I sighed. "Today sucked."
"I concur," Alex said from the bed she was laying in.
"Sucks that Lunatone disappeared," Robert said from the sink. "Wonder why he left."
I shrugged. I had told them about the girl, which was most likely the reason he left. I could understand that he didn't want a new trainer, but I was worried.
I could hear faint sirens from outside the hotel we were in inside of Cyllage City. "What's going on out there?"
"Officer Jenny arrested some guy who was selling these things called O-Powers," Robert explained. "I think it's some kind of drug consumable by Humans and Pokemon."
"First I heard of it," I said, getting up from the floor. "Alright, we should talk now. It's been driving me crazy."
Alex sat up, straightening her hair with her hands. "Finally. I know it's supposed to be a traumatic experience, but we need to talk."
Robert nodded as I started. "We know that Team Radiance hasn't been doing anything, so that leaves the suspects down to Team Flare and this Cult of Chaos."
"Who were the ones to cause Garchomp to go wild?" Alex mused. "Maybe Team Flare? They were experimenting with fossil Pokemon. Why not with a Garchomp?"
Robert nodded. "That would make sense. So who do you think were messing with the stones on Route 10? The cult?"
"But what would the cult want with some stones?" I wondered. "If only we knew what they were and what significance they held. We'll have to find out more once we get to Geosenge Town. That's our next stop, right?"
Robert pulled out his Holo Caster. "Yep. So once we know more, we can maybe discover more."
"Back to the cult," Alex said. "You said they were trying to raise this 'Chaos'?"
I nodded. "Yeah, and they need sacrifices to do it. One of them said something about it not being time for me to be sacrificed. I assume they'll be doing more of what they've done. We have to stop that from happening."
"The question is how though," Robert shook his head. "We don't exactly have a timetable of when they'll have sacrifices."
"There's something else," Alex studied me for a second. "You already knew about this Chaos, didn't you."
It wasn't a question. I nodded. "How'd you know?"
"The way you say it," Alex said. "It sounds like you've put a lot of thought into that word."
I sighed. "Yeah, I have actually. Six months worth of it. During the Alolan League, I dreamt of her. Chaos."
I knew I should probably mention the Shadow, but he wasn't really tied to all of this. This was about Chaos, not him. So I withheld that information.
"She said she would meet me on the field of chaos, whatever that means," I continued. "Then when we were in Vaniville Town, I dreamed again. That's when she mentioned she would rise and how she was nothing like the Shadow."
"That's comforting," Robert groaned. "Anything else?"
I thought about it, then nodded. "During that same dream, I saw several things. A cocoon that vibed death, some sort of Pokemon trapped in a tank, and a lake of green water. That's when I heard another voice."
I closed my eyes and tried to sink myself back into that moment, a sense of calm and order washing over me. "We will wait and watch to see if humanity is worthy. Troubling times are ahead. Know that you are not enough, not like last time. You are but one human. You cannot hope to stand against Chaos itself."
I reopened my eyes to see both Alex and Robert thinking.
"Well," Robert tapped his chin. "I figured one thing out."
"What?" Alex and I both asked.
"We came to this region at the wrong time," Robert said. "It's freaking Alola all over again. Evil organizations abound and mythical creatures weaving their way through Zeno's head. All we need now is a prophecy."
"Having second thought?" I asked, a bit scared for the answer.
Robert shook his head, smiling. "Not at all. Honestly, despite what that voice said about you not being enough, that doesn't mean you won't be able to do something. If anything, you'll be a major factor in all of this. And if that's true, that means Alex and I probably are as well. We can't just abandon this region in its time of need."
Alex grinned. "What he said. We're in this together, one hundred percent."
I smiled. "You two are crazy to continue to stay with me. But, it's good to know I have people I can trust my life to."
"And no more Clara," Alex sounded a little too happy. "Thank Arceus for that."
"I have to agree with her on this one," Robert said.
I nodded. "Yeah, I get you too. But we'll no doubt run into her again. I would prefer to smooth things over between us."
"Don't waste your breath," Alex advised. "Now, I want to challenge the gym today. You up for it Zeno?"
I nodded. "Why not."
I went over to where Froakie was sleeping on my bed and gently prodded him awake. He was alert in an instant, staring up at me.
"Ready to challenge the gym?" I asked.
"Froakie!" He cried, leaping onto my shoulder.
I grinned. "Then let's get to it."
...
"That's a big wall," Robert commented, staring up at the huge wall of rock. There were a bunch of colorful hand and foot holds leading up to the top, which seemed a ways off.
"So you three finally made it," we turned to see Grant grinning behind us. "I've been wondering when I could experience your battles."
"What's with the wall?" Alex asked.
"Just a little challenge," Grant said, putting his hands on his hips. "I have a little something for the one who can beat me to the top. Care to try it?"
"No thanks," Robert waved his hand. "I'll take the elevator if you have it."
"I say bring it on," I grinned. "Right Froakie?"
"Froak," he agreed.
"Why not?" Alex said. "I have nothing to lose."
"Elevator's over there," Grant directed Robert. "As for you two, start whenever you're ready. I can give you a little head start."
Alex started immediately, but I hung back next to Grant.
He raised an eyebrow at me. "Not gonna climb?"
I shook my head. "No. I want to do this on an equal playing field. If I end up beating you, I want to start at the same place as you."
He grinned. "I like the way you think. Then, let's go."
As soon as we gripped the first handhold, we began climbing. The movements were muscle memory for me, years of training honed within me by my coaches in Team Rocket. But Grant had trained too. For far longer definitely, maybe for his whole life.
"But," I set my gaze to the top. "I won't be beaten that easily."
With Froakie clinging to my head, I climbed past Alex, pulling ahead of Grant. Soon, I had reached the top. I pulled myself over, breathing hard.
"Amazing," Grant chuckled. "You were able to beat me. You're more capable than you look."
He tossed me something and I caught it. I looked at it in my open palm to see a round, colorful stone.
"What is it?" I asked.
"I don't know," Grant said. "Isn't it intriguing though."
I nodded and tucked it away in my pocket. Alex then heaved herself on the ground next to me.
"Geez," she said, wiping the sweat off her forehead. "You two are way too fast."
"Yo Robert!" Grant called to him. "You mind refereeing?"
"Not a problem," Robert grinned. "The gym battle between Zeno the challenger and Grant the Cyllage Gym Leader will soon begin! Each side will have the use of two Pokemon and the battle will be over when either trainer's Pokemon are unable to continue! Only the challenger may substitute Pokemon!"
Grant walked to the far side of the battlefield, tapping a pokeball against his thigh. "I must say, I've been waiting in eager anticipation. Seeing your battle with Clara, that was something, despite you having the disadvantage. And to have climbed my walls with ease, surpassing even me, is quite the achievement. I have a feeling our battle will turn out to be worth the wait. I hope you'll show me that your skill as a trainer surpasses even mine."
He popped his neck twice, before throwing his pokeball. "Let's begin climbing this wall, Tyrunt!"
"Let's go Froakie," I said, throwing out my hand. Froakie ran across it, jumping from the tips of fingers and onto the battlefield. "Use Quick Attack!"
"Block his path with Rock Tomb!" Grant countered.
Tyrunt stomped on the ground, huge boulders sent flying into the air. They crashed around Froakie, who dodged them, but tripped in the process, ending the Quick Attack.
"Crunch!" Grant shouted.
Tyrunt charged for Froakie, who was getting back on his feet.
"Use your bubbles!" I yelled.
Froakie dragged a clump from around his neck and threw it at the fossil Pokemon's feet. He tripped, unable to drag himself free.
"Now use Water Pulse!" I shouted.
Froakie leaped into the air, shooting the sphere of water into Tyrunt's head. The Rock type shook his head, glaring at the Water type.
"Use Draco Meteor!" Grant yelled and my eyes widened.
Tyrunt aimed his open jaw to the rock ceiling above and fired an orb of golden light. It shattered into over a dozen pieces, each one shooting down like a meteor.
"Use Quick Attack to dodge!" I commanded.
Froakie tried his best, but in the end he was struck by one of the pieces. He was blown to the side, trying to get up.
"Dragon Tail!"
Tyrunt came sliding out of nowhere, slamming his glowing tail into Froakie, sending him flying. Before he hit the ground he was zapped back into my pokeball.
"Fine then," I said, sending out Riolu. "Let's finish what Froakie started. Bullet Punch!"
Riolu appeared in front of Tyrunt, striking him repeatedly, then blasted him backwards with a Force Palm.
"He's strong," Grant praised. "But can he defeat our ultimate strategy? Draco Meteor and Rock Tomb!"
Tyrunt began stomping on the ground as he fired a Draco Meteor into the air, huge rocks blasting out of the ground.
"Quick Attack!" I shouted.
Riolu blasted off, dodging the fiery comets and ducking beneath boulders. Then Tyrunt was there, jaws wide open. He crunched on Riolu, the Fighting type crying out in pain. Before I could say a command, Tyrunt flung Riolu away and he got hit by a meteor, slamming down into the ground.
Riolu got up, bruised and battered, but still raring to right.
"Draco Meteor and Rock Tomb," I thought. "That is a tough combination. I need a strategy to counteract it."
"If you won't act, then I will," Grant said. "Tyrunt, Draco Meteor and Rock Tomb once more!"
"Let's see if this works," I said, throwing out my hand. "Riolu, Force Palm the ground!"
Riolu didn't hesitate, slamming his open palm on the ground. He blasted himself upwards from, sailing past flaming meteors, but the huge boulders were heading straight for him.
"Force Palm them!" I shouted. "Straight into Tyrunt!"
Grant's eyes widened as Riolu slammed his open palms against one of the rocks, blasting it backwards. He managed to do the same to one more, both boulders crashing into Tyrunt. The Rock type looked disoriented, wobbling on his feet.
"Tyrunt," Grant called out to him.
Up in the air, Riolu's right foot sparked an ember, before blasting into an inferno. He swung himself down, spinning to the point where the fire had cocooned him in a vortex of flames. He slammed his foot into Tyrunt's head, blasting him backwards with a blast of fire.
I immediately returned Riolu before the fire could spread along his body. Tyrunt didn't get up where he lay, so Grant returned him as well.
"Tyrunt is unable to battle," Robert yelled. "Gym Leader Grant, please send out your next Pokemon!"
"Geez," I said, tucking Riolu's pokeball away. "Couldn't resist that finishing move huh. We have more training to do it seems."
"Come on out Froakie," I yelled, tossing him out, worried somewhat. He had already taken a lot of damage. We would have to be quick about taking out whatever Grant sent out.
Grant tossed his pokeball into the air. "Come on out, Onix!"
The huge Rock Snake Pokemon loomed over Froakie, who was dwarfed compared to Onix.
"Flash Cannon," Grant yelled.
"Arceus," I stared up at the massive Pokemon charging up the energy attack. "Froakie, Quick Attack!"
He barely dodged in time as the Flash Cannon blasted apart the ground.
"Water Pulse!" I shouted.
Froakie managed to blast Onix with the move, but Onix swiftly turned around, tail swinging.
"Iron Tail!" Grant yelled.
A coat of iron flashed over his tail as it beared down upon Froakie.
"Into the air!" I ordered and Froakie leaped above the tail. "Run along his body and Water Pulse his head!"
Froakie landed on Onix's tail and began running up him, bouncing from rock to rock. He jumped above Onix's head and blasted him with a Water Pulse.
"Rock Tomb!" Grant yelled.
Huge boulders shot from the ground, all of them smashing into Froakie at the same time. He fell, crashing onto the ground, badly damaged.
"Froakie!" I yelled.
"Froak," he tried to stand, but struggled to do so. "Froak... Froakie."
"It's fine Froakie," I said. "You don't have to push yourself. We all have our battles to lose."
Froakie turned his gaze to me, a determined expression on his face. He was badly hurt and death always loomed over him like a shadow, but he was determined to go on.
"Froakie," I said, my gut twisted. "You can't go on like this."
"Froak froak froakie," he turned his gaze back to Onix, hands formed into fists. "Froak. Froak! FROAKIE!"
Energy blasted from Froakie, a blinding light enveloping him. He charged forwards, growing and hunching over as he ran. He jumped and swung a fist, the impact against Onix making the Rock type almost topple over. Once Froakie landed back on the ground, he had evolved. His head and hands a dark blue with his lower body light blue. His bubbles now wrapped around his neck like a scarf, the tail end hanging behind him.
I heard Robert boot up his pokedex.
"Frogadier, the Bubble Frog Pokemon, and the evolved form of Froakie. Its swiftness is unparalleled. It can scale a tower of more than 2,000 feet in a minute's time."
"You evolved," I breathed. Frogadier glanced back at me and nodded. I grinned. "Alright then! Let's use that new move again!"
Frogadier clenched his right fist and it began to glow. He ran forwards with incredible speed, launching himself up Onix's body, slamming his fist into the Rock type's head.
"Blast him with Flash Cannon!" Grant commanded.
"Dodge!" I countered.
Frogadier ran across the ground as the beam neared him. Then the Water type split into doubles, then doubled again, multiple copies of himself running around.
"Double Team," I said in surprise, thinking of Decidueye, then grinned. "All of you, use Water Pulse!"
They all fired Water Pulses, cutting off Onix's Flash Cannon. They then jumped and all punched Onix, the Rock type getting knocked onto his back, fainted.
"Onix is unable to battle!" Robert called out. "That means the challenger Zeno is the winner."
"Yes!" I pumped a fist into the air as Frogadier crashed into me. I hugged him tightly. "You were amazing Frogadier. You've definitely grown stronger."
"Froga," he nuzzled my chest.
I got up as Grant came over. "You both were amazing Zeno. I was not disappointed."
He held out a badge. "You have proven to be a wall that I am unable to surmount. This Cliff Badge rightfully belongs to you."
I took it and smiled. "Thank you. Without this battle, Frogadier wouldn't have evolved. Now, he'll be stronger than ever."
Grant chuckled. "He sure will. Now, I take it I have a battle with your friend to do. Once this is all over, I wish you and your friends the best of luck on your journey."
As he and Alex went to prepare for their battle, I looked at Frogadier. I looked into his eyes and didn't see the defeated look of that sickly Froakie. Now he had evolved, and maybe, just maybe, we could defeat fate together.
I know I didn't do a battle featuring Alex and a gym leader, but she isn't the reason I'm doing these gym battles. They aren't just about fighting and winning badges. For Zeno, they're a way to make Frogadier enjoy life, and maybe one day make him strong enough to overcome his destiny. So it's unlikely I'll write a battle scene with Alex and a gym leader, but it's still a possibility. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. It probably won't be updated for about another 2-3 weeks, since I need to focus on TMR and maybe a chapter of Pokemon Dark, which recently got a cover. So, until then my faithful readers. Toodles
