Live By the Sea

Standing at the foot of the cliff, the new champion shed a silent tear which plummeted 
into the depths of the ever-expanding sea. He clutched the red and white sphere in his 
hand so tightly, it seemed as if the pressure would cause it to shatter. He never knew such 
an honor could come at a painstaking price. He never knew a pokémon could be so loyal 
to its trainer. Looking down at the pokéball, he muttered a mix of praise and scorn as if 
the inanimate object would actually take pleasure or offense from any part of his speech.

"You were such a good friend to me…for the entire time. And then, you go and do 
something like that." Stifling another tear by wiping it onto his open palm, he continued 
the speech, almost flawlessly, save for the scarce sobbing that would overcome his body.

"I don’t know if this is worth it, buddy. I can’t handle this without you. You’re the one 
that deserves all the credit. All I did was guide you along the way. And now…you’ll 
receive none of it. No compliments, no honors, not even the sheer admiration of just 
being a champion."

He squeezed the ball even harder at the realization of his words, and it hurt that much 
more to hear himself say it, much less anyone else. Tears overpowered his painful 
grimace and tightly shut eyes, spilling out and soiling the old orb. His memory was 
coming back all too quickly, and it was almost as painful as seeing it the first time.

"All right, now use the Fury Swipes, Riptide!" The golduck lunged forward, its webbed 
claws outstretched towards the already weakened piloswine. The furry beast stood little 
chance after several water-type attacks and only waited with heavy breath for the battle 
to end.  

"Piloswine, tackle it!" Another heavy sigh, this battle was going far too long. 
Nevertheless, it was either the unbiased pain of the opposing golduck or the cracking 
whip of his otherwise irate trainer. He chose the former. Lunging forward, his heavy bulk 
carrying with extra momentum, he threw himself forward as the golduck’s claws came 
down. The impact threw both pokémon backward, the lighter golduck colliding with the 
arena’s wall. Piloswine managed to skid to a stop before it met the same fate. Now 
realizing there was some advantage as the opponent was partially stunned, the piloswine 
charged forward in a maniacal rage. It wanted so much to impress its trainer, and what 
better way than to win the Pokémon League Championship? 

Its tusks protruding forward, the piloswine’s speed steadily built up. But, golduck was 
much quicker than that, leaping to side at the very last moment. The impact however, 
shook the trainer from the elevated podium and sent him to the arena floor. Piloswine 
took pleasure in this. After several months of torture, the ice boar finally had a chance to 
repay the favor to humankind, whether it be its trainer or not. Beginning another 
relentless stampede, it targetted the unknowing trainer. Golduck turned slightly to see the 
opponent had chosen a new target.  Its webbed feet slapping against the ground, the duck 
pokémon made an attempt to save its trainer. After all, he had done so on several 
occasions. Lunging forward, golduck collided with the piloswine, its momentum sending 
both into the nearby wall.  

The trainer turned quickly to see an unusual sight. A river of blood began to seep out 
onto the wall and floor. It was then that he noticed his golduck, impaled by the 
piloswine’s deadly tusks. His eyes widened hysterically: not even a registered nurse 
could heal that. Somehow, he knew that golduck was dead, without even checking.  

The match was over, and victory was granted to him, due to the opposing pokémon 
threatening his life. But, at this rate, his life was better off taken. He just lost his most 
cherished friend in the sport that became second nature to both, in what was to be the 
greatest match of either career. Golduck was taken to the Pokémon Center for whatever 
preparations its trainer had in mind. The trainer wandered off as the champion of the 
Indigo League, without even collecting his trophy.

Now, he stood on the summit of the cliff where he first vowed to become a pokémon 
master. The waves crashed against the jagged rock ledges, contributing to the morbid 
scene at the top. He stared hard at the pokéball that held his precious friend inside. His 
eyes fell shut again, a single tear escaping the confines of their lids. Another word of 
praise as they opened again.

"You were the greatest ever, and your efforts will not go unnoticed." With that, he reared 
his arm back, launching the ball into the air as it made a near silent splash into the ocean 
below. The deadweight carried it to the bottom of the sea, where it would remain. A final 
prayer spoken from its trainer.

"Now, my friend. You have lived by the sea…and you have died by the sea."

A final crash of the waves echoed against the rock ledges in response to his prayer. He 
knew it was a riptide…a true Riptide, indeed.