AN: Hey everyone, I have the next chapter here. This is the long-awaited tag-team gym battle. In it, Yang and Neo face off against the duo of poison and psychic types. For me, of all the gym battles so far, this one might be my favorite for a lot of moments involved. Hope you enjoy this chapter, leave a review with your comments and questions, and have a nice day.
See the most recent Save State Chapter for Cover Art details.
Chapter 26 – Purple and Pink
Inside the dojo, Leaf chatted with Yang and Neo, "So, poison and psychic type leaders." The shrewd trainer commented, looking over to Mustard talking with Klara and Avery, "I didn't think those gym types existed in Galar."
"Well, they do not have a stadium like our other gyms do." Honey said as she walked over, "However, due to the popularity of our region for challengers across the world, the league is expanding the gym leaders available to challenge here." She said before looking over to the toxic girl, "Klara is a leader from the minor division, but was able to move up thanks to the Pokemon World League." Honey then looked over to the smug gentleman, "And Avery originally had his gym leader license revoked but was able to rejoin the minor division thanks to my husband's letter of recommendation." The sweet lady then turned back to Yang and Neo, "I should warn you, if you are assuming they are not strong for being in the minor division-"
"Don't worry, Mustard already taught us about not underestimating our opponents," Yang responded with Neo nodding.
"That's good to hear." Honey said with a smile, "I wish you two the best of luck."
"Thank you," Yang said with Honey walking away, then turned to Leaf, "Any last-minute advice?"
"Win," Leaf said with a grin, "This would save us a lot of time in the long run and put us much closer to full league entry."
"Got it," Yang said with a smile and nod, then saw Mustard leading the two gym leaders towards the back door of the dojo. The blond brawler then looked back to Neo, "Looks like it's time."
"…" Neo nodded back with a smirk.
"Right, we got the plan all set," Yang responded, "Let's do this." She said before the two followed Mustard, who opened the back door. The group then walked out to a massive arena, "This was a lot bigger than I was expecting." Yang said under her breath.
"…!" Neo nodded with wide eyes.
"Why do they need this much space?" Yang responded, but Avery overheard, causing a smirk to form on his face.
Mustard took his position as referee to the match with the audience of other dojo students, Honey and Leaf. "The Gym battle for two Galar League badges is about to commence." Mustard announced, looking over to the blond brawler and mute girl, "The Challengers, Yang and Neo," he said before looking over to the toxic girl and smug gentlemen, "Will be facing the Gym Leaders, Klara and Avery." The old man said with a smile while his hands behind his back, "The battle will be a tag team match. Each trainer is allowed three Pokemon and the match is over when all of one side's Pokemon have been defeated." He said as each of the four readied a Pokeball, "Begin!" Mustad said as he raised his arms.
"Larvesta, your time to shine!" Yang said as her flame bug Pokemon entered the battle arena.
"…!" Neo tossed out a Pokeball, causing Cubone to appear.
"Whirlipede, come on out!" Klara said as she tossed out a Pokeball, causing a purple coiled insect to appear.
"Kadabra, come forth!" Avery said as he tossed out a Pokeball with his mind, causing a yellow bipedal foxlike creature with a spoon in its right hand. It had a long mustache and a pink star on its forehead.
"Alright, let's gets things rolling." Yang said while hitting her fist together, "Larvesta, use Flame Charge."
"Larvesta!" the flame bug Pokemon said before rushing in, her body ignited with flames.
"Oh, you think that will work." Klara responded, "Let's show them how we start things. Whirlipede, use Rollout." She said before the coiled bug Pokemon charged towards Larvesta. The two bug types crashed into each other, but Whirlipede won out.
"Lar!" Larvesta cried as the flames went out, causing Yang to panic.
"Time to pick up a quick win." Avery commented, "Kadabra, Psybeam!" he said before the psi Pokemon unleashed a pink beam from its spoon towards a still recovering Larvesta. However, Cubone jumped in front of the beam, "Oh, you think you can withstand his magnificent psychic pow-" the smug gentlemen said before Cubone tanked the Psybeam, not leaving a scratch on the lonely Pokemon, "…Eh?"
"…" Neo smirked before watching Whirlipede rolling towards Cubone, "…!" the mute girl pointed, causing the lonely Pokemon to unleash a blast of fire from its body. The flames scorched the coiled bug pokemon's body, sending it flying back.
"What, since when could a Cubone learn a fire move like that!?" Klara shouted, then looked back to the lonely Pokemon, "Unless."
"Zehehe." Cubone snickered, then backflipped, transforming into Zorua.
"An illusion of a dark type, no wonder my Psybeam did not work." Avery commented with grit teeth, but then had a look of confusion, "Wait, where did Lar-"
"Use Skitter Smack!" Yang called out, followed by Larvesta ramming her horns into the back of Kadabra. The psi Pokemon gasped in pain, almost dropping the spoon as he landed flat on the stomach, "Nice, we got them." She said while turning to Neo, who responded with a smile.
"Good, the strategy worked." Leaf said with a sigh of relief, "Their teamwork has improved a lot." She said before noticing Whirlipede and Kadabra get back up, "But this is still two gym leaders they are up against."
"Kadabra, use Swift!" Avery called out with the psi Pokemon unleashing a barrage of yellow stars from his spoon.
"Dodge it!" Yang called out with Larvesta dashing out of the way.
"…" Neo called out with Zorua evading as well. However, the Swift star retargeted colliding with both girls' Pokemon, "…!" the mute girl panicked as a large smoke cloud cover the area.
"Whirlipede, Poison Tail!" Klara called out with the curl bug Pokemon rushing into the smoke, the horns glowing with a pink aura. Suddenly, a collision was heard with Zorua being launched out of the smoke.
"Ze!" Zorua said before landing on the ground, struggling to get up.
"Neo, recall Zorua." Yang said with the mute girl nodding, returning the tricky fox Pokemon back to its ball, "We'll take out this one." The blond brawler said before pointing, "Larvesta, use Sunny Day!"
"Lar." Larvesta said as the smoke cleared, its body then glowing in a radiant light, "Vesta," She said before the sunlight grew more intense, shining over the whole arena.
"Sweet, now Flame Charge!" Yang called out with the flame bug Pokemon rushing in like at the start of the match.
"This again, please." Klara responded, "Whirlipede, use Rollout." She said with the curl bug Pokemon rushing in again. The two-bug type collided again, but this time, Larvesta overwhelmed Whirlipede, "What!?" Klara shouted before her body landed to her said like a fallen-over tire.
"Whirlipede is unable to battle," Mustard called out.
"Yes, that's one down!" Yang called out with Neo smiling.
Leaf signed, "It's a good thing that Larvesta's fourth move was Sunny Day." She commented, "Fire-type attacks get a nice boost while in that environment."
"Grr," Klara gritted her teeth, "Time to get serious." She said while getting a new Pokeball, pressing the button as hard as she should, "Come on out, Drapion!" she said as a massive purple scorpion Pokemon emerged from the ball.
"Dura!" Drapion roared as it snipped its large pincers.
Leaf took out her Pokedex and scanned the Pokemon, "Drapion, Ogre Scorp Pokémon. Its poison is potent, but it rarely sees use. This Pokémon prefers to use physical force instead, going on rampages with its car-crushing strength."
"Car-crushing, eh," Yang said as Neo readied her Pokeball. In tossing it out, the lonely Pokemon emerged.
"Cu," Cubone said upon entry, reposing with his club.
"That looks to be the real one," Avery commented, "Go, Kadabra, use Psybeam on Cubone." He said with the psi Pokemon unleashing the concentrated psychic beam again.
"Drapion, keep the pressure on with Pin Missile," Klara said with the massive scorpion Pokemon, unleashing a barrage of pointy while energy missiles from its claws.
"…!" Neo pointed with Cubone having a look of focus.
"Cu!" Cubone said while raising his club, swirling it in the air. Suddenly, the sand and dirt from the arena began to form into a dust tornado, "Cu!" Cubone said as the sands began to overheat, "Bone!" the lonely Pokemon said before unleashing the Scorching Sands.
The ground attack overwhelmed the Psybeam and pin missiles, forcing Kadabra and Drapion to shield themselves from the stream. "Now, it's my turn." Yang said as Larvesta moved behind their opponents, "Use Skitter Smack!" She called out with her Pokemon rushing Drapion from behind.
"Not this time," Klara said with a grin, "Catch it and use Poison Fang."
"Dura!" Drapion said as it looked back to Larvesta's sneak attack, then smalling his stinger down onto the flame bug Pokemon.
"Lar!" Larvesta cried as she was grabbed by the massive scorpion pokemon's stinger.
"Dura," Drapion turned around, snipping his pincers as they approached a flailing Larvesta.
"Larvesta, use Struggle Bug," Yang said with the flame bug Pokemon continuing to wriggle, emitting a green powder. However, the attack did not stop Drapion from its approaching poisonous fangs, "Damn it." Yang said before hearing something flying through the air. Suddenly, a bone club crashed into the back of Drapion's head. With the added damage, the massive scorpion pokemon's grip loosened, allowing Larvesta to escape. Yang then turned to Neo, "Thanks." She said with the mute girl smirk.
The boomerang still flying through the air. It now headed toward Kadabra. "Knock it out of the way with Psybeam," Avery called out with his Kadabra doing so. However, just as the beam was about to make contact, Cubone jumped to grab the bone club out of midair.
"…!" Neo pointed with Cubone raising the bone club over his head.
"Cu!" Cubone said before slamming his bone club into Kadabra's skull, striking the star. The psi pokemon's eyes widened before he fell backwards, dropping the spoon. On the other end, Cubone jumped off before landing on his feet, reposing with the bone club.
"Kadabra is unable to battle," Mustard called.
"This cannot be." Avery said before recalling his fainted Pokemon, "Very well, I will show you more power!" he said before a new Pokeball was launch out, "Go, Swoobat!" the smug gentlemen said as a large blue fuzzy bat was seen with black wings a heart-stamped nose, "Use Energy Ball."
"Swoo!" Swoobat said before a green orb of energy gathered at its nose, then launched it towards Cubone.
"Larvesta, crash through that with Flame Charge," Yang said as the flame bug Pokemon rushed in ablaze. She jumped and slammed through the energy ball, then rammed into Swoobat in midair. Yang smiled at the hit connecting, but then saw the fuzzy bat Pokemon glare.
"Use Air Slash!" Avery said with Swoobat unleashing a winged barrage of wind-cutting attacks. Each beat slammed into Larvesta, sending the flame bug Pokemon into the arena floor with a loud thud. As the dust settled, Larvesta's eyes were swirling.
"Larvesta is unable to battle," Mustard called out, causing the blond brawler to recall her fainted Pokemon.
"You were great, take a rest," Yang said to the ball before grabbing a new one. "Okay, Munchlax, your turn!" she said while throwing the Pokeball.
"Lax!" Munchlax said as he emerged from the ball, standing next to Cubone.
"Let's focus the big one first," Yang said before pointing, "Use Body Slam on Drapion."
"Munch!" the big eater Pokemon said before running towards the massive scorpion Pokemon.
"…!" Neo pointed, causing Cubone to spin his bone club for the Scorching Sands.
"That's your strategy now, a basic frontal assault? Drapion, blast Munchlax back into Cubone with Pin Missile." Klara said as with Drapion readying his pincers, then finger off a barrage of missiles. However, just before they could collide with the big eater Pokemon, he was carried high into the sky by the sandy winds, "What!?" Klara exclaimed as Munchlax spread out his body, then slammed into Drapion's head. As well, the scorching sands retargeted and rained down upon the rest of the massive scorpion pokemon's body, "Grr!" Klara gritted her teeth before looking over to Avery, "A little help?"
"Let me set up my plan first," Avery responded, "Swoobat, use Future Sight." He said the fuzzy bat flashing with a white aura for a second, "Now, use Air Slash on Munchlax." Suddenly, the big eater Pokemon was blasted off Drapion with a barrage of wind-cutting slashes. "Better?" the smug trainer commented before adjusting his glasses.
"Delighted." Klara responded with a smile, but then spoke under her voice, "When I'm done with these two, you're next?"
"Huh?" Avery asked, but was met with no answer.
"Munchlax, are you okay?" Yang called out as the big eater Pokemon pushed himself up, then turned back to his trainer with a thumbs up, "Good, now let's hit them with a Fire Punch." She said before hitting her fist together.
"Munch!" Munchlax said before his right fist was engulfed in flames. He rushed towards Drapion with his arm reeled back.
"…" Neo pointed, causing Cubone to throw his club in a Bonemerang again.
"Catch that club before it can hit you." Klara called out, causing Drapion the snatched the Bonemerang with its stinger, "Now, hit Munchlax with a Cross Poison."
"Dura!" Drapion said as it's slashed in an X-shaped motion, its pincers glowing in a purple aura.
"Jump to dodge," Yang called out, causing Munchlax to do so, "And with that stinger occupied, there is no way for you to bl-" She was saying until Munchlax's body was encased in the same white aura Swoobat's was. Suddenly, the big eater pokemon's body exploded in a white flash, "Munchlax!" Yang called out in panic as her Pokemon fell to the ground with a thud.
"Future Sight is a delayed psychic attack that hits in the forthcoming turns." Avery responded, then saw Munchlax struggling to push himself up, "Now, to finish him off. Use Energy Ball!"
"Swoo!" Swoobat said before unleashing the green ball of energy like before.
"Munch," Munchlax saw the attack approach, knowing he could not dodge. Suddenly, he felt his body get pushed out of the way, "Lax?" Munchlax looked back at the last second, seeing it was Cubone.
The lonely Pokemon took an energy ball, resulting in a massive explosion. As the smoke settled, lonely a fainted Pokemon remained, "Cubone is unable to battle." Mustard said with Neo and Yang gasping.
"That was a bit foolish," Klara commented, "Cubone would have been more of a threat than this low health Munchlax."
"Maybe to you, but I saw it as another Pokemon I have defeated," Avery added on.
"Those two." Yang said with clenched fists before turned to Neo, who had recalled Cubone to his ball, "Tell the little guy I said thanks for the save." She said with a smile, then looked back to Drapion, who still had the club in his stinger, "And we'll get his club back."
"…" Neo smiled back before taking out a Pokeball. In tossing out Hatenna emerged. "…" Neo pointed, causing Hatenna to move towards Munchlax before using Life Dew.
Slowly, the big eater pokemon's wounds started to heal, "Munch." Munchlax thanked Hatenna, then glared over Drapion.
"Let's try this again," Yang called out, "Use Fire Punch!"
"Munch!" Munchlax said before rushing in, his fist ablaze and ready to attack.
"Don't let it get close." Klara called out, "Use Pin Missile."
"Push it back as well with Air Slash," Avery added on. However, as their Pokemon readied for the attack, a bright light covered the area, "What, is this Dazzling Gleam!?" he said before seeing Drapion and Swoobat blinded from the attack. However, as his back was to the light, Munchlax moved without being effect by the light. He reeled back and punch Drapion in the chin. As the light faded, Avery soon saw it was Hatenna as the one emitting the light, "That one needs to be taken out. Swoobat, use Future Sight, then Energy Ball."
"Swoo," Swoobat said before flashing in the white aura again then unleashed the green energy ball towards the calm Pokemon.
"…" Neo pointed as Hatenna used Protect, created a green barrier to block the green ball. She smiled at the attack failing, but as the barrier faded, she saw the white aura encompass her Hatenna.
"Heh, you used that at that move too early." Avery commented, "Now, you have no way to stop Future Site."
Neo gritted her teeth, then had an idea. She took out her Pokeball and recalled Hatenna to it.
"That will not work, the Future Sight will hit what you send out next," Avery responded, adjusting his glasses. "You cannot change destiny."
"…" Neo smirked as she took out her other Pokeball, tossing it with Zorua emerging.
"Ze," Zorua said before her body was encompassed in the white light, then exploded. However, as the smoke settled, Zorua was unharmed.
"… I forgot you had a dark-type left." Avery spoke, his glasses slightly falling off.
"Zehehe." Zorua snickered before seeing Munchlax fight Drapion. While the big eater Pokemon tried to land the final fire punch, he was then grabbed by both pincers, "Ze!" She tried to rush over to help, but Swoobat blocked her path with a sadistic smile.
"Drapion, use Poison Fang!" Klara called out.
"Dura!" Drapion said before biting into Munchlax's right shoulder.
"Munch!" Munchlax screamed in agony.
Zorua watch in horror before gritting her teeth, "Ze," she said before recalling Yang words, causing something to ignite inside her, "Ze!" the tricky fox Pokemon said as her body glowed in a black and red aura, her eyes glowing crimson, "ZE!" Zorua screamed before unleashing a wave of dark energy whips towards Swoobat.
"Swoo?" the fuzzy bat Pokemon said before getting lashed by the attack, sending Swoobat flying back and crashing into Drapion's head. The force of the impact knocked out the poison fang attack and release one of the pincers that held Munchlax.
"Was that Lash Out?" Yang said with Neo gasping, "Heh, I guess she figured out how to use the move after all." She said with the mute girl nodding back with a smile. The blond brawler smiled back before looking to battle, "Now's your chance, hit it with one more Fire Punch."
"Munch!" Munchlax said as his freed fist was set ablaze.
"Drapion, quick, use Poison Fang!" Klara called out, causing the massive scorpion Pokemon to try to bite again. However, the flaming fist jammed into its mouth. Klara gasped as Drapion's face was sweating. The heat rose until exploding under the pressure. Drapion's body flung backwards in the blast, landing atop Swoobat.
Munchlax landed on his feet before Zorua ran over. The two looked back at the dust settling, seeing both opponents had fainted, "Swoobat and Drapion are unable to battle." Mustard called out.
"Nice, we almost got them down." Yang cheered with Neo matching in excitement, causing the two to high-five.
"Zehehe," Zorua snickered to Munchlax with a smile.
"Munch," Munchlax responded with a smile, then looked to discover the bone club on the ground. He kicked it up and back towards Neo, who caught it with a smile and nod.
"To think I would be down to one Pokemon," Avery said as he recalled Swoobat.
"Yeah, against another new student at this dojo," Klara added as she recalled Drapion.
"Well, no more playing games," Avery said as he readied his next Pokeball.
"For once, we agree." Klara said as she readied and threw hers, "Go, Slowbro!" Emerging out of the toxic girl's Pokemon was a bipedal version of slowpoke. However, the yellow on its head was now purple, matching the pigment on its right arm as well. On the left arm, a type of grey shell was attached to it.
"Go, Slowking!" Avery said as he tossed out his. Emerging was also a varied evolved form of Slowpoke. This one stood with a slight wobble, as well as a purple and black collar around its neck. The shell here was much larger and was attached to the pokemon's head, covering Slowking's vision, and replacing it with a sharp gaze of its own.
"So, these are what the Galar variants turn into." Leaf said as she scanned both with her Pokedex, staring with Slowbro, "Slowbro's Galar form. A Shellder bite set off a chemical reaction with the spices inside Slowbro's body, causing Slowbro to become a Poison-type Pokémon. If this Pokémon squeezes the tongue of the Shellder biting it, the Shellder will launch a toxic liquid from the tip of its shell." She then aimed the Pokedex for Slowking, "Slowking's Galar Form. A combination of toxins and the shock of evolving has increased Shellder's intelligence to the point that Shellder now controls Slowking. While chanting strange spells, this Pokémon combines its internal toxins with what it's eaten, creating strange potions."
"Well, that's unsettling." Yang commented, "One equipped with a weapon, and the other is mind-controlled." She then looked over to Neo, "Let's finish them off quick." The blond brawler said with the mute girl nodding, then turned to the battle, "Munchlax, use Fire Punch on Slowking."
"Munch!" Munchlax said as he rushed in, his fist ablaze again.
"…!" Neo pointed, causing Zorua's heat to raise.
"Ze!" Zorua said before unleashing a Burning Jealousy towards Slowbro.
However, both gym leaders grinned.
"Slowking, use Eerie Spell," Avery ordered.
"…. Slooow." Slowking responded before the eyes focused. Suddenly a circle of purple flames surrounded Munchlax. They then crashed into the big eater Pokemon with a blazing explosion.
"Munch!" Munchlax screamed as he was flung back.
"Munchlax, get up!" Yang called out, causing her Pokemon to slowly get to his feet, "We need to focus the other one first, use Fire Punch and-" she was saying, but as the big eater Pokemon tried to ignite his fist, the flames emerged, "What?"
"That spell reduced your pokemon's ability to use that move." Avery responded, "You're finished. Slowking, use Psychic!" he said before the shell-possessed Pokemon raised its arms, glowing in a blue aura. Suddenly, Munchlax was being levitated into the sky.
"Slowbro, use Scald," Klara commanded before expelling a blast of super-heated water from its mouth. The water overwhelmed the Burning Jealousy flames, then collided with Zorua.
"Ze!" Zorua said as she was pushed back but the boiling water, leaving a burn on her body.
"…!" Neo gasped before Zorua got back up, "…!" she pointed with the tricky fox pokemon's eyes glowing red about to attack with a Lash Out.
"Use Shell Side Arm," Klara spoke in a cold voice, yet a smile on her face.
"Slow!" Slowbro responded, raising its shell arm before firing a concentrated beam of purple toxins.
The poisonous attack collided with Zorua before she could ever finish her attack. At the same time, Munchlax was flung with the force of the psychic attack. The Pokemon were tossed near Yang and Neo, each caught by their respective trainers. As well, both pokemon's eyes were swirling from the assault, "Zorua and Munchlax are unable to battle." Mustard called out.
"…!" Neo had a look of shock towards Klara.
"Oh, if you're wondering how my attack went off so fast." Klara commented in a bubbly voice, "That's my Slowbro's Quick Draw ability, letting her sometimes attack first." She said before having a cold smile, "Don't worry, we understand if you want to give up now that you have seen our aces in battle."
"…" Neo scowled before recalling Zorua to her ball, then looked back to Yang.
"Right," Yang said with a nod, then recalled her Munchlax, "Neither of us is giving up." She said before readying her final Pokemon, "Larvitar, your turn!" she said with the rock skin Pokemon emerging from the ball.
"…" Neo smirked before reading her last Pokemon as well, tossing it with the calm Pokemon reappearing.
"Lar!" Larvitar spoke while Hatenna was near her side.
"Suit yourself." Avery responded, "Slowking, use Power Gem." He said with his Pokemon firing white psychic stones with his mind.
"Larvitar, use Ancient Power." Yang countered with her Pokemon creating the rocks covered in the purple aura. The two moves collided with each other, creating a dust explosion in the middle of the arena. Suddenly, a stream of boiling water shot out of the dust cloud, "Dodge it!" Yang called out with Larvitar doing so.
"…" Neo readied for Hatenna to use her new move, but then saw the calm covered in a blue aura. "…!" Neo gasped as she had not called out a psychic move yet, then saw her Pokemon lifted above the smoke cloud.
"She's all yours." Avery said to Klara, "Don't miss."
"I won't," Klara commented before pointing, "Shell Side Arm!"
"Slow!" Slowbro said before firing the toxic beam again towards the midair Hatenna.
"…!" Neo pointed as Hatenna used Protect, putting up a green barrier to block the attack. However, the barrier quickly faded.
"Now, for the real hit." Klara said with a sinister grin, "Use Scald." She said with the side-armed Pokemon building boiling water in its mouth.
"Oh no you don't," Yang called out, "Larvitar, use Stomping Tantrum."
"LAR!" Larvitar said as it ran through the dust cloud, then crashed into Slowbro's stomach. The side arm's Pokemon almost vomited the scale while cough, "Looks like it doesn't always let you go first."
"You!" Klara responded, "Slowbro, retarget Scale towards Larvitar!"
"Slow!" Slowbro said before unleashing the close-range blast of hot water into the rock skin pokemon's body.
"Lar!" Larvitar screamed as she was flung back in pain from the super-effective hit.
"Larvitar!" Yang called out as her Pokemon struggled to get up. However, Hatenna landed back on the ground nearby, using Life Dew. The healing aura surrounded the two, letting Larvitar get up, "Thanks." Yang said as she turned to Neo, who responded with a smile. However, as the two looked back to the battle, they saw a large scorch mark on Larvitar's body.
"Scald has a chance to burn the target." Klara commented, "Don't think you can heal that away." She said before she was about to giggle, then saw Larvitar radiating a red aura, "Eh?"
"I guess we should thank you for that," Yang commented as Neo smirked, "You just activated her Guts ability." The blond brawler then hit her fist together, "Time for Payback!"
"LAR!" Larvitar said before rushing in again, then time with a black aura around her body.
"Quick, use Shell Side Arm!" Klara called out, causing Slowbro to aim. However, both she and her Pokemon were blinded by a sudden Dazzling Gleam, "Oh no, Slowbro, you have to-" the toxic girl tried to call out but was too late. Larvitar rammed her body into Slowbro's skull, the force landed with a critical hit. The rock skin Pokemon jumped off and landed on his feet. While the side-armed Pokemon fell backwards, her eyes swirling upon hitting the floor.
"Slowbro is unable to battle," Mustard called out, "Making Klara out of usable Pokemon."
"I lost!" Klara called out, then turned to a snickering Avery, "Why do you look happy? You didn't even help me there."
"Of course, you were just holding me back." Avery responded, "Now, I can use my secret weapon."
"…" Neo readied for the battle to continue, but then saw Avery recall Slowking to its ball, "…?" She had a look of confusion, then saw the Pokeball get bigger.
The smug gentlemen then tossed it behind him, causing the Pokeball to break open with Slowking emerging and expanding. His size grew to twice the size of the dojo, then landed with the ground quaking, "SLOOOW!" the shell-possessed Pokemon roared, which echoed through the whole arena.
"…!" Neo gasped in panic.
"WHAT!?" Yang commented in shock, "Why is it so huge now!?"
"Are you saying you went to Galar without knowing about Dynamaxing?" Klara responded, "It is why we have stadiums so big."
Yang and Neo gasped, then turned to Leaf, "Hey, I didn't think this would be allowed here." Leaf commented, then gritting her teeth, "Damnit, we didn't plan for this."
"Quick, Larvitar." Yang said as she pointed, "Use Ancient Power!"
"…!" Neo pointed as well, causing Hatenna to unleash a Dazzling Gleam.
However, while both attacks collided with Slowking's stomach, they barely fazed the massive shell possessed Pokemon, "You're attacks mean nothing. Slowking, use Max Mindstorm!"
"SLOOOW!" Slowking roared with a massive wave of psychic energy pulsating from the green gem in its shell. Larvitar was paralyzed in fear, unable to get away before the attack slammed into her body. Yang, Neo, and Hatenna watched as a pillar of psychic energy formed before dispersing throughout the area. At the center of the attack, the rock skin Pokemon laid fainted on the ground.
"Larvitar is unable to battle," Mustard called out, "Yang is now out of useable Pokemon."
"Damnit," Leaf said from the stands, "It's now just a one-on-one with Hatenna against that massive thing."
Yang recalled Larvitar before looking to Neo, whose fist was slightly trembling, "Hey," The blond brawler said, gaining Neo's attention, "I know you got this." She said with a smile, causing the mute girl to smile back. Suddenly, the two girls looked around in confusion, "Why is the arena so weird now." Yang commented on the pink mist.
"Thanks to the glorious power of Max Mindstorm," Avery boasted, "A Psychic Terrain is set up." He said before seeing both girls looking at him in shock, "With it, your fate is sealed."
"…" Neo looked back to Yang, who had a smirk on her face, "…" Neo smirked back before looking to Hatenna and pointing at Slowking. The calm Pokemon then unleashed a powerful psychic wave onto the Dynamax Slowking.
"What!?" Avery said as his Slowking stumbling back from the attack, "That tiny Pokemon know Expanding Force!?"
"Are you about to lose to this small fry?" Klara commented.
"The correct term is pintsized," Yang responded with her arms crossed, causing Neo to nod in agreement.
"You little," Avery said before smirking, "We'll see how big you think you are after getting crushed! Slowking, use Max Rockfall!"
"SLOOOW!" the Dynamax Slowking roared before a rectangular pillar erupted from the ground in front of him.
"…!" Neo pointed with Hatenna using Protect just before the rock pillar slammed into the green barrier. The rock then exploded, releasing a sandstorm into the area, "…!" Neo panicked as she saw Hatenna through the sandstorm. The green barrier was cracking before fading away, revealing the calm Pokemon struggling to recover.
"Those moves even hit thought Protect!?" Yang commented in shock.
"Yes, I'll finish you before you can even think about healing." Avery called out, "Slowking, use Max Mindstorm!"
"SLOOOW!" the Dynamax Slowking said as it charged the psychic energy in its gem.
"You can't protect again." Yang said with Neo looking at her, "You have to hit it harder."
"…" Neo nodded before looking back to Hatenna, who still glowed with the psychic energy of the terrain, "…!" She pointed with Hatenna unleashing the Expanding Force. At the same time, the Dynamax Slowking fired off the Max Mindstorm. The two psychic moves collided in midair, each struggling for dominance, "…!" Neo clenched her fists as Hatenna started to get overwhelmed, "…!" Neo gritted her teeth as she closed her eyes, believing her pokemon's strength.
"Look!" Yang said as Neo opened her eyes.
"…!" Neo gasped as Hatenna glowed in a white light, her body slightly getting bigger. The calm Pokemon now had a serene and slender form. Its body was raised off the ground by its hat and braids.
"I don't believe it," Leaf said from the stands, "Hatenna evolved into Hattrem!"
"…!" Neo smiled before having a look of determination. She then made a punching motion towards the sky, causing Hattrem to unleash more psychic energy into the attack. Slowly, the Max Mindstorm was getting overwhelmed before being fully encompassed by the Expanding Force. The Dynamax Slowking's body was blasted with the psychic energy, then exploded.
"SLOOOW…." The Dynamax Slowking's body fell over backwards as it began to shrink. Upon reaching its normal size, the eyes on the shell were swirling.
"Slowking is unable to battle," Mustard called out, "Meaning Avery is out of useable Pokemon." He said with the smug gentleman still looking in shock, the Pokeball floating around his hat falling, one hit the back of his head on the way down, "Which means, the winners are the team of Yang and Neo!"
"We did it!" Yang cheered before she picked up Neo, hugging the mute girl while spinner her around.
"…!" Neo hugged her back with a smile on her face. Slowly, the two stopped with Yang putting the mute girl down. They then looked over to see Hattrem moving over to her trainer, walking with the braids behind her head as if they were legs, "…" Neo smiled again as she knelt petting her evolved Pokemon.
"You two did great," Leaf said as she walked over to them, "And with that, we are halfway to the league."
"Yep," Yang said as Klara and Avery walked over, "And now, we'll be taking those badges."
"Yeah…" Klara spoke, avoiding eye contact.
"About that…" Avery added on, also not looking at either challenger.
"What?" Yang responded.
"We don't have any badges." Klara answered, "We left them back at the minor division headquarters."
"We were just expecting to win and leave." Avery nodded as he continued, "This is…awkward."
"Oh, you have no idea," Yang said with a scowl while Neo cracked her knuckles.
"Settle down, it is alright." Mustard said as he walked over, "They don't have a badge, but I have something that will work." He said before reaching into his pocket pulling out two rusted pieces of metal. However, upon closer examination, they looked like a purple and pink badge, "When I was a challenger, these were the badges I won to enter into the Galar league." The old man chuckled, "Conveniently, I also challenged the poison and psychic gyms."
"A-are you sure about this?" Yang asked, "Don't these mean a lot to you?"
"They only gather dust with the others." Mustard responded, "I know they will do you two more good as proof of your accomplishment today." The old man said with a smile, "And I'll call the league, just so they don't give you any trouble when you make it to the tournament."
"T-thank you," Yang said before she picked the purple poison badge, the shade matching her lilac eyes.
"…!" Neo nodded with a slight bow, taking the pink psychic badge, the shade matching one of her irises. She then turned back to Yang with a smile, with the blond brawler responding in kind. Klara and Avery looked on with a sigh, while Mustard smiled with a slight laugh.
A short while later.
Outside at a campsite, Leaf and Neo sat at the table as Yang was stirring a curry pop. On the table, the mute girl petted Hattrem as the shrewd trainer scanned the evolved Pokemon. "Hattrem, the Serene Pokemon. Using the braids on its head, it pummels foes to get them to quiet down. One blow from those braids would knock out a professional boxer." The Pokedex said.
"Sounds like her hair packs a punch." Yang commented as she overheard, looking to Neo, "Now, each of us has an evolved Pokemon and two badges."
"…" Neo nodded before looking back to Leaf, "…?"
"Our next stop, right." Leaf responded, "So, I looked into the best places we could go to train your Goomy." The shrewd trainer said as she crossed her arms, "And the people who know how to train a dragon type, are dragon-type gym leaders."
"Great, we can get the third badge while we're at it." Yang commented, "Which region are we heading?"
"Well, there are only three." Leaf answered, "One is in Galar, so that one we can't get a badge from. There is one in Johto, but their dragon-type gym leader just changed, so I don't know about going there for reliable training. Plus, I heard this new leader is more savage than the last one." She said before looking to Neo, "Which leaves the one in Unova, and we can take the cruise to that region if you want. They have the boat coming by here tomorrow morning."
"…" Neo nodded, then looked to Yang.
"Sure, I'll take more rest and relaxation on a cruise." Yang responded, "It beats those cramped bird taxies." She said before lifting the curry pot onto the table, "And now, dinner time!" She said before putting her hands on her hips, "Honey gave me the recipe for curry with that massive mushroom, so we got enough for everyone." The blond brawler said before taking out her four pokeballs. "And I mean everyone, come on out!" she said with Munchlax, Hitmonlee, Larvitar, and Larvesta appear.
"…" Neo nodded before taking out the other three of her Pokeball. She tossed them to cause her Cubone, Zorua, and Goomy to appear. Each of the three smiled in joy at Hattrem, who had a serene smile back at them.
"I did send most of my back to my PC," Leaf said as she took out a Pokeball, "But I always keep my starter with me." She said before tossing the Pokeball, causing Blastoise to appear.
"Blastoise!" Blastoise said upon emerging, then looked over to see the trainer each serving up bowls of curry to the Pokemon. Cubone ate his using the club as a spoon. Larvitar nibbled on her portion with a smile on his face. Hattrem had hers with her newly evolved arms. Munchlax chomped on his, the bowel nearly twice the size of his body. Hitmonlee ate his with his back to the others, unable to see how the food was entering his body. Yang just put down a bowl for Larvesta, while Neo spoon-fed a portion to Goomy. The massive tortoise Pokemon then looked to Leaf, who offered her a bowl of the curry, "Blast!" Blastoise said with a smile as he took the bowl, pouring it down his throat. Suddenly, upon eating the curry, Blastoise's eye flashed purple for a second. At the same time, Munchlax and Hattrem's eyes had the same glow, but they continued to eat.
While all the Pokemon and trainers happily at together at the campsite, another Pokemon glared through the bushes, "Craw." Crawdaunt said with a scowl before sinking back into the shadows.
Nightfall.
A few hours past sunset, Yang and Neo rested in their room, "This is our last night here." Yang commented, then fell into the bed, "You know, you and I made a pretty good team out there." The blond brawler said with a smile forming, "Not at the level of Team RWBY teamwork, but…I don't think I could have won without you." She said before turning to Neo, "So, thanks."
"…" Neo smiled as she nodded, getting into her side of the bed as well.
"Yeah," Yang said before looking up at the ceiling, "We're one step closer to finding a way back home to the people we care for." She said before yawning, "Anyway, goodnight Neo." The blond brawler said before turning over in the covers.
"…" Neo wished the same for Yang, her eyes slowly closing as she drifted off to sleep as well.
AN: There you go, Yang and Neo are now friends capable of winning a tag battle against the two jerk gym leaders of Galar. I liked writing this battle between all the different combos and callbacks to the early chapter. And in the end, Neo's Zorua learned Lash Out and Hatenna evolves into a Hattrem, making her the first to evolve her starter (she was the only one of the six to have a starting Pokemon with three stages). Now, Yang and Neo have their second badge and are heading to Unova for some dragon training and the potential third badge. So, we are now switching over to the HBW team aboard the Battle Pyramid as they hope to land in Galar as well, allowing them to explore the Crown Tundra. That is all for now, thanks for reading, and hope to see you in the next chapter.