Chapter 13:
We managed to get the order decided in less than thirty seconds, with me being first, then Gloria, then Hop, then Marnie, then Bede. And his reason for not eating as fast as the rest of us?
"I'd eat faster, but I'd prefer to finish last, since Opal is sure to spend longer on me, since she said that, win or lose the championship, she wants to know if I can take over her gym. And she's sure to train me during my challenge, Bede said, me nodding at him as he then simply went to the wings. "In the meantime, I'll watch your fights from afar. Mainly because I want to see what you do against her. She said she plans on making a surprise for us, since we're the last ones still in the running," Bede said, me smirking at that.
"Hard to get surprised after what we all encountered... finding that stuff out? I think we should all agree not to say a word, at least not until we can get that plan made," I said, the group nodding as we then agreed, and Sonia then went to me and then held something in her hand. A blood syringe.
"I know it may sound like a bad idea, but maybe you could give me some of your blood? It could be used as 'insurance', wink wink," Sonia said, me nodding at that.
"Just make sure that Magnolia gets the message as well, and make sure you research it up and down and all around. I need to make sure that gunk won't kill me," I said, her nodding as I then let her take a vial of my blood (after she cleaned the needle) and then took a vial of it, it being colored purple. "Yep, that doesn't look safe," I frowned at it.
"I'll vamoose with your Pokemon friends, then. Bye," she said, her then warping away with the other Pokemon that weren't a part of my team as of current, me going over to the desk and then signing up for my gym challenge, me knowing that it would be a bunch of fairy type Pokemon I'd be battling. And then, when me and my partners went through the doors, I then found myself on... a stage?
"Why, hello, deary!" said the elderly voice of Opal, her being in what seemed to be a judge's seat of sorts. "You want to beat my gym, you'll need to go through a test of knowledge about me and my gym," she said, me smirking at that.
"Okay, done deal," I smiled at her.
"Here's how it works. You'll battle some of my gym trainers, but before you attack, you'll answer some multiple choice questions. Answer correctly, and your Pokemon will get stat boosts. Answer wrong, your opponent gets the boost. I really hope you can do well, as I need some more possible successors to my gym. Are you ready?" she asked, me smirking at her.
"Um, before I do, I must ask. If I were to do that, is it possible for me to get rid of the technology in the gym? Y'know, like the Ransei rules?" I asked.
"But of course, but before that, just focus on the challenge," Opal smiled, me smirking at that as the first challenger came up. "First challenge, G-Max Jo versus Annette! Send out your first Pokemon," she said, me then looking to Primarina with a smile.
"Primarina, time to shine," I smirked.
"Yay! I finally get to go first for a change!" she smiled happily as she went forward while the opponent sent out a Spritzee.
"First question: What are a Fairy-type's weaknesses? Steel and Poison, or Fire and Dark?" she asked, me smiling at that.
"Steel and Poison," I smirked. And then, Primarina got her speed increased after.
"Correct, love! Now, you may commence," Opal smirked.
"Primarina, use Sparkling Aria," I said, her then getting Spritzee defeated, before then doing the same thing to Slurpuff, making the first challenge defeated!
"Great job, darling! Now, gym challenger number 2, Teresa!" Opal said as the next one came out, me then seeing that Ponyta had evolved into Rapidash after the fight and getting the experience, me then having her take the fray instead as Teresa sent out Swirlix as her first Pokemon. "Second question: What was the previous trainer's name? Annetta? Or Annette?" she asked, me then nodding at that. Good thing I had a good memory.
"Annette," I smiled.
"Good memory, a good trait for a gym leader! Now, begin the fight with some added Special Attack," she smirked. I then had Rapidash use Psybeam, it being a one-hit ko, and her then using Draining Kiss on Aromatisse after she got Rapidash down to half health, getting her health all back at once! I then smirked as Opal then clapped and then got to the next trainer, her being Theodora. We then had our Pokemon be Drapion and an imp-looking Pokemon called Morgrem, which looked pretty cool.
"Next question, what do I eat for breakfast every morning? Curry? Or Omelets?" she asked. I already knew the answer, since I saw that she had some yellow bits in her teeth. Numerous times.
"Omelets," I smirked.
"Huh, first time someone guessed right without asking for a hint! How'd you know, deary?" Opal asked.
"I've noted when we've talked to each other that you always seem to have bits of yellow egg stuck in your teeth," I smiled at her.
"Ah, I gotcha. A very observant trainer, as well! Then enjoy some added attack," Opal smiled at me. I then had Drapion use Poison Jab on Morgrem and then use Venoshock on Gardevoir, one hit knockouts for both! And with that, the button appeared out of the ground and I hit it, me then going out stage right to the stadium proper, where I noted that Opal was there before I was!
"How? How are you so fast?" I asked her, Opal snickering at that.
"I have quite a few secrets, deary. Some I'd be willing to share with you if you happen to win and beat all of my questions. But before that, I must ask. Do you like pink? Because I see you changed attire outside of the gym to be much livelier and pinker," Opal asked.
"Oh, that? That's just Warrior Transformation. It's something that happens to certain Warlords in my nation. And for me, it changed my armor, but it also changed my hair greatly. Very few Warlords in Ransei have this perk, you see," I smiled.
"Oh, deary, I knew that already. After all, I have ancestors that used to be fairy-type Warlords. And I can sense that you have a small light inside of you, waiting to find your perfect upon perfect link. And it has to be a fairy type," she said, me smiling at her saying that.
"You can really sense that? Sounds awesome! Okay, I'll try to find a Fairy type, then! Now let's fight," I smirked as she then got on her end and let out a very fancy-looking Wheezing, complete with two top hats!
"Okay, Galarian form for sure. Go on out, Blacephalon!" I smirked, him then going out with a bow of his bulbous head in his hand.
"Next question, what is my nickname? The magic-user? Or the wizard?" she asked, me smiling at that. I had a feeling that it was the latter, so...
"The wizard," I smirked.
"How'd you guess it right that time?" she asked.
"I highly doubt that someone of your pedigree would accept a lame name like 'magic-user'," I smirked.
"Ohoho, good point, deary! Enjoy some added special defense!" she smirked as Blacephalon got the added boost and I then had Blacephalon use Shadow Ball on Wheezing, it being able to get him to the red, which Opal then had Wheezing use Fairy Wind, it managing to deal a quarter of Blacephalon's health. Blacephalon then used Flamethrower at my command, getting me the point!
"Come back, Wheezing. Good show. Now, emerge, Mawile!" she smirked as Mawile then appeared, me seeing that this Mawile had something around her neck. Something that I was shocked to see!
"Is that... Mawilite?!" I asked in shock at seeing a Mega Stone on Mawile!
"Oh, yes! You're doing quite well, so I think we should end your winning streak! But before we wow the crowd, let's have another question. What is my favorite color? Pink? Or Purple?" Opal asked, me smirking as I then looked at her attire. The only color she wore that wasn't her required gym clothes had one color. Purple! So...
"I may be wrong, but purple," I said, Opal gawking at me saying that.
"How did you guess right again?! I must know if you are speaking to your Rapidash or not!" she shouted in bafflement.
"No, I am not. And my Rapidash can attest to that, same with Primarina," I said, the duo then speaking in my defense.
"If she were speaking to us, you would know, I'm sure," Primarina spoke.
"Hmm, quite right. But do tell, how did you know?" Opal asked.
"I simply looked at the parts of your look that weren't the Fairy uniform. Purple umbrella, purple boa, purple ribbons on your shoes? It was way too easy for me," I smirked.
"I guess I underestimated you, darling! Okay, you can enjoy some additional Special Attack as I do this. Mawile, time to MEGA EVOLVE!" Opal smirked widely as she then touched a hidden Keystone on her umbrella, it causing Mawile to change her form to be her Mega form! Her giant jaws split into two, her dress became longer, and her form became filled with overwhelming power! I then looked at Blacephalon with seriousness.
"Okay, Blacephalon, time to defeat a Mega! Use Flamethrower again!" I smirked, him then doing so and the crowd cheering wildly at how it was a one hit KO! And Opal then chortled again as she then returned Mawile and looked at me with a smile.
"Well then, time to up my game! One Pokemon left, time to show the crowd my secret and for you to meet your downfall!" Opal smiled widely as she then sent out one more Pokemon. And this one? It was one that I'd NEVER seen before! But I could just see that, just from her looks alone, I could feel a perfect link with her! Even more perfect than Pheromosa, Primarina, and Blacephalon!
"Say hello to my best friend, Diancie, the queen of all Carbink!" she said, me gawking at that. A different vesion of Carbink that was its own Pokemon? And she looked exceedingly ADORABLE! Almost like a rock type princess! "And now, to wow the crowd even further! I will send you to the end of your road! And which Pokemon will you use to wow the crowd?" she asked, me then looking at the team and smiling.
"Drapion, center stage, and we will wow the crowd after Opal does. I want to see her surprise first," I smirked widely.
"Very well, come here, my lovely Diancie, it is time to... GIGANTIMAX!" Opal shouted, me gawking at how, when she yelled this time, I could've sworn that she sounded MUCH younger in her voice! She then threw Diancie's large Pokeball behind her and we all gawked at how Diancie's small form then turned into a gigantic version, her lower half gaining a giant pink diamond as opposed to a lower rock half! And her now bigger upper half gained a giant crown atop made of diamonds of pink and purple!
"SAY HELLO TO MY ROYAL FORM!" Diancie shouted in the most intimidating, yet most adorable voice ever!
"IMPRESSIVE! Now, Drapion, it's time for us to use our form. GIGANTIMAX!" I shouted, me then feeling the power of Dynamax energy flow not just in my Wishing Star, but in my blood as well! I felt the power flow between both of us and into my body, me feeling even stronger after doing so as Drapion's form changed to change into what I could only describe as a Centaur version of his original self, with three extra sets of arms and tons of spikes all over his body.
"OH YEAAAAHHHH!" Drapion shouted loudly.
"GO! JO! GOGO JOJO! GO! JO! GOGO JOJO! GO! JO! GOGO JOJO!" the crowd chanted loudly and excitedly as I then looked at Opal with a smile.
"Final question before you attack! How old am I?! 16 years old? Or 88?!" she asked, me then smirking at how, when she was serious, I could hear that her voice sounded MUCH younger! I then decided to make a WILD guess, one so wild, it was sure to make her shocked.
"Judging by your change of voice, I am guessing 16!" I smirked, that making Opal gawk and look taken aback.
"I... I... You really are impressive! Every single question answered correctly! And you managed to know my secret! Well, time to show the truth to the others in the crowd, then," Opal smiled as she then did something. She cloaked herself in a bright light and then, in front of everyone, we all looked on in shock as Opal then changed her form. And when we saw her true form? Everyone looked on in complete shock. So much shock, in fact, the crowd stopped chanting! And to be honest, I was too!
"Y-You you... You're a halfbreed?!" I gawked as I saw that her form was that of a human upper half and a Carbink lower half! And her upper half human form was that of a 16-year-old girl with pink and purple hair, some of which was hard and crystalline!
"You understand why I keep this secret, then? After all, halfbreeding is very illegal! My father is no longer around after the years have passed, and my mother? She's right behind me," Opal smiled at me. But I then looked at her and saw that she then gave Drapion some extra Defense, me then looking at her with a smile.
"We can discuss this later! For now, let's have a fight to remember! Drapion, use G-Max Scorpios!" I shouted, Drapion then using the move and getting Diancie to get the deadly concoction of Toxic to her and badly poisoning the fairy mother while also lowering her defenses by one stage!
"Ooh, you're going to get it now!" Diancie smirked.
"Mother Diancie, use G-Max Diamond Avalanche!" Opal smirked, Diancie then using a rock type attack and managing to have quite the oomph behind it! It managed to get Drapion into the red after one hit and it also gave us the spikes status!
"Wow, good job with that hit! So how old is Diancie, per chance?" I asked with a smirk.
"As old as you're going to be, little lady," Diancie said with seriousness. "Don't repeat that!"
"Okay, okay, got it! Drapion, use Max Quake!" I smirked, which surprised Opal. Why? It was based on Earthquake, which then proceeded to attack Diancie and managed to get her down to a total of 2 hit points left, meaning that she would be KO'd by the poison after she attacked.
"Well, can't go out a martyr now can we, mother? Use Max Starfall!" Opal shouted, Diancie then using the attack and managing to make Drapion shrink down once more and faint, me then healing him as Diancie then took the toxic damage and then fainted shortly after, the crowd then going back to cheering wildly at how we still gave 'em a good fight and Opal simply smiled at me.
"Well darling, you did it. You beat all of my questions, defeated me in battle, and you have proven your worth to be my successor. Even if you become champion, that is quite the achievement. Once this round of challengers is finished up, then I can finally retire," Opal smiled at me.
"Nice to know... but um... just curious, how long HAVE you been like this?" I asked her.
"Pokemon ages are much different than human ages, and that is no different for the rare crossbreeds of human and Pokemon. I am, in fact, 16, but because I am the spawn of a Mythical Pokemon, I age roughly 5.5 years slower than humans do. So I've had to use a bit of illusory powers to take that form for ages. I always promised myself I wouldn't let it down until someone could succeed me. And now that person is you. You deserve the reward of the fairy badge, the TM Draining Kiss, and another personal boon," Opal said as she then handed me the two items as well as handing me something that I was surprised by. It was a Pokeball?
"What's in this? You know I can't really use these," I frowned at her.
"Just let me handle that," Opal smiled as she then pushed the button on the back of the Pokeball and, instantly, the Pokemon within was sent out of it in a blue light. And it happened to be, get this, a baby Diancie! Her being roughly level 10 and being much smaller than Opal's mother, who simply hovered next to us.
"Uh... is this your sister, I take it?" I asked.
"Half-sister. It's the result of my mother needing an heir to her throne, as Pokemon have lifespans as well. And hers is going to be finished in roughly 55 human years. You're in charge of Diva and turning her into a proper princess, so she can become the next Carbink queen of Ballonlea. And better yet, best link you could ask for. That much I can sense clear as day," Opal smiled at me as I then simply linked with the small Diancie and smirked at, as I linked with her, I saw that she was only 1 year old in Pokemon age and she was, indeed, named Diva.
"Are you my new guardian?" she asked with the voice of a 5-year-old girl, me smirking at her.
"Yes, and I'm going to raise you to be a good girl," I smiled at her.
"I'm willing to learn, miss Jo," she smiled at me as we then left the pitching mound and went back to the stadium, me then looking at the others and them looking at me with a smile.
"So, care to explain what just happened?" Bede asked.
"Um... to be honest, I can't really believe it myself... learning that Opal was a halfbreed of human and mythical Pokemon Diancie? And that she's been faking it for over 70 years? It was a bit of a culture shock, even to me," I admitted, Gloria smirking at me.
"And about the Diancie kid? Wot was that aboot? Because I could tell that ye were talkin' real quiet-like," Gloria asked.
"She wants me to raise her to be the next Diancie queen, as Opal's mom, that being the Diancie I fought, only has 55 years to go," I said, that making Diva hug my leg with a frown.
"Please don't talk about that? I don't like hearing it," she pouted.
"Sorry... probably should choose my sentences carefully from here on out," I said.
"And actions, can't forget actions," Hop smiled at me.
"Anyways, it's Gloria's turn now. Good luck, and don't expect her to use the same questions on you that she did to Jo. She changes them up for every battle," Marnie smirked.
"And you know that how?" I asked her.
"It's because I have a relative who owns a gym... and from what my cheer squad has said, he really, really doesn't like you," Marnie said, me being surprised at that.
"He doesn't? Why? And who is it? Gordie? Or Raihan?" I asked, her shaking her head no.
"He never arrives at the opening ceremony, because he's never invited. He's the 7th gym, and you can only know that if you defeat Gordie or Melony. His name is Piers, and he and my town are outcasts for one reason. We hate Dynamaxing," she said with a frown.
"Yet you have your Pokemon Dynamax," Hop frowned as Gloria went through the gate to her turn.
"I kind of need to in order to win against the competition. And I don't like it, don't get me wrong. But my dad? He hates it with a passion. He knows something about it isn't right, all unnatural. And after what we saw and won't speak of? I 100 percent agree with him," Marnie said.
"Well, then it looks like I have a new challenge, just to prove a point to him," I smirked.
"And what challenge will that be?" Bede asked.
"For the first time, just to prove that my skills are more than just my namesake, I am NOT going to gigantimax in my fight with Melony. Sure, I may lose some fans from it, but I want to prove that I don't need to G-Max to win, especially this far in the tournament," I smiled.
"Well, that's definitely a death wish when going against Melony. I've heard that her Lapras can cast an Aurora Veil the moment it uses its attack when G-Max. And that means all attacks will deal half damage. And Lapras is one of the tankiest Pokemon ever. So you'll need some more luck in order to defeat her," Bede said to me.
"Well, then I guess I'm going to be going for the triple 7s for this instance! Oh, by the way, Rotom? Rapidash? Can you make some space for Diva? I have a feeling that we've got enough dirt and won't have to worry about you-know-who anymore," I smiled at them.
"I can sense he knows something happened involving Eternatus, but he can't remember a thing. So he has the whole place on lock-down. We just have to hope that he doesn't prevent the 8th fight with Raihan when we reach it," Rapidash said.
"And how did you know he was the 8th fight?" I asked her.
"Simple. I read minds. Do I need to draw you a picture with my horn?" she asked, me smirking at that.
"Point taken. Good luck with Sonia, then," I smiled, her then doing so and me then looking at the group with a smirk.
"I'm going to go get a head-start by catching the airtrain to Hammerlocke, since it doesn't require electricity," I smirked, the group of Pokemon on my side smirking at that.
"I hope it isn't too bumpy. I tend to get explosive on bumpy trips," Blacephalon said.
"Just keep your head on and we'll be fine," Pheromosa frowned at him.
"Whatever you say, Pheromosa," Blacephalon giggled as I then looked at the bug girl and then at him.
"Did you two know each other beforehand or something?"
"Yes, we did. But we didn't get along at all," Blacephalon frowned.
"Because you kept waking me up with your explosive head," Pheromosa pouted.
"What would you prefer me to do? Not provide light to the city?" he asked.
"Yeah, but you make noise with that, too!"
"Guys, let's be cordial in front of the little one, okay? I do not want to break up a fight in fornt of a toddler," I said, them then frowning and nodding.
"Very well," they pouted after as Diva smirked and simply looked at Pheromosa as we then got to the airtrain and we asked to board it to Hammerlocke, the guy nodding as we then entered it and we saw there was only enough space if some of us sat in each others' laps.
"So who's going to hold Diva and who's going to hold the next-lightest?" I asked, the group of Pokemon looking at each other as we then agreed that Drapion would stay dead center in the airtrain and that I would be on Primarina's lap and that Pheromosa would hold onto Diva. And she then sighed in annoyance at having to hold the kid, but I smiled at her.
"Remember, Pheromosa, Diva is still a child. She's not dirty and she isn't to be harmed," I smirked at her.
"I know, I just am not a fan of touching," she frowned after.
"I'll be sure to sit still if you wish," Diva smiled.
"That would be nice," Pheromosa said as she then held Diva on her knee, and we then felt the Corviknight lift us off the ground and we felt no turbulence at all from it! It was a very pleasant ride... that is, until Diva looked through the bars and then looked down.
"AH! T-Too high, too high! Help me!" she shouted in fear as Pheromosa then looked ready to freak out before Diva then held her arms around Pheromosa's thin fram, which made her gasp after. I half expected her to completely lose it... but instead, she took her arms and held her tight and proceeded to pet her crystal hair.
"Shh, shh, it's okay, little one... just cling to me and pretend we're in a building," Pheromosa said, me smirking at that.
"O-Okay... I... I like the stadium... haha... mommy... mmm..." she said before then falling asleep, me looking at Pheromosa with surprise as Drapion spoke.
"Didn't expect you to be the motherly type," he smirked.
"Neither did I... I just felt some kind of instinct kick in when she hugged me... to protect her," Pheromosa smiled.
"Yeah, and she looks adorable when she's asleep," I smiled widely.
"Agreed... we should stay quiet for the rest of the trip," Barbaracle said, us nodding as we then stayed completely silent for the rest of the short flight.