Chapter 45 – Battling Through
Jill's eyes were brimming with tears. Epona's screams of pain were drowning out everything else in the young woman's mind. It took her back to that place, the screeches from the darkness, the deaths of Cyrus' Pokemon over and over. The callousness of it all. That wall of despair was closing around Jill's mind, unfeeling and unflinching.
Steady your breathing. That ancient presence flowed up through Jill's body. There wasn't a pressure with it this time however. This was something different. It felt as though she was no longer in her own body.
You are still there. No anger this time. Just… compassion? The presence laughed. Normally I would not take such a direct approach. But this once I am here.
"Why?" Jill said aloud. Time seemed to be standing still in this moment.
I am needed. Jill didn't understand. You still doubt yourself, and yet you shouldn't. I have seen your soul Jillian Heart, and it is pure. You feel with your Pokemon. You allow them to be greater than themselves, and they you. So I am here to remind you of this. Epona will be alright.
"She's bleeding!"
Yes.
"She's hurt!"
Not fatally.
"This is just like your world!" Jill cried the last statement out. But she no longer saw the battlefield. She was staring into Korabas' ruby eyes. The massive Pokemon was encircling Jill, but not in a threatening way.
Let not the wanderings of your mind take root. Those words… Jill flashed back to earlier in her journey. The ghosts had given her nightmares, of all those things that she had failed at. Here again, Jill was failing. But was she? The young woman looked down at her hands, thinking hard. There is power within you. You simply need to grasp hold of it. Your family will follow.
"I don't think I'm worthy" Jill whispered.
You are more worthy than you could ever realize child. The young woman looked up, and saw once more her wounded partner. But the Luxray wasn't killing Epona. It had simply been instinct, yet held back because of its training. This wasn't a battle to the death. This wasn't Team Galactic.
"Epona return!" Jill pulled out her Pokeball and returned the fire type. While she was still reeling from the brutality, she still had a fight on her hands. The young woman looked down at her next Pokeball.
"Jill… are you alright?" Volkner asked not unkindly. The crowds roar was still there, people uncaring about the fact that Jill was shaken. Rather they were convinced they were seeing the comeback from their gym leader. The electric leader however, was fully aware as to what Jill was feeling.
"I'm… I'm fine." Jill looked up and released her next Pokemon.
"Arceus this sucks." Lucas looked over at Barry's statement. The young blonde was gripping the rail in front of him with white knuckles. He looked about ready to jump over and run down to Jill.
"She's going to be alright." Lucas said quietly, almost unsure himself.
"That looked an awful lot like those galactic thugs though." Lucas had to concede that point to Barry. The way that Luxray attacked, it was trained to do that. Part of Lucas wondered if that was on purpose, to shake up would be challengers. Volkner was the toughest gym leader in the region after all. It wouldn't surprise him if the mental aspect of battling was also tested here. But after what he, Barry and Jill had gone through…
"I know Barry, but she's got this." It was Barry's turn to look at Lucas. Barry finally sighed and kept watching.
Icarium was stood there appraising his opponent. The Luxray was prowling the opposite side, while behind the psychic type, Jill's emotions were overpowering. The fear was a black pit threatening to swallow the young woman. But then there was that presence. That ancient being who was the whole reason Jill was feeling the way she was feeling. Icarium took a breath and sent out his power towards his friend. Jill's battle calm was still there, just barely. The gym leader on the other side didn't seem quite sure what to do, so Icarium touched Jill's mind.
I'm ready.
The fighting type launched forward. He was on top of the Luxray in a heartbeat, slamming into it with his brick break attack. The Luxray had tried to flinch away from the blow, but Icarium was feeling remorseless. His trainer was hurting after what had happened to Epona. Icarium was not about to let her see him fail. His was a will that would not be denied. Volkner was commanding his Luxray away and to renew the attacks on Icarium. Fangs flashed, Icarium dancing away. He was still connected to Jill's mind and could feel her battle calm coming back. Finally an opening appeared as the tiring lynx overextended. Icarium lashed out with another psycho cut, knocking the electric type out.
Jill sighed relief as the battle ended. This was taking far more out of her than she had anticipated. But then again, this was Volkner. He was already at an Elite status, as was Jill. And this wasn't just another battle. Icarium was still connected. The young woman could feel his presence along with Korabas'.
"Well now. This has been fun Jill, but you're about to face my trump card. And we don't lose!" Volkner sent out his final Pokemon. Jill winced inwardly. Standing before her and Icarium was a beast. The Electivire was crackling with power, its gorilla-like arms ready to crush anything that came within reach. Which most of Icarium's attacks needed to do.
"Use quick attack followed by thunder punch!" Volkner called out. The onslaught began.
"Use swords dance to avoid it!" Jill countered. Icarium shifted his stance and began the dance. It had to move faster than usual to avoid the electrified fists that were raining down around the fighting type. Jill grit her teeth trying to think of another counter. Yes swords dance raised Icarium's attack, but Electivire's bulk meant that he could probably weather an attack or three. The crowd watched with anticipation until finally Volkner's Pokemon was able to land a strike, sending Icarium sprawling.
"That hurt" he breathed out, just loud enough for Jill to hear. She smiled at her friend, yet winced at his pain.
"Try and keep him back with psycho cut." Icarium nodded, channeling his psychic energy into his arms. The battle resumed. Both Pokemon danced around one another, or rather, Icarium danced around, staying light, using his blades to keep the hulking beast that was Electivire back. For Volkner's part, he swapped between elemental punches, trying to break through the faster Pokemon's defenses. And he knew he would, as Icarium was wearing faster than Electivire. Volkner usually lured people into thinking that his Pokemon would use both speed and size when fighting like this, but it wasn't the case. Instead, he typically used one quick attack in the beginning, and forced his opponents to use speed to counter it. Moving fast meant using more energy. That Jill's Gallade had lasted as long as he had was a testament to Jill's training.
"Alright Electivire, I think we've played around enough. Finish this with giga impact!" Jill froze. She looked to Icarium to see there was no way he would be fast enough to dodge this type of an attack. The electric type was grinning as it began to channel its own energy. Arcs of electricity started forming in front and across Electivire's chest. Icarium planted himself, and poured the last of his energy into one last psycho cut attack. Icarium sent the telekinetic energy forward and the thunderbolt Pokemon charged in. The purple blades buffeted the beast, but couldn't break the attack. Jill cried out, a cry which was drowned out by the cheering crowd as Icarium was launched backwards in a crushing attack.
Icarium groaned only feet away from Jill. She blinked. Somehow, he had managed to stay conscious, but only just.
"Icarium…"
"That… that hurt" the psychic type said through gritted teeth. Jill couldn't help but give a shaky smile as she walked over and knelt by her friend. Volkner was quiet, although Jill missed his shocked looked. Electivire was equally surprised that their opposition was still in the battle, even if it was by hair.
"Thank you" Jill said so softly to Icarium.
"We told you we were ready. Now, finish this thing." Jill nodded, knowing exactly who's turn it was. The ancient presence within her was pleased. It knew that this young woman was truly beginning to come back. The shock was receding and Jill was regaining her battle calm. This next battle would be the true test however. Sighing as Jill returned to her position, the young woman brought out her final Pokemon.
"Sphyrna, I need you." The dragon was released, roaring as she entered the field. The crowd loved the new opponent for Electivire. What they didn't know is that Sphyrna was still rather savage. Her wild instincts were still mostly ruling her. And her immediate ducking into that hunting pose told Jill that she was still going to have to fight to get Sphyrna to listen.
"I'm impressed Jill!" Volkner said. "I've heard that you've been training a dragon, much like our esteemed champion. But that doesn't matter to us! Electivire, get in there with fire punch!" The hulking beast began moving, Sphyrna racing in to meet the charge head on.
"No wait!" Jill called out, but to no avail. Sphyrna was already in her battle rage. But while her strategy worked on wild Pokemon who were larger, this Electivre wasn't one of those. It was trained by one of the best in Sinnoh. The electric type swatted the dragon back before delivering a harsh blow that would break human bones. Sphyrna landed heavy, slightly winding herself.
"Sphyrna I need you to listen!" The dragon swung her head around to stare at Jill. The young woman held her ground, keeping eye contact. Finally, Sphyrna hung her head a fraction.
"I'm sorry" the part ground type said quietly. Jill sighed. She knew Sphyrna was still trying to prove herself an equal to the god-like Pokemon they'd met a over a year ago.
"Don't be sorry. But we need to work together to win this. Volkner is equal to the Elite Four members. He's really the first test for what's to come." The dragon nodded now looking towards the gym leader at the other end of the battlefield. Jill took another shaky breath. "I know you're powerful, but so are the rest of us. And he's already taken down Epona and Icarium." Sphyrna growled at that.
"Then he'll die."
"No, we're not Team Galactic" Jill replied sternly. She stood up as tall as she could while her partner turned back to her.
"How dare…" Jill cut Sphyrna off.
"I know what you meant Sphyrna. But we need to show that we're past that. We have to be one. And Caladan has already battled and taken damage. That Electivire has elemental attacks that will seriously hurt him. It's really just down to you and me." The dragon looked as though she may revolt. Jill however, looked over to Volkner who was calmly smiling back. "We can do this." Sphyrna snorted.
"Of course we can. I'm me." Jill smiled. It was nice to hear Sphyrna starting to sound more like her old self. Jill raised her voice as she addressed Volkner.
"Alright Volkner, this is your last Pokemon? Well meet Sphyrna here. She's going to win this for me!"
"Then bring it on! Quick attack!" Volkner shouted over the crowd. Electivire was a blur, but for this time Jill was ready.
"Use strength!" Sphyrna planted herself and intercepted the attack head on this time. Jill smiled because while Electivire was in close, Sphyrna had the upper hand getting inside its grip.
"Now dragon claw!" Sphyrna growled in pleasure as she slashed at the electric type.
"Grab it!" Volkner shouted from the other end of the battlefield. The ape-like Pokemon hugged Sphyrna, immobilizing the dragon. Sphyrna tried biting at the hairy arms, not worried about an electrical shock, but the muscles underneath were like iron. Jill was momentarily at a loss as to what to do. Then she noticed that Sphyrna still had use of her tail.
"Sphyrna use sandstorm to get it off!" The dragon rushed to comply as the crushing embrace was tightening. The next few moments were some of the tensest for Jill and as Sphyrna tried to summon a sandstorm without really being able to breathe. Finally, tiny grains of sand began to fly, and it was Volkner's turn to frown.
"Slam it down" the gym leader said. Electivire complied, almost stunning Sphyrna as it threw the dragon to the ground. But Sphyrna was made of sterner stuff and shook it off quickly, summoning the sandstorm with full force now. The electric type continued to back pedal, raising its arms against the stinging sands. Even Jill was wincing as the storm continued to grow, overtaking the field. The crowd were still yelling even though what they could see was now obscured.
"You know Jill I'm impressed, but I can use this storm too" Volkner said. His Electivire smiled, knowing what its trainer meant. Electricity began arcing out, tracing the storm. Jill's eyes widened as she realized that while the storm enhanced Sphyrna as a ground type, Volkner had also turned the field into an electrified field as well. And Sphyrna didn't have and attack to break it up.
"This electrified field should power up Electivire up enough to shock even a Pokemon like Gabite!" Volkner yelled above the growing wind. Jill could barely make out Sphyrna's shape let alone tell what Volkner was talking about.
"Sphyrna, I can barely see out there" Jill said in a quiet voice.
"He's charging something up. Was this what he did to Icarium?" the dragon asked. Jill tensed up. Volkner was trying to end this in a single hit. And if what he was saying was true…
"Same attack. But we're ready this time. Time to put that ability of yours to use." Jill took a deep breath to steady herself. With Sphyrna's sand veil ability, there was a chance Electivire could miss without any action. But Jill wasn't ready to take that chance. Volkner was already pushing her harder than any other gym leader before. "Let him get close, but use dig to avoid him." Sphyrna gave a grin. This strategy was one she loved to use.
The massive electric type was charged up, and began rushing. This giga impact was going to be even more powerful than the last which shocked Jill. Because of it's all out nature, attacks like that usually took a serious toll on the user as well, forcing them to rest before really getting into a battle again. To use the same attack almost twice in a row, through a sandstorm, it really showed how strong Volkner and his main Pokemon were. Currents of electricity were parting sands and the hulking beast moved in. Sphyrna stood her ground until the last possible second before diving underground. Jill actually flinched away as the Electivire passed right over where the dragon had been moments before and came racing in towards her.
Jill's nerves were still frayed, as her mind flashed back to Korabas' dimension. Volkner's Pokemon stopped before leaving the battlefield, looking left and right for the dragon. Even Volkner was wondering what happened as the storm began to subside. Sands still hung in the air, creating a still environment that caused everyone in the gym to hold their breath. Tension rose, and silence grew. Volkner was frowning knowing what Jill had done, but he and his Electivire had trained for this. The electric type was standing completely still. It was barely breathing, which somewhat scared Jill, as even though its attack missed, it still should have taken more out of the beast than it was showing.
Finally, after some tense moments, the sands shifted ever so slightly. The Electivre smiled, as the ground moved to its right. Volkner tensed, ready to strike along with his Pokemon. Jill was smiling however, knowing that everyone was going to be surprised by this. Sphyrna's back fin exposed itself as it cut seamlessly through the ground close to Electivire. The gorilla growled at the dragon, knowing it couldn't quite strike it yet. Volkner narrowed his eyes, put off guard by the taunt. A mummer began throughout the crowd, and even Lucas and Barry looked at one another not totally sure what was going on.
Once again, the fin pierced the ground, this time even closer to Electivire who made a grab for the dragon. The fin disappeared in a flash. Electivire began looking around, put off guard by what was going on. What no one realized was that Sphyrna was now on the hunt. And in this instance, there was nothing that was going to stop the dragon. Electivire turned in a circle and took a hesitant step backwards towards Volkner. The gym leader was at a loss. He had never seen this before and so didn't know what to do.
It was that tiny step that did it though. Sphyrna broke the through the surface in a surge of strength, slamming into the electric type scoring a serious hit. The crowd went wild as Sphyrna went into a frenzy of attacks, forcing the Electivire back and unable to defend.
"Fire punch!" Volkner barked out harshly. Electivire grabbed on to the command and threw its weight behind the punch. Sphyrna was too intent on her attack, and so took the full force which sent her flying. She quickly regained her feet to see what damage had been wrought. Her feeling of elation was dashed though as the electric type was still standing there, hardly looking worse for wear. Even Jill was shocked. If a dig attack and two dragon claws weren't enough, how were they going to take this thing out?
"I told you this was my trump card!" Volkner said over the crowd. Jill was at a loss as to what to do from this point out. "Electivire, lets finish this!" The grinning beast began charging up again for another giga impact. Sphyrna was frowning and looked back to Jill.
Jill was only looking at the gorilla. There was something off about it. It's charging wasn't going as quick, and it wasn't moving again. It dawned upon the young woman that Volkner and Electivire may have trained for exactly this thing. If they were going to go up against the Elite's, then they would always want to show that they were never tired. But here was the smallest of clues that Sphyrna's hunting trick had done what it needed to do.
"Sphyrna, they're tired. Get in there before it can charge!" Sphyrna rushed in, closing the gap before the Electivire could release its energy.
"Dragon claw!" Jill shouted as Volkner shouted "Now!" Both Pokemon attacked, but Sphyrna was faster. Electivire couldn't get its energy out in front before Sphyrna's claws struck home. The giant fell to its knee, energy disapating harmlessly around the dragon. Sphyrna for her part, jumped back, just out of reach. Jill held her breath, praying that the thunderbolt Pokemon would simply fall. It took ages, but finally, Electivire crossed the threshold into unconsciousness.
Jillian's Pokemon:
Caladan (Torterra) - level 45, ability: Overgrow, nature: Hardy
Chase (Luxray) - level 45, ability: Intimidate, nature: Naughty
Epona (Rapidash) - level 45, ability: Run Away, nature: Brave
Urim (Togekiss) - level 44, ability: Serene Grace, nature: Brave
Sphryna (Gabite) - level 46 ability: Sand Veil, nature: Jolly
Icarium (Gallade) - level 45, ability: Steadfast, nature: Lonely