IV: Sinnohs' Virtues
Will found himself sitting on a small bench in front of Eterna cities Pokemon Center, the events of the previous night still fresh in his mind. Apis and Artermis had managed to fend of the ghost types that had attacked their group, and were preparing for a second assault on the old chateaux with gym leader Gardenia in tow when Will had shut down the mysterious device. Upon returning to the city Gardenia had Will personally follow her to private chambers within her gym to discuss exactly what had transpired at the mansion.
She had listened intently to his entire story, a very grave look upon her face. Once he had finished, he presented her with the purple plate, and was relieved when she insisted she hold on to the artifact for safekeeping. Still, he couldn't help but wonder at what they had stumbled upon. Something quite dangerous for certain; the ability to freely manipulate large hordes of wild Pokemon was practically unheard of, and the truth of the matter left Will with a worried feeling in his stomach. He was reminded again of his childhood, when a resurgence of Team Rocket had caused many problems in his home region.
"You seem troubled," said Artemis emerging from the Pokemon center with a few muffins in hand, "Here you should probably eat something."
"Thanks," said Will halfheartedly, his mind still brooding over the plate, and the mystery man that had escaped the mansion without detection.
"You know Will, you might be new to this whole adventure thing but. It's not smart to just leave behind your teammates like that and go rushing head first into trouble. I'll admit that you got lucky this time, and it was good that you disabled the machine. But next time, maybe be a tad more cautious. We could have helped you out in there."
"Weavile and I handled everything just fine," growled Will irritably. He wasn't in the mood to be chastised.
"Weavile fainted Will! If you hadn't caught that wild Rotom in the chateaux you would be dead right now! I have heard what happens to idiots that wander into the territory of wild Gengar, and it is not a pretty thing."
"Oh, so now I am an idiot, am I?"
"I wasn't saying you specifically Will, I just meant that- "
"Last time I checked, I'm the one that freed all the ghost Pokemon! I am the one that saved Eterna Forest!"
"Ah now I get it," smirked Artemis, "a few good deeds and our friend here thinks he is some chosen champion for Sinnoh! Listen Will, I get that you want to play the whole 'Hero' role', but I wouldn't be doing my job as your companion and friend If I didn't tell you when you're making mistakes."
"I wasn't playing hero!" Shouted Will rising to his feet. The two stood in awkward silence for a few moments eyes locked, then Artemis shook his head with a deep sigh.
"Bull headed, aren't you? I guess there is no other way around it then. Follow me." Without waiting he took off, heading for the northern end of the city. Will followed, fuming at Artemis's audacity. Sure, he counted him as a knowledgeable friend with more experience in the field, but that didn't mean he would be bossed around by some new companion he barely knew. He had experienced enough of that growing up.
The two trainers came to a halt in front of a large and impressive statue of a Pokemon Will did not recognize. Artemis bowed before it before turning to face William.
"Tell me Will, what do you know of the myths of Sinnoh?" Will simply shrugged his shoulders. "I see. Well as you have already seen, ours is a region rich with legends. One tale states that in olden days, battles were not meant for sport but rather ceremony. A ritual meant to better ourselves. Over the course of that ritual a trainer would not only grow closer to their partner, but they would also grow in virtue. By meeting new people and witnessing different approaches, strategies, and beliefs, we are provided three opportunities for growth. The mind may expand, our spirits can grow, and our willpower strengthens."
"Are you saying that you want us to have a battle?" asked Will. Artemis smiled,
"Precisely. Now then, how about a one on one? I'll use Lunatone and you can use Weavile. Their type combinations give both advantages and disadvantages against one another. In that sense, we are on a very equal playing field. Sound fair?"
"I will be leader of Mahogany's gym one day. It would be shameful to ever refuse a challenge when presented with one," grinned Will, excited for a chance to vent frustration and demonstrate his skills.
The two trainers took up stances opposite of each other before the statue. Blood began to pump harder, William could feel his heartbeat thumping within his ears.
"Best of luck!" With that Artemis called out his Lunatone, its red eyes flashing in the sun. Will called Weavile from its pokeball, a fierce smile upon its face. Looks like he was in the mood to battle too. Will thought carefully for a moment. He had seen Lunatone in battle several times now. He knew that the crescent rock would never be able to keep up with Weaviles speed in a fight. Then again, it was capable of the protection technique which not only would nullify any damage, but leave the duo open to a counter attack.
"Fine then. Let's force him to use it. Alright Weavile, icicle crash!" The small Pokemon was off in a blur, leaping high into the air as large spears of ice formed in its fists. With a mighty heave, it launched these towards Lunatone who remained still. The spears collided, shattering against the creature's stony body. The attack had failed to cause any serious damage.
"Come now Will, you can do better than that. Lunatone use Moonblast!" The moon Pokemon spun its body like a top forming a ball of pink energy at the tip of its beak. Then like a cannon it fired the orb directly at Weavile.
"Doge it! Slide underneath then follow up with Night slash!" Weavile was a blur, running directly at the oncoming attack. Then in an instant, he dropped. using his momentum to slide along the ground. As soon as he was clear of Lunatones' attack, he sprang up, dark miasma radiating from his claws.
"Protect!" The dark Pokemons claw clashed with a powerful green energy field which sprung up around Lunatone. Artemis smiled. "Not bad Will, but a little predictable. I think it's time we introduced you to a little secret of ours. Lunatone, trick room now!"
"Trick room?" Lunatones eyes lit up bright blue, and as it did a veil of energy engulfed the battle field before fading from sight.
"I've noticed how much you rely on Weaviles speed to win in your battles. Sorry to tell you this, but speed is no longer going to be an option; at least not for you. Lunatone, Power Gem!"
To his eyes it made no sense. It was as if the Pokemon simply disappeared only to reappear right behind Weavile. As it did, four large purple crystals formed in the air which then struck outward, catching Weavile full in the back and blasting him onto his belly. Before Will even had time to think Artemis had given his next command.
"Moon blast!" Another orb of energy came surging down, this time directly from above. It was too much for his partner to handle and Will felt his heart drop as the pokedex buzzed in his pocket. The battle was over. They had lost.
Artemis approached his Lunatone, tickling it underneath its beak while congratulating it. Will could feel the heat radiating from his face. He had been completely confidant that they would win the match. Sadly, he recalled Weavile to his pokeball.
"A loss is a bitter thing sometimes. But even in defeat we learn something, don't we? At times I find myself wondering which benefits us more. Victory assures us of our tactics, builds our confidence, strengthens resolve, yet eventually leads to a natural laxness. Defeat inspires us to make changes, seek out something new, and improve ourselves more. In that sense, perhaps it's not so bad to lose every now and then."
With that Artemis left William to brood by the statue alone. While he hated the morally high horse his colleague toted, he also couldn't completely disagree. After all, he had been defeated almost effortlessly. For the first time in his life, Will found himself thankful that his grandfather had not been around to watch him battle. He gazed up to the statue above him, noticing that on its worn base was an inscription of sorts and a triangle of colored orbs.
"Huh…Three virtues…