Junior: Welcome back everybody!
Jade: We should be welcoming you back, considering you are the one that went offline and dumped all this on me, DO YOU KNOW HOW FREAKING HARD IT IS TO NAVIGATE AO3?
Junior: Hey, in all honesty, I should be chewing you out, these chapters are to be posted with a two days gap in between. Else, the convo between us…
Jade: I DON'T CARE, I am never using AO3 ever again, you do your thing and additionally take care of the reader base in AO3.
Junior: Amn't I the one who takes care of readers here also? You just give comments and annoy me in intros.
Jade: Disclaimer: We don't own Pokemon.
Junior: Ok you give disclaimer too, but first the REVIEWS!
Guest: Hahahaha, man wouldn't that be freaking cool? But in all honesty, who would care about Types when you have three freaking legendaries on your team? Also if you are someone who is trying to teach your challengers, then you should be defeatable, not like a freaking barrier but a wall to climb.
Someone: Finally, someone from my old readers base. Although my previous story didn't gather much attention, it did gather a lot of attention compared to this, not sure why though? But I really felt bad taking down that story, but I had to due to some guidelines. I am glad that you are loving my improvised version, no thanks in small part to the small snippets Jade gives, waiting for your review on this one. And I have started working on the Giovanni one. It might take some time since I still have to define some rules of Aura, battle situations and most importantly team and tactics. I just hope it will be worth the wait and hype I have been creating.
Junior: Hope you guys understood why I had to go on a small hiatus. But since the LAN is back on in my hostel, we will try to set a pace.
Jade: But before we go into the chapter, be warned. This is not a battle between ships, this is just a battle between a water type gym leader and a coordinator cum performer we all know off, and for god's sake don't bring in Ash here. That is also the reason I made Junior delete some parts hinting at Ash. This is all to avoid flames, as Serena just appeared in Journeys, some morons will be on all time high, so do me a favor and don't be a moron.
Junior: Don't be so harsh, we don't have that large of a base, sadly. But I am sure we will slowly improve. Also, people if you have any battle requests, please PM me. You can specify teams, moves, strategies(although I might change some of them, so be sure to tell which you want the most) and if you can convince me, who can win.
And without further ado, let's take off.
"The city of flowing water and blooming flowers. What a beautiful introduction." Serena said as she read the sign board.
Serena was now just a few miles from Cerulean city. She could see the natural beauty of Cerulean, the buzzing of the city. It pumped her even more for the upcoming gym battle.
That's right, Serena is here for the cascade badge gym challenge. Which might have been ludicrous a few months ago, but now? Not so much.
All thanks to Nando. She met him at the Rustboro city contest. When she heard the rumors that Nando already has 4 badges, she was surprised to say the least. After the contest, she asked Nando if that was true and when he confirmed it, Serena was blown out of her mind. Managing contests alone was hard, the time constraints, the practice, the skills and most importantly the emotional baggage. Adding a gym challenge will surely make it impossible to bear right?
"Very true Serena. But like Bianca, Assistant to Professor Juniper of Unova, said it need not be the end that counts, the journey is what counts really. And I am perfectly agreeing with those words. What I learnt from both sides is amazing and I am sure that I will learn even more. You should also give it a try." was Nando's answer.
Serena put some thought into it but ultimately decided that if she has time to worry, she has time to try it out.
Her first gym challenge was the Rustboro one. It was tough, and she lost. But in the end, she learnt that gym leaders are too performers. They showcase the elegance, beauty and power of the type they specialize in. And Serena started taking on some gym challenges.
While she would only challenge the gym once due to her constraints, she always learned something from them. Gradually she became stronger, more knowledgeable and dare she sat, matured. Nando was right, trainers and coordinators can not only inspire one other but also teach one another.
Now she is at Cerulean city, a city she knew about from Ash. He said that the recent gym leader was a great gym leader and she couldn't wait till she battled Misty.
Misty was having a normal day so far. No trainers challenged her, which meant only paperwork. Her gym has recently been promoted to an elite gym, alongside the saffron, fuschia and vermillion gyms. While most of the paperwork is done, there is still a small part left.
Currently, she was reading a letter from the League. The mail requests an elite gym leader to oversee a foreign exchange with an alolan school at Oak's laboratory. While the idea of sending an elite gym leader to babysit some students from alola sounds ludicrous, the catch is that they have an appointed gym challenge. Which was kinda new, Alola has a relatively scarce trainers strong enough to even attempt the gym challenge .
"Misty, a trainer has arrived to challenge you." Her cadet, Saime, said as she peeked into her 'office'.
"Well, then I am coming." Misty said as she got up and stretched her body.
"But, there is a small problem." Saime said.
"What is it?" Misty asked, leaving her office and heading toward the arena.
"She doesn't have the required number of badges." Saime said which stopped Misty.
"Then why did you allow her in the first place?" Misty said sternly. Ever since the gym became an elite gym, Misty made it clear she isn't going to take challenges from novices.
"She does have badges, but not kanto badges." Her cadet hastily corrected. "She has requested to meet with you once, that she has an explanation for this."
Misty nodded and continued her walk to the arena. This person seems interesting.
When she came to the arena, she found her challenger sitting near the benches. The challenger was a tall and slender girl with fair skin and honey blonde hair that reached her shoulders. She wore a buttoned up red jacket on a long sleeved black undershirt and a red skirt that just reached her knees and had black thigh high stockings along with mid knee length brown boots and a gray hat. The girl doesn't seem to be a troublemaker and has a warm smile on her face as she waved at Misty. Misty relaxed at this, at least they seem to be the polite type.
"Hello, I am Serena. I am a performer from Kalos and presently am coordinating in Hoenn." Serena said as she bowed.
Misty was surprised, Kalos was a region far away from Kanto. It is not everyday you see one from there, that too a performer.
"Hi, I am Misty, the cerulean city gym leader and a water type master." Misty introduced herself and shook hands with the trainer.
"It is a pleasure to meet you. I read about your interview at goldenrod radio, miss internationally known beauty." Serena said as she giggled.
Misty too shared a smile as she remembered about that part. She wanted to kill DJ Mary for the nickname back then, but now she found it funny and flattering.
"So why did you want to take the gym challenge?" Misty asked, once the laughter died.
"Gym leaders are not only known for their mastery of strength but also their display of elegance in the type they specialize in. And as a coordinator and performer, I try to bring out that elegance from my pokemon. So, I wanted to watch and learn from you." Serena said firmly without an ounce of doubt.
"Wow, that is the most unique response I have ever heard from a trainer as to why they wanted to challenge me." Misty said, not at all trying to hide the excitement in her voice.
"So, can I please have a battle with you?" Serena asked hopefully.
"Yes, you can. How does a 3 on 3 battle sound? But first, how strong are you?" Misty asked.
"3 on 3 sounds amazing. As for the second one, I was able to win the rainbow badge." Serena answered, showing off her rainbow badge.
"That's great. I hope our battle will teach you what you are looking for." Misty said with a confident smile as she walked to the other side of Arena and clapped her hands.
Immediately, the arena in between them opened up and a medium sized shallow swimming pool sprung up. There were some floating islands and rocky structures for land to stand on.
"This is an official battle between Gym leader Misty and Coordinator Serena. The challenger can use up to a maximum of 6 pokemon and only the challenger is allowed to substitute." The referee announced as he took his position.
"Come on out, Dewgong." Misty called for her Dewgong.
"Here we go, come on out pancham." Serena tossed her pokeball.
"A pancham huh? Let's see." Misty challenged.
"Battle begin." The referee declared.
"Pancham, dark pulse." Serena ordered.
Pancham charged its dark pulse and quickly fired, but Dewgong easily evaded the attack in water.
"Now, use water pulse." Misty ordered.
Dewgong went deeper as it made a twirl and released a water pulse from its horn. The spinning caused some water to gather around the orb as it flew towards Pancham.
"Ice punch it back." Serena ordered.
Pancham's hands took on a bluish white glow and then Pancham proceeded to punch the water pulse. The water pulse rebounded back into the water and the water gathered around turned into ice and broke off into splinters, casting a beautiful scenery.
'She wasn't joking about coordinating.' Misty thought as she was impressed by not only elegance, but also the power of move.
"Dark pulse, into the water." Serena ordered immediately.
Pancham dived forward from the attack into the water and let loose a dark pulse. Misty was surprised to see Pancham easily glide through the water and attack Dewgong, but Misty too had a trick up her non-existent sleeve.
"Use avalanche." Misty ordered.
Dewgong recovered from the attack and fired off the few icicles at Pancham, who was flung out of water from the force of attack. Serena grimaced as she knew that the avalanche hit hard since Pancham moved first.
"Dewgong, waterfall attack." Misty ordered.
"Dark pulse, circular formation." Serena countered.
Pancham landed on a nearby rock and charged up another ball slowly in its hand.
Dewgong took to the surface and charged at Pancham in a zig-zag movement to confuse Pancham but Pancham was concentrating on the pulse. When Dewgong was near enough, "Now." Serena called.
Pancham let loose the attack in the direction Dewgong was at, to which Dewgong easily sidestepped before the attack even launched. But what happened next shocked Misty and Dewgong.
Pancham's dark pulse, instead of going in a beam, came off as circular waves onto Dewgong, which Dewgong couldn't avoid. After the first wave, Pancham shot the remaining attack in its normal beam format at Dewgong.
'She isn't an easy one. She really knows how to battle.' Misty thought as she smiled.
"Dewgong, waterfall attack." Misty ordered as Pancham was panting from the exertion while Dewgong shot forward at full speed towards Pancham.
"Dodge it." Serena ordered.
As Dewgong was about to attack, Pancham jumped causing Dewgong to fall into the water behind Pancham. Dewgong didn't give up and shot at Pancham, who was randomly dodging the move. Pancham jumped, skipped to the left, hopped to right, flip over between extremes, sometimes onto other rocks.
'Why does this feel familiar?... That's right, Bailey. This is her style of evading attacks by dancing.' Misty was impressed by all the tricks Serena is pulling off.
"Pancham, use stone edge on the rocks." Serena ordered.
Misty was not sure where this was going, but Pancham punched the rock he was standing on as a rock formed slamming into Dewgong who was going at Pancham with another waterfall attack. But they forgot just how strong Dewgong's waterfall is, thus were met with a strong waterfall attack to face. The attack wasn't strong enough to launch Pancham several feet into air like Misty wanted, instead only onto a platform a few feet behind.
"Avalanche." Misty ordered.
Dewgong launched multiple icicles at the platform.
"Knock them off with Arm thrust and Ice punch." Serena ordered.
Pancham started to break away all the icicles, even as the platform wiggled a bit from Pancham forcefully hopping on it. But when the platform tilted slightly forward, Serena changed the plan.
"Stone edge and propel yourself." Serena ordered.
Pancham landed on the tilted side, causing the platform to get even tilted, but as Pancham landed a rock protruded from the platform causing Pancham to propel.
"Arm thrust." Serena ordered.
"Water pulse." Misty countered.
Dewgong prepared a water pulse, but just as it was to be fired, Pancham thrusted it back onto Dewgong along with the Arm thrust causing Dewgong to be thrown several feet backwards in water.
Pancham too was knocked back from the force, but significantly less.
'Dewgong took way more damage than expected, but that should mean Pancham is a fighting type!' Misty thought as she berated herself for not taking that into account, but in her defense, Pancham looked every bit a dark type.
"Dewgong Rain dance." Misty called as Dewgong cried out, causing a downpour to start in the gym.
"Pancham, end this with dark pulse." Serena ordered.
And Pancham did exactly that as Dewgong set up the rain.
"Thanks Dewgong, you set the stage. Leave the rest to us. Come on out, my blue beauty." Misty threw her pokeball as her Azumarill appeared.
"Pancham, return. Thanks for your help." Serena said as she returned her pancham. "Go, sylveon."
Misty's heart melted at the sight of such a cute pokemon. Fairy types are quite uncommon in the Kanto region and even her azumarill wasn't as cute as Sylveon.
"That's a very good Sylveon you got but we are not going easy on you." Misty said as her azumarill punched her hands together.
"Thanks but the same goes to you as well." Serena said.
"Azumarill, use scald." Misty called.
"Quick attack." Serena countered.
Azumarill spat a large torrent of gushing hot water towards Sylveon, but Sylveon was barely able to dodge the move even with the increased speed. Then it proceeded to envelope itself in white energy as it charged towards Azumarill.
"Bulldoze." Misty ordered.
Azumarill stomped its legs as Sylveon neared and threw itself forward to collide with Sylveon. Both pokemon were pushed back into the water. But the blue aura around Sylveon indicated the decrease in speed.
"Now, surf." Misty ordered.
The waves twisted violently as they pulled Sylveon in, thanks to the rain. When the waves reached enough height, Azumarill, who was on top of it, brought down the attack upon Sylveon.
"Use fairy winds." Serena ordered.
Sylveon gathered up the energy and shot her ribbons forward, causing the violent winds due to rain and surf to take upon a pinkish glow as they collided with the surf. Both the waves collided with one another equally, but the rain seems to be favoring surf, slightly.
"Scald." Misty ordered.
Azumarill shot the hot water from behind the surf for extra footing while Sylveon couldn't dodge the move thanks to being tossed by the waves. The attack pushed Sylveon back into a rock and caused the surf to collapse on itself, making violent waves shake the water pool. Azumarill just dived into the depths but Sylveon was not so lucky as she was relentlessly pushed against the rock for a few seconds.
Suddenly the rain stopped, causing the waves to die down and Sylveon got back up onto the rocks. Serena could see that the waves turned over the platforms, so they should be careful with their steps there.
Azumarill jumped onto a platform, panting just like Sylveon but looking way better than Sylveon.
"Azumarill, use scald." Misty ordered.
"Go in for the quick attack." Serena ordered.
Sylveon pushed back on its hindlegs and powered itself with white energy and shot forward at Azumarill. Azumarill too simultaneously shot the boiling water.
But just as the water was about to make contact, Sylveon slowed down enough to be visible and shielded itself with a protect while still charging at Azumarill with enough force.
Misty was impressed as Sylveon charged at Azumarill with enough strength and strong enough protect to knock back Azumarill. Sylveon meanwhile managed to stand straight without slipping on the wet platform.
'That was an incredible combo, maybe just like him.' Misty thought. Serena too shared the sentiment.
"Bulldoze." Misty ordered.
Azumarill stomped its legs, causing the platform to rock and Sylveon lose its footing on the wet surface. And then she charged and tackled Sylveon back. Sylveon became airborne but safely landed on a rock. But Sylveon's speed once again decreased.
"Swift." Serena ordered.
Sylveon let out a barrage of yellow concrete stars, which Azuarill couldn't dodge and was hit, sliding back on the platform till its edge.
"Follow it with fairy wind." Serena ordered.
"Into the water." Misty ordered and Azumarill went into the water, evading the attack.
"Now, use play rough." Misty ordered.
Azumaril shot from Sylveon south west and attacked at Sylveon relentlessly as Sylveon tried to dodge, but failed most time due to the limited space.
"Quick attack." Serena ordered.
Sylveon charged at Azumarill and managed to push back it.
"Follow it with Swift." Serena ordered.
"Counter with scald." Misty countered.
Both the attacks neutralized each other, but neither trainers were done.
"Quick attack." "Bulldoze"
Sylveon surrounded itself with white streaks of energy while Azumarill stomped the ground, surrounding itself with some dust.
And just like that, they charged at one another, when they clashed neither budged an inch. The resulting shockwave caused the water in the pool to ripple and splash out violently. A split second later, an explosion took place.
"Sylveon" "Azumarill" Both trainers worriedly called for their respective pokemon. If either fainted, they doubted they could make it to the surface.
Misty was about to leap when out of the dust both pokemon came out, on two different broken parts of the platform. It seemed the shockwave and explosion caused the platform to break apart. Both the pokemon were clearly fainted.
"You made mommy proud, take good rest now sweetheart." Misty said as she recalled her Azumarill.
"Thank you for the great performance, Sylveon." Serena too recalled her Sylveon.
"Well this is my last pokemon, but don't underestimate his strength. Go, Psyduck." Misty called for her Psyduck.
Psyduck emerged from the ball, standing firmly on the rocky shores.
"The same goes for you too, go Delphox." Serena called for her loyal starter.
"Wow, your Delphox looks well groomed." Misty commented.
"Thanks, she likes to be clean and we try our best." Serena said.
Serena then looked at Psyduck who had a blank look on its face. She wasn't sure whether the pokemon is present here or not.
"Well let's get on equal ground, shall we?" Misty said as she clapped her hands once more.
This time though, all the water from the pool was emptied and the platform raised to show a rocky terrain, with the previous rocky shores becoming long standing rocks.
Both Psyduck and Delphox jumped down onto the ground, which was just a few feet below their feet.
"Delphox, use hidden power." Serena said once they were ready.
Many white orbs started surrounding Delphox as she blasted the orbs at Psyduck.
"Use fury swipes to deflect them." Misty ordered.
Psyduck started swiping at the orbs being thrown his way, but the force was pushing him back.
'Misty wasn't joking.' Serena thought.
"Ok, Delphox, flamethrower." Serena ordered.
"Psyduck, use disable." Misty ordered.
This time however, Psyduck stood still. The flames hit Psyduck but the duck pokemon stood strongly. Serena awed at the strength, until Psyduck emerged from the flames, face completely burnt but with the same vacant look and let out a "Psy" as if sighing.
"Uhh, is your Psyduck … alright?" Serena asked, not knowing if alright is the correct word.
"He is fine and dandy. We are just warming up." Misty said as she rubbed the back of her head.
"Ok, Delphox use scratch." Serena ordered.
Delphox started hopping around and directly slashed at Psyduck's face, causing the duck pokemon to be knocked off his feet into a nearby rock.
"Use hidden power now." Serena commanded, not wanting Psyduck to gain his balance for long.
Delphox howled as many white orbs started flowing around it as before. But just as she was about to fire them, Psyduck's eyes turned white and Delphox was covered in a white aura. All the orbs dissociated and Delphox was left stunning.
"What just happened?" Serena asked confused and worriedly at her Delphox, who was not still recovering from her brief paralysis. What was that move? How powerful is it to be able to..
"Hehe, Psyduck just used Disable." Misty explained.
Serena stopped for a minute and looked at Misty, then at Psyduck. She was equally confused and baffled. Then she just let out a laugh as she clutched her stomach. Misty on other hand had a smile of amusement and sighed.
"Sorry, it was too funny. But anyways now that you are warmed up, Delphox use Scratch." Serena said.
Delphox once again swiped at the duck, again knocking him into a rock. Serena just cringed, ' Psyduck doesn't seem to be even holding his ground at least.'
"Here it comes. Be ready Serena." Misty warned as she smiled.
"Psy-eyh-eyh" Psyduck shouted, a blue aura surrounding its eyes and a small blue tint covering its body.
"Hydro pump." Misty ordered.
Psyduck shot a powerful hydro pump at Delphox that knocked Delphox off her feet. The attack didn't stop as it crushed Delphox through a rock and into another rock. Serena was awed by the strength of Psyduck. That was a really powerful hydro pump for an unevolved pokemon.
"Mystical fire." Serena ordered.
"Use psychic and end this." Misty ordered as Psyduck brought forward its hand and raised them, causing Delphox to be covered in a blue aura as it was lifted.
Delphox fired its attack but Psyduck just swiped its hand as Delphox was pummeled to ground. When the fires were about to reach Psyduck, he shot forward his hands, causing the flames to redirect onto the Delphox, who was just getting up.
The attack knocked down Delphox again, but then a white aura dissipated from Delphox. The disable wore off.
"Hidden power." Serena commanded.
Delphox roared as many orbs surrounded herself and were fired off faster than Psyduck could move.
"Psychic and get out." Misty said.
The orbs started to attack Psyduck on his face, causing him to lose balance before the blue aura strengthened and all the orbs stopped.
Psyduck righted himself as he swiped his arms, causing all the orbs to fire back at Delphox. This completely knocked Delphox off.
"Thanks for your help Delphox, you were amazing. Go pancham." Serena tossed out Pancham's pokeball.
"Pancham use stone edge." Serena ordered.
"Use hydropump." Misty ordered, since she knew using Psychic anymore will cause the psychic powers to sleep.
Psyduck sprayed a strong current of water at the incoming rocks that were being sprung and broke through them and attacked Pancham. Pancham skidded back as he stood his ground against the attack.
"Pancham, use dark pulse." Serena ordered.
"Psyduck use disable." Misty countered.
And just like with Delphox, Pancham's attack was stopped before Serena could counter. Serena had to quickly come up with a plan.
'The fact that Misty didn't use Psyhic shows that Misty thinks Pancham is a dark type.' Serena thought, "Stone edge." She ordered.
'I need to come up with a plan to stop Psyduck, if Misty finds out that Pancham is fighting type, this will end. Wait, I just need to stop Psyduck ,right.' Serena thought as she got a plan in. It was risky but she needs to do it.
"Pancham, use arm thrust and get in." Serena ordered.
Pancham jumped up towards a stone he formed and hit it hard with arm thurst to thrust himself towards Psyduck.
"Use arm thurst." Serena ordered.
"Use fury swipes and dodge them." Misty said.
Pancham missed the arm thrust, as it made a crack in the ground. But then Psyduck closed in and started swiping at Pancham.
Pancham expertly dodged the swipes as he danced around the claws.
"Use Psychic." Misty commanded after the first two swipes missed, she might not have time.
"Ice punch now." Serena ordered hastily. If the move didn't freeze Psyduck, she is so done.
As Psyduck prepared his psychic, Pancham used all of his strength and sent a ice punch to face for Psyduck. The attack was trong enough to push back Psyduck several feet back. But then the blue aura surrounding his eyes, evaporated. And a white aura evaporated from Pancham.
"Use dark pulse and end this." Serena ordered as Pancham got his breath back and jumped forward into the air as he charged the attack on the 'psychic' type. But Psyduck seems to be holding his head very strongly, as if it was in great pain.
"Use psychic." Misty ordered as Serena looked up at her. How can Misty order Psyduck who is clearly in pain?
But Psyduck gave a loud cry, that was surely a battle cry and punched his hand forward into the air in front of him.
Before Serena could blink, Pancham was launched back into the wall behind her and fainted as Psyduck emitted a lot of aura before dissipating all and collapsing from exertion.
"Return Psyduck, you did a great job." Misty said.
"Thanks Pancham, you were amazing." Serena said as she returned Pancham, "Why did you do that?" Serena shouted.
Misty was dumbfounded at the questionable and it clearly showed as Serena raged and stomped over to Misty.
"Why did you use Psyduck even when he was in great pain?" Serena shouted as she poked Misty on her heart.
"That's because that's how Psyduck works. Ask your Pokedex if you want." Misty too didn't back down from Serena.
Serena didn't calm down as she ripped open her pokedex and searched for Psyduck.
"Psyduck, the duck pokemon.
Psyduck is always tormented by its chronic headache. But when the pain grows higher, Psyduck's Brain cells activate in a trance and awaken its potent psychic powers, the powers exhausting Psyduck into a slumber and decreasing his headache further. But it will have no memory of the powers being used or the moves performed in the trance."
Serena completely cooled down after listening to the entry and had a sympathetic look on her face.
"That seems like an awful life to live, to only have its power awakened if it experiences great headaches and to never remember how to decrease your headache." Serena said.
"Pokemon are different from us, Serena. Once the psychic powers activate, they 'sort' out his headache for him and he will be fine for a some time before the headache strikes back. But that is what he is accustomed to, we can't let our morals cloud our interests, we are their trainers, the ones who take the hard choice." Misty explained softly.
This was a really sensitive topic, even among the scientific community. She tried everything but easing Psyduck's headache was never working. Psyduck should either always sleep or use his psychic powers more, which takes a massive headache to occur. The answer was never easy, it was cruel but the end result of seeing Psyduck more active and lively made it all worth it.
"Thanks Misty. I hope Psyduck will get better with his headache or evolve sooner. And thanks for the battle, it was amazing." Serena said as she bowed once more to Misty.
Misty just smiled and shook her hands with Serena, she knew the answer Serena heard is not exactly an easy answer but life is never exactly black and white.
Serena though, kept a small smile on her face as she left the gym, with a truth she may or may not bear with. But one that is a lesson she is sure to use.
Junior: Sorry for the repost. I forgot to update this actually. The last one was written directly on fanfiction in my mobile, but this was the one on my laptop, the final version. I forgot to press save the last time. Won't make the same mistake again.
Jade: Great. Forgive this loaf of idiot as I once quoted and move on. If you like the story, please favorite it. Any words, praises, constructive criticism you got, leave it in the reviews. Even better, got a battle request, PM this idiot here.
Junior: Pretty much it, except I am not an idiot. Anyways, until next time,
- Jade & Junior.