Wow! This chapter was quite late! It's been a while hasn't it. Well I hope you are all ready for part two of the Anistar Gym Battle. Let's see if Kageyama can take this win home! Who thinks he has got a chance?
Hey all. My current beta reader,sweetlixes, has changed their username and contact information so you can now find them here ( /users/sweetlixes). Please give their work a look if you have time. They work very hard to help me get these chapters out.
Any artwork you may see associated with this fic (on AO3, or Tumblr) has all been created by my good friend SlothyClaws. That is their instagram also have a website ( .com). They do commissions and their commissions are open to anyone that is interested. Go and give their page a look if you are interested.
Chapter 120, I choose you!
Anistar City Gym Battle Part 2: Kageyama
Yamaguchi felt his heart sink. His breath hitched as he looked from Greninja to Tsukki. From where he stood in the stands he couldn't make out Tsukki's face but his boyfriend's hands were held in tight fists. He tried to call out his name but the words died in his throat before they could make it out of his mouth. He couldn't believe Tsukki had lost.
"Hey, Sakusa!" Kuroo bellowed from the stands. "What the heck was that!?"
Sakusa was already on his way out of the stadium. "I'll be ready for the next battle in thirty minutes," he calmly replied, not bothering to look back before exiting the room.
Yamaguchi gripped the safety rail as he watched Tsukki collect Greninja. He wasn't terribly worried before but now he felt like talking with Sakusa would be impossible. And what made him feel even worse was Tsukki most likely was going to blame himself.
Yamaguchi gave a small start as he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to find Kageyama. The two held eye contact for a long moment. Kageyama didn't seem worried in the least. He almost looked even more determined than before.
"I'll win this so don't worry," Kageyama declared.
"Kageyama," Yamaguchi mumbled. He had almost forgotten Kageyama's win was also part of the bet. "I'll be cheering for you so give it all you got."
Kageyama nodded with a rare smile. "I won't let you down."
With that Kageyama headed out of the stands to ready himself for battle. Yamaguchi's eyes followed after him. There was still a chance that they would win this. He knew Tsukki was going to be in a sour mood but if Kageyama came through then at least they'd still be able to see Sakusa.
"I can't believe that guy," Kuroo fumed from next to Yamaguchi. The older trainer was now sitting in his seat pouting. "That Hatterene was definitely one of his own."
Yamaguchi took a seat next to Kuroo. "What do you mean?"
"Gym leaders fight with gym approved Pokemon," Kuroo explained. "A gym battle is different from a normal Pokemon battle. A gym leader's goal isn't necessary to win but to test trainers and help them grow and become stronger. They aren't meant to be using such powerful Pokemon for official gym battles. There is no way a normal trainer with four badges could ever defeat a pokemon from an elite four member's main team."
"So that Hatterene was one of Sakusa's own trained Pokmeon?" Hinata gasped. Yamaguchi could see jealousy in his eyes. "I hope me and my team get a chance to battle it. To battle an elite four Pokemon."
"Haven't you battled with Bokuto before?" Yamaguchi asked, sending Hinata one of those looks you give when you hear something stupid.
"It's different with Bokuto," Hinata insisted earnestly. "He is my friend and I know he is going easy on me. But to have a serious battle with an elite four member would be amazing."
Yamaguchi couldn't understand the way Hinata thought. He enjoyed competition but wanting to take on such a hard opponent so eagerly was beyond him. From the looks of it Yachi seemed to be thinking along the same lines.
"I hear you on that one," Kuroo agreed, giving Hinata's back a pat. "A battle like that could push anyone to their limits."
Yamaguchi's attention turned away from the conversation when someone took the seat next to him. He didn't need to look to know who it was. Tsukki sat beside him looking quite upset. His eyes were focused and his brow furrowed. His shoulders were stiff and he seemed to be in deep thought.
"T-Tsukki…" Yamaguchi gently greeted him. He wanted to say 'go battle' but knew that would only upset him further.
"Sorry I couldn't win," Tsukishiam replied, not even looking at Yamaguchi.
"I appreciate you putting yourself out there like that for me," Yamaguchi said, taking Tsukki's hand in his own and lacing their fingers.
Tsukishima gave Yamaguchi's hand a squeeze as he slumped back in his chair. Yamaguchi allowed him the quiet moment he needed. He was honestly surprised Tsukki even joined them on the stands. Usually after a bad loss Tsukki locked himself away. Perhaps he was curious to see if Kageyama could win this battle.
Everyone's attention drew back to the field as Kageyama took his side on the battlefield. Only once did Kageyama look up to the stand. He made long eye contact with Yamaguchi that only made Tsukishiam grumpier than he already was.
"Give all you've got, Kageyama!" Yamaguchi shouted, throwing his fist into the air.
Kageyama nodded, trying his attention to the other side of the field where Sakusa waited. Sakusa looked a little more interested in Kageyama then he had been in Tsukishima but just barely.
"I heard you're one of the favorites to win the league this year," Sakusa commented, studying Kageyama from the other side of the field.
Kageyama didn't reply, he only glared across the field at Sakusa.
"I hope you give me a better battle than your tall friend," Sakusa sighed.
"He's not my friend," Kageyama snapped.
Sakusa only shrugged at this. "Well, let's get this over with," he sighed, looking at Komori.
Komori nodded before addressing the few spectators in the stand. "Now we will start the next battle," he announced, catching the attention of everyone. "Our next battle will be between challenger Kageyama Tobio of Kanto versus Elite Four member and substitute Gym leader Sakusa Kiyoomi," Komori announced for all to hear. "This will be a 4 on 4 battle. The challenger may switch out his pokemon as he pleases but the gym leader may not. Trainers, take your places."
The whole stadium went silent as Sakusa and Kageyama readied their Pokeballs. Yamaguchi felt his stomach do a strange flip. This was it.
"The battle will start on the count of three. Three…. Two…. One….. Go!" Komori announced, his voice echoing off the walls the same way it had when Tsukki started his battle.
Sakusa and Kageyama called out their first Pokemon. On Sakusa's side came a white Meowstic. Yamaguchi couldn't tell if it was the same one as before. Regardless it looked more than ready to battle. Kageyama called out his Absol. The dark type Pokemon looked just as intimidating and brooding as its trainer.
"Kageyama, fight!" Yachi called from her seat.
"Show them who's boss!" Hinata cheered.
"I believe in you, Kageyama!" Yamaguchi joined in with the cheering.
This time around Sakusa didn't give Kageyama the first move like he had with Tsukishima. This didn't seem to sit well with Tsukishima. The asshole gym leader was making it obvious he thought Kageyama was a more promising trainer.
Absol and the white Meowstic clashed claws. Dark pulses and Psychic beams shot this way and that across the field. Kageyama's Absol was fast and strong. It was even able to prevent Meowstic from using Future sight and before long he white Meowstic was knocked out. Absol didn't even look like it was breaking a sweat.
"I'm not surprised to see you take out the gym's Meowstic so easily," Sakusa commented. He seemed even more interested now in the battle.
Kageyama only frownd impatiently. Sakusa took this as his cue to call out his next pokemon. To no one's surprise it was the blue Meowstic. Yamaguchi was getting the feeling that Meowstic was the gym's signature Pokemon.
Kageyama's Ablose took out the darker Meowstic just as quickly as the white one. Yamaguchi knew Kageyama was strong but he hadn't realized just how strong of a battelier he was. It had taken Tsukki almost three of his Pokemon to knock out the Meowstic but Kageyama was able to do it with just his one Absol.
"Kageyama's lucky that Absols dark moves have been super effective against the last two Pokemon," Kuroo mumbled. "But Hatterene is dule fairy type."
"Fairy is strong against dark," Yamaguchi half asked half stated.
"Kageyama isn't going down that easily," Hinata insisted. "Even with a type disadvantage."
Yamaguchi's brow furrowed as he watched Sakusa call out his Hatterene. The tall psychic fairy Pokemon didn't seem intimidated by Kageyama and his Absol in the leaste.
"You can do it, Kageyama," Yamaguchi cheered, standing from his seat. Hinata and Yachi joined him at the guardrail to cheer on their friend.
"Absol, Shadow Ball," Kageyama commanded
Hatterene was much faster than the two Meowstics. It dodges the attack without a sweat. Sakusa wasted little time in commanding her to set up a future sight. With how fast Hatterene was, there was little Kageyama could do to stop her..
"Crunch!" Kageyama commanded, hoping to get at least one good attack in before Absol was knocked out. With some stroke of luck Absol was able to crush its teeth into Hatterene's arm.
Sakusa nor Hatterene seemed phased by this. "Dazzling Gleam!" Sakusa coolly commanded.
Before Kageyama could so much as call out his command Absol was knocked out by the powerful fairy move. Kageyama cursed as he called back Absol. He got too hasty and forgot to keep his distance.
"Crobat!" Kageyam commanded, calling out his second Pokemon.
"Poison isn't such a bad choice," Kuroo hummed.
Yamaguchi gave an absent minded nod. His focus is still mostly on the battle. Seeing Absol be taken out in one hit was unsettling.
"Keep your distance and don't stay in one place for too long!" Kageyama commanded.
Crobat gave an eek of understanding flying up a bit higher.
"Cross Poison!" Kageyama commanded.
"Magical Leaf!" Sakusa countered.
"Should have known he'd have ranged attacks but Kageyama is still lucky," Kuroo sighed. "Crobat still has the type advantage."
Both Pokemon took damage from the respective attacks. It was amazing how fast Crobat was that it could even land an attack on Hatterene. Despite this it seemed like Hatterene was barely phased despite taking damage from a super effective move.
"Elite four member's Pokemon really are something else," Yachi gasped as Hatterene merely brushed away another one of Crobat's attacks.
It was only when the Future Sight that was set up earlier came back around that Kageyama's Crobat was announced unable to battle. Despite this Hatterene did look a little more worn down then when it had first been called out.
"You have a lot of promise as a trainer, Kageyama," Sakusa said as he waited for Kageyama to call out his next Pokemon. "So far you've been the only challerner this whole week to give me even the slightest challenge."
Kageyama didn't reply. While Sakusa was complimenting him, the tone at which he did felt nothing but blaze. Like he didn't really feel like he could lose this battle.
"Blastoise, let's win this!" Kageyama shouted as he called out his third Pokemon.
"Is that Kageyama's original partner Pokemon?" Yamguchi asked as he watched Blastoise barrel into Hatterene. Despite its large size it was fast.
"Sure is," Yachi said with a sweet smile. "He got it the same time I got my Bulbasaur and Hinata got Charmander."
"Wow, you guys got your starter Pokemon together?" Yamaguchi asked as water from Blastoise's cannons almost nailed them in the bleachers.
"That's how we all met," Yachi nodded.
Yamaguchi nodded as he turned back to see both Blastoise and Hatterene land hard on either side of the field. It was obvious Blastoise was Kageyam's ace Pokemon. It was able to just barely keep pace with Sakusa's Hatterene. Kageyama really was something else.
"Blastoise, Skull Bash," Kageyama shouted. He seemed completely fired up.
"Hatterene, Giga Impact," Sakusa counted, looking almost excited about the battle.
The two Pokemon clashed, their impact almost like an explosion. Yamaguchi's hands gripped the railing. When the dust settled both Pokemon appeared to be knocked out. Komori gave a 10 second count but neither Pokemo moved.
"Both Pokemon are unable to battle!" Komori announced.
Yamaguchi couldn't believe it. Had Kageyama really managed to take out an Elite Four member's Pokemon. He stood in disbelief.
"That asshole is always showing off!" Hinata grumbled in jealous frustration.
From his seat Tsukishima stewed in anger.
"Kageyama really is something else," Kuroo whistled. "But the challenge isn't over yet."
Both trainers on the field called back their Pokemon. Kageyama wanted little time calling out his Dragonite. He was ready to take this win. Sakusa also called out his final Pokemon, Gallade.
The atmosphere in the room was tense. Each trainer was now down to their final Pokemon. Could Kageyama really beat two of Sakusa's Pokemon in a row?
"Future Sight," Sakusa calmly commanded.
"Dragon Tail," Kageyama countered in hopes to stop Gallade before it could set up future sight.
Gallade was faster than any Pokemon Yamaguchi had ever seen. Even before Dragonite was halfway to it Future Sight was already set up and Gallade had jumped out of harm's way.
Kageyama cursed to himself. He knew knocking out another one of Sakusa's Pokemon was a long shot but he wasn't going to give up. He had to win this for Yamaguchi!
"You can do it, Kageyama!" Yamaugchi cheered from the stands.
Just hearing Yamaguchi call his name gave Kageyama great power. "Hurricane," he commanded.
"Confusion!" Sakusa countered.
The battle was long and tough. Dragonite hit hard but Gallade was fast and almost untouchable. Yamaguchi had never witnessed a battle so intense. Even Sakusa seemed to be getting into it. Everyone, aside from Tsukki and Kenma, cheered and cheered from the sands as the two Pokemon clashed. Yamaguchi just had to believe that Kageyama could do it!
"Outrage!" Kageyama shouted. Kegeyama knew there was a chance that this could cause Dragonite to become confused but if the attack worked he might win this battle.
"Close Combat!" Sakusa countered.
The two Pokemon collided. Yamguchi could help but gasp as he watched Dragonite take everyone of Gallage's powerful punches like a champ. In a matter of second's Dragonite sent Gallade flying. Sakusa's Pokemon landed hard on the other side of the field.
Dragonite stood furious and exhausted. He looked almost ready to go berserk, a common side effect of outrage. He hoped Dragonite was able to keep it together until they could be announced the winner.
Gallade stumbled to its feet. It looked worn out and beaten but despite this it still stood. Sakusa smiled as he watched his Pokemon stand yet again. "Heal Pulse," he said with a wide smile.
"Shit!" Kageyama spat. "Dragonite, use Dragon Tail," he hastily commanded.
Gallage glowed beautifully and in a matter of seconds many of it's scratches vanished and it looked energized yet again.
"Th-This isn't good!" Yamaguchi moaned as he watched Dragonite straighten up and ignore Kageyama's commands.
"You are a very promising tainer, Kageyama," Sakusa hummed from his side of the stage. "I look forward to the day I am able to battle you in an official Elite Four battle."
Kageyama released a frustrated growl as his Dragonite tripped over it's own feet.
"Close Combat, one more time," Sakusa hummed.
Dragonite didn't even see the attack coming and in a matter of seconds it lay motionless on the battlefield floor. Yamaguchi shook where he stood as Komori announced Sakusa the winner. Neither Kageyama or Tsukki could win. He did what he could to fight off the hopelessness growing in his heart. He had to stay strong for the two trainers who just fought for him.
"Hey Sakusa!" Kuroo shouted, his voice almost coming off as a growl. "You promised us a gym battle!"
For the first time Sakusa looked to the stands. He made long eye contact with Kuroo before replying. "This is the gym battle."
"Using your personal Pokemon doesn't count as an official gym battle," Kuroo barked.
Sakusa looked mildly annoyed. "It's not my fault so many of the gym's Pokemon were out of commission to battle today. They've been overworked and needed a rest so I substituted some of my own."
"That's just an excuse!" Kuroo accused. "You never planned on giving us a fair chance!"
Sakusa now looked full on annoyed. "I could have just cancelled today, you know! You may have lost our bet but you can just come back another day and try again for the badge!"
"You planned this!" Kuroo snapped.
"What are you going to do about it!?" Sakusa huffed, ignoring Kuroo and looking to the rest of the members in the stands. He only made a moment's eye contact with each of them but when he got to Yamaguchi his pout faded.
Yamaguchi felt something weird move within him as he and Sakusa held eye contact. Sakusa studied him for a long awkward moment, the elite four's cheeks almost going flush. Yamaguchi suddenly felt the need to hide but was rooted to the ground.
"Are you even listening!" Kuroo's yell broke the two's concentration.
Sakusa looked away from Yamaguchi, turning on his heels. "You can come back another day to try again for your gym badge," he reiterated before making a hasty retreat.
Yamaguchi felt a shiver run down his spine as Sakusa excited the room. He felt like their hope for answers vanished along with Sakusa. What were they going to do now?
Author Note:
Oh no! What will our heroes do now? They came all this way and now they don't even have a badge to show for it. Was it even fair for Sakusa to have done what he did!? There must be a way for our heroes to get to the bottom of this!
Hey all. Sorry I have been so late putting chapters up. I have plenty in line to go up but my schedule may be a bit all over the place for a while. A lot happened this summer but I still plan to post everything I have. I hope you can all bare with me.
I will see you all next chapter!