AN: Hello friends. Well, here is the next chapter: Justin's 4th gym battle. I will now be going over older chapters and revising them, starting from chapter 1. So, the next chapter probably won't be out for awhile. Hope you enjoy this one!
Chapter 26 – Electrifying Battle!
"We're…."
"Finally…"
"HERE!" Justin Riser and Aly Eatos shouted at the top of their lungs while raising their arms (holding their Pokémon Eggs) in the air. The nearby citizens looked at them with confused and judgemental looks, which made the trainers to settle down a bit.
The 2 trainers finally made it to Citrine City just as the sun was setting below the horizon. The city was gigantic, rivaling or even bigger than Ruby City. The buildings were humongous, the size of skyscrapers. There were a lot of people walking around the streets, varying from businessmen to families to Pokémon trainers. There were a lot of flashing light boards on the buildings with various designs of company logos or Pokémon, giving that "happening" feel to the city. There was a yellow colour pattern around all the infrastructure, presumably having to do with the name of the city.
"It certainly is packed here." Aly remarked.
"This is just like the Eruva region where I'm from. Only this time…I see Pokémon around!" Justin exclaimed.
"Well, what first?"
"To the gym obviously!"
"But we just got here. Can't we take a break at the centre first?" Aly whined.
"C'mon Aly, we already had a break and a meal just before we got here. It's time for some battling!" Justin exuberantly shouted, which caused Aly to cringe from the loudness.
"Ok captain loud, I hear you. Let's go…" She sighed. Justin did a fist pump in the air and started to walk into the city with his friend. Only a few steps forward and they were already stopped by a local.
"Hey guys! Just letting you know that there's a special festival happening at City Square later this evening. It would be good if you guys could join!" A tall man in a black suit said, handing a flyer to Aly. The 2 trainers observed the paper to get what it was saying.
"Hmm, sounds like fun!" Aly said.
"Let's go there after my battle!" Justin replied.
"We look forward to seeing you both. Have a wonderful time until then." The man said before walking away towards other entering travellers. Aly put the flyer in her bag and the 2 continued to walk again. After passing by a few blocks and intersections, Justin and Aly finally made it to the Citrine City Gym. The building was bright yellow, having light decorations in the shape of lightning bolts all around.
"Wait, are you sure you're ready? I mean, you and Espeon…" Aly remarked.
"Well, I feel we got better timing and synchronization from that battle with Caius. But, I also think an actual gym battle will help us out the most. There's no better way to learn than being in the moment, in those intense situations, you know?" Justin explained.
"…I shouldn't really be questioning. That's your motto for everything." Aly sighed.
"Don't worry, Espeon will be fine. Besides, this will be Gible's first gym battle, so the spotlight will be mainly on it."
"Oh, so you're using Gible eh? I'm sure it's excited."
"Oh, it can't wait I'm sure. Anyways, let's go in."
The 2 trainers walked through the entrance doors and into the gym. The inside walls were painted white with patterned yellow line designs. The sleek silver marble floor shined brightly thanks to the many light decorations positioned at the top of the gym. It was very bright inside, causing Justin and Aly to squint their eyes a little upon walking in. The battle arena was just up ahead in the center, white lines painted on what appeared to be normal dirt padded area. On the other side of the room was a slim man in a white tank top and beige shorts sitting on the floor, appearing to be working with a lot of wires and cables. The 2 trainers began to slowly approach the guy.
"Um, excuse me." Justin said.
"Now, if I plug this in with this, the new lightning decoration will surely work!" The guy said as he stuck a metal plug into an extension cable socket. Just then, yellow electricity came out from the socket that surrounded his body and shocked the guy as he began to shout in pain. A few seconds after, the electricity disappeared, leaving the man with black char marks on his body and a black smoke to rise from his head.
"Um….are you all right?" Aly asked concernedly. The man just shook his head back and forth quickly and looked as if nothing happened.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Looks like I still got work to do." The man said while giggling. He then stopped and looked at the 2 people facing him.
"Oh, I just realized I have visitors. Whoops, sorry kids. I was trying to get this done so my new light decorations would work."
"That's ok. My name is Justin Riser, and I'm here to challenge the Citrine City Gym Leader to a battle!" Justin announced.
"Well, is that right? My friend, you've come to the right place if you want a gym battle. My name is Max, the Citrine Gym Leader, and I accept your challenge." The man replied.
"Thanks Max, I'm ready to go! It's been awhile since I had a gym match!"
"Well, I'll be sure to give you an electrifying experience!"
"I guess I'm off to watch. Good luck Justin. Hey, let me hold onto your egg while you battle." Aly said to her friend.
"Thanks Aly. I'll do my best. Be sure to look after Herodotus for me." Justin said gratefully, handing the incubator holding his egg to Aly's other hand.
"Herodotus?" Aly asked confused. "…You actually named your Egg that?"
"I think it's an epic name. So majestic, and an ancient feel to it." Justin said, making colourful gestures with his arms. Aly rolled her eyes at his logic.
"Whatever makes you happy I guess." She replied.
"Hey…I sense some sarcasm there." Justin said as he made a shifty glare at her.
"My, you guys sure get along well." Max said as he chuckled a bit.
"Well, we've been travelling for so long, I'd say we're as close as can be! Don't you agree Aly?"
"Oh…um, yeah…of course…" Aly said flustered as she became a little red. She quickly took Justin's egg and went towards the benches on the side to sit.
"I wonder what her deal is." Justin asked confused.
"I think I know." Max smirked. "Anyways, go to your side of the battlefield."
Justin nodded as he and Max walked in opposite directions to their designated side. Max took out his cellphone and made a quick call. A few moments after that, a door on the side of the arena across from Aly opened. Out came a man in a battle judge's uniform, who approached the judge's post on the battlefield.
"Trainer, what is your name?" The battle judge called out.
"Justin Riser sir." Justin responded. The judge nodded and began his speech.
"The Citrine City Gym Battle is about to begin, where our gym leader Max, faces the challenger, Justin Riser. This battle will be a 3 vs 3 Pokémon battle. The winner will be declared when all of their opponent's Pokémon are unable to battle. Only the challenger will be allowed substitutions! Now, leader and trainer, choose your Pokémon!"
"All right. Jolteon! Time to light them up!" Max said loudly as he threw his Pokeball towards the center of the battlefield. Out came a dog-like Pokémon with bright yellow fur, long sharp ears, and a white-spikey mane around its neck.
"Jolt-eon!" The Pokémon roared out.
"A Jolteon! The electric type evolution of Eevee! This is so cool! I can't wait to see what it can do!" Justin exclaimed jubilantly.
"Then why don't you call out your Pokémon and I'll show you what it can do." Max said.
"Oh…right. All right! Gible, it's time for battle!" Justin said as he threw a Pokeball towards the battlefield, releasing the small dragon type Pokémon.
"All right Gible. This is your first ever gym battle! Let's go out there and have fun!"
"Gible! Gible! Gible!" Gible cried out happily as it jumped up and down flailing its arms.
"Now, let the battle commence!" The judge announced.
"All right! Jolteon, use your quick attack!" Max commanded. In a matter of seconds, Jolteon leaped forward and charged towards Gible.
"Gible! Use your-"Before Justin was able to say his command, Jolteon had already tackled Gible, sending the Dragon Pokémon backwards before landing on the ground in front of Justin.
"Gible, use dragon rage!" Justin commanded.
Gible quickly got back up, inhaled deeply, and then released a blast of blue and black energy, which took the shape of a dragon, right towards Jolteon at a blistering speed.
"Jolteon, quickly dodge it!" Max commanded. Jolteon pivoted to its right and jumped out of the way of the attack, just barely dodging it.
"Now, use pin missile!"
Jolteon changed its direction towards Gible and released yellow sharp needles towards Gible. The dragon Pokémon looked away, closed its eyes and braced itself as the piercing attacks came in. The attack wasn't really that powerful, but it irritated Gible enough for it to cringe and cry out irritably.
"Hang in there Gible!" Justin called out. A few moments after, the pin missiles stopped.
Just as Gible opened its eyes and turned back, it saw Jolteon charging straight at it with another quick attack. The electric Pokémon came in so fast that Gible had no time to react as it got slammed into, sending it backwards towards the end of the battlefield.
"Gible!" Justin cried out worriedly. Gible got up to its feet, but not as quick as before.
"That's it Gible! Remember, this is your time to shine. Not only to win, but to also have fun and a good time!" Justin said, giving Gible a thumbs up.
Gible turned around and cheered happily, acknowledging its trainer's remarks. Max looked on and strung a sincere smile
"Justin. You certainly do well connecting with your Pokémon. Your positivity and enthusiasm are really something." Max remarked.
"Thanks Max! And I'll have you know, that enthusiasm, plus our determination, never makes it an easy fight for trainers." Justin remarked.
"Give me your best shot."
Justin nodded and began to examine the situation.
"All right. I know now that his Jolteon is like, super lightning quick." Justin thought to himself.
"I could try and think of an elaborate strategy. But then again, that's not how I roll. Let's just go with something and see what happens! I haven't used dig yet, which is a super effective move on electric Pokémon."
"All right Gible! Use dig!" Justin commanded.
"Gib!" Gible cried out as it jumped in the air before digging its way underground.
"Interesting. Jolteon, stay sharp." Max said. Jolteon nodded as it began to listen closely for any movement.
Moments past and nothing had happened. Max and Jolteon maintained their focus on a possible sneak attack from Gible.
"Gible now!" Justin called out. The ground under Jolteon began to shake as the Dragon Pokémon got ready to emerge.
"Jolteon, dodge!" Max shouted. Jolteon quickly bent its knees before leaping up into the air, evading the emerging Gible as it arose to the surface.
"Jolteon, pin missile!" Max commanded. Jolteon's fur spiked up as it shot yellow needles downward towards Gible, causing the Dragon Pokémon to fall back into the hole.
"Why don't you try again?"
"Fine. Gible, on my signal, you know what to do." Justin exclaimed. The room became quiet again, as Max and Jolteon awaited Justin's move.
"Gible, do it now!" Justin called out. The ground under Jolteon began to rumble again.
"Jolteon, jump up and dodge!" Max commanded. Jolteon leaped up into the air, anticipating the dragon Pokémon to pop up and attack.
"Gotcha!" Justin said. Max gasped at Justin's sudden confidence as he examined the rumbling more carefully. The ground broke through and it wasn't Gible that came out, but a black and blue dragon-shaped energy beam instead that headed straight to Jolteon. Since the electric Pokémon was already in the air heading upwards, it had no way of changing its direction to dodge.
"Jolteon, no!" Max cried out. The attack hit Jolteon and created a smoke explosion on impact. Jolteon began to fall down towards the battlefield.
"Gible! Spring up with dig this time!" Justin commanded. Gible then emerged from another hole and tackled Jolteon, sending it into the air and landing a few feet front of Max.
"Finish it with another Dragon Rage!" Justin added. Gible unleased another dragon rage attack straight towards Jolteon. The electric Pokémon tried to get up and dodge, but the fatigue and damage it took reduced its speed. It was not fast enough to dodge and ended up getting hit by the attack, creating another smoke explosion to occur. As the smoke subsided, both trainers found Jolteon lying on the floor, unable to battle anymore.
"Jolteon is unable to battle, which means that this round goes to Gible!" The battle judge announced.
"Nice job Gible! You totally nailed it!" Justin cried out happily. Gible looked back at its trainer and roared proudly while jumping up and down in joy.
"Yay Justin! Good job!" Aly cheered from the stands, who Justin then gave a wave to. Max took out a Pokeball to return his fallen Pokémon.
"Thanks Jolteon." He whispered. He then looked back at Justin.
"I'm impressed Justin. After falling behind, out of nowhere you took the round just like that. But, we're just getting started." Max remarked as he then threw another Pokeball towards the battlefield. Out came a tall Pokémon with yellow fur, a black stripe across its chest in the shape of a lightning bolt, and a pair of antennae on its head.
"Electa-buzz!" The Pokémon roared.
"Whoa! An Electabuzz! Looks super strong and super cool!" Justin gleamed.
"Man, you really get excited about Pokémon don't you?" Max remarked.
"I love Pokémon. Every one of them I see is a special moment to me. But enough of that, let's battle! Gible! You know what to do! Use Dig!" Justin commanded. Gible jumped into the air before burrowing into the ground.
"I was expecting that." Max smirked. "I'm going to finish this quickly! Electabuzz! Use focus punch on the ground!"
"Electa!' Electabuzz cried out as it raised its fist, which started to glow brightly, into the air. Then, it slammed its fist down on the ground, causing the floor to rumble heavily where Justin had trouble maintaining his balance. All of a sudden in the middle of the battlefield, Gible shot up from underground into the air. It seemed that the magnitude of Electabuzz's punch was so strong that the earth beneath pushed the hiding Gible to the surface.
"Oh no!" Justin cried out.
"Now, Electabuzz, use Ice Punch!" Max called out. Electabuzz winded its fist back again, only this time there was a visible icy wind circling around it. As Gible began to descend, failing around sporadically, Electabuzz leaned in and punched Gible right in the mid-section. This sent Gible flying in the air backwards before landing right in front of Justin. Gible's expression signalled its defeat and inability to continue.
"Gible is unable to battle! So this round goes to Electabuzz!" The battle judge announced
"Gible, return." Justin said as he picked its Pokeball from his belt and returned it.
"Thanks pal. You did awesome for your first gym battle." Justin smiled at the Pokeball before putting back on his belt.
"Keep going Justin! You can do it!" Aly called out from the stands. Justin nodded as his friend's encouragement and pulled another Pokeball out.
"Well, to make it interesting, let's put out a Pokémon who can also throw some dukes. Combusken! You're up!" Justin called out as he released the fire type Pokémon from its Pokeball.
"Com-busken!" Combusken chirped out loudly.
"Combusken, let's try and avenge Gible's defeat." Justin said. Combusken gave a nod and looked back at Electabuzz with a determined look.
"All right! Combusken, start with a flamethrower attack!" Justin commanded. Combusken inhaled deeply before releasing a powerful stream of fire towards Electabuzz.
"Electabuzz! Block it with Fire Punch!" Max called out. Electabuzz drew its fist back before vaulting it forward onto the incoming flamethrower. The attacks collided, with the flamethrower deflecting off Electabuzz's fist in different directions.
"Now, fire punch on Combusken!" Max commanded. Electabuzz began to run towards Combusken while holding its fist out, which was still deflecting the flamethrower attack.
"Combusken! Sky Uppercut!" Justin yelled out.
Combusken stopped its flamethrower attack and threw its claw right at the charging Electabuzz. The 2 punches met, created a wind force that shot back at both Pokémon. The attacks were evenly matched, causing both Pokémon to quickly draw back.
"Not bad power you got there. Electabuzz, now use thunder punch!" Max commanded.
"Electa!" Electabuzz cried out as it got another punch ready, this time visible electric lightning sparked around its hand.
"Combusken! Sky Uppercut again!" Justin commanded.
Combusken nodded and swung its claw up in an uppercut motion. The attacks met head on once again, creating the same wind force from before. This time, Electabuzz let out a cunning smirk, which caught Combusken by surprise.
Just then, Combusken was shocked by and electric attack. The punch Electabuzz threw transferred its electrical attack from its fist into Combusken.
"No way! Combusken!" Justin called out. Electabuzz finished its attack and drew backwards to its trainer. Combusken began to wobble a bit from the electric attack, but shook it off.
"We'll have to be careful now…..wait! I got an idea!" Justin exclaimed.
"Then show me! Thunder punch again Electabuzz!" Max commanded. Electabuzz began to charge at Combusken again with its fist surrounded in electric lighting.
"Combusken! Flamethrower on your claws, then Sky Uppercut to block it!" Justin shouted.
Combusken nodded, as it knew what its trainer wanted it to do. It released a flamethrower towards Electabuzz, which the electric Pokémon easily dodged. However, the fire type Pokémon then raised its claws and put them in front of the line of fire. Once the flamethrower stopped, Combusken's claws were engulfed in flames. It then went to use sky uppercut to block Electabuzz's thunder punch attack. Once the 2 attacks met, Combusken let out a smirk this time.
The same tactic Electabuzz used last time to transfer the electricity was blocked by the flame that surrounded Combusken's claw, leaving the electric type Pokémon shocked (haha…get it?).
"Now, Sky Uppercut to attack!" Justin yelled. Combusken used its other claw and swooped it up right into Electabuzz's chin, sending it up in the air. The flames from the Combusken's claw were now around Electabuzz, doing even more damage.
"No way!" Max exclaimed as his Pokémon then fell down onto the ground.
"Way to be Combusken!" Justin cried out.
"Well, time for a brawling duel then. Electabuzz, use focus punch!" Max commanded.
"Combusken! Flaming Sky Uppercut!' Justin commanded.
Both Pokémon cried out at unleased their respective attacks. They both collided in a draw, but both Pokémon used their other arm to attack again, only to have another draw. They then went into a sparring match where they either got a punch/uppercut in, blocked or dodged an attack.
"Keep it up Combusken! Show that fighting spirit!' Justin yelled out. Combusken roared out again as it blocked a thunder punch from Electabuzz. This time, it dropped to the ground and shot out its leg right into Electabuzz's mid-section, causing the electric Pokémon to flinch.
"Wow that was Mega Kick!" Justin exclaimed happily.
"Impressive, but now that it's down, we have the advantage!" Max explained. Electabuzz used another Focus Punch straight down at Combusken, who was forced to block the attack with its 2 claws. This however allowed Electabuzz to use its other hand and thunder punch Combusken right in the kisser, sending a brutal electrical shock.
"It's time to end this! Electabuzz, maximum power thunder punch!" Max commanded.
"Combusken! Do a flamethrower Sky Uppercut!" Justin called out. Electabuzz lunged with an electric punch while Combusken shot a flaming claw. The attacks collided once again, this time creating a massive smoke explosion upon impact that spread all across the battlefield towards the 2 competitors. Justin and Max used their arms to shield the smoke from their faces, neither of them expecting this kind of outcome. Moments after, the smoke began to clear. Out of the smoke was Combusken and Electabuzz, who were both covered in char marks and scratches, standing face to face with each other.
"A draw?" Aly said from the stands. Just after, both of them fell backwards and collapsed to the ground.
"Combusken and Electabuzz are both unable to battle! Which means that this round is a draw!" The battle judge announced.
Max pulled out a Pokeball and returned his fallen Pokémon.
"Good job Electabuzz, have a good rest." He said.
Justin ran to his fallen Pokémon. "Combusken! Are you ok! Say something to me buddy!" He dramatically cried out. Combusken went on to slapping him in the face with his claw and giving him a puzzled look.
"Right, you're tough, I know." Justin smiled, which his Pokémon gave back.
"Get some rest." Justin said as he returned the fire type Pokémon back to its Pokeball. He then got up and walked back to his side.
"Well Justin, we're down to the final stretch. I hope you're ready for this." Max said.
"You betcha! This battle has been awesome so far! But, it's going to be me who's winning." Justin said.
"We shall see. Now, let's go Raichu!" Max shouted as he summoned his final Pokémon to the battlefield. Out came an orange mouse-like Pokémon with a white belly, yellow circles on its cheeks and a long thin tail.
"Rai-Rai!" Raichu cried out with electricity sparking from its cheeks.
Justin reached for a Pokeball on his belt, but then hesitated for a bit.
"Mudkip is obviously a bad option because of the type advantage. Espeon…I know we had some practise with Caius. And I told Aly that Espeon would benefit from real gym battle experience. But…why do I feel hesitant now?" He thought.
"You can do it Justin! Trust in your Pokémon!" Aly cried out from the stands. Justin looked on at his friend and thought to himself again.
"She's absolutely right. I can't have second thoughts now. I need to follow through with that advice and believe in Espeon. We're in it to win it….and have fun!"
"Espeon! I choose you!" Justin called out as he summoned the psychic type Pokémon.
"Esp!" Espeon cried out.
"Now that each trainer's last Pokémon are out, let the final battle begin!" The battle judge announced.
"Raichu! Start off with your thunder attack!" Max commanded. Raichu cried out loudly, releasing an intense wave of electricity from its body towards Espeon.
"Espeon, counter with Psybeam!" Justin commanded. Espeon unleashed a colourful beam of energy from the jewel on its forehead straight at Raichu. Both attacks collided, creating a small smoke explosion.
"Espeon, catch it off guard with quick attack!"
Espeon dashed forward in and out the smoke cloud in the direction of Raichu. The speed of Espeon's attack actually cut through the smoke, blowing it away from the battlefield. However, that made the psychic type Pokémon visible to Max and Raichu, giving away its surprise attack.
"Raichu! Use Iron tail to leap into the air!" Max commanded. Raichu raised its glowing tail and slammed in on the ground behind it. The force elevated Raichu into the air, dodging Espeon's quick attack in the nick of time.
"Now, use Body Slam!"
Raichu did a somersault in the air before flopping down on Espeon with its whole body. The attack crushed Espeon onto the ground, dealing a considerable amount of damage.
"Espeon!" Justin called out worriedly. Raichu got up and went back towards its trainer. Espeon got up slowly, but showed it was all right.
"I guess we screwed up there." Justin said.
"Blowing away to smoke gave us enough time to react on that last assault." Max explained.
"Espeon, try a shadow ball attack!"
Espeon conjured up a ball of dark energy and released it straight at Raichu.
"Raichu, hit it back with iron tail!" Max ordered. Raichu pulled its glowing tail back before swinging it right into the shadow ball, hitting the attack right back towards Espeon.
"Espeon, dodge it!" Justin commanded. Espeon did just that and jumped in the air to avoid the attack,
"Gotcha! Thunder!" Max shouted. Raichu unleashed another strong electrical attack right at the helpless Espeon on the air. The attack shocked Espeon good, causing it to fall on the ground hard and left a few char marks on its body.
"Oh man!" Justin exclaimed frustrated.
"Thunder wave!" Max commanded. Raichu shot out thin electrical waves at Espeon, which began to spark around the psychic Pokémon's body.
"Now you're Pokémon is paralyzed. Not looking hot so far Justin. You're a little more predictable this round with this Pokémon!" Max remarked. Justin growled at Max's comment. He then saw Espeon trembling a little, its body language showed fear and doubt again.
"Just great, not the start we wanted. But, we're not going to give up. I have to be one with Espeon. I have to use her strengths, which is her speed. We need one hit. Once we get something in, the battle will become more enjoyable. Espeon is like me, wanting to have fun while battling. Once we're both having a good time, we'll be a force to reckon with." He thought.
"Espeon." Justin said. Espeon quickly looked back at him.
"I think it's time we get back in the game for realz. Let's have some fun." He smiled. Espeon had a puzzled reaction at first, but then nodded with determination and a confident smile.
"Right. Espeon, use quick attack!"
Espeon dashed forward quickly to go and tackle Raichu again.
"Raichu! Hit it with Thunder!" Max commanded. Raichu released a thunder attack, one bigger than the previous to, in the direction of the charging psychic Pokémon.
"Quickly, jump in the air to dodge!" Justin shouted. Espeon leaped into the air and evaded the Thunder attack.
"Now, hammer it down with iron tail!"
Once Espeon reached its peak height, it began to somersault downwards, gaining momentum and speed for an Iron Tail attack on Raichu.
"Whoa! Raichu quickly, block the attack with-"Max said before interrupted by Espeon's Iron Tail slamming hard onto Raichu's head. After Espeon backed away, Raichu began wobbling in a dizzy state.
"Follow up with Shadow Ball!" Justin commanded. While in mid-air, Espeon conjured a dark ball of energy and shot it at the shaky electric Pokémon, creating a smoke explosion on impact. Raichu was shot out of the smoke and on the ground in front of Max.
"That's it!" Justin exclaimed happily. Raichu got up slowly and shook its head of the dizziness.
"Wow, wasn't expecting that kind of speed with it paralyzed. Not bad kid." Max remarked.
"Thanks! But, we're not done yet."
"Raichu, use Thunder!"
"Rai!" Raichu cried out as it unleased another strong electric attack.
"Espeon, Iron Tail on the ground!" Justin commanded. Espeon turned around, lifted its glowing tail, and swung it down hard into the ground. The force of the attack caused sand, dirt and gravel to fly into the air, creating a shield that blocked the electric attack. Max and Raichu were surprised yet again at Justin's unexpected tactics.
"Psybeam!"
Through the sand shield, a colourful beam broke through it and went straight towards Raichu. It was a weaker Psybeam that hit Raichu, so it didn't do as much damage. Max took the opportunity to see through the sand shield and find Espeon for a counter attack. However, the psychic Pokémon wasn't there anymore.
"Where's Espeon!" Max cried out as he and Raichu frantically looked around the battlefield for it.
"Shadow Ball!" Justin cried out. Max and Raichu looked up to see Espeon in the air releasing a dark ball of energy at the electric type Pokémon. The attack hit and caused Raichu to flinch.
"Now, Iron Tail!"
Espeon somersaulted downwards again and got its Iron Tail ready. This time however, the effects of the paralysis kicked in and Espeon froze up. Max saw this and pounced on the opportunity.
"Raichu, Thunder!" He commanded. Raichu shot a Thunder attack at the descending Espeon, shooting it backwards before landing on the floor on its legs.
"You almost got me there. I have a feeling this is going to be the last move!" Max said confidently. Justin nodded and awaited his opponent's call.
"Please…let the paralysis pass for this last attack." Justin thought to himself.
"Raichu! Mega Punch!" Mas shouted.
With unexpected speed, Raichu dashed quickly towards Espeon with its paw forward. Just before Raichu hit Espeon, Justin had one last trick up his sleeve.
"Duck!" He called out. Espeon's eyes widened as it ducked its head in the nick of time and evaded Raichu's punch. Max and Raichu both gasped for a split second before their opponents made a counter strike.
"Psybeam up close!" Justin commanded.
Just then, electricity began to spark around Espeon's body. However, Espeon cried out loudly and forced its way out of the paralysis. The jewel on its forehead quickly charged up and released a massive colourful beam of energy right at Raichu. This attack sent the electric type Pokémon backwards all the way right in front of its trainer. It didn't move or get back up, signalling its defeat.
"Raichu is unable to battle, Espeon is the winner! Which means that the gym match goes to Justin Riser!" The battle judge announced.
"YAHOOO! ESPEON, WE WON!" Justin cried out happily as he ran towards Espeon. Espeon turned around and ran back towards its trainer before jumping into his arms.
"I'm so proud of you buddy. We're back."
Espeon purred and nuzzled against his chest. Aly stood up from her seat in the stands and began clapping.
"That Justin Riser. He really did it. He's amazing." She smiled.
Max recalled Raichu back into its Pokeball. "Thanks Raichu. That was a great battle." He said before walking up to Justin.
"Justin, that was an electrifying battle. One of the best I've even participated in." He remarked. Justin looked up right at the gym leader and nodded.
"Well, you're not bad yourself Max. I had so much fun."
"I could tell. Also, I can't help but sense that this victory with your Espeon is an important one."
"…You got that right." Justin smiled as he looked down at Espeon.
"Well, since you're the victor, it's only right that I give you this Citrine badge." Max said as he pulled a yellow lightning bolt shaped badge from his pocket. Justin accepted the badge and bowed to the gym leader.
"Thanks Max." He then showed the badge to Espeon, who then let a happy cry out for their victory. Aly came down from the stands and walked up to Justin.
"You really did it Justin. Congratulations." Aly said as she handed him back his Pokémon egg. Justin let Espeon down on the ground and took the egg.
"Thanks Aly. I also couldn't have done it without your support." He said as they both smiled at each other.
"Well, I better close up now. There's a big festival happening at the City Square tonight and I want to finish this small project before that." Max explained.
"Oh, you're going too?" Aly asked.
"That's great. I'm going to go to the Pokémon Centre to heal my Pokémon and grab a bite first. Maybe we'll see you there." Justin remarked.
"For sure. See you then!" Max said as he waved.
"Is everything set?"
"Yes Master Zeus. Everything is in order. The entrances have been vacated, and everyone should be making their way to the festival."
"Very good. In 30 minutes, we shall commence the operation and let the world know about Team Immortal…"