Chapter 19:

A Fashion Savvy Fight

Location: Nimbasa City

"I tell ya," Hugh said as we walked to the Gym. "Elesa lives up to her name as The Shining Beauty. She truly shone during that battle."

I of course was too busy in thought. If she used Emolga first, then that would mean Servine would be a bad idea. I didn't want to use Trapinch yet either; it was my secret weapon.

"What you going to do?" I asked.

"Train in Lostlorn Forest," Hugh told me.

Lostlorn Forest. That sounded familiar. I looked through the Journal. "My goodness. That's where Hilbert reunited Zorua with Zoroark! Have a read!"

To be fair, I didn't really give Hugh much a choice. But he read through it anyway. "Interesting. It's also where he met… interesting. Okay. If I see Zoroark, I'll tell you. Good luck with your Gym battle!"

"Good luck with your training!" I said as I walked back through the theme park to the new Gym at the end.

Location: Nimbasa City Gym

Between Roxie and her underground band and Burgh's web art, I had come to expect a lot from Gyms. But a runway? Considering the fact that Elesa is a model, that didn't surprise me in the slightest. But it was still amazing that this was part of the Gym.

The runway itself was lit up, but the main stage was completely blacked out. Guess Elesa wanted to make her entrance. "So," I thought. "How do I do this? I've never been on a runway before."

My pondering was interrupted by a Beauty in a blue sight that danced up. "Welcome to the Nimbasa City Gym! Now. If you want to battle Elesa, you need to impress her. How? By battling us of course! Show me how you shine!"

Rosa Vs. Beauty Nikola

"Elekid, come out!" shouted Nikola as the small yellow Electric Type entered the runway.

"I choose Trapinch!" I replied.

"Oh great, my Elekid can't do anything. Anyway, Light Screen!" Elekid made a shining box all around it.

"Bulldoze!" Trapinch created a small earthquake that dealt half damage to Elekid.

"Might as well give it a go. Thunder Wave!" Elekid fired an electric pulse at Trapinch, but it did nothing. Usually it would paralyse a Pokémon, but not Ground Type Trapinch.

"Another Bulldoze!" Trapinch made another small tremor and Elekid was down."

"Nice. But can you take down Flaaffy?" Flaaffy was sent out. "Use Take Down!" Flaaffy rammed its body into Trapinch, taking away half its health.

"Trapinch, counter with Bulldoze!" Trapinch used another Bulldoze that took Flaaffy's HP down to a quarter.

"One more Take Down!" Flaaffy charged into Trapinch once more, knocking it out.

"You're in for a treat; you're about to fight my newest team member. Go Minccino!" I announced. "Use Tail Slap!" Minccino hit Flaaffy with its tail a total of five times, which were also the final five blows.

"If you glow like that, you might just shine brighter than Elesa!"

After I beat Nikola, fireworks spouted up from around the stage signifying my victory. Suddenly, a cheering crowd appeared. I had no idea they were watching. Arceus only knows how much the tickets cost.

"Yes!" I shouted. "Onwards!"

Nikola stepped out of my way as I walked down the runway to the next Beauty. I healed Trapinch along the way.

"Impressive young man. But can you show your stuff against me?"

Rosa Vs. Beauty Fleming

"Servine, you're up!" I shouted.

"Go Flaaffy!" Fleming replied.

"Okay Servine, Leaf Tornado!" Servine span round and round, firing a twister of leaves at Flaaffy. It was a Critical Hit to!

"Okay Flaaffy, Take Down!" Flaaffy charged into Servine. Servine skidded along the runway but recovered quickly.

"One more Leaf Tornado!" Servine attacked Flaaffy with one more barrage of circling leaves, finishing it off.

"Okay Blitzle, come out!" Fleming sent out the black Pokémon. "Use Flame Charge!" Blitzle covered itself in flames, the galloped into Servine. It was a Super Effective hit.

"Leaf Tornado again!" Servine attacked Blitzle with its Grass Type move, but I realised that Flame Charge was not a good move for Servine to go up against. So, I switched it out for Azumarill to take another Flame Charge. But in all the fuss, I forgot a crucial thing; Blitzle was an Electric Type.

"Blitzle, Spark!" Blitzle covered itself in electricity, then galloped into Azumarill. It did a lot of damage to it.

"Azumarill!" I yelled. "We've still got this. Aqua Tail!" Azumarill's tail glowed blue, then it hit Blitzle. It was knocked out.

"Yes. You are indeed shining brighter than the runway! Good job!"

Victory fireworks went off as lights started dancing around the crowd. I felt like a celebrity, for better or for worse. I only one Beauty to go anyway.

This time, I walked down with a bit of sass as everyone clapped to the beat of the music.

The final Beauty was waiting for me.

"You'll need to shine incredibly bright to face Elesa!"

Rosa Vs. Beauty Ampére

"Servine, go!" I shouted.

"Go Blitzle!" replied Ampére. "Use Flame Charge!" Enveloped in flames, Blitzle charged into Servine. But I decided to keep it out.

"Use Leaf Tornado!" Servine span around and fired leaves at Blitzle. Luck was on my side to; its Defense fell!

"Flame Charge again!" Blitzle ran forward covered in fire, but it missed!

"One last Leaf Tornado!" Servine finished off Blitzle with my favourite move to use with it.

"Good one. Okay Joltik, I choose you!" Ampére sent out a Bug Type.

Joltik (マチュル)

172

Bug/Electric Type

Attaching Pokémon

0'04" (0.1 m)

1.3 lbs (0.6 kg)

Since it can't generate its own electricity, it sticks onto large-bodied Pokémon and absorbs static electricity.

"You're up Growlithe!" I shouted. Now I had the advantage.

"Joltik, Electro Ball!" Joltik made a ball of electricity which it then fired at Growlithe.

"We got this Growlithe. Flame Wheel!" Growlithe combusted and rolled into Joltik. It did massive damage to it and knocked it out in one blow.

"Wow! You're shining so bright you're blinding me!"

"Well well well!" A voice came over the speakers. "It seems our challenger is shining as bright as can be!" The crowd started screaming. "But. We will now put it to the test. Ready?"

Suddenly, the stage lights turned on revealing Elesa. She had black hair and a two-piece outfit with a big buffy coat. Across her stomach was a clip. "Elesa," I said. "This is my next opponent."

Elesa walked down the runway to me. "Welcome to my Gym. You might know me as Elesa, the Shining Star. Today, you will also know me as your challenger. I use Electric Types, because they shine the brightest. Well, not against Ground Types. Now, let's have a dazzling battle!"

"You're on Elesa!" I shouted.

Rosa Vs. Gym Leader Elesa

"Emolga, I choose you!" Elesa shouted, sending out the Flying Type. She clearly has good work arounds when it comes to Ground Types.

Emolga (エモンガ)

144

Electric/Flying Type

Sky Squirrel Pokémon

1'04" (0.4 m)

11 lbs (5 kg)

It glides on its outstretched membrane while shocking foes with the electricity stored in the pouches of its cheeks.

Emolga has no known evolutions.

"Azumarill, go!" I shouted. "I know you're at a disadvantage but do your best."

"Electro Ball!" Emolga made a ball of electricity that it fired at Azumarill. It almost knocked it clean. That's because Electro Ball is a move that does more damage the faster the user is. And considering the fact that this is Emolga, it could get pretty deadly. Might as well have Azumarill go out with a bang then.

"Double Edge Azumarill!" I shouted as Azumarill tackled Emolga with all its might. It did a lot to Emolga, but it also did recoil damage to Azumarill that wiped out the rest of its HP.

"Well well, that was an interesting sacrifice," Elesa said.

"It gets more interesting than that. Trapinch, come out!" I shouted. It was my star Pokémon, and I was concerned by the mere fact that I was sending it out that early.

"Emolga, Quick Attack!" Emolga quickly dashed into Trapinch. Trapinch was more than fine though.

"Use Rock Slide!" I shouted as Trapinch made rocks fall from the ceiling. They hit Emolga and knocked it out.

"Impressive, you are glowing brightly. Come on out, Flaaffy!" she said as the woolly Pokémon entered. "Take Down!" Flaaffy charged into Trapinch. Well, it tried to. Because it missed!

"Now use Sand Tomb!" I yelled as Trapinch made sand appear beneath Flaaffy's feet. I knew about Volt Switch, so if Flaaffy were to use it on another Pokémon, it couldn't switch.

"Another Take Down!" Flaaffy used another Take Down, and this one was a hit. Flaaffy took recoil damage to though.

"Now use Bulldoze!" I said. Trapinch made the ground shake a bit, dealing a great deal of damage to the poor Electric Type.

"Take Down! One more time!" Flaaffy charged into Trapinch again, leaving it hanging.

"Keep up with the Bulldoze!" I shouted. Another ground shake left Flaaffy almost finished.

"Take Down!" Flaaffy attacked Trapinch, taking away the last of its HP. However, thanks to the Bulldoze, Flaaffy was much slower.

"We're doing good. Minccino, come out!" I yelled. "Use your Tail Slap!" Minccino slapped Flaaffy across the fact five times, knocking it out.

The crowd cheered even louder.

"She's about to use it!"

"The Pokémon that shines the brightest!"

"The challenger will really need to glow to beat it!"

Elesa smiled. "Zebstrika, shine bright for us!" When it was sent out, the audience went wild.

Zebstrika (ゼブライカ)

148

Electric Type

Thunderbolt Pokémon

5'03" (1.6 m)

175.3 lbs (79.5 kg)

When this ill-tempered Pokémon runs wild, it shoots lightning from its mane in all directions.

Blitzle -Lv 27- Zebstrika

"This is where it gets really tough Minccino. Just do your best!"

"Zebstrika, Volt Switch!" Zebstrika fired a sparkling ball at Minccino, similar to Volt Switch. It was not only a direct hit, but a Critical Hit. Minccino was down in one.

"Minccino!" I shouted. "It'll take a lot to take down Zebstrika. Servine, go!" I shouted.

"Flame Charge!" Zebstrika ran forward, covered in flames. It trampled Servine in the fury.

"Servine!" I shouted. "Give it a dose of your Leaf Tornado!" Servine span round on the floor, firing leaves at Zebstrika. Its Accuracy fell!

"Another Flame Charge!" Zebstrike ran into Servine again, leaving it hanging for dear life.

"Now use Leech Seed!" Servine fired a small seed at Zebstrika's head. HP would drain each turn.

"Finish with Volt Switch!" Zebstrika fired an electrical ball at Servine, dealing the final blow.

"Growlithe, you're the finisher!" I shouted.

"Volt Switch!" Zebstrika summoned an electrical ball, and fired it at Growlithe. Through its fur, electricity surged through its body. Growlithe shook it off, but it could only take one more hit.

"Flame Wheel!" I shouted as Growlithe rolled into Zebstrika for a burning attack.

"Finish with a final Volt Switch!"

"NOOO!" I shouted as Zebstrika made a ball of electricity… that missed! "Alright! Growlithe, we need to use this opportunity. Give it the Flame Wheel to end all Flame Wheels!" Growlithe rolled into Zebstrika covered in flames as hard as it could. Upon impact, Zebstrika fainted.

The crowd cheered as Elesa smiled.

"Hm. Yes. You shone brighter than many that have challenged me. That should be commendable. Congratulations. You have proven victorious in the Nimbasa City Gym. As proof, I award you with the Bolt Badge!" From her coat pocket, Elesa gave me the Bolt Badge.

"Thank you so much!" I said.

"I will also give you TM72, which contains Volt Switch. Like U-Turn, it has the user retreat out of battle after using it to switch with another Pokémon. On top of this, Pokémon up to Lv. 50 that were traded to you will obey your commands. Finally," she said, handing me a ticket. "Here is 20% off of one of my clothes!"

I thanked her, even though I knew I wasn't really going to use it. Not only did few of her styles appeal to me, but the cost of the outfits she models were, yeah. No thanks.

Location: Nimbasa City

Having been healed up at the Pokémon Center, I wanted to find Hugh. As it so happens, Hugh gave me a call on the Xtransceiver when I thought about him.

"Rosa, meet me outside the Musical Hall. We have… a Plasma situation."

Worried, I ran to the Musical Hall which was easy to find because it was easily the brightest building in Nimbasa (aside from the Gym, which was on the other side to be fair). Hugh was there, with two Grunts.

"Well well, if it isn't the girl that's been ruining our plans. Why are you so annoying?"

"Enough!" I said. "Whatever trouble you're causing, I WILL put a stop to it. I, or should I say we, have four Badges now. I hope that's enough evidence to not mess with us."

"Especially after you stole my Sister's Purrloin!"

"Keep out of our way," one of the Grunts said. "Or we'll trample you like the Steamroller move. Have at you!"

Rosa Vs. Plasma Grunt M

"I choose Trubbish!" the Grunt replied, sending out the smelly Poison Type.

"Go Trapinch!" I replied.

"Take Down!" Trubbish charged into Trapinch.

"Trapinch has taken too many Take Down's to care. Use Bulldoze!" Trapinch made a small tremor that almost finished Trubbish.

"Use another!" This Take Down was a Critical Hit on Trubbish, but that wasn't a good thing for Team Plasma. Because the recoil took down Trubbish!

"PLAAAASSSMAAA!" the Grunt shouted.

"Nice one Trapinch! Beating Emolga really made you stronger!"

"I told you this girl was no joke!" the Grunt told the other one.

"Urgh. You're just like that annoying Hilbert. At least this one won't get away."

"Won't get away?" I repeated.

"Silence!" the Grunt shouted, realizing she had said too much.

Rosa Vs. Plasma Grunt F

"I choose Watchog!" the Grunt shouted.

"Go Azumarill!" I replied. "Start with Aqua Tail!" Azumarill's tail started glowing blue, then it hit Watchog for a lot of damage.

"Super Fang!" Watchog jumped over to Azumarill and sunk its fang into its head. Azumarill screamed in pain as it took away exactly half its HP.

"One more Aqua Tail!" Azumarill whacked Watchog one more time, giving me the match.

"PLAAAASSMAA!" the Grunt shouted.

"Okay then," Hugh said. "What did you mean by 'got away?' Where is Hilbert? And whilst you're at it, return Purrloin to!"

Both Grunts looked at each other. "You need to keep your mouth shut sometimes," the F Grunt said. "Let's make a break for it. Plasma will prevail!" Both Grunts ran off.

"They're heading towards Driftveil City!" Hugh said. "I'll see you over there!" With that, he ran after them.

"Wait!" I said. "Hugh…"

"What seems to be the matter?" Bianca said, coming up to me with Elesa. "Oh, I know what went down."

"I'm as shocked as you," Elesa said. "When I was informed by Alder that Team Plasma had made a comeback as a potentially much bigger threat, I didn't think it was possible. But here we are. What a world we live in."

I sat down on a bench and sighed. "Am I really any closer to Hilbert?" I asked.

"What did you just say?!" Elesa said.

"I guess she hasn't told you," Bianca replied. "The reason why Rosa is on her journey is because she found the Journal that belonged, or I guess belongs, to Hilbert. So, using it as a guide, she's travelling the Unova region to find it. Beating the Gyms seems to be second to her. As for Hugh? Well, he had a Pokémon stolen from his sister, and he vows revenge on Team Plasma."

Elesa sat down next to me. "You know, whilst I don't think you're as close to Hilbert as you want, you've come so far in other places! Your team has expanded and today, I awarded you your fourth Gym Badge! You are halfway there to taking on the Pokémon League! Have some fun, don't take this so seriously."

Teary eyed, I hugged Elesa. "You'll… help me won't you?"

"Of course," Elesa said. "I helped Hilbert against Team Plasma you know, and I can help you to. In fact, you might need a bit more. Tomorrow in Driftveil City, go see Clay. He's a strong Gym Leader to."

I wiped my eyes. "Okay Elesa. I'll try my best."

"Go get em!" Bianca said.

Fourth Badge is mine, but Team Plasma are still on the loose. And potentially, they don't have Hilbert. I don't know what to do anymore aside from taking on the Gyms. So that's what I'll keep doing! Clay in Driftveil City is next!