Hello and welcome to another chapter of Pokémon Journey: Sevii Islands!

Last chapter saw the group saving Lostelle, a young girl from Atla Town on Kin Island, from a wild hypno in Berry Forest. With the crisis resolved, Richard now looks ahead to his gym battle with Liz, the Atla Town gym leader.

Upload Date: 6th March 2016


Chapter 9: In the Grip of the Talon

Bond Bridge, Sevii Islands

11:02am, 11th July 2005

"Eh? So you fought in the Kanto League last month then, James?" Liz asked inquisitively.

The four of them were walking along the main path towards Atla Town. The rain from the previous day had vanished, leaving a beautiful clear sky and a sense of freshness in the air.

Liz had insisted on accompanying them back to Atla Town so that she and Richard could fight their gym battle as soon as they got back. Privately, Richard thought she was trying to size him up in preparation for the fight. But he said nothing. It was, after all, an excellent opportunity to do the same to her.

"That's right," James replied to Liz's question. "I managed to get to the top 16, but I was knocked out in the third round."

"That's too bad," said Liz, frowning. "Is that why you decided not to challenge the Sevii League with Richard?"

"It's not that I'm giving up on pokémon battling!" James quickly assured her. "I just felt like I needed a break to think things over and work on new tactics."

"I see." Liz looked up at the sky. "You know, I contemplated trying to compete in the Kanto League as well."

"But aren't you a gym leader here?" Livvi asked.

"The Sevii Islands usually only start getting lots of challengers after the Kanto League is already over," Liz replied. "But no, I couldn't really leave my post, so I couldn't go."

"It would've been really strange to fight a gym leader at the Kanto League!" James laughed.

"Ah, but you wouldn't have known I was a gym leader!" Liz grinned and winked at him. "For all you know, you could have fought a gym leader at the Kanto League!"

"So what's your story, Liz?" Richard asked. "You're probably the youngest gym leader we've ever come across. Why did you end up in charge of a pokémon gym out here?"

"I doubt I'm the youngest gym leader ever," Liz replied. "But I'm definitely the youngest of the gym leaders here in the Sevii Islands. I'm thirteen."

"So how did you become the gym leader?" Livvi asked. "Didn't you want to go out and explore the world?"

"I did." Liz nodded. "I became a trainer when I was ten and set off on my journey. But I had to come back last autumn."

"What happened?" James asked.

"My grandpa fell ill and couldn't cope on his own anymore," Liz explained. "I live alone with him – my mother died when I was six, and I don't know who my father is."

"I'm really sorry to hear that," James said sympathetically, uncomfortable at having pressured her to talk about it.

"It's fine," Liz assured him. She resumed her story. "I missed being able to fight pokémon battles after coming back here. That's when I met Markus, the gym leader on Outcast Island. He was visiting Kin Island, so I challenged him to a battle."

"Did you win?" James and Livvi asked.

"What can you tell me about his battle style?" Richard asked.

"I lost in the end!" Liz laughed, rubbing the back of her head. "Markus is probably the strongest of all the gym leaders here in the Sevii Islands. He can be a bit scary, but he's really kind at heart. When I told him about my situation, he persuaded the Association to open a new gym in Atla Town to draw trainers to the island."

"That's amazing!" James exclaimed. "The Association actually did that?!"

"They really did." Liz nodded. "This year's Sevii League will the first since the Atla gym opened, so I'm really excited about all the trainers I'll meet and battle!"

"Have you had many so far?" Livvi asked.

"Only a handful," Liz replied. "Including someone who helped me out back when I was travelling. But the season is only just getting started after all!"

"In any case, you've got your battle with me to think about now!" Richard grinned.

"Right you are!" Liz grinned back. "Let's hurry on back to the gym!"


Atla Town, Sevii Islands

12:44pm, 11th July 2005

"This arena is amazing!" Livvi gasped as she and James entered the stands running around the outside of the room.

It wasn't so much the arena itself as the size of the room. The arena had been built at a lower level than in most gyms, meaning that the participating trainers needed to walk downstairs to access it, while most had the arena floor on the same level as the lobby. Similarly, the stands were now on the same level as the lobby instead of being a floor above.

The room was almost three storeys high, with massive windows running around the outside wall to let the bright sunlight in. Even the roof was made of glass, making it feel as if they were out in the open rather than inside a pokémon gym.

"So welcome to my gym, Richard!" Liz called over to him. She was stood at the gym leader's end of the arena. "What do you think?"

"It's pretty impressive!" Richard called back. "Why does it need to be so big though?"

"I guess there's no point hiding it anymore." Liz pulled out a poké ball. "I specialise in flying-type pokémon!" She threw out her poké ball.

A small, black bird emerged from the ball and dropped softly to the ground.

"What pokémon is that?!" Richard exclaimed, pulling out his Pokédex.

"Murkrow, the darkness pokémon. It is said that when chased, murkrow lures its attacker onto dark mountain trails where the foe will get lost. Feared and loathed by many, it is believed to bring misfortune to all those who see it at night."

"I guess it's a good thing that it's the middle of the day!" Richard grinned as he put his Pokédex away and pulled out his first poké ball. "Go, Spear!"

Spear burst out of his poké ball and spread his wings. He briefly flew around the arena before landing in front of his trainer.

"So you've got a flying type as well? Aren't they amazing?" Liz sighed. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't envy the way that they can fly wherever they want, limited only by the sky."

"What are the rules for the gym by the way?" Richard called over, suddenly remembering.

"Oh, it's a three-on-three single battle!" Liz called back.

"This is an official Sevii League gym battle between Liz, the Atla Town gym leader, and the challenger, Richard Winter from Pewter City!" the referee, a girl Liz's age, announced. "This will be a three-on-three single battle and the match will be over when all three of one trainer's pokémon are unable to battle! In addition, only the challenger will be allowed to substitute pokémon! Are you both ready?"

"Yes!" Liz and Richard both called.

"Begin!" the referee called.

"Use Agility followed by Drill Peck!" Richard ordered.

Spear vanished from sight and reappeared on Murkrow's right.

"Dodge it!" Liz called as Spear started diving in to use Drill Peck.

Murkrow dove low just in time to avoid the attack.

"Now use Aerial Ace!" Liz called.

Murkrow swept round and torpedoed herself towards Spear, who'd pulled out of his swirling dive and started to gain height again. Spear cried out as Murkrow slammed into him with her outstretched wing, which was glowing a bright white colour.

"Now follow up with Feint Attack!" Liz called.

Murkrow nodded and swept round again as Spear regained his composure. She flew towards him, only to vanish from sight just as she was about to hit him.

"Behind you!" Richard yelled.

But it was too late.

Spear cried in pain as Murkrow struck him from behind and sent him crashing down to the ground.

"Are you alright, Spear?" Richard called.

Spear pulled himself back up and nodded.

"Alright, use Double Team!" Richard ordered.

Spear immediately summoned a group of squawking doubles.

"Now use Aerial Ace!" Richard called.

With a colossal din, the flock of Spears took off and flew up towards Murkrow, who was circling the arena close to the roof. She attempted to evade them, but the real Spear slammed into her side with his wing.

"Keep it together, Murkrow!" Liz called as the darkness pokémon toppled down towards the ground.

Murkrow regained control and pulled out of her dive.

"Great work!" Liz grinned. "Now use Taunt!"

Murkrow called out to Spear in a provocative way. Spear called back angrily.

"Use Agility and then Drill Peck!" Richard called to him.

Instead of using Agility, Spear dove straight into using Drill Peck.

"I said 'use Agility and then Drill Peck'!" Richard shouted.

"It's no good!" Liz called over to him. "Once a pokémon had been taunted, it'll refuse to use any move that doesn't involve attacking the enemy!"

Murkrow dodged Spear's attack easily and spun round as he sailed past.

"Now use Feint Attack!" Liz called.

Murkrow flew down towards Spear, disappearing at the last second again. Spear cried out in pain as Murkrow struck him from below.

"Stay strong, Spear!" Richard called. "Use Drill Peck, once more!"

Spear nodded. He dove towards Murkrow once more, spinning his body like a drill as he did. Murkrow cried out as she was struck directly and sent flying down to the arena floor.

"Are you alright, Murkrow?" Liz called in concern.

Murkrow pulled herself back up and took off again, though her flying had become noticeably more unsteady.

"Use Aerial Ace!" Liz ordered. "Give it everything you have!"

Murkrow nodded and started flying towards Spear at full speed.

"Dodge it!" Richard called out instinctively, though he knew that Aerial Ace was unavoidable.

Spear cried in pain as he was struck from below at the base of his neck. He toppled to the ground and landed with a crash.

"Spear!" Richard cried out in alarm.

"Fearow is unable to battle!" the referee announced. "Murkrow is the winner!"

"Great work, Murkrow!" Liz grinned, patting the Murkrow's head as she flew back and landed on her shoulder.

"You gave it your best shot, Spear," Richard called as he recalled him to his poké ball. "Make sure you take a good rest."

"That's not a good start," Livvi sighed.

"It could be worse," James said, looking carefully between Richard and Liz. "Spear did quite a bit of damage to Murkrow in the end, so Richard might be able to finish her off quickly in the next round."

"Who do you think he'll use?" Livvi asked.

"Don't know," James replied, sitting back in his seat. "With the exception of Sting, all of his remaining pokémon should be able to handle Murkrow." He paused for a second. "By the way, Livvi, have you thought about what you're going to do with that hypno you caught yesterday yet?"

"Sort of," Livvi replied, pulling out the poké ball and looking at the hypno inside. "I still think it's best if someone responsible like Liz takes care of him, but a small part of me kind of wants to add him to my team."

James watched her troubled face for a couple of seconds.

"Have a think about it," he said. "You don't need to decide just yet."

"I guess you're right!" Livvi laughed nervously.

"Go, Helix!" Richard called, throwing out his next poké ball.

Helix cried out as he burst out of the ball and landed on the ground.

"Helix is a good choice," said Livvi. "Rock types have an advantage over flying types."

"Start off with Tickle!" Richard ordered.

Helix nodded and started charging towards Murkrow.

"Dodge it!" Liz called.

Murkrow nodded and dove to one side to avoid the Helix as he drew close.

"Use Spike Cannon!" Richard called.

Helix fired a volley of powerful spikes from his shell, three of which struck Murkrow and sent her flying back.

"Are you alright, Murkrow?" Liz called.

Murkrow pulled herself unsteadily back up and nodded.

"Alright, use Night Shade!" Liz ordered.

Murkrow's eyes glowed red. A pair of dark purple beams suddenly fired towards Helix, hitting him and sending him flying back.

"Use Tickle!" Richard ordered as the omastar pulled himself back up.

Helix nodded and started charging towards Murkrow again.

"Dodge it and use Taunt!" Liz called.

Murkrow flew high into the air to avoid Helix's attack. "Muuurrkkk!" She let out the same provocative cry that had infuriated Spear. Helix made angry gestures up at Murkrow.

"Use Water Gun!" Richard ordered, recognising that attempting Tickle again would be of no use.

Helix nodded eagerly and fired a blast of water up at Murkrow, who cried in surprise at the speed of the attack. She took a direct hit and started toppling back towards the ground.

"Pull up, Murkrow!" Liz called.

Murkrow pulled up. Her now-soaked feathers made it difficult for her to stay airborne and slowed her down.

"Finish up with Ancient Power!" Richard called.

Helix tore up a cluster of boulders surrounded by a regal blue aura and hurled them at Murkrow.

The darkness pokémon desperately tried to dodge, but couldn't move out of the way fast enough. She cried out as she was hit by the pile.

"Murkrow!" Liz cried in alarm.

The boulder that had hit her broke into fragments as it hit the floor. Murkrow bounced slightly as she tumbled across the arena floor to Liz's feet.

"Murkrow is unable to battle!" the referee announced. "Omastar is the winner!"

"Great work, Helix!" Richard called.

Helix grinned back.

"Thanks for your hard work, Murkrow!" Liz called as she recalled her fallen pokémon. She pulled out her next poké ball. "Go, Noctowl!"

A large owl with light brown feathers on its main body and dark brown feathers on its wings emerged and landed on the ground in front of Liz.

"Noctowl?" Richard pulled out his Pokédex.

"Noctowl, the owl pokémon and the evolved form of Hoothoot. Noctowl never fails at catching prey in darkness. This pokémon owes its success to its superior vision that allows it to see in minimal light, and to its soft, supple wings that make no sound in flight. When it needs to think, it rotates its head 180 degrees to sharpen its intellectual power."

"Alright, Helix, start out with Ancient Power!" Richard called as he put his Pokédex away.

Helix nodded and fired a cluster of boulders towards Noctowl.

"Dodge it and use Confusion!" Liz called.

Noctowl took off and shot up into the air at a startling speed to avoid the attack.

"That's fast!" Richard exclaimed involuntarily.

Noctowl looked back down towards Helix. Her eyes started glowing blue. Helix gave a cry of surprise as he was lifted into the air. A split second later, he was hurled back. He landed on the ground with a loud crash.

"Are you alright?" Richard called.

Helix pulled himself back up and nodded.

"Use Spike Cannon!" Richard ordered as Noctowl started swooping down towards him.

Helix fired a volley of spikes towards Noctowl.

"Dodge it!" Liz called.

Noctowl nodded. She dove and rolled in the air to avoid the first couple of spikes, but was struck in the foot by the fourth one, throwing her off balance as the fifth and final spike flew towards her.

"Great work, Helix!" Richard grinned as the final spike struck Noctowl in the chest and sent her toppling back down towards the ground.

Noctowl pulled herself back up and rotated her head slightly, giving Helix a piercing stare.

"Use Hypnosis!" Liz called.

Noctowl fired a ray of psychic energy from her eyes towards Helix.

"Dodge it and use Water Gun!" Richard shouted.

Helix dove to one side with impressive skill. As he landed on his side, he fired a blast of water towards Noctowl.

"Dodge it!" Liz yelled.

Noctowl nodded and took off, quickly gaining height to avoid the attack.

"Alright, stop attacking and focus on getting back upright!" Richard called to Helix.

Helix stopped his attack and focused his energy on pulling himself upright.

"Use Peck!" Liz shouted up to Noctowl, who was circling overhead.

Noctowl nodded and dove down towards Helix, her beak glowing white.

"Get ready for it!" Richard called.

Helix finished pulling himself up and braced himself for Noctowl's impact.

"Use Hypnosis as well!" Liz shouted.

Noctowl fired another ray of psychic energy from her eyes as she approached Helix.

"Dodge it!" Richard yelled frantically.

It was too late.

Both Hypnosis and Noctowl made contact with Helix. Though Peck did virtually nothing, the omastar quickly fell asleep under Hypnosis' influence.

"Now use Dream Eater!" Liz ordered.

Noctowl nodded. Her eyes glowed purple. Suddenly, a stream of what looked like tiny purple orbs flowed out of Helix and into Noctowl's open beak. "Owwwwwll!" She let out a happy cry as she swallowed them.

"This isn't good!" James grimaced. "As long as Helix is asleep, he has no defence against Dream Eater!"

"This doesn't look good," Livvi murmured.

"Come on, Helix! Wake up!" Richard called.

Helix didn't stir.

"Use Dream Eater again!" Liz ordered.

Noctowl's eyes glowed purple again and even more orbs flowed out of Helix, who gave a cry of pain in his sleep before slumping backwards.

"Omastar is unable to battle!" the referee announced loudly. "Noctowl is the winner!"

"Great work, Noctowl!" Liz called with a grin.

Noctowl called back enthusiastically.

"Thanks, Helix, you did your best," Richard said as he recalled him to his poké ball.

"This is bad," said James, leaning forwards and looking over at Noctowl, who'd rotated her head the full 180 degrees while she waited for her next opponent to appear. "That noctowl is no joke."

"He needs to make sure that Hypnosis doesn't hit," said Livvi. "None of his pokémon are immune to being put to sleep though, are they?"

"That's right." James nodded. "Richard's going to need to be very careful if he wants to win."

On the battlefield, Richard mulled over his options.

We're finished if Noctowl manages to put us to sleep again. I need to be able to dodge Hypnosis in order to do that. That rules out Naro; he's too bulky and slow to dodge Noctowl. Plus, he's a poison type, so he'll be weak to a psychic type attack like Dream Eater. That only really leaves Flare.

He pulled out Flare's poké ball and threw it out.

"Go, Flare!"

Flare burst out of the ball and landed on the ground with a clatter as his hooves struck the floor.

"Alright, Noctowl, let's finish this up!" Liz grinned. "Use Hypnosis!"

Noctowl fired a Hypnosis attack towards Flare.

"Dodge it with Agility!" Richard called. "Then use Stomp!"

Flare vanished from sight for a split second.

"Dodge it!" Liz shouted to Noctowl as Flare reappeared behind her.

Noctowl dove forwards, just managing to escape before Flare's hooves came crashing down.

"Use Confusion!" Liz called.

Noctowl nodded. Her eyes glowed blue. Flare cried out as he was lifted into the air and thrown back towards Richard's half of the field.

"Flare, are you alright?" Richard called as the ponyta landed with a crash.

Flare quickly pulled himself back to his feet and nodded.

"Glad to hear it!" Richard grinned. "Use Ember!"

Flare fired a burst of embers towards Noctowl, who cried in pain as she was hit by them.

"Now use Take Down!" Richard ordered.

Flare nodded. While Noctowl was still off balance, he tore towards her and slammed into her with all his might. Noctowl cried in pain as she was thrown back. Flare had done quite a bit of damage, but had also ended up hurting himself too.

"Use Peck!" Liz ordered as Noctowl pulled herself back to her feet and took off.

Noctowl nodded and dove towards Flare.

Flare cried in pain as she struck him on his right shoulder, which had been injured slightly by his previous attack.

"Now use Hypnosis!" Liz shouted as Flare recoiled.

Noctowl fired a ray of psychic energy towards Flare.

"Dodge it! Quick!" Richard yelled.

It was too late. Flare was struck by the ray and toppled to the ground with a crash, fast asleep.

"Finish this up with Dream Eater!" Liz called.

Noctowl nodded.

"Come on Flare! You need to wake up!" Richard yelled desperately.

Noctowl's eyes glowed purple and a wave of purple orbs flowed out of Flare towards her. Flare gave a cry, his body straining in reaction to the attack, before falling limp again.

"Ponyta is unable to battle!" the referee announced. "Noctowl is the winner! All three of the challenger's pokémon are unable to battle, meaning that the winner of this match is Liz, the gym leader!"

"Thanks for all your hard work," Richard said sadly as he recalled Flare to his poké ball.

"You were brilliant, as always!" Liz patted Noctowl, who'd flown back to her and landed on her shoulder, on the head. She hooted proudly.

"You're a good trainer, Richard!" Liz called over to Richard. "But you seem to be a little too reliant on your familiar tactics! Using Agility followed by an attack is excellent against average and slow opponents, but it isn't as good again other fast pokémon!"

"I'll keep that in mind!" Richard called back. "Thanks for letting me battle you!"

"Same!" Liz grinned. She paused for a second. "I just need to make a quick phone call. Can I get you three…" She glanced up at James and Livvi as she spoke. "… to wait for me in the lobby?"

"That's fine!" Richard replied.


1:10pm, 11th July 2005

"Sorry to keep you waiting!" Liz called loudly as she entered the lobby, Noctowl still on her shoulder.

"No problem," James replied for all three of them.

"I just called that psychic type trainer I mentioned yesterday!" Liz grinned at Livvi. "He said that he'd be glad to take Hypno!"

"Huh? Oh! Great!" Livvi cried, caught off guard by the announcement. She pulled out Hypno's poké ball. For a couple of seconds, she held it in both hands and looked at the pokémon inside.

"If you're having second thoughts, then that's fine," said Liz. "He won't mind if you want to keep him after all."

"I…" Livvi began. She stopped for a second and frowned deeply as she tried to think of what to say next. "No," she said after a couple of seconds. "I think this psychic-type user will be able to take better care of Hypno than I could." She quickly handed the poké ball over to Liz, as if worried that any delay would cause her to doubt her decision.

"Alright." Liz took the poké ball and put it in her pocket. "Don't worry – Hypno will be in good hands, I can guarantee it!" She turned back to Richard. "How many Sevii League badges have you got so far?"

"Two," Richard replied, holding up two fingers.

"So you've still got four to go," Liz said thoughtfully. She paused for a second. "There are a total of nine gym leaders in the Sevii Islands," she said. "You only need to beat six of them to enter the league, so you don't need to come back here to challenge me again if you don't want to."

"Do you know where the next gym is?" Richard asked.

"There's one in Shellshore Town on Floe Island," Liz replied. "There's a ferry leaving Kin Island for Floe Island this evening." She paused for a second, a slightly hurt look on her face. "I hope you'll come back and challenge me to a rematch someday – I had fun battling you."

"Oh, I'll be back!" Richard assured her. "I've got to avenge today's defeat after all! I'll move on for now, but I will come back!"

"Glad to hear it!" Liz grinned. She and Richard shook hands.

"Let's head back to the pokémon centre for now," said James. "Then we can work out a plan."

"Got it." Richard nodded.

"I'll see you guys again soon then!" Liz called as they made their way out the door. "Have a safe trip to Shellshore Town!"

"Thanks!" Livvi called back.

"I'll definitely beat you next time!" Richard grinned back at her as the automatic doors slid shut.


So, the first of what will hopefully a number of setbacks in Richard's Sevii League challenge, though, given my habit for building up a character with a string of victories and then following it up with a major defeat, I expect it wasn't a huge surprise for old readers of Pokémon Journey: Kanto.

As ever, I appreciate any feedback you guys have! And a quick reminder: there won't be an upload next week. Chapter 10 will go up on 20th March.

Until next time!


Team Listings:

James' Team:

Active:

Charka (Charmeleon): male, naïve, often scatters things, likes sweet food, fire type, Blaze ability, known moves are Fire Spin, Smokescreen, Flamethrower and Metal Claw.

Kacha (Pikachu): male, modest, sturdy body, likes dry food, electric type, Static ability, known moves are Thunderbolt, Agility, Slam and Thunder Wave.

Raenok (Mankey): male, impish, loves to eat, likes sour food, fighting type, Anger Point ability, known moves are Rock Slide, Screech, Cross Chop and Brick Break.

Ayra (Paras): male, lax, loves to relax, likes sour food, bug-grass type, Dry Skin ability, known moves are Aerial Ace, Leech Life, Giga Drain and Spore.

Saeloc (Persian): female, rash, likes to thrash about, likes dry food, normal type, Technician ability, known moves are Slash, Screech, Bite and Icy Wind.

Leytor (Seel): male, careful, good perseverance, likes bitter food, water type, Thick Fat ability, known moves are Water Pulse, Take Down, Safeguard and Ice Beam.

In Pallet Town:

Cuba (Cubone): male, serious, quick to flee, eats anything, ground type, Rock Head ability, known moves are Bone Club, Double-Edge, Bonemerang and Bone Rush.

Livvi's Team:

Active:

Barru (Bulbasaur): male, timid, highly persistent, likes sweet food, grass-poison type, Overgrow ability, known moves are Tackle, Razor Leaf, Solar Beam (not mastered) and Leech Seed.

Dorru (Nidoran): female, quiet, mischievous, likes dry food, poison type, Rivalry ability, known moves are Fury Swipes, Double Kick, Poison Sting and Crunch.

Cylune (Venomoth): male, modest, proud of its power, likes dry food, poison-bug type, Shield Dust ability, known moves are Stun Spore, Psychic, Poison Powder and Silver Wind.

Evoro (Eevee): male, jolly, alert to sounds, likes sweet food, normal type, Adaptability ability, known moves are Bite, Double Team, Take Down and Quick Attack.

Salea (Blissey): female, gentle, somewhat vain, likes bitter food, normal type, Natural Cure ability, known moves are Softboiled, Refresh, Double Slap and Egg Bomb.

Richard's Team:

Active:

Naro (Nidoking): male, mild, sturdy body, likes dry food, poison-ground type, Poison Point ability, known moves are Horn Attack, Megahorn, Poison Sting and Double Kick.

Sting (Beedrill): male, hardy, often dozes off, eats anything, bug-poison type, Swarm ability, known moves are Focus Energy, Poison Sting, Twineedle and String Shot.

Spear (Fearow): male, mild, likes to thrash about, likes dry food, normal-flying type, Keen Eye ability, known moves are Drill Peck, Double Team, Aerial Ace and Agility.

Helix (Omastar): male, naïve, somewhat stubborn, likes sweet food, rock-water type, Shell Armour ability, known moves are Spike Cannon, Water Gun, Ancient Power and Tickle.

Flare (Ponyta): male, rash, likes to thrash about, likes dry food, fire type, Flash Fire ability, known moves are Take Down, Agility, Stomp and Ember.