Chapter 20 – Volan and Stephan vs Lenora
Last time on "Tale of a Legend"…
Volan, Thrin, and Stephan met up with Burgh, the Castelia City Gym Leader, outside Pinwheel Forest! Burgh accepted their offer to help them track down Team Plasma and recover the Rayquaza skull. The group split up when the path they had taken forked. Volan and Stephan ended up finding two Team Plasma Grunts, as well as one of the Seven Sages. The Sage, Gorm, was about to initiate a battle with Volan, when an army of Sewaddle followed by Burgh and Thrin appeared. As Gorm revealed, Team Plasma didn't need the Rayquaza skull after all, so they retreated under cover of a Haze attack.
-.-.-.-.-.
Volan, Thrin, Bernice, and Stephan all watched as Hawes and Lenora oversaw the re-installation of the Rayquaza skull to its rightful place atop the tremendous skeleton's neck. As they looked on, the skull was lowered toward and then sealed back on to Rayquaza's body by the museum staff. The skull was released from its bonds now that it was secure, and the staff backed away from the Legendary Pokemon.
The Rayquaza skeleton was truly an awe-inspiring sight, made even more amazing with the glow of the setting sun streaming down from the repaired windows on the ceiling and washing over its bones. Once again, the ancient dragon was complete.
And it was all thanks to the valiant efforts of none other than our three heroes.
"I can't thank you enough," Lenora said, for what seemed like the hundredth time. "With such strong and talented Trainers taking care of them, the Pokemon with you must be very happy."
Thrin blushed, Stephan rubbed the back of his head, and Volan looked down at his feet as Lenora bowed gratefully to them and Hawes blubbered out a tearful thank-you. They knew that they had done the museum a huge service in recovering the Rayquaza skull, but all of these emotional thank-yous were simply too much!
Lenora kept talking. "Now, because you three have retrieved the skull and saved us a boatload of work – Hawes, dear, calm down – we owe you a tremendous favor. So, I'm going to pay you back right now. Follow us, please!"
The dark-skinned woman gestured for them to come along as she and her husband led them back to the front lobby and then down the dark corridor that led to the library. While Thrin and Stephan gazed around at their new surroundings, Volan wondered what Lenora could possibly be thinking.
When they entered the library, the three of them stared in awe at the gigantic, dim room filled to the brim with books. Even Volan, who had been here earlier today, couldn't help but gawk once more at the magnificent library. It was simply that amazing.
"Usually, my dears," Lenora was saying, "Trainers who challenge the Nacrene Gym must complete a puzzle in order to find the hidden entrance in this very library. But since you three have already proven yourselves as worthy challengers in Pinwheel Forest, I will lead you to the entrance myself!"
Stephan was looking really psyched, and Volan couldn't help but feel excited himself. At last, I'm able to get my second Unova League Gym badge, he thought, a chill of anticipation coursing through him. Then we can move on to Castelia City and challenge Burgh, and before I know it, I'll have eight Gym badges!
Volan stopped his thoughts before they ran too far ahead. He knew that if this Gym was anything like the previous one, then it would be hard to beat Lenora. It was better to concentrate on the here and now, rather than get ahead of himself.
They stopped in front of one of the many bookshelves that lined the walls. "Volan, hun," said Lenora, gesturing for him to step forward. "Why don't you take a look at that book?"
The Gurei boy eyed the indicated work of literature suspiciously. It was a thick tome entitled The Laws and Politics of the Kanto Region. Inwardly, Volan shuddered.
Maybe this has something to do with the puzzle, he thought. That's why Lenora's telling me to look at it. Hmm, if she's telling me to do so, then maybe it's worth a shot.
Volan extended his arm up toward the shelf and easily reached the book. The instant he pulled it from its place between the other books, there was a loud clicking sound, and the entire shelf began to slide downward into the floor!
As the shelf slowly disappeared inch by inch, Thrin gasped loudly and covered her mouth shock. When the last of it had vanished into the floor – the top remained slightly aboveground – a secret door was revealed.
"Color me impressed!" Stephan commented.
"Likewise," Volan agreed.
"Well, let's get going, dears!" Lenora said, stepping out of the way. "This battle isn't going to fight itself, you know! After you, you three."
Volan turned the doorknob and immediately found himself inside a wide stadium, just like the one at the Striaton Gym. The battlefield was the same as every official Unova League battlefield he had come across, with the white borders and dirt floor.
One by one, the others followed him in. "So, who's going first?" Hawes asked after he had closed the door.
"Pardon me?" Volan asked, raising his eyebrows.
Lenora laughed and explained, "I'm going to let you all battle me, one at a time. Each of you will fight against one of my Pokemon, and for each win, I give up a badge. Sound fair?"
Thrin shook her head and said, "If you don't mind, Lenora, I'm not interested in Gym challenges. I'm just going to watch these other two."
The Gym Leader nodded, and Hawes allowed Thrin to stand next to him while he served as the referee.
"I'm going first!" Stephan called, rushing out onto the battlefield before Volan could utter a word.
Looks like I'm just going to have to wait, he told himself, sighing.
On the bright side, this would be an excellent opportunity to analyze Lenora's battling strategy.
When both Trainers were ready, Hawes stepped forward and did his duty as referee. "This'll be a one-on-one battle between the challenger, Stuven, and the Gym Leader, Lenora! The match will be over when either Pokemon is unable to battle!"
"Why can't anyone get my name right?!" yelled Stephan in frustration.
"Now, call out your Pokemon and begin!" Hawes finished, ignoring Stephan's cry.
"Herdier, go!" called Lenora. From the Poke Ball she produced from her pocket, a large, brown dog-like Pokemon appeared with a confident bark.
Volan took out his Pokedex. "Herdier, the Loyal Dog Pokemon," stated the device. "It was one of the very first Pokemon domesticated by mankind. For centuries, people have used them to help train other species. It has black, cape-like fur that is very dense and acts as a shock absorber, decreasing any damage inflicted on it. This specimen is female, has the Sand Rush ability, and knows the attacks Take Down, Bite, Leer, and Roar."
"Hmm," Volan mused as he watched from the sidelines. "Roar will be useless in a one-on-one battle, so at least Stephan doesn't have to watch out for that. However, the other three will definitely be a problem."
"Oh yeah?" interrupted Stephan, overhearing his muttering. "Just you wait, I'll win this battle in a flash! I choose you, Sawk!"
He tossed his waiting Poke Ball, and out came a blue, humanoid Pokemon wearing a set of white robes. The Pokemon was in a kneeling position with its eyes closed for a moment, then opened its eyes and declared, "Sawk."
Volan turned his Pokedex toward the powerful-looking humanoid. "Sawk, the Karate Pokemon. Tying their belts more tightly around their waists gets them pumped and makes their punches more destructive. The sound of these punches hitting boulders and trees can be heard from the mountains where they train endlessly. The art of karate was invented, and later perfected, with the cooperation of this Pokemon. This individual is a mature male and has the Inner Focus ability. His attacks are Karate Chop, Bulk Up, Low Sweep, and Focus Energy."
A Fighting-type, and a powerful one at that, Volan thought. Stephan might have a great chance at winning this. But Lenora's a Gym Leader, and not to be underestimated. He could tell that Bernice was thinking the same thing.
"Sawk, start out by using Focus Energy!" ordered Stephan. Sawk didn't budge, simply closed its eyes again and concentrated.
"Herdier, get in its face and use Leer," Lenora said.
"Growwwf!" barked Herdier. She bounded across the battlefield and stopped when she reached Sawk, glaring intensely at his face. When Sawk opened his eyes at last, he was momentarily startled at seeing Herdier's angry glare inches away from him.
"Don't let it bother you, Sawk!" called Stephan. "Instead, give Herdier a Karate Chop!"
Sawk finally got to his feet and assumed a fighting stance, his right hand starting to glow white. He yelled a terrible battle cry, charging forward a couple of paces and bringing his hand down onto Herdier. The dog-like Pokemon winced, but Sawk did as well. His Karate Chop had hit Herdier's black fur, which was indeed tougher than it looked.
"Now, Herdier, use Take Down!" Lenora commanded.
"Grooooohhh!" the Normal-type howled, throwing herself at Sawk. She slammed into his midsection, sending the Fighting-type tumbling to the ground. But he didn't stay down – he simply used his momentum to roll back onto his feet.
"Sawk, Karate Chop again!" yelled Stephan.
"Sawwwwwk!" cried the Karate Pokemon, striking with his glowing hand again. But once again, it inflicted little damage as Herdier maneuvered herself so that the Karate Chop hit her shock-absorbing fur.
They're going to have to get past those defenses if they want to win this, Volan realized. Lenora is indeed tough.
Stephan gritted his teeth as he realized this as well. But Volan could see that his friend still felt confident that he could win. "Use Bulk Up, Sawk!" he cried.
The already beefy Fighting-type flexed, making his muscles bulge.
"Now Low Sweep!" called Stephan.
Sawk then jumped forward and slid toward Herdier, looking like he was about to strike with his right foot. But when Herdier jumped out of the way, his left foot came out at an angle and smashed into the Normal-type's leg, knocking her to the ground.
"Herdier, get up!" called Lenora, clearly trying to think fast.
"Finish with Karate Chop, Sawk!" yelled Stephan triumphantly.
"SAWWWWWK!" screamed Sawk as he leapt towards the upended Herdier. She struggled to get to her feet, but without any luck. Sawk brought his hand down onto her exposed belly with all the force his bulked-up strength would allow.
There wasn't any dramatic cloud of dust that signaled the end of the battle like when Bianca's Snivy defeated Cress' Panpour. The Loyal Dog Pokemon suddenly went stiff from the impact, then slumped limply to the ground. She moaned lowly, the sound petering out into nothingness.
"Herdier is unable to battle!" Hawes announced, somewhat disappointed. "So the match goes to Sven's Sawk!"
"Can someone get my name right for once?!" Stephan burst out, while Sawk watched his Trainer with silent exasperation. He conceded, though, and muttered, "Ugh, guess it can't be helped… Sawk, return."
"Sawk," the Fighting-type replied with a bow. "It was an honor battling with you, Master Steven."
Bernice suddenly trilled with laughter at Sawk's remark, and no human present could really figure out why.
When Sawk had disappeared into his Poke Ball, Stephan stepped away from his position on the battlefield to make way for Volan.
"Good job, Stephan," the Gurei boy congratulated him, as they passed each other.
"Y-You know how to m-make a guy happy, V-Volan!" Stephan called after him, crying tears of joy for having his name pronounced correctly. Volan just shook his head with a slight grin.
"Are you ready, hun?" Lenora called across the battlefield.
"Ready as I'll ever be," Volan replied, then turned to Bernice. "Are you ready to win this, girl?"
"Pi-Pidoooooove!" cooed Bernice, spreading her wings confidently and fluttering down to the battlefield.
"I like your fighting spirits, both of you!" said Lenora approvingly. "Now time to battle! Go, Watchog!"
The Pokemon that appeared was a strangely intimidating one. It resembled a taller, leaner Patrat with yellow markings all along its body. Its tail was held vertically and was almost as long as the Pokemon itself. It had its arms crossed confidently, blinking a challenge from its leering red eyes.
"Watchog, the Lookout Pokemon and the evolved form of Patrat," explained Volan's Pokedex. "When they see an enemy, their tails stand high to alert others. They can stay on the lookout for days by storing berries and seeds in their cheek pouches. If threatened, the markings on their bodies glow bright yellow to alert their allies. Their predators are diverse and many, so their perpetual state of paranoia only helps them survive in the wild. This adult female has the ability Keen Eye and the attacks Bite, Retaliate, Hypnosis, and Leer."
Volan's eye involuntarily twitched when he read over Watchog's attacks. Bite and Leer were nothing to worry about, but Retaliate and Hypnosis were definitely something to be wary of.
"Bernice," he called in a cautionary voice. "This is a tough opponent, so don't feel bad if we lose this, alright?"
"Doooove!" confirmed Bernice. "No hard feelings no matter who goes down."
"That's the spirit," Volan said with a smile. "Now open up with Quick Attack!"
Bernice absorbed white light from around her and shot forward with it blazing behind her. She seemed faster than ever, but that could have easily been because Volan hadn't battled with her in a while.
"Retaliate!" Lenora retorted, and Watchog charged towards the incoming bird, markings glowing slightly.
Volan almost panicked. Retaliate did massive damage if used right after the defeat of a comrade. If it hit, Bernice would almost certainly be knocked out in one hit.
"Use your Quick Attack to change direction and get out of there!" he ordered.
"Dove!" replied Bernice, angling herself away from Watchog. She flew up and to the right, then circled around so that she was directly behind her enemy.
"Now use Gust!" Volan yelled.
"Pidoooooove!" trilled the Normal-and-Flying-type, releasing a huge burst of wind from her now-glowing wings. It slammed into Watchog, who was still running forward, unable to react in time to Bernice's sudden disappearance. The wind caused her to lose her balance and fall.
"Air Cutter while she's down!" Volan ordered immediately.
Bernice flew directly above the fallen Watchog and launched three wind currents with a single flap of her wings. All three of them connected and battered the meerkat-like Pokemon.
"Watchog, get up and use Leer!" Lenora shouted.
"Watch… Watchog…" muttered Watchog, struggling to stand up after the beating she had just went through.
Volan could clearly see the bruises and scrapes she had acquired from Bernice's attacks. But she soon shook the pain off and leapt straight into the air at Bernice. She hovered in the air for a split second as her jump reached its peak, glaring intensely into Bernice's eyes. However, the Pidove was completely unfazed, and Watchog plummeted back to the ground, barely managing to land on her feet.
"But how?" gasped Lenora, shocked that Leer didn't have an effect.
Allowing a smirk to cross his face, Volan explained, "Bernice's ability is Big Pecks. First time I've seen it in battle, to be honest. Now Bernice, use Quick Attack again!"
"Dove doooooove!" she cooed shrilly, blazing through the air at Watchog.
Already getting tired from her shaky start earlier in the battle, Watchog couldn't compensate for Bernice's speed. As a result, the Normal-and-Flying-type plowed into her midsection and sent her sprawling.
"Can you stand, Watchog?" Lenora called desperately.
"Waaatch…" the Lookout Pokemon said shakily, staggering to her feet once more. There was no way she would let herself lose to a tiny bird like Bernice.
"I guess we can't use Leer after all," the Gym Leader muttered. "Oh well, the direct approach works best. Use Bite!"
"Waaaaaatchog!" cried the Normal-type, snapping randomly at the air as she ran toward the hovering Bernice.
"Get out of there by using Gust!" cried Volan. He didn't want Bite to connect, not after what happened four years ago.
Bernice gave her wings a single powerful flap. The resulting Gust propelled her straight up into the air and simultaneously caused a cloud of dust to rush into Watchog's face. But thanks to the Keen Eye ability, she wasn't fazed by the flying dirt.
"Air Cutter, go!" Volan yelled up to her.
"Dodge it, Watchog!" Lenora retorted.
Bernice flapped her wings furiously, sending blades of wind shrieking down around the battlefield. Watchog was ready for them, though, and leapt around every single one of them.
"Quick Attack!" ordered Volan.
Even as the last of the Air Cutters fell down around Watchog, Bernice blasted past them and on a direct course for her opponent. However, the Lookout Pokemon grinned and jumped out of the way of that as well.
"Watch Watchog!" she sneered. "Is that the best you've got?"
Her remark incensed the already-frustrated Bernice. "Doooooove, Pidoooove!" she shot back. "I'm just getting warmed up!"
"I have to say, Volan, that your Pidove is extremely well trained," Lenora remarked, letting her voice carry across the battlefield. "The bond between you and Bernice is obvious. And strong too, I might add!"
Volan just smiled. "Thanks," he replied. "Watchog is definitely a tough opponent. You've got a strong bond with her as well."
"Hey!" Stephan yelled impatiently. "Are you going to talk, or are you going to fight?!"
"Just watch," Volan muttered.
Then at the same time, both Volan and Lenora commanded, "Hypnosis!"
At exactly the same time, a triangle of orbs appeared around each Pokemon and began to spin wildly around. Both Bernice and Watchog were transfixed by the other's Hypnosis attack, but they managed to keep up their own. Both attacks traveled faster and faster as Bernice and Watchog tried to out-hypnotize the other.
Finally, they couldn't concentrate any longer. Each set of glowing orbs slowly faded as the Pokemon that summoned them fought to stay awake. It was now a matter of who fell asleep first, and if the one left standing would be able to muster the strength to deal the final blow.
Volan and Lenora both waited to see who would drop first. Hawes, Thrin, and Stephan all looked tense as they held their breaths. Suspense was written all over the battlefield.
At last, Watchog couldn't stay awake any longer. She fell face-first into the ground and started snoring.
Then, Bernice allowed herself to give up as well. She fluttered down to earth and landed spread-eagled (spread-pigeoned?) on the ground, asleep in an instant.
Hawes was indecisive. He'd never seen a battle end in a Hypnosis contest before. But finally, he seemed to reach a decision. He raised his arms and said uncertainly, "Um… both Pokemon are unable to battle. But because Watchog fell asleep first, uh, I declare Volan and Bernice to be the winners."
Even as Lenora willed herself to relax and recalled Watchog into her Poke Ball, Volan walked out onto the battlefield and picked Bernice up, holding her comfortably in his arms.
"We did it," he murmured to his sleeping Pokemon. "You held out long enough for us to win. You deserve a nice, long rest." But obviously, Bernice had beaten him to it.
"That was awesome! You won again!" Thrin cheered, running over to hug her brother from behind. He just chuckled sheepishly and said nothing.
"It was a seriously intense battle you fought out there, Volan!" Stephan offered, slapping the Gurei boy on the shoulder. "I think that Pidove of yours could give even Sawk a run for his money!"
"I doubt that," Volan said, shrugging and laughing again. "Your Sawk was pretty impressive stuff."
Before Stephan could reply, Lenora approached them. She seemed to have something clenched in her fist.
"Excellent job, the both of you," she said. "You've definitely given me the first challenge I've had in a while. I feel absolutely no regret in admitting defeat and giving you these."
She opened her fist and held her hand out to the Trainers. Sitting in her palm were two badges. They consisted of a single long purple rectangle trimmed with gold.
"Take these Basic Badges," Lenora told them with a smile. "You've earned them, several times over."
Basic Badge? Suits it, I guess, Volan thought as he shifted Bernice in his arms in order to take the badge. Stephan did the same.
"Thanks for the battle," Volan said.
"Yeah, it's been fun!" Stephan agreed.
"I had fun just watching you three!" Thrin piped up.
Lenora nodded and shook all of their hands. "You three be careful on your journey, you hear?" she said. "And feel free to drop by the museum again anytime."
"We will," Volan replied.
There was a small interlude in which no one said anything. Finally, Thrin suggested, "It's getting late now, so why not go back to the Pokemon Center? Then we can continue onwards in the morning."
"Let's go then," agreed Volan, heading toward the door.
Lenora and Hawes waved in farewell as the three Trainers exited the Gym and entered the comforting silence of the library once more.
-.-.-.-.-.
Badge No. 2 for Volan and Stephan! Now it's on to Castelia City, where they can challenge Burgh and his Bug-types – as well as a certain Trainer I've been looking forward to introducing for a long time…
But for now, just wait for the next chapter, my dear readers!
Also, while I was writing this, I accidentally called Rayquaza an Elder Dragon! Oops.
Lenora: "Why don't you review, hun?"
Chapter Question #11: Should Volan and Stephan fight all their Gym battles together like that? Or should I concentrate only on Volan's battles?
I'm having trouble deciding, so I'm throwing it open to you readers.
-.-.-.-.-.
Volan's Party:
Bernice (Pidove, female)
Ability: Big Pecks
Attacks: Air Cutter, Gust, Quick Attack, Hypnosis
Grunge (Garbodor, male)
Ability: Weak Armor
Attacks: Pound, Body Slam, Poison Gas, Solarbeam
Rickie (Tympole, male)
Ability: Hydration
Attacks: Bubblebeam, Supersonic, Sing, Mud Shot
Thrin's Party:
Oliver (Tepig, male)
Ability: Blaze
Attacks: Flame Charge, Tail Whip, Body Slam, Ember
Luna (Munna, female)
Ability: Synchronize
Attacks: Psywave, Defense Curl, Yawn, Psybeam