Track 33 - Fish & Poi
Leinani listened to her music through her big red headphones as she strolled towards the Poni Island gym. Rowlet sat on her head and bobbed back and forth to the music, which was loud enough to be heard from outside.
Kaiko trailed Leinani and sighed. "You're gonna go deaf."
Leinani couldn't hear him.
Kaiko simply shrugged.
Leinani had continued to train for her battle with Kala, but she felt like the wild Pokémon and random trainer encounters were getting too easy. If she wanted to test herself, she needed to go straight for the baddest trainer on the island, the gym leader.
She approached the gym, stopped at the steps, and pulled her headphones down before turning off her music. She could hear soft Alolan tunes coming from inside the gym, something she wouldn't have thought. Kala was known for being the hardest gym leader with the strictest battle style.
Kala pushed open the doors, and the music got louder. She found Kala in the middle of the battlefield, swaying from side to side to the music. Her purple dress moved through the air, seemingly dancing alongside the trainer.
"She's a hula dancer?" Kaiko wondered
"She's a warrior," Leinani said. The doors closed behind her, and Kala ceased dancing. She slowly opened her eyes and then grinned.
"It looks like we have a challenger," Kala said. "You think you're ready?"
Leinani put her hands on her hips and nodded. "Oh yeah."
Kala raised her hand, and the music stopped. She slowly walked to her trainer's box. "It'll be a three on three battle. Only you can make substitutions. My assistant, Lokelani, will be the referee."
A little girl, only a year older than Kaiko, climbed down the ladder from the loft. She smiled at Leinani and Kaiko before taking her position as a referee.
"The following battle will be between Gym Leader, Kala Māhoe and the challenger, Leinani Koa! It will be a three on three bout, and only the challenger will be allowed to make substitutions! Begin!" Lokelani yelled. She held up two purple flags.
Kala pulled her first Poké Ball out and held it high. "You know, I never really liked battling, but now I see it like a dance, two performing on a stage. I heard that you like music, Leinani. So, show me how you dance. Go, Exeggutor!"
Kala's Exeggutor wasn't the same kind as Xerxes. Instead, it was the kind of Exeggutor that Leinani and Kaiko were familiar with. It emerged on the field and happily marched in place as it waved its long neck back and forth.
Leinani clicked her tongue and then grabbed her Poké Ball. "I wouldn't say that I see battling like dancing. Instead, my team and I put on concerts! This bandmate though? He likes heavy metal! Go, Mosh!"
Turtonator materialized on the field, and he blew fire from his snout. He examined Exeggutor and then looked back to Leinani. The two were still not on perfect terms, but after seeing the connection that Leinani had with the other Pokémon, Turtonator couldn't help but feel curious. He still wanted to win on his own terms though.
"Mosh, use Flamethrower!" Leinani ordered.
Turtonator heaved and sucked in air before blasting the straight stream of flames down the field.
"Dragon Pulse!" Kala commanded.
Exeggutor bobbed back and forward and then unleashed a concentrated ball of arcane flames downward. The ball connected with the regular flames and then exploded, extinguishing Turtonator's fire.
"And Power Whip!"
Exeggutor reeled back and then quickly snapped forward, crashing his long body down onto Turtonator. The heavy Fire-type was knocked back, but he quickly got back to his feet.
"Use another Flamethrower!" Leinani ordered as Exeggutor was slow to stand back up straight.
Turtonator huffed, but instead of releasing the flames once again, he concentrated and formed his own ball of arcane flames. He launched it at Exeggutor, getting a direct hit. The Grass-type roared and then glared down at Turtonator.
"Not very well trained," Kala commented. "That's fine. Egg Bomb!"
"Use Shell Trap!" Kala ordered.
Exeggutor's many different faces started to surge with energy, and he began to rain the energy from the air. Turtonator, once again, ignored Leinani. He blasted yet another ball of arcane flames, which was quickly drowned out by Exeggutor's onslaught. Turtonator was buried under the energy, which then exploded, sending him flying outward. He landed directly in front of Leinani and reached out, looking for some instructions.
"Dragon Pulse!" Kala yelled.
"Use your own Dragon Pulse!"
Turtonator tried to turn over, but his body was too weak from the blasts. He rolled and then got to his feet, but it was too late. Exeggutor's attack pulsated and turned into a wave of blue flames. They engulfed Turtonator, and when they finally dissipated, the Fire-type collapsed.
Lokelani raised her flag towards Leinani's side of the field. "Turtonator is unable to continue!"
Leinani's shoulders slumped as she withdrew Turtonator. Had he listened to her from the get-go, she was sure that things would have been different. It was a risk to use him in the battle, and sometimes, risks wouldn't pay off.
"That puts Leinani behind," Kaiko said as he pulled Togedemaru closer. He had set Wishiwashi's bowl to the side, and the Water-type watched, jealous that he couldn't participate. Marshadow's red eyes peeked out from under Kaiko's feet, and he silently cheered for Leinani.
"Alright, so bad move on my part. We'll pay for it. Lesson learned," Leinani said while pulling out her next Poké Ball. "But now we'll fight with our head! Shure, go!"
Sandshrew emerged and spun around on his back as though he were breakdancing. He came to his feet and posed before slowly taking in all of Exeggutor. He looked from his feet all the way up to his head, almost making him fall back.
"Do your worst," Kala said calmly.
"Oh, we will! Use Ice Punch!" Leinani ordered.
Sandshrew waved one of his small arms out, and ice crystalized at his claw. He began to run down the field as he waved it around and gathered more energy.
"Flamethrower," Kala yelled.
Leinani and Sandshrew's eyes widened as the large Pokémon unleashed flames from way up high.
"Dodge!" Leinani ordered. She knew that she could either risk Sandshrew focusing on attacking and getting hit or dodging. She didn't have confidence that Sandshrew could withstand a Fire-type attack.
Sandshrew put down his arm and then got low. He rolled into a ball and then dodged to the side, swiftly moving away from the flames. Over the months of battling alongside Leinani, the two had developed a method for moving quickly across the field without having to rely on a Rapid Spin technique. However, he could never see where he was going.
"Iron Head!" Leinani shouted.
Sandshrew stopped rolling and then uncurled. His eyes widened as he was now face to face with Exeggutor's thick leg. He looked up at the Pokémon as it billowed flames from its front face. Sandshrew then reeled back and focused his power on his cranium. He slammed his head into Exeggutor's knee, making the Grass-type groan. Exeggutor lifted the damaged leg and started to hop as though he had stubbed a toe.
"Use Power Whip!" Kala commanded.
Exeggutor spun around on one leg and slammed his long tail into Sandshrew. Kala and Exeggutor then expected to see Sandshrew fly across the field like a baseball, but that did not happen. Instead, Exeggutor looked around confused.
Leinani grinned and then punched the air. "Ice Punch, Shure!"
Exeggutor felt a shine run up the back of his trunk, and he slightly turned his neck, finding Shure holding on to the base of his tail. He had jabbed with his claws, and now the ice from his attack was beginning to crystalize around Exeggutor.
And it was enough to get the job done. Exeggutor groaned again and then fell forward, landing flat across the field. His body was long enough to reach Leinani, who looked at Kala with a mischievous grin on her face.
"Exeggutor is unable to continue!" Lokelani announced.
Kala didn't hesitate to withdraw Exeggutor, but she did give time to allow Sandshrew to get back to his side of the field.
"Your Pokémon is crafty," Kala said. "The way he moves around and his decision to hold onto Exeggutor's tail was smart. Not only do your Pokémon have interesting personalities, the ones that you've been with for awhile are well trained."
Sandshrew turned around and then lowered his head, ready to fight whatever was next.
"But you won't stand a chance against my next Pokémon. Go, Turtonator!" Kala shouted while throwing her ball forward. Her own Turtonator emerged, this one slightly larger than Leinani's.
If I switch to Vinyl, we might have a chance to beat it. One Fire-type attack and Sandshrew is finished. Let's see what she does first, Leinani thought.
When Kala saw that Leinani wasn't withdrawing, she smiled and then made her command. "Use Earthquake!"
Turtonator swung his massive tail and then crashed it into the ground. The field started to shake, and Sandshrew stumbled.
"Iron Defense!" Leinani shouted.
Sandshrew stomped his feet and then stood still as he focused. His body became hard as steel, and the damage that he would have taken from the intense shaking was minimized.
"And now, Slash!"
Sandshrew stuck out his arms, and his claws were extended by white energy. He dashed forward as fast as his tiny legs would take him, and he prepared to slash out.
"Fight back with Dragon Claw!" Kala ordered.
Turtonator stood still while arcane flames surrounded his right arm, forming a terrifying claw. He raised his arm and waited for Sandshrew. And when the Ice-type was close, they both used their attacks. Leinani was expecting there to be a struggle, but Turtonator was far too powerful, and Sandshrew was launched backward.
"Now, Dragon Pulse!" Kala yelled.
"Block it with Ice Punch!"
Sandshrew spun and then got to his feet. He breathed deeply as he watched Turtonator launch the deadly ball of arcane flames his way. When the flames exploded and pulse across the field, Sandshrew jabbed, dividing them down the middle and preventing them from doing any damage.
"Now, go for a direct hit!" Leinani directed. "Use Ice Punch! Give it all you got!"
"Shell Trap!" Kala commanded.
Leinani would have ordered Sandshrew to stop, but he was filled with adrenaline, and there was no stopping him. Turtonator quickly spun and stuck out his spiky shell. Sandshrew plunged his fist into the Dragon-type's shell, and what followed was a fiery explosion. Sandshrew was blown backward, and he landed on the ground in front of Leinani, his body limp. Leinani could then feel the ground rumble as Turtonator emerged from the smoke, seemingly unphased.
"Sandshrew is unable to continue!" Lokelani exclaimed.
Leinani withdrew Sandshrew and then thought over her options. Had the setting been different, Wishiwashi would have been perfect. Vikavolt was fresh and charged, but she didn't have any distinct advantage over Dragon-type Pokémon. Sandygast would do well against Turtonator, but Leinani had to prepare for what would come next. That's what Sandshrew was supposed to be for, but she made the mistake of not withdrawing him.
Rowlet suddenly trilled angrily and then flew off of Leinani's hat. She landed on the field and then crossed and folded her wings, mimicking one of Leinani's signature poses.
"I guess we're going with DJ," Leinani muttered.
"Are you sure? You won't be able to go back," Kala said. "You want to let your Pokémon dictate the battle?"
Leinani regarded Rowlet and how determined she appeared to be. If there was any Pokémon on her team with the same fighting spirit, it was her starter Pokémon.
"We'll be fine! Rowlet, use Razor Leaf!" Leinani ordered.
Rowlet trilled and then took into the air, forming razor-sharp energy around her body. She targeted Turtonator and then rained down her attack. Turtonator took every strike without flinching.
"Dragon Pulse!" Kala commanded when Rowlet's attack was finished.
Turtonator roared and formed the ball of arcane energy in front of him. He launched it into the air, causing it to explode and send blue fire everywhere. Rowlet was hit directly, and she swirled back to the ground, but she caught herself and zoomed forward.
"That's right! Show 'em what you got, DJ! Use Pluck!" Leinani shouted.
Rowlet was too fast for Kala to make a counter-command. The Grass-type flew across the field in an instant, stuck out her talons, and then scratched at Turtonator. She grabbed ahold of the Dragon-type's shell and heaved, tearing out one of the many expendable spikes.
"Throw it back at 'em!" Leinani yelled.
Rowlet lifted the spike into the air. It was twice the size of her, but she was strong. She spun her body around then tossed the spike downward. It hit Turtonator and then exploded into fire and smoke.
"Got 'em!" Leinani exclaimed excitedly.
"Dragon Pulse!" Kala commanded without hesitation.
The ball of blue flames blasted from the smoke and hit the entirety of Rowlet's body. The Grass-type was hit out of the sky and descended back to the ground, hitting with a loud thump.
"DJ!" Kaiko yelled.
Wishiwashi cheered as well, but his voice was muffled by the water.
Rowlet stirred and then slowly got back up to her feet. She bobbed up and down and looked at Turtonator through one eye. The sneak attack had done more damage than she would have anticipated.
"We can still do this!" Leinani shouted. "Shadow Claw!"
"Use Dragon Claw and finish it!"
Rowlet took into the air while Turtonator slowly ran forward. The Grass-type formed ghostly energy around her talons, and she pointed and jutted her body outward. Turtonator swung when he was close, and the two Pokémon collided. They fought momentarily, but Turtonator won the test of strength yet again. Rowlet was shot back, and she smacked into the ground hard, her body rolling helplessly until it came to a stop. She was still.
"Rowlet is unable to continue!" Lokelani exclaimed. "Turtonator and gym leader, Kala, are the winners!"
Turtonator roared and then started to collapse. Before he could hit the ground, Kala withdrew him, and then she looked at Leinani, a stern expression on her face.
Leinani ran forward and picked up Rowlet in her arms. Her feathers were burnt from the arcane flames, and she breathed heavily.
Kala walked down the field, and she crossed her arms. "You're not bad, Leinani. But you have a lot of work to do."
Leinani couldn't look at Kala in the eyes. She just held DJ close as the battle replayed in her head.
"I want you to take some time to train and then come back. Don't rush. I don't want you to come back tomorrow or next week or even next month. Go out, explore, train, and experience Alola before you come back. This is your last gym badge, and you have more than half a year until the Manalo Conference. Use that time," Kala said. She looked at Rowlet and then smiled. "I can see that you have a strong bond with your Pokémon, maybe with the exception of Turtonator. Clearly, they love and respect you. However, you need to be the leader of your team. You shouldn't allow Turtonator to push you around. You shouldn't allow Sandshrew's hot-streak to get in the way of later strategies. And you shouldn't allow Rowlet to determine that she's going to battle for you. You have to make those decisions."
Leinani nodded.
Kaiko watched from behind. He held onto Wishiwashi's bowl. The Pokémon was crying on the behalf of his trainer, but no one could tell.
"I won't accept your challenge again until you've done a lot more training. But not just training. Go out there and have fun. I can tell that you are rushing through this experience, because you want to get as strong as you can, but you need to enjoy every second of your journey," Kala said. She looked back at Kaiko, took a moment, and then returned her attention to Leinani. "You never know when the adventure with the ones you love will end, so enjoy it."
"I understand," Leinani said quietly.
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Someone mentioned that Leinani needed to be humbled? Here ya go! I'm moving this week (and I got an email saying that I may have to move again next month), so posts may slow down for a bit as I try to figure out my life and new schedule. However, I've been super into writing recently, so most of my free time will be devoted to it.
Small preview: The next five or so chapters will take place over the course of a couple of months. I want Leinani to visit each island once again, and I'll be working on short adventures to help develop her character. I'm unsure if Kaiko should join her for all of it, as he should probably get back to school. Still thinking of what to do. However! I'll be introducing a new character who will function as a rival/traveling companion for the chapters.
Before we can do any of that though, it's time to take Marshadow home.
REVIEWS:
CrescentApple - "I was waiting for a Vikavolt, and against a Machamp! But much else to say and this chapter, but it's enjoyable haha." - Sometimes, that's all you can ask for! I think once Leinani's team has reached its full power, it'll be a really good team.
wisdom-jewel - "I want Leilani to get a knockdown a peg or two when facing Kala. Turtonator would be a beast to try to tame and to use against Kala. I doubt Leilani would win her first round, but I would be surprised if she gains the victory. Turtonator would need a lot of training to become a beast on her team." - You pretty much called it. She couldn't get the win, and she couldn't even get to Kala's last Pokemon.