Stepping forward at a slow gait, Katsumi gets ready to attack. “Begin by powering up into Shin-Katsumi,” the trainer says as the white Pokemon bursts into a smoking light-red aura. “Much faster than usual. So show us what a powered up Lunar Crusher does.” The feline sits back on its hind legs as it puts its forepaws at its side. A second passes then Katsumi motions forward with both paws as the attack appears over its shoulder. Taking the shape of a feline’s head, the energy streaks out drilling into the stone column. As more dust falls to the ground, the front side of the pillar has been completely torn away. “That was a good warm-up, but I think it’s time to go all out,” Nina comments as her Pokemon continues to stare at the target. “Transform into Black-Katsumi!” The Pokemon’s spiked fur turns black and smoothes out as slick as glass. Katsumi’s pupils disappear and are replaced by a red glow similar to the emblem that appears on its back. The red aura glows more intensely and pours out of the Pokemon like a fountain. “Perfect! And for the final attack: Super Nova!” Leaping forward, the feline digs its claws on the leftover half of the pillar. A blinding white erupts from the attack as a million hits are heard. Without notice the sound stops as Katsumi’s silhouette shows through the glare. The light fades and whatever had made up the column is now gone. The Pokemon puts a paw on its head as the black disappears and it turns back to normal. “Unbelievable. It’s no wonder why Skripter took such a risk in learning that technique. And even though your done you still have some fight left in you. Now that you’ve reached this new level I think it’s time I finally named you, Katsumi. From now on you’ll be known as Avery.” From behind Nina someone says, “The Dark power up and the Super Nova attack. It’s strength is unrivaled.” Nina slowly turns around and asks, “Father?” A young man in blue jeans and a black T-shirt comes into the arena with his own Katsumi. He goes on, “You know, there was a time when I hoped you’d succeed me and run the Shadow Temple yourself. Why did you throw that all away for the two forbidden techniques?” The young trainer scowls at the floor remembering how she was cast out of Ash’s group. “You have that look in your eyes... Nina, you’ll either go on and overcome your newly found dark energy, or it will consume and destroy you. Until your fate is decided you can no longer reside in this gym.” Still looking at the floor, the female trainer walks out as her Pokemon trail her. She walks down the street outside the Shadow Temple thinking, “Great... Now- Now I truly have no place to belong to...” A week later a conversation goes on deep into the night just outside of Pewter City. With a mouthful of food James says, “I still don’t get it.” He swallows and asks, “Why are you still hanging around us? You’re not working for Team Rocket anymore.” Skripter points his fork at James and replies, “I may not be on Team Rocket’s payroll anymore, but you guys are still my friends.” Jessie swallows some food and states, “Well, you’d better be careful. Our boss is still steamed about getting put in jail.” “Yeah, I heard that Boss Rocket’s already out again, but I’m a professional. Don’t worry about it,” Skripter ends, taking a chunk out of his sandwich. “I wouldn’t mind seeing him again,” Magik adds. “I’d sure like to settle his hash one more time.” He tears a piece out of his sandwich and looks on with an angry scowl. From behind the group the wind picks up and everyone hears, “sssSSKRIPTRrr.” Everyone shows shocked faces as they turn around looking into the woods. Out of the brush, Nina and Avery come walking up. The previous members of Team Rocket stand up finishing off their sandwiches, and face their guest. “Well Nina, it’s been a long time,” Skripter begins. Magik continues, “I like your new look. You appear almost grown up, however that puffy shirt looks like something outta’ the nineteenth century.” “We didn’t come here to reminisce,” Nina replies as she and Avery strike fighting poses. “We came here to fight!” Both Jesse and James jump up throwing away their food as Jesse starts out, “It’s one of the brats!” James adds, “And if one of them’s here then the other three can’t be far away. Pikachu won’t get away this time.” “I’m oh so sorry to disappoint you two, but I don’t hang around them anymore. I’m a lone wolf now.” Team Rocket sits back down and starts eating again like nothing even happened. “So you want a fight, Nina?” Skripter says crossing his arms. “You know you don’t stand a chance against me one on one. Although if you want a fight I’ll give it to you, and you’ll fall under my superior strength.” “Don’t talk. Just fight.” The two decide on a sudden death battle and both send out their Katsumi. Avery powers up as Magik asks, “Already turning into Shin-Katsumi? Then lets both be Shin-Katsumi,” and powers up himself. “Her name is Avery now,” Nina tells the Pokemon with a stern face. “Well, lets see if you’ve gotten any stronger, Avery.” Shin-Magik shoots forward elbowing Avery in the side of the face. After being thrown back by the attack, Avery flips back landing gracefully but her opponent is nowhere to be found. Appearing behind the feline Pokemon, Magik uses a Karate Chop and almost takes off its victim’s head. Nina’s Pokemon quickly ducks to avoid the swipe, and Mega Kicks behind her barely missing Magik’s face. Avery finally has a chance to turn around, and uses a barrage of Fury Swipes right away. Skripter’s Pokemon shakes his head around to trying to avoid all of the slashes with each passing mere inches away from his face. Now both quit using special attacks instead exchanging constant punches however, each is fast enough to dodge the other’s blows. The white Katsumi tries a final Mega Kick, but Magik sees this coming and quickly catches it before it can hit. The slate gray Pokemon goes on and flings the feline through the woods and takes off after his rival. Twisting and turning through the air, Avery catches onto the side of a tree and leaps forward at the oncoming Magik. Right when Nina’s Pokemon is ready to use its Mega Kick on its target, the feline disappears making Avery waste the attack. After landing the white Pokemon cannot find Magik anywhere. Out of nowhere, Skripter’s Pokemon erupts from beneath the ground with a Dig attack knocking Nina’s Pokemon into the air. The evil Katsumi jumps up after its prey and Mega Punches Avery right out of the air. After hitting the ground, the feline rolls out of the way as Magik comes down after her with a thundering Stomp. With this quick opportunity, Avery Low Kicks her opponent away making Skripter’s Pokemon roll across the ground. Swiftly pouncing after the downed feline, Magik makes himself roll even further as Avery comes down with her own Stomp. The dark Katsumi rolls to his feet and back-flips away as his enemy pounces and Stomps again. Having flipped away, Magik begins to run through the forest making Avery follow him through the brush. Jumping forward, Skripter’s Pokemon catches a tree with one paw making him swing around as the white Katsumi dashes by. Coming back around, the feline Mega Kicks its target straight into the air. Magik hurriedly jumps through the air passing up Nina’s Pokemon, and lands on a branch high atop a large tree. Avery finally reaches her rival as he catches her, spinning her around, and throwing her down the forest floor with a large Seismic Toss. It is a long way down giving the feline plenty of time to correct her fall and land on all fours. James stares on and says, “Wow. They’re pretty good.” “You see. If we had Pokemon like that then we wouldn’t loose so often.” Jessie adds. Meowth says too, “That’s why we’re after Pikachu. He’s a really strong Pokemon just like them.” Magik jumps down from the branch landing in front of his trainer looking ready for more. He starts out, “You better look out because Magik is coming to get you,” while pointing at Avery. “Boy, that attack line really sucked. Lets see. What is an attack line that would really work in this situation?” “Oh, Come On!” Nina exclaims. “You don’t really expect us to hang around for this?” “I’ve got it,” Skripter says in a casual tone. “How about: Magik, power up into Black-Magik.” “That might do it,” Magik replies while tossing his beaten and old brown hat down. He hunches over as his fur turns darker and smoothes out. Unlike Avery’s transformation, Magik’s aura burns an intense yellow as he turns his attention back to his opponent. “Avery, do the same,” Nina commands like it were an ordinary attack. The feline just sits there as the power up takes effect making her the mirror image of Magik except for the different colored aura. Skripter looks on with an angry face and lowly utters, “You copy-cat.” Now both trainers yell, “Super Nova Attack!” at the same time. Both Katsumi glide at one another and lock forepaws when they meet. The scene then bursts into a white light as the million hits ring out. Out of nowhere the light ends and a bolt of energy sends both Pokemon sliding back to where they had powered up. Nina says, “Well, it looks like their attack cancels out.” Skripter’s Katsumi just goes, “Hmph!” and points two claws into the air. Right after, the spot that Avery is sitting explodes creating a huge dust cloud. After a few seconds the feline shoots out of the cloud as Magik says to himself, “Oh, no you don’t!” Jumping up after Avery, Magik lets out a furry of punches upon reaching her. The female Katsumi dodges until she sees an opening and quickly Mega Kicks. The yellow burning Katsumi barely dodges as they both send out more and more punches. Finally, the two hit each other’s punches knocking them back. “You’re not nearly as weak as I had thought,” Avery tells her rival. “All right. Enough,” Magik says in response. The feline opens his mouth as wide as he can and lets out a large Hyper Beam. The red eyed Katsumi looks surprised for a second and rapidly throws one paw forward letting out a Lunar Crusher. The two beams collide for a couple of seconds and explode sending a shock wave out in all directions. Skripter covers his face as he says, “How could she cover that?” under the roar of the blast. “Magik was right in her face!” “Why? Why can’t I make her go down?” Magik almost yells as he floats there steaming. “Wait. Where did she go?” Magik’s trainer almost shows a panicky face as Avery rears back behind his Pokemon and knocks it down with a powerful Mega Punch. “What was that?!” Magik yells holding onto his head as he flies to the ground. “How did she get so strong all of a sudden?” As the feline shoots off these thoughts, Nina’s Pokemon flies to the ground beating her target. Just before he can land, Avery swings its foot around for a Low Kick knocking Magik further away. The feline comes down skidding across the dirt. Walking up at a slow pace, Avery stops as she stares at her rival. She brings two clenched paws up, and throws them forward releasing a furry of blasts. Magik turns tail and runs as the blasts rain down destroying the forest floor. They finally catch up to and engulf the Pokemon in the largest explosion yet. Skripter’s Pokemon is blasted through the woods, and slams into one of its trees. Magik’s trainer comes running up to see if his Pokemon is all right. Skripter picks Magik up by the back of the neck and sees his Pokemon fainted. At the same time, Nina walks off with Avery back into the woods from whence they came. Nina has endeavored hard to beat the trainer that both she and Ash couldn’t beat before. Does this mean Ash is next on her dance card? With the Pokemon League less than a month away it sure sounds like a safe bet.
