So someone brought up how...long the battles are in this story.
And to be fair, they are. Most of them anyway.
I...did not intend for them to be THIS long, but with that said, it wouldn't feel right shortening them.
If I tried to make them significantly shorter, then it would shortchange the pokemon themselves.
There is a reason why pokemon in the anime are nowhere near as fragile or vulnerable to type effectiveness as they are in the games because the battles would be boring.
When you make something involving pokemon, you should focus on one of two things.
Firstly is the world of pokemon itself. Trying to capture what it's like living in a magical world with these magical creatures. This is something New Pokemon Snap does very well. And while I will be doing this to an extent, I believe this can only truly be captured by either a writer who is MUCH better than me or through a visual medium.
Or secondly, cool and creative battles. Pokemon battles are the focus of pretty much everything pokemon, aside from a select few spin-offs, and they are awesome. So the fact that the battles are very long doesn't bother me too much.
Also, I'm gonna start capitalizing move names from now on. I think that will be better.
Anyway, onto the story.
"Mmmmm! This smoothie is amazing!" Ochaco sighed happily, as she finished taking a sip of her smoothie.
The three of them were sitting at an outside cafe, enjoying some smoothies together, while their pokemon enjoyed some berries nearby.
"Ah, the Eto Berry Mix Smoothie. I believe that one is a mix of Watmel berries, Salac berries, Custap berries, and Sitrus berries." Iida told her. "It's an extremely popular drink."
"Wow, you know all the ingredients!" Ochaco said in slight amazement, before looking at Izuku's smoothie. "What about his!"
"Ah, that would be the Victini Smoothie. Consisting of Rowap berries, Custap berries, Enigma berries, Lansat berries, and Sitrus berries." Iida summed up proudly. "Much less popular among the locals, but there is a legend that if a trainer drinks it, they are assured victory in their next battle. Hence the name."
"Woah, a drink with the power of Victini, if that was real then everyone would buy it," Izuku said.
"True, but as it stands now it is only a clever marketing tactic." Iida nodded.
"What's Victini?" Ochaco asked innocently as she slurped up her drink.
"Victini is the victory pokemon. And it's said to be one of the most powerful pokemon to exist." Izuku explained. "It's said that long ago, legendary pokemon would often end up clashing, causing the world to go into chaos. As such, Arceus created Victini to stop those legendaries, giving them enough power to best pretty much anything, as well as the ability to share their immense power with others. They're the center of a lot of myths like that, but no one that's still alive today has actually seen them, or knows if the myths, or even Victini themselves, are real."
"It is the topic of much debate among pokemon professors," Iida added. "Although Enji Todoroki(Endeavor), is a very firm believer in the legends, and has been hunting down Victini for most of his life."
"Wait! As in Enji Todoroki of the elite four!?" Ochaco asked.
"Yup. The very same." Izuku nodded. "That's why he travels so much around the world. He's looking for Victini."
"Wait, doesn't he have a family?" Ochaco asked curiously.
"Yup, not much about their private life is known though. I wonder how he balances his family with his hunt for Victini?" Izuku pondered.
"Wow, you're like a walking pokemon and pokemon trainer encyclopedia Deku," Ochaco said casually.
Izuku froze up for a moment, upon hearing Ochaco call him by that name. "What did...you just say?"
"Huh? Oh. You mean Deku?" Ochaco blushed as she started getting a bit sheepish, worried she did something wrong. "I'm sorry if it's too soon for nicknames or anything like that! I just thought it was a cute name when Bakugo called you that. So I thought, you know...we've been traveling for a while sooo-"
"It's fine," Izuku reassured her. "It's just...that name Kacchan calls me is an insult, it essentially means useless, or worthless."
"What a damning thing to call someone! How utterly rude!" Iida looked personally offended.
"Oh my Arceus I am so sorry!" Ochaco quickly apologized, standing up and doing an apologetic bow. "It just sounded really cute, and I thought it had more of a you can do it kind of vibe!"
Izuku paused for a moment, thinking about that for a few moments. "Actually...I kind of like that."
"Huh?" Iida and Ochaco gave him confused looks.
"Well...that name has always meant something negative to me, but...hearing you put a positive spin on it is...nice," Izuku admitted. "I...wouldn't mind if you called me that...it feels like I'm reclaiming that name from Kacchan."
Ochaco looked befuddled for a few moments, before seemingly accepting it and smiling. "Right! Then I'll call you Deku from now on!"
"Speaking of that Kacchan, or rather what was his name again?" Iida asked, trying to remember what Bakugo told him his name was when he challenged him.
"Katsuki Bakugo." Izuku jumped in.
"Yes, Katsuki Bakugo. You seem to know him personally, so I must ask why he acts the way he does." Iida asked, pulling up his glasses. "It's very rude and unsportsmanlike!"
"Yeah, why is he such a jerk!?" Ochaco asked with a pout. Remembering the way Bakugo treated them yesterday.
Izuku sighed, as he pondered for a moment the best way to explain this. "Well...most of it stems from his mom. Mitsuki Bakugo. She was and still is, a powerful pokemon trainer. She managed to beat all eight of the gyms, before losing at the pokemon league tournament. She's definitely the most powerful trainer in our town. And so all of us kids looked up to her...and to Kacchan. People expected him to follow in his mom's legacy, and maybe even win the league tournament. And so that may have caused his ego to get a bit…overblow."
"Ahhh yes, as the younger brother of a gym leader I can understand feeling like...you're more important at times, however, I am aware that that way of thinking is pretentious. And that no matter who you're related to, if you yourself don't work towards your goals, you will never achieve them." Iida said.
"But why does he seem to hate YOU so much?" Ochaco asked. "It's like you killed his Lillipup or something."
"I would never!" Izuku was horrified at that notion. "But...to explain why he hates me so much specifically, it's mainly two reasons. One, I was on the other end of the social spectrum. He was the popular kid of a powerful trainer, I was the unpopular kid that liked "lame" pokemon. And second, I was the only one who could match his grades back at pokemon school...it also probably doesn't help that I beat him in our first ever pokemon battle."
"So his sense of superiority clashes with reality where he is competing with someone who's considered to be inferior." Iida summed up. "I can see how that might cause someone with an ego as large as his, to grow angry."
"Still doesn't make it right for him to treat you like that," Ochaco said, still looking upset.
"Kacchan is Kacchan, I've just accepted that he's not gonna change easily." Izuku sighed. "But maybe his journey will help him grow out of his...shortcomings."
"Pokemon journeys often change a person, it's a...wondrous experience." As Iida said that he suddenly started to look a bit glum.
"Iida? What's wrong?" Ochaco asked, concerned about his sudden change in mood.
"...I was...intending to go on a pokemon journey myself very soon. I would have already started it if it weren't for…" Iida paused, and Ochaco and Izuku already knew what he was going to say.
"If it weren't for what happened to your brother." Izuku finished his sentence.
There was a moment of tense silence, as Iida's grip around his smoothie tightening, his knuckles turning white. "It was a former member of Team Plasma."
"Wait! The same Team Plasma from Unova!?" Izuku asked in alarm.
"What's team plasma?" Ochaco asked, looking a bit worried.
"Team Plasma was a cult centered in Unova that wished to free pokemon from trainers," Iida explained. "Or at least, that was what they said. As it turns out, one of their leaders, Ghetsis, was planning to take pokemon from trainers, not for the benefit of pokemon, but so that way they could rule over the region from the shadows. Once this was revealed, their true leader N, mysteriously disappeared, and Team Plasma split into two groups. One was the people who had been fooled by Ghetsis and genuinely wanted what's best for pokemon, and who chose to atone for their actions while under Ghetsis's manipulation, and the other were followers of Ghetsis, who only wanted power. Both teams eventually disbanded. One willingly, and the other by force."
"This guy must have been pretty strong to beat a gym leader at their best," Izuku said.
Ochaco shuddered. "I hope we don't run into that guy. At least until we're MUCH stronger."
"I wish I could go on my journey, and grow stronger than my brother. Strong enough to defeat that man." Iida sighed, a longing look in his eyes. "But it seems that will have to wait. My brother is still not even able to walk right now, so it seems I will have to be his stand-in for some time longer."
"Awww. That sucks." Ochaco gave him a sympathetic look.
"Indeed. But unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done." Iida sighed, before looking down at his watch. "Well, it looks as if my break is done! I must return to the gym! I would suggest neither of you challenges the gym today, after such a harrowing experience last night! Give both yourselves and your pokemon a chance to relax!"
"I guess you're right," Izuku said.
"I enjoyed my time with both of you! I hope you both prove to be worthy of my brother's badge!" Iida said, as he stood up and ran over to his pokemon.
Honedge was watching as Scizor juggled Chespin and Togepi, both of whom were enjoying it greatly.
"You two! It is time for us to depart!" Iida said to his pokemon.
"Edge!"
"Zor!" Scizor put down the two pokemon, and Iida returned them to his Pokeballs.
"Farewell!" Iida said, as he swiftly ran off to the gym, while Izuku and Ochaco waved him goodbye.
"So...what do you want to do now?" Ochaco asked Izuku.
"Well...I heard they sell T.M. disks at the mall. Let's see if they have anything interesting in our price range." Izuku suggested.
T.M. Teachable Moves. They were basically tutorial videos to help pokemon learn moves more easily.
"Don't go over-spending like you did back in the other city," Ochaco said, giving him a serious look, that made Izuku blush with embarrassment.
"I won't!" Izuku said quickly.
XXXXXXXXX
It was bright and early the next day, and after spending some time relaxing, Izuku and Ochaco stood outside, eager to challenge the substitute gym leader.
"You should go first. Since you haven't challenged him yet." Ochaco told Izuku.
"Vee!" Eevee, who was on Izuku's shoulder, gave Ochaco an appreciative look.
"Thanks. I'll try not to take too long!" Izuku said before the two of them walked into the gym.
They reached the steel arena and saw Iida there waiting for them.
"Ah! Midoriya! Uraraka! I was expecting you!" Iida greeted them. "While it is a pleasure to see both of you, I hope you don't expect me to go easy on either of you."
"Of course not!" Izuku said, taking up a position on the battlefield opposite to Iida, while Ochaco went to the bleachers. "It wouldn't be right if we just got handed the badge without earning it in a battle."
"Right! Well then without further ado!" Iida took out his Pokeball. "Come out! Honedge!"
"Edge!" Honedge came out, ready to battle.
"Trapinch, let's go!" Izuku sent out his own pokemon in response.
"Trapinch!" Trapinch glared aggressively at Honedge, ready to do some damage.
"Alright! Honedge, let's boost your speed with Autotomize!" Iida ordered.
"Use Mud-Slap!" Izuku ordered at the same time.
Just as Honedge dropped to the floor and was about to start grinding itself against the steel, Trapinch shot out a Mud-Slap from its mouth, hitting the living sword pokemon, and worsening its vision, lowering its accuracy as a result. As well as doing minor super effective damage.
"Now use dig!" Izuku ordered.
"Trap!" Trapinch quickly started digging, although the steel floor made that a tiny bit harder, but she was breaking through.
"Shadow Sneak!" Iida shouted.
"Honedge!" Honedge quickly sunk into their shadow, before appearing behind Trapinch, and swung at them.
Only to miss because of their reduced accuracy, and hit the ground next to them.
This gave Trapinch time to get through the steel coating, and into the ground below.
If this hits Honedge, they'll take a significant amount of damage. Iida thought. I need to wait, and figure out just when to attack.
Iida waited patiently and kept a close eye on the battlefield.
Fortunately, the steel floor delayed Trapinch's attack for a moment, and Iida saw the floor crack beneath Honedge.
"Honedge! Use Iron Head below you!" Iida ordered.
"Hone!" Honedge got ready to attack, and just as Trapinch popped out, Honedge bonked it on the head, hard.
"Pinch!" Trapinch cried out in pain, as they were smacked away by Honedge.
"Trapinch!" Izuku cried out in concern.
"Piii." Trapinch jumped up back on its feet, but even though it only took a single attack, it was clear that they couldn't take a whole lot more.
"Trapinch, Mud-Slap!" Izuku ordered.
"Aerial Ace!" Iida commanded.
Trapinch shot mud out of its mouth at Honedge, but Honedge's blade glowed blue, and it charged towards Trapinch at alarming speeds, cutting through the mud, before making their way to Trapinch and slashing them.
"Pinnnnch!" Trapinch cried as they went flying towards Izuku, and fainted when they hit the ground.
"Trapinch." Izuku gave his pokemon a sad look. "You...did your best."
Izuku quickly returned Trapinch and took out another Pokeball. "Come out Chespin!"
"Ches!" Chespin came out, bright and smiling. And eager to battle.
"Honedge! Use Aerial Ace!" Iida ordered.
Honedge's blade turned sky blue, as they got ready to attack.
"Use Bite when it gets close!" Izuku shouted.
Honedge flew at Chespin, and just as it was about to strike, Chespin jumped up and bit its blade, interrupting their attack as they recoiled in pain.
"Now use Mud Shot!" Izuku shouted.
"Pin!" Chespin said as they shot point-blank Mud Shots at Honedge, doing super effective damage.
"Edge!" Honedge fell to the floor, unconscious.
"Hmm. You did the best you could, rest now Honedge." Iida said as he returned his first pokemon. "Now, come out, Siczor!"
"Zor!" Siczor came out and snapped its claws as a sign of aggression. Showing it was ready to battle.
"Leech Seed!" Izuku hoped that he could put Iida's last pokemon on a timer, and maybe stall out the battle.
"Agility!" Iida ordered.
Chespin shot out seeds from his mouth, but Siczor ran away from the attack, with a blue aura around it, signifying their speed had increased.
"X-Scissor!" Iida ordered.
"Counter it with Wood Hammer!" Izuku shouted.
Scissor's claws glowed green as they charged towards Chespin at blinding speeds.
Chespin tried to use Wood Hammer, but just as their arm glowed green, Scissor was already upon them and slashed them before they could try and attack back.
"Pin!" Chespin cried out in pain as they took the super effective attack, and was knocked back.
"Rollout!" Izuku ordered.
"Ches!" Chespin curled into a ball, and rolled at Scizor, striking their legs, and causing them to trip.
Chespin then started rolling around the arena, all around Scizor.
Scizor stood up, only to be hit in the back by Rollout.
I can't let him continue. Iida thought. "Swords Dance!"
"Scizor!" Scizor clanked its claws together, increasing their attack power before Chespin stuck them in the head with Rollout.
Now it's just about timing. Iida thought as he waited for the right moment.
After a few seconds, he saw Chespin starting to roll towards Scizor from the side. "Now use Metal Claw! On your left!"
Scizor turned to the left, and saw Chespin coming at them, they brought their clawback, as it gained a steel coating.
And when Chespin came in range, Scizor smashed their claw into him.
CRACK!
The attack knocked Chespin out of his attack, and sent them flying, doing significant damage to the grass type.
"Ches!" Chespin fell onto the ground, before pulling himself up, grunting in pain as they did so.
Izuku clenched his fist nervously, as sweat poured down his face. "Chespin use Synthesis!"
"Bullet Punch!" Iida ordered.
Just as Chespin started to glow, Scizor dashed at them at blinding speed, and unleashed a flurry of punches, interrupting them before they could heal at all.
"Now use X-Scissor!" Iida shouted.
"Siiiiizor!" Scizor brought up its claws as they glowed green, before striking Chespin with the super effective attack, knocking them all the way to Izuku's feet, where they laid unconscious.
"Chespin…" Izuku returned his grass type to his Pokeball. This isn't good. Scizor is a powerful pokemon. And it already has plus two speed and attack...I have to take it down quickly!
"Alright, come out Kubfu!" Izuku shouted.
"Kub!" Kubfu shouted as they got into a fighting stance.
"Let's try out your new move!" Izuku hoped the T.M. was worth the money. "Now use Bulk Up!"
"Kub!" Kubfu flexed its muscles, as they grew a bit, increasing his attack and defense by one stage. "FU!"
"Swords Dance!" Iida ordered.
"Don't let it! Use Aerial Ace!" Izuku commanded.
As Scizor attempted to use Swords Dance, Kubfu's arms and legs glowed blue, as it dashed at Scizor with great speed, jumping up in the air and slamming its foot down on Scizor's head, interrupting their move.
"Zor!" Scizor cried out in pain.
"Scizor use Metal Claw!" Iida ordered.
"Counter!" Izuku shouted.
Scizor, while Kubfu's foot was still on their head, brought its claw back as it turned steely, and as it was about to hit Kubfu, the smaller pokemon glowed red.
"Fu!" Kubfu cried out as the attack hit before it glared at Scizor. "Kubfu!"
Kubfu's foot glowed red, and it kicked Siczor's head, causing it to go flying away as twice the damage it did to Kubfu was returned back to them.
"Scizor!" Iida cried out. I can't be reckless. Counter means I can't just let Scizor strike recklessly, otherwise they'll be too damaged to take out Midoriya's last pokemon. Speed is key.
"Blitz it with Bullet Punch and then retreat!" Iida ordered.
"Counter!" Izuku ordered.
Scizor charged forward its claws coated in steel, as it laid down a barrage of punches on Kubfu, who was glowing red.
"Fu!" Kubfu recoiled in pain for a moment as the blows landed, and when the attack ended it went to punch Scizor back with Counter, but Scizor dashed back, out of Kubfu's range.
Izuku's eyes widened, as he realized there would be a problem.
"Now repeat that! Over and over again Scizor!" Iida shouted.
"Counter!" Izuku said, hoping that Kubfu could land a hit.
But that hope was in vain, as Scizor barrage Kubfu with numerous Bullet Punches, before retreating back out of Kubfu's range.
Not good! If this keeps up Kubfu won't be able to land a hit! Izuku thought as the barrage continued.
As Izuku was thinking of how to counter this tactic, he noticed the problem. Whenever Kubfu got hit they would recoil in pain for a moment, before they could attack back, giving Scizor time to get away.
And that's when he saw his potential solution. "Kubfu use Bulk Up again!"
"Kub!" Kubfu flexed, and his muscles bulged out for a moment. "Fu!
"Keep going Scizor!" Iida ordered.
"Now Counter!" Izuku hoped this would work.
Scizor came in, and once again unleashed a barrage of punches.
But this time Kubfu took it like a champ, and right after the end of the attack, Kubfu punched Scizor away, returning the damage twofold.
"Zor! Scizor skidded back, as it took yet another attack.
Iida took a close look at Kubfu. The pokemon was heavily damaged, its breathing was labored and wounds covered their entire body. If I could just land one strong attack.
"Finish it! With Metal Claw!" Iida shouted.
"Sci!" Siczor raised their claw, as it became coated in steel.
"Reversal!" Izuku shouted.
Kubfu raised his arm as it glowed bright orange.
Scizor charged at Kubfu.
Kubfu's fist met Scizor's claw, and the force of the two attacks colliding caused a huge explosion.
When the wind and smoke died down, both trainers could see the state of their pokemon.
Siczor was still standing but was heavily injured.
But Kubfu was on their back, knocked out.
"Mmm. You did great, Kubfu." Izuku said as he returned his fighting type.
Izuku looked at Eevee on his shoulder. "Are you ready to go?"
"Vee." Eevee gave a quiet, yet determined growl, before jumping onto the battlefield.
Izuku looked up at Scizor. If I can just land a few hits. Then I can end this.
"Eevee! Use Swift!" Izuku ordered.
"Eeeeeeveee!" Eevee shot out stars at Scizor, hoping to counter their great speed, with a nearly undodgeable attack.
"Bullet Punch!" Iida ordered in return.
As the stars came at Scizor, it rapidly punched them, destroying all of them in a single barrage.
"Bulk Up!" Izuku needed Eevee to be able to take these attacks.
"Bullet Punch!" Iida shouted.
As Eevee was about to flex, Siczor charged in and unleashed a flurry of blows before they could even start the move.
Seeing his opportunity, Iida gave his next order. "Keep using Bullet Punch! Don't stop!"
"Zor! Zor! Zor! Zor! Zor! Zor!" Scizor unleashed a non-stop flurry of punches, while Eevee could do nothing but take the attacks.
"Eevee!" Izuku shouted out. He couldn't even give them an order, not with such constant and powerful attacks landing every second "Darn it! If only any of my pokemon had a fire-type move."
Meanwhile, Eevee was stuck under the assault of Scizor. It hurt like hell, but more than pain they felt frustration.
Would they really be Izuku's only pokemon to do absolutely nothing in this fight?
Were they really going to be helpless again just like they were against Mewtwo!?
No! No, they hated that! They had to do something! Anything!
If only any of my pokemon had a fire-type move.
Eevee remembered Izuku's words.
They needed fire!
And then, suddenly, Eevee began to glow a bright blue.
"Zor!?" Siczor stopped its attack, curious as to what was happening.
Both Iida and Izuku watched in disbelief, as Eevee started changing shape.
"Flare!" Suddenly, the blue energy exploded off Eevee, revealing that they had evolved into Flareon, who had pink streaks in their orange fur.
"What!?" Iida, Ochaco, and Izuku shouted out in surprise.
Izuku and Iida were stunned. They knew this was impossible. For Eevee to evolve into Flareon they needed a firestone! How could this be!?
Meanwhile, Flareon didn't hesitate.
"Flare!" Flareon opened her mouth and unleashed a spiral of flames at Scizor.
Scizor was too busy being shocked to dodge, and the attack landed.
"Zor!" Scizor cried as it was engulfed in a circle of flames.
When the flames died down, Scizor fell and was knocked out.
Both Iida and Izuku stood in silence for a few minutes, too confused to do anything but just stare at Flareon and gawk.
Eventually, Ochaco broke the silence.
"Yeah! Deku you did it!" Ochaco cheered as she rushed down from the bleachers over to the shocked Izuku, to congratulate him.
"I...I won?" Izuku was so confused, as Flareon went over to him, looking at him with a proud look.
"E!" Flareon cried proudly.
Izuku picked up Flareon and held her to his face. "Ee-I mean, Flareon, how did you do that?"
"Huh? What do you mean? They just...evolved?" Ochaco asked, confused as to what was so shocking. It was a bit surprising but it's not like it was some impossible thing.
"Uraraka, an Eevee can only evolve into a Flareon if exposed to the fire stone," Iida said, walking over to them after returning Scizor. "Meaning that evolving mid-battle like that should be impossible."
"Wait!? What!?" Now Ochaco was taken aback and looked at Flareon. "Then how did-"
Suddenly, Flareon started glowing blue once more.
"What!?" All three trainers were even more shocked. Flareon didn't have any known evolutions, so what on earth was happening.
Flareon changed shape in Izuku's hands, getting smaller until eventually, they had returned to being an Eevee. "Vee!"
All three trainers were now confused out of their minds.
Pokemon didn't de-evolve. It just didn't happen.
So once again. What the heck was going on here?
And now we start to learn why Izuku's Eevee is so special.
The next part will conclude the first gym arc. So stay tuned.
Anyway, please review and tell me your thoughts, and have a nice day.