AN: Sorry that my stories are taking longer to update. I'm in my last semester so things are getting wild and my free time decreasing. Thank you for sticking with me! Here's the newest update on Peace in Darkness! Good news, we've reached double digits on the chapters with this extended chapter!
Disclaimer: I own nothing related to Pokémon.
Chapter 10
Blake noticed. Maura didn't think her sister would, but she knew Blake noticed. Blake knew her too well and was kind enough to provide her younger sister with her space. Whenever something was on her mind Blake allowed her sister to come to her instead of forcing her to tell her. Unless the problem started effecting her in unhealthy ways then Blake would step in and bluntly ask her sister what the problem was. The oldest did know that Maura became uninterested when Blake was training. Perhaps it was getting old for her and Blake hoped the new change of scenery would be helpful.
"Look Blake! Shalour City!" Maura said as they exited Reflection Cave and were walking down the road toward the city. "Where are you planning to go?"
"I want to stop by the Pokémon Center and get them healed then head over to the Tower of Mastery." Blake explained.
"Why there?" Maura asked.
"I heard that people go there with questions and the guru there used to be the gym leader here." Blake explained. She had heard this from studying gym leaders during her free time as a child. She knew every leader in Kalos and which type of Pokémon they specialized in including what their normal ace was. If she ever faced one of them then she knew she wouldn't be walking in blind.
After about an hour waiting on Blake's Pokémon they walked over to the Tower of Mastery. When they arrived many people walked around among the path around the tower as a giant statue of Mega Lucario stood in the center above a room.
"This place is amazing!" Maura cried as her voice echoed. Blake smiled and chuckled.
"Glad you think so." Both girls turned to see an older man standing near the door under the statue. Maura couldn't help see that he had impressive eyebrows. "Welcome to the Tower of Mastery. I'm Gurkinn. This is where most come to seek answers. Is there something on your mind?"
Blake decided she wasn't going to beat around the bush and just bluntly asked, "What do you know about becoming a gym leader?"
"That is an interesting question. Why do you ask?"
"I'm interested in becoming a gym leader."
"Oh, I see now. Please do come with me."
Both sisters looked to one another before following Gurkinn into the chamber. He offered them a place to sit down at the table and they both sat next to each across from the older man.
"Being a gym leader differs where you are. Here the gym is passed down in my family and that is a normal way one becomes a gym leader." Gurkinn explained.
"Are you saying Blake needs to be related to gym leader?" Maura asked worried. This dream meant everything to her. What would have been the point on going on this journey if Blake wasn't going to get anywhere?
"No, but that is one way the title of gym leader is passed down. What I would suggest is to a formal application to the League Association. They'll tell you all you need to know."
"That easy?" Maura asked.
"Maura." Blake said.
"What? You were thinking it." Maura said as she pouted in her chair.
"Is it that easy?" Blake asked. Maura lightly smacked her sister before glaring at her. "What?"
"Not exactly. You would be screened to see if your ideals and abilities qualify you for the position and title as a gym leader. They need to make sure that the person in question is right. They don't hand titles out to anyone. It isn't easy and most people fail. This is why there isn't many gym leaders and it is noble you're thinking about being one. The question you need to ask yourself is why do you want to be one? What makes you different than anyone? You don't have to answer now."
Blake was silent as she pondered what he said and the questioned he asked. She found answers alright, but that didn't make her feel any better. It scared her and made her ask more questions. These were questions she didn't know if she wanted to know the answers to or not.
Maura looked to her sister and frowned. She could tell what was going through Blake's mind. She was beginning to wonder if she was good enough to be a gym leader. She wanted to say something, anything to reassure her sister, but she knew that is would be pointless. Maura knew she was, but Blake needed to find out for herself.
"Abilities?" Blake finally found a voice to ask.
"As a trainer. Are you a trainer that challengers can learn from? Are you strong? Are kind to your Pokémon?" Gurkinn explained.
"Blake's plenty strong alright! She's going to be the best dark type trainer in all of Kalos and eventually the world!"
Gurkinn gave a hardly chuckle and said, "Well then, why don't we test that. Come to the gym tomorrow and battle Korrina, my granddaughter who is the Shalour City gym leader. Test your skills against her."
"Come on Brae you've got too! It would be awesome to see in a gym battle!" Maura said excitedly as she grabbed Blake's arm.
"I'll think about it." Blake said as she gave an awkward smile. Did she want to challenge an actual gym leader? She hadn't been a trainer long, but people did challenge gym on far less.
"Whenever you decide come to the gym. We'll be waiting." Gurkinn said.
Maura had been pestering Blake about challenging the gym ever since they felt the tower of mastery. Maura knew she was getting on Blake's nerves, but sometimes it was the only way to make Blake listen. Maura looked out the window now wondering where exactly her sister went. She dropped her off at the center and said she'd be back in a couple hours. Maura assumed she was going to be alone with her thoughts. Blake often went on walks to clear her mind saying that the fact her entire body was moving helped her mind too. Maura then looked at the clock. It was now eleven and Blake still hasn't come back. She was starting to get worried. The younger Rhetta thought about leaving to look for her older sister, but it wasn't like Blake couldn't take care of herself. Plus if she left and Blake came back to her missing Maura didn't want to see Blake's overprotective yet a little evil looking side. Instead she opted for setting her head down on the desk that rested against the window.
Blake came into the Pokémon Center about a little after eleven-thirty. Upon realizing the time she was shocked to see she had been more than a couple hours and more like almost four. She silently cursed to herself and made not to apologize to her sister for not letting her come with her. Blake had gone for walk and just didn't tell Maura where she was going. Outside the city was a small route and a beach. Blake had gone out there to clear her head and to train. She didn't want Maura to influence her Pokémon's decisions and lately she seemed to be getting bored when Blake trained. She talked to her Pokémon and all three of them seemed excited at the notion that were going to battle a gym leader.
Blake had decided she was going to challenge the gym in the morning. Ever since the prospect was mentioned Blake wanted to say yes, but this wasn't her decision only. Her Pokémon's opinions mattered too despite this would their hardest battle yet. The gym specialized in fighting types which two of her party members were weak too. Houndour and Eevee understood what they would going up against and were ready as long as Blake was there. That was why they spent the next two and a half hours training with breaks in between course. Now she had dropped her team with Nurse Joy and was going to bed after she talked with her sister. As Blake entered the room she smiled.
Sitting in the chair Maura had her upper half and arms sprawled out on top of the desk asleep. Blake snorted and laughed a little. It was cute. Maura attempted to wait up for her and apparently failed. That was alright though. She needed to sleep. Blake cautiously then picked up her sister as her head then rolled to Blake's shoulder. Didn't matter how old she got Blake would be there to pick her up both in the literal and figural sense. Blake then settled her into bed and covered her up.
"Good night Maura. I don't know how I'd do any of this without you." Blake said as she caressed her hair before turning to her own bed. She needed to fully awake and aware for tomorrow. They both needed to be well rested and right now they could be happy. Blake smiled as she was finally getting somewhere with her dream with her sister while Maura's eyes were barely open happy that her sister was finally getting what she deserved after all the hardship, her life.
Maura opened her eyes to the sound of a door. She looked with weary eyes to her sister who just came back in. She then noticed where she was at. She didn't remember getting into bed last night. Blake must have put her bed after she fell asleep. She looked at the clock to read eight-thirty and wondered why Blake was up. Normally she didn't get until at least nine and got up shortly after.
"You going to get up so we can get going?" Blake asked with a smile.
"Where?" Maura kind of moaned. It was too early to leave.
"My gym battle."
Maura laid her head back on her pillow. Wait. Did she say gym battle?
"You're actually going to challenge the gym?!" Maura said as she jumped out of bed.
"Yeah, if you hurry up." Blake snorted. Her sister never ceased to amaze her or make her smile.
"I'm coming! Don't leave me!"
As the two walked into the gym a familiar face greeted them. Gurkinn was there with a young blonde girl. Blake knew she was the gym leader now.
"I was so excited to hear from Grandfather that I might have a challenger! It's been a while!" The blonde girl said.
"Korrina is that anyway to great them." Gurkinn said.
"Sorry, you're right. Welcome to the Shalour Gym. I'm the gym leader Korrina."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Blake and this is my sister Maura. I'm here because I want to challenge you to a battle."
"Yipee!" Korrina cried as she jumped up and roller skated over to the leader's box on the field. "I'm ready when you are!"
"Well, are you ready?" Gurkinn asked Blake.
"She'd beyond ready!" Maura said. Gurkinn looked to Blake and saw the older sister smile.
"Yeah, I am and more importantly so are my Pokémon."
"Well then, let's get started." Gurkinn said as he walked over to the referee station. "The gym battle between Korrina the Shalour City Gym Leader and Blake the challenger will now begin. Each side will use three Pokémon and the battle will be over when one side can no longer continue. Furthermore only the challenger can substitute Pokémon. Trainers begin!"
"Mienfoo you're up!" Korrina said calling out her fighting type.
"Eevee, I choose you!" Blake called out her normal type.
"You're using a normal type?" Korrina asked. "Are you sure?"
"Of course we're sure."
"Vui!" Eevee agreed.
"Whatever. You can have the first move!"
"Fine by me. Eevee Swift!"
"Mienfoo counter with your Swift!" Both attacks of glowing stars collided with one another creating a smoke cloud that covered the field. "Force Palm!"
"Dodge it with Quick Attack!"
Eevee quickly moved out of the way with a burst of speed, but Mienfoo turned toward her and without direction of his trainer launched a Swift attack. Eevee braced herself again the field as she was pelted with Swift.
"High Jump Kick!"
"Sand Attack!" Blake cried and Eevee turned and kicked her back feet up at Mienfoo throwing sand into his eyes. She then jumped out of the way and the fighting type slammed into the ground taking damage from his missed attack. Mienfoo winced and couldn't get up. "Quick Attack!"
"Vi!" Eevee cried as she sprinted and slammed her body into Mienfoo as hard as she could. Mienfoo was then pushed by the force back toward his trainer and stopped near her feet.
"Mienfoo is unable to battle! The winner is Eevee!"
"Vui." Eevee said giving her head a shake in pride. Blake swore if the little brown Pokémon had any kind of hair she'd be tossing it up like the sassy Pokémon she truly was.
"Thanks Mienfoo. That was awesome! I never thought we'd be defeated by a normal type!" Korrina said. "But I can guarantee we won't be losing again. Machoke go!"
"Choke!"
"Want to stay in girl?" Blake asked.
"Vi." Eevee nodded. She was ready to go for another round of battling.
"Alright then. Start off with Swift!"
Machoke took the attack head on as he shielded himself with his arms. After the pelting stopped he moved his arms down and stared at the normal type.
"Brick Break!"
"Quick Attack!" Both attacks collided with one another and Machoke overpowered Eevee and sent her toward the ground. She bounced a little before she shakenly got up.
"Low Sweep!"
The muscle Pokémon was much faster than he looked and came at Eevee in less than a second and swept his leg knocking her back off her feet.
"Swift!" Blake called her attack to attempt to make the other Pokémon back away.
"Focus Blast!" Machoke then created an orb of focused fighting energy and slammed it down on Eevee. The Swift did nothing to try and stop the attack. The only upside was that it was causing some damage. Upon contact there was an explosion and when the smoke clear Machoke stood over a fainted Eevee.
"Eevee is unable to battle! The winner is Machoke!"
"Thanks Eevee, you were great." Blake said as she returned Eevee to her ball and picked out another one. "Houndour I choose you!"
"A dark type?"
"I want to train dark types."
"I get it now!" Korrina said. Gurkinn never told Korrina Blake trained dark types. All he told his granddaughter was that he met a trainer who wasn't sure about challenging the gym that had come seen him for advice. "Well, I am glad you stopped by, but you won't walk out the winner. Not after Machoke uses Power-Up Punch!"
"Smog!" Blake cried. With a lunge Houndour let out a dark green smoke from his mouth that engulfed Machoke and then the field surrounding. "Incinerate!" Swinging his head he fired multiple barrages of fire that entered the Smog and set off the poisonous gas in a ripple of explosions. As the smoke cleared Machoke was kneeling and his nose had a bridge of purple.
"Hou!" Houndour barked.
"Nice job."
"Focus Blast!" Machoke, in his weaken state, launched a Focus Blast before falling back onto his knees.
"Jump up and dodge it!" As his trainer commanded the incoming Focus Blast fell under Houndour's feet onto the ground as the dark type was currently in mid-air. "Fire Fang!" In a quick decent Houndour came down toward Machoke with his mouth engulfed in flames.
"Grab it!" Machoke then reached up and grabbed Houndour by the face and slammed him against the ground. Houndour looked up from his place and growled through his hand-made muzzle. "Power-Up Punch!"
"Incinerate!"
Blake wasn't sure how well the move would work with the hand covering Houndour's mouth, but it seemed to do the job as the barrages of fire pushed past and struck Machoke as his fist came down. The combinations of power of the punch and fire left a smoke covering the field. Neither trainer was sure about their Pokémon as they watched. As it cleared Machoke laid flat on his back and while Houndour was sprawled out on his stomach.
"Both Pokémon are unable to battle!"
"Thank you Machoke."
"You did great Houndour."
Blake was an interesting individual in Gurkinn's eyes. He had just met her and yet she seemed to have more than what most of trainers that came by lacked. Trust. Blake trusted each of her Pokémon and in return they trusted her. She could see it with Eevee and Houndour. Both at disadvantages and yet strong Pokémon that were able to overcome their challenge. The older man, as wise as his years, looked to his granddaughter. Korrina looked happy and was actually learning. She was still learning from him, herself, and her challengers.
"We're not giving up yet Blake! Hawlucha I choose you!"
"Haw!" the flying and fighting type cried.
"We're not either. Frogadier I choose you!"
"Frog!" the water type shouted.
"You can do it Blake! You too Frogadier!" Maura cried from her place behind her. If she was in a seat she'd be on the edge. She wanted the battle to end to stop the suspense, but she wanted to see how Blake was going to win. She knew nothing could beat her sister. Blake and Frogadier were a force to be reckon with. They trained for this moment. They just had to win.
Blake felt at ease with Frogadier being her last choice and with Maura backing her up. They believed in her abilities. Plus Frogadier wasn't at a type disadvantage yet and he was her strongest Pokémon. Plus she trusted him to be able to get the battle won when she needed him. The others felt the same and Blake still remembered her water type attempting to hide the blush when they spoke about order. Sure, the order could change, but she was already going into the battle at a disadvantage so she might as well plan accordingly.
"Aerial Ace!" Korrina cried.
"Counter with yours!" Blake answered. Both Pokémon blocked one another before quickly jumping away to avoid any close range attacks either trainer could call. "Smokescreen!"
"Hone Claws!" Korrina commanded her Pokémon in order to gain some advantage.
"Water Pledge!"
Towers of water appeared around Hawlucha before they motioned as they were going to come toward her.
"Flying Press!"
Using the dual-type damaging move Hawlucha was able to break through the Water Pledge before she was completely overcome by the water. With her raised attack she felt she didn't take as much damage as she should have normally. Unprepared Frogadier didn't have time to move and was slammed by Hawlucha. The fighting and flying type held the water type down.
"Smokescreen!" Blake called. Hawlucha backed away as she received a face full of smoke and quickly attempted to rid of the smoke in her eyes and mouth. Frogadier got and rubbed the sore area on his chest and grinned at the freaked out Pokémon. "Help it out with Water Pulse!"
"Frog!" Frogadier shouted as he launched the attack.
"Hawlucha!" Korrina cried and then saw her Pokémon was alright. "Awesome! Hawlucha use Power-Up Punch!"
"Haw!"
"Dodge!"
Frogadier flipped back and up into the air to avoid the attack only to see Hawlucha had followed him. Hawlucha struck Frogadier in the face and sent him hurtling toward the ground.
"Water Pledge!" Blake cried during his decent.
"Frog." Frogadier said as he turned his body and struck in fist against the field causing the pillars of water to appear. Hawlucha landed on each one and was blasted pillar until she landed harshly on the field. As Hawlucha fell Frogadier stayed in a hand stance waiting despite his aching body. Hawlucha slowly got up.
"Aerial Ace!" Frogadier flipped and as soon as his legs hit the ground he sprinted and struck Hawlucha in her mid-section sending her straight into the wall.
"Oh no!" Korrina cried while the dust settled.
"Hawlucha is unable to battle! The winner is Frogadier thus the winner of the match is Blake, the challenger!"
"We...won." Blake said herself. Honestly, she didn't think she was going to win. Everything was so fast paced and spur of the moment she didn't know whether or not she was going to be able to keep up.
"Froga!" Frogadier cried as he jumped and hugged his trainer. The unexpected weight caused them to collapse.
"You did it!" Maura said as she joined in on the dog pile on Blake.
"I did it. I won a gym battle! Thank you so much!" Blake said as she returned the hug to her Pokémon before turning to hug her sister. "Thank you for believing in me."
"Why wouldn't I?" Maura said. Blake was speechless. Maura was always going to be there.
"Blake. Congratulations. That was a good battle and now I know never to doubt someone with a type disadvantage. Thank you. Here, proof of winning here at the Shalour Gym, the Rumble Badge." Korrina said as she pulled a badge out.
"Wow. Thank you." Blake said accepting the badge.
"Blake, I thought of something cool! We can get a frame and so we can prove to your future challengers that you've overcome other type advantages!" Maura suggested.
"That sounds like a great idea!" Blake said. That would be interesting to see those hanging. She dared any challenger to come into her future gym claiming they could win because they brought bug, fairy, and fighting types.
"You want to be a gym leader?!" Korrina asked excitedly.
"Yup! My sister is going to be best dark type gym leader ever!" Maura said. Blake rolled her eyes. Maura always said that and Blake wondered if she would be right.
"No I will!" Korrina said.
"No! Blake will!" Maura countered.
"Children." Blake sighed as shook her head lightly.
"Blake." Gurkinn said getting her attention while the two were debating about who the better gym leader was.
"Yes?"
"You have an unbelievable amount of trust in your Pokémon." Gurkinn said.
"Well of course. They all gave me a chance when they didn't have any reasons not too. As Froakie, Frogadier saw me as someone getting into a trouble, Houndour uses to belong to some bad people, and Eevee was a thief. I showed them my trust in them when no one else would. I would hope they would see I won't betray them and show the same." Blake explained.
Gurkinn was taken back a minute. That was very big of the young trainer. Not very many people would trust any Pokémon that seemed to be trouble. From what he had seen on the battle field Blake didn't have any trouble with her Pokémon trusting her.
"Have you considered looking into Mega Evolution?" he asked.
"Mega Evolution?" Blake questioned. She had heard rumors about fully evolved Pokémon evolving again, but never truly knew anything about it. By then Maura and Korrina had stopped their debate silently agreeing to decide this at later date. They had heard their two family members about something Maura recalled as Mega Evolution.
"When a trainer and the Pokémon hold the right stones they'll give the Pokémon the ability to evolve further. However, the Pokémon also needs a strong bond and that bond starts with trust."
"I don't know about that." Blake said unsure.
"Don't be modest. I think with time you would be a trainer that can accomplish Mega Evolution."
"Thank you," Blake said bowing. "But I don't think any of my Pokémon would be able to."
"Of course they would be. They are all fine Pokémon, but there are no record of Greninja or Eevee Evolution mega evolutions."
"I guess Blake needs to find a Pokémon that has a stone."
"I already have one, don't I?" Blake asked taking note of what Gurkinn had said.
"You tell me."
"Houndour. Houndoom has a mega evolution, doesn't he?" Blake said.
"Houndour? That sounds amazing! Blake evolve Houndour and get on it!" Maura said wanting to see her friend much stronger than he already was.
"It doesn't work like that and I won't make him do anything." Blake said.
"You're right. I need to consider the Pokémon before anything else." Maura said remembering the advice and lessons Blake had been teaching her about being a trainer. Her birthday was coming up soon and then she might be able to get a Pokémon of her own. Might. She wasn't sure about them being on the road and she hated to ask Blake to travel somewhere just to fulfil her selfish desire to obtain a Pokémon of her own.
"No matter, please whenever you wish to visit the matter please do come and see. I shall see of you are prepared."
"Thank you." Blake said bowing. "Thank you for everything you'd done for me. For once I can actually see my dream and not just the idea."
AN: That's the end of the chapter and longest one! Blake has completed a gym challenge and even got some answers she was looking along with another to ponder. Anyway, I hope you've enjoyed the chapter that originally supposed to be two separate one! Please Review, Favorite, and Follow! See you next chapter! Bye Friends!