Finding My Voice

Red Vs Blue.

He then jumped into the air and swung his fist at Typhlosion's head. "Iron Head!" Typhlosion's skull coated itself in steel, repelling the fist. Pikachu ascended into the air and Blue snapped his fingers. "Scorching Sand!" Typhlosion grabbed a ball of sand and jumped up.

The honey badger swung the sand into Pikachu's body, carrying him into the ground. Pikachu staggered to his feet and shook off the dirt. Use Wild Charge!

My Pokémon started to run forward, electricity sparked around his body and he jumped into Typhlosion.

Typhlosion tanked the attack and grabbed Pikachu in his arms. "Eruption!" Fire burst from the starter's body and surrounded my Pokémon.

Pikachu collapsed on the ground. Just like that, we both had one Pokémon left. I called back Pikachu and sent in Charmeleon.

Charmeleon yawned while Typhlosion took an aggressive stance. "This is it then. Let's make it a good one!" I nodded at Blue.

"Thunder Punch!" Typhlosion dashed across the battlefield and slammed a charged fist into my final Pokémon.

Charmeleon staggered back and shook himself. This is what we're up against buddy. I need you to give it your all! Use Slash! Chameleon jumped forward and jammed his claws into the opponent's body.

Typhlosion stood strong under the pressure. "Iron Head!" Blue's Pokemon crashed his head into Charmeleon, causing him to fall to his knees.

Charmeleon pushed himself back up and roared. Don't give up! Use Dragon Rage!

Charmeleon tried charging blue fire in his maw, but Blue was already moving. "Let's hit him with Scorching Sand!" Another volley of sand flew from Typhlosion. The projectile crashed into Charmeleon, causing the fire in his mouth to explode.

Charmeleon fell over and I winced. Come on Charmeleon. You can't just lie down and give up now! I need 100% from you! We've gotten this far! We can't give up now!

Charmeleon's eyes snapped open, and then he got back to his feet. My Pokémon erupted in flames as he roared his name. Then the fire rose in height and expanded in width. Afterward, the flames dispersed and in Charmeleon's place stood a new Pokémon, Charizard.

Charizard looked much more like Charmander than Charmeleon. He had orange skin throughout most of his body. Though his belly and the underside of his tail were bright yellow.

Charizard's tail had grown out and the flame on the end burned brighter than ever. His hands had formed more and his claws were now pointing inwards and he could make a fist.

His entire body size had more than doubled, his neck was much longer and he even had another spike on the back of his head.

The biggest change was the two huge wings on his back, each easily as long as Charmeleon. The top and bottom of the wings were orange while the inside of the wings was dark blue.

I stared at the fully evolved Pokémon in awe. Charizard looked back at me and smiled, and then faced down our foe. Let's do this! Use Slash!

Charizard jumped off the ground and glided forward. Charizard swung at Typhlosion and blew him back. Charizard then ascended into the air and began showing off his new flying skills.

"Typhlosion use Thunder Punch!"  Typhlosion dashed across the ground and then hurled himself into the air. He swung a charged fist into Charizard's stomach.

Charizard, grab Typhlosion and throw him to the ground! Charizard wrapped his claws around Typhlosion's wrist and then swung the Pokémon around in the air and tossed him to the ground.

Typhlosion crashed into the dirt while Charizard hovered above. Use Air Slash! My Pokémon flapped his wings and sent an air current into our opponent.

"You won't win! Hang in there Typhlosion!" Blue's Pokémon shook off the damage, and the flames around his collar surged. The Pokémon's body was surrounded by a red aura. "That's what I'm talking about! Use Eruption!"

Typhlosion unleashed a surge of fire into the air. Charizard dove down to evade it and landed on the ground. "Thunder Punch!" Typhlosion uppercut Charizard with his fist. "Again!" Slash! Then use Fire Blast! Charizard countered the fist with his claws. Fire surged from Charizard's mouth and into Typhlosion.

Blue's starter was hurled backward by the force of the blast. Charizard banged his claws together and the flame on his tail burst with fire. A red aura surrounded him and Charizard started to roar.

Both Pokémon were at their limits. It was time to finish the battle. Charizard let's go all out! Use Fire Blast!

Blue braced himself. "Then we'll match it! Use Eruption!"

Sweltering heat burst from both Pokémon. Charizard launched a ball of fire from his maw, while immense flames surged from Typhlosion's collar.

The flames collided, fighting against one another for dominance. An explosion erupted from the fire that coated the battlefield in smoke.

I peered through the smoke to try and see what had happened. As the smoke began to clear, both Pokémon were still standing. Then, Typhlosion fell over and fainted.

Blue exhaled. "So that's that. You've won. Congratulations kid, and great job Typhlosion. Take a break, you've earned it." The trainer returned his Pokémon, and a smile came across his face.

Blue started to walk across the field and Daisy tackled me in a hug.

"You did it Red! That was amazing! You won your eighth badge! Now you can take on the Elite Four!" Daisy said.

I felt a bit embarrassed by Daisy hugging me, but I returned her embrace. Then I went up to Charizard and I pat his head. Incredible job, buddy! I returned the Pokémon so he could rest.

Blue chuckled. "Take the Earth Badge, you've earned this. And also, here's the TM for Solar Beam." Blue handed me a green disk and a badge shaped like a feather.

I held the final badge in my hands and looked at my rival. Thank you, Blue. He scoffed. "Don't mention it, bud. You better not falter now, given you beat me. Your next stop is the Elite Four and the Champion, whoever that ends up being."

Blue then went up to Daisy. "And sis... I'm sorry. I didn't want to leave you I just... I had to get away. That's not fair to you though, and I'm sorry for screwing with you. I really respect you, and I think Mom and Dad would be proud of who you've become."

Daisy paused and then gave her brother a hug. "Alright, we're cool now. Just, don't be such a jerk."

Blue chuckled. "No promises."

It was a bit of a relief to see the siblings finally getting along. Daisy smiled at me, and I noticed she was crying again. I had found a way to help them communicate, and that felt good.