POKÉMON: INFINITE LEGACIES
THE CIPRYS REGION
CHAPTER 18
HI. I'M HERE FOR THE GYM BATTLE!
Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! thought Flame, his heart pounding as they rushed towards the gym, his trainers flicking up shredded bark. The sky was darkening and the lanterns glowing overhead. The blend of light and dark was really quite a pretty sight, but he had no time to stop and appreciate it, following Selina.
He stared at her back, a mixture of emotions stirring: excitement, anticipation, annoyance.
A version of himself appeared in his mind's eye, challenging the first gym leader, about to emerge victorious. Excitement raced through his body. He could wait no longer to challenge the first gym.
But what if you lose? a part of him whispered. He shook his head dismissively. Tch, no way that's happening! Years of training had led up to this moment and he was going to prove himself; he was going to win.
If you get there in time.
Fair point, he conceded to himself.
If only Selina hadn't been so erratic, he would have been challenging Declan by now rather than racing there before closing time. Yet, even if he told himself not to worry, even if he knew Selina was strong enough to handle it herself, he couldn't help but be concerned. Something had clearly thrown Selina off upon their arrival in Whistltree. His guess was that it had something to do with the gym, considering her attempts to delay their arrival as much as possible, but that was as far as his thinking went.
He shook his head. I have to concentrate on my gym battle.
The locals greeted Selina, asking her if anything was wrong as they sped by, but she brushed them off as kindly and as quickly as she could. They didn't have time to stop: the last of the sun's glow fading from the sky.
A flash of annoyance entered Flame's mind when they reached the gym. Though on the far side of town, it wouldn't have been hard to miss, looming in front of them. Much like the town's Pokémon Centre, the Whistltree Town Gym was designed to be in touch with nature: trees spiralling out from the building's four corners. But unlike the Pokémon Centre, the gym seemed dated: some of the paint was peeling and the trees in and around were gnarly and thin.
Panting a little, Flame climbed the steps, pushed open the double doors, and stepped inside. Selina followed more slowly, the door groaning shut with a loud creak.
Flame found himself in a modest reception area, a counter ahead and an old leather sofa to the side, but he failed to spot where the walls started and ended; bookshelves dominated each and every side of the reception. He thought he spotted one of Professor Aconite's books, but he couldn't be sure. Despite the old-fashioned décor, a waft of cold air blew against him and he had to thank Zeurelic for the gift of aircon as he started towards the reception desk, Selina trailing behind. Her worries yet to be revealed.
Relief brought a smile to Flame's face. Finally here. "Hi," he said aloud. "I'm here for the gym battle."
An old lady with greying hair and circular glasses sat behind the reception desk. She looked up from the thriller she'd been reading and said, "I'm afraid we are just about to close, my dear."
Disappointment erased the smile from Flame's face. "Eh, what?"
Selina stepped forwards, clearing her throat nosily. "I'm sorry," she said, still a little out of breath. "It's my fault, Phyllis."
For a moment Flame wondered how Selina knew the receptionist's name. Then again, all the locals seemed to know Selina. It was perfectly understandable she'd know the receptionist of the gym too.
Phyllis looked up, noticing Selina. A smile broke out on her face at the sight of her. She looked about to say something when Selina silenced her with a look. Phyllis returned her gaze to Flame and nodded in understanding.
"Well, occasionally, exceptions can be made. Your License please?"
Relief and surprise reuniting his smile with his face, Flame slipped his Trainer's License out of his Pokédex without a moment's hesitation and presented it.
Phyllis held it close to her glasses, looking over it before scanning it against a small device. "All done, my dear," she said a moment later. "Please take a seat. I'll call you through when he's ready." And then Flame's suspicions grew: Another look of recognition was shared between the receptionist and Selina before she disappeared through the door to the back.
Selina sat down on the old leather sofa. Flame settled beside her. He waited for her to speak.
After a moment Selina said, "I'm sorry, Flame. It's my fault you were late. I know how much this battle means to you, and I shouldn't have jeopardised it because . . ." She stopped herself from going any further, gazing at the bookshelf in front of them.
Flame leaned back. "You should tell me what's going on," he said as casually as he could.
But Selina seemed to have developed a sudden interest in The Myths and Legends of Ciprys: Volume I on the coffee table in front of them. She leaned forwards and picked up the hardback, flicking through its yellowed pages restlessly.
"Come on, Selina." He didn't want to push her, but he was growing impatient. Why wouldn't she just tell him? What could be so bad? "You were going to tell me earlier before Maizie showed up. Whatever it is, I'm sure it can't be anything that'll change my opinion of you."
Selina placed the hardback back onto the coffee table. "It's really quite complicated."
Flame waited.
"You see . . ."
And waited.
Selina avoided his gaze. "So, uh . . . Declan is actually my—"
Selina looked up, startled. Flame jumped a little himself. He followed her gaze. Opening doors had interrupted her. A man in his late 40s strutted towards them. He had silver-tinted hair and well-groomed (some might say extravagant) facial hair. His eyes widened beneath his reading glasses when he saw Selina. He put his mystery paperback down on the reception desk and rushed towards her.
"Selina!" he said in a clear, melodious manner, his mouth curving into a smile that revealed the whitest set of teeth Flame had ever seen. "My angel! I'm so glad you're back."
Selina's response lacked the same level of excitement: "I'm pleased to see you too, Dad . . ."
"Oh, so he's your dad," said Flame, half surprised, half not. Why was that such a big deal? he wondered.
Declan inspected his latest challenger for the first time. "And who is this?"
Flame grinned. "Sir, my name is Flame and I'm here to challenge you for my first gym badge."
Declan chuckled. "No need to call me sir, Flame." His expression turned serious. "So, I see you have been travelling with my daughter . . ." He took a moment to look Selina's travelling companion up and down: messy dark brown hair, flashy orange headband and white running shoes, black sports top with orange along the shoulder line and white shorts and socks. He presumed the boy had a winning personality, for he failed to see the appeal of his fashion sense. He returned his gaze to the two of them. "No funny business, I hope?"
Both Selina and Flame blushed under the accusation.
"Dad!" protested Selina, looking like she wanted to facepalm herself. "He's a friend. Of course not!"
"Good. Good! Otherwise I'd have to teach you a lesson, Flame," warned Declan ominously, "one that cannot be taught in a Pokémon battle . . ."
Flame smiled uneasily. He's . . . a bit of a character. He glanced at Selina, her face scrunched up in embarrassment. Maybe that's why she was so worried?
Declan motioned towards the doorway he'd entered through. "Now, please follow me to the site of battle. Selina, would you care to referee?"
Selina voiced her agreement with a "Sure," but Flame sensed from her tone she wasn't overly thrilled by the idea.
Flame and Selina followed Declan down a long corridor. It was dark. The only light came from the few sconces that were placed equally down the length of the wall.
"So, earlier, when you wanted me to look presentable, this was why?" whispered Flame. "To meet your dad. Should I tell him I'm your boyfriend? His reaction would be so priceless." He laughed a little himself, amused at the thought of Declan going Primeape.
Normally his jokes, even the bad ones, drew laughs from Selina's lips, but this time, nothing. He sensed he'd missed the mark. He changed tact.
"Having a gym leader for a dad must be pretty cool," he murmured.
Selina shrugged, walking beside him, in Declan's shadow. "Yeah, I suppose. That's what everyone seems to say."
Flame adjusted his headband, uncomfortable, deciding not to say anymore. Nothing he said was breaking through Selina's trance. He glanced at her, wondering what was going through her mind, until Declan led them into the next room and his concerns for Selina disappeared under his own excitement.
The gym's battlefield . . . he marvelled.
It was different to any he'd seen before: the floor at the centre of the room was lowered slightly, a hard, glossy purple. To the sides the floor, black carpet, was slightly raised and switches along the walls suggested the floor—or rather, platforms—were movable. He guessed it doubled up as a space to train in. And just like the reception area, more books than he ever expected to read in his lifetime covered pine-coloured shelves, only interluded by doors that looked old-fashioned in appearance. Four pillars, each at a corner of the battlefield, rose up the ceiling which glowed with lanterns of countless different colours. Flame's eyes widened. "This is so cool," he gasped.
Declan smiled. "Thanks—you would not believe how long it took to put all those books up."
Selina shuffled over to fieldside. Declan walked to the far end, and Flame stood in the marked box nearest the entrance they'd passed through. His excitement tangled with his nerves, his body buzzing with adrenalin and his stomach light. He thought back to his time at the Pokémon Academy in Festivalight. His experiences there flashed in his mind. From there to here, to now. He thought he could hear his heart thumping away in his chest. He breathed out.
This is it.
This is it.
This is really it!
Declan nodded towards the referee, business-like. "Selina, please proceed."
Selina's face showed none of her previous concerns as she smoothly declared, "The following battle is between the Gym Leader of Whistltree Town, Declan, and the challenger, Flame. The battle will be a two-on-two battle. Only the challenger is allowed to make substitutions."
Declan delved into his jacket pocket and pointed a small badge towards Flame: crescent-shaped with shadows extending from the main piece. "This is the Phantom Badge, my boy."
Flame looked eagerly at what would be his reward. If he won.
Flame blinked, and in an instant, the badge was out of his sight; Declan had returned it to his pocket. "Defeat me and prove that you and your Pokémon deserve it. I may be the first Gym Leader here in Ciprys, but I don't give this badge away without a good fight."
Flame thought of the journey he, Eevee, Litten, and Oriota had been on so far. I know we deserve it, but we're gonna show you why, Declan.
Declan adjusted his glasses, then held out a black and green-spotted Poké Ball with orange highlight. He bounced the Dusk Ball into the air and dark purple energy spiralled out, forming into a grey Pokémon with a horn atop their head.
"Shuppet!" exclaimed Shuppet with a wide grin, floating happily.
Flame gripped his Poké Ball hard before flinging it high above their heads. "Litten! Let's do this!"
At its apex, the Poké Ball opened. Energy shot down to the floor like lightning and Litten appeared. As soon as the fire cat Pokémon caught sight of Shuppet and realised he was in the gym battle Flame had talked so much about, he bared his teeth and growled. His fur bristled and the mark on his forehead started to glow faintly red.
"Battle begin!" Selina called out, a lot livelier than before. Despite her prior awkwardness, she really was looking forward to seeing how Flame fared in his first gym battle, especially when it was against her father.
"As challenger, you may make the first move, Flame."
"Right." Flame nodded. "Litten, use Ember!"
Litten growled in agreement. The fire cat Pokémon bent his legs, flattening his body. The mark on his forehead now glowed red and the fur along his spine shot up, glowing just as bright. The feline summoned forth the fiery energy in his mouth and spat out a large fireball. The fireball raced across the battlefield towards Shuppet.
Declan stared calmly at Litten's attack as it approached, unconcerned. With 30-plus years of battling under his belt, there wasn't much he hadn't seen before. "Multiply," he responded.
Confusion poured through Flame—Multiply? he wondered. What's that?!—as Shuppet's form glowed white and the air surrounding the puppet Pokémon started to vibrate.
Ember blazed closer to its target.
But suddenly more Shuppet appeared, additional copies emerging from where the original had floated, until a semi-circle of them faced Litten. And as soon as Ember struck, the centremost Shuppet faded away into nothingness: a fake.
Double Team! Flame realised. But there's no way to find out which is the real one. Guess we're just gonna have to blast 'em all! He grinned at the challenge. "Time to warm yourself up, Litten," he said, pointing at their opponents. "Ember on all the Shuppet!"
Litten swivelled on his paws. Flame could feel the heat radiating from his Pokemon's body as Litten began shooting off one Ember after another at their opponents.
"Shuppet," said Declan calmly, despite the poofs! that marked the destruction of a number of Shuppet's clones, "counter with Screech if you please."
The few Shuppet copies that remained opened their mouths and let out the most horrendous shrieks that Flame had ever experienced. He covered his ears with his hands, not that it helped much. He thought he was about to go deaf. Litten was worst affected, hissing in pain and fury even as Screech subsided. He staggered. He looked disorientated, shaky on his paws. Flame searched his mind for what do next.
"Ember!" he decided.
"Counter with Shadow Sneak."
Litten crouched. He readied himself to use Ember like before. Meanwhile, the Shuppet copies turned into black silhouettes and their shadows extended, crawling over the hard, glossy purple floor, reaching out to claim their prey—but only as Litten unleashed his attack and fire scattered shadow.
The shadows vanished, the fireball baring down on the Shuppet copies who were floating away before they could get hit. Flame grinned. Time to take advantage.
He was about to issue his next command when he noticed it: a shadow, that had curved round and skirted past Litten. It rose up from the floor and went to attack the unsuspecting Litten from behind.
"Litten!" Flame cried out. "Look out! Behind you!"
Litten looked back—but too late! The shadow unwound like a black wave and swatted Litten away like a Bug-type. Litten flew forwards and landed with a heavy thud.
Selina looked at Flame. Then at Litten. She was ready to make the call, however much she didn't want to. Come on, guys, she willed. I know you can do this.
"C'mon, Litten!" pleaded Flame. "Get up! You can still turn this around!"
Pain gripped Litten. He groaned. He considered the battle. He considered Shuppet. He considered his human. He struggled to his paws, bared his teeth, and growled at his opponent. His heartbeat quickened. Heat reverberated from his fur, fresh energy masking his pain.
Flame grinned in delight as an intense light, red and fiery, burst into being and surrounded his Pokémon. "Oh yeah!" he exclaimed. "Blaze!"
"No matter," remarked Declan, his expression unchanged. "Shuppet, finish this with Night Shade."
"Hmph! No, you don't! Litten, blast them away with Flame Charge!"
The remaining Shuppet's eyes glowed bright pink, their bodies a pale purple. Crimson rings materialised in front of their eyes. Seconds later, the rings were slicing through the air towards Litten.
Litten was enveloped, lost beneath the flames. The rings weaved closer, but it made no difference. Litten was far too quick for them, bounding away easily, and before Declan could respond, Litten veered sideways and turned at great speed, blasting through each and every Shuppet in his path. Poof! Poof! Poof! the copies protested as Litten's Blaze form eradicated them, until only the real Shuppet remained, trying to float to safety.
But Litten bunched his legs and leaped into the air so quickly that Shuppet didn't have time to dodge. Flame Charge smashed into Shuppet, searing-hot energy scorching his body and the momentum sending him crashing to the floor. Unlike Litten who landed untroubled, posing triumphantly as Flame Charge ended, reducing the intensity of the flame encircling him. His yellow eyes becoming visible, he growled confidently.
"Shuppet is unable to battle!" called Selina, trying to keep her excitement for Litten's survival out of her voice. To have a chance of beating her father, it was crucial that they hadn't gone two-one down. But she was realistic enough to know the battle was not over yet. She just hoped Flame knew the same and wouldn't get carried away: Like any flame, Blaze wouldn't last forever, and Declan's second Pokémon would be even stronger than Shuppet.
Adrenalin and anticipated pumped through Flame. One down, one to go! he celebrated. He was smiling at the prospect. Now that Blaze had kicked in, no Pokémon could stop Litten. He was going to blast away Declan's final Pokémon! A part of Flame knew he shouldn't be thinking so far ahead, but how could he not after what he'd just witnessed . . . the power . . . the strength Litten had just displayed?
Confidence poured through him. He was sure of his abilities. After all, this was precisely what Professor Aconite and his other teachers at the Pokémon Academy had prepared him for. Before long he would be holding his first gym badge, celebrating with his Pokémon. He pictured the scene and grinned: He knew it wasn't far away.
Author's Notes:
I'm proud and pleased to have published this chapter. As was the case last month, my time is mostly taken up by working away on my dissertation and other uni-related work on my laptop at the moment, so unless I work on this project on my days off (like today), I'm normally reluctant to sit in front of a computer screen after 6+ hours of typing up stuff earlier in the day.
This chapter probably took me around six-and-a-half hours to finish off. Two different edits: the 1st) typing up each line again and improving (the first 300-odd words before they arrived at the gym were added in during this process); the 2nd) more of a read-through, fixing basic mistakes and rewriting anything that could still be improved, appeared as erroneous. But the time has flowed really nicely (doesn't feel like six-and-a-half hours has passed), which always helps a great deal.
But, anyways, it's been nice to get back to this and I think this chapter's pretty neat for a number of reasons. Such as we're finally introduced to Declan, the first Ciprys gym leader. So, I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as it was a pleasure for me to edit and post it.
The battle continues in the next chapter! So, stay tuned!
Also: I'd like to say a big thank you to KokoroEcho and SudiptoDam19 for their reviews and continued support. Any shows of support, in any way (reviews, follows, faves) are always appreciated. :)