Heroic New Era: New Beginnings
Chapter 17: Clash! VS. Lear, The Chase for PML Badges!
The 4 teams soon gathered as Magina had already told them about the badges of Pasio, and how they would have to get all 5 of them before entering the PML. The groups had gotten quickly to work on that, as they soon met up to get a badge count.
"Alright! Our team has managed to secure 3 badges. We've gotten the Tranquility Badge, the Freedom Badge, and the Patience Badge." Siege reported. "What about you guys?"
"2 for us. Freedom and Pride." Allison answered.
"We've gotten 4, baby!" Yang smirked. "All of them except for the Patience one!"
"Only 1 so far for us." Kiana reported while rubbing the back of her head. "Only reason was because we followed Yang's group and bumped into a Trainer holding a Tranquility Badge."
"Seems like we'll need to help you three play catch up. How's the sync between you three?" Siege asked.
"They're improving. Garon is actually starting to take some buffs and perform combinations with the other two. Before, he was just using his own attacks." Kiana stated.
"Well there are some faces I never thought I would see." Said a female voice as Cynthia came over.
"Ah, Cynthia. And wait, faces?" Siege asked.
"Hm. So Richard hasn't told you about his journey? Rather Magina hasn't told either of you?" Cynthia asked. "I've faced both you and Richard. You both happened to visit the same Sinnoh region for your Pokémon journeys. It's nice to see you both!"
"Huh, guess we went for the same championship." Richard remarked with a coy expression.
"I suppose so." Siege said with a smile. "What brings you here, Cynthia?"
"I'm rather curious on how much you two have grown since our battle in the Sinnoh region. If it won't cause too much issues, care for a battle?" Cynthia asked with a genuine smile.
"I mean, sure, but wouldn't it be unfair to have a 3 on 1?" Siege asked before two random trainers appeared at Cynthia's side, being a male and female Ace Trainer.
"We'll take the empty spots! We wanna see this epic clash in action!" The male Ace Trainer said.
"Yeah! You guys are all so awesome! It'd be a shame not to see a battle!" The other Ace Trainer stated.
"Well then… Rutega, Richard… let's give Cynthia what she wants, and what this crowd wants as well! Let's battle!" Siege said with a wide smile.
~BGM: Cynthia Theme - Pokémon Masters OST~
"Just what I intended! Go, Kai!" Richard declared, before throwing his Pokeball, as the Kyurem showed himself, letting out a roar to signify his arrival.
"Let's show them, Reshina!" Siege exclaimed as the Reshiram appeared.
"Get em Zana!" Rutega said as her Zacian leapt into battle.
"Go!" Cynthia threw her hand forward as Garchomp came forth, as the Ace Trainers sent forward Pidgeot and Salamence respectively.
Kai turned towards the Pidgeot, before firing a large Ice Beam that zoned in on the avian Pokémon. Pidgeot was hit by the super effective attack, as it rendered Pidgeot rather weak from the get-go.
"Go!" Siege yelled at Reshina who prepared a Blue Flare, as her Blue Flare was rather interesting. Instead of hitting just one foe, it slammed into all foes, finishing the Pidgeot as Cynthia remarked with an impressed hum.
"Interesting… go, Garchomp!" Cynthia commanded as Garchomp used Bulldoze, smashing into Reshina as she stumbled.
"You alright!?" Siege said to Reshina as she gave a roar of approval. "Good."
"Pay her back for that one Zana! Behemoth Blade!" Rutega yelled as Zana leapt high in the air, slashing Cynthia's Garchomp for decent damage.
"Don't let that Kyurem get another hit! Paralyze it with Dragon Breath, now!" The female Ace Trainer yelled as her Salamence fired Dragon Breath.
Kai immediately took the attack, as it knocked him back slightly. However, Kai returned the favour with a Ice Beam right back at Salamence. That put the Salamence down and out for the count, leaving only Cynthia and Garchomp.
"My, you're all quite strong!" Cynthia chuckled. "I suppose it's time to get serious then. Garchomp, time to Mega Evolve!" Cynthia declared.
"Mega Evolve!?" Rutega asked in shock.
"Oh boy this is going to be interesting…" Richard remarked.
Mega Garchomp roared before unleashing a large Earthquake, that visibly hurt Reshina.
"Reshina!" Siege yelled in concern.
"This fight has to be finished, now!" Rutega said in concern. "Richard, this is on you!"
"Shame that it has to end this way, but your Garchomp, even Mega Evolved, won't walk away from a full-frontal Ice Beam!" Richard declared, as Kai charged up the attack, before then firing it right in the chest of the Mega Garchomp.
Mega Garchomp was hit, crit, and K.O.'d by the attack as Cynthia smiled.
"Just as strong, no, stronger, than I remember you both." Cynthia smiled. "I suppose you two have truly surpassed me… Hmm… or perhaps I am simply not looking at the maximum ways I can become stronger. If it doesn't trouble you, Siege, Richard, when the PML is done, allow me to join you on your journeys. Perhaps I myself cannot fight, but may learn to, but my Pokémon should serve you all well." Cynthia offered.
"If you asked, how could we refuse?" Richard chuckled. "Siege would say the same, you would be helpful in your own ways, and those things can prove helpful in many future situations."
"Indeed." Siege said, as Reshina was healed up thanks to some Full Restores, her stamina replenished as well, as the others did the same.
"A-ha! So you're the champion trainers I was told about!" A new voice stated, causing everyone to turn to see a man standing to the front, with two retainers behind him as he smirked. "Feel honored, for you have been graced by Lear, future prince, and creator of this island and the PML!"
"Surely it wasn't just you that created all this." Siege said.
"Never mind that! I will prove myself to you all that I am the strongest trainer, even amongst champions!" Lear exclaimed. "Sawyer! Rachel! It's time for battle!"
"As you say Master Lear…" The purple haired girl, Rachel, said as she had a very angsty tone.
"I am with you, Master." Sawyer stated as he sent out Honchkrow, and Rachel sent out Umbreon, while Lear sent out a Krookodile.
"Humph. Straight to the point then?" Siege asked Lear as he cracked his neck. "Fine, since you so boldly interrupted, allow me to give you a proper introduction, "Lear"." Siege spat back. "I am Siege, a multi-regional champion of Pokémon, I have conquered the Johto Region, the Sinnoh Region, as well as the Kalos Region. I will not be one to back down to such a haughty challenge from a prideful, arrogant fool like yourself. Reshina! Let's show this prince some humility!" Siege exclaimed as the female Reshiram stepped forward to battle.
"Heh, I like your attitude. You'll make for an ambitious champion candidate." Richard remarked with an amused tone. "But I gotta agree with Siege, you need some humility. A loss will help you with that. Warning you now, Kai just warmed up with a fight, so you better not get wrecked by him and the others."
Richard then tossed his Pokéball, as Kai appeared from it.
"I may not be a champion, but I'm learning to be a good trainer in my own right! Zana! Let's thrash this guy!" Rutega exclaimed as Zana came out.
~BGM: Battle! VS Lear - Pokémon Masters OST~
"Let's whittle out the weak! Zana! Behemoth Blade on that Umbreon!" Rutega exclaimed, as Umbreon was hit by Zana's massive speed as the blade was swung, taking it out in one hit.
"No waaaay…" Rachel said as she saw her fallen Umbreon.
"Tch… some power you have. Can't ignore that. But I'm stronger! Krookodile! Encase that Reshiram with Rock Tomb!" Lear commanded as boulders were hurled, falling towards Reshina.
"Reshina! Watch out!" Siege exclaimed as Reshina tried to dodge them all.
"Richard, Reshina's in trouble!" Rutega exclaimed as she saw all the rocks being hurled. "She can't dodge forever!"
"Let's even the odds then. Kai, Glaciate!" Richard ordered, as Kai immediately roared, before letting off a massive burst of ice crystals, which hit both Sawyer's Honchkrow and Lear's Krookidile.
This slowed down the assault long enough for Reshina to catch her breath, before unleashing a Blue Flare to finish the fight.
"I-Impossible! How could I lose!?" Lear yelled as this happened.
"It's simple. You show lack of trust and compassion for your Pokémon and teammates." Siege said.
"Shut up! Those have nothing to do with it!" Lear yelled.
"You're more hopeless than I thought if you think you can do this alone." Siege stated with a shake of his head.
"What did you say to me!?" Lear spat.
"He's not wrong. And I'm not saying that as his friend. I'm saying this as a trainer myself." Richard answered back. "You got the confidence in your own power. However, you don't get far if you don't connect with your teammates. Just because you know how a battle goes, and that it should apparently be your victory in most cases with your power levels… doesn't mean that victory is certain. Put it this way, there is more than one way to make your Pokémon and this fight has been a hint enough for it."
"Hahaha! You really think those make any difference!? Friendship, teammates, trust!? That has nothing to do with becoming stronger!" Lear yelled. "Rachel! Sawyer! We're leaving! These Champions weren't worth my time!"
"Young Master…" Sawyer said as he looked at Lear.
"We are leaving NOW." Lear exclaimed, as Sawyer looked apologetically towards the group as Lear left.
"Please excuse the young Master… he… isn't usually this way." Sawyer stated.
"Yeah, he like, usually is way nicer to us… but ever since we got separated…" Rachel said before Lear turned back to them.
"Are you two coming!?" Lear yelled.
"Coming Young Master!" Sawyer exclaimed, before he and Rachel followed after Lear.
"Well… he has attitude issues." Allison said to Rachel Liu.
"I noticed…" Rachel Liu responded back with a frown.
"Hah… well, he'll come around. They all do." Richard sighed.
"Maybe with a little convincing with someone down a similar path that he went… anyways, our focus is finishing with badges to enter the PML. We should start with helping Kiana's team." Siege stated.
"How?" Kaguya asked.
"They've only gotten one badge. We should consult the trainers we got our badges from to help them get all theirs. They have the Tranquility Badge at least, so it's a start." Siege said.
"So where's the next badge then?' Mokou asked as well, fairly eager to take to the battle.
"The next badge we should go for, for you guys, is the Freedom Badge." Siege said.
"Not too long ago we fought a girl by the name of Korrina for that badge. Let's go see her to see if she has another!" Yang suggested.
And so, off they went in search of Korrina, all the while meeting trainers along the way, as Kiana, Sakura, and Mokou kept working towards getting a sync built between their Pokémon. It was a little shaky, but the synergy between them was beginning to form.
"Now we're getting somewhere! That's right Garon, keep your Shadow Ball charged and waiting for the right moment for a combo strike!" Kiana exclaimed as she looked at her partners to see which of them would accept the combo.
"Alright, let's turn up the heat." Mokou stated, before Morgan immediately rose up, as Morgan gathered fire on his wings. "Heat Wave!"
"Kyoko, prepare Moonblast!" Sakura ordered, as the Sylveon gathered energy, her ribbons forming a circular shape, as dark-pink energy gathered around them.
The trio fired their attacks at once, devastating the opposing team quickly.
"Yeah! Great job guys!" Kiana exclaimed to Mokou and Sakura.
"You're welcome." Mokou answered back.
"That was awesome you three!" A familiar voice said as a girl with roller skates came on over.
"Hey! Korrina!" Yang waved.
"Oh hey Yang! What brings you back? I already gave you the Freedom Badge." Korrina stated.
"See, that's the thing, not all of us have the Freedom Badge, Korrina." Yang stated.
"Oh? Which of your teams don't have one?" Korrina asked.
"Ours." Kiana stated as she, Sakura, and Mokou stepped up.
"Well as luck would have it… I got one left! One final Freedom Badge to give out! You can take me on here and now with my trainer friends to see if you'll get it!" Korrina said to Kiana, Sakura, and Mokou.
"Then we accept your challenge." Sakura answered back, as they released their Pokémon.
~BGM: VS. Korrina - Pokémon Masters OST~
A female camper and a hiker soon joined Korrina's side, as the female camper sent out Steelix, the hiker sent out Machamp, and Korrina sent out her trusty Lucario.
"Alright! Let's do this!" Kiana smirked.
With a new sense of teamwork, the trio managed to swiftly defeat Korrina to receive the Freedom Badge. As far as the rest of the badge collecting trip, it went without much more of a hitch, with Korrina helping the group locate each remaining badge, one after another. Soon enough, all 4 teams had their full sets of 5 badges, qualifying them for the PML.
"That went rather swiftly." Siege commented as he confirmed all the teams had all their badges to compete. "This is it, guys. The Pokémon Masters League awaits us! Let's show them what we got!"
"Yeah!" Yang said with a smile. "Let's hold nothing back!"