With the sun beaming overhead and the birds flying over the coast, their cries were heard throughout the town as they passed over the stadium.
"Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages, welcome to Hullbury Stadium! I am your host for this exciting gym battle!" a man spoke, his voice ringing out throughout the speakers of the massive stadium, the crowd going completely wild.
Dagda could feel the crowd, his shoulders rolling out of pure instinct at the sound of the crowd losing their collective minds. He inhaled, trying to keep himself focused.
"Introducing first, the Gym Leader! A beautiful woman known far and wide for her gorgeous modeling work, which can be seen throughout the whole of Galar! Representing Wailord Agriculture, and the town of Hullbury, it's 'The Raging Wave', Nessa!"
Dagda physically flinched in shock at how deafening the cheers were. They almost shattered his ear drums, his head throbbing slightly as they continued to cheer. Dagda looked across the field at the woman coming out from the other side of the stadium's lockers.
She was tall, at least a head taller than Dagda, and she was very slender. Dagda saw her shimmering eyes and smooth, chocolate colored skin and his mind lost focus for a second. There was no doubting that she was a beautiful woman, and she carried herself with an unflinching confidence that Dagda could only envy.
"And the challenger! From Lumiose City in the Kalos region, he is a young up and coming trainer who gained attention for his amazing showing against Milo! Representing The Laverre Theatre Troupe, 'The Sprouting Imp', Dagda!"
Dagda came out to muffled cheers, a lot of indifferent or frowning people staring at him as he scanned the stands. He also found the moniker they used for him odd. Did his sponsor decide to give him that name, or was it the announcer himself? Regardless, he wasn't displeased with it. After all, Pops and his Pokemon always called him 'Imp'.
He walked up to Nessa, who looked down at him through her shimmering eyes, her makeup only making her look all the more striking. "So you beat Milo, huh?" she asked, and he nodded confidently, trying to remain composed and focused. "I hope you're ready for a challenge, because my rival has nothing on me." she said, a sly grin across her features that only served to throw Dagda off.
The two walked back to their separate positions, and Dagda inhaled. He wondered which Pokemon to use first, but he noticed that the floor began to shift. The ground, blue and stony, began to move and slide back, a massive pool of water dotted with white platforms hiding beneath the surface.
Dagda cursed. Of course this would happen. The gym is water typed after all. He changed plans, deciding to throw a different Pokeball. If he had one Pokemon that could understand how water type Pokemon moved and acted, it was Marko.
Nessa tossed a Dive Ball through the air, and it popped open, a familiar, big lipped fish Pokemon flipping in the air before landing in the water. Dagda looked to Marko, who cast a glance back to him, the two coming to an understanding.
"Nessa leads off with her trusty Goldeen, and Challenger Dagda leads off with his Meowth! Who will hold the advantage on this massive, aquatic field!?"
Dagda and Marko remained still, as if waiting for Nessa to make a move. He wondered exactly how he would deal with the aquatic Pokemon, who had a vast movement advantage. Dagda looked to the white platforms littering the field, wondering if Marko could even hop between them.
Marko roared, his claws stretched out and his posture stiff. He waited for his opponent to react, the Goldeen not doing much except glancing back to it's trainer for an order. Dagda picked up on this as well. "Mega Punch!"
"Water Pulse!" Nessa called, the fish opening it's mouth, launching a condensed ball of water at the charging feline. "Horn Attack!" Nessa called, the fish propelling itself forward through the water before leaping out.
Marko threw a left punch, his fist colliding with the ball of water. The ball exploded from the force, sending water spraying everywhere, including on Marko himself. He slid back from the force, able to see his opponent coming at him through the air.
"Metal Claw!" Dagda called, Marko swinging his right claw and meeting the Goldeen's horn. The collision was fierce, a pulse of energy sending ripples through the water as the two simply shoved against each other. "Water Pulse!"
A condensed ball of water struck Marko in the chest, sending him sliding back before his feet came off the platform. He cursed as he was blasted into the water, where he was at his opponent's mercy. "Horn Attack!"
Flipping in the water and holding his breath, Marko glanced about, wondering where his opponent was. His vision was still sharp, but it was rather blurred by the water. "Marko!" he heard, the feline glancing upwards to the surface before he felt something sharp strike him in the side. He winced, gritting his teeth and keeping his mouth closed.
He had to hold on and make it to the surface, but he couldn't with his opponent floating around the water with almost a limitless supply of energy. He felt another stab in his back, his body twitching in response to the pain, his mouth opening for a split second.
His mouth filled with water, the feline able to close his mouth and slowly swallow the water to remain alive. He wiggled his toes, wondering what his opponent would do in response to his movement. He was intently focused, unable to hear Dagda anymore. He was far too focused on keeping his mouth shut.
He began to swim towards the surface, another stab in his leg causing him to wince, his body sinking slightly. He looked down, seeing the water colored with his blood, his leg injured and bleeding freely. He extended his claws using Fury Swipes, using his lengthened claws like oars to bring himself to the surface. He could feel the surface on his whiskers when he was gripped by the ankle and pulled back down.
"What is happening beneath the surface!? It seems that the Challenger's Pokemon has been incapacitated. But is it still okay!?"
The announcer was so loud and obnoxious on the speaker, that Marko could even hear it being dragged towards the bottom of the water. He hated it, and glanced to the Pokemon that was dragging him down. Little did the Goldeen know, but he was waiting for this opportunity. His free foot began to glow a bright white, and even while struggling to hold his breath, he managed a smirk. His glowing left foot came down, striking the Goldeen in the face.
The force propelled him upwards, the Meowth exploding through the water to the surface before spinning to land on his feet on a platform. He began to pant, taking in huge gulps of air to fill his starving lungs.
He shook his head, glancing back to Dagda with a grin, the one eyed trainer smiling in return, glad his Pokemon was alright. "Goldeen, are you alright!?" Nessa called, furrowing her brow as she looked to the water.
The fish erupted from the water, it's face bruised and right eye swollen shut, it's open eye filled with rage. Marko turned his grin to the fish, weaving slightly before bursting into the air. Dagda smiled, happy that he had such a Pokemon to call a partner. "Mega Punch!"
Marko called out, a proud, confident roar as he swung his right hand, striking the Goldeen and sending it barreling through the air into one of the platforms, where it bounced, unconscious.
Marko landed on the ground, panting and worn, mentally cursing himself for expending so much energy against a Goldeen. He watched his defeated opponent, who was returned to a Pokeball, cementing another victory for the feline.
"An incredible turn of events! Despite being at a disadvantage, the challenger's Meowth managed to come out on top!" the announcer called, and Marko shook his head, feeling rather worn out after that singular, rather short battle. "Marko, switch out. You've done enough." he heard, the feline turning back to look at Dagda.
He hesitated slightly, because for some reason, Dagda looked different. The look in his singular purple eye was far more sharp, focused, and determined than normal. Even against Hop, that eye took a dark look, but it was more of Dagda's dislike of his opponent. This…. This was different.
He bowed his head, understanding his Captain's orders as he was returned to his Pokeball. Dagda lifted a different Pokeball, inhaling as he hurled the ball at one of the platforms. It cracked open, a red light blasting the platform as Danzig took shape.
The raccoon looked to the audience, who remained rather quiet at his entrance. He called out, a loud cry meant to rile up at least one person, his sharp ears realizing that it was a wasted effort. Nessa chuckled, something the raccoon picked up on as she tossed another Pokeball.
Another fish like Pokemon popped out, this one much sleeker as it peeked out of the water at Danzig. The Raccoon steeled himself, looking back to his brother, the one eyed trainer nodding back to him.
"And now the challenger changes Pokemon, choosing to use his Zigzagoon, who put on quite the performance against Milo! And Nessa is using her trusty Arrokuda! This is anyone's battle!" the announcer called, the audience growing louder, cheers for Nessa deafening as they increased in vigor.
"Arrokuda, pick your spot and use Aqua Jet!" Nessa called, the Pokemon diving beneath the water and beginning to speed about. Dagda knew that Danzig was better equipped with dealing with these fish like Pokemon, something that he was rather grateful for. "Danzig, use Hyper Voice!" he called, and the raccoon inhaled, his chest swelling.
He belted out a note at the water, the pool of liquid splitting as the Arrokuda froze in surprise, his movement stopped suddenly. "Tackle!" Dagda called, and Danzig jolted forward, his speed impressing even Dagda, who noticed something different about the attack.
The trainer watched closely, Danzig slamming into the fish and knocking him back before the water could crash down on him. Instead of moving in a slightly awkward, zigzag pattern, this time, Danzig shot straight forward with much more speed than normal. Was Danzig growing that much stronger that fast? Or was there something else?
The water blown back by the Hyper Voice crashed down on the Arrokuda, who had just been slammed into by Danzig. Nessa grit her teeth, seeming slightly agitated by the fact that her opponent hadn't lost a single Pokemon. "Arrokuda, get back into this! Use Close Combat!" she called, and Dagda blinked. He was fully aware of that move.
He'd seen it used plenty of times watching TV. Pokemon were brutalized by strings of attacks, vicious blows that normally looked like a combo in a video game. The fish exploded from the water, heading straight for Danzig.
Dagda wasn't an expert on Pokemon, but he knew that fighting type attacks were not what Danzig should be dealing with. He almost faltered, his composure slipping ever so slightly as he thought of a strategy. "Use Sucker Punch!"
When the fish flipped in mid air to strike Danzig with it's tail, the raccoon weaving to the side and throwing a left bodyblow that struck the fish. "Knock Off and Hyper Voice!" he called, realizing that panicked, reckless offense was the only answer to a Pokemon that knew such a frightening move.
Danzig used his right paw and slapped the Arrokuda to the ground, the fish out of water unable to move as well as it normally would. "Quick Arrokuda, use Aqua Jet and get out of there!" Nessa called, the fish cloaking itself in water and barreling away like a torpedo.
Danzig's Hyper Voice struck the platform, launching him into the air from the force, something Dagda didn't anticipate. "He's airborne! Use Liquidation!" she called, the Pokemon surging through the air, cloaked in even more water than before.
Danzig twisted in air like a cat to meet the Pokemon, Dagda unsure of what order to give. Should he try to use Sucker Punch in mid air? Or would Hyper Voice be a better idea? He growled, angry that he couldn't think.
His mind raced as the fish closed in inch by inch, Dagda realizing that the force Arrokuda was charging with was a huge problem. He winked, coming to an epiphany. The force.
"Danzig, use Counter!" he called, the raccoon smiling to himself as he spun in the air like a monochrome missile, weaving under the fish and grabbing it in his jaws. He jerked as hard as he could, whirling and spiking the fish towards a platform head first. It crashed into the stone, shattering it and sending dust flying.
Danzig landed on a platform, panting slightly as he simply waited for his opponent. When the dust settled, the fish was unconscious, Danzig feeling that rush of victory pass through his fur. He called out, his body erupting in a bright, blue light.
Dagda watched in awe as Danzig's body began to morph and twist within the light. His front paws thinned out, his hair became more linear, his body growing long and sleek as his face extended, his tongue remaining out even now.
"A truly mesmerizing scene folks! After a sudden, and forceful victory over Nessa's Arrokuda, it seems that the challenger's Zigzagoon is evolving!"
When the light dispersed, Danzig rose up to his hind legs and roared, the audience actually cheering for him. Loud cries and isolated chants began to ring out, the raccoon, who was more like a weasel, elated as he spread his arms out and laughed.
Nessa returned her Pokemon, folding her arms as her right eyebrow twitched. "You know, I've never liked Linoones." she said, pulling a third ball from her waist. "This isn't over! I'm going to prove to you, and to Milo, that I'm the better trainer!" she called, hurling the ball straight up. Danzig bounced back to Dagda's side, the two waiting eagerly.
The stadium's floor began to shift as Nessa's Pokeball popped open. The floor was closed by time the red light dispersed from a hardy, turtle like Pokemon. Dagda noted that it looked impressively sturdy, and that it had a monstrous, almost bulldozer like jaw.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it seemed that Leader Nessa has been pushed against the wall! She's down to her final, and most powerful Pokemon, her trusted partner, Dreadnaw!" the announcer called, Dagda inhaling and focusing intently on the Pokemon. Everything from it's shape and density to the way it stood and moved. It looked like an impenetrable wall of a creature, something that Dagda couldn't overcome.
Nessa smiled, as if she could see or smell the hesitation on Dagda's features. "You sure you wanna keep going? I'd hate to humiliate your Linoone so soon after it evolved." she said, and Dagda smiled, rolling his wrists and flexing his hands as he nodded. "You sure you're not just bluffing? It'd be pretty bad publicity for you to lose to some one eyed kid without taking down a single Pokemon." he said, remembering that he represented a theater troupe. He had to put on a show for the whole region.
Nessa seemed to take him seriously, growling aloud and frowning as she looked to her Pokemon. "Dreadnaw! Time to wash him up!" she called, the Pokemon crying out boldly and proudly as she returned it to it's Pokeball, turning her wrist over.
Dagda knew what was coming, and wasted no time in following suite. He returned Danzig to his Pokeball, flipping his wrist as the energy from his Dynamax Band began to pour out.
He watched as the Pokeball grew larger and larger, glowing and hissing with the bright red energy, weighing down on his wrist. He held the ball in his hand, his arm extended as he looked to his opponent, seeing her throw the Pokeball in a high arc.
Dagda felt very enthused for some reason. He enjoyed cracking wise at the gym leader, something that he noticed the audience wasn't fond of. His Pokemon weren't the nicest looking group either, barring Otis. He realized that, if he was going to put on a show, that he should try to play a spectacular villain.
Using one hand, he hurled the Pokeball behind him, thankful that his right wrist and arm healed without injury from the attack. He watched the ball flip and turn before popping open, massive beams of red energy streaming out as Danzig began to take shape, his aura adding to his more menacing appearance.
"Amazing! Both the challenger and the gym leader have Dynamaxed their Pokemon! The two four legged titans look ready to blow the stadium to pieces!" the announcer called, adding to the awe inspiring atmosphere of a Dynamax battle.
Both Pokemon, huge and powerful, stood unmoving, waiting for a command. Dagda stomped forward, holding out his balled fist, a dark look in his eye. "Use Knock Off!" he called, the weasel running forward as the ground shook, the turtle unflinching at the sight.
"Dreadnaw, Max Geyser!" Nessa called, the huge turtle opening it's behemoth mouth, a ball of water that looked more like a laser beam beginning to form. Dagda grit his teeth, knowing that wouldn't be good for him. He wondered exactly how these 'max' moves worked, and decided to take an educated guess.
"Danzig, Max Strike!" he called, and Danzig closed his eyes as he closed in, the ground beneath the turtle beginning to glow a bright color, the Pokemon's focus thrown off ever so slightly. A beam of energy shot up, engulfing the turtle and dealing very little damage, Danzig striking it under the eye with his claws as a follow up.
The Pokemon remained unmoving, his feet still in the same spot after both attacks. Dagda was fully aware of this, wondering how he could go about damaging such a hardy Pokemon. "Keep going! Knock Off!" he called, another claw strike hitting the Dreadnaw, who merely took it.
Dagda realized that this was going to be much harder than he thought, fully aware that Hyper Voice wouldn't be of much assistance. "Dreadnaw, use Hydro Pump!" Nessa called, a stream of water interrupting Danzig's onslaught and sending him sliding back. Dagda could see the wear and tear of battle wearing on his frame. Dagda kept thinking, trying to keep Danzig from being struck with one of those max moves. "Is that all you've got? I should've expected less from a girl who spends her life in front of a camera!" he called, trying to antagonize the gym leader.
The audience bought into it, because Dagda began to hear boos rain down like rumbling thunder. He smiled, finding it rather amusing to himself. Nessa also bought into it as well, as she seemed rather agitated. By what, Dagda couldn't honestly tell. "Dreadnaw, use Crunch!" she called, the turtle roaring to life.
The Pokemon began to move, taking huge, laborious steps forward, Danzig able to watch it like it moved in slow motion, his increased speed changing his perception of time. "Knock Off!" Dagda called, trying to get the jump on the turtle. Danzig dashed forward, watching the turtle closely.
Danzig rose up, jabbing the turtle in the neck. Dreadnaw seemed unphased, opening his massive mouth wide, Dagda able to see a black expanse that looked inescapable, something in him slightly panicking at the sight. "Danzig, Max Darkness!" he called, the weasel weaving back ever so slightly.
His claws grew black, Danzig clapping his hands together as a stream of dark energy exploded from his hands, striking the Dreadnaw in the mouth, the force causing it's feet to rise off the ground for the first time. Dagda noticed this, his heart skipping a beat as the opportunity opened itself up.
"Keep attacking! Use Max Strike!" he called, the ground beginning to glow as Danzig roared. Another stream of energy shot up, doing little to no damage to the Dreadnaw, just like last time. However, Dagda's aim wasn't to deal damage. He watched the attack force the turtle off it's feet, the Pokemon crashing to it's back.
The ground began to tremble, the force sending dust, debris and a wave of air throughout the entire stadium, Dagda force to cover his good eye. "Finish him off Danzig! Max Darkness again!" Dagda called. This had to do it.
"Use Max Geyser!" Nessa called, the scrambling turtle immediately gathering itself and opening it's huge maw. Dagda noticed this immediately, watching Danzig's claws grow black, the energy cackling and oozing from his claws. Dagda narrowed his eye. His claws.
"Sucker Punch!" Dagda called, Danzig glancing back to him before dashing forward, a huge gust of wind blew at his speed. As the ball of water finished forming in the jaws of Dreadnaw, Danzig was already over him.
Using his claws, filled with the vicious energy of Max Darkness, Danzig came down, piercing the ball of water and striking the Dreadnaw directly in it's open maw. The conflicting forces erupted, both Pokemon caught in a massive explosion that covered the field in a thick mist.
The audience waited, much like the trainers, with baited breath, their hearts throbbing in their chests at the outcome. Who would prevail? How would the battle's outcome shift? They were all anticipating many things, the announcer yearning for something to commentate on, the stark silence of the massive stadium almost unsettling.
And when the mist cleared, there was one sight that they all saw. Laying limp and unconscious on his back, his ability to fight gone for the moment, was Danzig. Dagda cursed, angry that his Pokemon fell despite his valiant, showstopping performance.
He looked to Nessa's Dreadnaw, who was now standing on it's thick, sturdy legs, silently staring at Dagda defiantly. He cursed, returning Danzig to his Pokeball. He reached for Marko's, his eyes never leaving the Dreadnaw.
"Incredible! Despite such underhanded, desperate tactics from the challenger, Gym Leader Nessa and her immovable Dreadnaw came out on top!" He shouted, the audience filled with thunderous cheers, Dagda frowning at exactly how deafening they were. He knew he'd have a headache after this.
He pulled his arm back, inhaling. He knew that Marko was weakened, but perhaps he could do something to at least weaken the Dreadnaw before Otis secured the victory. He moved to throw the Pokeball, but he stopped. He looked to the Dreadnaw, and he noticed something.
Despite it's stalwart, defiant stance and intimidating presence, it's eyes were glazed over, and it wasn't responding to anything around it. It had yet to let out a victory cry, to even pant from the battle. Dagda exhaled, putting his arm down and putting Marko's Pokeball back on his waist. It was time for the end of the show.
"What's wrong? You giving up?" Nessa asked, the audience quieting down to hear the two combatants speak. Dagda scoffed, leveling his lavender gaze on her. "Has all that modeling dulled your senses? This battle is over." he said, folding his arms and simply glaring at her. Nessa laughed, stepping forward and standing proudly, defiantly against his words.
"Yeah right! We've got plenty of fight left in us, right Dread…." she trailed off, looking to her Pokemon and realizing it too. Despite it's defiance, it's resilience, it's determination and hardy spirit, the Pokemon was standing unconscious, unable to continue physically but not willing to mentally concede. Nessa was surprised that her opponent noticed it before her. She frowned, realizing that he was right.
She pulled the Pokeball from her waist, returning the Pokemon and staring at the ball. She didn't want to admit it, but she had a feeling that this would happen. She was being thrown off by her opponent's style. It wasn't consistent, it was theatric and grandiose. As if he was putting on a performance.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it seems that despite it's perfect standing form, Nessa's immovable Dreadnaw has been defeated! This means that the winner is Laverre Theater Troupe's Dagda De Danann!" he screamed, the audience showering him with a cacophony of boos as he headed over to Nessa to collect his gym badge.
"Whaddya think this time?" Pops asked, hearing a sigh on the other line. "Did you put him up to it? That wasn't a natural battle. He was acting." he heard, and the large man began to laugh. "Of course not. He must have gotten the idea from the fact that he's representing a bunch of ballerinas."
The man on the other side of the phone rolled his eyes. "I bet you think you're funny. Regardless, I'm on my way to Galar. Will you stop by Motostoke after my meeting?" he asked, and Pops shrugged, humming to himself.
"Most likely. Sleipnir is in Motostoke, and Hendrix and Trujillo want to catch your troupe's dumb ass ballet show." he said, and the man laughed. "See if that Imp wants to come see the play. I'll have my staff keep an eye for him. I kind of want to meet the kid." he said, and Pops rolled his eyes.
"Did you tell me to not turn him into a 'brute' so you could turn him into a fruit?" he asked, hearing a hearty laugh on the opposite end. "Did hanging around your 'Uncle' have that effect on you?" he asked, and Pops rolled his eyes again.
"Just hurry up and get here. I'll give you all of the research I've done so you can pass it along to that pain in the ass." he said, and he heard a hum of agreement. "That's fine by me. I might not agree with you on much, but we can both agree that my brother is a pain in everyone's ass."