Before I begin I am SO SORRY, I can't emphasize that enough, I am SOOOOOO SORRY for not writing more for this story, life sidetracked me, the other stories I was writing took some of my thoughts about this story's storyline, and only after writing my next story and getting 8 chapters through did I finally just kick myself and 'force' myself to resume writing for this story.
Again I can't apologize enough…
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=Chapter 53, Battle for Rain Badge=
(Jacob's PoV)
Jacob sat looking at the Sootopolis City Gym, barely fitting on the tiny island in the middle of the ring of mountain range. The peaks were too tall to be scaled, and the previous entry point, an underwater cavern had caved in decades ago, leaving no entryway in for passersby and trainers alike.
Yet that was but the 'final' challenge to trainers before facing the 'real' challenge of the gym leader and earning the eighth and final badge.
"So, Sara, how do you think Karen is doing in there?" He asked quietly, letting the cool water soothe his feet.
(Knowing her, she's probably struggling to win like all the other gyms.) Sara answered, mirroring his stance while subconsciously using her powers to float a ball of water around.
She'd gotten into the habit of floating bits of nature, water or grass or whatever was around while waiting. It allowed her to practice and maintain her potent psychic power while maintaining her awareness around her. It was a 'simple' task to maintain the orb, but she challenged herself by floating it constantly while having a conversation with him.
Both of them were waiting for the Lapras that would float them across to the gym to challenge the leader, while Segan and Glace went off to check out a boutique shop with the Grovyle they'd rescued that specialized in Pokemon. Karen, being Karen, had jumped on the Lapras before he even woke up that morning to challenge the leader of the Sootopolis Gym. She'd been so eager to challenge the leader and see what kind of Pokemon he possessed that she'd almost left her Pokemon behind, and only came back to their hotel room because Lance stopped her in time.
He sighed as he waited, hating this waiting period while Karen battled and all he could do was sit and think about the challenge ahead.
But more importantly, he hated thinking about one of his team members, Coral.
Sensing his thoughts Sara looked over at him. (How is she by the way?) She asked.
"Doing better but…" He said, before picking up Coral's ball, the 'snag' ball.
Over a week ago he had managed to rescue Coral, with the help of his team, and together he, Karen, and Segan all worked together with Officer Jenny to help shut down the Pokeblack Market. Unfortunately, the elevator they took no longer worked, and despite their efforts they couldn't find another entrance.
It also didn't help that as soon as she got 'Arky' the Arcanine back, he'd left the area on the back of his Salamence, so any leads to getting back to it were gone.
After rescuing Coral he'd sent her 'and' the Snag Ball, as well as her old Luxury Ball to Electra to try and reverse the effects and get her out of it and back into her former ball. But despite her best efforts, the Snag Ball refused to accept the transfer, and even resisted attempts to destroy it. She had even borrowed a 'Steelix' of all things and tried crushing it with its weight, but the ball did not so much as crack.
She said until she could crack the ball's code Coral had no choice but to accept that the Snag Ball was now her new 'home'.
His Milotic was not happy and was extremely distraught that she now had to bear the mark of her captivity until a way could be found to free her of it. Try as he might, he couldn't cheer her up or make her feel better about what happened.
He even offered to let her roam free like Sara and Suicune, not needing a ball while still considering themselves as 'his' Pokemon.
Speaking of Suicune, he noticed the legendary laying down next to him on his other side, marveling that even while she slept her white streamer-like trails continued to flow as if in a gentle breeze. Her cerulean hexagonal crest sparkling gently in the sunlight and casting a blue glow in the water around them.
They'd been unable to enter the massive crater that was the home of Sootopolis City, him and Karen not being allowed to join the blimp ride into the city because they were trainers looking to challenge the gym. The Gym Leader who took control of the gym declared that, 'As a final testament to their determination to reach the heights of the Pokemon League, all trainers 'must' enter Sootopolis to challenge his gym, on their own'.
In other words, they had to get past the giant walls of the crater by themselves, no help allowed. For Jacob and Karen, they only had 'one' option of getting in 'together' in a reasonable manner. Latias could only carry him and Sara, and the rule applied to 'trainers working together', the eon legendary could not carry Karen and Lance, only Jacob was allowed to fly in on her back.
Thus, the reason Suicune was there, he'd convinced her to carry them all in, albeit the legendary 'grudgingly' accepted Karen on her back only because he'd been so polite in asking.
Though Sara, being a Gardevoir, told him was that Suicune accepted because 'he'd' asked her.
That was yesterday though, and they'd managed to schedule their matches for today, and they had to cross on the back of a Lapras that would shuttle trainers to and from the island gym.
Thinking about Sootopolis though, he looked around at the beautiful crater city. Here living in isolation was a beautiful city of water and land. Trapped and isolated from the outside world, Sootopolis had changed very little compared to other cities. Where Mauville had embraced change, and even Fortree experienced a change in traditions, Sootopolis remained the same.
The towering walls of the crater protected it from the outside world, provided a perfect environment for the city and its water pokemon to thrive in perfect safety.
All around there were tons and 'tons' of water pokemon, thriving and interacting with the humans of Sootopolis. Lapras acted like ferries between he two halves of Sootopolist, other water pokemon like Starmies and Gyarados, roamed freely. Other pokemon like Milotics, Seekings and Golducks swam near the shore and sometimes interacted with visitors and natives alike.
(It is nice here Jacob…) Sara whispered warmly, placing her hand on his.
"Yea it is…" He muttered. "But for some reason I feel something else here… I can't explain it, it's almost like there's something 'else' here. Something dangerous yet… not dangerous at the same time."
(Yea… I sense it too… an almost 'primal' power… my psychic powers tell me this… it lingers still here even after so much time has passed.) She said warmly. (I think it's what Segan told us before, about Ruby and Saphire and their battle against Kyogre and Groudon… but I also sense 'another' power… just as powerful yet… greater than both.)
"I wonder what that is…" He said.
They continued to sit there in silence, Sara holding his hand as they enjoyed the quiet and calm serenity of Sootopolis City.
After half an hour the Lapras that carried Karen off was heading toward them with Karen and Lance sitting on its back. Seeing this, and sensing Jacob and Sara getting up Suicune got up with them.
"Hey Karen, how'd it go?" He asked.
She jumped off excitedly and gleefully held up a badge in the form of a raindrop, though her clothes were drenched. "I OFFICIALLY QUALIFY FOR THE POKEMON LEAGUE JACOB BOY!" She yelled proudly. "Lance was the star this time, my boy Lance did so well, I couldn't be any prouder of him! Not that the rest of my team didn't pull their weight."
He and Sara chuckled, before they got onto the Lapras' back and took off for the gym.
"Wait, I forgot to ask!" He yelled as they took off, with Suicune running on water to the other side to wait for them. "What type of Pokemon does the gym leader use?"
"It's a gym surrounded by 'WATER' in the middle of a crater, that's surrounded by 'oCEAN WATER'!" She yelled almost comically. "What do you 'THINK' he's running, a Fire Type Gym? Good Luck!"
With that she turned and left while he and Sara continued onward. The Lapras kindly floated to the landmass of the gym's island and waited for them to get off. Sara easily got off because she 'floats', despite pretending to walk, and Suicune had been waiting there for him. Jacob however needed help, as when he jumped off, he nearly lost his balance and almost fell into the water, but Sara swiftly pulled him forward to solid land.
"Thank you, Sara." He said.
(No Problem Jacob.) She said warmly.
They stood before the door of the Gym as he recalled Suicune into her ball. Kenna wasn't with them while in Sootopolis because the only way they could get into the city on Suicune's back was if she was officially a member of his team. So, he'd sent the shiny Ponyta to the professor who was more than happy to spend time looking at her blue flames and study their difference between other Ponyta's flames.
Though now that he looked around, he probably picked right because all of the water.
"Alright, let's do this Sara…" He muttered.
(One more gym Jacob… one more Gym and we're in the Pokemon League…) She replied. (We can do this Jacob, if we can survive everything, we've endured till now… then this is just another simple task for 'us' to overcome.)
He nodded before taking another deep breath and pushed the doors open.
The inside of the Gym was incomprehensible. He had expected an indoor pool, perhaps platforms, but it was far from that. All around were beautifully ornate statues of pearl depicting beautiful Pokemon of various species. He could see Milotics in fantastic shapes, hearts, circles, and even spirals. Gorebyss' hanging from the ceiling by strong steel chains, letting flow a cascade of water that emptied in a deep pool of natural earth. Gyarados and Goldeen statues released an ever-flowing cascade of waterfalls into the beautiful pool beneath him that was as deep as he'd ever seen, the dark water indicating that it was 'very' deep.
From the sides headlights shown on the scene and lit up the field for cameras to show the action.
Small platforms roughly ten feet by ten feet floated freely, pushed around by the gentle currents of the water from the various waterfalls around the room. In the center of the room sat a towering fountain of a strange Pokemon, who's species he didn't recognize. It looked kind of like a Milotic in terms of the tailfin, yet the upper portion resembled a very feminine 'Seel', as atop its face sat a seashell crown and around its 'hair' a series of pearls in the form of a necklace. Surrounding this beautiful Pokemon were Staryus, their five tips releasing a torrent of water into the pool below them.
"Woah… what is this place?" He asked Sara.
"This my boy is your FINAL CHALLENGE, before the Pokemon League!" A commanding yet delicate voice called out.
From below four jets of water exploded upward and lifted a single platform up to him and standing atop it was a man wearing a blue and white suit, his legs were wrapped in equally matching shorts and his feet were wearing sandals. His smooth black hair was gelled back into a smooth curl while the rest of it fell behind him in a large ponytail.
"Welcome to the Sootopolis City Gym… I am Oceanna… 'Sault' Oceanna… Leader of the Sootopolis City Gym!" He said, taking one step forward and stepping onto 'another' jet of water that held his weight while the platform fell into the water again. "You are Jacob Beryl, from Littleroot are you not?"
"Uh… yea." He said, marveling at the sight of this Gym Leader.
"Then let us not waste any more words!" He called out and jumped backwards off the jet of water and into the pool beneath him.
He sank deep into the water with a resounding splash, and beneath the water he saw 'six' additional dark spots rise to meet him, as they swam to the opposite end of the room. They watched as he floated up and jumped onto the platform at the far end of the room, and simultaneously a small box was lifted on a jet of water before them.
Seeing the invitation, he pulled the box and opened it, and saw a communicator for him, which he strapped to his ear.
"Jacob, you have made it to my Gym, thus there is nothing left for me and my brothers and sisters, my fellow Gym Leaders to teach you!" He heard Oceanna say to him. "You and your team are amazing compatriots, a team truly worthy of the league… but before you can qualify 'I' must challenge you one last time! I will explain how this gym works, and how you will receive the final badge."
From around the room the various statues that were in their way began to sink into the water, leaving it open say for the now 'hundreds' of platforms that continued to float around the giant pool.
"Our battle will be a full blown, six on six, all Pokemon present and unified in battle against each trainer!" He said. "You and I will join them in battle on these floating platforms, and while we command and guide our teams 'they' will be trying to sever that guidance we give by shoving our platforms around or even 'us' into the water! Whoever's team still stands at the end will be victorious, and the loser, well… it's not going to be a good day for their clothes!"
"But your clothes are already wet, aren't they?" He asked.
"Then my boy you best win this contest, if you hope to not need to change when you return to land, unlike your friend who couldn't stay 'out' of the water!" He declared laughingly. "Just so you know, these earpieces allow us to command our Pokemon over a loud speaker so even through the chaos of battle, our words can reach them. Just remember, 'I' will hear your orders as well, and vice versa! Let our battle commence, step onto the platform before you to begin!"
Before him four jets of water rose one of the platforms, and he stepped tentatively onto it, before grabbing 'each' of his Pokemon and preparing to release them. As the platform with him and Sara lowered, he spotted five shadows from before swim away from Oceanna's platform, with the sixth remaining nearby and swimming around.
'Looks like every member of our team is going to have to fight their own battle… and I won't be able to watch every single one of them at the same time.'
(Worry not Jacob, I'll help you…) Sara whispered psychically. (You forget, we psychics don't need our eyes to see around us.)
He nodded with assurance before releasing his Pokemon one at a time, those that required land found themselves trying to maintain their balance on the floating platforms. Then came Suicune and Coral who both landed on 'water' and dove under it. Harold and Ivan each landed on a platform and were having difficulty keeping their balance. Roran who needed no land, simply circled the arena analyzing everything below him.
Suicune stood on the water and looked as proud as ever, displaying her elegance and power in her first official battle as 'Jacob's' Pokemon, this also being a gym battle giving her even more reason to display her power.
Coral… simply looked dead inside as her eyes had an 'uninterested' look in them, still not feeling good since being 'snagged'.
Sara chose to remain by Jacob's side, telling him that she sensed a Pokemon staying near Oceanna as well, acting as his guard from Jacob's other five Pokemon.
Latias didn't feel like participating in this gym battle, and had asked to watch from the sidelines, so when 'she' was released she flew up to the door and assumed her human guise, signaling that she was 'not' an active participant.
(Good luck Jacob, I'm rooting for you master!) She cried out psychically. (Uh… sorry for calling you 'master' again master… I mean… sorry!)
"Alright guys, this is the final Gym, but its vastly different than any other gym we've faced before!" He said, and as he did his voice spoke over the loudspeakers. "You will each have to face your own opponent in battle and try to win, at the same time 'I'll' be under attack by the Gym Leader's Pokemon, who will be trying to knock me into the water and disrupt me from helping you win. You can do the same, so just remember that… don't hurt him, just push him into the water! We win when all of his Pokemon are out of the battle!"
"Don't think it's going to be that easy boy, because I am a natural swimmer… the waves are like my second home, and my Pokemon my born family!" Oceanna said proudly. "My team and I have faced the strongest of battlers, we've endured the toughest of roads… and it has made us all the stronger!"
"Let us demonstrate what we mean in a 'beautiful' display of water dominance… ARISE MY TEAM!"
From around the pool five surges of water exploded, and from them a Gyarados rose to face Coral, a Gorebyss to face Suicune, a Dewgong to fight Harold, a Relincanth for Ivan, and a Mantine for Roran. The sixth however remained submerged, choosing to swim beneath the surface around Oceanna.
"Jacob… this may be your 'final' battle in the Gym League… before you move on to bigger and better things. Make this fantastic display the greatest memory of your life, so that you take it wherever you go!" Oceanna said warmly. "Now with that said, let our battle begin… TAKE TO THE WATER AND STRIKE WITH THE FURRY OF THE SEA ITSELF!"
"Gyarados Dragon Rage, Gorebyss Shell Smash, Dewgong Ice Shard, Relincanth Head Smash, Mantine Aerial Ace!"
"Relincaaaaaaath…" The old brown fish called as it charged at Ivan, who dodged the attack by jumping.
"Graaaaaaawr!" Gyarados roared as it sent jets of flame at Coral, who dove beneath the water to avoid it.
"Goooooooooore!" Gorebyss cried as it spun in a circle and began flaking off pieces of its skin.
"Dewgongongong!" Dewgong cried as from its mouth shards of ice flung at Harold, who cut them down with his leaf blades.
"Mantine!" The Mantine cried as it flew at Roran and engaged in an aerial dogfight with the swellow.
"Roran Steel Wing!" He called out.
Roran's wings turned as hard as steel and began striking at the Mantine, but the attacks weren't doing much damage, yet that wasn't the point of his and Roran's plan.
"Ivan, Thunder Fang!" He yelled.
The Mightyena jumped over the surging Relincanth and timed his jump so that, even though he lost his platform he landed 'teeth down' on the fish. Both submerged beneath the water as static electricity erupted from beneath the water.
"Harold try and counter with Leaf Blade!"
Harold heard and used his mighty speed and ran at the Dewgong, who seeing the attack dove beneath the water to dodge it. He continued his run and landed on another platform to avoid sinking but his platform surged away from Jacob.
Suddenly he heard a surge of water rushing toward him and saw that the Gorebyss had used a Hydro Pump while he was bus, avoiding Suicune altogether and targeted him. Sara sensed the danger and created a psychic barrier to protect against the attack, but it was a narrow dodge, her barrier pushed back, and she had to focus entirely on his defense to keep him dry and up.
"Suicune Tailwind!"
She nodded and cried out, "Cuuuuuuune!" Before a strange wind began blowing in her direction, and not just her but behind 'all' of his Pokemon.
The same wind that she commanded back when she challenged him to a battle, now served as his ally, increasing his Pokemon's speed as they used the wind to their advantage.
"Coral, Dragon Tail!" He yelled as the Gyarados dove under water to fight Coral.
Coral heard his command and soon a battle he couldn't see took place between the two mighty Pokemon. Coral smacking the Gyarados with her tail and the Gyarados trying to get its teeth around her tail for a crunch attack.
"Ivan, where are you?"
He looked over and saw that Ivan had yet to surface, and out of fear he asked Sara to look for his wolf. She quickly pointed at the far end where Ivan was wearily climbing onto a platform, his fur soaked to the bone as the Relincanth charged toward him.
"Look out Ivan!"
Ivan heard him and turned just in time to avoid the Double Edge, but he had to jump into the water to do so.
"A wolf out of water is hardly a challenge for my team, Relincanth finish it off and then turn starboard with Head Smash!"
"Relincaaaaaaaanth!"
It surged forward at high speed as Ivan struggled to swim away.
"Not on our watch, Roran Steel Wing, Ivan Thunder Fang!"
Sara, sensing his strategy, used her powers to create a temporary barrier beneath Ivan and lifted him up out of the water. At the same time, Roran also sensing the strategy flew toward Ivan at full speed with the Mantine behind.
Both Ivan and Roran lunged at 'each other's' targets with their attack and connected hits. Ivan's thunder fang was dead on connecting with the Mantine, who moaned in agony before falling into the water while Ivan nimbly landed on a platform, spinning as it surged around. Roran meanwhile dove at the Relincanth and gave up his biggest advantage to score a critical hit, thanks to the power of his bond on the ancient fish.
"Reeeeeeeeeeeel…" Relincanth was part rock, and while Jacob knew of steel's weakness against water, the ancient fish's rock nature meant it was vulnerable to steel moves.
Roran however, having to swim so close to the water fell into it and struggled to get airborne again.
"Most clever, but don't think I wasn't aware of that!" Oceanna called out, and a powerful Hydro Pump surged from the water and hit Roran straight into the air.
His feathers soaking and unable to control his flight or fall, he was helpless as a follow up Ice Beam from the Gorebyss smacked him, turning him into a block of ice and go crashing down.
(Harold's PoV)
Meanwhile Harold was busy fighting the Dewgong still and could only hope that his rival Ivan would be fine. Neither he nor the wolf were good on water, neither capable of swimming well compared to Coral. But as he watched he saw an opportunity to gain the upper hand.
Feeling the power of his bond, he dodged yet 'another' Ice Shard from his opponent and jumped up into the air, before twirling down in a spiral descent to come tail first down on the water. This caused as massive ripple effect as all the nearby platforms, including his own, were pushed around by the growing wave.
He fell into the water and watched as the Dewgong lined up 'another' ice shard, and he drew on the power of his bond, braced himself, and held firm under the water as it smacked into his body.
The freezing ice stung him greatly, but because of his bond he endured the attack and shoved forward to try and grab his opponent for either a Leaf Blade or a Mega Drain. Yet he was underwater, and in the water, water pokemon thrived and were masters, he couldn't swim fast enough before the Dewgong swam circles and attacked with its tail, smacking him away before striking again with another Ice Shard.
"Coming through!" He heard Coral yell, before he was shoved aside as the Milotic surged past.
Seconds later he was shoved again aside as the Gyarados raced after her, bits of blue flame after her despite being underwater.
"I hate the water…" He muttered to himself, wishing they were on land.
"Then you'll hate this!" The Dewgong giggled as 'she' began swimming around him. "Let's go for a wild ride!"
Suddenly he became engulfed in a whirlpool, unable to escape it as he tried surfacing to breathe.
As he did, he saw Roran come crashing into the water as a block of ice and was quickly melted out of it by the water.
Dewgong, seeing the flyer not getting up stopped and allowed him to surface with the flyer to his friend.
(Jacob's PoV)
Jacob quickly recalled Roran into his ball but smiled alongside Sara as Ivan's platform began to surge toward Oceanna from the wave Harold created.
"Ivan take him down!" He yelled enthusiastically.
As Ivan surfed on his platform toward Oceanna, who was grinning the entire time, Ivan jumped forward to try and knock the gym leader into the water. Yet instead of a soaking wet gym leader, a pink sphere of energy surged from the water, connected with Ivan and sent him flying back into the water.
The attack was so outlandish that he had no idea what it was, but whatever it was Ivan looked severely wounded. He pulled out his Mighytena's pokeball and recalled his wolf.
"What kind of Pokemon does he have protecting him?" He asked Sara.
(I don't know… but that attack… that wasn't a water type move, nor was it a psychic type.) Sara said.
"We'll focus on that later, for now… it's an even fight, two down and four still fighting." He whispered. "Harold, Agility, Suicune scald on the Gorebyss!"
Both Pokemon nodded and Suicune unleashed a powerful scald onto the Gorebyss, who swiftly dodged it and took off away from Suicune. Yet as it ran away Harold caught up to it, still being pushed by the tailwind and now boosted by the speed of his agility. Capable of running on water with his speed he grinned as, without being told, swiped at the Gorebyss with a Leaf Blade.
"Gooooooore…" The pink Gorebyss wailed as it floated belly up, before being recalled by Oceanna.
The Gym Leader was still smiling even as Harold took a chance and ran at the trainer to try and knock him into the water like Ivan, but was pushed away as the Pokemon guarding him, still hidden beneath the water, pushed him back with another pink sphere of energy.
Harold dodged it thanks to their bond and returned to his side with a protective stance.
"Why hasn't he revealed his last Pokemon?" Jacob asked quietly.
"Sceptile…" Harold said in agreement, just as confused.
(He's outnumbered now, protecting himself is one thing but his Pokemon aren't even fighting under his commands…) Sara also said.
"Whatever let's keep going, we'll cross the bridge of beating his last team member when it's time… Suicune help out Coral with that Gyarados! Harold, let's take on that Dewgong with your speed again."
"Sceptile!"
"Suuuuuuuuuui!" Suicune yelled as she ran after Coral and Gyarados, who were still surfing rings around the arena.
The Gyarados surged up as Coral rose as well, hearing Jacob's command and deciding to lure her opponent into a trap. Sure enough, Suicune launched a powerful scald attack on the giant, and the steaming hot water caused severe burns on the scales. At the same time, he ordered Coral to use a Dragon Pulse, a new move she learned thanks to Latias teaching her.
A powerful burst of purple electric flame erupted from her mouth and smacked into the Gyarados's face. It roared in anger at the attacks colliding with its powerful body, yet now Suicune and Coral were swimming rings around it, and unable to focus and land a single attack, Gyarados fell over backward and fainted.
Meanwhile Harold was using the final moments of his Tailwind to chase after the Dewgong, who was racing away frantically while trying to angle an Ice Shard on the grass starter.
It took a gamble and turned just enough to launch another Ice Shard, but this caused it to slow down just enough for the water Pokemon to get in range of another Leaf Blade from the grass starter. One powerful swiped powered by the bond was all it took to end the battle.
In a flash of lights both Gyarados and Dewgong were pulled back into their balls, and just like that all 'three' of Jacob's Pokemon still in the water turned and rushed the Gym Leader, now all but defenseless. Sara too joined in the fray, rushing forward using her psychic powers and telling Harold to defend Jacob while they finished the job.
As Harold ran back to Jacob, Sara, Suicune and Coral jumped at Oceanna, Sara creating a powerful orb of blue energy, an Energy Ball, blue because of all the water despite its grass typing. Suicune roared to command the wind once again and opened her mouth to reveal a powerful torrent of water waiting to erupt. Coral surfaced from behind and launched a powerful Dragon Tail, hoping to hit the submerged Pokemon who would no doubt surface to protect its trainer.
(We've got him cornered now, there's no way out!) Sara yelled proudly.
Yet 'still', the proud smirk and confident expression of the water gym leader remained, even surrounded and his pokemon outnumbered four to one, the gym leader looked unafraid.
Then…
"PriiiiiiiiiiiiMaaaaaarinaaaaaaaaaaaa…"
A beautiful melody sang out, and balls of water erupted from the water and surged at Suicune and Sara, knocking them away, and at the same time a Pokemon emerged from the water and used it's blue-pink tail to block Coral's dragon tail move.
Suicune recoiled from the powerful attack and glared at the opponent.
Sara quickly steadied herself and stared at her enemy that had stopped her attack.
Coral struggled fiercely with her tail, trying to knock the target back and expose the gym leader… yet her opponent simply smirked as 'it's' tail blocked her attempts with ease.
"What is that…?" He muttered.
It was a very 'feminine' looking Pokemon, like a cross between a Milotic and a Seel. It had a snow-white body and pointed face, with blue hair waving behind it in a ponytail, bound with pearls and wearing a seashell crown. It had a blue tail wrapped in pink spikes and ended in a split tail that matched its overall body. It had a very pink nose and beautiful, gentle looking azure colored eyes.
Unsure of what it was, he pulled his dex and had it examine the Pokemon.
[Primarina, the Soloist Pokemon… Native to the Alola Region, this Pokemon is known as the Songstress and has a fantastical look on a moonlit night when it leads its colony in song. Its singing voice is its chief weapon in battle, and as such the pokemon's trainer must prioritize the daily maintenance of its throat at all costs!]
"I've never seen a Pokemon like that before…" He muttered.
"Exactly, I'm not native to Hoenn, I'm from Alola… and this is my 'starter'… Aura…" Oceanna said proudly, as Aura the Primarina smiled as she continued to hold Coral's attack at bay with ease. "Just as 'your' starter is your strongest Pokemon and has the closest bond to you… Aura is my strongest and has the closest bond to 'me'… our bond is deep… deeper than you can ever imagine. I trust her with my 'life', I know she will 'never' let me down… so I bring her to every battle and trust her to fight as my 'ace' in the hole."
"Let us demonstrate our power…" He declared proudly. "Moonblast!"
Aura nodded and used her tail to shove Coral away and spun around before her eyes glowed before a ball of pink energy appeared and was launched at Suicune.
Suicune managed to endure the attack as it smacked into her, but her counter Hydro Pump looked weaker, and sure enough Aura jumped in its path and took the attack, not looking at all affected by it. She then countered with 'another' Moonblast and this time Suicune could not endure it, and collapsed to the water, beginning to sink before being recalled.
"Sara use your Psychic attack." He told her.
Sara nodded and created a ball of psychic energy and prepared to launch it, before Oceanna declared…
"Sparkling Aria!"
Aura launched itself up to stand 'on' its fin and sang in a powerful voice, creating a display of deep blue orbs of water, and launched all of them at Coral who was fast approaching, and Sara who couldn't launch her attack in time.
Sara was forced back and slammed into the wall, before wearily floating to Jacob and signaling she forfeited by lying next to him in exhaustion.
(That… hurt… so much!) She gasped painfully. (That attack… was more than… anything I ever felt… he has a bond as great as 'yours' Jacob… if not even greater! I barely endured that…)
"It's okay Sara… you tried… just rest for now." He muttered as he held her hand and patted her shoulder, which caused her to nod and smile warmly. "Coral Dragon Tail!"
He knew water attacks weren't going to work, and Coral's only other attacks were Dragon Pulse and Aqua Ring, so he had to hope she could win the shoving match or overpower it with another Dragon Pulse.
(Coral's PoV)
Coral growled to herself as the Primarina 'Aura' turned and smiled as she swam full speed, powering up another Dragon Tail.
"Taaaaaaaaaake Thiiiiiiiis!" She screamed as her tail glowed and she swung it forward with all her might.
Only for the last Pokemon of the Gym Leader to block it with perfect ease using her own tail, smiling and almost giggling to herself as she tried to shove her back.
"Grrrrrrrr…" She growled in frustration as she tried to shove her tail forward, using her Dragon Tail's power… yet it wasn't working.
Aura continued to smile in amusement as their tails fought it out in a shoving match.
"Your bond with your human is strong… very strong…" Aura whispered warmly. "You must love him deeply… to try so hard for him, even as 'damaged' as your heart seems to be feeling right now."
"Just… lose…already!" Coral yelled as she pushed back and was ordered to try a Dragon Pulse now.
She opened her mouth, poured all her strength and power into a single powerful Dragon Pulse, the flames and energy glowing with force, before she tapped into her bond and poured 'more' into it. She would end this for Jacob, end it in one final powerful force, she would show what she was capable of in front of her human, her trainer, the one who put their faith in…
She launched the attack and sent it at the smirking face, expecting them to either dodge or come out weakened.
Instead the Primarina simply held up a fin, smiled… and sat there as the attack was absorbed by her body as if it were a gentle breeze she was feeling.
When her attack ended out of sheer exhaustion trying to keep it up, she gasped tiredly trying to get back her stamina to fight on.
"You have potential… just as I did…" Aura almost sang. "But you aren't the only one vying for him… just remember… your competition are still your friends… don't let your feelings damage that bond you share with 'them', because they share that same bond with 'him'."
"Why… aren't my attacks… working?" She asked tiredly.
At that Aura smirked.
"Those attacks were 'dragon type moves' love…" She sang. "Dragon type moves, are useless against 'fairy type' Pokemon… even 'part' fairy types."
With that she was ordered to 'sing', and Aura began singing a sleepy and lovely melody, that caused Coral's body to shut down… and fall asleep.
(Jacob's PoV)
He recalled Coral into the snag ball, and stared at the Primarina, never having fought one before. He'd seen other starters fight before, but he'd never seen one like this, almost everything he did was having no effect on the water type.
"Why didn't those attacks have any effect?" He asked in confusion.
"Ah, I take it this is your first time fighting a Fairy Type?" Oceanna asked. "Dragon type moves have no effect on Fairy Type pokemon, much like how electric type moves do not work on ground, and ground moves are useless on flying types. She is my starter… and now she is what stands between you and victory!"
The Primarina turned on the platform and waved hello to them with a smile.
"Then it's going to come down to a Starter versus Starter matchup…" He said. "Harold… we're using 'that'!"
Harold nodded and hopped off the platform and onto another, so that the surge of energy would not knock Jacob or Sara off their platform.
Then he reached down and prepared to touch the Keystone on his wrist.
"Mega Evolving huh, a good choice… but be warned, your 'Harold' will gain the 'Dragon' typing… and my Primarina is part 'fairy', which is superior of the two…"
"It's a risk we're going to take…" He said. "Harold… MEGA EVOLVE!"
He touched the keystone and it responded, casting a beautiful array of colors alongside Harold's megastone. In response his body was enveloped in the glow, and his body underwent the transformation, before emerging as his Mega Evolved state, faster, stronger, and fiercer than ever before.
"Scep… TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIILE!"
The room quaked in response to the power of his voice.
"Then we shall respond in kind!" Oceanna called out proudly as Aura jumped off and swam to a platform of her own. "In the land of my home, we too have a powerful tool that comes from the bond between trainer and Pokemon… witness now the power… of Z-Crystals!"
Oceanna tapped his fingers together, causing a blue glow to appear, then he went into a wavy dance that was mirrored by his Primarina who grinned as she became enveloped in her own aura of energy.
"Now Aura… OCEANIC… OPERETTAAAAAAA!"
She nodded and coughed into her fin with a smirk.
"Priiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiima…" She sang loudly and proudly, lifting her fins high into the air and creating a massive ball of water, which seemed to be barely contained as the energy inside lit it up in flashes of light.
Neither he nor Harold knew what to do, but they both knew they had to charge 'now' before it went off.
"Harold, Leaf Blade!" He yelled.
Both Leader and Trainer knew that this battle was going to end one way or another, it would come down to the explosive power of the Primarina's Z-Crystal move, versus Harold and his Mega Evolved Power.
"Sceeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!" Harold surged forward, his green blades extending in a viridian color of pure energy at the power being put into the attack.
The Primarina seeing this pushed her fins forward, still singing in a low tune and causing the blue orb to move forward toward her target.
Seconds later the orb reached Harold as 'he' reached it, and then…
"Sing Aura… SING!"
"Rinaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" She sang loudly, raising her fins high and singing for all she was worth.
The ball of water condensed even smaller… and then, just before Harold could escape its range… exploded in a resounding boom with such force that it sent a cascade of rain everywhere and a massive wave of water flying up.
(Aura's PoV)
Aura, thinking the fight was over, took a bow to her audience as the rain came down on her and the wave surged toward her.
"YOU THINK THAT WILL STOP ME?!"
She snapped her eyes open and looked up in shock as Harold the mega Sceptile ran 'through' the wave, cutting through it and lunged at her with his mighty green blades.
She tried to tap into her bond, to get away, but her body wasn't fast enough to respond, she was still reeling from the energy expended into the Z-Move and had no choice but to take the attack.
"I WILL 'NOT'… LOSE… EVER AGAIN!" He screamed. "I WILL PROTECT HIM, NO MATTER WHAT!"
Harold struck her hard with the attack, and she was flung backward with a deep green gash on her side.
Feeling the attack hit home… caused her to scream in pain and agony as she was flung backward and landed in the water before sinking down.
Moments later she felt herself pulled up by strong, gentle… loving arms… and opened her eyes wearily to see Sault holding her gently.
'Oh… I'm so sorry… my love…' She thought warmly. 'At least… I 'tried'…'
He nodded in understanding, before letting her rest peacefully, going off to sleep land while she waited to be treated for her injuries.
(Jacob's PoV)
Harold slowed down and soon the Mega evolution ended, returning him to normal and causing him to collapse to one knee.
"We won…" He muttered as Sara got up. "WE WON! YAAAAAAAAAA!"
Sara clapped proudly while Harold hopped from platform to platform before tackling him and Sara into the water.
They all went under and then swam up, laughing as they all got wet despite winning.
Soon though they moved to the center of the room where a large platform was lowered to allow them to stand on dry ground.
"Well done Jacob Beryl… I have nothing more to say… you have bested my best and defeated the Sootopolis City Gym." Oceanna said proudly. "I can think of no reason to deny you any more of this… the Rain badge."
He handed Jacob the rain badge, a small badge in the shape of a drop of rainwater. He would show the rest of his team later, even as Latias soared down and hugged him in congratulations.
"Jacob… I will give you one final piece of advice before you leave here…" Oceanna said with a smile. "Nobody stays the same all their life, much like how water bends and changes with time. Yet what 'doesn't' change is the bond you share and forge with your friends… enjoy the journey for as long as you can, for when it ends another begins. Much like how Childhood ends, as sad as it is, Adulthood begins."
"Thank you, Mr. Oceanna… we'll never forget." He said as he, Harold and Sara nodded in unison.
"Well my boy, you best go about your business now, and start preparing… the league challenges begin in a few weeks!" He said with a chuckle. "I hope you go far… if your bond is anything to go by… then I think you 'will' go far!"
Jacob nodded and, with Harold and Sara walking beside him, hopped onto one of the platforms that floated up and began to form a staircase as the jets of water elevated them to let them leave.
(Oceanna's PoV)
"Phew… that was a tough one…" He said as he left the arena and let the nurse treat and tend to his Pokemon so they could prepare for the next match.
"If those two are anything like my next challenger today, this will be an exciting Pokemon League."
He looked at his next scheduled matches and was quite impressed to see that his next opponent, someone who went by the trainer name 'Masquerade', would be next today. What startled him most of all was that within one month, he had all but qualified for the league, only needing 'his' badge to qualify.
"Well he must be fast to qualify… how he managed to get around Hoenn in a month to get all these badges in time is amazing…"