It's kind of weird to think that this chapter, my personal 201st in the Ancienverse, is the first time there's a Gym battle…or I've written a Gym battle. Food for thought. Chapter 12!
Chapter 12
A Gym
Something about the next morning felt different to Gloria.
Maybe it was the anticipation of the day, or the good night's sleep she'd had from the work yesterday. She couldn't put her finger on it, but she liked the way it felt, and her Pokémon felt the same, each ready and willing to go, some more than others. In fact, Scorbunny could hardly stay still, racing around the Center's training field with alarming speed and fire. Chewtle frowned at it, seeming disappointed, but when Gloria whistled for them, she stood at attention.
"Today's the day, guys, our first real Gym battle," she said, pacing back and forth like a drill sergeant, hands behind her back. "I know we took on Kabu before, but that was then, and this is now. There's nowhere else to go but victory."
"Scor!" To Gloria, Scorbunny took presence as the immediate leader of the trio, leaping forward with the enthusiasm and determination to bring victory. Smiling at her oldest partner, the girl crouched.
"I let you all down before, sending you in unprepared, but I think we've grown even a tiny little bit. Milo's going down." They agreed, and once she had it, Gloria looked at Chewtle, sighing before she broke the bad news to the turtle. "I'm sorry, Chewtle, but this Gym is a two-on-two, and Scorbunny and Rookidee have the advantage. Can I make it up to you next Gym?"
Chewtle hung her head, looking put-out, but eventually lifted it into a nod. She raised her stubby legs, overlapping them on to Gloria's fingers. "Chew!"
"Nibbah!" Scorbunny replied in kind, following her lead to put his paw in the center. Rookidee landed on top. To an onlooker, he appeared disinterested, but Gloria knew the fire was burning inside all of them.
"Then let's win!" She threw her hand skyward, Rookidee taking off for the blue horizon as Scorbunny flipped back. A light clapping followed, and Gloria turned to see Ash and Serena at the door leading inwards.
"Looks like you're ready to go. Can't wait to watch," Ash said. Before she knew it, Ash's hand was tousling the hair atop Gloria's head, himself getting into a crouch at her level. "You've got some good partners. You guys better work with her."
"Hey, we're a team! Like you and Pikachu!" Pikachu blushed at the compliment, but all she got from Ash was a nod. He must have thought there was nothing else to say, perhaps thinking he had said everything through his vague training yesterday. Not that Gloria was willing to dwell on it.
"This is almost making me nostalgic. It's been so long since I've watched a Gym battle. Even Bonnie hasn't battled in one we've seen for a couple years now."
"She's too busy on other competitive circuits. Though if you ask me, she's getting bored; Dedenne hasn't had a real challenge in months."
Gloria didn't know who Bonnie was, and nor did she care when Astrid poked her head outside. "You guys done talking? I want to get good seats for the match."
"Since when did you care?" Gloria shot back at the blonde woman. Astrid scoffed, taking a couple strides to flick her on the forehead.
"I want to see what you can really do, firecracker. Show me the brains you had in the mine." Gloria studied Astrid's face for a second, seeing no evidence of facetiousness. The woman was genuine in her support and felt like Gloria's last piece of the puzzle.
"You got it. Time to move out!" Gloria returned her Pokémon in haste, and took command of their group. With short steps that transitioned into a sprint, she left the Pokémon Center and turned down the main road that led straight to the vine-covered Gym. It was no surprise that many others were walking into the stadium, excited for that day's battles. The closer they got, the thicker the crowd became, and the more looming the Gym felt. For a second, she felt the weight of her last attempt settle on her, the enormity of what she was undertaking pressing into her. Gloria's hand snaked up, gripping at her cardigan, her eyes seeking the comfort that was Scorbunny atop her shoulder.
He gave her precisely that, touching a paw to her cheek.
She was ready.
With steps that were no longer tentative, Gloria walked through the sliding doors of the Turffield Gym and into the lobby.
"Hey, Gloria, you're here!" The known voice that was Buck's drew Gloria's attention and she found the younger boy within seconds. On instinct, the two slapped hands against one another. "Ready to battle my brother?"
"Ready to beat your brother."
"Hah! He won't go down easy! Milo might be one of the first Leaders that challengers typically face, and he might act like a total softy, but he'll blow you away."
"Not if I blow him away first!" Buck clearly took that as a challenge where Milo wouldn't, sticking his nose in the air.
"Well, don't expect my brother to go easy just because you helped with the Wooloo."
"I wouldn't want him to. I'm beating him fair and square. You gonna watch?"
"You bet. Can't wait to see my brother make you lose." The two glared, and before Gloria could get enough presence of mind to introduce the boy, he stuck his tongue out and went running off towards the audience entrance to the stadium. "Good luck either way!"
Gloria didn't know how to respond to that, and the adults behind her were just as puzzled. She didn't wait for them to catch up. In seconds, she crossed the lobby, appearing right before the registration desk where a woman wearing what looked like that Gym's uniform was seated at a computer. She looked up, her freckles standing out when Gloria stood before her. "Challenger Gloria, number two-two-seven."
The woman typed the information in, and on the screen above their heads, her face flashed, including the time already scheduled for her battle. "Looks like Milo already put you in. Make your way to the waiting room. A chime will sound when it's time to make your way to the pitch."
"Thanks." There was nothing to take from the woman, her only direction being that of the waiting and changing room. It also meant a separation from her older companions, who she faced. "Well, wish me luck out there."
"You'll do fine. Pikachu and I will be rooting for you."
"Pika!"
"All of us will," Serena insisted. As usual, she smiled at Gloria, and that lightened her load. "We'll try to sit as close as we can."
"Well, don't blame me if you get blown away by our epic attacks," Gloria said, trying to lighten the tension she felt inside with her own laugh. The rubbing of her hand behind her head gave it all away, though. Somehow, that made her look closer at Astrid, wondering if she'd earned the woman's seal of approval. That seemed to be the case, because she flicked her forehead one more time and made her way for the stands, waving dismissively.
"Show us what you can do."
Gloria was determined to do just that. Sucking in a breath, she straightened her body and made for the changing room. It was empty on her arrival, a row of lockers sitting on one side, and a bathroom on another, with the hall opposite her leading towards the grassy field that could be seen shining under the stadium's spotlights. The truest starting line of her dream.
Alone, Gloria found a locker and shoved her bag inside. It took what felt like even less time to change out of her traveling clothes and into her uniform. Assured of her look, the only thing she needed to make sure was secure was the Dynamax Band on her wrist, a testament to the people that had helped her get to even this point. Scorbunny hopped up to her.
"You ready?"
"Niibun." The pair closed their eyes, taking a slow breath to steady their nerves, ones that were a clear result of their lingering battle with Kabu.
As though sensing she was ready, the three-tone chime sounded through the waiting room, a voice accompanying it and asking her to make her way to the pitch. Steeling the nerves that remained, Gloria took her first step over the threshold and into the tunnel, the light ever-closer and blinding. Her throat felt dry and sticky, forcing her to swallow. The lights seared themselves into her eyes, but she refused to block them out.
From here on, she wasn't going to buckle.
"Hello, lads and lasses! It's another sunny day in Turffield, the lovely little hamlet of farming, and you all know what that means!"
"GYM BATTLE!" The roar of the crowd was deafening, and while Gloria stopped at the edge, she could see them. Banners were held in the writhing masses, all painted green in support of Milo, with not a single one showing any for her. Not that she was surprised; it was just the start of her Challenge. She wasn't going to let it bother her, not when the crowd was so eager for the grandeur and spectacle that made the Galar Gym Challenge. She planned to give it to them.
"I'm your host and commentator for this match between our rookie trainer and gentle farmer, Perry! And whether you're here in Turffield or watching this livestream from our very own Rotom Drones, I'll be there to keep you up to date in this match that will decide if we have a new contender for the throne on our hands!" His words did their job, raising the fervor the crowd to deafening levels, and he wasn't even done. "But enough ado about nothing, you're here for battles, not to hear me talk. So, let's get crackin' and introduce today's challenger. You might recognize her as the brave girl who made this season's entrance ceremony absolute dynamite! Let's see what she can do now, everyone welcome Gloria!"
Taking her first steps onto the field, Gloria received some applause, though very little in the way of cheers. It was a milder reaction, but one Gloria couldn't blame the crowd for; her stint against Kabu was not easily forgotten. Not wanting to let those memories get in the way, she tried to block out the majority of the stands, only locating where Ash, Serena and Astrid were seated, Buck also in place but standing a row down from them. That was good enough for her, and she came to a standstill in the middle of the field.
"And now, our lovable farmer, the Turffield Gym's very own Leader, let's welcome to the field, MILO!" The name alone generated more cheers than Gloria had over a hundred. Her reputation clearly meant very little, while Milo's dwarfed her in comparison. Part of it was certainly his kind nature, the man emerging on the field and throwing good-natured waves to various members of the crowd before he, too, joined Gloria in the middle. He threw out his hand, which she shook without hesitation, divesting herself of the doubts trying to worm their way into her brain.
"I'm looking forward to a fun battle, Gloria. I want to see you grow strong and healthy in your Challenge. That means giving you the hardship of a Gym battle. You ready?" he asked, grinning at her. Gloria couldn't find the words; the crowd had been so ambivalent towards her, yet this man's grin put her at immense ease. She would have to repay him by giving her all in battle. So, she nodded, and the two turned around, making their way across the grassy field to their respective trainer boxes, outlined with chalk. The referee stepped forward and the buzzing of a Drone was heard overhead.
"This is a Gym match between the challenger, Gloria, and the Gym Leader, Milo. Each trainer will be allowed to use two Pokémon each, and the battle will be over when either side has no remaining Pokémon," the man said. He was off to the side of the grass field, a microphone next to his mouth so that it carried around the stadium and on the screens. The crowd went silent, or at least as quiet as it could go with how many people were packed in. "Furthermore, only the challenger is allowed substitutions. Let the battle begin!"
"We'll start by seeing how you've sprouted thus far. Cherrim!" Milo tossed his Poké Ball with great strength, a testament to his physique gained working the farm. It burst with light, revealing a Pokémon that, at first glance, seemed like an eggplant. In all the matches she'd watched from the Leader, she hadn't seen it appear once. The crowd cheered at the choice, but Gloria remained baffled, taking her phone out and scanning it. The picture of a smiling flower on her screen didn't look anything like it.
"Cherrim, the Blossom Pokémon," Rotom read off. "Its folded petals are rather tough. Bird Pokémon can peck at them all they want, and Cherrim won't be bothered at all."
"Bird Pokémon, huh…Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained! Rookidee, let's pluck that flower!" With a grand toss of her Poké Ball and a cheer from Scorbunny, Rookidee appeared with a cackling laughter. His eyes found the unmoving Cherrim, eyeing it with suspicion.
"Challenger Gloria calls out a Rookidee. We've seen it fall before, but what new tricks has she taught it, and will it be enough to overcome the stalwart Cherrim."
"We'll find out! Air Slash!"
Rookidee looked like a small droplet on the huge field, but Gloria could see him, his tiny feathers vibrating and creating the spherical wind. He spun, throwing the projectile with his wings. It soared for Cherrim, who made no move to dodge the attack. Milo grinned across the field, and when Gloria looked up, she could see his face plastered on the screens.
"Sunny Day!"
"Chereeeeeeem!" Cherrim's body glowed, bringing forth a shining orb that shot upwards. That move made Rookidee's attack unavoidable, slicing across Cherrim's body. It bounced back, and then its orb hit the sky. The sun became brighter, and Gloria could feel the newfound heat wash over her skin. Her eyes never left Cherrim, the sun's rays pooling upon it. The purple leaves pulled back, and out popped the flower shape from her phone.
"Rookidee, get in with a sharp Peck!" Rookidee pulled back, mastering the wind beneath his wings, and then he dove, spinning to try and gain speed. Cherrim still was not moving, and Milo looked even less concerned than before.
"Morning Sun!" His muscled arms raised up, as did Cherrim's now jubilant face, its colorful flower form a huge contrast to the eggplant it had just been. The sun that was blazing let its light shine forth, becoming glittering shimmers that landed atop Cherrim, healing away all damage that Rookidee had inflicted.
Thankfully, he was close, driving in with his Peck and sending Cherrim flying. "Follow it up with another Air Slash!"
"Rooko!" Rookidee's wings beat a path backwards, away from Cherrim, before twirling and sending another sphere the way of the Blossom Pokémon.
"Flower Shield." Soon as Rookidee was about to make impact with his attack. Cherrim glowed pink. A ring of flowers sprouted from the grassy field around its body, snaking together like a barricade. The Air Slash struck it, breaking through the flowers and colliding with Cherrim. This time, it didn't move.
"Raising defense, huh? Two can play at that! Hone Claws!"
"And Solarbeam!" Gloria thought she'd have time to pull off an attack, Rookidee clashing his claws together as his body glowed red. She called for a Peck, her bird diving for the flower below while the energy gathered.
Then, she looked up.
"Pull back, Rookidee! Use Air Slash on the Solarbeam!" she shouted, hoping he had the speed to pull it off. The Tiny Bird Pokémon stopped mid-descent as Cherrim's attack finished gathering. With a cry, it fired with full force, the Sunny Day speeding it along for Rookidee's exposed form. His feathers twitched and he created the globe of air that he held in front of him.
The beam and the Air Slash collided, the compressed wind bursting. The crowd gasped, watching as Rookidee was displayed on all of the screens, tossed into the air. The Solarbeam nicked his side, leaving a smoking injury on his wing, but he steadied himself with a flap, grinning back to Gloria. Milo didn't notice, but Cherrim was hardly perturbed, dancing around gaily in the sunlight that suited it.
"Milo's Solarbeam puts the challenger on the defensive, unable to land a hit. Will this turn out just like Kabu?"
Kabu…Everyone loves bringing that up…Gloria's gloved hand formed a fist. She needed to find a way to turn it around, a way to prove she wasn't just some idiot that challenged the Motostoke Gym Leader. Yet with every solution she thought of, some new problem came up. Try to hit Cherrim, it would defend and heal. Get too close and Solarbeam would do its job. Milo was playing an expert game of keepaway. But he can't block everything if it hits the whole field, right…?
Gloria glanced down to her Dynamax Band, tempted to go for it, especially when Milo was calling for another Flower Shield. "No, that won't get me anywhere. Rookidee, Air Slash! Interrupt it!"
"Rooko!" Rookidee shot down, creating the orb of wind between his talons. The airstream trailed out from behind him before he flung it forth. This time, Milo wasn't so passive.
"Dodge to the right!" It was the first time he had asked for it, and Gloria's eyebrows flew up. Cherrim ceased its Flower Shield, rolling along to the side on its spindly flower petals. The Air Slash struck the grass, leaving a small crater.
To the right…Dodging…The gears were turning in Gloria's head, drowning out the crowd and commentator watching the battle. Milo had wanted to keep raising defense, but with Rookidee rocketing for Cherrim, he called a dodge instead…which meant even with Morning Sun… "We can take it out in one hit. Just need to hit…Rookidee, one more time, Hone Claws!"
"Morning Sun!"
Milo's game was clear, and Gloria was starting to figure it all out. Cherrim was the defensive bulwark, but even it couldn't stop an attack strong enough and fast enough to break through. She just needed to guide it, like Carkol and Wooloo. "Air Slash! Keep it up, one after the other!"
"Ko! Ko! Ko!" Rookidee dove in, far enough away from Cherrim for swift movement, but close enough that Cherrim had little time to set up defenses. The spheres were flung out in a barrage. At Milo's orders, Cherrim dodged to the left, right and then forward. With every attack missed, an Air Thrust made powerful impact with the ground, leaving smoldering craters of dirt in the grass.
More importantly, it left Cherrim in the center, unable to turn without falling into one of the holes. "Now, hit it!"
"Rookee!" Rookidee spun once more, sending a last rotating Air Slash at Cherrim. Too fast to defend, and not enough to dodge, Cherrim's eyes widened as the Flying type attack drove into its body, straight into the ground. Dirt exploded skyward, the crowd gasping, and Gloria waited with bated breath, watching Milo from across the field. He looked…unconcerned.
"Solarbeam!"
"Ah, crap!" Gloria cursed under her breath, forgetting about the heated sun high above, and the gathering energy below. Rookidee looked to her for instruction. They wouldn't get a second chance. "Straight into the fire, then! Full-force Peck!"
Rookidee's eyes flashed, his beak shining with all of the Hone Claws he had used. He angled himself and dove, just as Cherrim's Solarbeam fired from within the cloud of dust. It was a beacon right to it, even as Rookidee met the powerful attack head on.
"Oh my, what is this?!" Perry shouted to the crowd with amazement. "Gloria's Rookidee is cutting into Solarbeam. Which will give out first, beam or bird?"
"My Rookidee might not have Cherrim's defense, but he's got guts, and we'll weather any attack!" To prove her words, Rookidee screeched out. The Solarbeam burned at him and his feathers, the Peck diverting just a bit of it away from his body while the dust cloud cleared. He was flagging, but in that moment, her words' profound impact had him find his mark. Rookidee drove straight into Cherrim, canceling the last of the Solarbeam and carrying it into the air. His body was smoking. "Now, let's finish it! Air Slash!"
"Roo-KO!" Rookidee tossed Cherrim into the air, defenseless, and created the telltale sphere of air that he kicked off with his claws. The air struck against Cherrim, sending it further upwards where it exploded into wisps of wind…and then fell back down.
Cherrim plummeted, landing straight in the craters left behind with a shout of "Cher!", and all went quiet. Rookidee floated back down, panting, and looking more than a little injured. Overhead, the sun's brightness flared once and then died down, back to normalcy. The referee stepped forward.
"Cherrim is unable to battle. Rookidee is the winner."
"Yes!" Gloria called, throwing a thumbs-up to her ever-tenacious bird. Her eyes looked further into the stands, locating Ash, clapping along with the rest of the crowd. It wasn't quite yet a cheer, still dubious speculation about the rest of the battle, but to Gloria, it was a victory, a stepping stone.
"Nicely done, Gloria," Milo said from across the way, recalling his Cherrim back. He fingered his next Poké Ball, Gloria already sensing what was to come. "I didn't think you'd manage to break my defensive strategies. I don't like going too hard on challengers, so I tend to stick to those.
"But defense isn't the only trick up my sleeve. Eldegoss, time for work!"
"Eldehhh!" came the cry, piercing the sky above.
"And here we are, my friends: Milo has called his ace to the field. If Gloria takes it down, she walks away the winner, but this is no walk in the park, no sir! This is a hard day's work in the field!"
Gloria was more than aware of that from the day before, huffing and touching to her waist.
"Rookidee, you should-"
"Rook!" His squawk was insistent when Eldegoss appeared on the field with a flash of light, just as magnificent as the day before. It eyed Rookidee, recognizing him from the help yesterday. Gloria understood.
"Okay…we'll do what we can. Peck!"
"Sorry, Gloria, you had your offense. Now, it's time for Eldegoss and I to work the field. Leaf Tornado!"
"Eld!" Eldegoss's cotton globe on the back shined with a green light, and before Gloria knew it, leaves flew from there, whipping within the wind. It wasn't the Leafage from the day before, but something far more ensnaring. Before Rookidee could even take off, it began to whirl around his body, trapping him in place with a storm that sucked him inwards, ripping at the grass.
"It's just leaves. Air Slash!" Rookidee shouted, making a swift rotation. The leaves of the tornado battered at his body, and Gloria could see each hit wearing at his stamina, but with a well-placed Air Slash, the globe of air pierced the tornado, allowing Rookidee free access to Eldegoss. "Peck!"
"Cotton Spore!" It wasn't quite the defensive shields he had pulled with Cherrim, but proved just the same. Rookidee shot forward with his beak like a dart, while from the cotton on the back, numerous puffs appeared. Eldegoss danced, the spores traveling all around and covering the battlefield in such random locations there was no way for the exhausted Rookidee to avoid them all. They clung to his body, slowing him as he reached Eldegoss.
His force was gone, barely a tap done to the Cotton Bloom Pokémon.
Nor did he have the speed to get away, and Milo sealed the deal. "Hyper Voice!"
"EldegAAAAAAAAHS!" The red pulses of the powerful soundwaves screeched over the stadium. Many in the stands covered their ears, and Gloria could hear Perry crying out, but it was Rookidee who took the brunt of it, at ground zero of the horrific auditory assault. His body twitched and his wings bent their way out of shape until the attack ended, and Rookidee could do nothing but slump down to the ground, taken out.
"Rookidee is unable to battle! Eldegoss is the winner!"
"And just like that, Milo evens the score. This, lads and lasses, is why he's a Gym Leader. He might have fluff, but he's not full of it. Gloria is down to her last Pokémon. Will she rise to the challenge, or will she be overtaken by the weeds?"
Gloria wasn't appreciating the commentating anymore, not as she returned Rookidee. He had done good, and she was sure to let him know that before her eyes trailed down. Scorbunny had been silent the whole time, sitting in her trainer box with arms folded, waiting his turn. She didn't even need to tell him for him to know, his eyes opening. He kicked up, meeting his foot with her hand, and then bounced to the field.
This was it. Their final round. Win or lose.
And Gloria intended to win.
Milo wasn't going to make it easy. "Cotton Spore again, Eldegoss!"
"Don't let 'em touch you, Scorbunny. Get close!" Scorbunny nodded, his feet tapping the grass before he sprinted at Eldegoss. The cotton spores spread across the entire battlefield, forcing Scorbunny to duck under a couple that floated upwards, while he zigzagged through the rest on his winding path to Eldegoss. Milo, of course, wasn't allowing him to approach unperturbed.
"Leafage!" The same move that Eldegoss had used to inadvertently teach just the day before came darting through the various puffs. No matter where Scorbunny ran, they found him, battering his tiny form and driving him subtly closer to the cotton that would slow him the same way it had Rookidee.
Gloria wasn't about to let that happen. "Flame Charge! Let's burn it away!"
"Nibbah! Scornibbah!" Scorbunny's feet became faster, sparking upon the grass until his entire body was lit ablaze. The crowd cheered at the sight, excited to see the red-hot move on the battlefield. To Gloria, however, it provided Scorbunny a boost that Cotton Spore would have negated. The fire trailed behind him, lighting much of the cotton around him like tinder. It curdled and smoked before turning to ash, setting off a chain reaction that ignited the entire grass field. Some cotton was left hanging, but not enough to touch Scorbunny as he reached Eldegoss.
"You said Scorbunny was fast, now we're showing you just how fast! Double Kick!"
"Bun!" Scorbunny's flames winked out and his feet came flipping up, catching Eldegoss by its head. Milo's Pokémon cried out, nearly tipping over but held up by its puffy head.
"You sure said it. But we can deal with even the fastest. Let's see if your speed is truly ready for the upcoming battles, Challenger Gloria! Hyper Voice!" Eldegoss opened its mouth, Scorbunny still too close to escape despite his speed, and the red waves pulsed out. He was buffeted by the waves, tossed back on the burning field and rolling along. Bruises appeared on the bunny's form, but he got himself to kneel.
"Bun…nibbun…" Scorbunny wheezed out. Gloria's lip twitched, swallowing again as she stared at Milo and his ace. Eldegoss was truly deserving of its title as ace, proven further by Milo's swift actions.
"Let's slow it down. Leaf Tornado and Cotton Spore!" The linked attacks happened at once. Leaves and spores puffed out from the great spore upon Eldegoss's head, whirling around in a wicked twister that Scorbunny could not escape from. The Rabbit Pokémon was struck, his tiny frame lifted off the ground and battered about by the twisting winds.
The leaves cut at Scorbunny's body, while the cotton stuck to him, dragging him down towards where the tornado was at its most deadly. Just like his Wooloo, Milo had Scorbunny right where he wanted him, and there was no doubt a Hyper Voice was going to come as the final hammering blow.
"Not if we have anything to say about it. Scorbunny, Ember!"
Within the tornado, Scorbunny's eyes flashed, his body regaining that bit of spark to fight back. His cheeks puffed, and when he blew, the tiny projectiles came flying. They struck all parts of the leaf and cotton tornado, and within seconds, turned it into a whirling inferno of fire, burning away the most dangerous parts. Gloria punched forward, hearing the crowd swell.
"Now, Double Kick out of there!" Scorbunny landed briefly on the ground, and with the force of his legs, sent himself hurtling up. His other foot snapped down on one of the spores, quickly disintegrating, and he used it to launch himself above the tornado. Wordlessly, he twisted towards Eldegoss and she gave the decisive command. "Flame Charge!"
"Niiiiiibbaaaaah!" Scorbunny hurtled like a meteor, his entire body a smoldering, blazing rocket that burned away the spores on his body, increasing his speed until he made contact with Eldegoss. It cried out, the flame spewing from Scorbunny's back as he hit. Eldegoss was driven back, injured from the attack while Scorbunny flipped off. They weren't making the same mistake of staying close again.
Milo recognized that, a friendly chuckle on his lips.
"You're a good wrangler, Gloria. You and your Scorbunny have the speed and willingness to grow into a beautiful garden. You and your team. Means you're worthy of the final test!" The crowd reached their fever pitch at that, everyone knowing what was to come. Gloria looked up, realizing just Ash, Serena and Astrid were alarmed by the growing chants of the crowd, all of them forming one word.
"DY-NA-MAX! DY-NA-MAX! DY-NA-MAX!"
"Come on, then, Gloria! Dynamax time! I'll uproot whatever strategy you think you have left!"
It might have been the cheers, or it might have been the challenge in Milo's eyes, a call for her final test to begin, but Gloria knew what the only move to make was. She grinned, Scorbunny running his paw across his nose as he readied himself. At the same time, the two trainers took their Poké Balls in hand, and with it, recalled their partners.
"Oh, they've done it now, lads! Challenger Gloria! Leader Milo! We're about to bring a colossal end to this Gym battle! With just a few minutes on the clock for their transformation…It's Dynamax Time!"
Gloria felt the Poké Ball in her hand, Scorbunny's shared will to overcome this moment together. She wasn't making the same mistake as with Kabu.
Her Dynamax Band lit up, its pink and purple pearlescent light shining, pouring into the Poké Ball. Across the field, the same was happening with Milo, the entire stadium radiating with power. The sounds of that energy dwarfed even that of the excited crowd, all of them fading for that second, awash in the light. In her hands, Scorbunny's ball grew bigger, taking on a diamond-studded look until it was all she could do to hold it with two hands. Everything so far had led here and she was taking her first step.
"Scorbunny, let's Dynamax!" Turning around, she heaved the ball forward, and it opened up. The light soared out, coalescing into the shape of Scorbunny, only growing much bigger. Taller and taller until he towered over Gloria, stamping his feet down. On the other side of the field, Eldegoss emerged, just as large as Scorbunny, ready for the battle of the giants. The Drone in the air swooped down, offering sights on the screen of the colossal Pokémon and the stormy clouds covering the stadium in blue and pink.
Gloria, however, grinned at her success and turned around to Milo, clenching her fist. They issued orders simultaneously.
"Max Flare!"
"Eldegoss, Max Strike!"
"Goss!" Eldegoss's voice was booming, its leafy tendrils at the bottom burrowing into the ground. Cracks appeared along the ground with shining energy, racing their way for Scorbunny's massive form. He was no slouch, opening his now gargantuan mouth wide and spilling forth fire.
The attacks connected at the same time, an explosion consuming both Scorbunny and Eldegoss while the sun grew hot overhead. Milo wasn't letting it end there. "Max Overgrowth!"
Eldegoss, though unmoving, glowed with a powerful green aura. The ground trembled, the grass revitalizing itself and beginning to writhe underfoot. It snaked through the grass, becoming large tendrils covered in flowers. Due to Scorbunny's larger size, he had no room to dodge it, the vines snapping up and attaching to his limbs. The crowd screamed in approval, but Gloria found herself flicking across her nose.
"One more time, Max Flare! Burn it all up!"
"Nibbbbaaah!" Scorbunny's voice was just as deep, and his head angled down, the burgeoning flames visible before he could breathe them outward. They rushed across the vines, snapping them, disintegrating them, and lighting the whole field into a conflagration as it shot forward. Eldegoss saw it coming, and Milo, ever the defensive trainer, acted accordingly.
This was one moment Gloria knew she was ready for; she'd smashed the Flower Shield defense before, and she would do so now.
"Max Guard!" Eldegoss's cotton, as large as itself, formed a shimmering shield in front of itself, one that the Flare struck, splitting off into multiple directions. Some struck the barrier protecting the audience, but all of them cheered at that part of the show.
"That won't be enough! Scorbunny, kick it into Max Knuckle!" Scorbunny stomped forward, his very footstep shaking the stadium, but with a slight effort, he managed to spring himself off the ground. His large body spun and sent a kick downwards at Eldegoss. Physically, it didn't connect, but became a raging energy that took form as a fist which smashed into the shield.
It cracked, sending fissures along its side before breaking through, the fist colliding with Eldegoss and sending it flying backwards…right into its own Cotton Spores that yet lingered on the air behind it.
"Ah, Eldegoss!" Milo shouted, and he realized at the same exact moment that the speed-reducing spores were now keeping it locked tight. Gloria jumped, twirled and pointed forward.
"It's over now! We've taken our first step together, Scorbunny! And from this moment on," she said, grinning up at where Ash, Serena and Astrid were sitting, "we're Gym Challengers! Max Flare!"
"Scooooooor…" Scorbunny reared back, all of his fire gathering in one place. Then, when he could summon no more, he snapped forward and let the torrent of flames come surging out. "…nibaaaaaaaah!"
The Max Flare was even stronger than before, burning up the rest of the field until it reached Eldegoss, the Grass type's eyes growing wide. Then it impacted with a majestic flame, pluming towards the sky. The conflagration increased, explosions surrounding Eldegoss's body. They sent a push of warm air over Gloria, nearly knocking her off her feet, but she stayed standing just to watch as the smoke gave way to site of the much smaller Eldegoss, passed out in a circle of burnt grass.
The referee stepped forward just as the Rotom Drone hovered overhead. "Eldegoss is unable to battle. The match goes to the challenger, Gloria!"
"And she's done it!" Perry shouted, whipping the crowd into a roar. "A well-fought battle from our challenger. She's taken her first step forward, earning herself the Grass Badge! Where will this trainer go, only time can tell, but you can be sure we'll keep watching her progress, and you can catch all your favorite moments of this battle on the web!"
Grass Badge…Gloria could hardly believe she was hearing the words herself. It took the burst of light behind her, Scorbunny shrinking down to his usual size, for reality to actually hit her. She turned around, a smile blossoming on her face and her arms stretched wide. Scorbunny jumped for her and she caught him with glee, spinning around on the battlefield. For the first time, too, she could hear more than polite applause: people were cheering for her, celebrating her victory with her.
"We did it, Scorbunny! We did it!"
"Nibbah nibbah!" he cried out, only to suddenly slump in her arms, exhaustion taking hold. She laughed at that, patting him on the head until Milo's big hand clasped her shoulder firmly.
"A wonderful job. You weathered the hardship of my battlefield well." Gloria turned, her bright smile matching Scorbunny's and, to her surprise, Milo's as well. From the side of the pitch, the referee approached, holding a case in his hand that he gave to Milo. Every vein within Gloria itched with anticipation as the Gym Leader opened the velvet-trimmed case, revealing the ring inside, set with a singular jagged piece, a leaf printed upon it in bright green. "Congratulations, Gloria. You've put together a piece of your journey, and here is the piece to that goal."
Gloria reached out, her hand shaking, and she finally clasped the box in hand, letting the cheers and applause fill her. One of her fingers touched over the metal, her very first Gym Badge. She resisted the urge to squeal.
"All right! We got ourselves a Grass Badge!"
"Scorbun nibbah!"
Her proclamation made the crowd's jubilation even higher, and Gloria started to think she was turning this all around. Milo's hand slapped her on the back, urging her away from the field and back towards the changing rooms, the crowd seeing them off with chants and Perry's comments. All of it faded as they walked through the hall.
"So, where do you think you'll be heading for your next badge?" Gloria took a moment to think on that, the both of them stepping into the brightly lit waiting room, only to find they weren't alone.
"Ah, Milo, I can't believe you lost!" Buck cried out, though Gloria could see he was smiling. Milo laughed off his brother's comments, while Gloria found Ash and the others. Pikachu leapt down, greeting the bruised and matted Scorbunny and offering him a high five from his victory.
"Nice job, Gloria. That was a great battle! Makes me wanna get out there and battle at Gyms again." His statement was followed by him extending his fist, the invitation clear. Gloria nodded, tapping hers against his.
"Too bad you have a job now, then," Astrid remarked, leaning against the lockers. "But like he said, not bad. Could use some finesse, but you are just starting out."
"Hey! I don't need that from you. Let's throw down again and see if I'm better!" Astrid quirked an eyebrow, but didn't indulge in the request. It brought Gloria back to reality and she snorted, heading over to where her bag was shoved in the locker. She paused, letting the giddy feeling of victory flood her. She whispered into the locker, something only for herself. "Thanks, Scorbunny, Rookidee. Let's keep going."
"What's that?" Buck asked, making Gloria whip around with an embarrassed blush upon her face.
"Nothing, nothing. Just thinking about how I've planted my seeds and I'll continue to grow into a Champion or something like that!" Saying that out loud, and hearing Buck and Astrid groan, made her realizing she'd just said something more embarrassing.
Milo seemed to appreciate it. "That's something I like to hear! All of us Gym Leaders, especially our younger group, love to see trainers shoot for the top. We once tried to as well, and now, we test trainers on that road to Leon. That's why, I think you should head for Hulbury."
"Hulbury…The Gym Leader there is Nessa, right?" Gloria asked, receiving a nod from Milo.
"My self-proclaimed rival, though I'm not sure I deserve it…"
"Don't put yourself down, Milo!" Buck consoled his brother, though it didn't appear as if the burly Gym Leader needed it. In any case, Buck turned towards Gloria. "And you better keep winning, too. You might've beat Milo, but Nessa is just as tough. Tougher on her good days."
"And I'll beat her. Keep watching!"
"Yeah, I will! You beat my brother, so you have no choice!" The two younger members of the room glared at each other again, before they were interrupted by Serena giggling and shaking her head.
"Looks like you have yourself a fan, Gloria," she said.
"Whaaaa?!" Gloria and Buck reacted at the same time, causing a cascade of laughs around the room before Buck huffed.
"Well, maybe I will be. You gotta beat Nessa first. Milo, let's go!" Gloria watched as the younger boy began to stomp out of the room, dragging his brother with him. She didn't say it aloud, but hearing that she may have just possibly found a fan made her feel like she was on cloud nine. Gloria nodded.
"We should go, too!" she said, pulling her usual clothes out of her bag. The others turned away, giving her privacy to change until she was bouncing her bag on her back. "The Gym Challenge won't continue itself. To Hulbury!"
"And hot rod continues racing ahead," Astrid said, but this time, Gloria felt it was more of a compliment. Ones that followed her out of the dwindling crowd in the lobby and back to the hills of Turffield.
Stepping out of the Gym, the girl took one last look at her newly obtained Grass Badge, one piece of the larger symbol that was Gym Challenge's medallion. It glinted in the sunlight, a testament to the step she'd taken, and the ones she'd take beyond.
"Seven to go." And she stowed it away in her backpack, the Gym Challenger running off towards the next Gym, her legend having truly begun.
Author's Note: One down, seven to go. What did you all think? Personally, writing this battle was a challenge, since of all the "professional" battles in this trilogy except for one (good luck guessing which) were planned by Viroro. I just translated them and adapted them to fit my, and the series', style. I think this is most obvious by Cherrim, who's much more puzzly than my usual. That said, I hope it was a solid battle, especially since it is just the first Gym battle. Nothing crazy yet. Not much else to say, though.
Viroro: And with this, Gloria's first proper Gym battle is complete! It took quite a while to get there, but it's hopefully been worth it. It's been really fun to outline the strategies used and particularly to see Epicocity translate them closer to his style, and I feel he made an excellent job bringing this and ensuing ones to life. Nothing much more to say, but I look forward to know your opinions.
And so, we move on to Hulbury and the adventures that await there! In the meantime, some thanks: hevens-shipper and logotipo for favoriting; dvd142 for following; and the hugest of thanks to Fury, Mezamun, MythGirl Writes, FantasyLover88, ChE clarinetist, Tenzalucard123, potat lasaro, GalarianMike, Ander Arias, UltimateCCC, oomoepoo, Captainsquid12, AmourshippingCanon, Rajiv A. Rajaram and 2 guests for reviewing.
I look forward to hearing all your thoughts, so please Review and,
Dare to Be Silly.