Chapter 20 - "Special Double Battle?"

Kumquat Island

With only one more gym challenge and three more islands to visit, Cyan and Skylar were brought to Kumquat Island. Skylar's eyes lit up as she saw the luxurious hotels and massive buildings that filled the island. There were spas, hot springs, and beaches full of tourists, something that Skylar hadn't seen since the beginning of their journey.

"So, let me get this right, I defeat the gym leader in whatever dumb challenge that they have, and then I battle against the supreme gym leader?" she asked once the two disembarked from Wailord.

Cyan nodded. "Yeah. That battle will take place on Pummelo Island, which isn't very far from here. I guess if you really think about it, our journey on the Orange Islands may be coming to a close sooner than later."

Skylar was slightly taken aback. She shifted her eyes and looked towards the beach. "I mean, I can take my time with training for the supreme gym leader. I don't intend on entering the Vertress Conference again until next year, so I have time. You know, if you have time too."

He smiled. "I have time! There's no set date for when I need to return to Alola!"

"So, where's my gym challenge this time?" Skylar asked. She squinted her eyes and looked around the island, noticing the mountainous area behind the city. "I bet it's over there! We probably have to swing through vines to get there too! Don't worry. I've thought of it all."

"Actually, your gym challenge is gonna be at the luxurious Kumquat Hotel. We'll get to stay there as long as we're on the island," Cyan explained.

"A luxury hotel?" Skylar asked, almost melting into herself. "I can get a massage?"

"Uh huh!"

"And take a dip in the hot springs!"

"Yep!"

"What about food?"

"All you can eat!"

"This is the best island ever! Let's go!"

Cyan led the way through the busy streets of the city. To Skylar's surprise, he didn't even need a map this time around. It was as though he knew the island by instinct, and within an hour, they stood at the front doors of the Kumquat Hotel.

Cyan stopped and put his hands on his hips. "Alright, let me handle the talking. I've heard that challengers get free rooms, but if we're rude, that might not happen."

"Rude?"

He smiled. "You're really strong, and some people might be intimidated by you."

Skylar felt insulted at first, but after a moment's thought, she smiled and then flexed her thin arms. "You got that right!"

Upon entering, they were immediately greeted by all of the staff who spoke simultaneously. It was something that Cyan was used to, as it was a part of his culture, but Skylar was visibly taken aback by it. The two walked to the reception counter.

"Welcome! Do you have a reservation?" the woman behind the counter asked. She was dressed in gold and had a tight black skirt.

"We don't, but we're here for a gym challenge. My friend is taking on the league," Cyan responded. He motioned towards Skylar, who took his advice from before and remained quiet. She couldn't help but smile when the receptionist looked at her though.

"Can I get your names please?"

"The challenger's name is Skylar Hayes. My name is Kokura Cyan."

The other receptionists went silent for a moment before they began murmuring to themselves.

"Okay, Ms. Hayes and Mr. Kokura. We have a double room available, if that's okay with you. Two beds and free television and wifi."

"What about massages?" Skylar whispered.

"Mr. Kokura!" a boisterous voice called. "Did I hear that right?"

Cyan peeked around the corner, finding a woman with short red hair. She appeared to be in her mid to late thirties, and wore a simple blue dress.

"Ruriko!" Cyan exclaimed. He ran from the counter and to the woman. He wanted to hug her, but he stopped just short and instead smiled up at her. She punched him in the shoulder before pulling him in for a hug.

"You haven't grown at all! You're still that little brat, aren't ya?" she asked. She looked out at Skylar. "Who's your friend?"

Cyan pulled away. "This is Skylar! She's from Unova, and she's been challenging the Orange League! She's really strong!"

"Don't hype me up too much," Skylar said while waving her hands away from her face.

"Always nice to meet a challenger," Ruriko said. "I'm Ruriko, the strongest of the Orange Crew and the owner of this hotel. You're welcome to stay here as long as you wish, Skylar."

"You're the gym leader?" Skylar asked. "You're totally different from what I imagined. Not to sound rude."

"Not at all!" Ruriko exclaimed. "Let's get these two our best rooms and best service, ya hear? Top floor and all!"

"Does that mean massages?" Skylar asked.

"Around the clock!"

Skylar jumped up and down. "This-is-awesome!"

After the two got settled in, they went their separate ways. Cyan took a dip in one of the hot springs while Skylar got her and her Pokémon all massages. When they finished and they were well rested, they met back up in their hotel room. Skylar appeared to be the most relaxed that she had been since they met, and Cyan was just happy to experience a nice bath once again.

There was a knock on the door, and Cyan opened it, allowing Ruriko to come in. Skylar turned off the television and then stood up with her arm out.

"I'm ready to challenge you whenever! My Pokémon are looking forward to it."

Ruriko grinned. "I envy your spunk. We can head down in just a moment."

"Thanks for allowing us to stay here, Ruriko," Cyan said. "It's been awhile since I've been to an actual hot spring. I forgot how much I missed it!"

"Can I ask how you two know each other?" Skylar wondered.

"Cyan's parents are old friends of mine."

"When we'd come to the Orange Islands for vacation, my dad would bring us here. He often came here to study the Pokémon, and Ruriko would let us stay here," Cyan explained. "I'd watch her battle sometimes!"

Ruriko nodded. "I've heard about everything that's happened from your mother. I was devastated to hear about your father's passing. And then you battled with a legendary Pokémon in Alola? You're incredibly strong to be able to get through all of that."

Cyan closed his eyes. "Thank you."

Ruriko clapped her hands together. "Now, Skylar! Are you ready to challenge my gym?"

"I'm so ready, you won't believe it!" Skylar exclaimed. "What do I gotta do? Target practice? Racing? Whack-a-Drilbur?"

Ruriko laughed. "Not at all, my dear!"

The three made their way from the top floor of the hotel all the way down to the bottom and below ground. Cyan and Skylar followed Ruriko into a small stadium where there was a standard battlefield, drawn up with chalk. It was lit up by bright stadium lights, ones that Skylar was familiar with from watching conferences on television.

Ruriko walked towards the middle of the field and then turned around. "Skylar, today we're going to have a special double battle!"

"Special double battle?"

"That's right. It's a sudden death style. The first person to lose a single Pokémon loses the match. Your Pokémon have to be in perfect synch with one another if you want to win. You have to balance out your Pokémon's ability and find a perfect blend of offensive action and defensive technique to defeat me. One misstep, and it's all over," she explained. "You're from Unova, I hear?"

"Yeah. Nimbasa City."

Ruriko grinned and put her finger up. "Unova is home to the triple battle, which I'd love to try someday. I imagine that managing three Pokémon at once isn't easy. However, I've stuck to the traditions of my gym and hotel, and we'll stick to the rules I've established. Do you have two capable Pokémon?"

Skylar nodded. "I'm ready! We're ready! Are you ready?"

"Of course! Cyan, would you mind serving as referee for this match?" Ruriko asked.

Cyan raised his hands into the air and waved them around as though he were holding flags. "You got it! I'll call it right down the middle!"

The three of them took their positions. Cyan stood in the middle while the two trainers walked to their respective ends of the field.

"The following special double battle will be between gym leader, Ruriko and challenger, Skylar! It will end whenever one side loses a single Pokémon!" Cyan announced. He looked towards both of the trainers, looking for affirmation that he did a good job.

Ruriko smiled and gave him a thumbs up. "I'll start! Alakazam, Marowak, let's go!"

Her two Pokémon materialized onto the field. One was yellow and lanky. It held two spoons in its hands, which it seemed to have a death grip on. The other Pokémon was smaller in stature but held a large club. Its head appeared to be a helmet made of bone.

"Alakazam, the Psi Pokémon. The spoons clutched in its hands are said to have been created by its psychic powers," Skylar's white Pokédex chimed. It then scanned Marowak. "Marowak, the Bone Keeper Pokémon. From its birth, this savage Pokémon constantly holds bones. It is skilled in using them as weapons."

"Interesting Pokémon you have," Skylar said. "But they'll be no match for mine!" She drew out Blaziken's Poké Ball but then stopped. She thought over her other options before tucking her starter Pokémon's ball back onto her belt. Then, she pulled out her choices and tossed them into the air.

Sawsbuck and Emolga appeared. Emolga rejoiced upon being chosen. She jumped into the air and floated down onto Sawsbuck's antlers.

Cyan eyed both teams and then raised his hands into the air. "Let's begin!"

"Sawsbuck, use Horn Leech! Emolga, use Electro Ball! Go!" Skylar commanded.

The two Pokémon rushed forward. Emolga jumped into the air and twisted her body. She formed a ball of electricity at the tip of her tail and flipped, tossing it downwards. Meanwhile, Sawsbuck's antlers started to glow with green energy. He lowered his head and pointed his horns straight, preparing to lunge them into his opponent.

Ruriko was calm when she gave her command. "Focus Energy. Teleport."

Marowak put the bone out in front of her body and focused. She took the attack from Sawsbuck directly, but she barely budged. The attack did a lot of damage, but she wouldn't allow it to show as she prepared for her next strike. Meanwhile, Alakazam disappeared out of thin air, allowing the ball of electricity to crash into the ground.

"Psychic."

Alakazam reappeared and pointed his spoons at Emolga. Using his psychic energy, he violently forced Emolga into the ground.

"Emolga!" Skylar yelled.

"Now, Bone Rush," Ruriko ordered.

Marowak broke from Sawsbuck and then swung her bone, jabbing a direct hit to the Grass-type's jaw. She then followed by repeatedly jabbing and swinging, getting a multitude of direct body shots.

Skylar looked around the field. The Pokémon were scattered, and she wasn't sure how to approach the battle. "Emolga, help Sawsbuck! Use Acrobatics!"

Emolga recovered from her fall and then jumped into the air. She picked up speed and dove towards Sawsbuck and Marowak.

"Reflect."

Alakazam appeared in front of Emolga once again, and he stuck out his spoons. He formed a thin wall in front of his body, which the Electric-type bounced off of, effectively stopping her attack.

"Double-Edge," Ruriko ordered.

"Sawsbuck, you too! Double-Edge! Go!"

Marowak and Sawsbuck quickly separated from one another and gathered power within their bodies. They lunged and tackled each other, finding themselves in a quick test of strength. They were even though, and their struggle started to tear up the battlefield below their feet.

"Alakazam, use Psychic," Ruriko said.

"Emolga, be careful!" Skylar warned.

However, Alakazam was not aiming for Emolga. Instead, he pointed his spoon at Sawsbuck and pulled one of his hindlegs backwards. Sawsbuck lost balance, allowing for Marowak to overpower him and toss the large Grass-type backward.

"They're distracted! Electro Ball! Go!" Skylar ordered.

Emolga jumped into the air and flipped once again. She released her attack, tossing the ball downwards at Alakazam.

"Bonemerang," Ruriko directed.

Now that Marowak had overpowered Sawsbuck, she could focus on Emolga. She threw her thick bone into the air, sending it straight towards Electro Ball. On contact, the ball was destroyed, but Emolga was quick enough to dodge, moving her body elegantly through the air.

Skylar bawled her fist. "We can win this! Sawsbuck, hit Alakazam with everything you got! Use Wild Charge!"

"This will finish it," Ruriko thought out loud.

Sawsbuck grunted and then stamped his feet against the ground. Electricity exploded off of his body before running forward. With every bound, the field shook slightly. Within moments, he reached Alakazam, but before he could strike, Alakazam disappeared yet again. Sawsbuck was already on his path of destruction though, and he couldn't stop until he hit something. Unfortunately for Skylar, Emolga was in his way and wasn't ready to dodge. The two Pokémon crashed into one another and an explosion of electricity followed, filling the field with smoke. When the smoke faded away, Sawsbuck remained standing, but Emolga had fainted.

"Emolga is unable to battle! Ruriko is the victor!" Cyan announced excitedly. He then realized that Skylar had lost, and he quickly lowered his arms. "Oh."

"I lost?" Skylar asked herself. She slowly walked out onto the field and looked over Emolga. "I lost." She remembered all of her losses to the Dragon-type gym leader in Unova. "No."

Ruriko approached Skylar with a gentle smile on her face. "You two can feel free to stay here as long as you wish. Use our training facilities, and we can battle after you've improved a bit."

Cyan stood still. He watched his friend. He hadn't seen her pout like this in the time that they've been traveling partners. With her head held down low and her shoulders slumped, she looked like a different person.

But then, she raised her head and smiled. "We'll do better next time! It can only go up from here!"

Meanwhile…

Fire Island

There was a loud explosion of smoke and flames that filled the sky over Fire Island. The legendary bird roared while it circled in the air.

Okane glared and then barked, "You three get the treasure and destroy it! I'll handle Moltres!"

"Got it, boss!"

Moltres howled while it came forward. It opened its mouth and unleashed a stream of flames.

"Gyarados, use Hydro Pump!" Okane commanded.

Her Pokémon responded by immediately blasting water from her massive mouth. The water was strong and connected with Moltres' flames, cancelling the attack. Moltres appeared confused but angered by Gyarados' defiance.

Okane raised her wrist, revealing a red bracelet with a black and blue marble-like stone locked in the middle of it. The bracelet surged with power, creating energy around the island. The energy swirled and encircled Gyarados completely before exploding and revealing a new form.

Eri grinned. "Beautiful, isn't it!"

"Eri, focus!" Hajime snapped.

Moltres flew towards Gyarados while screeching loudly, but the mega evolved Pokémon wasn't afraid.

"Aqua Tail!" Okane commanded.

Gyarados turned her body around and crashed her massive tail into Moltres, forcing it to the ground. Moltres landed in a pile of rocks, its body complete still.

"Boss, I got the treasure!" Tatsuya announced while holding the red orb over his head. "Can I break this one?"

Okane approached Moltres and then stood over it. She glared at the unconscious creature. "Just make sure you break it thoroughly."

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

So, Skylar lost her first gym battle in the Orange Islands! She's gonna take some time to get her team more in sync, and then she'll rechallenge after awhile (won't be for at least five chapters though). Also, Daidai Rocket!

REVIEWS

pokemonking0924 - "Things were rough for Cyan after Aoi disappeared and their father died. Now we get the full picture as to how bad it was back home in Kanto for their family before the move to Alola. We also got to see where Cyans starter came from and another of Skylers Pokémon, can't wait to see what this seasonal form changing grass type can do. Also it's interesting to see that this story is happening at the same time as your Kanto story and it was mature of Skylar not to mention Neo team Rocket to Cyan for now since it would have only made him more upset." - Sawsbuck made his debut in this chapter! He'll get a couple of more chances to battle again.

wisdom-jewel - "I like how you played with the whole Venusaur staying/leaving. Love the whole idea and I wonder how Skylar would use Sawsbuck. And I think Skylar has a right idea but it could backfire. Team Rocket has return to Kanto, his home region, which might caused him to panic even more. Her heart is in the right place though. She is thinking about Cyan." - As stories go though, he's bound to find out eventually. Also, I'm glad that I wrote Venusaur to stay.

CrescentApple - "I forgot about Sawsbuck existing. They are so cool. I didnt know Skylar was this distant with her pokemon when they a good growth she is overcoming that. I expected Venusaur to leave Cyan. I was thrown off he stayed. Such a good bond! And a shiny... heh. That backstory is so sweet. I never thought how close Bulbasqur was to Cyan. He really helped the poor lad help himself. Cant wait to see a fully confident Cyan battling again, he's getting there!" - Might take a little while longer, but he'll get there. I have somethings planned for when he's confident again, and it's really cool, I think.