Marnie vs Sidney
"I wonder if Marnie's okay, she's been gone for awhile." Ash gazed towards the desert with a concerned expression. It was now late in the evening and Marnie hadn't returned, the World Championship match had been a good distraction while it lasted but that was a few hours ago. He couldn't help but feel like something had happened to her. He normally didn't worry about his friends as he knew they were capable of defending themselves but after watching Mirror Marnie die, he worried that something similar could happen to the real Marnie.
"Ease up," Sidney gave Ash's shoulder a brief pat while turning his own gaze towards the desert. "She likely got trapped in a sandstorm and had to take cover, they're a regular occurrence around here and only an absolute fool would try walking through a sandstorm instead of taking shelter. You're liable to walk into a Trapinch's pit that way." He chuckled.
"Pika pi." Pikachu gave Ash's shoulder a reassuring pat.
Ash shot Pikachu a brief glance before continuing to stare off into the desert, neither Pikachu or Sidney's words did much to calm his nerves. After approximately another half hour of waiting, his nerves finally started to calm as a Hisuian Braviary appeared in the distance.
"Marnie!" Ash exclaimed while waving his arms in a frantic fashion.
"Hey Ash, sorry I'm late! I got caught up in a sandstorm." Marnie waved while Braviary landed on the ground, Marnie climbed off it's back before uttering out a light gasp as Ash pulled her into a hug. 'This isn't like him, I wonder if Mirror Marnie's death is still affecting him.' She knew Zach was a bit clingy over Dawn after he returned from Hisui but it only lasted a few days as Akari died months before he returned to the present. Marnie responded with a hug over her own, reassuring Ash that she was alright.
"See? I told ya that she'd be fine." Sidney smirked. "The sandstorms happen a lot as Flygon's species and several other Pokemon whip them up to sneak up on unsuspecting prey or to avoid other Pokemon and trainers, and there's also the natural sandstorms so you can never truly predict when one will kick up."
Sidney then glanced towards the darkening sky. "It's getting late..."
"You want us to come back tomorrow?" Ash was quick to ask. He didn't want to outstay their welcome.
"I don't think he minds, Ash." Marnie spoke up. "You see Dark and Ghost specialists enjoy the occasional nightly battle."
"Your girlfriend speaks the truth." Sidney smirked. "But if you two would get some shut eye I'd understand, not everyone's a night Noctowl like me!"
"What do you think?" Ash looked towards Marnie, signaling the fact that he didn't mind staying if she wanted to.
Marnie stared off with a thoughtful expression before turning back to Sidney. "Do you got a place for us to sleep? I don't think it's a good idea flying through the desert at night."
"Of course, I've got guest rooms available in case I discover a passed out trainer or Steven and Drake decide to pay me a visit." Sidney explained with a wave of his hand. "You two are welcome to use one if you'd like."
"Thanks but we'll be using both rooms." Marnie sweated. She wasn't ready to take the next step yet.
"Ah right, well you two can have separate rooms. I've also got a Pokemon Transfer Machine inside if you want to switch out that Braviary of yours." Sidney offered while thumbing towards his home. "It's right inside and directly across from the television."
"That'll do, thanks so much." Marnie performed a light bow before racing off towards the house to switch out Braviary for one of her Dark types.
Marnie and Sidney stared off while standing on opposite sides of the battlefield, Marnie's hand gripped at a Dusk Ball while Sidney's gripped at an Ultra Ball.
"Alright so let's go over the ruleset one more time," Sidney spoke while twirling the Ultra Ball atop his finger. "Each of us will use six Pokemon in a standard matchup and the battle will come to an end as soon as neither of us are able to continue. We'll also release our first choice simultaneously to ensure that neither of us have an advantage and will release them on the count of three. Ready?"
"Ready!" Marnie smirked.
"One, two, three!" Sidney shouted out while counting down with his left hand, his right hurled the Ultra Ball forward as he finished counting. "Let's do this, Cacturne!"
"Cacturne!"
"Drapion, I need your assistance!" Marnie shouted while tossing the Dusk Ball forward.
"Drapion!" The scorpion Pokemon cried out as he burst from the ball.
"Use Spikes!" Sidney shouted out.
"Cacturne!" Various spikes flew from his body and scattered across the field, setting a trap for Marnie's future Pokemon.
"Well I guess we know why he started off with Cacturne." Ash spoke.
"Pika..."
"Cross Poison!" Marnie shouted out.
"Drapion!" Drapion's arms glowed a venomous shade of purple before forming an 'X' as he crossed them together. Drapion then proceeded to slash at his opponent, pushing Cacturne back!
"Turne..." Cacturne grunted out.
"Focus Punch!" Sidney shouted out.
"Cacturne!" Cacturne's fist began glowing a bright blue color as he pulled it back before delivering a powerful blow to his opponent, punching Drapion directly in the face!
"Drapio..." Drapion grunted out, his pincers grasped at his head as he uttered out a pained groan.
"Cross Poison once more!" Marnie shouted out.
"Drapio..." Drapion's arms glowed a venomous shade of purple as he shot across the field.
"Destiny Bond!" Sidney quickly shouted out.
"Cacturne!" A purple glow surrounded Cacturne's body as Drapion lashed out, slashing Cactune's chest! "C-Cacturne..." Cacturne grunted out before collapsing onto his side, a purple glow briefly surrounded Drapion and faded away as the scorpion fell to the ground.
"Drapion..." Drapion groaned out as swirls formed within his eyes.
"Destiny Bond." Marnie clenched her fists. It was a brilliant strategy favored by Ghost specialists, she suspected that Phoebe had some influence in Sidney's strategy. "Return!" She recalled Drapion to his Dusk Ball while Sidney recalled Cacturne.
Marnie tossed a Dusk Ball into the air which burst to reveal Zarude. "Zarude, I need your assistance!"
"Zarude!" The baboon Mythical howled out.
"Let's do this, Mandibuzz!" Sidney shouted while tossing an Ultra Ball into the air.
"Mandi!" The vulture screeched out.
"Brave Bird!"
"Mandi!" A orange aura enveloped Mandibuzz's body as stretched her wings before diving towards her opponent at an incredible speed.
Marnie remained silent and made no attempt at dodging as a sly smirk formed across her face.
"Zaru!" Zarude grunted out as Mandibuzz knocked him off his feet, his body soon morphed into Zorua as his true form was revealed!
"Zora!"
"Revenge!" Zorua howled out before throwing himself at Mandibuzz causing the vulture to squawk out as she was knocked out of the air.
"Dark Pulse!" Sidney shouted out.
"Mandi..." Mandibuzz cried out as a pulse of static black-purple energy shot from her mouth, the attack exploding as it made contact with Zorua.
"Zora!" Zorua yelped out before uttering out a light whimper as he was knocked into one of the spikes.
"Brave Bird!"
"You can do this Zorua!" Marnie shouted out, her fists clenched as she punched at the air. "Use Sludge Bomb!"
"Zorua!" Zorua tilted his head back as he hurled up a large glob of purple sludge which shot through the air before pelting Mandibuzz's face!
"Mandibuzz!" Mandibuzz squawked out, veering off course as the attack blinded her causing her to fly directly into a couple of the spikes.
"Mandi..." Mandibuzz collapsed against the ground, swirls formed within her eyes as she uttered out a defeated groan.
"Return." Sidney swiftly recalled Mandibuzz before grabbing another Ultra Ball. "Let's do this, Shiftry!"
"Shiftry!" Shiftry cried out upon emerging from the ball.
"Zoraaaa!" Zorua tilted his head back as he uttered out a celebratory howl, his tone began to change as a blue glow surrounded his body. The wolf pup rose onto his hind legs while it's body tripled in size, now standing up to Marnie's shoulder as the fluff mound atop his head erupted into a fully grown red mullet that ran down across his backside. "Zoroark!" The newly evolved Pokemon howled out.
"Alright, Zorua evolved!" Ash eagerly shouted out.
"Pikapi!"
"Zoroark!" Marnie's eyes lit up, she suspected that Zorua was nearing his evolution and was thrilled that their hard work had finally paid off. Zoroark was slightly worn out but she knew that he'd be a sitting duck if she recalled him, the spikes would either finish him or leave him with barely enough energy to move. It was best to let him continue for the time being. "Alright Zoroark use Sludge Bomb!"
"Zoroark!"
"Fake Out!" Sidney shouted out.
"Shift!" A powerful soundwave flowed across the field as Shiftry clapped his hands, cancelling out Zoroark's attack as it made contact with him. Zoroark uttered out a light whimper before collapsing onto his side as swirls formed within his eyes.
"Return!" Marnie shouted while recalling Zoroark to his ball. She reached for another Dusk Ball before tossing it up into the air. "Zarude, I need your assistance!"
"Zaru!" Zarude howled out.
"Hammer Arm!" Marnie shouted out.
Zarude's arm glowed white as he lashed out at his opponent.
"Sucker Punch!"
"Shift!" Shiftry shot forward, striking the back of Zarude's skull. Zarude snarled out before quickly turning around, nailing Shifty's stomach with a powerful blow! "Shiftry..."
"Hammer Arm once more!" Marnie shouted out.
Sidney gritted his teeth. 'That Zarude's incredibly strong...' "Explosion!"
"Shift!" A bright orange light engulfed Shiftry's body shortly before an explosion blasted across the battlefield.
"Zarude!" Marnie coughed out as dust flew into her mouth.
"Morpek!" The dust soon faded away, revealing Zarude's defeated form as he laid beside Shiftry.
"Return!" Sidney and Marnie simultaneously shouted.
'Those are dirty yet strategical tactics.' Ash thought to himself. 'He took Zarude off the board so they'd remain on even footing!'
"Well the battle's halfway done, we're both down to our final three." Sidney smirked while grabbing at an Ultra Ball. "Let's do this, Mightyena!"
"Might!" The wolf snarled out as it appeared on the battlefield.
"Spiritomb, I need your assistance!" Marnie shouted while hurling a Dusk Ball forward.
"Spiritomb!" The ghostly spirit cackled out as it appeared on the battlefield.
"Play Rough!" Sidney shouted out.
Mightyena howled out as he leaped across the field, a dust cloud surrounded him as snarls and ghostly wails could be heard before Spiritomb was sent flying out! "Spiri!"
"Use Curse!" Marnie shouted.
"Spiritomb!" A purple aura surrounded Spiritomb as it cackled out, Mightyena began shivering as the same purple aura formed around him. The wolf shook and whimpered out as some unseen force drained his energy.
"Dark Pulse!" Sidney shouted.
"Mighty!" A black-purple static energy beam fired from Mightyena's mouth and flew towards Spiritomb. Another set of ghostly wails escaped the spirit as the attack exploded against it.
"Dark Pulse!" Marnie countered.
"Spirit!" Spiritomb cried out as it fired it's own Dark Pulse attack, the attack struck head on causing Mightyena to whimper out before his eyes rolled up as the purple aura sapped away more of his energy.
"Might..." Mightyena groaned as he collapsed against the field.
"Return!" Sidney gritted his teeth. "Alright the kid gloves are off, Sharpedo let's do this!"
"Sharpedo!" Sharpedo cried out as he burst onto the field.
Sidney reached for his Mega Ring before swiftly activating it as a bright pink light engulfed Sharpedo's body. "Let's show them the power of our bond with Mega Evolution!"
"Sharpedo!" Mega Sharpedo cried out as the light faded away, revealing his Mega Evolved form.
Marnie tensed up at the sight of the Water Mega before calming herself as she called out an attack. "Dark Pulse!"
"Spirit!" Spiritomb fired off a pulse of black-purple static energy towards his opponent.
"Dodge with Aqua Jet!"
"Sharpedo!" A watery veil surrounded Sharpedo's body as he blasted across the field. "Sharpedo!" He cried out as he slammed his body against Spiritomb.
"Spiri!" The ghostly spirits wailed out before retreating into the keystone which collapsed against the ground, signaling that it was incapable of battling any longer.
"Return!" Marnie swiftly returned Spiritomb to it's ball. "Alright Morpeko, I need your assistance!"
"Morpek!" Morpeko's cheeks sparked as she leaped from Marnie's shoulder.
"Return!" Sidney recalled Mega Sharpedo, he was well aware that Marnie had a Mega Ring now so he thought it best to save Sharpedo for later. "Let's do this, Absol!"
"Absol!" Absol cried out as he burst from an Ultra Ball.
"Use Crunch!"
"Morpeko!" Morpeko's eyes flared a dark shade of red as she scampered across the field before sinking her teeth into her opponent.
"Absol!" Absol grunted out while Sidney couldn't help but smirk.
"Night Slash!"
"Sol!" Absol's head scythe glowed a dark shade of purple as he shot across the field before slashing his opponent!
"Morpek!" Morpeko grunted out, the attack knocked her down.
"Whoa, that attack sure was strong!" Ash commented.
"Pika!"
"Justified!" Marnie caught on. "It'll grow stronger the more Dark type attacks we use against it."
"Right you are!" Sidney smirked.
Marnie clenched her fists as she looked towards Morpeko. They hadn't eaten dinner yet so Morpeko was dangerously close to transforming into her Hangry mode. "Aura Wheel!"
"Morpek!" Morpeko's eyes continued to flare red as she raced in place, an blue electrical sphere surrounded her as she continued racing in place before eventually shooting off across the field. "Morpek!" She cried out as she charged her opponent, giving him an electrical shock!
"Absol!"
"Play Rough!" Sidney shouted.
"Sol!" Absol sprang forward before tackling his opponent, a cloud of dust surrounded the pair as they repeatedly lashed out at each other before Morpeko was sent flying out!
"Morpek!" She cried out before faceplanting against the floor, her fur quickly turned a dark shade of purple as she slowly rose to reveal her red eyes. "MORPEK!"
"Aura Wheel!" Marnie clenched her fists.
"Morpek pek pek!" Morpeko cried out, another blue energy sphere surrounded her as she raced in place before scampering towards her opponent! "Morpek!"
"Sol!" Absol grunted out as Morpeko knocked him off his feet, he collapsed against the ground for a brief second before raising back to his feet as his eyes locked onto his opponent.
"Night Slash!"
"Sol!" Absol's head scythe glowed once more as he slashed at his opponent.
"Morpek!" Morpeko cried out as she was knocked into the air, the rodent flew across the battlefield before landing in the safety of Marnie's arms.
"I got ya!" Marnie offered her friend a smile as she stared into her swirled eyes. "Rest up Morpeko, you were great out there and deserve a long rest."
"Morpek..." Morpeko groaned as Marnie set her down beside her feet. Marnie then turned her gaze back towards her opponent as she reached for her final Pokemon.
"Houndoom, I need your assistance!"
"Houn!" Houndoom howled as he burst onto the field. Marnie quickly reached for her Mega Ring and activated it's Keystone causing a bright pink light to envelop Houndoom as he began transforming into Mega Houndoom.
"Alright Houndoom, let's show Sidney that our bond is just as great as his own with Mega Evolution!"
"Houn!" Mega Houndoom howled out as he emerged from the pink light.
"Sunny Day!"
"Hound!" Houndoom howled out as a harsh ray of sunlight poured down upon the battlefield.
"Night Slash!"
"Counter with Flamethrower!"
"Sol!" Absol raced towards his opponent while Houndoom began charging up a stream of fire before shooting it forward, Absol raced directly through the flames before collapsing directly in front of his opponent as swirls filled his eyes. "Sol..."
Sidney frowned lightly as he recalled Absol to his ball. "Good work Absol, alright it's time that we wrap this up! Let's finish this, Sharpedo!"
"Sharpedo!" Mega Sharpedo cried as it reemerged from it's ball.
"Aqua Jet!"
"Solar Beam!" Marnie countered.
"Huh?" Sidney's eyes widened from shock before a smirk of respect formed as a massive beam of solar energy flared out of Houndoom's mouth. The blast of solar energy shot across the field towards the incoming Sharpedo, striking his body shortly before Sharpedo collided with Houndoom. Both Pokemon uttered out a light grunt before shaking themselves off.
"Night Slash!"
"Shar!" Sharpedo shot across the field before slashing his opponent.
"Dark Pulse!" Marnie countered.
"Houn!" Houndoom fired a pulse of black-purple static energy at Sharpedo as he retreated.
"Sharpedo..." Sharpedo grunted out.
"Hydro Pump!" Sidney shouted out.
"Solar Beam!" Marnie swiftly countered.
"Shar!"
"Hound!" The two Pokemon cried out as they fired off their respective attacks, the blast of solar energy shot across the field before making contact with the water geyser, the two attacks clashed against each other and appeared evenly matched but the water began evaporating due to the intense heat allowing for Solar Beam to overcome it and continue across the field before eventually exploding against Sharpedo!
"Shar... Sharpedo..." Sharpedo groaned as he collapsed against the ground, swirls formed within his eyes as a bright pink glow enveloped his body before fading away to reveal he reverted back to his base form.
Sidney uttered out a light sigh before forming a smile as he shrugged. "Well it looks like I lost." He recalled Sharpedo back to it's ball and began clapping his hands as he approached Marnie. "I must say that was quite the battle, you had some rare and not to mention incredibly strong Dark type Pokemon. If you continue training and working hard, I suspect you just might surpass Grimsley someday! I'd like to wish you luck and also give you a parting gift as a way of showing you my respect."
"You don't have to-" Marnie held up her hands in an attempt to stop him but once Sidney held out a small box she found it hard to refuse as rejecting a present could be shown as a sign of disrespect.
Ash wasn't sure why but he felt hot fire raging inside his chest at the mere sight of a man offering a tiny box to Marnie though he began to calm down as a light blue Mega Stone came into view upon her opening the box.
"Wow, is that Absolite?!" Marnie gasped.
"That it is!" Sidney smirked. "I'm not sure if you have an Absol or not but I have the feeling that you'll put it to good use."
"Thank you Sidney," Marnie smiled while offering him a respectful bow.
"Don't mention it, now how about I cook us up some grub?!" Sidney smirked.
"Sounds good to me, I'm starving!" Ash exclaimed.
"Pika pi!"
"Morpek!"