Castelia Arc: The Last Straw

"Jump on Skarmory's back!" Burgh shouted. Leavanny jumped against the wall, elegantly pushed off with its feet and landed on Skarmory's back. The flying-type Pokémon shrieked and tried to throw Leavanny off, but it held onto it with all its might. "Now, Energy Ball again, right up close!" Leavanny created a green ball in front of it and smashed it against Skarmory's back with force. It shrieked loudly and crashed into the ground. Leavanny was able to jump off of it in time and landed on the floor elegantly. "Oh Arceus, Skarmory!" Mari ran up to it. "Did you hurt yourself?" The Pokémon raised its head and got back onto its feet. It shook its head. Apparently, it had landed in such a way that it didn't hurt its wings in the fall. Mari exhaled in relief. "Good... Then, we'll continue." It nodded. "Aerial Ace!" Skarmory was back in the air much faster than Leavanny could react. Skarmory's claws hit it with such force that it was nearly knocked to the ground itself. Skarmory soared higher into the air again with powerful wing beats. "Don't let up! Agility and then Steel Wing!" Skarmory lit up again and shot down so fast it was hard to follow with one's eyes. It rammed Leavanny to the ground so violently that sand stirred up in all directions. Leavanny shrieked. "Leavanny!" Burgh shouted. "Are you all right?" It nodded as it shakily sat back up. "Get up", the gym leader demanded, and Leavanny nodded as it struggled to get back onto its feet. "We're going to finish this battle with Solar Beam." Leavanny raised its arms and shot a massive beam at Skarmory. It was able to dodge, however, the attack hit its wing. It cried out and was forced to land to avoid crashing into the ground yet again. It croaked and then opened fire at Leavanny with Swift. Its foe returned an Energy Ball and both attacks collided and exploded with a loud bang. "Skarmory, can you rise into the air one last time?" Mari asked. "Just for a moment?" It nodded with narrowed eyes. "All right. Then use Aerial Ace!" Skarmory powerfully pushed itself off the ground one last time and used its wings to glide. It was in pain, but it bit through it. It burst through the smoke created by the explosion and surprised Leavanny with its attack. It was hit and staggered back before its legs gave way and it collapsed. Skarmory landed and all of its strength left it as it went down as well. "Skarmory!" Mari ran to it and knelt beside it. "You were top notch, really. You did well." She petted it and then withdrew it. Burgh stood there shocked for a moment, but then smiled honestly and withdrew his own Pokémon. "Not bad. You fought through valiantly.",
"Gabite can still fight... That means I won", Mari stated.
"Yes, rightfully so." The gym leader nodded and came up to her. He pulled out a small box and opened it. Inside gleamed the Insect Badge. "Here, this is your trophy. You earned it fair and square." Mari carefully took the badge out of the box and turned it around in the light. A wide grin appeared on her face. "Yass! My third badge!" Jacky came up to her and put a hand on her shoulder. "You did great, Mari.",
"Thanks." She carefully placed the badge in the well of her badge box and then folded it back shut. "Skarmory and Gabite need to recover. They gave their all to get me this badge.",
"Let's go then!" Jacky sneezed and marched off. Mari waved at Burgh. "Thank you for everything!",
"I have to thank you." He waved back before Mari left the gym.

After Mari dropped off her Pokémon, the two sat in the lobby. Jacky flipped through a magazine again, coughing and sneezing, while Mari watched the other people in the Pokémon Center. When her gaze fell outside, her face contorted. "Hey... we know that guy out there, don't we?" she sighed.
"Huh?" Jacky lifted her gaze and looked outside as well, where she could make out the black-haired fiend, Dino, and another trainer. "X-Scissor, Pinsir!" Dino commanded, and his Pokémon shot forward with insane speed. It threw itself against the opponent's Girafarig, which hit the ground and fainted. "...Well, that's Dino, the guy from the ship..." The blonde-haired stated, looking less than thrilled. Mari nodded. "Yay, he's here. Such joy.",
"He has a Pinsir. Let's see..." Jacky put down her magazine and pulled out her Pokédex. "A bug-type", Mari grumbled. 'Pinsir- The Stag Beetle Pokémon. Pinsir is astoundingly strong. It can grip a foe weighing twice its weight in its horns and easily lift it. This Pokémon's movements turn sluggish in cold places', the device's computer voice buzzed. "Man, that sounds really strong..." Jacky commented.
"I don't care!" Mari growled, groaning as Dino entered the Pokémon Center. "Speak of the devil... I was hoping I wouldn't have to see that face up close again." Dino spotted her immediately and lifted his chin snidely. "Nice to see you again, too.",
"It's not mutual." Mari replied. "Don't you have anything better to do than pussyfoot around here and get on our nerves?"
Jacky also looked at Dino and stood up. "Hello, Dino." she said, ignoring Mari's comment. Dino's gaze drilled itself into the black-haired girl, unimpressed. "Don't YOU have anything better to do than play the diva here, wannabe trainer?",
"Don't you get all smug with me, snotty asshole!" she replied unapologetically, but with eyes blazing in anger.
"Mari, give it a rest.", Jacky soothed her. "He's not worth it.",
"Oh, and smart-aleck is protecting her aggressive friend?" Dino sneered, as if it was the funniest thing in the world. "Too obvious. Yet you call yourself a tactician." How did this idiot even know that?
"That's enough!" Mari jumped up as if stung by an Ariados, grabbed him by the collar and pushed him more or less violently against the wall.
"Mari, stop! Quit it!" Jacky grabbed her by the shoulder and pulled her back.
"You idiot! You're a total prick!" the black-haired girl spat in Dino's direction. "I really wouldn't be surprised if no human on this planet could stand your ass!",
"Enough." Jacky looked at her calmly and then turned to Dino. The latter showed little hurt. Seemingly, Mari's rant didn't faze him in the slightest. A mocking glint showed up in his dark eyes. "Let it go, Dino. Is it because of Noibat",
"Tch!" He waved it off. "One of the weakest dragon-type Pokémon... I don't need it for the League. For you, it fits like a glove." He eyed her sardonically. "A pipsqueak for the smart-al-",
"Save your insults." Jacky growled angrily- this was one of the few moments she lost her usual calm- and took a step forward. "Just because you've practically got both feet in the league already doesn't mean you're better than me or her!",
"Hmph..." He just laughed softly. "You think you can impress me? Oh, please. I'm an ace fighter and battle professional." He emphasized the word "professional", making Jacky even more upset. "You'll never even make it into the league like this. You and your puny-",
"ENOUGH!" it burst out of Jacky and she clenched a hand into a fist. "You've gone over the top, Dino! I challenge you!"