"Ah…so this is Alfornada." Perfuma said as they looked around the small town with its rich architecture and its location close to the cliffside.
"Whoa…is that the Gym Leader?" Frosta asked, seeing a purple haired woman on a billboard.
"Apparently she's a famed beautician and influencer." Mari said. "She even did a stream with Iono once and is friends with one of the Academies staff members."
"Wow, she really does have her popularity." Meitenkun said in amazement.
"Yeah, and it looks like she's tough. She specializes in Psychic Type Pokémon." Frosta said.
"Psychic types? I've got a few Pokémon for that, but it might be interesting to see how she battles." Shun'ei said.
"Then let's sign you up for the Gym Test so we can get a personal look." Meitenkun said.
They headed to the Gym Building and checked in with the receptionist inside.
"Okay…to face Miss Tulip, you need to pass the Gym Test. Which means…Emotional Exercises!" the attendant said.
"Emotional Exercises? What's that about?" Meitenkun asked.
"Well there are a few examples to what it is." Mari said.
"Didn't we see something like that from Athena's Mood Matrix a little while ago?" Meitenkun asked.
"It's a bit different. Athena's Mood Matrix allows her to gauge the emotions of the people around her, not project new ones." Shun'ei said.
"Sounds like you're chickening out." the attendant said.
"No…no. Stop right there. I'm doing this." Shun'ei said.
"Great…we start in a few moments. Be out with the group." the attendant said.
It did not take long for Shun'ei to join with the other trainers as a woman in a black tracksuit joined them.
"Osu! Welcome! My name is Dendra! Normally, I'm a Battle Tactics teacher at the academy. But today, I'm doing this as a favor to the gym leader cause I owed her one." she said. "Now…to explain, I'll be telling you how you're supposed to feel and you are supposed to convey it properly. Got it?"
"Understood." Shun'ei said as he got ready.
"Oh dear, I do hope Shun'ei is well prepared for this." D. Constance said.
"Now…to start off…you gotta get mad! Mad like someone just snagged the last pudding cup when you've been waiting so long to get it." Dendra said as the trainers started showing anger.
"Raarrr!" Shun'ei shouted in anger as he looked angry.
"Good anger. Now…let's see some joy. Joy over reuniting with a loved one after so very long." Dendra said.
Shun'ei let out his best genuine smile.
"Nice! Now let's see how good your surprise is." Dendra said. "Like a Gengar just came out of hiding and appeared right in your face."
Shun'ei instinctively took a step back at the mention of such an event.
"Finally, excitement! Like you just won one of the best tournaments around and are showing off the trophy to your friends." Dendra said.
"Yes!" Shun'ei called out as he jumped a bit.
"Wow…that's great. Okay, we're all done here." Dendra said.
"So…how did I do…" Shun'ei asked.
"Honestly, not too bad. I can tell you hang with people who don't always show their emotions but that wasn't too bad, so I'll give it a pass." Dendra said.
"Great." Shun'ei said. "Now…"
It wasn't long before the group was taken to the highest building in town where the battle court was located as walking in after was the gym leader Tulip, looking incredibly stunning with each step she took.
The Bewitching Beautician
Tulip
"Such beauty…even I can't compare." D. Constance said.
"Yes, Sectonia has got some competition, it looks like." Shun'ei said.
"And not just her, I think a few other girls we know can take some beauty tips from her." Meitenkun said.
Some of the girls just glared at the boys upon hearing that.
"Well now…you really could have some emotions. That's always important in my line of work. However…I'll say this now. My Pokémon will be sure to show off both beauty and ESP as we take down your side." Tulip said.
"I'm still a bit anxious, but I'm still ready. Let's do this!" Shun'ei said.
"Now…we begin! Go, Farigiraf!" Tulip said, sending out a large giraffe-like creature.
"Wait…that looks like…" Mari said, looking it up. "Farigiraf, the Long Neck Pokémon and the evolved form of Girafarig! A Normal and Psychic Type! The hardened head from the tail protects the head of the main body as Farigiraf whips its long neck around to headbutt enemies."
"Let's start things off, Lurantis!" Shun'ei said.
"Going for a physical approach? Not the best approach for someone with Psychic powers. Farigiraf, use Zen Headbutt!" Tulip said as Farigiraf rammed into Lurantis.
"Got you. X-Scissor!" Shun'ei said. Lurantis then cut into Farigiraf as soon as it was close.
"Not bad, you know your weaknesses." Tulip said. "However, there are other methods." she said recalling Farigiraf. "Go, Gardevoir!" she said switching out to Gardevoir.
"Gardevoir is a Psychic and Fairy Type. This is not looking good. Shun'ei doesn't have anything for that combination." Rinwell said.
"He does." Mari said. "He has Ceruledge."
"The question is, is Shun'ei gonna risk it all by having Ceruledge carry him throughout this whole battle?" Genis asked.
"I'm gonna risk it. Lurantis, tag out!" Shun'ei said as Lurantis returned to her ball. "You're up, Isla!" he said as he sent out his Grafaiai. "Sludge Bomb!"
"Oh…very sneaky!" Tulip said as Gardevoir didn't stand much chance. "However…you are messing with a Psychic master!" she said recalling Gardevoir as she sent out an ostrich-like creature.
"What is that?" Mari said, looking it up. "Espathra, the Ostrich Pokémon and the evolved form of Flittle! A Psychic Type! It immobilizes opponents by bathing them in psychic power from its large eyes. Despite its appearance, it has a vicious temperament."
"She's really making a switch around, isn't she?" Shun'ei asked as she returned Isla, sending Lurantis back out. "Night Slash!"
"Use Shadow Ball." Tulip said as Espathra canceled out the Night Slash as the ball hit Lurantis dead on.
"Tch… I've got no choice. Lurantis, I'm switching you out again!" he said as he returned Lurantis again and sent out Ceruledge. "I'm taking a big risk with you, but I'm gonna go for it! Use Shadow Ball!"
"(Right! Here goes!)" Ceruledge said, firing off the Ghost type attack that hit Espathra right back with the move it just fired, hitting the Ostritch Pokémon back in return.
"You're just as hard to get rid of as caked-on mascara, I see. I need a good makeup remover!" Tulip said, recalling Espathra after that big hit. "Luckily, we've reached the climax. Now…come, Florges!" she said sending out a red flower Florges.
"A Florges? Careful, Shun. This one is just as deadly as the others!" Meitenkun said.
"And it will get even deadlier when I apply my extra special makeover." Tulip said, taking out a Tera orb and charging it up. "Behold, an example of a new you!"
Tulip Terastallized her Florges as it gained a crystal ornament depicting an eye.
"Ceruledge should be able to handle it as he is now. But… I kind of want to test out a little something. You ready, Ceruledge. Let's see what effect that sushi had on you." Shun'ei said as he got out his Tera Orb and charged it up, throwing it at Ceruledge. This time, however, it wasn't a Rock-type Terastallization, as Ceruledge's Tera Crown was an axe over his head.
"Oh… now this is interesting. You gave your Ceruledge a little makeover yourself." Tulip said.
"Wow, that Sushi really worked!" Frosta said. "We were able to change Ceruledge's Tera Type from Rock, to Steel!"
"It was a little hard gathering enough Steel Tera Shards for that, though." Perfuma said.
"A Steel type? Hmm…interesting. But it's only effective if Ceruledge knows Steel Type Moves." Tulip said.
"Don't be so sure about that. Go ahead and try to attack him with all the moves Florges has." Shun'ei challenged.
"Well, my Florges's Moonblast won't work, but if you insist…use Psychic!" Tulip said, having Florges blast her Terastal Move. However, it wasn't all that effective. "Wh-what? It barely had any effect at all!"
"That's the beauty of Terastallization. It can be used for more than just offensive tactics." Shun'ei said.
"A defense makes a good offense." Mari added.
"I learned this tactic from Iono." Shun'ei said.
"Ah! When she had a Mismagius Terastallize to an Elecric-type!" Meitenkun said. "Her Levitate ability prevented Shun from using Ground-type moves!"
"I see… So Terastalization can be used for defensive purposes as well as offensive." Genis said.
"Since Ceruledge's tera type is now Steel, he's resistant to Fairy and Psychic moves! Tulip cant do a thing to him!" Frosta said.
"I still have something to try. Use Petal Blizzard!" Tulip said as Florges tried one last attack. But, that wasn't all that effective either.
"Looks like this is the end. Ceruledge, Shadow Claw!" Shun'ei said.
"Oh no." Tulip said as Ceruledge landed the finishing blow on Florges, defeating it. "Well…nicely played. You have me sweating so much, my makeup's starting to run." she said.
"In fairness, you kept me on my toes too. I had to switch my Pokémon a lot." Shun'ei said.
"That you did. But now…you've won and only have one challenge left, my friend." Meitenkun said.
"Yeah. We'll have to head back to Glaseado." Shun'ei said. "Hopefully the blizzard has died down by the time we get there."
"It's pretty ironically fitting, isn't it?" Frosta asked. "Getting your 8th badge at the highest possible point in Paldea. That's some big accomplishment."
"I don't think it's ironic at at all." Shun'ei said. "I think it's a sort of metaphor for something."
"Whatever the case, it's back up Glaseado mountain to face the final gym leader." Perfuma said.