Here it is, the ninth chapter in my latest Hearts Universe side story 'Problems of the Heart' released when I wanted it to be released within the Hearts timeline though a little earlier than I planned to surprise y'all. This is the second of Angie's three chapters and will be followed by the quickest back-to-back chapters in Problems as the conclusion to Angie's arc will be released Saturday after Part CX in Winning has been released so y'all are in store for another bunch of chapters in my stories in this universe in quick succession. For those curious, this takes around the same time, maybe a day before or the day of, Ash's gym battle with Korrina in Part CX of Winning so between Parts CIX and CX though I will leave it up to y'all to imagine when it is as the events here are in Kanto and not Kalos were the main series is. That is all the administrative stuff I have for this note and as there were no questions or guest reviews to respond to please time to sit back and get ready for the ninth Problem of the Heart.
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon.
Angie II
For the second time, Angie walked up the path to the Saffron City Gym only this time she was determined and confident in her strategy. She had been nervous last time, but those nerves had gone away in the heat of her battle with Sabrina, a battle that she barely lost. Now she was back for her rematch, and she didn't intend on losing it this time.
Sabrina had been true to her word and had left Saffron City the morning after her battle with Angie, Angie had learned that from Nurse Joy in the morning and had only returned to the city the day before. During the week, the gym was open to challengers who could earn the Marsh Badge if they beat Sabrina's father, and a few did do so but Angie wanted her rematch to be with Sabrina, so she waited and took the time to get ready for it.
Ideally, Angie would have stayed in Saffron City and worked at the Pokémon Center, attended the Contest for inspiration, and gotten ready for the battle. However, she hadn't anticipated the popularity of the Contest and the number of coordinators already in the city. Nurse Joy suggested that Angie spend the week in Lavender Town which was less than a day's walk to the east and would be a lot less busy. That way she could train in peace and not deal with the influx of coordinators staying in the Pokémon Center. Angie had agreed and headed out after lunch the day after her loss.
Angie didn't know what to think of Lavender Town while she was there. It felt off to her, more serious and sober with really eerie flute music some buskers there refused to stop playing. She asked the Nurse Joy there who told her that the town was like this because of the Pokémon Tower, a place where Pokémon who had passed on were honored but that also attracted ghost types, so it was always a little spooky and somber in the town due to their influence.
Apparently there had been a serious issue for a few years in the Town due to a particularly spiteful ghost type bit that was solved by a trainer from Pallet Town the year before and the area had cleared up some since then. However, the sadness of the Tower permeated everywhere and that wouldn't leave while the Tower stood.
Angie had no doubt that it was Ash who had been the trainer that had sorted the problem out and made a note to ask Sabrina about it if she could. Somehow she had a feeling that all this was tied to the Gengar that Ash had used in the Indigo Final, but she needed confirmation. That would come in time though, she had to focus on her training first.
Other than the off feeling, Lavender Town was a nice, quiet place and perfect for what Angie needed. She needed a place that she could focus on her upcoming battle and other things and the quiet calm of Lavender Town was perfect for that as few trainers were here giving her plenty of time to prepare.
She did take a day off in the middle to go to the Tower and pay her respects to Pokémon that had passed and bring an offering for their spirits. She was from Sinnoh, she knew the legend of how a Spiritomb was formed and while she had to admit that Dawn's was pretty cool once you got to know him, they were still creepy Pokémon with a sinister side at the place of creation. Therefore, showing honor and respect to a spiritual area helped avoid the creation of one that could cause problems before it was caught.
Angie did her part at the Tower, as did all 6 of her Pokémon on hand, but other than that it was pure training. Her main focus was with her 3 for her rematch as she wasn't changing her roster for that, but she made sure the others got attention as well to keep them sharp. She was going to head to Celadon City right after Saffron to face Erika there and needed to be ready for her grass types, which meant that Houndoom would again be her primary but after him all her on hand Pokémon had a shot of being used so she made sure all were ready.
Still, her primary focus was on the battle with Sabrina so that got the most attention. During her walk to Lavender Town Angie had been thinking over her loss and had determined that there were two mistakes she had made that had cost her the match. One was tactical while the other training related. She could correct the training related one with intensive training and teaching her Pokémon a new move to overcome the mistake she'd made in training, which she did, the tactical one was a little different.
Sure, this time Angie knew exactly what 3 Pokémon she'd be facing and their order but at the same time she should have done what she was now going to do the moment she knew her second and third opponents. Sabrina couldn't substitute so it made no difference that she knew who she would face this time around, she was still at fault for making that mistake the week prior. That had been rectified by the time she reached Lavender Town though so she could focus on training while she was in the spiritual town.
It had been an intense week, one that had more than training because at nights Angie did think about what she would discuss with Sabrina after the battle, but now she was ready for the rematch. She'd face Sabrina in battle, win her Marsh Badge this time, and then finally talk about her lingering crush and maybe fully figure things out.
Angie hadn't expected to ever deal with that, but Arceus had other plans for her it seemed. She'd ended up on a path that crossed with the one woman who knew her situation, had experience with others in Angie's boat, and could help from an objective standpoint. Angie wasn't going to turn that down.
Regardless, that talk was later, she had a match to focus on. That came into sharper focus as Sabrina walked out of the gym in her full leader regalia waiting for her like before, a kind smile on her face but her eyes burning with the anticipation of a heated battle that Angie fully intended to give her.
"Sabrina, good to see you again." Angie said reaching the gym and shaking hands with the leader. "I've been waiting all week for this. I'm ready to face you again."
"Ash have I." Sabrina said her smile broadening as she let go of Angie's hand and opened the door. "Shall we?"
"Lead the way." Angie said as they walked into the gym. "How was your week by the way?"
"It was good." Sabrina said as the walked and she thought back on her latest week off. "I had a spa weekend planned for myself at a resort just north of here. There's a hot springs place up that way and I always go a few times a year to get properly pampered during a week off to fully reset and take care of my own mental needs. It's really nice and helps me get back in touch with my more feminine side. I tend to get the works while there, so I am fully refreshed for the coming 3 weeks, staring with our rematch."
"Can't say I really understand some of that." Angie said gesturing to herself and very tomboy style, which didn't help that she had a petite body that came off boyish which just added to her style. "Not the most feminine woman here. In fact, Ash thought I was a dude when we first met."
"He did did he?" Sabrina said with a chuckle at the thought though she couldn't blame Ash, he wasn't the most observant man and if there was a task at hand that observation ability somehow got even worse apparently. "I can't wait to hear that story. You're not the first girl he's made that mistake with you know."
"I'm not?" Angie asked confused. "I've met the others, I'm the most masculine of them."
"Anabel isn't what I'd call feminine." Sabrina pointed out. "Though she's not a tomboy either so I think Ash was just dense back then. Short hair, slightly deeper voice, and Anabel's fashion sense would easily confuse him though."
"True I can kinda see that." Angie admitted remembering Anabel and seeing how someone like Ash might assume that she was a boy. "That does sound like an Ash mistake to make."
"He's great when it comes to Pokémon and battles, but he's terrible with humans." Sabrina said. "I know another guy a bit like that. Really good with Pokémon but not the best people person."
"Really?" Angie asked cocking an eyebrow at Sabrina. "Did you meet him at the spa?"
"No, he lives in Kalos, plus I'm not ready for him to see me in such a feminine setting." Sabrina said feeling her cheeks heat a bit. "He was my first friend there, well first friend ever really, and met me as a traveler back when I was just getting my feet under me on my road to recovery. Really helped me a lot while I was there. We're still in contact in fact and I intend on surprising him when I get there."
"I see." Angie said with a grin. "So, it's like that then."
"Perhaps, I don't honestly know." Sabrina said knowing what Angie was implying and uncertain herself, though she had thought on it more during her time at the spa and knew there was more to it than she wanted to admit to just yet. "I'm scared of intimacy though so that is a factor that is holding me back."
"Because of this addiction you've spoken of." Angie said recalling what Sabrina had mentioned. "That I still don't really understand but I presume is what is guiding your actions."
"In a sense yes." Sabrina said. "My addiction is to my own psychic power, so it is not a normal one that I can ever truly be sober of, but my power is still a drug in its own right, and I was addicted to it. I'll go into more detail later if you decide to come by for a talk but suffice it to say I abused it when I was way to young to mentally handle it. As I result, I am afraid that I have an addictive personality. If I can fall for one addiction, I can fall for others. I've spoken to enough addicts to know that there is a lot of overlap between the major addictions."
"I can kinda see that." Angie said as they made their way down the stairs and to the underground part of the gym. "Though not how it plays into intimacy."
"Intimacy isn't necessarily the right word." Sabrina said thinking on it. "Though I am scared of how my past struggles will come off, but Alain knows them and still accepts me for who I am which is a good start. It's more the fact that there are 4 major addictions: alcohol, drugs, gambling, and sex. I'm terrified of the last because I don't want to become addicted to it. I don't drink, take prescription meds, or go near gambling cities like Celadon for that matter so I can avoid the first 3 easily. The way I avoid the last is avoiding intimacy. I know it's not good, but I am not mentally ready yet."
"I think that's a good idea, it's something you should only do when you're ready for it." Angie said as they reached the battlefield and Sabrina began pushing the doors open. "Though I never thought about it like that. I've only had one crush and never done anything sexual with a guy, so I don't really understand it."
"Ha, same here minus the crush part as I'm not sure what my feelings are so I don't think I've ever had one." Sabrina said surprising Angie enough to stop in her tracks just before her box and causing Sabrina to look over her shoulder and grin at her. "I know, odd to meet an attractive woman on the wrong side of 20 who has never been kissed, let alone still be a virgin, but it's just one of the many things I've had to pay for due to my past power abuse."
"I…" Angie said unable to process it as Sabrina laughed glad her father hadn't arrived yet though he did know all about her lack of a relationship or love life whatsoever and the reasons why Sabrina had avoided seeking one.
"Don't think on it, we have a battle to focus on." Sabrina said snapping Angie out of her stupor as her father arrived from a side door Angie hadn't noticed before. "I want this rematch to be as intense as our last one as it really helped me not notice my broken telepathy. You really pushed me hard Angie, I expect the same challenge again."
"Oh, it will be better now that I know what is coming and am prepared for it." Angie said refocusing on the battle and clearing her head of everything else that would likely come up later. "I have spent the week in Lavender Town training and getting better. I won't make the same mistakes I made in our last battle."
"I don't expect you to." Sabrina said as she reached her side, turned and pulled out her first Poke Ball. "I'll be interested to hear what they were after the battle, or during it if they come up."
"I'll gladly tell you once I've won." Angie said pulling out her own Poke Ball. "But only then. Though I will confirm them if you notice the changes I've made."
"A good idea." Sabrina said before looking to her father. "Ok dad, make this official."
"Yes, I do have to do this to make sure it is recorded correctly, regulations and all." Her father said with a sigh and Sabrina knew that he was just as frustrated with some of the pedantic regulations the League forced on gyms as she was. "Anyway, this is the official rematch between the challenger Angie from Solaceon Town and the Gym Leader Sabrina. This will be a three-on-three battle that will end when one trainer beats all of the other's Pokémon and I am the final judge on when a Pokémon is out. In addition, only the challenger can substitute. Is that clear?"
"Crystal." Angie said while Sabrina just nodded.
"Alright then begin!" Sabrina's father said officially starting the rematch.
"Houndoom, let's win!" Angie said throwing her Poke Ball.
"Kadabra, mental fortitude." Sabrina said throwing her own one out. "I see we are starting the same as last time."
"What can I say, the start was good." Angie said with a shrug. "I made mistakes later in the battle but starting this way worked so why mess with it. On that note, Houndoom, Feint Attack."
"I see, well in that case I'll do the one thing I can." Sabrina said as Houndoom began running at Kadabra. "Dazzling Gleam."
As with the week before, Houndoom closed his eyes and plowed through the flash of light that came from Kadabra, as did Sabrina and Angie, and reached Kadabra despite the pain from the attack. As soon as he was there, he struck his opponent with the sucker punch of Feint Attack sending Kadabra reeling from the super effective attack.
"Teleport." Sabrina called out. "Put some distance between you two."
"Not this time, we have something new for that." Angie said changing her plan up to keep the pressure up on Kadabra with a move that Houndoom had surprisingly learned during their week of training. "Fire Fang!"
Almost at once flames filled Houndoom's mouth and he used his momentum to push forward and bite down hard on Kadabra's leg just before the Psi Pokémon teleported away. The result was that he teleported Houndoom with him while also taking damage from the fire type attack. It was impressive and Sabrina had to commend Angie for adapting to her teleport, but Angie wasn't done yet. The moment the Pokémon reappeared on Angie's side she was ready to press her advantage.
"Foul Play." Angie ordered.
Before Sabrina or Kadabra could react, Houndoom turned Kadabra's attack on itself and struck with the dark type move. Kadabra staggered back in pain from the move and was near his limit so Sabrina did the only thing she could and made sure that Houndoom was dealt some damage before Kadabra was knocked out.
"Dazzling Gleam." Sabrina said. "One last time my friend."
"Flamethrower." Angie called out.
Houndoom knew he was close enough to Kadabra to not miss as he closed his eyes and opened his mouth while bracing for the attack Kadabra was about to unleash. The flash of light struck him a second later, but he pushed through the pain as the flames formed in his mouth and shot out, bathing Kadabra in them as the light died. A moment later the flames cleared to show Kadabra on his back, blackened from the fire and with swirls for eyes.
"Kadabra is unable to battle." Sabrina's father said raising a red flag to Sabrina's side. "The winner is Houndoom."
"Kadabra return." Sabrina said recalling her Pokémon and smiling at the ball in her hand. "That was good Kadabra, dark types will always be a problem for us and when they are dual types with fire, steel, or poison our one good move against them is dampened. Don't feel bad, we have two more who can handle that Houndoom so you will be avenged my friend."
"That you do." Angie said recalling Houndoom to Sabrina's surprise. "Which is why I'm subbing him out now."
"I see that is different." Sabrina said as she pulled out her second Poke Ball. "You didn't substitute before."
"And that was one of my mistakes." Angie said confirming it now that Sabrina had pointed it out. "It was one of two major ones I noticed when I thought back on it. I should have subbed out to gain the full advantage against Slowbro and maximized my chances against Gallade as that one was the toughest, but I got cocky and relied too much on Houndoom's dark type while testing myself against Slowbro's water type. That backfired but it was a learning moment, so I won't make that mistake again."
"Clever." Sabrina said with a nod. "And the Fire Fang? That was different from before."
"Just the latest move Houndoom learned, I figured that you'd teleport for distance again and decided to test what would happen if Houndoom was biting Kadabra at the time." Angie said with a shrug. "It worked better than anticipated so I rolled with it."
"That it did but I've seen it done before." Sabrina said surprising Angie. "Only once and it wasn't actually a move, but I know that Teleport can affect a Pokémon that is holding onto Kadabra."
"You have?" Angie asked confused. "Who was crazy enough to try that?"
"Ash of course." Sabrina said as if it was obvious, which in hindsight it was. "In our full battle he had Dratini bite onto Kadabra at the last moment and Kadabra took it with him. Ash used that to land a Thunderbolt that he had ordered Dratini to prepare as it bit down on Kadabra if I recall correctly."
"Of course, Ash would do that." Angie said with a chuckle. "I did learn some stuff from him. Let's see if my plan is working though as we continue."
"Yes, lets." Sabrina said as she tossed out the Poke Ball. "Slowbro, mental fortitude."
"Luxray, let's win!" Angie said as she threw out her own ball, the substitution she should have made last time and changing up her own order in the process.
"Ah that was what I was expecting." Sabrina said as the balls burst open and Luxray roared at Slowbro who shivered slightly though he had no idea why he did so. "That would have been clever in the last battle for sure, but I understand your decision to test yourself against Slowbro."
"A trainer learns from her mistakes so that she doesn't make them the next time." Angie said. "Or else she fails."
"That she does." Sabrina said seriously. "I've learned so much from my many mistakes and gotten stronger, and healthier, because of it. Slowbro, get ready."
"Slow." Slowbro said slowly.
"Luxray, Quick Attack." Angie said deciding to start off with speed to get in close for Luxray's dark type attack.
"Stop it with Psychic." Sabrina said grinning. "Show off our greatest power."
Angie had no idea what to expect as Luxray tore at Slowbro at full speed. At the same time, the Shellder on Slowbro's tail bit down and his eyes glowed bright blue. A second later, and right before Luxray reached Slowbro, the Gleam Eyes Pokémon glowed blue and came to an abrupt, unnatural halt mid stride. He was then lifted off the ground with a yelp as Slowbro held him there with a forepaw outstretched.
"Throw it back." Sabrina ordered.
Slowbro did just that and tossed Luxray clear across the battlefield to land on Angie's side in a heap. Angie had to admit, she was impressed. She hadn't seen Sabrina use Psychic in the first match and if it was that good then she'd have to reveal her training results with Luxray earlier than expected.
"Discharge." Angie called. "And follow it with Quick Attack. We can't let up against Slowbro."
Luxray roared and unleashed the electricity from his body. It covered the whole field and reached Slowbro before Sabrina could decide how to counter it. Slowbro wailed as the super effective attack coursed through him.
He didn't move but fried where he stood and was completely distracted by the electricity. As such he couldn't do anything to prevent Luxray from slamming into him at full speed with the Quick Attack that staggered him back a few paces. Angie wasn't going to pass this up and had worked hard to maximize the brief moment she had thanks to this combo.
"Crunch." Angie said to finish her attempt at a three-hit combo.
"Zen Headbutt." Sabrina called out as Luxray's teeth glowed with dark type power.
Luxray lunged at Slowbro just as Slowbro lowered his head and focused all his willpower into it. He then launched at the lunging Luxray. It came down to body size in the end. Slowbro's head was just a little bigger than Luxray's jaws and slammed into it hard. Luxray was hurled back by the psychic type attack that not before his teeth grazed Slowbro's head and imparted the dark type power into it. Slowbro wailed and fell to his knees from the super effective attack as Luxray hit the ground and rolled back. Angie saw the moment and used it.
"Discharge." Angie yelled as soon as Luxray hit the ground.
Luxray knew he didn't need to look to use his move. Discharge was odd in that it affected the whole battlefield, so he just unleashed his electricity and let it find his opponent wherever it was. Slowbro stood no chance and was still on his knees when it hit him. He fried for a moment but was out before it ended, only the spasming of the electricity kept him upright. When it was done Slowbro pitched forward and thudded into the ground, his body smoking slightly and eyes swirls as Luxray got to his feet and growled in triumph.
"Slowbro is unable to battle." Sabrina's father declared raising a red flag to Sabrina's side. "Luxray is the winner."
"Well, that was intense." Sabrina said as she recalled Slowbro and looked at the Poke Ball. "Sorry my friend, I see that Angie has taught her Luxray a ranged attack which really messed with us there. With your Psychic she couldn't get in close, but we couldn't stop Discharge and it's super effective against you. She used it perfectly against us to get in close for that combo."
"Luxray, return." Angie said recalling Luxray and subbing again. "I'll need you later. Sabrina forced our hand early and you took more damage than expected. Take a break, you will need it for when you return to this battle."
"I did did I?" Sabrina asked. "How so?"
"You were right in that I taught Luxray a ranged attack." Angie said looking up at Sabrina as she pulled out a Poke Ball and decide to elaborate on her second mistake now that Sabrina had pointed out her correction. "My battle with Gallade showed me that I only had close quarter attacks for Luxray. That works fine so long as I can make contact and even against Misty on the pool it worked fine but I forgot that a fighting type is best when it gets up close and personal. I hadn't faced one this year until your Gallade which showed me my mistake with Luxray."
"I see, yes that would do it." Sabrina said with a nod. "Gallade is my only fighting type, I don't have any of the other dual psychic/fighting types, so all I know is from him. Fighting types are also weak to psychic types so I don't face them that often and psychic attacks do tend to be ranged rather than requiring physical contact. It's why almost all my Pokémon know psychic; it helps keep most opponents at a distance where I have the advantage. The only exception are dark types due to their immunity."
"That is a clever strategy when a type tends to rely on ranged moves." Angie said realizing that Sabrina was right, most psychic type moves were ranged. "But you're Gallade is different."
"That is correct." Sabrina confirmed. "Gallade is the exception for me due to his type. It is why we train in the Saffron dojo with other fighting types, so we learned that being up close maximizes their strength. I noticed that Luxray was only fighting like that last week, so you were playing into Gallade's strength there."
"Yeah I should fight on my terms, not yours." Angie said. "I forgot in the moment because Luxray's best move against you requires that but seeing Slowbro reminded me of secondary weaknesses of dual types so when strategizing I knew to sub Luxray in. I was hoping not to use Discharge, but that Psychic is powerful and that was the best counter I had for it."
"It's a move that I know how to teach and perfect so all of my Pokémon that know it are really good with it." Sabrina said. "Advantages of being a telekinetic is that I have a deeper understanding of Psychic than most so I can really maximize it, though I rarely use my powers due to my abuse of them in the past. You just managed to avoid seeing it last week as I can't use Psychic on Houndoom, and you beat Slowbro before I could show it. Gallade is a rare Pokémon of mine that doesn't know it. This time I got to show it off a bit, but you adapted well."
"The training helped in more ways than one." Angie admitted tossing the ball in her hand up and down before throwing it out. "But enough chat, Houndoom, you're up again."
"Gallade, mental fortitude." Sabrina said throwing out her own Poke Ball a second later. "So Houndoom is back I see."
"I have strategized better and can now deal with that Gallade correctly." Angie said. "And I think I'll start with Feint Attack."
"Not bad but a move that can't miss can still be blocked or countered." Sabrina said as Houndoom began running at Gallade. "Gallade, intercept with Close Combat."
Gallade nodded and ran at Houndoom, arms behind his back as he did. He quickly closed the distance as Houndoom was fast and attacked as soon as the Pokémon clashed. The Feint Attack wouldn't miss but Gallade just took it on his left elbow before he brought down his right onto Houndoom's back and begun his Close Combat.
What followed was a series of kicks and slashes that Houndoom couldn't avoid and just yipped in pain from. The final blow was a knee to Houndoom's jaw that snapped its head back and lifted it off the ground before Houndoom crashed to the side, the powerful and super effective attack too much for it.
Houndoom hit the ground and passed out. He just lay there, tongue out and swirls for eyes. The two Dazzling Gleams had weakened him such that all it took was one Close Combat to knock him out. Angie was a little surprised, but she was ready for this as she did expect Houndoom to fall quickly to Gallade but not without getting at least one hit in in the process.
"Houndoom is unable to battle." Sabrina's father said raising a red flag to Angie's side as Angie recalled Houndoom and pulled out her next Poke Ball. "Gallade is the winner."
"Stoutland, Retaliate." Angie called out as she quickly threw out her third Poke Ball of the battle. "Avenge Houndoom."
"I knew that was coming." Sabrina said as the Poke Ball burst open and the fully evolved Unova normal type appeared running at full sprint towards Gallade. "Gallade, brace and counter with Close Combat."
Gallade just nodded again as he lowered himself and crossed his arms in front of him in a defensive position. He knew that his trainer was right, the dog he'd faced before was running at him was too fast to properly avoid so this was for the best. He just held his position and put all his strength into it as Stoutland leapt at him.
Stoutland slammed into Gallade's arms at full speed and imparted the double damage that Retaliate allowed if a teammate had just fainted. The force of the blow pushed Gallade back a few feet and dug shallow furrows into the ground, but he held with his core and as soon as the attack was over he countered.
Gallade brought a knee up and drilled it into Stoutland's chest as it was still in midair and pressing itself against his arms, sending it up and back. He followed it up with a right elbow to the same spot that drove Stoutland into the ground with a crash. After that Gallade unleashed the flurry of kicks and elbow strikes of Close Combat into Stoutland causing it a great deal of damage from the super effective attack.
"Psycho Cut." Sabrina said as the Close Combat was ending.
"Shadow Ball." Angie called out a little startled by how much Gallade was dishing out, she recalled him being good, but she clearly underestimated just how much control of his Close Combat he truly had.
Stoutland knew he wasn't going to avoid the Psycho Cut as the psychic blades formed around Gallade's elbows so focused on building the largest and strongest Shadow Ball he could in his mouth as he rose. Gallade didn't see this as he unleashed his psychic attack and struck Stoutland in the side sending him hurtling across the battlefield.
This was just what Stoutland needed as he wanted some distance. While still in midair, Stoutland looked at Gallade and unleashed his Shadow Ball. Gallade didn't have time to avoid it and just stared wide eyed at the control Stoutland had shown to get the move off before the ball struck him in the chest and sent him flipping back to land in a heap several feet away, the super effective attack doing plenty of damage in the process. Stoutland meanwhile landed hard and rolled a couple of times before coming to a stop.
"Stone Edge." Sabrina called out.
"Shadow Ball." Angie countered.
Both Stoutland and Gallade were on the ground and hurt but only the latter was facing his opponent. Not bothering to get up, Gallade punched the ground in front of him hard as hard as possible as Stoutland was turning and opening his mouth.
Stoutland didn't get the chance to get the move off before the ground rumbled and the pillars of rock shot out from underneath him. Stoutland howled as he was thrown into the air with a flip before he came down hard on the ground as Gallade slowly got to his feet and took a combat stance. Stoutland didn't, he was out of it having been pushed past his limits and lay there on his side with swirls for eyes.
"Stoutland is unable to battle." Sabrina's father said raising a red flag to Angie's side as Gallade bowed formally to Stoutland out of respect for the battle the Big-Hearted Pokémon had given him. "Gallade is the winner."
"Stoutland return." Angie said recalling him and smiling at his Poke Ball. "I know you lost but take heart, you did amazing. You landed two powerful attacks on Gallade and those will do some damage in the long run. Add in what Houndoom did and we are already up. Luxray may be hurt but he has plenty left in his tank, we are right where I wanted to be, more so because of that Shadow Ball."
"I'll give it you Angie, this is really impressive." Sabrina said grinning at the thrill the battle was giving her. "You planned this so that you could use all three on Gallade knowing how hard he'd be to beat. You also planned it so that you could maximize Stoutland's Retaliate as well. This is even better than last time."
"Well, this is what I should have done the moment Slowbro appeared before." Angie said pulling out Luxray's ball. "I'm learning and improving from last time so I know I can win this."
"Then let's end this in style." Sabrina said. "Send Luxray out and bring it all because I am going to do the same."
"With pleasure." Angie said throwing out Luxray's ball for the second time that battle. "Luxray, you're up again. Let's win."
The ball burst open and Luxray reappeared with a howl before looking at Gallade, his eyes narrowing as they met the ones of the Pokémon who beat him last time. Gallade did the same ignoring the shiver that came from Luxray's Intimidate ability. He had beaten this Pokémon before, but it was clearly stronger and back for a second go. It was a truly worthy opponent indeed.
"Night Slash." Sabrina called. "Leap if it attacks."
"Discharge." Angie said as Gallade began running at Luxray. "Keep it at a distance."
Luxray roared and unleashed his electricity. It coursed across the battlefield at Gallade. However, Gallade kept an eye on it as he ran and at the last second he leapt up and forward shocking Angie and Luxray as he avoided the electricity on the ground. He was in the air just long enough for it to pass beneath him before he landed right in front of Luxray, bringing his elbows down to strike Luxray across the face with the dark type attack, imparting a critical hit on the way.
The electric type howled and staggered a bit but held his ground. He knew that he would have to if the fighter got close enough and Angie was already ready. Gallade had to fight up close and personal for the most part with the exception of Stone Edge but that also allowed Luxray to fight as well given his own move set.
"Crunch." Angie said.
Luxray opened his mouth, his teeth glowing with dark type power, and used his momentum to bring his head back and sink his fangs into Gallade's thigh. The dark type power coursed through Gallade and he roared in pain from it. Only his fighting type prevented it from being super effective on him as he grit his teeth and pushed through the pain.
"Force Luxray off with Psycho Cut." Sabrina ordered.
Gallade roared as he formed the psychic blades around his elbows and then slashed them into Luxray's face throwing him off Gallade and back to land in a heap several feet away. Gallade fell to a knee in pain breathing heavily from all the damage he'd taken. He knew he was near his limit but kept looking at Luxray as Luxray rose to his feet as well looking just as bad as Gallade felt. Once again they were both at this point, at the end of their limits with at best one move left to take.
"Here we are again Angie." Sabrina said fully enjoying the battle even more than last time. "Who will win this time? I think it's going to be a little different though as we're going with ranged rather than physical moves this time."
"You know it, but I wouldn't have it any other way." Angie said. "Luxray Discharge, give it all you got!"
"Gallade, Stone Edge." Sabrina said. "Put all you have into it!"
Both Pokémon roared as they attacked, Luxray unleashing all his electricity where he stood and Gallade punching the ground still on one knee and looking at Luxray the entire time. The electricity reached Gallade just as the pillars of earth shot out and slammed into Luxray's sides. Gallade yelled as the electricity coursed through him and kept up his attack as Luxray did the same through the pain of the Stone Edge that had hit him.
The attacks only lasted a moment before they ended. The electricity died and the stones crumbled away. Both Pokémon were still in the same position looking at each other for a split second as will power pushed them on but in the end one of them had to break. That came when Gallade's eyes rolled up and he fell to the side past his limit and unable to go on. He hit the ground with a soft thud and lay there with swirls for eyes.
"Gallade is unable to battle." Sabrina's father said raising a red flag to Sabrina's side as Luxray too collapsed but he kept his head up and panted to show he was still conscious. "The winner is Luxray. Sabrina is out of Pokémon which means that the winner is the challenger Angie from Solaceon Town."
"We did it Luxray." Angie said running out and sliding to her knees to hug Luxray and bury her head into his main. "We won. All that training and planning and even though it came down to the last second again we held out this time. We beat Sabrina."
"Gallade return." Sabrina said with a smile as she recalled Gallade, her mind clear because of the high of battle, her best in a long time. "You were great in that, took out two of Angie's Pokémon but three is a tough ask even for you. She really improved and learned form last time, that's what I like to see in a trainer. Take a good long rest, you earned it."
Sabrina collapsed the ball and walked out to Angie who was still on the ground embracing Luxray, smiling the entire time. She knew her father would get what she needed so she could have a brief chat with Angie about their battle, and other things.
"Well done." Sabrina said holding out her hand and offering it to Angie. "You did really well in that battle. A trainer who learns from a loss and improves both her tactics and the bond she has with her Pokémon will go far."
"Thank you." Angie said with a smile as she accepted Sabrina's hand and the gym leader helped her to her feet before Sabrina properly shook Angie's hand. "That was intense, more so than last time which is impressive as last week was really intense as well. Even with my improved strategy and new move it went to the wire again. That Gallade is really tough."
"He's not one of my best for no reason and you more than earned the honor of facing one of my top tier Pokémon, only 2 others this year have done so due to their skill and not because they were so arrogant that the pissed me off enough to teach them a lesson." Sabrina said letting go of Angie's hand. "But I can explain my methods more later if you want to hear them, if you are still up for tea tonight that is."
"I'm honored I got that chance and I am." Angie said with a nod as she collected her thoughts. "I need to heal my Pokémon though and mentally prepare myself, but I know that I need this talk and you seem to be the only person who may objectively understand given the others like me you've spoken to and your knowledge of Ash's nature."
"It is my pleasure to help those like you out, both to make sure you are in the right place mentally and to repay Ash for all he's done for me." Sabrina said. "I wouldn't be here today without Ash's intervention; this is the way I can honor him."
"Can you explain more about that later?" Angie asked. "I, I think I need a fuller understanding of how you ended up this way Sabrina and what Ash did for you."
"Of course, I was going to anyway." Sabrina said with a smile. "You deserve to know the full context of the significance of the act Ash did in saving my life. We can go from there and I will of course answer any questions you might have regarding my past."
"Sounds good." Angie said. "When should I come by?"
"I'll send a notice to Nurse Joy when I'm done with my afternoon classes." Sabrina said. "The mornings are for challengers, the afternoons for teaching aspiring psychic specialists or actual psychics about how to safely use their powers. Once that is done, I'll be free so I can let Nurse Joy know."
"I can work with that." Angie said. "I could use a break after that battle."
"It's needed after that victory." Sabrina said as her father appeared with a silver tray in his hand. "And here is your proof of your win at the Saffron Gym."
Sabrina reached over and picked up the Marsh Badge before laying it in her palm and extending it to Angie. Angie looked down and saw a circular yellow badge with another, slightly raised circle in the center of it.
"I know it's not much to look at, but I like to keep things simple." Sabrina said. "Here is your Marsh Badge Angie."
"Alright." Angie said with a smile as she picked up the badge and held it up between her thumb and forefinger to inspect it. "I got the Marsh Badge."
Sabrina just smiled as Angie pulled her hand down and took out her badge case. She then carefully put it in the 4th slot, briefly looked at her other badges, before closing it and putting the case away. She then recalled Luxray and looked back to Sabrina.
"I should get going." Angie said. "I need to get my Pokémon healed but I'll be back later as soon as you're ready to have me."
"Looking forward to it." Sabrina said still smiling at Angie before she looked to her father. "Dad, can you show her out? There are at least 4 challengers today, so I need to go to the storage room and swap out my Pokémon for them and figure out who I will need for coming battles. This is going to be a long day but the first day after my week off usually is."
"Of course." Her father said with a nod to his daughter before turning to Angie. "Follow me miss."
Angie just nodded and followed Sabrina's father out of the battlefield and to the exit of the gym while Sabrina smiled at her latest successful challenger for a moment before heading to switch out some Pokémon for the next battle. Angie meanwhile was just thinking on her battle, her victory, and what the evening would have in store for her. Today was a big day and only half done.
Hopefully, tea would be just as needed as this battle. Angie was nervous but deep down she knew that she needed this. It was time to finally deal with her crush on Ash and the issues that surrounded it. Sabrina would be there to help her the entire time just like she had with the others, Angie knew it. This time, it was Angie's turn to address her problems.
I think I'll end it there for y'all, a nice point before what is to come. As y'all can probably guess, the next chapter will be the talk between Angie and Sabrina and it will be a heavy one in keeping with the main chats of this series, though likely won't be the heaviest as that is still to come in a later chapter. There really isn't much else to add after Angie's win in that intense rematch and setup for the next chapter, which will be out shortly, so I will end this note here. As always, given the content all I will do is ask that if you want to read more that you favorite or follow it and let me know what you think of it in your reviews or PMs to me. Until next time.
Stringdog