Chapter 15 - "We'll Just Have To Not Get Hit!"

"Wh-wh-what is that?" Cyan said as he looked at the massive Pokémon that stood before him.

"It's called Lurantis!" Kala said. She backed up and stood next to Mallow. "Looks can be deceiving! Be careful!"

Mallow simply smiled.

Cyan drew two Poké Balls out from his belt. He weakly tossed one with his left hand, and Rockruff materialized. And then, with his right hand, he did a fast overhead pitch, and Ivysaur appeared.

"Ivysaur, take this!" he said while pulled out the seed from before. He tossed it at his Pokémon who caught it with his vines that were now healed from the previous trial battle. Ivysaur smiled as he felt energy rush throughout his body.

Lurantis began a soft whistle, and then the jungle started to rumble. A sound similar to that of the jungle came from the trees before a large Pokémon with a point beak appeared. It darted downwards at both of Cyan's Pokémon.

"Razor Leaf! Rock Throw!"

Both of Cyan's Pokémon released their attacks into the air, but the bird Pokémon was much faster. It easily avoided the flurry of leaves and the large stone, and then its beak started to glow. It tackled into Ivysaur, and then quickly retreated. Ivysuaur looked around confused and then peeked at his vines. The seed was gone. The bird Pokémon chuckled as it held the seed in its mouth. With one quick motion, it swallowed the seed completely.

"What?! No!" Cyan yelled.

"That's Trumbeak's Pluck," Mallow said. "Don't try to think that you're the first trainer to try to pull that trick here."

"Trumbeak?" Cyan wondered. He looked up at the flying Pokémon. "It's really fast. We have to slow it down."

Trumbeak descended and started to charge energy within its beak once again. The ground started to shake as it passed by, and soon, five stones of energy swirled around its body. It shot the stones, one by one, towards Cyan's Pokémon.

"Knock them back with Vine Whip!" Cyan ordered.

Ivysaur jumped in front of Rockruff before he released his vines from under his flower. The vines smacked into each of the artificial stones, knocking them towards the ground.

"And now, use Rock Tomb!"

Rockruff's eyes started to glow, and the stones from before were lifted into the air by some sort of kinetic energy. Rockruff howled as she tossed the stones and the oncoming bird Pokémon. One landed a direct shot to the head, knocking Trumbeak downwards. Then, the other four followed, landing on all sides of the Flying-type. They got in closer, squeezing Trumbeak and trapping it.

"Finish it with Take Down!"

"Ivy!" Cyan's Pokémon cried out as he bounded forward haphazardly. He crashed into Trumbeak and the rocks, sending everything flying back. Trumbeak landed in a heap as the rocks once again piled up on it. It was clear the Pokémon could no longer continue. Ivysaur, now damaged from recoil, looked up to Lurantis with a grin on his face.

Cyan snapped his fingers and laughed. "Usually, those Pokémon are a lot more of a challenge, but that was a piece of cake!"

Lurantis raised her arms and started to whistle once more. The wind blew through the trees once again, shaking the jungle. And then there was a loud explosion. From the trees came barreling a ball of white energy. It crashed down in front of Rockruff, sending her flying into the air.

Another Pokémon emerged. This one was grey in color with a big head floating on what looked like a small cloud of a body.

"What in the world is that?" Cyan wondered. He turned to Kala, and she shrugged.

The Pokémon flew forward and opened up its mouth wide. It released stream of water straight towards Rockruff.

"Ivysaur!" Cyan yelled.

Ivysaur rolled forward and jumped in front of his partner. He took the hit directly, but he was seemingly unaffected.

"Howl!" Cyan ordered. "Ivysaur, use Razor Leaf!"

As Rockruff straightened out her body and howled into the air, charging up a red veil of energy around her, Ivysaur unleashed her vines once again. The Pokémon with the cloud body weaved through the mass of vines, and it lowered its head before striking Ivysaur directly. Ivysaur's body froze up slightly before he slumped. He gasped for breath, looking at Cyan for direction.

The grey Pokémon then turned around once more. It darted back towards Cyan's Pokémon, looking for one more powerful strike.

"Bite!" Cyan commanded.

"Rock-ruff!" the canine Pokémon growled as it jumped over Ivysaur. She jumped into the air and latched her fangs onto the bottom of the ally Pokémon. It screeched as it tried to wave off the Rock-type, but it was all to no avail.

"Razor Leaf!"

With the last of his energy, Ivysaur released a flurry of leaves, sharped with energy, from his body. The leaves soared across the field and raced towards the ally Pokémon. Seeing the attack coming, the ally Pokémon's eyes started to glow. It shot a ball of light into the air. The light exploded, illuminating the area with an artificial sunlight.

But then the leaves got in a direct hit. Rockruff loosened her grip as the ally Pokémon flew backwards, smashing into a tree and fainting. Ivysaur let out one more battle cry before collapsing completely.

Cyan nodded and then returned his starter Pokémon. "You did wonderful." He locked eyes with the Lurantis. "Any more tricks?"

Lurantis remained still.

"Alright then. You ready, Rockruff?"

"Ruff!"

Cyan examined Lurantis closely. The way it stood and its bulbous eyes indicated to him that it was a Bug-type. All of the studying that he did on type match-ups told him that he had the advantage here. As long as he was at advantage, there was no point in bringing in Brionne or Salandit.

"Rock Throw!" he ordered.

Rockruff dug her two front paws into the ground, making a small stone emerge. With a quick kick, the stone was sent soaring into the air.

But Lurantis was fast. She easily avoided the stone and then bounded forward. Her two front arms made of blades started to glow a dark green before she crossed them into an 'X' formation. She swiped downwards at the already worn out Rockruff, getting in a direct hit.

"That was a Bug-type attack," Cyan said. "Got this one figured out!"

Kala looked at Mallow who only smiled.

Rockruff's body slid against the ground, but she slowly stood back up, her legs shaking. She howled, ready to keep battling.

This one is fast too. We have to slow it down as much as possible.

"Rockruff, Rock Tomb!"

As Rockruff started to charge her energy, the Totem Pokémon charged forward once more. This time, Rockruff was prepared for Lurantis' speed. She jumped backwards as she made stones exploded from the ground. The stones stopped Lurantis in her place and then started to slowly pile up. Lurantis let out a cry as the stones put pressure against her body.

"Nice!" Cyan said. "Now hit 'em with your strongest Rock Throw!"

Rockruff growled as she kicked a large stone into the air. But then suddenly, Lurantis started to spin. The stones that surrounded her body exploded into rubble, and a flurry of leaves shot across the battlefield. They sliced through the airborne stone and then continued forward, directly pelting Rockruff.

The Rock-type paused for a moment, a look of shock never leaving her face. Then, she collapsed forward, fainting before Cyan could exactly determine what was happening.

Cyan slowly lifted his Poké Ball and then returned his Pokémon. He looked at Lurantis who cocked her head, popping her neck. She let out a soft whistle and began to absorb some of the energy that came from the sun. Her body started to glow a light white hue, and soon, the wounds from the previous Rock Tomb were healed as though the attack had never happened.

Mallow grinned and folded her arms. "Lurantis is no Bug-type. In fact, she's a Grass-type, and you're yet to even see what kind of power she holds within. Go ahead, Cyan. Do your worst."

"A Grass-type?" Cyan asked. That means that Brionne will be at a disadvantage, but at least I have Salandit.

Lurantis took a step back and raised her arms, ready for more of a fight.

"We'll just have to not get hit!" Cyan yelled as he tossed his remaining two Poké Balls into the air. Brionne and Salandit materialized on the battlefield. Salandit looked cautiously at Brionne before noticing Lurantis. She then knelt down and prepared for battle.

Lurantis twisted her body around, and leaves comprised of energy materialized around her body. With one quick motion, she shot the leaves forward.

"Counter with Flame Burst!"

Salandit jumped in front of Brionne before unleashing a blast of fire onto the field. The small spurt exploded, creating a wave that seemingly burnt most of the leaves to a crisp, but some were able to break through. The remaining leaves, weakened by the fire, collided with both Brionne and Salandit, irritating them slightly. They looked at the leaves as they slowly fell to the ground and finished burning up.

And then Lurantis emerged from the flames. Her arm was glowing with energy that she had absorbed from the sun, and she darted across the field, ready to strike quickly.

"Fast!" Cyan yelled. "Get out of the way!"

Both of the Pokémon jumped into the air as Lurantis slashed away, narrowly missing.

"We have to slow her down!" Cyan said. "Use Icy Wind!"

As Lurantis turned around in an attempt to continue her attack, Brionne blew icy energy from his mouth. The cold ice came over Lurantis, putting a stop to her motions. She closed her eyes as she tried to fight against the super-effect attack.

"Now, Smog!"

Before Lurantis could start her next attack, Salandit slithered forward. She opened her mouth, unleashing a purple mist. The mist engulfed Lurantis, who then started to cough. She twisted her body again, making the razor sharp leaves form once more. They spun rapidly, blowing the purple mist away.

"We can't let up!" Cyan called. "Dragon Rage!"

Salandit howled before releasing a wave of blue flames across the field. Lurantis held up her arms as a way of defense, but then suddenly, Brionne appeared, his body absorbed in water.

"An Aqua Jet?" Mallow wondered.

Brionne crashed into Lurantis, and the two fell backwards, but the Grass-type was nimble. She put one of her arms into the ground to prevent her from falling and then raised her other arm into the air. It started to glow with the energy from before once more. And then, she swiped.

"Dodge!" Cyan yelled, but it was too late.

Brionne took a direct hit to the mid-section, and he was tossed to the side. His body scraped against the jungle floor before he rolled into a heap in front of Cyan's feet. Cyan knelt down and held Brionne's unconscious in his hands.

"I'm sorry. That was a bad idea," he whispered before letting the red light return his Pokémon. He stood back up and observed the field. Lurantis had taken some damage, and she was breathing heavily, but Salandit appeared ready to go.

Lurantis held her arms out once more, and her body started to glow with the light of the artificial sunlight. She shook, and her wounds were healed. Once she stopped her technique, she appeared refreshed, and there was an extra beat in her step. She glanced at Cyan, smirked, and then focused back on Salandit.

"Salandit, we have to fight with everything we have, okay?"

"Sala…" the Pokémon hissed. She lowered her head and cocked her shoulders.

Lurantis was the first to move, twisting her body, and creating the leaves of energy from before.

"No! Flame Burst!"

As Lurantis unleashed her move, Salandit breathed a spurt of fire. The fire exploded, engulfing the leaves once more, but again, some broke through.

"Double Slap!"

Salandit leapt into the air and began to smack the remaining leaves from the sky. Lurantis took her chance and then bounded forward, her two arms raised into the air. She slashed downwards, knocking Salandit to the ground.

"Smog!"

As soon as Salandit hit the ground, she twisted her body, and then released the purple mist directly into Lurantis' face. Lurantis choked on the smoke again and began a backwards walk, escaping the mist. She fell to one knee as a light purple hue came over her body.

"Even if she heals, it won't be perfect," Cyan commented. He looked at Salandit, who was now breathing heavily from the previous attack.

It was then that the harsh artificial sunlight started to fade away, and the jungle began its regular dim self. Cyan grinned, and then made his next order.

"Flame Burst!"

"Sala!"

Salandit unleashed her biggest flame yet, and this time, it covered the heaving Lurantis completely. She screeched as her body was burned by the flames, but then out of nowhere, she gained the energy to break through. She escaped the flames and then slashed, getting another direct hit on Salandit. The Fire-type flew backwards, smacking against a tree. She slowly slid down, her body limp once it connected with the floor.

Mallow was in shock, but she eventually found it in her to shrug and then try to stand. "Looks like this-"

"No!" Cyan said. He pointed at Salandit. His Pokémon began to stir, and she stood back up, although her legs were shaking violently. "We still got this!"

The two Pokémon looked at one another. Unblinking, they both felt each other out before Cyan gave his command.

"Give it all that you've got into one more Flame Burst!"

As Salandit found the energy within herself to unleash flames onto the field, Lurantis started one final solar attack. She lunged forward, and Salandit released her attack. Lurantis fought through the flames, running through them as fast as she could, and then, to Salandit's surprise, she made it through completely. She raised her two sword-like arms into the air and prepared for her strike.

"Salandit!" Cyan yelled.

Then Lurantis stopped. The purple hue became intense for one moment, and then the Grass-type fell forwards, landing in front of Salandit. The Fire-type let out a sigh of relief before she allowed herself to collapse.

Cyan ran out onto the field and reached out for his Pokémon. He looked wearingly at Lurantis before lightly petting Salandit's head. "We did it. You were wonderful."

"Sala," the Pokémon whimpered before the red light took over her body.

Mallow clapped her hands together as she came onto the battlefield. She knelt down and pet Lurantis. "Cyan, you're incredible. I have no idea how you were actually able to beat all three Pokémon when two of your Pokémon were at such a disadvantage. I'm very impressed."

"It was too close," Cyan muttered. "I need to improve."

Mallow smiled. "But you still pulled off the win, so be proud!"

The two trainers stood up, and Mallow reached into a small bag that she had tied around her waist. She pulled out a familiar yellow seed and handed it over. "You've earned yourself a miracle seed for your Ivysaur. And then there's this." In her other hand, she revealed a forest green crystal.

Cyan took it in his hand and held it up into what light came into the jungle. He felt the energy flow through his body. "Nice."

"This will transform Grass-type moves into a powerful technique called Bloom Doom. I definitely recommend it going forward. I'm surprised that you didn't use any Z-Moves this time around."

Cyan lowered the crystal and then avoided Mallow's gaze. "I'm unable to do them."

"Unable to do them?" Mallow wondered. "That's odd. If you have the bracelet, the crystal, and you do the dance properly, then you should do them with no problem."

"We don't know why," Kala said.

Mallow observed Cyan. Although he had won the battle, he still looked disappointed. "Don't fret, Cyan. Keep practicing, and you'll do one eventually. Now that you've cleared my trial, you can come here and do all the training you want."

Cyan looked up, and his usual smile formed across his face. "Okay!"

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

So far, Cyan has won every single challenge. But I think this one will kind of affect him a bit more. I wanted to write a challenging trial, and I think this one was pretty interesting.

Next chapter, we'll see a little bit of training and then… something else.