Chapter 21! Enjoy! :)
Disclaimer: I don't own pokemon! If I did, an anime about the games would exist.
''Meloetta'' Speech
'Meloetta' Thoughts
Celadon city was truly a sight to behold. Skyscrapers filled the place, a grand casino stood tall amongst the other buildings, and a very sweet scent wafted through the whole area.
''Perfume,'' Ash noted with a neutral face. He wasn't really fond of the stuff, as he thought it to be a waste of money, but one look at his pokemon told him they didn't share his opinion.
''It smells so sweet,'' Sylveon squeaked.
''I have to agree with you, pipsqueak. What do you think, sprout?'' Pikachu asked Marill.
''Perfume smells nice!'' he said excitedly.
Meloetta looked with pleading eyes at Ash, giving him her best puppy eyes she could muster while clasping her hands together. He knew what she wanted.
''Oh, all right. We can look where it's coming from and buy a bottle or two,'' Ash gave in. Meloetta beamed, and happily smooched him on the lips before leading the way, making the raven haired trainer smile broadly.
'There's no doubt about it. She's way too adorable,' he thought.
A little bit later, Ash was standing in front of the building where the sweet aromas were coming from. ''The pokemon gym?'' he questioned, genuinely surprised, but also pleased that he could probably hit two Pidgey with one stone now. He had no doubt that Erika manufactured the perfumes from her grass-type pokemon. It was actually pretty clever, now that Ash thought about it.
''Well, it looks like we can buy some at the gym, most likely. Shall we go in?'' Ash suggested.
Sylveon and Marill both cheered, already running inside while Pikachu and Meloetta giggled at their antics. The small legendary took a spot on Ash's left shoulder, while Pikachu was on his usual spot on the right. The raven haired trainer smiled at them. ''Are you guys ready?''
''Pika pika!''
''Melo!''
''That's what I like to hear. Let's get our fifth badge.''
Ash calmly strolled inside the gym with his pokemon. The first thing that he noticed when he entered, was the sweet scents increasing in intensity and hitting his olfactory like a truck. It was pretty overwhelming. Moreover, the whole gym was covered in grass, flowers and plants.
''Welcome, challenger!'' a feminine voice further inside the gym greeted. A kind looking young woman wearing a kimono was waiting patiently for Ash to approach. Sylveon and Marill were playing in a bed of flowers with each other, eyeing the colorfol flora with big, curious eyes.
''You must be Erika,'' Ash replied, getting excited for a battle. ''My name's Ash Ketchum from Pallet, and I challenge you for a Rainbow badge!''
The young woman gave a petite bow. ''The pleasure is all mine, Ash. I've heard a lot about you from Misty and Brock. I hereby eagerly accept your challenge.''
''Sorry about those two, by the way,'' Ash apologized, referring to Sylveon and Marill, who were still playing with each other and in turn destroying a couple of very beautiful flower beds.
Erika giggled. ''It's no trouble. My grass pokemon can restore them instantly, so don't worry about it,'' she said kindly. ''But,'' she went on, the glint in her eyes changing in that moment to something more competitive, ''what you should worry about is the battle against me in a moment. You may be a young trainer who just started out, but that's not how I'm going to treat you.''
She walked to her side of the grassy battlefield and explained the rules. ''I'm going to use my two strongest grass pokemon for this battle. Moreover, to make things more interesting, I request this will be a double battle. If you manage to win, I'll also give you a box of my finest perfumes for free.''
Ash looked at her incredulously. ''Are you serious?''
Erika nodded. ''I am. However, I should warn you. Nobody has defeated this duo of mine in well over a year. I hope you're prepared, Ash Ketchum. Legendary or not, I will defeat you!''
Ash grinned at Erika's devotion. This was going to be fun. ''All right! Let's do it then. Sylveon, Marill, come here for a sec.''
The two pokemon obediently went over to their trainer. Now that they were all together, they huddled close. ''Okay, this will be a very tough double battle. But, I'm certain that we can do it without using Meloetta. Sorry, sweetie,'' Ash apologized.
She gave him a kiss on the cheek to show him that she didn't mind. ''I'm not going to use Dragonite either for obvious reasons; there wouldn't be much left of Celadon, let alone the gym. Marill has a disadvantage and isn't ready for a gym battle yet, so that leaves my dynamic duo,'' Ash concluded.
''Yay! Uncle Pika, we're going to battle together!'' Sylveon cheered happily.
''We sure are, squirt,'' Pikachu replied, getting pumped up and ready. ''Let's do our best, like always.''
''Good luck, big sis, Uncle Pika!'' Marill cried while jumping up and down.
''Show Erika how amazing you guys are together!'' Meloetta said sweetly, taking her spot on Ash's shoulder again.
''Don't worry, guys. We'll win this for sure,'' Pikachu replied confidently. ''Ready, pipsqueak?''
''Ready when you are!''
Ash smiled and faced Erika. ''We're ready.''
She nodded and smiled. ''Okay then. This'll be an official double battle for the Rainbow badge. Let's begin!''
Erika threw two pokeballs in the air, which opened and revealed two grass pokemon Ash had never seen before. With awe and a quick scan of his pokedex, he learned they were a Leafeon and Lilligant respectively.
Both pokemon looked confident, but in a different way entirely. While Leafeon was pacing impatiently up and down, his sharp eyes scanning the area, Lilligant was just gently standing in one place; it was obvious to Ash what kind of role both pokemon played.
'Leafeon is the offensive pokemon, while Lilligant will play as the supporting pokemon. I have to get rid of Lilligant first. This'll be a perfect opportunity to show off the new attacks both Pikachu and Sylveon have learned.'
''Okay, Pikachu, Sylveon, I choose you!'' Ash shouted. Both pokemon took the field with a happy cry of their name. Their neutral stance gave nothing away of their strategy.
''Interesting. I've never battled a Sylveon before. Not using Meloetta today either, I see. Are my strongest pokemon not good enough for her? You better don't disappoint them now,'' Erika teased with a soft giggle, bowing slightly again. ''First move is yours, Ash.''
''Thank you, and they won't, you'll see! Sylveon, use Moonblast on Lilligant. Pikachu, Quick Attack on Lilligant, let's go!'' Ash commanded.
Erika's eyes narrowed. 'Ash knows what he's doing, immediately going for my healer. Luckily, I have a lot of tricks up my sleeve,' she thought.
''Leafeon, counter Pikachu with your Leaf Sword. Lilligant, use Quiver Dance!''
The grass eeveelution nodded; the green fur on his head grew into a large, glowing sword, and with a mighty cry, protected his team partner by swinging it towards the incoming electric-type.
Pikachu grunted on impact, but he smirked when he held his ground, much to the surprise of the Leafeon. ''Surprised?'' he taunted, ''I might be a small mouse, but I certainly don't lack in the power department.''
''Admirable,'' the much older Leafeon replied, nodding his respect with gritting teeth to his opponent.
At the same time, Sylveon was done preparing her attack; the lustrous orb shot out of her maw with incredible speed. ''Uncle, duck!''
Pikachu did as he was told, while Leafeon could only watch wide-eyed as the attack hit him square in the chest, exploding on impact and sending him flying.
''Great job Pikachu and Sylveon!'' Ash praised. ''Now go for an Iron Tail on Leafeon! Sylveon, Moon Blast on Lilligant again.''
Erika glanced between her downed Leafeon who quickly got up, and her Lilligant, who was still gently standing in the same spot. ''Leafeon, dodge that Iron Tail with your own Quick Attack, and then go for Sylveon. Lilligant, Quiver Dance once more.''
With ease, the grass eeveelution evaded Pikachu's Iron Tail, and with a sudden burst of speed, slammed into his fairy counter part, interrupting her attack. Sylveon cried out, startled by the immense force that had her sliding over a good part of the battle field.
Pikachu growled. ''Hey! Why don't you leave her alone?''
Leafeon ignored his opponent, and instead set chase to Quick Attack Sylveon again. ''Pikachu, protect Sylveon with your own Quick Attack!'' Ash shouted
''I'm on it, Ash!''
Pikachu intercepted Leafeon with stunning ease, his speed far greater than the grass eeveelution. Leafeon grunted, the force of Pikachu throwing him off and making him crash into a patch of flowers out of the battlefield. He gave Pikachu a respectful glance afterwards. ''Very admirable.''
Meanwhile, Lilligant was done setting up. Usually, she indeed played the supportive role; however, Erika noted how Ash immediately saw through that strategy, so she opted for something different to surprise him.
''Are you ready, Lilligant? Use Energy Ball on Sylveon!''
She nodded sweetly to her trainer in obedience. ''Apologies, dearie,'' she said in a kind tone to Sylveon before firing her attack.
''Pikachu, Iron Tail, quickly!'' Ash shouted in alarm. Pikachu responded immediately, hardening his tail and trying to intercept the immensely powerful attack. The Energy Ball clanked against his tail, and to Lilligant's amazement, Pikachu was holding his ground, struggling to steer the attack into another direction.
''Oh my. That's a strong Pikachu indeed,'' Lilligant complimented gently.
Erika, however, wasn't fazed at all. ''Leaf blade,'' she commanded simply. In the next moment, Pikachu was knocked away by Leafeon's attack, forcefully hitting a wall while Lilligant's Energy Ball freely continued its way to the stunned Sylveon. It exploded on impact, sending smoke everywhere.
''Pikachu! Sylveon!'' Ash called out worriedly.
''You see, Ash? My pokemon are too strong for your Pikachu and Sylveon. Forfeit now while you still can,'' she suggested.
The raven haired trainer smiled. ''That's where you're wrong, Erika. You underestimate them. If you think they're already done for, then think again.''
This time, Erika gasped. Both Pikachu and Sylveon were still standing, albeit bruised all over and panting, clearly weakened. ''Impossible. There's no way Pikachu should be standing right now after that Leaf Blade, let alone that Sylveon after taking an Energy Ball boosted by two Quiver Dances.''
''Oh my,'' Lilligant commented, amused.
''Admirable,'' Leafeon added.
Marill and Meloetta cheered loudly for Pikachu and Sylveon, who both snarled at their opponents.
''You dare lay a paw on my pipsqueak?'' Pikachu asked ominously, his cheeks burning with raw energy thanks to the electricity dancing off of it.
''You hurt my Uncle Pika,'' Sylveon whispered angrily, her pupils shrinking to pinpricks while her feelers danced around her like angry snakes.
''It's time,'' they said in union, ''to show you what kind of dynamic duo we really are!''
Ash grinned. ''Sylveon, use Wish! Pikachu, Discharge.''
Erika gasped. ''Don't let her get that Wish up. Attack Sylveon!''
Pikachu's Discharge attack was powerful enough to stop Leafeon in his tracks when he tried to Quick Attack the fairy-type. Lilligant, however, thanks to her boosts, shot another Energy Ball successfully to Sylveon.
''Now, Protect.''
This time, Sylveon was prepared; she put up her Protect, which shielded her completely from the attack. Her Wish came true afterwards, restoring her health.
Ash chuckled at Erika, who now slowly began to lose her cool. ''Sylveon, Wish again. Pikachu, Thunder Wave Lilligant.''
''Leafeon, stop Pikachu!'' Erika quickly shouted in panic.
The grass-type eeveelution obeyed and Quick Attacked Pikachu in the blink of an eye, but that's when he gasped; he felt static running all through his body the moment he made contact, paralyzing him to the bone.
''Like my ability? Static can be handy sometimes,'' Pikachu taunted with a smirk.
''Lilligant, do something!'' Erika screamed.
Lilligant, startled by her trainer's harsh command, quickly fired off another Energy Ball—this time at Pikachu—but Sylveon protected him with ease. Once more, her Wish came true, now restoring Pikachu's health.
''Play time is over,'' Pikachu said with a smirk.
The outcome, in the end, was inevitable, Erika knew. After Leafeon got paralyzed, he was easily picked off by both Pikachu and Sylveon. That only left her Lilligant, and while she had considerable boosts in special defense, special attack and speed, Pikachu's Iron Tail, combined with Sylveon's excellent defenses and healing factor, made it impossible for her to win. She fought bravely, but before long, she too went down.
'He didn't even need his legendary pokemon to defeat me,' she thought in astonishment as Ash was happily hugging his Pikachu and Sylveon after winning the match.
'You truly are a prodigy, Ash Ketchum.'
Did you guys like it, love it, hate it? Reviews is what I love! Next chapter Team Rocket, people. Until then. ^^
~Syrup-Waffle