POKÉMON: INFINITE LEGACIES
THE CIPRYS REGION
CHAPTER 8
A REGIONWIDE BATTLE! FLAME AND FROST VS. ALYSSA!

Excitement pulsed through Flame's body. This is it, he thought. He stood on a battlefield, a wide space with a grassy plain in the centre, undergrowth scattered around, and jungle-like trees to the side. Overhead, the gym's roof was open so that the sun's rays could reach the grass below—well, normally it would, but clouds obscured its reach today.

Flame was back to his usual attire—trainers, black capri shorts, black-and-red top, and official Ciprys League headband—while Frost was as serious as ever, his icy-blue eyes locked on Alyssa. He wore black jeans and a blue jacket, his platinum-white hair combed. A referee stood fieldside, halfway between the battlers.

Flame noticed that Professor Aconite, his grandpa, and Helia were watching from behind a glass viewscreen above the battlefield. Warmth filled his heart. I'll make them proud! he vowed.

Helia cupped her hands together in front of her mouth as if to shout something, but Flame couldn't hear anything from where he was. He glanced at Frost, and it struck him how no family had come to cheer him on. Maybe that's why he's always such a jerk.

"I'll let you boys go first," Alyssa called across the battlefield, a Rotom Camera circling around her. "That okay with you, referee?"

The referee, a young lady in athletic clothing, performed a quick bow. "Of course, Miss Alyssa."

"Mudkip, I need your assistance."

"Litten! I choose you!"

Frost held out Mudkip's Poké Ball while Flame spun his high into the air. The Poké Balls popped open regardless of technique and white, silvery energies materialised into Pokémon.

Litten mrrowed, and Mudkip said something back, but their trainers had already informed them of the scenario, so they showed no surprise as they waited for their opponent's Pokémon to be unveiled.

Flame caught his Poké Ball as it boomeranged back to him. He watched Alyssa closely. She eyed their Pokémon before she brought out a black, yellow, and white Poké Ball and threw it casually underarm. The Ultra Ball opened and revealed a familiar-looking Pokémon: Tropius. The Grass- and Flying-type flapped her gigantic wings and roared.

A light breeze rippled against Flame. He looked at Litten. We don't have much of a chance to win this, but let's give it our all!

As the referee went through the conditions of the battle and Rotom Camera continued to film, the people of not just Festivalight but all Ciprys watched with anticipation. At home, or out and about, on whatever device, the eyes of the region were on this battle, a rare opportunity to see a gym leader live in action: a maskless man plunged his hand into a bag of popcorn as his Honchkrow crowed from his shoulder; a group of businesswomen paused their meeting to observe; a black-haired boy watched from his room; a tired old man glanced up at a café TV before returning to his meal; and a teenage girl, travelling down Route 1, checked the time, got out her phone, and tuned into the broadcast.

"Battle begin!" the ref finished.

"Water Gun attack," Frost started.

Barely a second later: "Ember!"

Mudkip and Litten did as asked, and water and fire raged forward, but instead of reaching their intended target, they collided into one another. An explosion echoed out across the battlefield, steam and smoke following. When it had cleared, everyone realised the two attacks had cancelled each other out.

"What are you doing?" Frost muttered. "I told you to stay out of my way."

"How can I? It's a two-on-one battle! I'm not just gonna sit back!"

Alyssa half-smiled, more amused than annoyed.

Rotom Camera zoomed in on their argument. Some who watched found it funny, entertaining while others found it disrespectful and irritating.

Alyssa posed for the camera as it returned to her. White, green-tipped hair streaked behind her, and she looked formidable in camo trousers and a white crop top. "Tropius," she called, "use Air Slash."

Tropius roared her name and flapped her wings, but this time for a greater purpose—they glowed white and multiple curved energy blades sliced through the air toward the opposite end of the field.

"Litten!" Flame yelled. "Time for our new move! Dodge and counter with Flame Charge!"

"Knock the slashes off-course with Water Gun," Frost instructed a moment later. So, Aconite gave him a Flame Charge TM.

The air turned hot around Litten and red-and-orange flames enveloped his body. The fire cat Pokémon rushed forward with more speed than he was otherwise capable of.

"Mudkip," Mudkip agreed. He fired out Water Gun and split the energy blades heading for him into two. They crashed randomly.

Litten was too focused on avoiding the energy blades that were coming his way to notice those Mudkip had deflected. The leftover energy tore into the ground either side of him and aftershocks shock the ground. Litten lost his balance and went crashing to the floor, the flames around him vanishing.

"You maniac!" Flame snapped. "What was that for?!"

Frost rolled his eyes. "I did warn you to stay out of my way."

Alyssa sighed. At this rate, this is gonna be a very short battle.

Rotom Camera was suddenly hovering in front of them both, and Flame became self-conscious. I bet we look like such idiots.

"You can work alone and take each other out," Alyssa called across, "or work together and stand a chance of winning. I'd recommend the second option. Now, Tropius," she flung her arm up and pointed at Litten, "Magical Leaf!"

Tropius' body glowed. Leaves extended from the bright energy created and gathered around her. And then, with a flick of her colossal wings, the leaves—illuminated with powerful energy—tornadoed towards Litten.

"Litten!" Flame panicked. "Quick! Dodge!"

"Idiot!" Frost remarked. "Magical Leaf doesn't miss." Damn, he thought. Since Tropius knows Magical Leaf, my Mud-Slap strategy is a non-starter.

"Then knock them out the sky with Ember!"

The fur along Litten's back bristled bright red as the fire cat Pokémon spat one fireball after the other at the illuminated leaves. But, for every leaf set ablaze and turned to ash, more took its place. Litten gasped for air. They just kept on coming. Tropius was a far more experienced Pokémon, and even a deflected Air Slash had depleted Litten's energy significantly. Flame suspected the battle would be over if even one move connected with Litten. Litten tried his best, but there were simply too many leaves to knock out of the sky and Flame didn't know how to turn the battle in their favour.

"Mudkip, Water Gun."

Mudkip's sudden Water Gun knocked the remaining leaves out of orbit and away from Litten.

Frost glanced at Flame. "I don't like it, but I don't want to lose either. We're gonna have to work together—this once."

Flame nearly exclaimed, Finally! aloud, but thought better of it, deciding a slight nod would suffice.

This is where it gets interesting. "Tropius, Leaf Storm!"

Tropius hadn't moved since the battle began (perhaps testament to their lack of success), but now her body glowed bright green once more. Seconds later, hundreds of leaves extended from her wings and floated around her.

Flame grinned. He started to laugh. The power of a gym leader—I can't believe I thought about giving up my Pokémon!

"Stop laughing and get your Litten right behind Mudkip."

"Why?"

"Just do it."

And then the leaves flocked closer. A field of green covered Flame's vision; he could no longer see Tropius or Alyssa. That made up his mind.

"Litten, get right behind Mudkip."

Litten rushed back toward Mudkip, Leaf Storm closing in behind him.

Those streaming the action leaned closer to their screens. From their vantage point inside the gym, Helia yelled encouragement, their grandfather willed Flame on silently, and Professor Aconite smiled knowingly. At a different viewpoint overhead, another observer commented on the battle. Below, the referee watched the powerful attack and Alyssa waited patiently.

Just as Litten was sliding behind Mudkip, Frost said, "Use Protect."

"Mud," Mudkip groaned. "Mudkip, Mud." Clearly, it took up a lot of Mudkip's strength to use the newly-learned move. Light blue energy appeared around Mudkip, forming a shield, with Litten just inside its radius.

Leaf Storm bore down on them like a massive wave.

Flame had to strain to hear what Frost said next, "As soon as Leaf Storm hits, attack with Flame Charge and then–"

"And then return back behind Mudkip," Flame finished. "Got it."

Frost was silent, in agreement but knowing reliance on Protect for a second time could be problematic.

Leaf Storm arced downward and the full might of the attack crashed against the ground around their Pokémon. Many of the leaves blasted against Mudkip's shield, causing ripples in the light blue energy, but Protect held firm. Flame was the one more in trouble, having to dodge and duck any leaves that ricocheted off. Frost seemed to have more luck. He stayed still, only moving slightly, while any ricochets hurtled past.

"Quick, Litten!" Flame shouted. "Counter with Flame Charge!"

Litten growled. Flames spread around his body as he burst forward. Even though Flame Charge hadn't hit its target last time, Litten had gained speed. The fire cat Pokémon dashed forward with such spectacular speed that Alyssa only just managed to say, "Steel Wing!" before the flame-covered Litten torpedoed into Tropius.

Tropius' wings glowed and hardened, but Litten was too quick. He tore through the gap in Tropius' defence and struck her on the side of the neck. Tropius roared her annoyance.

Litten dropped back to the ground and rolled clear. Still drenched in flames, he raced back and settled behind Mudkip.

"Clever," Alyssa remarked, laughing a little. "But you've only made Tropius angry. And that's something to avoid. Again, Tropius," she called, "use Leaf Storm!"

"Be ready," Frost said. "There's less chance Protect will work this time—Litten might need to help block."

Flame nodded. "Right."

Energised leaves released themselves from Tropius' wings. As if she held an endless supply there, they once again turned Flame's and Frost's visions to bright green as they swarmed toward their Pokémon. Both Mudkip and Litten faced Leaf Storm, defiance in their eyes.

"Mudkip, Protect."

The light blue barrier returned and encompassed Mudkip and Litten.

"Litten, if any leaves get through Mudkip's Protect, stop them with Scratch."

Litten mrrowed in agreement, not turning away from the approaching attack.

And then it was upon them. From every angle, leaves poured down like torrential rain on Mudkip and Litten. They chipped away at the shield; bigger cracks emerged than before. The more a Pokémon uses Protect in battle, the weaker the move becomes, Flame remembered a passage from Professor Aconite's guidebook.

As the last leaves connected, Mudkip's shield shattered. Litten had to dart forward and block the last few with the long white energy that extended from his claws. Most followed the same arc and weren't a problem to slice to bits, but one leaf seemed to have a mind of its own. It approached and then veered to the side, past Litten, at stunning speed.

"Watch out!" Flame exclaimed.

"Mudkip, Water Gun."

It was a late call, but Water Gun managed to deflect that last leaf too.

But now, a shadow loomed over their Pokémon. In the aftermath of Leaf Storm, Tropius had taken to the air and was now swooping down, wings glowing. "Air Slash!" Alyssa called.

"Dodge with Flame Charge!" Flame yelled.

Frost said nothing.

Air Slash rained down on Litten and Mudkip. The ground rocked. Litten had summoned forth the flames to cover his body, but was not fast enough. White energy blades peppered against him. Leftover leaves, soil, dust, and dirt produced a light, hazy cloud. Mudkip gave a final groan before crumbling onto his side. Litten remained standing—but only for a moment. His legs shook, and with a final growl of resistance, the flames that encircled him burnt out. He collapsed to the ground.

"That's it!" the referee signalled, in full view of Rotom Camera, to the differing reactions of those watching. "Your winner is Tropius and Gym Leader Alyssa!"

Tropius flew back to Alyssa, roaring as she did. After Alyssa rubbed Tropius' neck and thanked her for her effort, she got out her Ultra Ball and returned her Pokémon.

Frost gave nothing away: "Mudkip, return."

Flame grinned. "Thank you, Litten—you gave it your all."

Once all their Pokémon were absorbed, Alyssa stepped toward Flame and Frost. "In the end, you both battled well for two so fresh out of the Academy. It would have been nothing short of a miracle had you won, even with your number advantage. You came together for the good of your Pokémon and pulled off a decent strategy—well done!"

Frost blinked, looking unmoved by her praise. "You used Magical Leaf after Leaf Storm, I take it?"

"All part of the distraction," she acknowledged with a wink.

Flame hadn't realised, but now Frost had said it, it made sense. "Thanks!" Flame said a bit too loudly, adrenaline and excitement still lighting up his veins. "It was a great challenge!"

"Next time, me and Mudkip will win," Frost added.

"So, will me and Litten!"

Alyssa smiled at their competitiveness. "I presume you know the order that the Ciprys League recommends you challenge us gym leaders in?"

They both nodded; it was one of the first lessons at the Academy.

"So, you might stand a better chance against me once you have more badges!" she remarked mischievously. "I enjoyed this battle, but you know what, I'm looking more forward to the day when you've grown stronger and come back to challenge me! Until then, you might first be best heading for Whistltree Town. Declan is gym leader there, and his Pokémon are more suited to battling new trainers."

After the battle—and (unfortunately) interviews with local journalists—Alyssa returned to her office at the gym. Someone familiar to her was waiting inside.

"You just let yourself in, did you?"

"Of course."

"So, what did you think? I know you saw all of their battle against the Shadow."

"I did. This one did not surprise me. Still, it was intriguing."

"And yet you left it to me to chase that creep off."

"I trusted that the good Festivalight Gym Leader would turn up sooner or later."

"They could have been hurt, Merrick. One of them already was."

Merrick shrugged. "I was about to step in when you saved the day."

"Sure you were . . ." Alyssa mumbled. "I presume you know where the Shadow disappeared to?"

"Of course. One of my Pokémon followed him as they escaped. I'll be on my way to apprehend him after this chat."

Alyssa might have slammed her fists against her desk if she'd been talking to almost anyone else. "This is my city, you know, Merrick," she said evenly. "I, or Office Jenny, should be the one to bring that scoundrel to justice."

Merrick shrugged. "When you join the Elite Four, you can."

"Just do me a favour and don't let him get away this time."

"I can assure you of that." And with that, Merrick was gone.

Alyssa shook her head. "That man! Thinking he knows better! Just 'cause he's Elite Four doesn't mean he'd beat me in a battle," she huffed.

The next day Flame stood in the hallway of his home once more, backpack fastened and ready to go. It'd been too late to leave immediately after the battle and an interview or two—okay . . . three. He'd returned home with his family to spend the last evening they'd share together for quite some time. At least it meant he was able to properly introduce Litten to Grandpa and Helia.

"So," he grinned at them, "we're doing this again, huh?"

His grandfather smiled back and pulled him into a hug. "Take care," he said. "You can call anytime."

Flame lingered in his embrace for a moment. "Thanks for everything," he murmured, reminded of his family's warmth.

Flame turned to his little sister. "And I'll make sure we talk at least once a week. If you're not too busy when you start at the Academy, that is."

Helia smiled too. "You know what, big brother, I may not have one of those fancy trainer's licenses, but I think you're going to make one hell of a Pokémon trainer one day."

Author's Notes:
I typed 'Camera Rotom' into Google. There could be one in Sword and Shield, but it made greater sense to use a Pokémon rather than a human and camera to record the battle to streams/TV. The description on Camera Rotom is sparse here as it could be affected by if I come across one in my Shield playthrough.

I never intended to have Flame and Frost even come close to beating Alyssa—there's too much of a level difference! But hope you enjoyed the battle. I think it worked well, and I think this chapter finished things off nicely in Festivalight and for setting up some future stuff.

But (hooray!) we are on the road in the next episode! See you on the highway (Route 1)!