Ash and Olympia stood on either side of the floating, glowing battlefield. The others and I watched from above on the balcony; our footsteps clanked against the floor whenever we moved.
"Tierno said that Olympia is really strong," Bonnie said. "Do you think Ash will be able to beat her?"
"This is Ash's seventh Gym battle. He's come a long way since then," Serena said. "I'm sure he has a strategy to counter Olympia's power. No matter how strong Olympia may be, I know Ash is stronger."
"The battle between Gym Leader Olympia and Trainer Ash will now begin," Charlene said from the referee box. "This will be a single-round double battle. Neither the Gym Leader nor the challenger is allowed to substitute Pokémon."
"Interesting twist," I said. "Already I can tell this Gym battle will be a lot different from previous ones."
"You will battle against my Meowstic." Olympia tossed two Poké Balls onto the field. They opened, and her Meowstics emerged.
"Challenger, please bring out the Pokémon you will battle with," Charlene said.
Ash fished two Poké Balls from his pockets and threw them into the air. Frogadier and Talonflame emerged.
"Talonflame and Frogadier..." Clemont said. "Neither side has a type advantage. Assuming that Olympia's Meowstics only know Psychic moves, this battle will rely heavily on strength and skill."
"All right!" Charlene raised her hand. "Battle, begin!"
Without missing a beat, Olympia raised her hands. "Use Helping Hand, and then use Future Sight!"
The two Meowstics joined hands. The male Meowstic glowed yellow, and the energy transferred to the female Meowstic. The female Meowstic opened her ears, and the eye marks at the tips of her ears glowed blue. Glowing blue shards of psychic energy formed around her and rose high in the air. Portals formed, and the shards disappeared into them.
"Olympia's already starting the battle in her favor," I said. "Future Sight is a powerful Psychic-type move, but it takes time after the attack has been used for it to work. With Meowstic's Helping Hand, that attack will pack even more of a punch."
"How long does Future Sight take?" Serena said.
"A few minutes. That's not enough time for Ash to do any substantial damage."
"Talonflame, Flame Charge! Frogadier, Aerial Ace!"
Talonflame and Frogadier leaped into the air. Fire consumed Talonflame, and Frogadier's webbed paws glowed white. They wove in and out as they lunged at the Meowstic.
Blue energy wrapped around the Meowstics, and they dodged the attacks. They danced in the air.
"Using Psychic to dodge the attacks..." Clemont said. "That increases their evasiveness tenfold."
"Talonflame, Frogadier, I want you two to watch them closely," Ash said. "Talonflame, use Flame Charge on the male! Frogadier, use Water Pulse on the female!"
Talonflame eyed the male, lifted its wings, and took off after him. Fire consumed it. Frogadier brought his webbed hands together, formed Water Pulse, and hurled it at the female.
"Use Light Screen and Dark Pulse!"
The male Meowstic lifted his ears, and the eye marks glowed purple. A shield of purple energy covered him and his partner, and Talonflame grazed over him. The Water Pulse hit the Light Screen, creating a cloud of smoke. Dark Pulse burst through the smoke and hit Talonflame. Talonflame started to fall.
"Frogadier, catch Talonflame!"
Frogadier sprinted forward, leaped into the air, and caught Talonflame. They tumbled to the ground, Frogadier holding Talonflame close to protect it.
"I get it," I said, folding my arms. "The male Meowstic is the defender and supporter, shielding and reducing the damage and giving strength to its partner, while the female Meowstic is the attacker and dishes out the powerful offensive moves. It's a good strategy."
"Talonflame's speed is greater than Meowstic, so why was it able to use Light Screen before the attack?" Serena said.
"The male Meowstic's ability is Prankster," Professor Sycamore said. "It gives non-damaging moves a higher priority, so they always go first, regardless of the user's speed."
"And that Dark Pulse is supported by Helping Hand, so it must've dealt even more damage to Talonflame," Clemont said.
"Well, then? Are you going to make a move?" Olympia said. "If you're not, then we will. Meowstic, use double Psyshock!"
The Meowstic brought their paws together and formed a large ball of glowing purple energy. They launched it, and multiple purple missiles flew towards Frogadier and Talonflame.
"Dodge it!"
Frogadier and Talonflame jumped out of the way. The Meowstic's eye marks changed from purple to light blue, and the Psyshock curve upward and followed Frogadier and Talonflame. The two dodged as the Psyshock relentlessly followed.
"The female's Ability is Keen Eye," Professor Sycamore said.
"What does that do?" Bonnie said.
"It prevents loss of accuracy, and it's very difficult to evade the user's moves."
"Does that mean their dodging is pointless?" Serena said.
The Psyshock finally hit Talonflame and Frogadier, and they fell to the ground.
"Are you all right?" Ash called. Frogadier and Talonflame stood and nodded. "By now, Olympia's shown all her cards. Let's show them what we're made of!"
Talonflame spread out its wings and shrieked. A small smile twitched on Olympia's lips.
Portals opened above Talonflame, and Future Sight flooded out and hit it. It flew into Frogadier and knocked them both to the ground.
"There's the Future Sight," I said.
"And what timing," Clemont said. "Whatever plan Ash had to turn this match around is now ruined."
We looked to Ash, who crouched and spoke quietly to Pikachu.
"This is only the beginning of your trial," Olympia said.
Ash stood and adjusted his hat. "Then come what may," he said. "Talonflame, use Brave Bird! Frogadier, Double Team!"
Frogadier multiplied, and dozens of copies occupied the battlefield. Talonflame dove into the copies.
"Use Helping Hand, as well as Dark Pulse!"
The Meowstic joined hands, and the male transferred power to the female. The female summoned and fire a large Dark Pulse into the crowd, destroying the fake Frogadiers. In seconds, the battlefield had cleared. A thick cloud of smoke hung in the air.
"Now, Frogadier, use Cut!"
Frogadier leaped out of the smoke, wielding a glowing white rod of energy, and slammed it into the ground. A wave of energy rushed towards the female Meowstic. She fired back Dark Pulse and cancelled it out.
"Talonflame!"
Talonflame burst through the smoke, consumed with blue fire, and slammed into the female Meowstic.
"Thunder Wave!"
The female Meowstic quickly regained her composure and thrust out her paws. A tidal wave of electricity rushed towards Talonflame. Frogadier leaped in front of Talonflame, and the Thunder Wave consumed it.
"Frogadier!"
Frogadier hit the ground. Talonflame flew to Frogadier's side and swept the smoke away with its wings. Frogadier twitched on the ground.
"Use Helping Hand and Future Sight!"
Once more, the Meowstics sent psychic energy into portals. Ash looked to Pikachu, who nodded. He swung his tail back and forth like a metronome.
"What's Pikachu doing?" Bonnie said.
I cupped my chin in my hand. A few minutes in, and it's already not looking good for Ash. I looked at Pikachu. I bet whatever Pikachu is doing holds the key to him turning this around... assuming he can survive long enough.
Frogadier hoisted himself onto his knees. Talonflame stood in front of Frogadier, its wings spread out wide.
"Psyshock!"
"Use Steel Wing and charge in!"
The Meowstics attacked. Talonflame's wings glowed white, and it charged.
"What's this?" Olympia said.
"If we can't dodge it, we'll confront it head on," Ash said. "The best defense is a good offense."
The Psyshock ricocheted off Talonflame's wings. The Psyshock circled back around and zoomed towards Talonflame's back.
"Use Water Pulse!"
Frogadier leaped in the air and threw Water Pulse at the Psyshock, cancelling it out. Frogadier hit the ground and fell on his knees as paralysis crackled across his skin.
"Let's go, Talonflame!"
Talonflame started to spin, becoming a giant rocket of white energy. It slammed into the male Meowstic. Meowstic tumbled back.
"Physical moves can't be blocked by Light Screen. Ash has realized this quickly and is fighting appropriately," Professor Sycamore said.
"He's also going after the male Meowstic," Clemont said. "If he can take it out, then the female Meowstic's power and defense will drop drastically."
"Don't give it time to rest! Frogadier, use Aerial Ace!"
Frogadier's webbed paws glowed white, and he sprinted towards the male Meowstic. Paralysis crackled on his skin, and Frogadier abruptly stopped. He lost his footing and stumbled.
"Dark Pulse."
The female Meowstic leaped in front of her partner and fired Dark Pulse. Frogadier launched into the air. Talonflame flew after Frogadier and caught him with its talon.
The portals opened, and Pikachu cried out. His tail stopping ticking. The psychic energy burst from the portals and hit Talonflame in the back. It and Frogadier hit the ground. As they hoisted themselves back up, using each other for support, Ash crouched to Pikachu's height once more. He smiled, stood up, and faced the battlefield.
"I admire your fighting spirit," Olympia said. "But I wonder if it will be enough to turn this battle over in your favor?"
"If it's what will motivate my Pokémon to keep going, then I have no doubt that it will!" Ash said. "We'll show you a battle worthy of a Gym badge."
Olympia smiled. "Once more, use Helping Hand and Future Sight!"
The energy retreated into the portals, and Pikachu's tail started to tick again.
"Let's go!"
"Dark Pulse! Psyshock!"
The Meowstic's eye marks glowed purple, and they fired their attacks.
"Frogadier, jump on Talonflame's back!"
Frogadier leaped back and landed on Talonflame's back. Talonflame curved upward, and the Dark Pulse and Psyshock passed under them. The Meowstic's eye marks glowed blue, and the dark and psychic energies chased after them.
"Whatever you do, don't stop moving!"
Talonflame spiraled in the air, frantically dodging the Dark Pulse and Psyshock.
"Talonflame, take a nosedive!"
Talonflame dove directly towards the Meowstic. Their attacks followed them. At the last second, Talonflame curved forward, and the attacks hit their users. They were propelled into the air.
"Now, catch Meowstic!"
Frogadier hopped off Talonflame's back and grabbed the male Meowstic. Talonflame grabbed the female Meowstic. They thrashed in the air. Pikachu's tail stopped ticking, and he cried out.
"Throw them!"
The portals opened, and Talonflame and Frogadier threw the Meowstic in front of them. The Future Sight unleashed and hit them. The two Meowstic tumbled to the ground.
"So, he had Pikachu time how long between the Future Sight's activation and execution so he could use it to his advantage," I said. I sighed. "Ash, you're so reckless."
"Amazing. This is the teamwork that I've been waiting for," Olympia said. Her Meowstic stood. "Are you all right?" They nodded and floated in the air with Psychic. "Use Psyshock!"
"Frogadier, use Cut!"
Frogadier leaped into the air as the Meowstic attacked. He summoned Cut, but cried out as the paralysis overwhelmed him. Ash's eyes widened.
"Talonflame, catch Frogadier on your back! Use your speed to back up Cut!"
Talonflame caught Frogadier and moved out of the way of Psyshock. It circled back around and chased after them. The two headed straight for the Meowstic.
"Use Helping Hand and Dark Pulse!"
With the energy transferred over, the female Meowstic launched Dark Pulse at Talonflame.
"Flame Charge!"
Talonflame stopped, and fire consumed it and Frogadier. The Psyshock and Dark Pulse hit, kicking up a cloud of smoke. The smoke subsided, and they were still in the air.
"Talonflame! Frogadier! Let's end this match!"
The two lunged at the Meowstic. The Meowstic separated. Talonflame went after the female, and Frogadier went after the male.
"Use Flame Charge and Water Pulse!"
Talonflame burst into flames and rammed into the female Meowstic, slamming it into the ground. Frogadier summoned Water Pulse and reared back his arms. The paralysis kicked in, and he faltered.
"Quickly, use Psyshock!"
The male Meowstic leaped into the air using Psychic and fired Psyshock at Frogadier. Frogadier lifted his arms, the Water Pulse still in his hands. The Psyshock hit the Water Pulse. Psychic energy splattered across the battlefield like embers from a bonfire.
"Don't give in, Frogadier!" Ash cried. Frogadier fell on one knee. "This is our first step to greatness! I'm right here with you! You can't give up now!"
My eyes widened as I looked between Ash and Frogadier. The Water Pulse expanded.
"Now!"
Frogadier fired the Water Pulse. It cut through the Psyshock and hit the male Meowstic. Both Meowstic collapsed on the ground, unconscious.
"Both Meowstic are unable to battle, which means the winner of this match goes to Ash, the challenger!" Charlene said.
"Yay, Ash! You did it!" Bonnie cried as she bounced up and down.
Serena sighed. "Thank goodness. I thought my heart was going to burst from the intensity."
We climbed down to the ground floor and joined Ash and Olympia on the battlefield.
"You battle splendidly," Olympia said. "During the battle, you truly were one with your Pokémon, and you found a solution to all the obstacles that arose in your path. I am proud to give you the Psychic Badge as proof of your well-earned victory."
Charlene handed a box to Olympia. Olympia opened it, pulled out the Psychic Badge, and offered it to Ash. Ash took it and smiled.
"Thank you, Olympia. It was an amazing battle," Ash said.
"It was my pleasure. I was especially impressed with your Frogadier," Olympia said.
"Were you able to see more of its future?"
"Yes. I saw great love in that final Water Pulse. I have no doubt that you two will achieve further greatness and power. However," Olympia lifted her arms. Two balls of light, one red and one blue, circled around each other, "if not handled with care, this will become a great trial. It is something that must be approached carefully and thoughtfully. Do that, and you will succeed."
Ash bowed. "Thank you, Olympia. I won't forget your words."
Ash pulled out his badge case and carefully placed the Psychic badge in the next empty slot.
"Congratulations, Ash!" Serena said.
"Looks like we did manage to win both our events."
Serena nodded. "Only one more Princess Key until I qualify for Master Class."
"And only one more Gym badge until I can enter the Kalos League." Ash raised a hand. "Let's work together to make that happen!"
Serena smiled, and the two exchanged a high-five.
"Let me see your badges!" Bonnie jumped next to Ash. Ash lowered his arms so Bonnie could see. "They're so shiny!"
"You handled your Gym battle well," I said. "Although, maybe next time you could be a little less risky."
"But risky business is my strategy, and it's worked well so far!" Ash said. I sweatdropped. "I believe it's a little something called 'dominant strategy'."
"I'm surprised you know what that is," Clemont chuckled.
"I'm surprised you know what 'dominant' means," Bonnie mumbled.
"H-Hey! I'm smarter than I look, you know!" Ash said. His stomach growled, and he clamped his hand over it. "All this excitement has worked up an appetite."
"Let's head back to the Pokémon Center and have dinner. We could all use a good night's rest after these last few days of adrenaline-pumping excitement," I said.
~TPPOV~
"I've been meaning to ask you," Professor Sycamore said to Olympia as they stood before the sundial. They faced the setting sun, "about the crisis you saw in your recent vision."
"I saw fire," Olympia said. "Green flames that will consume Kalos, pulling both human and Pokémon into its vortex. You will all play a major role in it all."
"What do you mean, us all? Did you see more than me, Ash, and Rylee?"
"This vortex has already drawn the attention of those from another region. One by one, they are gathering."
"Who?"
"I do not recognize these faces... but I see another Guardian who has been working behind the scenes."
"Guardian? As in Pokémon Guardian, like what Rylee is?"
Olympia closed her eyes and bowed her head. "The shadow of danger is fast approaching him."
~RYLEE~
N's face filled the video screen. "Hi, Rylee," he said. I scowled and slammed a hand on the screen. He flinched. "Is something wrong?"
"Why didn't you tell me about Groudon and Kyogre?!" I said.
N chuckled. "So, you heard about that."
"Yeah."
"Everything turned out fine. I helped Steven Stone calm the fighting legendaries, and things went back to normal... well, as normal as a week-long blizzard in the summertime can get."
"You didn't get hurt, did you? What about your friends?"
"We're all fine. Aegislash kept a close eye on Mairin."
"How's the other one, Alain?"
N's face fell. He looked over his shoulders to make sure he was alone.
"N?" I said.
N faced the screen. "Nothing. It's nothing. Alain is a very... complex and confusing person."
"What? N, what's going on?"
N shook off his stoic expression and smiled. "Everything's fine, really."
I pulled my hand off the screen and folded my arms. I searched N's face, hoping to find some hidden message. "Well... did you find anything out about Team Flare?"
"Oh, I sure did. I met Lysandre."
My eyes widened. "Team Flare's leader?!" I covered my mouth and glanced down the hall. I leaned closer to the speaker and lowered my voice. "Well? What happened? Did you go all Knight mode on him?"
N chuckled. "That's not always the best strategy, Rylee. We're definitely not very fond of each other, but he doesn't seem suspicious of me."
I folded my arms. "Well, if I was there, then he would already be behind bars..."
"Which is why Dad sent me to do this. He needs someone who uses their head first before charging into trouble."
I scowled and pouted.
"How are Ash and the others?"
"We just got back from the Anistar City Gym. Ash beat the Gym Leader, Olympia, and got his seventh Gym badge," I said.
"Already? So, one more to go and he can enter the Kalos League. Do you think he'll win?"
"I'll determine that when we're actually there. He's still as reckless as ever with his battling strategy."
"Well, it matches Ash's reckless attitude."
I chuckled. "True."
N looked down the hallway. "Well, I'd better let you go. Mairin will start looking for me soon if I don't head back."
"It's cute how she depends on you so much. You're like a big brother to her."
"I think one sister is enough."
"Hey!"
N laughed aloud. "I'll see you later, Rylee."
I sighed and pressed the 'end call' button. I headed down the hallway.
"One sister is enough," I murmured in a mocking tone. I opened the door to our room.
"Rylee!" Bonnie leaped off the bed. I yelped and caught her.
"Bonnie! You'll get hurt doing that!" Clemont said.
"Sorry I took so long," I said.
"How's N doing?" Ash said.
I set Bonnie down. "He's doing well, him and his friends."
"Will I get to meet your big brother one day?" Bonnie said.
"Maybe, if we're lucky enough to cross paths while we're here." I turned to Ash. "Have you figured out which Gym you'll challenge next?"
"I haven't thought about it yet." Ash looked to Serena. "What's the closest Gym from here?"
Serena pulled out her Town Map. "Here!" She turned the map over, and Ash leaned closer to get a better look. "The Snowbelle City Gym."
"Snowbelle City..." A big grin spread across Ash's face, and he leaped off his bed and threw his arms in the air. "All right! The Snowbelle City Gym it is! I'm already super stoked!"
"Where do you get all this energy from?" Clemont said. "Do you think you could share it with the rest of us?"
I laughed. As I did, the air caught in my throat. Images washed over my mind. Green flames were all I could see. A dark shadow broke through the flames, leaned its head back, and roared. The roar jolted me back, and I stumbled into the wall.
"Rylee?" I looked at my friends, who watched me with concern.
I stood straight and smiled. "I'm fine! I just got really dizzy there for a minute. I think Ash's battle exhausted me, even though all I did was watch."
"I know, right?" Bonnie said. "I feel like I can sleep for days!"
As the others talked about Ash's Gym battle, I reached up and touched my locket. Olympia's tale of the crisis filled my ears.
N... I gripped my locket. I have a feeling our true mission is about to reveal itself soon.
