Chapter 81:

Sorry, not my Type

One more facility to go before I have an explore around the Battle Zone to train for the Battle Tower. The facility in question? The Battle Hall.

I had heard that this was a tough one, but also nonlinear. Now what could that mean? Well, only one way to find out.


As mentioned, the Battle Hall had a large pink roof that was pointed at the top, like a circus tent made of concrete. I'd heard Hall Matron Argenta is a rich woman, so that could explain why this facility was by far the fanciest.

Walking into the Battle Hall was in many ways like walking into a Super Contest Hall. Everything was coloured pink and expensive. Suffice to say, this was the fanciest of the facilities thus far.

I walked down the steps to the Receptionist, who wore a suit that you might find in a Pokémon Contest.

"Hello Lucas. Now, I feel like I should explain the rules because they might just be the most complex in the Battle Frontier. You can use 18 Pokémon, and you also choose the Type of Pokémon that you want Hall Matron Argenta to use. She used one party member in accordance to the Type. Once you beat it, you've completed that Type. However, you can't heal until the halfway point at 9 wins. Choose your Types carefully."


The main battlefield was located at the end of a glowing Meowth walk. It did seem like a place where people could show off their fashion. This was also watched live by many people. Lights were dancing about everywhere as a spotlight followed me. I didn't know what to do, so I just waved as I walked.

As I got to the end, it went completely dark, including the spotlight. Then, rising from the smoky stage, was Argenta. She wore a red jacket, had curled up purple hair with red spectacles over them and diamond blue earrings. Everyone gave out a roar in response to her appearance.

"Welcome my adoring fans!" she shouted. "Well, it seems that we're in for a treat. I happen to be battling the Champion of Sinnoh, Lucas Pratt!"

I just gave a shy wave. That's all I could do. A screen turned on at the side with my picture and Agenta's picture. Under Agenta, it said "Hall Matron." Under me it said "Galactic crushing Champ." (How did they get my picture?!)

"I suppose I should choose my Type" I told her.

"Correct my friend" she said. "Take your time and choose wisely!"

On the screen I saw all 17 Types. Now I was using Toxicroak first, so I decided to choose Grass to give me the advantage.

"Grass it is!" Agenta said. A Pokéball emerged from a stand on the floor. "Let's get it on!"


"Toxicroak, I choose you!" I shouted.

"Cradily, make it bloom!" Agenta sent out a large green Pokémon with pink tentacles around its neck.


Cradily

346

Rock/Grass Type

Barnacle Pokémon

Region of origin: Hoenn

4'11" (1.5 m)

133.2 lbs (60.4 kg)

It lives in the shallows of warm seas. When the tide goes out, it digs up prey from beaches.

Lileep -Lv 40- Cradily

Revived from Root Fossil.


"Toxicroak, Poison Jab!" Toxicroak jabbed Cradily in the face. It only did so much though. It's like she knew I was going to use a Poison Type, so she used one that was part Rock Type to help nullify damage.

"Cradily, dazzle them with Energy Ball!" Cradily created a ball of green energy, then fired it at Toxicroak. It didn't do much.

"Toxicroak, use Revenge!" Toxicroak punched Cradily. This took it down.


Easier said that done. 1 down, 16 to go. I got exhausted just by looking at the screen of available Types, now with Grass blacked out. So, what next? She clearly knows matchups. How about, Ice? That seemed reasonable.

"Ice it is" I said.

Another stand rose from the stage, with Agenta taking the ball from it. "Let's see how you can take the cold!" she announced.


"Toxicroak, go!" I yelled.

"Jynx, let it snow!" Agenta sent out a red Pokémon with a purple face and long blonde hair. It seemed to sway left and right as it moved.


Jynx

124

Ice/Psychic Type

Human Shape Pokémon

Region of origin: Kanto

4'07" (1.4 m)

89.5 lbs (40.6 kg)

Its cries sound like human speech. However, it is impossible to tell what it's trying to say.

Smoochum (Baby Pokémon) -Lv 30- Jynx


"Toxicroak, come back!" I said, recalling it. "Go Empoleon!"

"Jynx, Psychic!" Upon re-entering, Empoleon got hit by a burst of energy. It didn't do that much. "Jynx, Wake Up Slap!" Jynx walked up to Empoleon and slapped it hard for Super Effective damage.

"Empoleon, Flash Cannon!" Empoleon shot a white beam at Jynx. It did a lot but not quite enough for a knockout.

"Jynx, Wake Up Slap again!" Thankfully, Empoleon dodged.

"Drill Peck!" Empoleon span fast into Jynx. This finished it off.


Ice was blacked out from the board. Well, at least I didn't have to worry about Abomasnow now. But who would be next?

"I choose Fighting."

"Lets hope you have a FIGHTING chance of beating me!"


"Toxicroak, go!"

"Poliwrath, 1 2 3!" Agenta shouted, sending out a muscly blue Pokémon with a white mark on its belly. It had a black swirl pattern on it.


Poliwrath

062

Water/Fighting Type

Tadpole Pokémon

Region of origin: Kanto

4'03" (1.3 m)

119 lbs (54 kg)

With its extremely tough muscles, it can keep swimming in the Pacific Ocean without resting.

Poliwag -Lv 25- Poliwhirl -Water Stone- Poliwrath


"Toxicroak, Poison Jab!" Toxicroak jabbed Poliwrath with its fist, poisoning Poliwrath in the process.

"Poliwrath, Rock Slide!" Poliwrath made multiple rocks fall from the sky. They all hit Toxicroak, who was now hanging on.

"Toxicroak, another Poison Jab!" This also didn't do much.

"Poliwrath, use Submission!" Poliwrath rammed all of its body into Toxicroak. It finished it off, and did recoil damage to Poliwrath.

"Toxicroak!" I shouted, sending it back. "Okay, go Luxray!" Out came my Electric Type. "Thunder Fang!" Luxray bit down on Poliwrath with sparking jaws. Poliwrath was down.


"Well, it seems we have one down" Agenta said as Fighting was greyed out. Luxray was now first in my party, so I needed to work around it.

"Flying" I announced.

"Let's take this match sky high!"


"Luxray, go!"

"Soar to new heights Gliscor!" Agenta shouted as the purple Ground/Flying Type swooped down. Okay, using a Ground Type? That's just cruel. I recalled Luxray for Mamoswine.

"X Scissor!" Gliscor swiped Mamoswine in an X formation.

"Mamoswine, Ice Shard!" Mamoswine fired a chunk of ice at Gliscor for lots of damage.

"Use Fire Fang!" Gliscor bit Mamoswine with fiery jaws. Thankfully, Mamoswine was fine.

"Ice Shard again!" Mamoswine once again fired ice at Gliscor. That was the finishing blow.


I wasn't even halfway there. Only 4 were now blacked out, I would need to keep up my stamina.

"Water next."

I knew Water was the other Type Luxray was good against with Electric Type moves, but I wanted to see what was next.

"Let's create a tsunami!"


"Go Luxray!" I shouted.

"Make a splash, Walrein!" Agenta yelled. She sent out a large blue blubbery Pokémon with two huge tusks.


Walrein

365

Ice/Water Type

Ice Break Pokémon

Region of origin: Hoenn

4'07" (1.4 m)

332 lbs (150.6 kg)

It shatters ice with its big tusks. Its thick blubber repels not only the cold, but also enemy attacks.

Spheal -Lv 32 -Sealeo -Lv 42- Walrein


"Luxray, Thunder Fang!" Luxray bit down on Walrein with its electrified jaws. Walrein was paralyzed, and couldn't move. "Great! Use another one!" Luxray chomped down again, almost taking out the blubbery monster.

"Earthquake!" Walrein jumped up and made the whole hall shake. Luxray couldn't take it; the move finished it.

She clearly knew a thing or two about coverage. "Go Drifblim!" I yelled. "Shadow Ball!" That was enough to finish Walrein off.


I wasn't even a third of the way there, and two of my Pokémon were down. I just needed to get two more in to heal everyone. Blissey was up first this time, so I knew just what to choose.

"Rock!" I said.

"Alright, let's rock and roll!"

"Go Blissey!"

"Shuckle, set the stone!" The next Pokémon was not big. Rather, it was a yellow squiggly Pokémon in a red shell.


Shuckle

213

Bug/Rock Type

Mold Pokémon

Region of origin: Johto

2'00" (0.6 m)

45.2 lbs (20.5 kg)

It stores berries in its shell. The berries eventually ferment to become delicious juices.


"Blissey, Focus Blast!" Blissey fired the ball of energy at Shuckle for a direct hit. However, it didn't do much whatsoever.

"Not much will get past Shuckle's shell. Now Shuckle, use Toxic!" Shuckle shot some gunk at Blissey. It was badly poisoned.

I swiftly recalled Blissey and sent out Empoleon. I wasn't going to deal with this.

"Shuckle, Stone Edge!" Shuckle shot pointed stones at Empoleon. This did very, very minimal damage.

"Empoleon, Surf!" Empoleon created a giant wave. It crashed down onto Shuckle.

It was like that, back and forth Stone Edge and Surf, I was clearly going to be the winner. Eventually, the Surf washed Shuckle away.


A third of the way there, and three more to healing. Goodness me what a challenge it would be if there was no healing at all.

"Normal next" I said.

"Let's keep things basic!"


"Blissey, go!" I shouted.

"I choose Kangaskhan!" Agenta sent out a large brown Pokémon with a hard head. It had a pouch and in the pouch was a grey baby Pokémon.


Kangaskhan

115

Normal Type

Parent Pokémon

Region of origin: Kanto

7'03" (2.2 m)

176.4 lbs (80 kg)

It raises its offspring in its belly pouch. It lets it baby out to play only when it feels safe.


"Kangaskhan, Crunch!" Kangaskhan ran over to Blissey and bit down hard.

"Blissey, Focus Blast!" Whilst in range, Blissey made the Focus Blast ball. Being right next to it, the hit was strong. Kangaskhan was finished in one.


"I choose Electric" I said, hoping that maybe Mamoswine could take some down if I switched in fast.

"Okay then, I'm gonna shock you!"

"Blissey, go!"

"Charge it up Lanturn!" Agenta sent out a blue aquatic Pokémon with a yellow light on the end of a rod on its head.


Lanturn

171

Water/Electric Type

Light Pokémon

Region of origin: Johto

3'11" (1.2 m)

49.6 lbs (22.5 kg)

Lanturn's light can shine up from great depths. It is nicknamed "The Deep-Sea Star."

Chinchou -Lv 27- Lanturn


Well okay. Maybe Mamoswine wasn't such a good idea.

"Blissey, Grass Knot!" Blissey made a blade of grass underneath Lanturn trip it. However, there wasn't much of a weight difference, so it didn't really matter.

"Lanturn, Signal Beam!" Lanturn shot a multi-coloured beam at Blissey. It took it well enough.

"Blissey, Focus Blast!" Blissey fired the white ball at Lanturn. It was quite a tough one to take down.

"Now Lanturn, use Thunder!" Lanturn caused a thunder cloud to appear above Blissey. Then, a bolt of lightning came down at shocked Blissey. It only had a bit of HP left. The poison almost finished it.

"Grass Knot one more time!" Once again, this didn't do much.

"Lanturn, Signal Beam!" The beam hit Blissey and took it down.

I returned Blissey and sent out Mamoswine, maybe it would be a good idea. "Use Earthquake!" Mamoswine made the ground shake. Lanturn was down.


The Types I had taken down by this point were Grass, Ice, Fighting, Flying, Water, Rock, Normal and Electric. One more and I would heal. Mamoswine was the first one first, so I went with Poison.

"You're gonna melt!" Agenta yelled.


"Mamoswine, go!" I yelled.

"It's grime time Gengar!" Agenta summoned the Ghost Type with Levitate. I admire Agenta's strategy, she knows how to counter stuff.

"Mamoswine, Ice Shard!" Mamoswine fired a shard of ice at Gengar. It took a surprising amount of damage.

"Gengar, use Giga Drain!" Suddenly, Gengar shot a green beam at Mamoswine. It was beaten and Gengar was healed.

Man, I was so glad that I was to be healed next round. "Drifblim, go!" I shouted.

"Gengar, Shadow Ball!" Gengar fired a black ball at Drifblim. It missed!

"Drifblim, use Shadow Ball!" Drifblim came back with a Shadow Ball of its own. Gengar almost fell to it.

"Again Gengar!" One more Shadow Ball, and Drifblim was out with a bang. A bang that brought down Gengar.


"Well, you have come far Lucas, so if we may."

Nurse Joy ran on and healed up my Pokémon. As I mentioned, I needed that. But I also knew it was time to change strategy. Toxicroak was first, so I would be up against…

"Ground!" I announced.

"Alright, let the earth tremor!"


"Go Toxicroak!" I shouted.

"Take your sand, Steelix!" Agenta yelled. Well, this would be difficult.

"Come back Toxicroak. Go Drifblim!" I shouted, just as Steelix got in an Earthquake that didn't hurt Drifblim at all.

"Drifblim, use Shadow Ball!" Drifblim fired the black blob at Steelix. Whilst not very effective, Steelix's Sp. Defense is generally weak compared to Defense.

"Steelix, Crunch!" Steelix bit Drifblim hard. Once more would take it out.

"Another Shadow Ball!" Drifblim did just that.

"Finish it!" Steelix used one more Crunch, knocking out Drifblim allowing Steelix to knock it out and take Aftermath damage.

"Empoleon, finish it with Surf!" Empoleon was sent out to create a giant wave that crashed into Steelix. I had won.


"Psychic is next!" I announced.

"Then let's get your mind in focus!"


"Toxicroak, come on out!" I shouted.

"Exeggutor, keep in focus!" Agenta replied. She sent out a Pokémon that looked like a fat palm tree with three egg like heads.


Exeggutor

103

Grass/Psychic Type

Coconut Pokémon

Region of origin: Kanto

6'07" (2 m)

246.6 lbs (120 kg)

It is called "The Walking Jungle." If a head grows too big, its falls off and becomes Exeggcute.

Exeggcute -Leaf Stone- Exeggutor


I recalled Toxicroak in favour of Empoleon, who took a Psychic.

"Empoleon, use Drill Peck!" Empoleon span full pelt into Exeggutor, who was almost obliterated.

"Exeggutor, Energy Ball!" Exeggutor fired a green ball at Empoleon. Empoleon was knocked back, but I knew we had this under wraps.

"One more Drill Peck!" The Flying Type move gave me the victory.


"I choose Fire!" I announced.

"Then let us set this match ablaze!"


"Go Toxicroak!" I yelled.

"Light em up Charizard!" Agenta shouted. She sent out a scaly orange Pokémon with huge wings and a tail that was on fire.


Charizard

006

Fire/Flying Type

Flame Pokémon

Region of origin: Kanto

5'07" (1.7 m)

199.5 lbs (90.5 kg)

It is said that Charizard's fire burns hotter if it has experience harsh battles.

Charmander -Lv 16- Charmeleon -Lv 36- Charizard


Sure enough, Charizard's tail was burning brighter than most Fire Types I had seen. But of course, I wasn't going to use Toxicroak, so I recalled it.

"Luxray, come out!" Luxray entered the field.

"Charizard, Dragon Claw!" Charizard's right claw started to glow green. Then, it swiped Luxray.

"Luxray, Thunder Fang!" Luxray chomped down on Charizard's wing as sparks flew off it. A lot of damage was done.

"Charizard, use Heat Wave!" Charizard flapped its wings a lot so that Luxray was forced to let go. Then, from the flapping, it fired hot air at Luxray.

"One more Thunder Fang!" Luxray tackled its way through the Heat Wave and managed to bite down on Charizard, giving me the match.


I had almost won, no giving up.

"Steel" I said.

Was I to make a dent in Agenta's next Pokémon?


"Iron it out Skarmory!" Agenta yelled, sending out a Flying Type that was made of metal. From its beak to its red wings which had feathers on them, it looked like a Staraptor in armor.


Skarmory

227

Steel/Flying Type

Armor Bird Pokémon

Region of origin: Johto

5'07" (1.7 m)

111.3 lbs (50.5 kg)

Despite being clad entirely in iron-hard armor, it flies at speeds of over 180 mph (290 kph).


I switched out for Luxray immediately.

"Skarmory, Steel Wing!" Skarmory bashed its wing into Skarmory for not much. "And again!" This didn't make much of a difference.

"Thunder Fang!" Luxray chomped Skarmory, but it still had high Defense so it didn't matter and did 1/3 damage.

"Skarmory, Spikes!" Skarmory suddenly lay down multiple sharp spikes on the floor.

"Use Thunder Fang Luxray!" Unfortunately, it missed.

"Now Aerial Ace!" Skarmory dove into Luxray. A lot of damage had been done to Luxray already, so it went down.

"Empoleon, go!" Empoleon was sent out, but its feet landed on the Spikes and it took damage.

"Yes, Spikes it a lot like Stealth Rock isn't it? It takes away a fraction of HP. Skarmory, Aerial Ace!" Skarmory once again dove into Empoleon.

"Empoleon, Surf!" Empoleon created a large wave that finished Skarmory.


After the battle, multiple people came on and swept the Spikes off the field with brooms.

The next one I chose was Dark. Time to give Toxicroak a time to shine! (At night!)


"Drapion, spread the darkness!" Agenta sent out the multiple legged purple Pokémon. "Use Fire Fang!" Drapion scuttled forward and bit Toxicroak with flaming jaws. Dry Skin meant that it took quite a bit of damage.

"Toxicroak, Revenge!" Toxicroak punched Toxicroak back. A lot was done to it; Critical Hit! "Now use Sucker Punch!" Before Drapion could get in another move, Toxicroak punched it in the back. I had won.


Three more to go. Victory was in sight.

"Creepy crawly, Bug Types…" I said faintly.

"Let's have ourselves an insect extravaganza!"


"Go Toxicroak!"

"Scizor, make a Bug entrance!" The red giant Bug/Steel Type entered the scene. Swiftly, I recalled Toxicroak in favor of Empoleon.

"Iron Head!" Scizor crashed into Empoleon with a steel head, which Empoleon took massively well.

"Empoleon, Hydro Pump!" Empoleon fired a jet of water at Scizor. It was almost down.

"Use Night Slash!" Scizor's claws went dark. It then swiped Empoleon.

"Surf!" One wave and Scizor was history.


Ghost was next. Just two more to go.


"Let's have ourselves a spooky time!"

"Go Toxicroak!" I shouted.

"Froslass, give us a haunted victory!" The white Ice/Ghost Type floated on. I swiftly sent out Empoleon again.

"Froslass, Wake Up Slap!" Well, that was grand. Upon re entering, Empoleon got a Super Effective slap in the face. "Another one!" Empoleon was almost down. Honestly, so was I.

"Flash Cannon!" Empoleon fired a white beam at Froslass. It barely survived.

"Another Wake Up Slap!" Froslass slapped Empoleon one more time, knocking it out.

I quickly sent out Mamoswine and had it use Ice Shard, knocking out Froslass.


One more to go; Dragon. I was nervous to see what the final Pokémon would be.

"I always save the best for last!" Argenta said. "I warn you, this is why you don't pick Dragon last!"


"Go Toxicroak!" I shouted. Gosh I had had enough of saying that today.

"Come on out, Latias!" Argenta replied. Out from the Ball a red and white Pokemon with large wings zipped around the hall.


Latias

380

Dragon/Psychic Type

Eon Pokémon

Region of origin: Hoenn

4'07" (1.4 m)

88.2 lbs (40 kg)

Its body is covered with a down that can refract light in such a way that it becomes invisible.

Legendary Pokémon


Well, it was me with three battered Pokemon against a Legendary. What could possibly go wrong?

"Toxicroak, Sucker Punch!" Toxicroak punched Latias before it could get in a move. And what was that move?

"Mist Ball!" Latias fired a misty ball at Toxicroak. It was down in one.

"Blissey, go!" I shouted. "Use Focus Blast!" Blissey fired the Focus Blast at Latias for, not much at all. It had high Sp. Defense after all.

"Dragon Pulse Latias!" Latias fired a colourful pulse at Blissey.

I knew Focus Blast only had so much PP, so I had an idea.

Back and forth was Dragon Pulse and Focus Blast, before Focus Blast could no longer be used.

"Blissey come back. Go Mamoswine!" I yelled.

"Latias, Dragon Pulse!" MAmoswine more than took it.

"Mamoswine, Ice Shard!" Mamoswine fired a chunk of ice at Latias. This almost knocked it out.

"Dragon Pulse!" Latias fired a Dragon Pulse at Mamoswine, finishing it off.

"Blissey, come out! Now use Grass Knot!" Latias had so little HP left that it couldn't take it anymore. I had conquered the Battle Hall.


Following this, I fell back. "That… was tiresome" I said.

Argenta came up to me and held out her hand to get me up. "But it was still a victory." She went into the middle of the stage. "Everyone, the Galactic Crushing Champ has beat me!"

I certainly had, but I was also beat.


Later that day, I practically fell on the Pokémon Center bed. Yeah, I deserved this break. Even if I hadn't planned it, I would still take one after all that.