In answer to QUEENSPELLER67's question, Harry isn't afraid of Pokémon in general but Martyn suggested that he show fear of Ghost types (and it's been established he's not afraid of them) or Mightyena. I might have him show fear of a species of Pokémon in the future, but not Pokémon as a whole.
Riolu still had bandages on his chest where Skuntank's Poison Jab had hit him. Nurse Joy advised that Riolu shouldn't do anything strenuous for at least a week, so Harry decided that the Emanation Pokémon should stay out of training in his condition. Riolu watched while he trained the other five members of the team. During training Drifloon learned a new attack.
"Good work, guys," Harry said when they were finished and then turned to Riolu, "Are you alright Riolu?" Riolu shrugged but looked at his trainer with a somewhat reproachful expression, "I know. You're not happy that I stormed the Team Galactic's building. But there were Pokemon in trouble."
"Riolu, Ri," Riolu pointed at his new bike.
"Oh come on, that's not fair!" Harry protested, "You know I only came up with the idea of getting the bike after the rescue." Riolu huffed and folded his arms, gingerly so he didn't aggravate his injured chest, "Look I'm sorry. I know I don't think ahead enough."
"Riolu," Riolu nodded grumpily and gestured to his chest.
"And I know you got hurt because of it," Harry said, "But you get hurt in battle all the time." Riolu looked at him for a moment, then jumped and slammed a Brick Break onto his trainer's head. He didn't use his full strength but it still hurt, "Ow! What was that…?"
Harry stopped as he realized what Riolu was trying to say. The truth was, Harry himself didn't actually take blows from opposing Pokemon. His Pokemon did. Riolu was annoyed that he and the other members of Harry's team kept getting hurt whilst Harry didn't get hurt himself.
"Do you just want to quit battling altogether?" Harry asked, rubbing his throbbing head. Riolu shook his head, "But you want me to take a hit from time to time?" Riolu nodded, "Okay. Hit me with Hidden Power then." Riolu did so, forming the orbs around his body and firing them without hesitation.
Harry felt a strange sensation as the orbs struck him. He had never been hit by a Psychic type move before but it was like being engulfed in mystical energy as each orb touched him. Riolu's Hidden Power must be a Psychic type move. Harry hit the ground hard.
"Is that a Psychic type Hidden Power?" he asked, rubbing his head as he sat up. Riolu nodded, "Well getting hit by that helped me get to know you a little better, Riolu." Riolu smiled, looking satisfied.
Rather than stand beside his trainer as he normally would, Riolu sat in the stands around the Eterna Gym's mini-forest battlefield, since he knew Harry wouldn't use him in this battle. Harry faced Gardenia while the referee and her Nuzleaf took their positions.
"The rules will be the same as before," said the referee.
"Nuzleaf," said Nuzleaf, mimicking her movements like before.
"Go Roserade!" Gardenia sent out a Pokemon that resembled a bouquet of roses with a long green cape appeared.
"Roserade the Bouquet Pokemon and final form of Bedew. The stronger its poison, the sweeter its aroma. It uses the aroma to lure in its prey."
"Go Drifloon!" Harry released the Balloon Pokemon. The referee signalled for the battle to begin and Harry didn't waste time, "Use Ominous Wind!" Drifloon spun and sent a gust of dark wind towards Roserade. Roserade winced but held its ground.
"Magical Leaf!" Gardenia ordered and Roserade spun around quickly and released glowing light green leaves from its body at Drifloon.
"Minimize!" Harry called and Drifloon shrank her body. To Harry's surprise however, the leaves all turned in mid-air and struck the now tiny Drifloon who squealed.
"Magical Leaf never misses," Gardenia informed him, "Roserade use Rain Dance!" Roserade raised its arms and created storm clouds above the battlefield, making it rain.
"Drifloon, use Constrict!" Drifloon reached out towards Roserade.
"Flash!" called Gardenia and Roserade's body flashed with a bright light. Drifloon shut her eyes as she was temporarily blinded by the light, "Now Weather Ball!"
"Roooserade!" Roserade raised its arms and formed another blue ball, although this one was a darker shade than the one that created the Rain Dance. Roserade hurled the Water type Weather Ball at Drifloon and the attack sent her skidding back along the ground.
"Drifloon, are you okay?" asked Harry.
"Now use Magical Leaf!" Gardenia called and Roserade sent the unavoidable leaves towards Drifloon.
"Drifloon return!" Harry quickly recalled his Pokemon. Fortunately the Magical Leaf couldn't follow Drifloon back to her Poke Ball so she was safe for now, "Combee, you're up!" The Tiny Bee Pokemon appeared and buzzed threateningly at Roserade, angry that the Grass type had hurt her friend.
"Roserade, Weather Ball!" Gardenia ordered and Roserade hurled the attack at Combee.
"Dodge and use Bug Buzz!" Harry ordered and Combee, having grown faster since her battle with Turtwig, darted away from the Weather Ball and sent red sound waves washing over Roserade who winced with discomfort.
"Roserade use Magical Leaf!" Roserade obeyed and sent the glowing leaves flying at Combee. Harry just smirked.
"Charge into it!" Harry called. Combee flew straight towards the Magical Leaf, shrugging off each of the green leaves when they hit her, "Bug Bite!" Combee closed all three of her mouths on Roserade's cape. Roserade twisted around, trying to shake her off but Combee held firm, "Now Bug Buzz!" Still holding Roserade with her mouths, Combee buzzed very loudly in the unfortunate Grass type's ears.
"Roserade, Poison Sting!" Gardenia ordered and Roserade shot a spray of purple darts from its mouth at Combee. It couldn't aim easily because Combee was still biting on its cape but it hit her nonetheless and she released it with a squeal of pain.
"Combee, Gust attack!" Harry ordered and Combee flapped her wings as hard as she could. Roserade tried to hold its ground but Combee's Gust was strong enough to blow it off its feet. Roserade slammed into a tree and collapsed.
"Roserade's unable to battle, Combee wins!"
"Well done, Combee," Harry said while Combee squealed happily, pleased with her first victory, "You'll be a Vespiquen in no time."
"Good job Roserade, get some rest," Gardenia said as she recalled the Bouquet Pokemon, "Victreebel, let's go!" The Flycatcher Pokemon appeared and screeched at Combee.
"Use Bug Buzz!" Harry ordered and Combee sent red sound waves washing over Victreebel.
"Victreebel, use Slam!" ordered Gardenia and Victreebel wrapped its vine around the branches of one of the trees before jumping, swinging itself forwards, and slamming its entire body into Combee knocking her to the ground.
"Combee is unable to battle, Victreebel wins!"
"Well done Combee, take a break," Harry looked up at the sky. Roserade's Rain Dance had ended but Harry decided not to use Chimchar just yet, "Go Drifloon!" Drifloon emerged again, "Time to show Gardenia your new attack. Acrobatics!"
"Drifloon!" Drifloon shot towards Victreebel with enough speed to leave two after images behind her. She rammed into Victreebel and sent it sprawling.
"So you're Drifloon's learned Acrobatics huh?" Gardenia said, "Alright use Sunny Day!"
"You're fond of weather moves aren't you?" Harry commented as Victreebel brightened the sunlight.
"They're useful," said Gardenia, "Solarbeam!"
"Minimize!" Harry ordered. Victreebel fired Solarbeam swiftly but Drifloon managed to decrease her size just in time and the attack passed harmlessly over her now miniaturized head. She returned to her normal size as soon as Solarbeam stopped, "Use Acrobatics!"
"Dodge it!" Gardenia ordered. Despite Drifloon's improved Speed, Victreebel managed to avoid the attack. Drifloon ascended into the air and turned, ready for Victreebel's counterstrike, "Swing yourself after Drifloon!" Victreebel wrapped its vine around a branch and swung itself into the air after the Balloon Pokemon, "Leaf Blade!"
"Minimize!" Harry ordered again and Drifloon shrunk again causing Victreebel's sharpened leaves to miss her as she manoeuvred around it, "Constrict!" Drifloon regained her normal size and squeezed Victreebel tightly.
"Poison Powder!" Gardenia shouted.
"Move back and use Gust!" Harry instructed just in time. Drifloon released Victreebel and retreated before unleashing a Gust attack which was not only super effective on Victreebel but blew away Poison Powder at the same time. Victreebel fell to the ground hard.
"It's not over yet!" Gardenia shouted, "Solarbeam!"
"Acrobatics!" Harry commanded. This time Drifloon didn't bother using Minimize instead darting away from Solarbeam and leaving behind after images before slamming into Victreebel. Not only had Drifloon landed a devastating blow, but the speed of her Acrobatics enabled her to avoid Solarbeam at the same time. Victreebel crashed to the ground.
"Victreebel is unable to battle, Drifloon wins!"
"Excellent Drifloon!" Harry said, "Your Acrobatics was perfect."
"Floon!" said Drifloon happily.
"Good battle Victreebel, have a rest," said Gardenia, "Let's go, Turtwig!" Turtwig appeared and looked up at Drifloon.
"Alright Drifloon, Acrobatics!" Harry ordered. Drifloon shot at Turtwig. Fast as she was, Turtwig was faster and dodged the attack with ease, "Keep going, Drifloon." Drifloon darted back at Turtwig but even with her full Speed, she couldn't keep up with the agile Grass type.
"Turtwig, Leech Seed!" ordered Gardenia. Turtwig had to slow down for just a second to launch the seed from the sprout on her head. That was all Harry needed.
"Constrict!" Even as Leech Seed's vines were wrapping around her and draining her energy, Drifloon grabbed Turtwig with her thin arms, "Keep hold of it and use Acrobatics!"
"Drifloon!" Drifloon said and, still holding Turtwig, darted to Gardenia's side of the field, leaving behind two after images before letting go of the Grass type and tossing her into the wall.
"Nice move," Gardenia complimented, "But it's not over. Turtwig, Bite!" Turtwig picked herself up and darted at Drifloon, closing her powerful jaws around her head. For a moment, Harry wasn't sure how Bite could have worked, incorrectly thinking it was a Normal type move. Then he remembered that not only did it affect Ghosts, but it was also super effective as it was actually a Dark type move.
"Use Minimize to escape!" He ordered and Drifloon shrank herself again and darted out from between Turtwig's jaws before returning to her true size, "Acrobatics!" Drifloon was about to execute the move when Leech Seed kicked in again, disrupting her focus. Turtwig easily avoided the Balloon Pokémon's clumsy attack and stood there, smiling while Leech Seed drained Drifloon's energy.
"Bite and then throw it Turtwig!" called Gardenia and Turtwig jumped, bit Drifloon's head with her powerful jaws, then somersaulted and threw the Balloon Pokémon to the ground.
"Drifloon's unable to battle, Turtwig wins!"
"You were wonderful, Drifloon," Harry said as he recalled her, "That Constrict and Acrobatics combination caused a lot of damage. Take a break." Turtwig was still smiling but did seem a bit worn out. Harry released his last Pokemon, "Go Chimchar!"
"Chimchar!" Chimchar said and glared at Turtwig. She wasn't going to let this Grass type humiliate her like last time!
"Chimchar use Flame Wheel!" Harry ordered and Chimchar somersaulted towards Turtwig in a wheel of fire. Turtwig darted away.
"Bite!" Gardenia ordered as Chimchar emerged from her Flame Wheel. Turtwig shot towards Chimchar with her jaws wide open.
"Into the trees!" Harry commanded and Chimchar jumped, grabbed a branch and swung herself into the small trees, narrowly avoiding the Bite attack, "Fire Spin." Unfortunately Chimchar's orange colour and flaming bottom didn't provide her with much camouflage so Turtwig saw the Fire Spin and dodged it with ease. It left a scorched mark on the ground. Harry glanced at the scorch mark, then at the trees around the battlefield.
"Turtwig get Chimchar out of the trees!" yelled Gardenia, "Leaf Storm!" Turtwig summoned the storm and shot it up into the trees. This Leaf Storm stripped leaves from the branches as well as using the leaves Turtwig had summoned, making the attack even more powerful. Chimchar was blown into the air and then fell a long way. Harry caught her, wincing slightly as her flaming backside burned his clothes.
"You okay, Chimchar?" he said concerned. Chimchar nodded at, then jumped out of her trainer's arms, back onto the battlefield. That Leaf Storm had hurt but she was determined not to get beaten again.
In the stands, Riolu looked at the scorch mark on his trainer's clothes and smiled approvingly. Harry caught the Emanation Pokemon's eye, saw he was looking at the place where Chimchar had burned him, and understood that Riolu approved of the fact that he'd hurt himself in order to catch her. He refocused on the battle.
"Alright Chimchar, jump into the trees and use Flame Wheel!" Harry ordered and Chimchar jumped, rolling in mid-air and setting the trees on fire. Turtwig's eyes widened in fear as she realized what Chimchar was doing.
"Leaf Storm!" Gardenia cried and Turtwig hastily summoned the storm but this time it missed altogether. By now Chimchar was setting the small bushes on fire too. Harry had a hand on Buizel's Poke Ball just in case the fire got out of control. He wasn't entirely sure if this was legal but it was the only thing he could think of to limit Turtwig's mobility. Now there was only a narrow strip of battlefield that wasn't on fire remaining and Turtwig had nowhere to run.
"Tur," Turtwig looked at the flames around her. She was no longer smiling. Chimchar stood opposite her with a smirk.
"Leaf Storm again!" Gardenia yelled, starting to panic. Turtwig obeyed but this time Chimchar simply stood there. This was the third Leaf Storm and Chimchar was resistant to Grass type moves anyway so she just gave Turtwig an annoying smile like the one the Grass type usually gave. Gardenia gritted her teeth, "Turtwig, Tackle attack!"
"Flame Wheel!" Harry countered. Turtwig hurled herself at Chimchar but was no match for the Fire type's Flame Wheel. The attack sent her tumbling to the ground.
"Turtwig!" cried Gardenia who was now sweating from the heat. Harry really hoped that Flame Wheel had knocked Turtwig out because he needed to put out this fire. The referee glanced at Turtwig, swiftly analysing her condition.
"Turtwig is unable to battle," she announced, "Chimchar wins and the victory goes to the challenger Harry Rowan."
"Well done, Chimchar," Harry said swiftly, "Go Buizel!" The Water type emerged and looked around the burning mini-forest. Fortunately the fire was only on the battlefield. Harry had a feeling that if Chimchar had used her Blaze ability, Gardenia might have to rebuild her gym, "Water Gun and Water Pulse!"
"Bui!" Buizel splashed a Water Pulse over the battlefield. Chimchar jumped into the trees to avoid it, being the only one who was unbothered by the fire. Buizel then squirted Water Gun into the trees, being careful not to hit Chimchar in the process, and successfully put out the fire. By now there were no leaves left on the trees. Harry grimaced, wondering if Gardenia would be angry at the state of her gym. The Gym Leader came towards him without any expression.
Then she smiled.
"Congratulations," she said, "And thanks for not burning down my gym." Harry smiled uncertainly as she held out a badge, "You've earned the Forest Badge." Harry took the badge. Riolu hopped down from the stands and joined his trainer. Chimchar jumped onto Harry's shoulder while Buizel stood next to him.
"Sorry about…" Harry gestured at the destroyed mini-forest. Gardenia waved her hand dismissively.
"Don't be," she said, "A good trainer uses the battlefield to their advantage and that's exactly what you did. I'm just glad the fire was restricted to the battlefield not the whole gym." Harry smiled a bit more genuinely.
"So am I," he said, "Thank you, Gardenia." He put away the Forest Badge in his badge case and recalled Chimchar and Buizel. He looked down at Riolu, who looked around the destroyed mini-forest. Harry could tell that Riolu didn't approve of his strategy but the Emanation Pokemon just shrugged and gave his trainer a small, congratulatory smile. Harry smiled back and the pair left the gym.