oOo
Missy discovered there was a pokemon gym nearby. She checked her archive, there was little information about the leader. The computer informed her that the leader had chosen to omit his name from the official record.
The tardis knew he was a ground-type trainer. He had been undefeated for a month using the psychic type Mewtwo. A newly created legendary pokemon was thought to be the strongest in the world. The tardis informed her that she would need seven badges to present a challenge at the gym.
Missy stepped away from the computer. " Looks like we're going to the gym kiddies."
Rage still beat in her hearts. Perhaps a pokemon battle would help ease this newly found aggression. A clear mind would help her destroy this newfound enemy.
She stepped into her wardrobe. A midday change of clothes was an inconvenience, but a necessity. So she decided to keep it simple and wore black pants and boots. Her jacket was brown, her shirt was light blue and her power vest was a shade of slate.
She had placed the keystone on a silver chain around her neck. She put her hair up and left her shirt open. It complimented the keystone nicely.
Missy paraded out of the wardrobe and asked, " How do I look?"
Ninetails brows raised with the question. Like an overdressed pokemon trainer, Mistress.
" If we're going to do this, we might as well look good," Missy muttered while she tucked the pokemon away.
Her team consisted of Ninetails, Butterfree, Absol, Charizard, Pidgeot, and Hydreigon.
It took a few minutes to learn their move sets. All of them were simple and suited her needs. When she felt confident she decided to prepare for the gym battle.
She started a search, and after a moment the computer presented her with the information. Her eyes wandered over the page.
Typically the battle was a three-on-three match. The trainer with the last pokemon standing won the battle and the badge. She breathed a sigh of relief, the Pokemon League badge system was typically treated as an honor system. She wouldn't have to worry about battling other gym leaders to get to the real challenge.
The problem was she had no badges she scoured for a remedy. She searched until she found what she was looking for a small silver device. A perception filter was just the thing she needed. She clipped it into her jacket and then carried on.
The tardis computer displayed an image of the seven badges needed to enter the gym. The Boulder, Cascade, Thunder, Rainbow, Marsh, Soul, and Volcano Badge. The perception filter transformed into a complete set. They hung in an elegant arrangement on a blue ribbon.
" Ninetails what is the last move on your set?" Missy asked curiously.
She finished attaching her pokeballs to her belt. Her jacket hid them well.
The fox seemed to be uneasy. It's baton pass Mistress. Perhaps this isn't a good idea, there are so many other trainers out there you could fight. Why go through all of this trouble to take on one individual?
Bemused that her pokemon would question her actions, Missy tried not to glare as she mused, " Baton pass, the archive said ninetails couldn't learn that move."
Ninetails apprehensively stepped back. A trainer taught it to me long ago. Ninetails can live for a thousand years and in my long life I've picked up a couple of tricks.
Her discontent mellowed slightly before she asked, " Your breed is unique in many ways. How old are you ninetails?"
Ninetails eyes lit up, she could have sworn the fox smiled. I'm four hundred and fifty-six years old, Mistress.
That meant she would have an elegant companion for many years.
" Ninetails that's too perfect." Ninetails gingerly looked away, so Missy brought up their task, " Trouble or not we need to practice."
The thought of taking on the most powerful pokemon in the world was good practice for the battle to come. Curiosity and wonder about what the pokemon could do overcame her. She was ecstatic, almost gleeful.
It was short-lived because Ninetails interrupted her. Mistress, what's that look about?
Missy sighed out of annoyance. " I want to see the power of this Mewtwo for myself. "
Ninetails stared back at her, then replied, Mewtwo's a dangerous pokemon Mistress.
Missy scoffed at the notion. " So is Dialga. If we can't win against that we'll at least have some idea of what we'll need to do next."
Mistress - Ninetails began.
" It's a necessity, not a matter for discussion," Missy interrupted while she paced to the door. " Come along Ninetails."
Yes Mistress, Ninetails softly replied while she stepped out the door.
Missy locked the door behind them and they were off. As they carried along on the path she clutched her umbrella. The city wasn't far, the last thing she wanted was to be flustered when they arrived. She took a moment to clear her head and embraced the day.
It was cloudy and the sky seemed to grow darker as they approached the city. Ahead of them an old man and a child walked together. The kid couldn't have been older than ten. She spied the pair as they approached.
The boy looked up to him. " You're a lot less grumpy now that you've had your coffee."
The elder glanced over his smile beamed. " I'm tenacious in the morning."
He looked ahead and took a pokeball from his pocket and showed it to the boy. " After that, I'm not so bad-" He tossed up the ball then caught it. " - Besides it's up to the elders to teach the future generations."
" Ya!" The boy jumped up in excitement. " I can't wait to learn how to catch pokemon."
" It's my privilege to show you," the elder said as his eyes met hers. " Good day Miss."
Missy nodded and then replied, " Good day."
Shortly after the encounter, they arrived in the small bustling city. Many young pokemon trainers walked in its streets. A young girl and her pidgey hurried along and ran past them. A jogger ran alongside his growlithe in pursuit. She swallowed her distaste and continued.
They ventured deeper into the business district of the city. It was a dull place, she felt like she'd been there too long. While she surveyed for a city map a large building with a pokeball mounted above the door caught her attention.
Ninetails broke their silence, Mistress, we should really take a pit stop at the pokemon center.
Missy let out a sigh and then thought about it. She had done a good deal of damage to hydreigon before she captured it. To do this right, the pokemon should be at their best.
Her mind was made up. They made their way there and entered the building.
There were many pokemon trainers inside. A bellsprout called out to a girl then to another pokemon. The chatter was a bother, she was determined to leave.
As a boy with a pikachu stepped away and she spotted a nurse behind the counter. Her hair was pink and arranged in oddly circular pigtails. Her brown eyes and warm smile did nothing to quell her ambitions.
Miss sighed, this whole experience was strange to her. As she stepped up to the counter a chansey waddled over and set down a tray with six slots before it blissfully chirped at them.
Chansey want's me to go in my ball Mistress, Ninetails explained.
The nurse was chipper as she approached," Good afternoon, welcome to the Viridian City Pokemon Center. How can I help you?"
Missy found herself uneasy, unsure of what to do she began to ramble, " I stopped in for my pokemon."
The nurse nodded, then said, " First timer huh? Just place your pokeballs on the tray we'll take it from there. Don't worry you'll get them back in a minute."
Missy nodded, she liked the efficiency of the facility. She snatched her pokeballs, Then she wondered why there were so many trainers lingering about.
Her train of thought jolted to a stop when the nurse looked at ninetails and said, " Awww- I just adore your ninetails. A shiny is such a rare sight in these parts."
Missy immediately sent the fox to her ball and set it with the rest. " She's a remarkable pokemon."
The nurse agreed as she took the tray. When she placed it into the machine a bright light illuminated inside and music chimed. The process was quick, it seemed to happen in the blink of an eye. Seconds later the nurse returned and she took them back.
The nurse bowed, then said, " Thank you, we hope to see you again."
Missy nodded as she released ninetails from her pokeball. They didn't skip a beat and quickly left the pokemon center. While she strolled away, an odd thought came about.
Curious, Missy asked, What kind of a hospital was that? The nurse tells me she hopes to see me again, are there people who show up and never return?
Ninetails playfully nudged her then replied, Some trainers don't make it. They give up and I think the nurse means to say don't give up.
Missy scoffed in distaste. Humans have such a weak will.
Puzzled, Ninetails raised a brow and asked, Humans, Mistress?
Missy was taken aback by the question. Then it occurred to her, that she had not told ninetails what she was. She had been swept away by the chaos and mystery of this world.
Missy's pride grew with the revelation, That's right humans. I'm a Time Lord ninetails, a very old and very powerful Time Lord.
Ninetails, surprised by the news carried on skeptically, Your not human, you look human Mistress.
Missy huffed the said, Ninetails just because I look like them doesn't make me one of them. I'm far superior to any human.
The fox raised a brow and asked, How so Mistress?
We've been traveling together for a couple of days ninetails. I thought you would have noticed my hearts beating by now, Missy countered.
Ninetails eyes widened, and hesitantly she acknowledged her, That's what that was. The more I think about it, the more I realize just how different you are Mistress.
Missy nodded in appreciation. That's why I'm superior to them.
Ninetails gave her a peculiar look and nodded before she glanced away. I think I found a map Mistress.
Missy grinned as she spotted it. Are you ready to have some fun?
Ninetails playfully back looked at her. I'm ready for a good fight Mistress.
They approached the map and information directory. Her eyes skimmed the map's key and found the pokemon gym. She memorized the directions and they were on their way.
The Viridian City Gym was an intimidating building. The opulent dome was surrounded by fountains. A series of Roman columns lined the path to the entrance.
A pair of soldiers dressed in Roman-like battle armor stood guard at the door. The pair held battle axes and even wore helmets. They fit the theme of the area, it seemed a bit over the top.
Missy peered at them and scoffed and muttered, " Well, he certainly tries to intimidate his opponents."
She dismissed the psychological tactics as they approached the door. When they arrived they crossed their axes blocking the entrance.
The first guard looked at her and asked, " Badges?"
Missy rolled her eyes at this request. She took out her perception filter and presented it to the guard. He looked over the badges before giving a nod. She tucked it away and dismissed the other's glare.
" Your name?" he grunted.
She looked him in the eye. " Missy Delgado. "
They looked at each other than at her, before driving the end of his ax onto a tile. He had struck a hidden button for the entrance, the door jarred as it opened. They stepped aside, she rolled her eyes as she strolled past the gate.
The gym was dimly lit and the decore lacked the exterior's splendor. Ornate moldings of white squares lined the brown walls they could have easily blended in the dirt arena ahead. Opposite her was a marble-lined door. She peered at it, but it was too dark to see anything.
Above the door was a balcony. A man, the gym leader Missy presumed was sitting on a chair he gently caressed a persian. He looked ridiculous in the red suit he wore.
When he approached the balcony she got a better look at him. He was an older man in his early thirties. His sharp black eyes peered down at her. His face was well hidden by the shadows.
Missy noticed the guards from outside had entered the gym. They stood at the wall now outside of the arena in the center.
The gym leader gazed down at her and then said, " That's a remarkable pokemon. A long time ago I read a book about legendaries. A story about a shining ninetails was in it. According to the lore, it was the pokemon of one of the first known trainers. Of course, that couldn't possibly be you, but I was curious if you were familiar with The Legend of the Mistress?"
Missy was astonished such a story existed. She was flattered, she had become a bit of a celebrity. She had no idea what the entirety of the story was about, so she quickly thought of an ambiguous response.
Missy kept her cool and answered, " The legend, I'm often confronted with the tale. It's a good story."
She held onto the umbrella and waited. Missy got the impression that he was impressed.
If he had been he didn't say so, he simply continued, " It is. Before we get started please state your name and town of origin."
Missy kept her answer simple, " My name is Missy Delgado, I have traveled here from the city of Goldenrod."
He took a pokeball from his jacket. " You're a confident one."
The guards began to announce the rules, " This will be a three-on-three pokemon battle with no time limits."
Missy readied her pokemon as they went over the rules. When it was all said and done they shouted, " Begin!"
The pokeball in the gym leader's hand burst open. " Golem."
The pokemon was a boulder with rocks smashed inside. She didn't have a pokemon that would be an ideal match for it. With her pokemon at the level they were she didn't feel she needed one.
Missy tossed the ball. " Butterfree."
Butterfree took flight and immediately flew to the center of the arena. By the time she caught the ball, he had made a move.
" Rock throw," he ordered.
Golem raised its arms and a boulder materialized in its hands. It threw it at butterfree.
Missy quickly countered, " Butterfree break that boulder apart, psybeam."
Butterfree cried out as its eyes and wings began to glow purple. It let out a violet beam of energy. The attack split the boulder into shards. The stone scattered across the arena. The power of the attack had been slightly diminished from the impact. When it struck golem it still packed a punch, golem had been struck off its feet. Golem recouped it snarled as it stood up.
" Rollout, " he ordered.
Golem began to roll in butterfree's direction before it launched into the air. The pokemon slammed into the butterfly and knocked it back. Butterfree had taken the hit well, it spread its scratched wings ready for a command.
Missy waited for the pokemon to charge the butterfly again. As the boulder pokemon picked up speed it did so.
" Psybeam," she calmly commanded.
The butterfree released another beam of energy. The attack struck with such a force that the pokemon was flung away. The gym quaked as golem slammed into a wall. With a heavy thud and a loud crunch, the pokemon crashed to the floor and fainted.
The gym leader quickly recalled his golem. He placed the first ball in his pocket and drew another.
He released the pokemon from his hand. " Rhydon."
Missy looked at the towering beast for a moment. The pokemon snarled and then roared at butterfree. Ninetails yelped causing Missy to glance over.
Let me get in there, Ninetails said as she made gestures to join in.
Missy knew she would be at a disadvantage. Ground-type attacks were super effective against fire-type pokemon. If ninetails could successfully raise her special attack and pass it along to absol she would have the upper hand. It made things interesting, so she recalled the pokemon.
Missy looked at ninetails as she pointed to the arena. " Ninetails."
Ninetails valiantly leaped into the arena. The fox confidently faced the beast while her fur shimmered in the light.
The gym leader smirked, then with great confidence made a command, " Rhydon use earthquake."
Rhydon jumped up and slammed into the ground causing the arena to quake. Ninetails coward, the fox had taken well. When she stood up her eyes locked on her opponents.
" Ninetails Nasty plot," Missy commanded.
Ninetails surrounded herself with a purple light. The move raised her special attack by one stage.
" Horn drill," he demanded.
Rhydons horn began to spin as it lounged at ninetails. The fox didn't budge as the pokemon approached.
" Dodge it," she ordered.
Ninetails jumped to the side as rhydon attempted to attack The beast turned and made another attempt, but the fox was too quick. As the chase continued she waited for it to draw near.
" Confuse ray," Missy cooly ordered.
Ninetails surrounded herself with a pair of purple orbs. She sent them in rhydon's direction. The pokemon's eyes began to jolt as it looked around frantically in confusion.
He was quick to counter, " Use earthquake."
Rhydon continued to look around before it attempted the attack. Its efforts were in vain, it hurt itself in confusion.
Missy smirked while she used this to her advantage, "Use nasty plot again."
Ninetails surrounded herself in an even greater purple aura than before. This action raised her special attack to another stage.
" Earthquake!" he demanded.
The rhydon continued to look around in confusion. The pokemon struck itself again. The blow to itself caused the pokemon to snap out of confusion. Its eyes narrowed at ninetails, filled with rage.
Missy didn't hesitate, it was time to end round two. " Flamethrower!"
Ninetails unleashed a flamethrower so powerful that it knocked rhydon back. The pokemon took serious burn damage before it slammed onto the floor. It wasn't long before the leader recalled the pokemon.
Missy's hearts pounded as the intensity of the battle grew. The gym leader peered down at her. His gaze was cold, almost calculating.
He abruptly broke the silence, "Well I can see you're a competent trainer, my last pokemon is so powerful I might recommend using two."
Missy shrugged, then replied, " I don't think I'll need to go that far."
He scoffed." So be it."
With a snap of his fingers the door below him lit up, A tall cat-like pokemon slowly began to emerge. Mewtwo dwarfed ninetails, as it levitated into the arena its eyes and body began to glow.
The pokemon was dressed in armor Missy hadn't seen before. It must have been a held item. Whatever it was ninetails was terrified of it, and the fox had started to step backward.
This had gone on long enough, and without hesitation, she took charge of the battle, " Ninetails baton pass."
Ninetails turned into white energy, the fox left a black baton in her place. Missy drew absol's pokeball and tossed it. Absol materialized leaping into the arena as it picked it up. The move boosted absol's special attack by two stages.
Missy dramatically embraced the moment and began," Absol let's finish this. With the power of my heart and our everlasting bond, absol mega evolve."
A glorious opalescent light burst from the pokemon and overtook the arena. Bolts of energy shot out of the necklace into absol. The pokemon was shrouded by the blinding light as it evolved.
Missy shielded her eyes as the light intensified. The room filled with its radiance. Soon the glorious light faded. The symbol for mega evolution appeared before absol before it dissipated. Mega absol bore its chest at mewtwo and cried out.
There was a long pause and tension filled the room. She crossed her arms while she waited for him to do something. He looked down at the pokemon in disbelief.
Impressed by the absol's new power and form she wondered how the pokemon would fair. The remnant energy from the mega evolution as it pulsed through the gym. Tremendous power surged from both pokemon. With the outcome unknown, she did her best to keep a level head.
With a forceful command, the battle began, " Psybeam."
Mewtwo surrounded itself in an orb of psychic energy as a violet orb formed ahead of it. Absol grunted as it stared down its opponent. The energy in the room was electric.
When Mewtwo attacked, she countered, " Absol charge into it, use shadow ball!"
Absol leaped out and charged into the beam. The pokemon clenched a ball of darkness while the beam split apart. Unable to damage absol Mewtwo watched as the wolf flung the shadow ball.
While The orb barreled through the air, the gym leader abruptly countered, " Teleport!"
Mewtwo teleported just before absol's attack reached it. The move struck the door. Chunks of marble crashed to the floor while the walls rattled.
Missy frowned before she eloquently continued, "Absol use dark void, flood the arena."
" Metronome!" he countered.
Absol growled as its eyes began to glow. The pokemon surrounded itself with a violet aura that filled the boundaries of the arena. Mewtwo took flight as its body was surrounded by flames. Every second it persisted the pokemon took heavy damage.
" Dodge it," she ordered.
Her efforts weren't enough. As absol leaped up, Mewtwo crashed into it and launched the pokemon at the floor. The wolf snarled as it skidded across the arena.
The gym leader embraced the moment. " Recover."
While mewtwo healed its wounds absol staggered up. The pokemon had taken damage, but she felt it could take a few more blows.
With this pause in combat, she decided to get ahead. " Future sight!"
A small white orb appeared in absol's right eye as it planned a future move.
" Metronome," he countered.
A blue orb appeared in its outstretched hand. It released an ice beam at absol.
Missy waited until the last moment to counter." Protect!"
A clear barrier appeared before absol eliminating Mewtwo's attack.
" Metronome!" demanded once more.
Bolts of lightning began to emerge from the pokemon's paws. Sparks filled the arena before they struck absol. The wolf snarled while it got its footing. Both pokemon had taken an incredible amount of damage, the battle was at the wire.
" Shadow ball!" she demanded.
Absol launched the attack with such speed her opponent had barely managed to dodge. The attack clipped the cat and had nearly forced it to the floor.
Mewtwo recouped and took to the air once more. The look in the creature's eyes was intense.
" Metronome," he coldly ordered.
It surrounded itself in a purple orb. Golden beams of energy manifested in its hand as a new attack formed. It was going to be a hyper beam, she was sure of it.
"Protect! "Missy ordered.
Mewtwo unleashed a fury of energy at absol. A clear shield appeared in front of absol that deflected Mewtwo's attacks. Missy's grin grew she felt sinister as future sight came into play. The attack came from all corners of the arena, the pokemon collapsed from the blow.
Absol cried out in victory before it devolved back to its regular form.
Missy grinned as she beckoned the wolf to join her. Absol happily did so, while she praised the pokemon she couldn't help but notice the gym leader's absence.
He hovered around the chair phone in hand. She couldn't make out the conversation. It was unsettling, her intuition lead her to believe that things weren't going well.
There was little more to do than wait. She got her umbrella off the floor, then let ninetails out of the ball. When the fox saw Mewtwo on the ground, she gasped. Absol ran over her and tapped, ignorant of the fox.
Mistress, we won. Absol says that fight was intense, Ninetails explained as she eyed the fallen pokemon.
When the gym leader returned to the balcony he was upset. She had got a better look at him. An olive, his face is sharp clean-cut, his black eyes narrowed, he was focused on her.
When he addressed her it was chilling, he held back his emotions, " Miss Delgado, you really are something else. In all of my years of training pokemon, I have never seen anything comparable to what you just did."
Her brow raised, but an ominous hum caught her attention. The front door shut, the lock had just clicked. Her grip tightened, she knew things were about to get interesting.
" I just got off the phone with the pokemon league's department of information and they tell me there's no record of you ever earning any badges, not even a trainer identification number. There's no place to run. So tell me, who are you?"