood froze solid after hearing the fact that she was going to be up against an electric type. It is known that electric types have an offensive advantage against water types. If she wants the money to afford her master’s treatment, she has to win while having the type-disadvantage for the fight. It’s almost like it’s going to be Astarte’s fight of the century.

The two continued walking through the corridor with what sounded like a crowd of voices roaring and echoing from the doorway, waiting for the sea serpent’s entrance. The cheers got louder and louder the closer they went to the doorway. Astarte finally made it to the doorway, and it felt like a huge, bright mass of light just shined upon her face once she entered what was a wide-open arena. The cheering was coming from the crowds of audiences, both people and Pokémon, positioning themselves up on the bleachers to see the participating Pokémon rumble it down on the ring. The audience’s roar of applause got louder as soon as the Milotic made her presence visible for the arena to witness. Astarte looked around in amazement at how many people were there at the stadium alone, especially at around midnight. It was like piles and loaves of people and Pokémon on each row of the seats. The pressure was on, knowing she had a crowd watching her win the wrestling match. Astarte was feeling worn out, but she must complete the objective for her master’s sake.

The two walked up by the ring. It was the rumbling stage for the fight. “I believe you, sport!” The Lucario coach patted Astarte on her back. “Now get in there and make me proud!” He pointed at the ring. Astarte slithered underneath the ropes that were like handrails for the ring to finalize her decision to start her temporary wrestling career. She gathered up her strength to stand straight up to shine herself with the audience watching her fight.

Meanwhile, back at the Beta Pokémon Center, Saucez’s mother was still holding her daughter’s hand with thoughts and prayers rolling through her mind. The relieving factor of the scenario is the fact that Saucez is quietly mumbling to herself as if she was trying to get words out of her mouth but couldn’t. Her eyes were opening up a little, but not all the way. “She’s slowly recovering, and we haven’t been a dime for any treatment yet.” The mother shrieked. “At least for now, we haven’t. The hospital bed is still going to cost us something once we get the bill.” The father huffed out.

“Hey, look! They’re finally showing off the Milotic! She’s wearing some kind of head mask. Hmm. Looks pretty cool.” Edano commented while looking at the television screen. The camera zoomed up close to the mysterious Milotic wearing a mask. It zoomed in just enough for even the sea serpent to turn towards the camera to give a good glimpse of her eyes towards the television viewer. “That’s strange. That Milotic is giving me a feeling like I’ve seen her before.” Edano added. “It’s like... It’s like that Milotic is supposed to be-” Edano whispered to himself before he was cut off by a familiar voice from a short distance.

“Astarte!” A raspy yet excited raised tone of voice spat right behind the family. All of them turned to face the hospital bed holding their wounded daughter where the familiar, weakened voice came from. Saucez had her eyes wide open as she stared at the television displaying her precious, loyal Milotic on screen. It was a miracle that the presence of her partner on screen got her enough energy and motivation to say her name. Her crippled master was able to notice her partner from a distance. This is because trainers and Pokémon who are as tight as a square knot can know that it’s them when they see each other. That’s how large of a bond the duo is in with each other. What’s even more touching is the fact that Saucez was excited to see Astarte on screen since her Milotic is the reason why she’s in the condition she is in now despite being a total accident. It just goes to show that Saucez forgives Astarte for her actions and that the two will always stay loyal to one another.

“You’re talking again?” Her mother was mind-blown. But Saucez could not respond to that question her mother just gave because saying her partner’s name took a lot out of her energy. Her voice was replaced with coughing instead. It was like a curse was just cast upon her poor soul to prevent her from speaking again. “Oh my gosh! It is Astarte underneath that mask! The look in her eyes! I can also tell it’s Astarte!” Edano gasped. “She’s... she’s doing this for us!” He finished as he turned around to face his family with a smile.

Back at the ring, Astarte was finally introduced to her opponent as a small, yellow mouse hopped onto the ring. She was wearing some kind of wrestling outfit. It was a darkish-grey tank top shirt with a red Pokéball emblem on it, black nylon pants to cover her legs and feet with a magenta-colored lightning bolt pattern to compliment both of her thighs, and a wrestling mask that looked just like hers, only magenta-colored and a thunderstorm pattern on it as a finishing touch. The Pikachu swung her arms to the side to let the Milotic know she was ready to fight.

Then, the speakers up on the ceiling released a loud voice from each of them as the crowd roared with cheering and applause. “Ladies and Gentlemen, Pokémon and Pokémonettes! Welcome to the 27th annual Midnight Matches of the Pokémon Wrestling Federation!!” It was the announcer who was hosting the Midnight Matches rocking it on the microphone with such extreme enthusiasm. The crowd went wild with excitement even more. “Tonight, we have 20 matches, 40 wrestlers, and 2 wrestlers rumbling it all out in each match! But only one of them can win for each match!!” The announcer bellowed the speakers. “But first, if you got to go refresh yourself, we’ve got plenty of convenience stands with delicious snack treats and thirst-quenching drinks, so don’t forget them!!”

The announcer added. “Until then, we’ve got our very first rumbling, rock-smashing, body-slamming, and heart-pounding match for tonight!!” The announcer resumed to blast the microphone with massive enthusiasm. “Tonight’s first match, we have our old fighting friend: the thunderous, shock therapy on walking feet in the blue corner, Bebe the Beacon Pikachu!” The announcer screamed while pointing at the Pikachu. The spotlight shined on her during this process. Bebe waved at the crowd. Then, she pointed at Astarte and took the fist forming on her left hand connecting it to her right hand opened out to land the first into it. This was a warning to let Astarte know she was going down.

“And in the red corner, we have a new yet temporary fighter, so we can’t give out her real name for confidential purposes. However, she’s tough, she’s strong, and she’s aggressive, and she doesn’t need any fists to punch with when she already has shining scales on her tailfins to be her iron knuckles to produce a pounding for her opponent!! She’s from underwater and her species is known for their endless levels of beauty!! She’s the Fistless Fighter, the Beauty and Brawns, and here we have the Masked Milotic!!!” The announcer elevates his voice to present a fiasco of a voice performance to make such an entrance for the Milotic. The spotlight shines upon Astarte’s face. Her scales reflect the light to make a sparkling and beautiful scenery for the audience to adore. Surprisingly, despite the bad reputation Astarte gave to Milotics earlier, there were still parts of the crowd going wild with their cheers and applause. However, there were still some audiences booing the newbie.

Astarte just looked around nervously as she wasn’t sure if she was going to be able to do this. But then, she decided that she was going to stand her ground and fight to fix the reputation of Milotics and her master’s injuries. She gazed at her opponent, and she was ready to rumble. Astarte wrapped around her body and showed herself squeezing the bottom area of her tail in a bind. She then unbinds herself and uses her tailfins to point at the Pikachu as a warning to show what she going to do to her opponent during this match. “Now, without further ado, let’s get ready to RUUUUUMMMMBBBBLLLEEEE!!!” The announcer screeched excitedly as the wrestling match bell rang to let the fighters know that the match was officially starting.

Astarte started off charging towards Bebe as her first move for the match. However, when she least expected it, Bebe jumps right over her. While she is in the air, Bebe shines herself in a bright before she somehow makes clones of herself all over the ring. Astarte realized that Bebe was using the move Double Team to duplicate herself all around the place to try to confuse her. Astarte looked around to see which Pikachu was the real one from the positions of the mouse squad who were surrounding the Milotic at the moment.

Astarte countered the double team with her chilly, freezing long-ranged attack of Ice Beam. She swerves the icy attack around her position to vanish the holographic-like clones in hopes of revealing the original Pikachu. But it seems like the real Bebe was able to jump out of the way at the right time before Astarte’s ice beam landed a hit on her. “Oh, I see you’re a special move user too.” Bebe scoffed at Astarte while getting ready to land back on the ground. “But let me present you a warm welcome to the ring with my trusty iron tail!” Bebe had a smug look on her face as she flipped forward her tail now forming into a shiny, zigzagged plank of steel. Bebe lands on top of the Milotic with the iron tail slamming onto her head. Astarte’s upper body was knocked back. “This is not good!” Astarte commented with understandable concern mixed into her vocal expression.

The Pikachu just kept going with her punches at the Milotic who was expecting her to pause for a bit but didn’t. Bebe tackled the Milotic onto the floor of the ring. Astarte responded by using her tailfins to successfully push her away in defense. The Pikachu landed on the floor once again with a dirty smug look on her face. “Are you shocked yet?! Well, you’re going to be... LITERALLY!” Bebe laughed placing a big emphasis on her last word in the sentence as her red cheeks began to lighten up to a bright thick tint. It was almost like two flashlights were placed on both of her cheeks shining out. Then, electricity began to thunder out of the two cheeks like she was charging up an electric attack. It was not good news for the Milotic being a water-type Pokémon, facing an opponent currently charging up an electric-type attack.

Astarte had to think fast, so she used her ice beam attack on Bebe again. This time, she was prepared to become flexible to aim upward for when the Pikachu hops into the air. But Bebe dodged the attack by rolling off to the side instead of jumping. Bebe released her electric attack of Thunder Shock towards the Milotic. Astarte attempted to duck and cover from the lightning bolt that was striking her. She was able to partially dodge it in time. “Augh!” Astarte groaned loudly in pain from the shock attack, clinching her teeth together with her eyes locked shut from the pain. Electricity was coursed through her veins. Astarte realized why she was having a lackluster performance on the ring, she had been awake and hadn’t gotten a proper break for the past 18 hours or so, meaning she was lagging due to her exhaustion as her body muscles and thought process weren’t functioning properly.

The announcer made his share of commentary for the match. “Oooh, boy! The Masked Milotic is lagging against the Walking Shock Therapy, folks. Iron Tail and Thunder Shock must’ve given quite the beat for our newcomer! Let’s see what happens next?!” He emphasized as he gazed upon the ring. “Hey, Masked Milotic! Say cheese!” Bebe said with her thunder shock attack already charged to fire and she immediately launched it at Astarte again. Astarte was too caught off guard to react by dodging the bolt of lightning and the hit landed on her body which was now sizzled with static. It was a direct, critical hit this time.

Astarte’s body was now feeling numb. She had a hard time moving. It was then concluded that she just became paralyzed as a side effect of the thundershock attack that just landed on her body. Paralysis is like a deadly disease that often prevents the Pokémon from moving an inch from time to time. “Ohh, darn! The Masked Milotic has been paralyzed, what is she going to do now?” The announcer commented. Bebe decided to pause to laugh at her weakened snake opponent.

“I don’t know if I can do this,” Astarte whispered to herself, holding back her tears. “Why did I decide to do this?” She whimpered, slowly beginning to regret her decision to participate in wrestling. She wonders what she could’ve done better for her life. “When Walker told me that I shouldn’t selfishly enforce my interests onto others, he was probably onto something.” She pouted, admitting that she probably ended up having some incorrect beliefs and interpretations about herself. But, then she opened her eyes very widely to think for herself again.

“No,” Astarte said as she pulled herself together and stood up, trying her best to fight through her paralysis. Suddenly, Astarte gets a feeling within her body and mind. It’s not just any normal feeling, but a feeling of pure motivation and willpower that began to form and lurk inside of her inner self. She was slightly tearing up, but she was trying to build up and grow the power that was lurking imploding inside. Her motivation was drastically increasing, her willpower was growing, and her strength was trying its best to form into the being that Astarte was mandated to be for this match. It was like an urgency for the power to commence. “I was meant to be a fighter.” She spat out.

Astarte remembers who she is fighting for. She was fighting her beloved master. Saucez helped her evolve into the being of unlimited beauty she is to this day. She evolved to her Milotic self on the same day she committed her heroic act of saving Saucez from drowning. “I saved you once... and I’LL SAVE YOU AGAIN!!” Astarte bellowed out with yet another war cry and charged toward her masked mouse opponent in clothes. She utilized her Knock Off attack on the Pikachu to push her back. The move was successfully able to get the Pikachu to halt the terrain of voltage surrounding her. The Pikachu flew into the ropes on the other side only to bounce and crash onto the floor. Pikachu was stunned for a bit from the slam she had taken from the sea serpent’s offense.

Astarte’s mind was going wild with flashbacks to remind her who she was fighting for, but in the corner of her eyes, she witnessed Walsper in the audience. She briefly turned her head to face her café-managing friend. When Walsper notices the Milotic that is gazing at him. He was confused at first until the masked sea serpent gave him a wink to let him know that Milotic was his friend. The moment he realized this, he pointed one of his index claws at her and made a clicking noise, sponsored by a wink to indicate here for her. Astarte got a flashback about what he told her earlier. It was like it was advice that would benefit her right now. “What moves you have done in the past may benefit you in the present to expand your future.” Astarte gives a nod of agreement to the tool friend.

“You’re right, Walsper! I must show what I’ve done to everyone!” She shouted while grasping for deep breaths from exhaustion. “And I’ll start with my iconic Milotic Mash!!” She bolts straight into the air and begins to slam her massive and heavy, scaled tail onto the Pikachu’s vulnerable body. “Holy Jeepers! It’s the Milotic Mash! That must’ve dealt tons of damage towards Bebe!!” The announcer went crazy at the sight of the Milotic’s attack. “That’s right! And this time, the damage was done to the right thing!” Milotic sassily commented as she felt accomplished and satisfied that she had finally been able to do her Milotic Mash to the right target this time with hurting the creature she was granted to do damage towards.

However, at the same time, she was starting to get worn out from all of the fightings especially since the poor noodle had been up for at least 18 hours straight at this point. She was panting hard now. Deep breath after deep breath. Her body was slowly starting to weak from the exhaustion and numbness from the paralysis. There was no water available for her, at least on the outside of her water-type body. She realized she had plenty of water energy stored inside of her, but wasn’t sure if she should use it right now, especially as an attack. She didn’t want to waste the water using hydro pump. Although, using a long-range attack would’ve been nice at this intense moment, so she doesn’t get electrocuted some more by the little, sparky mouse. The electric attack did take a lot out of her afterward.

Bebe replenished enough strength to gather herself back up off the ground and was preparing to launch another attack at her opponent. She was panting very hard as well. Those physical conflicts released by Astarte did quite the damage to her health, but she wasn’t giving up just yet. “This... this... ends... NOW!!” Bebe shouted as an abrupt war cry. She gathered up her strength to begin charging up an electric attack. It looked like a deadly one too. “Oooh, could it be?!” Asked the announcer enthusiastically. “It is, folks!! She’s charging up herself to do the fierce VOLT TACKLE!!” The announcer and the crowd go wild. The crowd on one side repeatedly shouted, “Volt Tackle!” This was not good news for Astarte that even the announcer had to spell it out. “The Masked Milotic is in deep trouble now if that volt tackle lands.”

Astarte struggled to move an inch from her position due to her exhaustion and the fact that she’d been paralyzed from the electric-type attack earlier, making herself an easy target for the Pikachu charging up her volt tackle. Astarte was trying to replenish her energy, but it wasn’t fast because it was mere seconds before Pikachu was ready to bolt at her. Astarte had no choice, she had to get a Hydro Pump attack ready to attempt to counter the volt tackle. Astarte used a good chunk of the remaining energy she had left to charge up the Hydro Pump. But the worst-case scenario finally occurred when Bebe finished charging up her volt tackle and began to charge her way toward her opponent at full speed. The deafening cheers of the audience exploded. Astarte had to be flexible and just launch the Hydro Pump attack at the Pikachu to try to block her volt tackle. And the results are...

The light Hydro Pump attack was able to hit Bebe! But, worse comes to worse with a horrifying outcome. The Pikachu did take damage from the attack, but not enough to knock her back and throw her off-track. Her volt tackle still managed to pierce through the Hydro Pump attack while slightly taking damage from the debris of the geyser. The volt tackle landed on the poor, weakened Astarte. The Milotic was hit right in the face as her head was knocked to face away from the damage taken. Astarte had her eyes closed as she wasn’t sure if they were going to open back up during this match in the ring. It was like everything was in slow motion now. It’s like time slowed down after taking the deadly hit to the face. Tears slowly started to leak out of her eyes as she jumped to the conclusion and struggled to face the reality that she just failed to save her master’s life back at the hospital bed. Her whole head and body slammed onto the ring’s floor. Her vision was blurring up. Her life started to flash in front of her eyes, especially with the fun moments she spent with Saucez. The master she was probably going to lose for the rest of her life. Her mind was getting foggy as her conscious began to speak to her. “My body is so numb. I can’t move. I... I can’t believe it... I failed you, Jessi. I’m... I’m so sorry...”

Her vision was slowly flashing to depict her master. She was pitying on how much she failed to save her life. It was over for her. It was over for her master. There was nothing left she could do. She was too weak and numb to move or get up. This would make the Pikachu victorious was the match. No monetary gains were going to be made from this match. But eventually, the figure of what was her master before formed into something else. Someone larger and longer than her master. The figure formed into a creature who looked just like Astarte. It was a beautiful being. It was another Milotic. “Darling.” The soothing voice that came out of the Milotic had an echoing feeling like it would for a blurry flashback.

It turns out it was her mother. Not Saucez’s mother, but Astarte’s real, biological mother. “Darling.” Her mother repeated. “I am so sorry to tell you this on short notice, but I’m afraid your father and I have to go to war. It’s Kyogre. They have gone rogue! We can’t allow them to run the seas into chaos like this.” Her mother explained. Astarte realized she was her pre-evolution form, a Feebas during this vision. This was a flashback, and she was one during this specific time of her mother and father were drafted into a war against Kyogre. “Listen, we have protected you from this long, but we think it’s time that you go move on someone now.” Her father added. “I’m sorry, but I’m afraid we are forced to be flexible about this. It’s the only way we can save the deep blue ocean from tyranny.” Her father apologized to his daughter. “Please remember, we love you so much. No matter what.” Her mother said with tears in her eyes as if was likely going to be the last time they would ever get to see their daughter.

“But we need you to find a trainer. Those land creatures we call humans have a group of themselves called trainers. They should be able to take care of you.” Her mother said. “And make you stronger.” Her father added with a wink. “Just do us a favor. Protect your trainer at all costs just like we did for you. You will be a great honor for our family’s legacy with your compliance.” Her mother explained with tears still leaking down her eyes. “Do it for us, darling!” Her father added. An earthquake rumbled from a distance, echoing throughout the sea. It caught the Milotics and their Feebas’ attention, resulting in gasps from all three of them. “We’ve got to go! Goodbye, Darling!” Her father nuzzled and kissed the Feebas on the cheek. Her father swam away, giving one more glance at her daughter until to resumed swimming away.

Her mother sighed. “Before I go, darling, I want to teach you a move that will slowly let you heal yourself in case of any danger or emergencies. If you ever feel weary, remember to use this move. The only thing is, you will only be able to use this move when you evolve into a Milotic like me and your father. All you have to do is remember this move. It’s called Aqua Ring.” Her mother explained to her daughter. “Just form multiple water droplets to hover all around your body until they form three rings.” Her mother demonstrates that there are tons of water bubbles forming around her thin body as they form into three rings. The rings shine so brightly that they amaze the Feebas’ little eyes. The brightened light begins to dim as Astarte’s mother concludes her demonstration of the move. “Aqua Ring is a specialty we Milotics often use. And you should use it too for emergencies when you are weary.” Astarte’s mother sighs one last time. She then swims forward to nuzzle and kiss her Feebas of a daughter on the cheek as well. “Goodbye, darling! Just remember to always protect your trainer at all costs.” She concluded as the vision of a flashback slowly began to fade out from Astarte’s mind to be transferred back to her gritty reality.

Astarte’s vision starts to fade back to the dreadful ring. The echo of the word “Sport!” repeatedly fades into her ears, getting louder and clearer each time. It was Coach Perejilo’s voice, hanging by the ropes to get Astarte back up on her guard for the match. “Sport! Oh, thank goodness you’re still not out! But you have to get back up or the match will be forfeited! Both you and Bebe were out for a bit, but you regained consciousness at the right time before the announcer declared the match a draw.” Perejilo explained. “Well, what are you waiting for? A bus to your first loss? Get up!”

Astarte closed her eyes again, but this time, she was making her whole body shine with a bright light. Her snaky body was starting to glow with shimmers of light to compliment the scenery. It got to the point where Astarte started to slowly get up, but it was the fact that her whole body was slowly rising to hover in the air. Perejilo gasped at this sight. The rest of the audience joined him in this amazing sight. “What is this, folks?! The Masked Milotic is now hovering in the air after being out for a bit?! What’s going to happen next?!” The announcer went wild on the microphone. Astarte’s glowing body remained relaxed and calm as she slowly opened her mouth to release multiple droplets to circle her hovering, smooth body. The glow grew brighter as soon as the droplets formed three rings circling the serpent’s body. Astarte’s energy was slowly starting to replenish. Her body was starting to feel full of strength once again. Sparkles and glimmer were blasting all around her. The numbness underneath her scales began to weaken as her paralysis slowly began to fade away as if she just broke a curse from her body. Her strength was back. She was strong once again. Her Pikachu opponent was also gazing upon the glimmering sight as she slowly started to get up with some of her strength recovered from all of the recoil damage she took as a consequence of using volt tackle, which is what stunned her out for a bit. Bebe clutched one arm with her other arm as soon as she got up off the floor.

“Oh my goodness! The Masked Milotic is using the Aqua Ring! Oh boy, folks, that will help her regain her strength back in no time!” The announcer roared with enthusiasm. The audience who were rooting for the Masked Milotic to win began to explode with excitement and applauded with all of their cheerful, supportive might. “Milotic for the win!” They cheered more loudly than ever before.

Astarte slowly landed gently back onto the floor with a good chunk of her strength and energy restored. Perejilo was speechless at this point with his eyes widened in amazement and confusion at the same time. “I-I can’t believe but I’m proud of what you just did sport!” Perejilo rooted for Astarte. “You’ve got this, sport! Your opponent is weak! Now finish her off!” Perejilo cheered. “With pleasure,” Astarte responded with her sass striking once again. Astarte jumped straight into the air to prepare another move on her Pikachu foe. “Let’s see if you can survive the Serpent Smash!!” Astarte gave that as a war cry. A severe warning for what pain train Bebe is about ready to be squashed with. With all of the Milotic’s weight, the smash will probably do a truckload of damage. Maybe even a knock-out for Bebe.

However, Bebe had enough energy in her to be able to slightly jump out of the way from Astarte’s slamming attack, but she wasn’t completely out of the way. She at least reduced the damage into not being a direct and critical hit on her part. She ended up being slightly crushed by her smacking tailfins. “Oh my stars, folks! It’s the... What did she call it, Georgia?” The announcer turned to ask his Arbok companion for a translation since trainers who are the closest to the Pokémon are most likely to understand what their Pokémon is saying as a bonding bonus. “The Sssserpent Ssssmash.” The Arbok deciphered for him. “The Serpent Smash!!! It was almost a direct hit too! Oh my, how much longer until one of the two fighters is finally KO’d?!” The announcer emphasized with excitement.

A familiar voice was heard from the audience. It turns out it was Scooter the Gallade from back at the gym. “That Masked Milotic sure got the moves, unlike that Astarte girl who is like an embarrassment to Milotics everywhere.” He intercepts his words. Luckily, Astarte didn’t hear those words as they were muffled with the rest of the audience cheering on. The Gallade was ignorant to whom was actually behind that mask on that sea serpent.

The Serpent Smash not only took a bundle of energy out of Bebe but Astarte as well. Both of the girls were heavily panting from exhaustion again. “She’s getting there, sport! Finish her off!” Perejilo shouted with confidence. However, Astarte was struggling to flex herself to a reasonable condition in fighting again. The same can be said with Bebe as well. Astarte’s motivation and heart are demanding to finish her opponent off, but her body and remaining strength are lagging. But then, a miracle happened that the Milotic forgot about. Her Aqua Ring came into effect again. She forgot that Aqua Ring is a long-lasting regeneration for her strength. Astarte’s body was now motivated to do one more attack. She knew which last move she had left to perform for this midnight match. She slithered closer to her weakened opponent and began to perform her one final attack.

“Let’s... Let’s...” She paused between each word, about ready to finish the sentence off as a war cry. “LET’S FINISH THIS OFF WITH THE BEAUTY BIND!!!” The audience went berserk with their cheers and applause along with the announcer. “Ooooh, boy! She going to end this match with the Beauty Bind!!! What a wild match this has been!!” The announcer huffed into the microphone cheerfully like if the grand finale has finally started. Astarte lifts her scaly tail again and wraps her whole snaky body around the weakened electric mouse. Astarte now had Bebe in a bind to secure the fox in her grip. She used the rest of her remaining energy to squeeze her helpless opponent as hard as she could to knock her out and win the midnight match at last.

It was smooth sailing from here until there was one more obstacle to sabotage Astarte’s final plan. Bebe doesn’t have the desire to go out without a fight, so for her last stand, she uses her Thunder Shock attack in a desperate attempt to counter Astarte’s Beauty Bind. A barrage of voltage surrounded all over Astarte’s body. Astarte wasn’t expecting her opponent to fight back, but she desperately tried her best to resist the electricity even though it was swiftly taking much out of her remaining energy. “Will the Masked Milotic's bind be enough to knock out the Pikachu, or will Bebe’s thunder shock be enough to counter the Milotic’s grasp?!” The announcer spoke out in shock.

Astarte wasn’t sure if she was going to make it. Both the Milotic and Pikachu gazed at each other with menacing stares like if it was a game of tug of war on who will get the win for the match. Bebe formed a smug smile on her face as she decided to increase the voltage from her thunder shock, making Astarte suffer even further. Astarte’s eyes were squinching as they were nearly shut tight, staring at Bebe. It was like Bebe was going to end up coming on top instead. Astarte prayed that a miracle would happen like if the Pikachu would finally collapse from exhaustion from her thunder shock attack, but it didn’t seem like that was happening anytime soon as she hoped. Astarte’s vision was slowly starting to blur out yet again as if she was close to being knocked out of the match. She tried to squeeze the Pikachu as much as she could to knock her out, but it seemed like the pressure of the bind was slowly starting to fade as well.

It was about to become hopeless for the poor Milotic... until... the multiple droplets surrounded her body, piercing through the barricades of lightning bolts, to form three rings around her body yet again. It was Aqua Ring coming back to give her a blessing of strength. It became a game of the tables turning with the two’s facial expressions as Astarte was the one smirking and Bebe was the one with the hopeless frown. The Milotic squeezed the Pikachu even harder than before. Bebe was now the one who had her strength depleting faster than her opponent’s. The barrage of electricity even started to fade away. But the Aqua Ring didn’t replenish that much of Astarte’s strength to call it an easy win now. The match was still at the ranking of a toss-up. It was still up to debate on who was going to finalize the victory.

The audience was stomping their feet very fast and repeatedly as if they were holding their breaths to see the outcome of the match. Even the announcer was quiet with his heart beating waiting to see what happens next. The whole ring was then silent except for the squeezing noises coming from the Milotic’s scales with her grasp on the Pikachu, the crackling noises from the thunder shock, the audience who are still stomping their feet from the suspense, and the moans of the two wrestlers. The suspense was getting so intense when finally... Bebe’s thunder shock came to a halt and Astarte stopped placing pressure onto her bind on Bebe. Hearts beating at a fast pace. Who’s going to be the first one to collapse?

Suddenly, it happened. Bebe released one more puff of breath before her head flipped backward, resulting in constant faint moaning. It was a knockout. The audience bombed the pure silence after all of the suspense and intensity with bellows of cheers and clapping. The announcer fell back on his hair before getting back up and slamming the button on the microphone to announce the winner of this long-lasting match. “Ladies and Gentlemen! We have a winner! The Masked Milotic! How about that for Beginner’s Luck?!” The announcer burst out with his loud, enthusiastic voice.

Astarte, with little energy she had left inside of her, had her eyes leak out tears of joy as satisfaction that she won the match. “I... did it... Mom and Dad...” She whispered with the little breath she had. Astarte’s vision began to black out from her severe exhaustion at this time, she couldn’t help but begin to fall backward onto the floor with tears of joy sprinkling out of her eyes during her fall. “But... most importantly... I did it... for you... Jessi...” she quietly whispered to herself with a cheerful, accomplished smile carved into her face. Her head slammed onto the floor, and she blacked out. She may have fainted as well even after Bebe did, but she was finally able to rest soundly with much fewer obstacles of concern blurring up her mind as she knew she was the victor.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Characters used/mentioned:
-Astarte (Milotic) and Sonata (Primarina) - AwesomeSaucez

-Walker (Hisuian Zorua) - DoveyDraws

-Walsper (Absol) - Walsper

-Perejilo (Lucario) - MiragePotato

-Sylvia (Sylveon) - PrincessAshley91


-Mushi - Mushi (Discord/irl friend)

-Scooter (Gallade) - Glace Fyre (Discord only)

-Bebe (Pikachu) - Akai (Discord only)

-Woni (Hitmontops) - meat master (Discord only)