Chapter 107:
Welcome to the Jungle
Pokémon List:
Luna (Kirlia)
Fay (Riolu)
Midna (Zorua)
"Okay, you guys got it, right?" I asked for what felt like the hundred time.
{Affirmative.} Luna agreed.
"Yes." Fay rolled her eyes.
"No." Midna said with a blank expression.
"Okay," I clapped my hands together. "So now that's clear. Let's meet the boy wonder."
I turned around and left the Pokémon Center. My backpack was slung over my shoulder. All my stuff was inside.
I was ready to leave this dusty old town. It felt like I had stuck around in this God forgotten town for eons.
Or maybe it was just a few days.
Regardless, I'd love to go to a place with normal internet. More commendation or in general, anything to do.
Luna had sensed Ash and friends coming into her proximity this morning. So that gave me a few seconds to prepare myself and my Pokémon. Set some ground rules on acting normal and all that.
I walked away from the Pokémon Center. Midna hopped onto my shoulder while Fay and Luna trailed behind.
We stopped at an intersection.
I saw the trio waiting in line for the bakery for their morning coffee. Ash was rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. His hair was still unkempt and he had bags under his eyes.
Dawn was standing behind him in line. Her long blue hair fell over her eyes. A pretty smart way to cover up she wasn't fully awake, wasn't it for the fact she was almost leaning on Ash's back.
Their battle companions were in a similar state, they just didn't bother to hide it.
The only one who was spared this fate was Brock, who was happily chattering with his zombie companions.
"Good morning." I shouted, waving my hand.
Half dazed eyes looked warily in my direction. A few of the other customers looked bothered but quickly ignored me when they saw it wasn't directed at them.
"Oh hey, Dust!" Brock waved back. "Good to see you too this morning."
I came closer and offered him a fist bump.
It took a while for Dawn's gears to start spinning.
"...hi." Dawn said. Giving me something that was between a smile and a yawn.
I waited for Ash to acknowledge my existence.
When he didn't, Dawn elbowed him, startling him awake.
"Oh hey!" Ash sheepishly grinned.
"Yo." I returned with a blank expression.
"Pika!" Pikachu waved at Luna. The Kirlia gave the rodent a nod of acknowledgement.
"So," Ash sheepishly rubbed the back of his head.
"Did I miss anything?"
"No, he just arrived." Dawn answered. "Also, it's your turn." She pointed at the line.
Shaken, Ash stared ahead. He saw the impatient eyes of the woman behind the counter. "Uhm, I'd like, ah. Uhm..."
Luckily we were the only customers at this point.
"I'd like a Galarian Twist." Brock went first, since Ash still had to make up a choice.
"Some Sweet Berry Juice." Dawn said.
"What she said." Ash sheepishly smiled.
I made an order of my own quickly after that.
We decided to sit somewhere nicer. Because of my extensive stay in Eterna I knew all the best benches and where to find them.
It was a nice park, like everywhere in Eterna with lots of flowers. The only other people at this park were an elderly couple but they were minding their own business.
We sat down.
"So…" Brock said. "Forgive me for asking but is that a Zorua?"
"No, that's a parrot." I replied.
"A what?" Ash and Dawn both asked, looking at Midna.
"A Zorua." Brock coughed.
"Yes, yes I am." Midna said before I could say anything. The aforementioned fox Pokémon jumped down from my shoulder and onto the table. "And a magnificent specimen as well."
Dawn took a look at the talking Pokémon.
She took a sip from her juice.
"What the fuck?"
Ash, suddenly completely awake, took out his Pokédex and scanned Midna.
"Wow." Ash said.
"Eyes up here." Midna hissed.
"Huh what?"
"How can she talk?" Dawn asked me, ignoring whatever was going on between Ash and Midna. Dawn looked at Luna and Fay.
"They are pretty rare, I haven't heard of a talking one." Brock mused. "I read a report on Zoruas that could turn into humans but none of them could talk."
"I know you can talk to them, but how can your Zorua talk?"
"More importantly, how do we stop her from talking?" Fay muttered.
"You guys won't believe what I just went through."
Ash stopped his conversation with Midna. "It can hardly be any weirder than what we did last night."
"Oh be real," I smirked. "You guys stayed up late or something?"
I pretended to yawn.
"Oh come on, that's the most exciting thing that happened since I last saw you guys?"
Dawn glared at me. "Oh, well, now I am curious what you did."
"Okay, that's messed up." Dawn admitted.
"Yeah." I replied, feeling a little bit uncomfortable. "But yeah, that's how I got a Zorua."
It was a slightly abridged version of the events. I left out the parts where I had an emotional breakdown.
"Damn," Ash sighed. "I think you win this one." He shook his head. "Normally I win these kinds of games but," he shrugged. "I don't know, did you steal my bad luck or something?"
I laughed. "I don't know, but if you want it you can have it back."
It was good to be among normal people. Or as normal as this world would would go for me.
"We're fine." Brock said quickly.
I stopped to pause for a second. "Well, now we're going to stick together for a while, maybe you get to see a little more of my bad luck."
"...Pika."
{Agreed.} Luna said. {You are definitely jinxing yourself.}
"When have I ever jinxed myself?" I asked.
Fay gave me a blank expression.
"So," Ash said, "can I see your Pokèmon in action?" He looked at all three of mine. "I am dying to see if they made any progress."
"Yes, I would like to see your Zorua in action." Brock nodded. "It would be interesting to see what kind of fighting style you employ."
"I bite." Midna admitted.
"Oh, I wonder if a Zorua is even legal in a contested battle?" Dawn wondered. She gave her two companions a questioning look but both returned no answer.
Ping
Ping
Both Ash and I stopped to dig inside our pockets.
I took out my Pokédex and opened it.
"This is a local message to all Trainers in the area. Eterna Gym is now open and accepting Challengers again." The voice said. "Good luck."
I looked at Ash who gave me the same look.
"Forget it, I am going first."
"No you-"
"Luna, Teleport!"
I grinned at Ash. "Feel free to watch me though."
I arrived at the Gym first of course. I recalled all three of my Pokémon to make sure my line up would remain a secret for as long as possible.
There wasn't a need for a prep talk as we had already discussed and practiced for this battle.
There wasn't much to say about what happened next.
The guy behind the counter introduced himself as Kyle. Probably an intern.
He checked my info and set up a battle.
Gardenia was still preparing herself but she would be ready to take me on in a moment.
Ash actually came running to the Gym 5 minutes later with Pikachu hot on his heels.
I don't know if he really thought he would be faster than Luna's Teleport but he did have my respect for at least trying.
The rest arrived a little later.
Gardenia entered the lobby. She gave Ash and I a smile. She had clearly spoken to Ash. "I can't battle you right now," Gardenia told Ash. "First there's this other guy I need to fight."
"Hi." I awkwardly waved.
"Yeah I know," Ash nodded. "But we came to watch him," he pointed at me.
"Ahh," Gardenia gave me an embarrassed smile. "Sorry, my name is Gardenia. And you are Dusk the challenger right?"
"Almost," I answered.
Gardenia looked like I expected her too. Nothing too crazy. She extended her hand out.
"Well, let's battle; shall we?"
The Grass Gym was designed like a greenhouse. Actually, it was a green house.
There wasn't a glass ceiling but instead an open roof. The sun shone through it, giving the flowers inside all the stuff they needed.
I also saw some cleverly hidden heat lamps in the corners and edges of the room.
Vines were climbing down the walls while exotic looking plants and flowers bloomed around the edges. Most of it was neatly fitted behind stone containers.
The main battlefield was mostly cleared of all the junk. It was a regular looking arena with sand and all. There was green foliage skirting around the edges, with some tree roots even burrowing inside the arena. But mostly it was clear of obstacles.
Kyle was the referee. He didn't look very relaxed with his role.
He nervously glanced at Gardenia and me. I wondered if he had any experience. He looked at Gardenia the same way an intern would.
I wondered what the story was. Not that it really mattered.
Gardenia and I took place on opposite sides of the arena.
The spectators area was nothing more than a couple picnic tables. That was about it.
Brock and Dawn politely sat down while Ash decided to sit on the top of the table. Giving him a better view. Pikachu sat next to him, of course.
He gave me one encouraging wave.
I returned the gesture before focusing my attention on the Gardenia again.
In my mind I was going over my battle plan again. On the other side of the arena Gardenia seemed mostly distracted by something.
No, that wasn't the right word.
She looked bored.
"Kyle?!" Gardenia asked.
The boy in question coughed in embarrassment and raised his hand. "The fight between Dust the Challenger and Gardenia the Gym leader is about to begin."
"Are you sure about that?" That guy was looking so nervous I couldn't help it.
"Uh w-what?" He stopped flabbergasted.
"Move on." Gardenia sighed.
"Okay…" He fake coughed. "This battle will be a three on three and ends as soon as one side is unable to continue the battle. Only the challenger is allowed to substitute his Pokémon."
He gave both me and Gardenia a look.
We both nodded, holding our designated Pokéball in our palms.
"Begin."
"Go Turtwig!" Gardenia said.
"Luna, you're up." I responded.
Without much fanfare both our Pokémon appeared on the field.
I wasn't at all surprised by Gardenia's choice to throw out Turtwig. It happened in the games and the show. I just wondered if the difference in evolutionary states would tip the scales in our favor.
You never know with Gym leaders.
Considering I was the challenger and had the first move by default, I opted to take a shot. See where it would lead me.
"Luna, Confusion!" I said.
Gardenia took a second to respond. "Dodge it!"
Turtwig nimbly jumped to the side, avoiding the purple rays. Clearly it was more agile than you would expect from any kind of turtle.
"Turtwig, Leech Seed!" Gardenia ordered. Turtwig nodded and began to build up green energy around its back.
"Psybeam!" I yelled.
A purple laser burst from Luna's two horns and hit Turtwig in the head. Causing him to stagger.
"Mega Punch right now!"
"Don't let her get close! Use Wrap!" Gardenia warned.
Turtwig nodded and began to brace himself. He dug his feet into the soil. Around Luna the plant life began to stir. Around Turtwig vines shot up from the ground. About 5 of them, none of them thicker than a thin tree branch.
Luna slowly began to walk to the Turtwig, approaching it while glancing at the newly appeared vines.
"Strike her!"
The vines extended in length and slithered towards the Kirlia like a nest of snakes.
She stopped her movement entirely and gracefully stood still, waiting for the attack to hit home.
As they were about to reach her she vanished in a bright flash. The vines all collided against each other, grasping for an opponent that was no longer there.
Gardenia looked confused, before Luna reappeared again. A wave of shock washed over her. She opened her mouth to shout a warning but it was already too late.
Luna withdrew her fist right as Turtwig spun around.
"Tur-"
Luna pummeled Turtwig right in the face. A small explosion of leaves and dirt followed as the hit connected. Seconds later the poor turtle was thrown across the field.
Two hits. That's all it took?
There were no shouts or cheers coming from the audience. In fact, they looked as surprised as I was.
I could see that Ash was bursting with excitement and was trying to hold it back. Dawn on the other hand looked more terrified.
To be fair, I did not expect the first battle to go this way either.
Was this the result of me grinding way too much? I know the second Gym is supposedly a cakewalk compared to the rest of the game but I expected a little more.
Ah well. I guess Midna and Fay didn't get to play at all.
Luna gracefully dusted herself from all the stirred up sand.
"Turtwig is out," The guy standing on the sidelines said. What was his name again?
Gardenia gave the downed Pokémon a grim look. She drew a Pokéball from her pocket and aimed the beam at Turtwig, returning him to his ball.
"I'm sorry," Gardenia slightly bowed her head. "It seems I made a mistake."
She smiled kindly at me. The smile was really disturbing, seeing as how Luna just bullied Turtwig.
"Apology accepted?" I said, hesitantly. I was not sure what exactly she was apologizing for but I guess politeness doesn't kill anyone.
"I saw you only had 1 badge and no past Gym experiences, so I assumed you were inexperienced. As a Gym leader it's my job to provide a challenge" Gardenia pulled out a new Pokéball. "Please allow me to adjust the challenge a little bit."
With that sudden deceleration, and while keeping a serene smile. Gardenia tossed her Pokéball up in the air. The sphere exploded with a light and from the radiant glow emerged another Pokémon.
I initially wanted to scoff. Gardenia's next Pokémon didn't appear to be much of a threat after all. Though I decided not to underestimate the creature regardless. I did note that it was larger than what I'd expected a specimen from that species to be.
This one was a bit larger than Turtwig, though not by much.
It didn't look particularly frightening. It looked like a flower bud and an Aubergine had crossed blades a bit too much.
I could barely see anything that wasn't covered by the thick purple leaves that covered its entire body, save for a pair of pink stubby feet.
The Cherrim landed on the ground. Despite its small size, it was clearly heavier than it appeared to be as its landing caused a small tremor.
"This one can Teleport!" Gardenia warned Cherrim. "Use Toxic!"
Almost instantly a purple gas was released from within its shell. I thought it would be a good moment for a fart joke but the Toxic was spreading rather fast.
Only a mere second after Gardenia had issued the command, the flower bud managed to cover half of the Arena with a purple fog.
Besides being, well toxic, it was also making it rather hard to see where the thing actually was located.
"Seriously?" I asked Gardenia. "I didn't think this was the poison Gym?"
Gardenia innocently shrugged. The smile on her face was devious. I clearly got her attention now.
A combination of a Stranger and a Shaker. Well, this was very different from what happened in the show.
"If it's too much, I can turn down the difficulty a little." Gardenia offered.
It didn't seem like she was teasing me. But instead she appeared to be genuinely concerned.
Seems like it was going to be fun after all.
Luna gave me a quick glance.
I nodded.
The toxic fog continued to expand across the arena. Crawling up against the force fields and traveling upwards instead. Like smokey tendrils they reached forward, towards the Kirlia.
Luna took a deep breath and unleashed a scream.
Sure, the poisonous fog might make it hard to see for any other Pokémon, but not Luna.
Disarming Voice tore through the hazy fog within a second. Cutting a straight path towards Cherrim and evaporating all the smoke surrounding it.
More purple rays followed behind the Disarming voice, dispelling all the smoke and creating a clear area for Luna to engage.
"Hit it!" I shouted.
"Flower Shield!" A green glow was cast over Cherrim's cocoon. Giving it a brief sparkle.
RIght after that Luna teleported behind Cherrim. Her fist was fiercely glowingwith power. Without wasting a second she hit Cherrim.
It was not nearly as useful as before. Where Turtwig had been tossed across the room like a ragdoll, Cherrim took the hit like a tank. Only staggering a little bit. The green aura covering.
"Leech seed!" Gardenia smiled.
Luna scowled and moved back a little. But not before three tiny pellets were shot in her direction. Again coming from underneath Cherrim's flower bud.
Gardenia smiled. "Toxic!"
Again?!
"Disarming Voice downwards!"
At the same time Cherrim began to expel toxic clouds from its butt, Luna's Disarming Voice hit the ground underneath them.
The shockwave launched Luna upwards while Cherrim was blasted backwards.
It struggled to remain upright as it took a Disarming Voice right to the face.
On the other hand, Luna gracefully landed back on her side of the battlefield.
She smiled smugly before suddenly wincing.
A green glow began to surround both Luna and Cherrim.
Cherrim's body began to sparkle for a few seconds. A translucent form of aura covering its body, well Luna whimpered.
"Leech seed." I groaned.
Okay, this was getting rather annoying. Gardenia's gameplan was apperently to wear down Luna with fucking status effects. While maintaining a distance.
Getting close to Cherrim wouldn't be an issue per se. It just happens to be a Tank as well.
A self healing one at that.
"Return Luna," I quickly recalled. Putting her back inside her Pokéball to prevent further damage.
I idly gazed at the Cherrim. It was slowly bobbing back and forth. Like a big potato. How does that thing even see? Extrasensory organs? Body heat?
Never mind that. I just had to find the gaps in its armor.
I pulled out my other two Pokéballs, quickly determining which one was which. It was really hard keeping them apart.
"Fay, I choose you!" I yelled dramatically as I tossed her Pokéball up.
A small blue Riolu appeared in front of me. She eyed the opponent with confusion. Probably wondering where that thing's face was.
"Ready?" I asked her.
Fay quickly gave me a determined nod before focusing her attention on the Cherrim.
"Quick Attack!"
The Riolu sped towards Cherrim. When she got there the thing tried to hop backwards to dodge the attack but Fay barreled into it. Putting all her body weight behind it.
Not that it was much, and evidently, the Cherrim was not pushed back that far.
"Poison!" Gardenia shouted. "Then stop her with Bullet Seed!'
Fay hastily retreated.
Again, the Cherrim's poison spread way faster than it had any right to. A purple cloud covered both contestants.
"Vacuum Wave into a Meteor Smash!"
"A what!?" Gardenia asked.
A blue sphere of power was generated between Fay's paws.
From the smoke, several small projectiles were shot her way. Each no bigger than a grape. But it was as if they were shot from a machine gun.
However, they didn't go straight for Fay. Instead their range was scattered. Spread instead of focusing on Fay's location.
So, Cherrim hadn't located Fay yet.
That didn't mean that the deadly stream of bullets wasn't heading Fay's way. Slowly but surely Cherrim managed to find its target through the hazy smoke.
I silently counted, trying to determine how long Fay could charge her attack before she would be hit.
When the line of fire was just about to reach her I shouted my command.
"Now!"
Fay released the Aura orb right in front of her. The energy collided with the bullet seed and resulted in a huge Aura explosion.
Blue energy and smoke shot out in every direction. Blasting blue flames in all directions.
They tore through the purple clouds that had been building up. The no longer hidden Cherrim was hit right in the center by the aura blast. it stumbled backwards, struggling to keep itself up.
I smiled. Just as I thought, the shockwave blasted the poison air away leaving a vulnerable Cherrim behind. The purple leaves that covered its body had sustained severe damage by now. And it was looking out of breath, however impossible that might sound.
Cherrim grounded its tiny stubby feet in the dirt while looking at Fay, or where Fay had been seconds ago.
"-Where-" Gardenia voiced her thoughts.
"The fog screen created by the poison goes both ways, you know." I pointed up.
Gardenia's mouth dropped as she saw Fay high up in the air.
"How did she get there?" She asked out loud.
The knockback of her own explosion, but then Countered and aimed downwards. If timed correctly Fay could use the knockback of her own Aura Explosion, negate all damage, and utilize the force of the blast at will.
If timed incorrectly, it would backfire rather hilariously.
"The bigger question is," I had way too much fun. "How will she get down?"
The Riolu unleashed a furious scream as she descended from the sky. Blue smoke trailing behind her form like the tail of a shooting star.
"Is that a-" Gardenia didn't finish her sentence once again.
The blue trail wasn't caused merely by Fay's descent. But by the Aura construct she was manifesting between her paws. The flames that made up the ethereal object were trashing in all directions but despite this Fay managed to hold its shape. The shape of a war hammer.
I triumphantly grinned at Gardenia.
However, instead of faltering she steeled her nerves. "Stun Spore!"
Only a second later Fay's blue glowing hammer collided against the flower bud. A loud squeal was heard from inside the flower bud.
The hammer came down hard on Cherrim but the flower bud had still some life left in it.
A sickeningly green spore was released from underneath its leaves.
The purple cocoon was launched across the arena the same time Fay was exposed to the stun spore.
"Please don't." I whispered.
Fay triumphantly raised to her full height, only to stop midway through as a wave of static electricity covered her body. Causing her to falter.
God fucking damnit. I really hate those status effects.
With a leap Fay retreated back to me. She still looked fine. A little roughed up but still fine.
Regardless of the paralyzing status effect, this fight was still ours.
The referee raised his hand to declare the stupid flower bud dead. Only for Cherrim to raise to it's stupid stubby feet.
"How!?" I muttered.
That thing looked half fucking dead. The leaves were nearly shredded and charred from the previous explosion. The top of its body looked like a vegetable left too long in the sun.
"No fair." Fay groaned.
I was inclined to agree. But reality said no. Despite it's obvious damage the stupid Pokémon still stood its ground.
"Cherrim, use Sunny Day!"
Fuck.
The weird abomination began to perform some weird ritualistic dance. It was more hopping around in a spastic manner than dancing but it did it with vigourous intent.
"Quick Attack!" Don't let it finish."
Above us the sky began to clear. The clouds parted and a beautiful ray of sunlight bore down on the Gym.
Fay bent her knees. Only to wince in pain as a wave of electricity passed over here.
She clenched her teeth and pushed through it with an angry snarl.
Her image blurred and vanished as she zipped towards the dancing flower thing.
Before Fay could land a hit the flower bud began to glow. As if it was about to evolve.
I knew it wasn't the case.
Fay halted her attack as Cherrim's glow became too much to see.
I blinked my eyes. Silently cursing Gardenia's Pokémon for being such a pain in the ass.
Was Sabrina even half this hard? I swear, they were just doing this to annoy me. Cherrim was a joke in the games and anime.
But the joke was on me this time.
The glow began to dissipate and the purple thing had shifted forms. Now, the Cherrim had turned from a bulky flower to a yellow shaped flower petal. With pink blossoms surrounding its head. It looked vaguely like a flower.
Instead of standing on two stubby feet it was now bouncing around on the same two feet. Excitedly hopping up and down like a kid on a sugar rush.
"It blooms during times of strong sunlight. It tries to make up for everything it endured as a bud." A voice came from the sidelines. I glanced to the right. Dawn had taken out her Pokédex and took the time to scan the newly formed critter.
Great timing Dawn.
She saw my glare and subtly put her Pokédex away.
I sighed and turned my gaze back to Cherrim. All of its previous damage seemed to have vanished like snow in the sun.
That didn't seem too good of a sign.
"Tackle!" Gardenia smiled. A smug smile present.
Tackle!?
"Counter!" I instinctively replied. It's a good defensive option in most cases since it protects Fay from all sides and is relatively simple to execute.
But Fate wouldn't have it.
The overly excited flower petal disappeared in a haze. It's almost crazy how fast it moved. Going from weirdly bumping in place to a running dash.
Fay wasn't bothered by the Paralysis for once but her counter was interrupted by Cherrim slamming into her body. Ramming the Riolu using nothing but its head.
Fay readied her claw to face her attacker but Cherrim had run away again. Or flew? That thing moved faster than it had any right to with those stubby legs.
"Do it again!"
Fay's head snapped around to find Cherrim.
"Use your Aura!" I cried out.
Too late.
Cherrim appeared again. This time it buried its head into Fay's side. The impact caused her to be tossed up in the air like a ragdoll.
I grinded my teeth, feeling incredibly frustrated.
Cherrim's Sunshine form was quite faster. Actually, its movement reminded me of Fay's own movement when she was going for quick damage instead of heavy attacks.
"Fay Shield!" I desperately tried. Almost instantaneously a sphere of aura appeared between Fay's paws. It expanded rapidly until it covered her entire body inside a ghostly blue bubble.
Cherrim bounced against it. Scraping against it but failing to do any damage.
"Charge a Solar beam!"
My eyes widened.
The sun was still beaming down on the Gym. Unrelentlessly fueling Cherrim's craziness. If it's tackle was this strong, I didn't want to find out how strong a Solar Beam was while being super charged by Sunny Day.
I swallowed. It wasn't looking good for Fay. Any counter attack she might stage against Cherrim would have to account for the Paralysis status effect.
Not one easily shaken off.
"Fay, return!"
I hastily aimed the red beam at Fay. She was still inside her Aura shield but she dropped it with a sigh. A moment later she was safely inside her Pokéball.
I didn't need to be a psychic to know she was fuming with frustration. So was I.
"You did great." I said out loud. "We'll finish this for you."
I took a look at my other 2 Pokéballs.
Luna was still seeded. Maybe there was some technique we could use to get rid of them but right now we were running low on time.
Luna could be a furious nightmare now the toxic was gone. Only downside. Her presence would heal Cherrim.
I took a look at the other Pokéball. Midna was also a choice. I hadn't used her for any serious battles yet. Nor did she have the combat experience to deal with some crazed up Cherrim high on sunlight.
Also, Gardenia still had a third Pokémon. With her intentions on pushing me to the brink I doubted her Roserade would be a pushover either. Assuming she'd even use that Pokémon. Best to keep an ace up my sleeve.
I pocketed Midna's Pokéball and threw up Luna's ball.
Luna popped out of her Pokéball with a bright dramatic flash. She landed on her feet and starred at the Cherrim.
{Did it evolve?} Luna asked with uncertainty.
"Not exactly," I said. "Just see this as a second phase."
Luna nodded.
Her eyes suddenly shut and she clenched her fist. Her form became surrounded by a green aura. At the same time Cherrim perked up, being covered with the same effect.
Luna grunted. Letting out a small cry.
At the same time Cherrim's skin began to gleam.
"Cher cher!" It yelled at Luna.
"We need to damage it faster than it can heal." I said. Luna nodded. "This might be a suicide charge. Let's not hold back, Spear of Judgment!"
The Psychic didn't wait. She stretched out her hands, causing a telekinetic wave to explode around her.
The ground and foliage was torn open by the shockwave. Cracking loudly as it did.
Luna's eyes were glowing giving off a purple glow while she lifted the debris around her up in the air.
Clumps of earth, hard rock, tree roots and torn off leaves floating menacingly in the air. Every single object charged with static Psychic energy. They began to spin around Luna. Dancing on a non-existent wind.
Luna unleashed a roar. Just as she did, the Leech Seed sapped a little of her energy away. Luna grimaced and cried loudly. The sound was amplified telepathically and forwarded directly towards Cherrim.
Caught by surprise the Cherrim jolted backwards.
Luna took that opening to launch herself forward. Using a Disarming Voice she shot across the arena, followed by a storm of junk. Loosely held together by a telekinetic web.
Luna furiously charged forward. Using a part of some water pipe as a makeshift spear.
"Solar Beam!"
Cherrim began to charge an attack but before it could finish Luna's spear penetrated the flower's defenses.
The entire storm followed suit and an avalanche of debris was thrown across the arena. Cherrim hopped to the side, swiftly dodging a jagged piece of rock. Only to be caught by a chunk of tree bark cutting into its path.
It cried out in blind panic.
I clenched my fist.
"Knock it out! NOW!"
Luna roared. She charged up her fist. It was glowing with energy.
Again the same green haze began to cover them. Visibly levitating Cherrim's pain as the storm shot past the pair.
The sun beamed down as Cherrim redirected its energy into Luna. Covering the Psychic with yellow energy.
Nonetheless, she pushed through.
A shining fist impacted right in the middle of Cherrim's now lost smile. A small shockwave followed. Both Pokémon were tossed away.
The Kirlia managed to land on her feet. Looking quite shaken by the experience.
Cherrim landed flat on its face. It didn't move.
Gardenia and Kyle shared a look. The referee raised his hands.
"Cherrim is out." He announced as the beam engulfed Cherrim.
"Congratulations," Gardenia bowed a little. Looking at her collection of Pokéballs. "Your reputation precedes you." She gave me an innocent smile. "I didn't think you would put up much of a fight. Guess that was my mistake."
I shrugged, not sure what to say. "Thanks."
"However. Do you think you can take on my third Pokémon?" She threw up her final Pokéball. It exploded into a ray of light.
The sphere of light began to expand, growing into a much larger form. One that even towered Luna.
Grotle roared loudly. Stamping one feet down on the dirt.
The turtle was much bigger than its previous form. The shell on its back was covered with bushes and was starting to resemble more of a tank than an actual shell. Grotle snapped open its beak. Releasing a clicking noise.
"...Grotle."
The ground around it was still torn open and littered with junk, but the turtle Pokémon didn't even give it a second glance.
Well, that confirmed my theory that some Gymleaders kept multiple evolutionary stages of the same Pokémon.
Actually, I could just have asked Brock.
Regardless. It would be nice if Luna could end the fight here and now.
"Quick Attack!" Gardenia commanded.
Why would she do that? Luna was tired and getting slow, but not that slow.
"Get out of the way." I ordered
Grotle charged forward. The steps it took resulted in a thunderous boom. Despite this it wasn't extremely quick. Or quick at all. Only that last step did it disappear in the usual haze Quick Attack led into.
It appeared a little bit further ahead, right in Luna's face. Or atleast where she would have been had she not been given all the time to simply move to the left.
Like a rampaging bull Grotle reared its head and trashed it to the side in a vain attempt to hit Luna.
Gardenia's smirk solidified on her face. I had a feeling that this was exactly what she wanted.
But why? All she did was get closer to Luna.
Oh shit.
"Telepo-"
"Now Grotle!"
Grotle roared and slammed its feet down. From underneath its vines erupted. Just like Turtwig had done so in the first round.
But unlike Turtwig these weren't just vines he summoned. Thick green and brown roots exploded from around him. Each one as thick as my arm. Suddenly the turtle became a spider in a web of vines and roots.
The fact the ground had been torn open by Luna's attack before only helped Grotle.
Luna flashed white, signifying her teleport.
Grotle didn't have any of that.
Without wasting time nature's tentacles wrapped themselves around Luna. Hitting her out of her teleport. She twisted, her eyes beaming with anger.
Without my order she blindly fired several purple rays and lasers but all of them struck the earth or the walls. The only result was that she was wasting her energy.
"Disarming Voice!" I said. However, ahead of time I knew this battle was lost for Luna. However, if we could get in an attack at point blank range, Disarming Voice would at least be worth it.
"Finish her with Bulldoze!" Gardenia countered,
A high pitched scream tore through the roots and vines. Hitting Grotle and temporarily freeing the Kirlia from its grip.
Grotle winced under the constant vocal pressure but didn't give in or back down. It roared its own name and a new wave of roots and vines burst from underneath Luna, replacing the ones she damaged.
They wrapped around her frail body and jerked her down.
Like a ragdoll, Luna's body was slammed into the ground. The ground shook from the impact.
Grotle only slammed her down once.
"Grotle!" It roared while backing away from Luna.
Kyle raised his hand.
"Kirlia is out."
I managed to keep my expression neutral as I withdrew Luna with a flash.
Instead I spent my energy on thinking how to ruin that Grotle.
Again, this was another tanky Pokémon. Unlike Cherrim, it didn't use poison but instead tree roots.
A shaker.
Big area of effect attacks.
I sighed and pulled out my last Pokéball.
"I know you're paralyzed." I said without opening the ball. "But don't be a pussy about it."
Without more dramatics I tossed up the Pokéball, releasing the creature inside.
A blue Riolu landed on the field. She glanced around, surprised by the damage the previous fights had caused.
She probably had a lot of questions.
Wisely she decided not to do anything and instead took a good look at the Grotle.
A sly smirk appeared.
She took a pose. Holding out her paws like she was about to conjure up another aura weapon.
Gardenia waited for me to make a move. When I didn't she raised an eyebrow at me. I gestured at her to go at it.
"This one should be easy," Gardenia told Grotle. "Start with a Quick Attack!"
Again, the large creature rampaged forward.
I wondered if Gardenia thought I didn't know what would come next, or if she was convinced I wouldn't be able to change the outcome anyway.
"Wait for it." I ordered.
Nervous murmurs came from the crowd.
At least I was giving them a good show.
Like a bull, Grotle stormed forward. When it noticed its opponent's smile it faltered slightly. but pushed forward nonetheless.
Mentally I counted the steps and time. Being slow made it certainly easier to predict its patterns.
"Now!" I yelled, three steps before its Quick Attack effect would settle in.
Riolu's form began to shine.
Grotle took another step.
The shape of Riolu began to melt into something.
Grotle disappeared in the haze of a Quick Attack just as the shape in front of it began to rapidly expand outwards.
Still confident it was about to hit Riolu, Grotle charged forward.
That was until it looked up.
Its previous meek target had now become replaced by a large blue serpent.
Grotle panicked and dug his feet in the ground, coming to a screeching halt right in front of its target.
Just as it was about to hit Midna did it come to a stop.
With big eyes did it look up at the Gyardos staring it down.
"What the fuck."
"How?"
"Wow!"
"Ahh."
Multiple gasps and cries came from everywhere.
Gardenia's confident smirk dropped as the serpent quite literally blocked the sun with its huge shape.
"Boo!" Midna whispered, her voice deep and raspy.
All of a sudden her eyes began to glow red, her appearance became more frightening with a dark smoke effect pouring away from her.
Well, that was a new move.
Whatever she did, it caused Grotle to slowly back away, or try to at least. It was stuck between being frozen in fear and wanting to run away as quickly as possible.
"...u-use wrap!" Gardenia tried half heartedly.
After a couple seconds of processing the command Grotle regained some movement in its limbs.
Before it could do anything however, Midna's massive tail swept across the arena. Stirring up sand and dead tree roots in her path.
Grotle was thrown across the room, back to its own side.
"Quick Attack!" I shouted.
The Zorua acted immediately. Her form changed back to a much smaller one.
The dark fox Pokémon dashed forward, a mad grin on her face.
She was much quicker than Grotle had been. Even if Grotle wasn't still getting up it would have been unable to avoid Midna slamming into it.
Using her own body, Midna and Grotle were both sent sprawling. Grotle obviously took the brunt of the hit.
The turtle landed on its side. With Midna standing over it.
It was almost comedic. How the small fox in that moment seemed to tower over the turtle. At least her presence made it feel like that.
"Use Mega Drain!" Gardenia's shout sounded faint and distant. Part of the background noise instead of an urgent order.
Grotle looked up fearfully at the small Zorua.
Midna gave it a toothy grin. Again, the eyes began to glow and her appearance became hazy.
"Scary Face?" I heard Dawn mumble from the sidelines.
That explained it.
Midna spoke. Despite her whispering it, I could still hear it clear as day.
"I suggest you stay down." The teeth in Midna's mouth shined valiantly.
Grotle's eyes rolled back in its head.
Then it went limp.
A few seconds passed in which nothing happened.
Both Gardenia and the referee Kyle were gaping at Midna.
She took one look at the referee.
"Shouldn't you say something?" She asked with a sweet voice.
"Uh-huh-ugh," He clapped his own cheeks and shook his head.
He pointed his hand up. "Dust the Challenger and his…thing, won the battle."
A/N This chapter is almost 7K words, that's why it was a little bit later. I hope I didn't mess up anything.
I spent a lot of time researching what would work best for this chapter. In game, Cherrim is trash, but I'd thought it would be cool to make it's Pokédex entry more relevant.
So, I hope this chapter was enjoyable and all.
And with that, all the stuff in Eterna should be done.
Thanks to my editor who hasn't gone hollow yet; Arxalier.
Thanks for reading again. Remember to stack up on potions, we'll be heading out soon.
-CaptainMoonShine-
(Reviews)
-Venator1995: Poke souls. Sounds more than a little frightening. Walking around the sewers and finding the Gaping Dragonite and cheesing the Tauros Demon on the ramparts while the Hellkite Salamence observes
A: Don't worry, most of the enemies will be weak to fire-types.
Martin-di-Arcov:
Don't worry, I am speedrunning Skyrim. I cleared every side quest in Whiterune already!
Kidmonkey94:
A: You're right, thanks for pointing out.
Guest: (Shrug emoji here)
K.I. Hernandez
A: Glad you like it so much.
Leave Reviews. Or I will leave sand in your bed!