Chapter 14: Zephyr Badge

A/N: Hello everybody! I just came back from a conference with my colleagues. What was the topic? "The Epic-Logue - One Long Long Chapter or Splited Up Into Several Chapters". After a major discussion, we've decided to write it in several different chapters.

So here, we - Troller Team - bring to you this chapter...

(insert random name): Zephyr Badge

...

Two months after the epic battle at Team Copper's HQ...

Pearl, Platinum, Paka and Uji were standing in Route 32, just outside the Union Cave. Diamond's leg was still recovering and thus couldn't join the PPPU quartret.

"Let's see..." Pearl said, once again fulfilling his duty as the journey's control tower and summarizer. "You defeated Winter, Clair, Jasmine, Chuck, Morty, Whitney and Bugsy... In fact, Falkner's the only Gym Leader in Johto you haven't challenged yet. Don't worry," he added. "I don't think he's super duper tough."

"I see..." Platinum frowned. "He specializes in Flying-type Pokémon right?"

"Yeah." Pearl nodded. "To counter, you should use your Froslass, Pachirisu and Empleon - since it resists Flying moves - to blow him down." The blond boy then paused to think. "However, you should keep your Froslass out when you do battle against his Skarmory, however, since it may knock her out with super-effective Steel moves."

Platinum nodded to show that she understood.

Paka let out a ear-splitting whistle. "Let the training... Begin!"

...

At Pallet Town...

Red, Blue, Green and Yellow were hanging out at Red's home. Yup, just the four of them. What were they doing? Double dating? Let's have a closer look.

"Hey," Blue said. "Guess what?"

"What?" the other three replied.

The Evolver grinned. "Bouncing Off The Walls, the new girl band, is performing live next week! Awesome!"

"Uh..." Red said. "... They wrote the song Solo, right?"

Blue and Green face-palmed, while Yellow struggled not to giggle at her boyfriend's a ultimate denseness.

"Yes, they wrote Solo, Red! It's their album's name!" Blue answered the dense PokéDex Owner with exasperation.

"Ah, I see." Red's eyes were cleared of the confusion. But the confusion soon came back. "What's Solo based on?"

The blonde couldn't hold in her laughter anymore. She laughed so hard she nearly fell off the couch. Tears soon streamed down her face due to the heavy laughter.

"Solo is based on the Johto Idol, Mr Red," Blue said, sighing. "You know what the Johto Idol is, right?"

Red nodded. "Though I don't watch it."

Blue, who was usually calm, nearly exploded. "Then how would you understand what Solo means?!"

...

Three days later...

"Mr Falkner!" Platinum shouted. "I-I'm here to challenge you for the Zephyr Badge!"

Falkner stepped out of the shadows. "I've been waiting for your challenge for two months," he informed Platinum. He pulled out a Pokéball. "C'mon, let's not delay. We shall do battle!"

Pearl, who was watching on the sidelines as usual, sweat-dropped. He kinda sounds like Chuck, if you ask me, he thought.

Platinum sent out her Pachirisu, while Falkner sent out his Pidgeotto.

"Pachirisu, Attract that Pidgeotto!" Platinum cried. "And... Thunderbolt!"

"Whoa!" Falkner blinked. "That was fast. Then again, you do have twenty-three Badges with you. Get your next Pokémon ready. I'm counting on you, Noctowl!" He sent out his Noctowl.

"Pachirsu, take a breather! Go, Froslass!" Platinum said as she sent out her Froslass. Once again, she dominated the first move with Ice Shard, thus knocking Noctowl out.

"Wow, even Noctowl's down! Congrats!" Falkner said. His eyes then flashed dangerousAnd and he sent out his last Pokémon, Skarmory. He folded his arms. "This is where the real battle starts."

...

The Kanto, Johto and Hoenn PokéDex Owners were gathered outside the Violet Gym. They were planning to celebrate Platinum earning twenty-four badges after she defeats Falkner.

"Platinum, Platinum..." they all chanted softly.

...

"I'm relying in you to defeat that Skarmory, Rapidash!" Platinum said. "Flamethrower!"

"Flamethrower's effect was halved, thanks to the Occa Berry that my Skarmory's holding," Falkner informed Platinum calmly. "Skarmory, Metal Sound!"

Metal Sound... A move that lowers the foe's Special Defense... Pearl thought, analyzing the battle.

"Skarmory, now use Air Cutter!" Falkner commanded.

"Eek!" Platinum cringed as Rapidash was thrown backwards. So that was his strategy! He wanted to lower Rapidash's Special Defense so that Air Cutter, a Special move, would inflict more damage! she thought in horror.

"Skarmory, lay Spikes down on the floor!" Falkner shouted.

Platinum gritted her teeth. "There must be a way to overcome thus obstacle..." she muttered.

Falkner heard her mutter. "I'm afraid not. I've distanced you and me, so your Fire attacks will most likely miss me. However, distance is not a problem for me! Skarmory, time to increase the pace with Air Slash!"

The situation was bad on Platinum's side because her Rapidash was flung right onto the Spikes due to Air Slash.

Falkner placed his hands on his hips. "Why don't you just give up? Rapidash can't take another blow, while Skarmory is still fairly healthy. It it'd be in top form if you hadn't used Flamethrower, but luckily there was the Occa Berry..."

"Give up?! I'd never do that!" Platinum was aghast. "Rapidash, now's the time we've been waiting for! Fire Blast away!"

"Whoa!"

"That's it! Don't hold back!" Platinum encouraged her Rapidash.

BAM!

Skarmory was down, which meant that Platinum won.

"Congrats, Platinum," Falkner said, handing her the Zephyr Badge.

Platinum cheerfully pinned the Badge onto her muffler.

"That means you have twenty-four badges, huh?" Falkner said idly.

Platinum nodded happily.

"Good for you! Good luck," Falkner said. He looked at the window. "You have company out there."

Platinum bowed. "Thank you for the match!" she said before hurrying outside.

Pearl, Paka and Uji walked out and saw the PokéDex Owners all gathered outside.

"Congratulations, Platinum!" Blue roared as she tossed streamers and balloons at Platinum.

Gold joined in the tossing game and tossed a bangle to her. He then tossed another one to Pearl.

"Hmm?" Platinum said.

"That's a bangle with the ultimate skills for your starters to learn," Crystal explained. "Your Empoleon is to learn Hydro Cannon, Pearl's Chimhiko Blast Burn and Dia's Wig Frenzy Plant."

"Whoa." Platinum passed out.

Pearl caught her bridal style.

...

A/N: Yay for Platinum earning the Zephyr Badge and for the Haughty hint! Whoo!

Please review.