37- After 5 days ¡Finally the Ecruteak Gym!
-Ecruteak gym- Hikari said as she saw the building which was, like many other constructions in the city, a huge traditional styled building.
-Let's go, I'll easily win with Honchkrow, Umbreon and Weavile- The boy said confidently as he entered the building.
-Pichu Pichu! - The little creature in his shoulder cried happily.
Hikari walked by his side –Wait, didn't you have 7 pokémon?
-I did…- He commented.
I was early morning; all of Shinji's pokémon were out of their poké balls at the training field except Pichu that for some reason was just clinging to his shoulder. The boy was thinking over which pokémon to leave with his brother. He didn't want to leave any of the newly caught ones in Johto, and Weavile, Honchkrow and Umbreon were going to be used for the gym battle. Maybe…
-Torterra, you'll stay with my brother for a while- He told his starter, who was soon as he heard his name, turned.
-Torter?
-Umbreon, Honchkrow and Weavile will take part in the gym battle, I don't think it's a good idea to leave Quilava or Kingdra just yet with him and well, I'm supposed to spend some time with this Pichu- He said kind of annoyed at the last part, Pichu just smiled.
-Terra, torterra- The pokémon mumbled simply nodding.
-So you left Ro with him?
-Yes.
-Oh well… I'm sure that with the great team you have ready you'll win- Hikari smiled in support. They finally exited the hallway to the gym's field area, where Matsuba was training with some young trainers that looked like his students. The place was rather dark in Hikari's opinion, with few light bulbs in the corners and the center of the room and some sort of fog or mist over the place, which was quite particular. As soon as he saw them, the blond stopped and let a relaxed smile, thought looking amused. His students said some things and returned their pokémon too.
-Shinji! You finally decided to visit- He commented, calm as ever.
-Yeah, after some time a bunch of problems- He replied.
-Who's that little Pichu? It's from the hatched egg? - He asked curious.
-No, an Eevee hatched from the egg, this one hatched just yesterday.
-Two newly hatched, sounds great- The leader nodded and raised his arms up to his head level, doing a gesture with his hands as if praying-As we say here in Ecruteak "Even if the tower of both is burnt, I wish both receive the sacred blessings of Ho-oh"- He looked at the boy –So then, let's start with the battle. As of lately I've been having a bad streak…. I hope it doesn't keep going.
-A bunch of rookies defeating you? - Shinji asked taunting.
-Rookies?! Ha! Right on the day we spoke a girl called Egumi challenged me, pretty strong, she has a unique battle style I really couldn't do much against her. Yesterday I had a good challenger too –He explained as everyone took their places: Matsuba's students at one side of the field in the benches with Hikari, both competitors at opposite sides of the field, and one of the trainers as referee- A girl named Valita, she even asked about you, if you had already won at this gym and when I told her not yet and she won she got really happy saying you were 2 to 2- He chuckled a bit, Hikari did too.
-By any chance have you been challenged by a girl named Esper yet? - Shinji asked as he pulled out Dusk's dusk ball.
-Esper? - The leader was thoughtful for a moment –Hmmm yeah, actually yes, but that was last week.
*Damn!* Shinji thought *All three of them have surpassed me, I need to win now and tomorrow we'll keep going*
-This will be a gym battle between the challenger Shinji and the gym leader Matsuba, each one will use three pokémon each and the first one to defeat the opponent's three will win. Apart from that, only the challenger can switch pokémon at will- The green-haired that was in place of referee announced.
-Maybe you'll recall this one… time to battle Honchkrow!
-Is it the same Murkrow from our first battle? Come out now Haunter!- A purple pokémon that consisted basically on a floating head with big eyes and a smiling mouth and two incorporeal hands appeared on the field, despite being a ghost-type his looks were somewhat funny to look at. The creature laughed openly.
"Haunter, the gas pokémon and evolved form of Gastly. It's very playful and loves to play with people, it is said that if it sees a human around its living place it'll never let it go just to play with them eternally. It can disappear, go through solid objects and create illusions. It also has the ability to separate its hands very far from its body to attack or grab objects" Hikari's pokédex mentioned as the girl had wanted to know more info on the creature.
The leader quickly analyzed the starting point of the battle *Murkrow and Honchkrow usually have the insomnia ability… I better don't risk it with a hypnosis* -Use lick!
-Don't even think about it- Shinji mumbled –Evade it and aerial ace! - Dusk flapped and took flight avoiding the attack and then flew at full speed against the Haunter.
-Agility!- Haunter quickly started to move all around the field at a speed that combined with his natural ability of disappearing made him almost imperceptible –Shadow ball!
-Don't stop, turn around and drill peck! - Shinji ordered confidently. The dark pokémon turned, still with his aerial ace and made his beak start spinning as a drill, going through the shadow ball and hitting the opponent straight on.
-Haunter ghost punch! - The ghost-type pokémon laughed and then tossed an incorporeal punch against Dusk, who being so close took it directly.
-You think that'll do something? Dark pulse!
-You too Haunter! - Both attacks collided on the field countering each other and causing the field to be surrounded with a dense black smoke –Now's the time! Confuse ray!- A sphere similar to the shadow ball was created in Haunter's hands, who then tossed it towards Dusk hitting him, the smoke started clearing away and the bird pokémon was seen completely confused.
-That won't stop me, dark pulse! - Dusk shot a dark pulse from his beak but it went in a completely different direction, hitting one of the gym walls.
-Haunter use thunderbolt now- Matsuba said calmly.
-Thunderbolt?!- Shinji and Hikari exclaimed at the same time, a huge electric charge hit poor Dusk, making him yelp in pain. Pichu looked impressed at the electric attack from his trainer's shoulder.
Dusk tried to stand up, still affected by the electricity, but he was still clearly dizzy. Shinji returned the crow to his poké ball and took out another one, somewhat annoyed –Weavile standby for battle!
-Weev! - Hiela came out to the field looking at her opponent with a little smirk, showing off her claws ready to battle.
-Come on Hiela! - Hikari exclaimed in support.
-How predictable, that's two dark-types- Matsuba mumbled seemingly bored or disappointed –Haunter use hypnosis! - The blond ordered pointing at the new opponent.
-Dodge it and swords dance!- Hiela jumped out of range as her claws extended and shone purple, after a few movements Hiela was ready for another order –Shadow claw!
-Wee! - Her claws became sharper and the purple shine became darker, Hiela jumped on top of the Haunter and landed some slashes. Haunter back up looking very tired.
-It seems like your first pokémon won't last much longer, ice beam!
-Perfect then, Haunter… destiny bond- The leader with a smirk of victory.
Shinji's eyes widened at this and everyone saw how the ice beam hit Haunter making him fall and almost instantly Hiela shone with a pinkish hue and fell down defeated too –Both pokémon are unable to battle!- The referee announced.
-W-what happened? - Hikari asked impressed.
-Destiny bond is a very good move… if the pokémon that uses it is defeated with the next move, the opponent will also be defeated- One of Matsuba's students sitting next to her explained kindly –Is one of the tricky techniques of ghost-types- He smiled slightly. Hikari nodded having understood.
Matsuba returned the gas pokémon, afterwards he released another one –Misdreavus, let's go!- A pokémon similar to the last in the fact that it consisted only of a visible head came out to the field, it was a grey-ish blue tone with pink tips of "hair" and a necklace with red beads.
Shinji returned Hiela to her poké balls, he didn't like having fallen for that trick and losing one of his pokémon that way –Honchkrow standby for battle!
From the dusk ball came out Dusk once more, and now in better shape, seeing as how confusion was temporary. Matsuba didn't change his serious expression –Mmm… perhaps you're not aware of it but my ghost-types are also very good with electric-type moves- He commented –Shock wave! - He immediately ordered.
-Damn it- Shinji mumbled –Honchkrow Dodge it! - However Dusk didn't move, instead he closed his eyes and seemed to concentrate on something. Then a sudden brilliant green shield appeared around it, protecting him from the attack. Dusk let the shield down and smirked –Mastered protect… seems like that training with Torterra before he left really paid off huh? Use dark pulse!
-Misdreavus Dodge it! - Matsuba ordered, the protect had taken him by surprise, Misdreavus wasn't fast enough and Dusk's dark pulse made a direct hit.
-Drill peck now! - Dusk quickly hit the Misdreavus with drill peck, the battle now was turning in Shinji's favor and Dusk was having his revenge.
-Misdreavus will-o-wisp!
-Mis! - Misdreavus' eyes shone light blue and small flames appeared around her, floating towards Dusk and inflicting a burn hastily.
-Perfect- The leader murmured –Thunderbolt now!
-Protect!- Dusk created a green shield just like before and luckily for him the thunderbolt simply bounced off of it –Aerial ace!- Dusk flew up full speed towards Misdreavus, hitting her once more, but as soon as the attack finished he was engulfed by fire for a few seconds, effect of the burn.
-Okay Misdreavus, it doesn't have much energy left- His trainer warned –Let's finish this with a shadow ball!- He said pointing at the opponent Honchkrow, Misdreavus created a shadow ball in front of her necklace and shot it against Dusk.
-Sky attack! - This was it, risking everything in a last sky attack. Dusk gave a couple of strong flaps and easily avoided the shadow ball as he was surrounded by a white aura.
-Kraw!
-It needs to build energy, thunderbolt!
-Come on Dusk you can do it! - Hikari exclaimed. She felt somewhat overwhelmed by the trainers supporting the leader.
-Pichu pi!- Pichu exclaimed worried about his teammate, Dusk finished charging energy and launched himself towards Misdreavus, clashing with the electric attack and hitting the opponent, there was smoke after the small explosion and once cleared… the result was a very unexpected one: Dusk was in the floor just like Misdreavus.
-Both pokémon are unable to battle again, the second round is also a tie- The referee declared.
-Hmmm then let's hope the third round isn't one too- Matsuba said in a low voice, returning his Misdreavus.
-Well done Honchkrow- Was the only thing Shinji said putting the poké ball away with a slight smirk, after all, the pokémon had given a good fight and had learned protect by himself –It's time to set this… Umbreon, standby for victory!- He tossed the moon ball from which Noctail came out ready to battle, making his rings shine as usual. It was like his personal way of saying he was ready.
-Then let's see what you do with this one… Come out Banette!
-Bay bay bay! - The pokémon giggled. Standing in two feet, it had a small yellow tail, three points on its head with some kind of pointy hat that almost reached the floor, his eyes were red and his mouth looked like a yellow zipper.
-Uff… it looks kind of scary- Hikari said as a light tremor course through her body, she searched out info about the strange ghost-type.
"Banette, the marionette pokémon and the evolved form of Shuppet. It's said that this pokémon was created from a doll and it's completely possessed by the hatred generated upon being discarded. It's said that they wander around eternally searching for the boy or girl who abandoned it. Because of this they live in urban areas, where it usually scares anyone who abandons their dolls"
-W-wow… it is really scary- The blue-haired girl repeated.
-Pichu pi…- Pichu mumbled lowering his Little ears, it had also gotten scared with the pokémon, however he looked up at his trainer with a determined and serious expression and copied it, frowning as if he wasn't scared.
-How about we start already?- Matsuba said, looking quite confident despite the clear type disadvantage –Banette sucker punch!- Banette moved his right arm and suddenly a purple energy blow hit Noctail straight on, the dark eeveelution shook his head.
-A low blow? What a bad leader- Shinji mocked –Bite!
-Feint attack! - Just before being able to bite him, banette disappeared from Noctail's way and reappeared behind him, hitting him again.
*This is becoming annoying, how about a taste of your own medicine?*- Confuse ray!- Noctail's eyes shone and a fuchsia beam hit banette, leaving his eyes dizzy as spirals and tumbling all over the field. Matsuba frowned and Hikari on the other side smiled, the end of this battle could be on Shinji's favor.
-Umbreon… dig and bite!- Noctail went underground and moments later reappeared at the feet of the dizzy banette, landing a hit with his head and then biting the tip of his "hat" making the pokémon yell and start slapping and punching around like crazy without doing anything other than getting even dizzier and tired.
-Banette, shake off that confusion, use thunderbolt! - Banette raised his arms and released an electric charge that fell straight in the field's floor, at the opposite side of where Noctail was.
-Dark pulse- Dark energy waves were tossed against the dark pokémon, who didn't take them well and fell face flat, seconds later it stood up shaking, it seemed to be better and stared angrily at the Umbreon.
-Will-o-wisp!
-Dodge it!
Noctail jumped all around the field; avoiding the small flames that banette tossed at him, until one of them hit him in the forehead and with that two more landed. Noctail was surrounded by fire temporarly –Good, now another sucker punch! - Another punch pushed the poor Eevee evolution back. Noctail was getting tired of being hit and was getting angry…
-Bite!
-We'll do the same thing? Faint attack!
The same thing from before happened again, Banette was too fast and avoided the attack, hitting Noctail. When he fell the pokémon was surrounded by fire a few seconds –Noctail no!- Hikari exclaimed worried, he was probably low on heath by now, however banette also suffered some damage from the fire thanks to Noctail's ability.
Shinji didn't seem to be too worried –Umbreon… moonlight- Noctail stood up and shook a bit before closing his eyes concentrating, all of his rings shone white and some of his most visible wounds were healed immediately, when he opened his eyes against he seemed much better and growled at the opponent, he was ready to keep battling –Dark pulse.
-Shadow ball and dodge it! - The shadow ball hit the dark pulse, however the latter was stronger and both attacks ended up clashing with banette –Banette no!
-Bite now- The purple-haired boy said, Umbreon ran full speed and bit the opponent on the side harshly, Banette finally fell after the attack, and this time the spirals in his eyes weren't because of confusion.
-Banette is unable to battle, Umbreon wins, victory goes to the challenger Shinji!
-Excellent, you did it guys! - Hikari went to the field and as it was usual by now hugged the winning pokémon that this time was Noctail –Good job Noctail, you did great, that moonlight and your speed were awesome- On the other side of the field Matsuba was also thanking his pokémon for the good battle before returning it and approaching the center of the field.
-Actually Umbreon knew moonlight since I caught him, is just that I had never used it- The boy explained, Noctail nodded and Hikari stood up to see Matsuba in front of both.
-Well… another badge that I give away, by Ho-oh, am I losing my touch? – He said more to himself the last part –It's been an interesting battle what with the two ties, but you've earned it, the fog badge- He handed the trainer a dark blue badge almost circular in shape except for a small tip in the lower part and two small light blue spots.
-Thanks leader Matsuba.
Shinji and Hikari were going back to the pokémon center as the girl bid farewell to the gym leader –And don't forget it, come back to see the beautiful Ecruteak city and always remember the great pokémon legends- The blond said smiling.
-Of course! - Hikari replied smiling too.
Once they arrived the pokémon center Shinji talked to his brother, asking him to return Torterra and stay with Weavile this time. When Reiji asked about Honchkrow the boy simply replied that he'd keep him for longer.
After the rest of the afternoon getting ready and practicing a bit, both trainers went to sleep early to continue the traveling the next morning. And since this time Pichu was left out of his poké ball he went to sleep all curled up to Hikari.