Pokémon: Infinite Legacies Chapter 23: TLA: Clash Again For the Phantom Badge!, a pokémon fanfic

POKÉMON: INFINITE LEGACIES
THE CIPRYS REGION
CHAPTER 23
THE LOW ACHIEVER: CLASH AGAIN FOR THE PHANTOM BADGE! FLAME VS. DECLAN II!

"Shadow Ball!"

Black and purple energy surged into being before Eevee. The evolution Pokémon faced her opponent defiantly. Yet, as the energy whirled about its core and gained its full size, flames rippled through her light brown fur. She cried out in pain. She stumbled. But worse, she lost control—and the energy they had placed their hopes upon dissipated into nothingness.

Her trainer looked on, helpless. Memories flashing through his mind. Eevee . . . he thought, his throat tight. I'm sorry. I've failed you . . .

Flame grinned at his reflection. He wore his usual attire: white trainers, black capri shorts, black-and-orange top, black monostrap backpack, and official Ciprys League headband. He brushed sleep from his eyes, then proclaimed, "Today's the day we win our first gym badge!" to his adoring audience (the mirror and his Pokémon).

Litten and Eevee yowled their support. They glanced at each other and smiled just a little. Not arguing, for once. After a moment Oriota chirped his agreement, although he was not battling today. They had been going over strategy since Flame had got up.

Flame returned them to their Poké Balls, then stepped out of his room. With the rematch on his mind, he hadn't had much sleep, but anticipation was chasing away his tiredness. We're going to win this time, he thought, yawning as he walked down the corridor. We have to . . .

Selina met him in the lobby. After an unusually quick breakfast, they were on their way to the gym.

"How do you feel? I noticed you didn't eat as much as usual."

"So-so. I think we'll win," he admitted. "I don't want to jinx it, though, and I know I haven't got anywhere near as much battle experience as your dad has."

"You'll win," encouraged Selina with her usual smile. She sounded more confident than he felt. "I've been helping you train. So, if you lose, you make me look bad and I'll have to kick your ass instead."

"I thought this was about me winning?"

"And you beating my dad."

They laughed.

"We'll see," he said, smiling slightly.

As is often the case with climatic occasions, they reached the gym quicker than Flame had expected. It loomed ahead, and somehow seemed bigger than before. Flame felt his heartbeat quicken in his chest. He knew he was prepared, but he couldn't dismiss his nerves either, and unlike before, he now appreciated the strength of a gym leader; he now knew how strong Declan was. This isn't meant to be easy, he thought, about to open the door and enter the gym.

Until someone else came out suddenly.

Flame stopped and flinched out of surprise. Even though it was a cool morning by Ciprys standards, his face felt as hot as one of Litten's Embers. "Frost," he blurted.

Frost's face betrayed no surprise, no emotion. "Flame," he said coldly, about to walk straight past his former classmate.

"Did you win?" Flame couldn't stop himself from asking.

"Of course, I won."

"Where's the badge then?" Flame asked, although he saw no reason for Frost to lie.

"In my pocket."

Flame felt a mix of emotions stirring. "I'm gonna beat him this time," he said softly.

"This time? So, you're challenging him again? Why does that not surprise me?"

"What's that supposed to mean?!"

"I mean I'm not surprised you rushed in and lost. It's exactly within your character. Gym leaders aren't pushovers like you are. You have to actually prepare and train to face them. I did, and . . . pfft, well, I expected more. Facing the rest isn't worth my time if they're all that easy."

Flame didn't know what to say. He thinks Declan was easy . . . How weak am I?

"How many battles have you won since graduating?"

Flame was silent.

"Have you even won any?"

"Two . . ."

Frost slowly shook his head. "What. A. Joke. The League shouldn't even allow trainers like you to challenge gyms. You're just wasting their time. I don't even know why they let a trainer of your quality graduate. You reflect badly on the school." He noticed Selina standing behind Flame; his icy-blue eyes snapped to her. "And you are the only trainer I've lost to when I've not had to carry Flame. Don't tell me you're wasting your time with a loser like him. You're far too good a battler to be hanging around with him."

Selina smiled back sweetly. "You're right. I did beat you. Doesn't that mean you're a loser?"

"Whatever," mumbled Frost. He started to walk away. "If we battle again, don't say I didn't warn you. You hang around with losers and you'll be one sooner or later."

Flame hurried inside.

Selina followed. "That one's a real jerk," she said, concern in her purple-pink eyes. "You okay?"

"I'm fine," he managed to say, despite the tightness in his throat.

"You sure?"

"He was right," Flame muttered. "I need to stop losing."

Selina once again refereed. "The following battle is between the Gym Leader of Whistltree Town, Declan, and the challenger, Flame. The battle will be a—"

"Shall we make this battle more interesting?"

Flame took in the gym leader's words, then said, "I'm listening."

"I heard from my daughter that you have three Pokémon in your possession. It seems a terrible waste if you have been training all three and only two battle. How about a three-on-three instead?"

It would be nice if Oriota got to battle too, but what about my strategy . . .

"It's just an idea," remarked Declan. "You can refuse if you wish. I know it's short notice, and I would not hold it against you."

"Do what you think's best, Flame," Selina added from her position at fieldside.

Flame pictured Oriota, and knew he could not decline. "I accept," he said, dipping his head. I hope I'm not going to regret this, though.

"The battle will be a three-on-three battle," Selina confirmed, glancing towards Flame and hoping the change wouldn't disadvantage him. "Only the challenger is allowed to make substitutions. Battle begin!" Good luck, Flame.

Flame pulled a shiny black ball with metallic highlights out of his pocket. He enlarged the Luxury Ball and was about to throw it into the air when Declan interrupted:

"I know your third Pokémon is an Oriota. So—"

Flame glanced at Selina. She looked back apologetically, but irritation flashed in his blaze-orange eyes.

"—I want you to know that my third Pokémon will be Yamask."

"Okay, whatever. Let's just get this battle going."

Declan dipped his head. "As you wish."

Anticipation tightened Flame's grip on his Luxury Ball, his fingers squeezing against it until he could bear to hold it no longer. He tried to settle himself with a long breath, then pulled his arm back and launched the Luxury Ball towards the ceiling.

The Luxury Ball was lost for a moment amongst the countless overhead lanterns, but once its apex was reached and its descent began, the ball popped open and energy streaked downwards. Eevee materialised in mid-air. Panic seized her face as she realised how high she was. Until instinct kicked in. She flipped forwards and landed with grace. She puffed out her chest, then looked back and gave Flame a stern look.

Flame adjusted the position of his headband. My bad, he thought, feeling guilty. Sorry, Eevee.

I don't like the look of this, thought Selina. He seems edgy and he's getting impatient. If he lets what Frost said get to him, this won't go well . . .

Declan's Poké Ball-throwing technique wasn't so aggressive. He threw his Dusk Ball lightly underarm. It burst open upon contact with the glossy purple floor and out loomed a massive book-shaped Pokémon, black and tattered, who was covered in arcane symbols.

"Tomeinx . . ." the cursed diary Pokémon's booming voice echoed throughout the gym's battle room.

Flame gulped. He's really starting with Tomeinx, his strongest Pokémon . . .

Declan smirked purposely. "It's said the more information Cursiary and Tomeinx receive, the more powerful they become. I do hope you have found a way to stop Tomeinx otherwise I expect this is going to be a very short rematch."

"Enough talking!" Flame growled. "Eevee, Sand Attack!"

Eevee gave herself a shake. Dust and dirt gathered around her. She rose up onto her hindlegs, then came back down. Her forepaws thumped against the floor, sending all the dust and dirt and what was already in the air at Tomeinx.

"Tomeinx, dodge!"

Tomeinx tried to float away but, looking unbalanced, struggled to move away quickly enough. Sand Attack hit directly and caked his front cover in dust and dirt.

Slower than before, Flame noted. Why?

"No matter," said Declan, unphased. "Reintroduce them to Will-O-Wisp Feint Attack."

Tomeinx opened up. A tentacle-like shadow extended from inside the front cover and ripped out a handful of pages that erupted into flames—flames that burnt into dark purple, pink, and blue fireballs and started encircling Tomeinx. Tomeinx levitated and started to approach Eevee, noticeably slower than when it was a Cursiary.

Flame started to grin. Finally! Something we planned for. "Quick Attack!"

Declan frowned. "You did this last time, and it didn't work. Haven't you learned?"

Selina smiled. This is more like it, Flame.

A silver aura outlined Eevee's body. With incredible speed, the Normal-type started zigzagging around the battlefield, seemingly at random. A while streak of energy trailed behind her, but it was still hard for the trainers to follow her movements. Tomeinx floated to the centre of the battlefield, tracking Eevee and preparing to strike.

"You can't run forever." Declan shook his head. "Feint Attack will hit eventually."

"Oh, I'm betting on it. Don't you know Quick Attack hits first?"

"What?"

Confusion clouded the gym leader's face as Eevee changed her trajectory. The evolution Pokémon jumped high into the air and ricocheted off one of the room's four pillars. Black and purple energy was sparking away in front of her mouth. Tomeinx tried to block with the fireballs created by Will-o-Wisp. Because of their types, Eevee hurtled through and past Tomeinx. But Shadow Ball did not. The black and purple energy ignited upon impact. The air shook and a loud bang rang out. Tomeinx rocked back slightly, but did not fall.

"That's our Shadow Ball-Quick Attack combo," explained Flame. "We still need to work on the name."

Declan broke into a smile. "Forgive my earlier comment. That really was a most impressive surprise."

Flame rubbed the back of his head self-consciously. "Well, we got the idea from how you combined your Will-O-Wisp and Feint Attack."

And then Declan's smile faded. "But, my boy, that was just one attack. Tomeinx."

Tomeinx turned and closed in on Eevee. The silver aura had vanished from around her body; she did not possess the same incredible speed as before.

"Block the best you can! Sand Attack!" We need to hurt Tomeinx's Accuracy.

Eevee reared up and then stamped the floor with her forepaws. The front cover of Tomeinx was submerged under dust and dirt—Sand Attack had hit . . .

"Again!" called Flame, eager to press on.

. . . but a second later, so did Tomeinx's Will-o-Wisp Feint Attack. The shadow that resided in Tomeinx had been unleashed once more and had lashed out, slamming against Eevee with such force that Eevee was thrown beyond the boundaries of the battlefield, stopped only by the bookshelves that bordered the room. The impact caused some of the books to become loose and join Eevee in crashing against the floor. Flame looked on, thinking what to do next, as Eevee struggled back up.

"Hex."

Tomeinx opened up his body. Pages started to turn, and a pair of misshapen eyes appeared on the page that Tomeinx had stopped on. The absence of a mouth didn't stop Tomeinx from emitting a horrible shriek. Flame covered his ears, as the page glowed dark purple and the nightmarish eyes advanced from inside the cursed hardcover and towards Eevee.

"Shadow Ball!" Flame shouted.

Flame looked on, helpless, as the dark energy of Hex seized Eevee. She tried to struggle free, but it was not enough. Hex carried her into the air and began to stretch out her body. Painful cries split the air; memories flashed through Flame's mind. Eevee . . . he thought, his throat tight and his eyes darkening. I'm sorry. I've failed you . . .

Selina looked at Flame, then made the call: "Eevee is unable to battle. Flame has two Pokémon remaining."

Tomeinx stopped using Hex. The small brown- and cream-furred Pokémon landed with a soft thump.

"Hex has only gotten stronger, I'm afraid, my boy, now that we've had the chance to refine it after Tomeinx's evolution. That, and your Pokémon was burnt."

Too absorbed in his own thoughts, Flame wasn't listening to Declan. Eevee was beaten that fast? I thought we had a chance after Quick Attack and Shadow Ball . . .

Frost's words echoed through his mind: What. A. Joke. The League shouldn't even allow trainers like you to challenge gyms. You're just wasting their time.

Flame slowly got out his Luxury Ball. He returned Eevee, then the ball to his pocket. Maybe Frost's right, he thought, head lowered. Maybe he's right. Maybe they were all right . . .

Words from the past echoed back to him, and he saw nothing but darkness:

You're challenging him again? Why does that not surprise me?

You are not a worthy trainer. You are not worthy to see Ciprys. You are not worthy to own Pokémon.

Then again, Flame, you always were one of the low achievers in our class.

You. Have. No. Chance. How many times do I have to tell you?

"Flame!"

Their words overwhelmed him with doubt, drove the air out of his body, and stopped him from answering back. His composure had ebbed and flowed during the battle, but now he felt his resolve shattering into thousands of pieces.

"Flame!"

Light streamed into his vision as he opened his eyes, the voice returning him to reality.

"You snap out of it!" Selina yelled at him. "I didn't spend all that time helping you train just so you'd throw this match away. Remember what you said last night! Don't change your mind just because one jerk thinks you should! I believe in you, and I know your Pokémon do too! Don't you go letting them down!"

Declan listened intently, a smile creeping onto his face.

Flame remembered his words: I know that Phantom Badge's going to be ours. He remembered Litten's encouragement after the first battle against Declan. He remembered how hard Eevee and Litten had fought for him that battle. He remembered their first battles, against Frost, against Selina. He remembered how hard they'd trained, their closely-fought battles in Spectre Tower. He remembered the encouragement of his grandpa, Helia, and Professor Aconite—and now Selina. And, of course, he remembered what Eevee had just been through for him.

Flame shook his head. What am I doing? he thought. I need to chill out. There's still plenty of time to come back and win this battle. He breathed in, and out, then chose his next Pokémon. "Litten!" he announced, grinning. "Let's smash this!"

That's more like it, thought Declan, proud of his daughter. That's the trainer I want to battle.

Flame went back to basics with his throw, a simple overarm release. The Poké Ball burst open, and the energy within materialised into Litten. The fire cat Pokémon glared at Tomeinx. Normally a growl would occupy his glare, but Litten was too focused on the battle to issue one.

"Get going with Ember!"

The mark on Litten's forehead glowed red, as did the fur that started bristling along his spine. Fiery energy gathered in and around his mouth.

"Counter with Night Shade!"

A pale purple aura appeared around Tomeinx's body while bright pink energy gathered centrally. Multiple crimson rings, which were only growing larger by the second, formed from the energy produced and hovered in front of Tomeinx.

Heat greeted Flame as Litten breathed out, blasting an impressive fireball at Tomeinx.

Tomeinx made his silent command, and then the crimson rings were spinning towards Litten.

The competing energies fizzed away as the two attacks collided. One after another, Tomeinx's crimson rings pelted against Litten's fireball. Ember gave no ground to Night Shade, though. The two attacks beat each other down until only smoke remained, the remnant of competing energies.

"Come on, Litten! You can do better than that! Ember, once more!"

Declan tried to study Flame's body language through the smoke, but it was growing harder to see his opponent properly. Surely he knows our attacks will only cancel each other out once more? I do hope he hasn't lost his composure again. The official first gym leader of the Ciprys region turned to his Pokémon and declared, "We'll counter with Night Shade, Tomeinx."

"Tomeinx," agreed Tomeinx in his booming voice, summoning forth the energy required.

Litten did the same. Within seconds, their attacks were unleashed for a second time. The energies of Fire and of Ghost clashed, but the result was the same. The only difference was that more smoke littered the battlefield. It was incredibly difficult for either trainer to see the other trainer and their Pokémon.

But Flame was grinning. "You know what to do, Litten," he whispered.

Litten dipped his head in acknowledgement; flames began spreading across his glossy black fur.

Declan frowned. I do not like this. Flame and Litten were only faint silhouettes through the smoke. He watched with narrowed eyes as Litten's silhouetted suddenly darted away. He managed to track the fire cat Pokémon for a second or so before losing sight, the smoke too thick and Litten too fast.

"Flame Charge didn't work last time," Declan called through the smoke, "and it certainly won't work this time." He lowered his voice. "Watch yourself, Tomeinx. Litten will try to catch you off-guard. Get ready to use Night Shade."

Flame fell into silence. He fiddled with his headband and felt his heartbeat quicken in his chest, but he knew all he could do was wait, having confidence in Litten and their training together.

Tomeinx channelled his energy. The pale purple aura returned to outline his body. As the smoke started to clear, flames became visible. But Tomeinx was ready for Flame Charge, crimson rings flowing forth from bright pink energy.

"Do it!" yelled Flame.

The flames blazed higher, but Declan waited patiently. Like Eevee, Litten was using a pillar to increase his momentum, to attack Tomeinx from an unexpected angle. Clever, conceded the gym leader, but it shall not work twice.

Crimson rings sparked around an invisible grip and flames bounced off a pillar.

"Now!" Declan shouted.

Tomeinx released Night Shade; the crimson rings shot towards Litten. But both Declan and Tomeinx had misjudged. The crimson rings blasted into a pillar as the flames streaked by. Declan turned to see Flame Charge bouncing off a second pillar and heading straight for Tomeinx, who could only turn around slowly.

Before Declan could utter a command, a Litten enveloped in flames hurtled across his vision. He thought he saw something else in front of Litten, but half a second passed and Litten and Flame Charge thundered into Tomeinx.

Tomeinx groaned.

Surprise appeared on Declan's face.

The cursed diary Pokémon toppled forwards and hit the floor with a heavy thump. Tomeinx had not been ready for that.

The impact of Tomeinx's collapse blew any smoke that had remained to the edges of the room, allowing Selina to safely make her call. "Tomeinx is unable to battle!" she confirmed, unable to stop herself smiling. "Gym Leader Declan has two Pokémon remaining!"

Author's Notes:
I'm really pleased with this chapter. Because of his lack of sleep, unexpected encounter with Frost, and Declan throwing him by changing the number of Pokémon in the battle, Flame's confidence dips and he feels unprepared. And because of the timing of this chapter, I feel like the segment where he remembers what people have said to him in the past is particularly important/nostalgic. Below is who said what:

'You're challenging him again? Why does that not surprise me?'—Frost (this chapter: Chapter 23)

'You are not a worthy trainer. You are not worthy to see Ciprys. You are not worthy to own Pokémon.'—The Shadow (Chapter 5: The Shadow of Festivalight, Part II)

'Then again, Flame, you always were one of the low achievers in our class.'—Ella (Chapter 9: Your Journey Starts Now! How Not To Catch Pokémon!)

'You. Have. No. Chance. How many times do I have to tell you?'—Frost (Chapter 3: Fire or Water? A Rival Battle!)

Because tomorrow (4th August 2020) marks the 1-year anniversary of Infinite Legacies (hooray!) I'm going to aim to publish four chapters this week as they have all been written and edited already; all they need is a read-through before posting.

As always, a big thank you for reading and stay tuned for the Summer of Ciprys anniversary one-week special bonanza! Do you think Flame is capable of overcoming Declan next chapter?

Reviews (Chapter 22: Atop Spectre Tower: The Gym Leader's Daughter):
CrescentApple: 'So… the little girl… is that… Selina? She had an identity change? That was a really good past scene. So sad but done very well. I wonder what happened there. Were her parents Pokémon hunters and they were just ignoring her? So sad…'—So yeah, that was Selina. She was originally named Chloë (which is for a reason 'cause I'm sneaky) and her parents were too busy hunting Pokémon and she was neglected. As a result, she ended up getting adopted by Declan and his partner. I may/may not develop her biological parents in the future. And I'm pleased you found it sad—that was what I was aiming for. :P

SudiptoDam19: 'Once again, I loved it. And the idea of Selina's past insights was really cool. This chapter was great in its own unique way. Keep up the brilliant work!'—Thank you! I appreciate it! And thanks again to the brilliant KokoroEcho as his earlier review is what inspired me to think about Selina's past in greater detail and write that scene.

KokoroEcho: 'I like how this was handled. I think we need more characters out there of different flavours, especially in Pokémon.'—Agreed. I recently finished Shield and it was nice that you face Raihan and Nessa in the Champion Cup finals. Overall, I think inclusivity in literature is a very interesting topic, and while this is only a fanfic and maybe I'm also not the best person to interpret some of these stories, but I want to try and, in the process, hopefully improve the diversity of characters in this story. Fundamentally the world is a beautiful place and there are plenty of wonderful and different people out there!