A/N: Well, it's certainly been a while, hasn't it, Internet? Thought the hit men got me? Well, not yet. Now, it's been over a year since I updated this, so you're probably wondering why on Earth I've posted this chapter. Well, put simply, I've gotten back into Pokemon, and I was looking through some of my old documents when I found this chapter. It was about half completed, and I'd been laboring on it for roughly half a year, but was constantly stopped by writer's block. At any rate, I decided to have a crack at finishing it, and I was able to finish it. I'm not sure how long I'll be back for, but if any of your happen to be returning, or first time readers, I hope you enjoy this chapter.
...
Viola was content, she'd only had one challenger that day and as such had plenty of time to work on the large jungle that encompassed the vast majority of her gym. At that point she was working on trimming a plant that had grown rapidly out of control, armed with only a pair of hedge cutters. She had her tongue poking out the side of her mouth in sheer concentration and she was going incredibly well.
After all, the gym was her livelihood and being the Gym Leader of Santalune City she was often interviewed. So appearing in front of botanists who noticed that her Pecha Berry bush was trimmed improperly would be utterly humiliating. Carefully she placed the clippers, edging closer towards the ideal amount when suddenly the doors to the gym swung wide open and collided with the wall.
In shock the blonde cut the bush and caused a berry to fall off. Looking down in utter horror she was only able to stare inanely at the loss of her hard work. Turning around to see who the perpetrator was she noticed the boy who she'd defeated a few days back. He was clearly back for more.
"Hey, Viola, come on out!" He roared as he shook his fists.
Stepping out slowly Viola looked at him murderously, he seemed to be full of vigor for whatever reason, did he just enjoy destroying plants?
Skylar was ready to challenge the gym! He'd trained hard for it and while him and Tyler had been bumming around in the forest Kaila had come and obtained the badge, which meant he was the only one without that badge. Which essentially made him the weakest among the group. And he intended to rectify this.
Oddly Viola looked as if she were ready to tear his throat out, he couldn't imagine why and as such he just grinned and placed his hands on his hips.
"I hereby challenge the Santalune City Gym Leader!" He announced.
"Alright, I accept your challenge." The woman replied, a wicked grin making its way onto her face as she looked at him.
Kaila merely rolled her eyes at the antics of the Gym Leader and challenger while Tyler punched the air in excitement and began to hop around happily.
"Come on Skylar, you can do it! For your eternal love!" He yelled in encouragement.
"MORON!" Kaila and Skylar yelled back as the youngest trainer's two companions both walked over to the setting area that was made of stone with numerous vines crawling all over it.
At this point the referee emerged from the jungle and undid the apron he'd been wearing while Viola briskly retrieved her pokeballs from the machine at the back of the gym, taking special care to grab one in particular before returning and looking eagerly at Skylar who looked back at her with the same grin.
"Alright, let's go Fennekin!" The teen commanded as he threw his pokeball up into the sky before it suddenly opened and Fennekin emerged in a burst of light.
"Hmph, that again? Well I'll respond in exactly the same way as last time, go Vivillon!" The blonde commanded which elicited a grunt from Skylar. The last battle he'd had with the bug and flying type pokemon had gone horribly, but he was determined that this time would be different. After all he'd been training his pokemon feverishly since the last time the two had battled.
"The challenger may make the first move!" The referee announced as he held up his green flag that faced towards Skylar in order to emphasize his point.
"Just the way I like it." Viola muttered.
"Alright Fennekin, use Ember!" The younger trainer roared.
The small fire type obliged and launched a surprisingly powerful jet of flame towards Vivillon who merely floated there calmly, its blonde trainer grinning.
"Use Gust to neutralize the damage!" Viola replied.
Suddenly the bug type began to beat its majestic wings and a powerful gust of wind built up that surrounded it and caused the flame to utterly diminish, much to the chagrin of both the opposing trainer and his pokemon.
"Now, use Light Screen!" Viola continued, not missing a beat as she grinned maliciously.
Suddenly a yellow barrier of energy materialized around the bug type before disappearing, Skylar recognized this attack from the last time they'd fought. It dramatically reduced the power of special attacks which put Ember out of the question. The last time he'd tried using Ember it had merely finished to a few cinders.
Which meant he had to improvise.
"Alright, Flame Charge!" Skylar commanded, using what was possibly the best way around the trap Viola had set for him.
Flame Charge was a physical move and as such would be impervious to the negative effects of Light Screen, which meant it would still hit at full power and maintain the elemental advantage. Not only that but it gave Fennekin a nice boost to speed, what wasn't to like about such a multipurpose attack?
Well, Vivillon hated it, Fennekin charged forwards, body engulfed in flame as it charged towards the bug type, intending to deal massive damage to it. Or rather, it would've hated it, if Viola wasn't so alert.
"Vivillon, use Gust to blow it out!" Viola commanded.
Suddenly the bug type beat its wings once more and Fennekin began to slow, struggling to keep moving against the immense winds. Yet it continued to force its way forward with great effort, intending to deal the blow and inflict the super effective damage. But the bug type increased its intensity and the flames were blown out and Fennekin sent flying back.
"Ugh!" Skylar grunted as he saw his pokemon being thrown back.
"Fennekin!" The fire type exclaimed as it stood up.
"That's it Fennekin, just hang in there, I'll figure out a way to beat her!" Skylar reassured, feeling no meaning behind his words.
Meanwhile up in the stands Kaila watched with concern on her face while Tyler bemusedly grinned and watched the proceedings. Kaila turned to the jovial older trainer, utterly confused.
"What's going on?" She asked.
"Hmm?" The older trainer replied as he looked down at the field.
"I haven't seen Skylar take such a beating in well...ever! He can't even get a hit in!" Kaila remarked.
"You just fought her didn't you?" Tyler asked.
"Well yeah, but she didn't use a Vivillon and she wasn't this tough." The female trainer replied.
"Well, Gym Leaders don't just aim to see if a trainer is equipped to deal with a certain type, they also use different styles. And Viola is all about defense, nothing gets by the defenses she puts up unless she wants it to." Tyler explained.
"Woah, if she had've gone all out against me I wouldn't have the Gym Badge." Kaila replied.
"Yup, Skylar has somehow managed to annoy her." The older trainer replied.
"Let's see how he gets out of this one." The lone female added.
"Oh it isn't a question of how he gets out of it, it's how long he can last before he's neck deep in it." Tyler replied.
"Oh well, looks like we're gonna be here for a long time if he keeps challenging her." Kaila mused.
"Oh, you have lost faith in your love already! Ay me! A true tragedy has befallen our star crossed lovers!" The eldest trainer dramatically announced.
"DAMNIT TYLER!"
Meanwhile Fennekin was continually being launched back after unsuccessful attack after unsuccessful attack, Skylar just couldn't seem to land a decisive blow against the flying bug type and his pokemon was paying the price for it. Any attempt at special attacks was pointless as the Light Screen prevented nearly all damage and any physical attacks were made useless by the powerful gusts that Vivillon had at its grasp.
"You do know you can forfeit at any time, just like last time!" Viola chirped happily which caused Skylar to glare a her.
"I gave up to prevent my pokemon from being horribly injured, this time I know they've got the power to beat you!" He replied.
"Alright then, I'll just show you what we can do then." Viola replied with a wicked grin.
That was certainly ominous, it meant that she intended to step it up a notch and Skylar and Fennekin couldn't even keep up with the level that she was currently fighting at, which meant that things were going to go badly.
"Well we'll just have to step it up as well." The younger trainer halfheartedly replied, they were already giving it their all after all and were failing miserably.
"Alright Vivillon, use Sleep Powder!" The blonde trainer commanded.
Suddenly pink powder began to pour from Vivillon's wings and floated towards Fennekin, which was bad. If it hit Fennekin would be put to sleep and at the mercy of Viola, dodging was virtually impossible due to the sheer area the pink dust covered which left only possible option.
"Fennekin, use Ember to stop the powder!" Skylar countered.
Suddenly a jet of flame was fired from Fennekin's mouth and the small fox pokemon began to incinerate the powder. Viola was shocked that her opponent had been able to think on his feet like that, but she was still in control of this fight.
"Vivillon, use Gust!" She commanded.
Suddenly Vivillon's wings began to beat faster and a powerful wind began to build up, however this wind seemed to be dragging everything towards it, flames, powder and even a few stray leaves. Then Vivillon's wings began to beat faster and suddenly it had formed a deadly tornado directly in front of itself.
This tornado was spinning at immense velocity and had fire spinning within it, coupled with a surprisingly high amount of pink powder. And Viola intended to make the most of it.
"Now, use Infestation!" Viola cried.
Suddenly numerous bugs comprised of red energy flew from the wings of Vivillon and joined the tip ado which was suddenly launched at the fox like fire type. A deadly combination of attacks that was bound to utterly obliterate the small fox type pokemon, it possessed not only the very flames that Fennekin had created, but sleep powder that would put it to sleep and even a bug type attack that would continue to cause damage.
But they wouldn't give up, they couldn't. Even though the odds were virtually hopeless if they quit at that point all of the training they'd done would have been for nothing, it didn't matter if they lost, but they certainly wouldn't go down without a fight to be proud of.
"Fennekin, hit it at full force, Flame Charge!" The challenger commanded as Fennekin nodded.
It ran at full force towards the huge attack that Vivillon had launched, it's body gradually becoming coated in red flames before suddenly enlarging and becoming more intense, Fennekin was pouring all that it had into the attack.
Suddenly it and the cyclone met, and Fennekin vanished, consumed in the bowls of the attack. Yet there were signs that it was somehow there, a large flame from the centre began to expand outwards, Fennekin clearly still generating flames. Yet it didn't seem to be enough, the flames gradually began to dwindle, diminishing in the vortex.
Then, suddenly the flames stopped, not moving at all and the vortex unable to do anything at all. Everyone present was shocked, unsure of what was happening. Then Suddenly the flames redoubled in intensity, battling with the tornado. It was an intense clash but the flames continued to grow and become increasingly intense and the volume of them increased until suddenly the entire tornado was merely a maelstrom of flame that suddenly exploded outwards and knocked Vivillon backwards before clearing.
Gradually the smoke began to clear away and it revealed a new pokemon in the place of Fennekin. Instead of the small fox pokemon a bipedal pokemon sharing numerous characteristics and coloration stood, a wand buried in its large and bushy tail.
"Fennekin, you did it! You evolved!" Skylar cried out in happiness as Viola paled slightly.
"Heh, it's about time." Tyler added as he looked down on the battlefield.
"Yeah, he may just have a chance now." Kaila added.
"WOOT! Yeah, yeah, you can do it! Just remember your talented, amazing, generous friend...namely me!" The trainer with the blue streak on his hair cried out.
"Not to mention humble." The female trainer murmured off handedly.
"And also humble!" Tyler yelled out.
However none of this mattered to the challenger as he looked his Pokemon's new form up and down. It would take some getting used to and he wouldn't be able to travel around with the fire type outside of its pokeball. But the power it had gained was certainly worth it, a vortex containing numerous attacks had been utterly overwhelmed by the sheer power and volume of the flames.
"Alright, are you ready?" The young trainer asked excitedly.
"Braixen!" The fire type roared triumphantly.
"You haven't won yet, Vivillon use Infestation!" The Santalune Gym Leader commanded.
Once more the red bugs comprised of energy poured forwards from the beating wings of the bug type and attempted to cover the newly evolved fire type and continue to inflict damage at systematic intervals with no way to dispose of them.
"Fen...er Braixen, use Flame Charge!" Skylar countered.
Suddenly the bipedal pokemon leapt forwards, flames encasing it at a much greater intensity and volume than before without anywhere near the same amount of effort and a confident grin on its face.
When the bug type attack did connect it failed and was burnt away by the power of the attack that continued its charge against the bug type. Although Braixen always had the advantage in terms of power, Fennekin's advantage wasn't great enough to be of any use and the superior defensive capabilities defeated it with ease. But now Braixen had more than enough strength to overwhelm the opposing pokemon.
"Ugh! Vivillon, use Gust!" Viola commanded.
Suddenly a powerful wind built up and although Braixen's flame cloaked body put up a decent fight the bipedal pokemon was forced to the ground once more. But it wasn't knocked back and it continued to step forwards towards the bug type that redoubled the frequency and intensity of its wing beats.
Yet Braixen pushed ever forwards and eventually leapt up, its sheer power overwhelming the gusts of wind and connecting, launching the bug type back in pain, the attack possessing phenomenal strength and power as well as a type advantage.
"Not bad." Viola complimented her opponent.
"You're not so bad yourself, those were some pretty devastating defenses and combos you've been pulling off." Skylar replied.
"Why thank you. But unfortunately I'm going to need to step things up a notch, if I were to lose to two challengers in one day it'd look bad for the gym. Which is why you'll just have to come back tomorrow." Viola apologized and rubbed the back of her head sheepishly.
"You're pretty confident for someone who's unable to even block an attack." The younger of the two observed.
"That's because I know that's the last attack that'll get through." The leader giggled.
"We'll just have to see won't we?" Skylar asked.
"Oh you'll see, but you won't know what happened. Vivillon use Sleep Powder!" The woman commanded.
Although a little beat up Vivillon was able to launch pink powder towards the bipedal fox which floated through the air at a leisurely pace. However it was interesting to note that the sheer volume had increased, the attack having hit the bug type hard.
"Braixen, use Ember to incinerate it!" Skylar countered, not missing a beat.
Obliging the fire type pulled out the wand from its tail that was alight on the end and suddenly launched a jet of flame from the tip of it. The jet had quite an amount of power and seemingly surprised even Braixen as evidenced by a look of shock on its face, however it was able to incinerate all of the pink powder with relative ease, of course there were a few close calls where it nearly hit the fire type and put it to sleep.
"Now Vivillon, use Gust!" Viola commanded causing Skylar's eyes to widen.
Suddenly a powerful tornado built up, dragging all of the flames into it, he'd done exactly what Viola had wanted him to. She was still completely in control of the battle! Well, h was going to have to change that.
"Now, use Infestation!" Viola commanded. Once more the red bugs comprised of energy appeared and became a part of the vortex which caused Skylar to grit his teeth.
"Ugh, Braixen, prepare yourself!" The challenger cried.
"Vivillon, launch the tornado!" Viola finished.
Suddenly the vortex of attacks was sent flying towards the bipedal fox pokemon that stared down something that it had helped create. It certainly didn't like its chances with the flames it had just created, particularly when coupled with another move. It seemed that Viola was a master at not only defense, but counters. Which were arguably more useful that defensive maneuvers.
"Braixen, dodge it! Get around the tornado and close to Vivillon!" The younger trainer decided.
Said fire type nodded and took off at full speed, initially on two legs but after the bug type was able to direct the vortex of attacks towards it Braixen took off on both its hands and legs until it realized that its new build made that incredibly awkward to pull off. A fact that was supported by numerous close encounters with the giant tornado.
"Braixen, use Ember to propel yourself around the tornado!" Skylar improvised.
Nodding the bipedal fox pokemon rapidly pulled its wand from its tail and leapt forwards before firing a jet of flame in order to propel itself at rapid speeds towards the bug type.
"Now use Scratch!" The challenger continued.
Obliging the fire type swung forwards with its stick and was able to cut its opponent, breaking the concentration of the bug type and causing the tornado to diminish. Which was perfect as it meant that Skylar could resume his offense.
"Now, hit it with a close range Ember!" The challenger continued as suddenly a jet of flame was launched from the wand and struck the bug type at close range delivering massive damage and sending it flying back, colliding with the ground at a rapid speed most likely causing even more damage.
As Braixen landed both trainers looked on, full of suspense as Vivillon tried to force itself back up before collapsing, knocked out with its eyes having transformed into spirals and its body covered in numerous burn marks. Upon seeing this Skylar looked on in disbelief, mouth gaping while Viola mimicked his behavior exactly.
"W-we did it!" Skylar cried happily as he jumped around while Braixen elegantly placed its wand back in the bushy tail it now possessed before sighing.
The battle had taken quite a lot out of it but that didn't matter, victory had been achieved and they would be able to celebrate. Not only that but he'd evolved and was now much more powerful.
However Viola didn't seem all that worries about it as she returned her pokemon to its ball, she had what seemed to be a smile on her face.
"What're you so happy about?" Skylar asked suspiciously.
"Well, I've got one more pokemon to use and you're not going to beat this one." Viola replied smugly.
"You said that about the last one as well." The younger trainer pointed out.
"Heh, you'll see. Go Heracross!" Viola cried.
Suddenly the ball opened and in a burst of energy a blue, bipedal pokemon appeared. It stood opposite the newly evolved fire type and stared its opponent down intently, clearly looking forward to the confrontation that would follow.
Braixen on the other hand didn't look quite so ready, it was likely fighting against Vivillon had tired it out, as such Skylar raised his pokeball and recalled it.
"Good work, you've done enough for now. Go Roselia!" The younger trainer cried as he threw his pokeball up in the air. After a burst of energy the small, bipedal pokemon appeared, its flowery arms extended to the side as it looked over at the taller bug type.
"Sending out a grass type against a bug type? That's a risky move." Viola noted. However, Skylar merely smirked and crossed his arms. "I've got faith in my pokemon."
"Perhaps a little too much."
"The challenger may make the first move!" The referee announced, seemingly unaffected and disinterested in the trash talk being hurled around the arena.
"Alright, Roselia, use Stun Spore!" Skylar commanded.
Heracross were potent attackers, so if he could just slow it down he would be able to make use of Roselia's long range attacks, or send Braixen back in.
However, Viola wasn't so easily cornered.
"Protect." She nonchalantly commanded.
A sphere of blue energy formed around the bipedal bug type and the yellow spores harmlessly bounced off them.
"Now, Aerial Ace!" Viola commanded, as Heracross leapt forward, a white energy forming on its horn and beginning to trail behind him.
"Roselia, dodge!" Skylar commanded, and his Pokemon responded.
However, it was to no avail, Heracorss swered in midair and continued its pursuit.
"Dodge!"
Meanwhile, Tyler looked down bemusedly.
"What's so funny?" Kaila asked.
"Aerial Ace isn't an attack that can be dodged. It always hits."
"So you mean?"
"Yep, he'ss tiring out his Pokemon for nothing."
Skylar gritted his teeth, no matter how far or how quickly Roselia moved, Heracross continually adjusted and promptly continued its assault. Almost as if it were locked onto the flower Pokemon. Time to try try something new.
"Roselia, Stun Spore!" The flower Pokemon responded and released yellow pores to try and stop the bug in its tracks.
But it was to no avail, Heracross merely moved to the side before colliding with Roselia head on. Knocked back, Roselia had clearly been devastated by that attack.
"Roselia, Mega Drain!" Skylar cried.
The grass type may have been exhausted, but this new attack was powerful, and would allow it to sap strength from the blue beast.
"Protect!"
On second thoughts, screw that.
The beam bounced off the sphere, and Viola was set.
"Horn Attack!"
Heracross's horn began to glow with a white light, and its wings unveiled, allowing it to fly towards Roselia.
"Stun Spore!" Skylar commanded, if he could just slow Heracross down...
"Dodge, but continue the attack."
Suddenly, Heracross flew over the powder, before aiming itself towards the grass type. Although Skylar tried to tell Roselia to dodge, it was too late, and it bore the full force of the attack, sending it backwards and knocking it out cold, stunning the younger trainer.
"N-no way!" Skylar exclaimed, in utter shock.
Meanwhile, Viola was starting to feel a little bad. She was preparing to move Heracross up to be used against challengers aiming for their second, if not third, gym badges, and it was far too strong to be used against such a new trainer. After all, the goal of Gym Leaders was to teach trainers how to battle, or new tactics to use in future, not to crush their dreams. In her anger she'd forgotten that and neglected her duty as a leader. Then again, he had killed her favorite plant...
"Don't worry Roselia, you did a fantasic job. But Braixen will finish this."
Viola ended her musings and looked over to see the younger trainer talking to his pokeball, before pulling out another.
"Alright, let's do this, Braixen!" He cried, as the newly bipedal Pokemon emerged, standing uncertainly, still not used to its new body.
"You know, it might just be better for your Pokemon if you forfeit, this isn't really a fair fight." Viola offered. She didn't want to hurt the opposing team any more than was necessary, that wasn't Pokemon battling, that was cruel.
"What's with the sudden change in heart? You were much cockier a minute ago!" Skylar taunted, disinterested in her offering.
Which left her no choice.
"The challenger may make the first move." The referee reminded everyone, as if they hadn't worked it out from the previous battles.
Skylar frowned, normally this would be an advantage for the challenger, but in this case, it only aided Viola. It meant she could protect from any move he would launch at her before countering his attack, with this process continuing until the end of the match.
"Okay. Braixen use a mild ember!" Skylar commanded.
The fire type seemed confused, why would Skylar not have it attack with its full power? Regardless, he was the trainer, and he probably had a plan. Pulling out its wand, Braixen launched the smallest Ember it could muster...which turned out to actually be quite large, and launched it at the bug type.
Meanwhile, Viola was suspicious. Not having a Pokemon attack at full speed was ill advised at just about any time, and when someone suspended the conventions of battle, they were clearly up to something. Regardless, she couldn't allow her Pokemon to take a full frontal attack that was super effective, and he typical strategy would have to do, unless Skylar worked out a way to overcome it.
"Protect!"
Perfect.
The flames bounced harmlessly off the energy sphere, dissipating into mere embers.
"Now, Heracross, use Aerial Ace!"
That attack seemingly couldn't be dodged, and Skylar wasn't about to waste Braixen's energy as well.
"Wait for it, wait for it..." Skylar murmured to himself, Braixen still gripping its wand and looking somewhat anxious. But it trusted its trainer, and he knew what he was doing. Probably.
Heracross grew ever closer, flying towards the fire type, and all the onlookers watched in confusion.
"Ember!" Skylar cried at the last moment, before Heracross could swerve away.
An impressive show of reflexes on the part of both Pokemon and trainer, Heracross was struck point blank by a massive stream of flames. Although it attempted to resist, it was eventually sent flying back, badly damaged from the powerful flames of Braixen.
Skylar grinned, Kaila involuntarily applauded, Tyler smirked, the referee raised two bemused eyebrows and Viola looked the most shocked of all.
He'd countered her counter!
Meanwhile, Braixen looked most pleased with itself while Heracross struggled to its feet. Aerial Ace may have been impossible to dodge, but it didn't guarantee a dodge, and that was the downfall of Viola.
"Use a weak Ember!" Skylar cried.
Snapping out of her daze, Viola responded.
"Protect!" The gym leader involuntarily responded, before realizing what Skylar was doing. He'd forced her onto his terms, and seized control of the battle, a deadly advantage for a trainer to hold. To break out of it, she'd need to go on the offensive. Her! The gym leader renowned for her impenetrable defenses and potent counters. This kid was something else. Not even a week ago he'd failed to land a single hit, now he was in control of the battle! That such a minute amount of training could make such a difference boggled Viola, and she realized she'd have to step it up a notch were she to win.
"That was pretty impressive." Tyler remarked, reclining on the stall behind him.
"He countered Viola. It was pretty good, but it's not exactly brilliant." Kaila asked.
"Well, I wouldn't expect a novice such as you to grasp it..." Tyler began, before gulping at the murderous rage directed at him.
"But he's done more than that. Up until now Viola's been dictating what Skylar does. She's baited him into attacking, and capitalized on it. He's been left very little room to move up to this point. But with just one move, the kid's managed to completely reverse the tide of battle. Now Viola has to do what he wants. I'm not sure if Skylar realizes it, but he's pulled off a textbook maneuver in battle." Tyler concluded, displaying an uncharacteristically serious interest in and understanding of the battle.
"There are textbooks about battling?"
"Unfortunately, yes." And he was back.
Disgruntled, Viola decided to order an attack. She couldn't allow this rookie to be dictating how she would act.
"Night Slash!"
This was a fast attack, there was little chance of Skylar being able to counter with the same ease as he had before, and with it Viola could start to bait her challenger into attacking again.
Heracross vanished, a black blur soaring towards Braixen in its place. Its powerful arm most certainly aimed at the fire type. The attack was quick; difficult to dodge. But it also meant that it left little room for Heracross to move.
"Flame Charge!" Skylar commanded, an orb of flame whipping up around the bipedal fire type, proud to display its newfound strength.
The flames struck Heracross well before Braixen did, and slowed its attack, the flaming wand finishing it with a well timed blow to the bug type's centre. Knocked out of its attack, Heracross was sent flying back across the field for a second time.
"Don't let up, hit it with an Ember!" Skylar commanded.
With flames still dissipating from its last attack, Braixen elegantly twirled its wand before aiming it directly at the bug type, a large jet of flame flying from it.
With her Pokemon struggling to get up, Viola knew the situation was tight. Heracross was powerful, but it had taken two direct hits from super effective attacks, both times at point blank. It couldn't last much longer under this kind of pressure.
"Protect!"
But it was too late. Having just returned to its feet, the bug type was unable to erect the energy sphere around it and was struck dead on by flames once more.
Stumbling backwards, the blue beast was on its last legs, the tides of battle having turned truly against it. Now was Skylar's time to finish this.
"Wow, he's got her on the ropes. Viola can't even get an attack in!" Kaila marveled, although Tyler did not share in her enthusiasm.
He was gazing intently at the bug type, and it seemed as if something was troubling him.
"No. This battle may just be over for Skylar..."
Whatever Tyler had observed, Viola noticed it too, as a coy grin began to adjourn her face. However, the secret was lost on the younger trainer.
"Braixen, finish it with a Flame Charge!"
Happy to oblige, the fire types began to run forward, gathering fire around it as it went. Its muscles were loose from its previous attack, and it moved with great agility, the fire gathering around it.
"Night Slash, Heracross!"
Usually, the attack would's failed, and Heracross launched back, this effect exacerbated by the increased speed of Braixen. However, this time, the shadow burst through the flames, shocking both Pokemon and trainer, and sent the fire type hurtling backwards.
Skylar's eyes widened.
With increased agility, Braixen was able to somersault over and land on its feet, albeit more damaged than before.
"Now, Aerial Ace!" Viola commanded.
"Counter it with Ember!" Skylar replied.
Heracross began to soar towards Braixen, who prepared itself. Allowing Heracross to grow closer, it let loose its full fury upon the beast at point blank range, only for its flames to be knocked aside harmlessly, and the powerful horn of Heracross to strike Braixen, winding it and sending it hurtling backwards.
This didn't make any sense! Just moments ago, Braixen's power had been decimating Heracross. But now it was utterly helpless.
"I suppose I should explain." Viola offered.
"What did you do to Braixen?" Skylar questioned. Surely, it had to be some kind of status condition that had weakened the star of his team.
"It's what Braixen did to Heracross. In your attacks, you successfully burnt him, which causes a small amount of pain for the remainder of the match and typically weakens physical attacks, for obvious reasons. However, Heracross has an ability known as Guts, which actually increases its attack when afflicted by status conditions, resulting in a net gain of power." Viola cheerfully explained.
"Which means..."
"That Heracross now massively outclasses Braixen, yes."
"We'll have to see."
Viola sighed, she'd just have to finish this quickly, if nothing but to be merciful on Braixen."
"Night Slash." She commanded.
Normally, Braixen would've had to counter it, but for now dodging was the only option, until Skylar could work something out, or Heracross's burn got the better of it and eventually knocked it out.
"Dodge!"
Although its speed had been increased by the consecutive Flame Charges, Braixen was still too slow to avoid the near instantaneous attack, and was thus sent flying backwards, badly damaged by the attack.
It was nearly over. There was no way that Braixen could take another hit like that, and there was no way to dodge either of Heracross's attacks. Aerial Ace never missed, and Night Slash was far too quick to dodge.
Skylar had nearly accepted defeat when he noticed something. Braixen had gotten back to its feet, and its fur was beginning to bristle. It had gripped its wand once again, and the flame on the end of it was growing increasingly larger. Waves of heat began to travel throughout the gym, and the temperature rose several degrees. Leaning backwards, Braixen let out a guttural roar, and Viola paled upon seeing its eyes beginning to grow with an unnatural red color. The wrath of Hell had seemingly manifested in the unassuming fire type.
"Blaze!" Viola exclaimed.
Heracross did nothing.
"I don't think that's an attack." Skylar offered, while gazing at his Pokemon.
"No-it's...never mind. Heracross, Aerial Ace!"
If she could just finish the fire type off before Skylar worked out what was going on, she could win.
Meanwhile, Skylar contemplated what to do. Dodging wouldn't work, but perhaps he could try and outlast Heracross. Counters weren't working...but then again, Braixen looked fairly potent. It was a risky move, but he decided it was worth it.
"Braixen, Flame Charge!" He cried, and certainly didn't regret it.
The flames gathered were vastly larger than anything previously mustered, and Skylar stepped back, stunned by the heat.
At that moment, Braixen appeared to be at the centre of a sun, fully in control of the vast power.
Although hesitant, Heracross continued its descent, and Braixen leapt up.
The two collided in midair, and white energy collided with the fiery force of Skylar's starters. All present in the gym had to cover their eyes as an explosion resulted, nearly knocking everyone on the field off their feet, and releasing a massive cloud of smoke acros the entire gym.
As it began to clear, all stared intently at the wreckage, the entire gym now almost completely trashed. The grass was brown and decidedly dead, while many of the plants had been totally incinerated. Viola was somewhat singed, whilst Skylar was in an even worse state.
Yet it didn't matter.
All eyes were locked on the centre, the intensity of trainers shining through as the acrid smoke began to clear, revealing a puffing Braixen standing over the fainted body of its opponent. Viola was lost for words, whilst the referee raised the flag in their left hand.
"The challenger has won."
"Good job, Heracross." Viola explained as she returned her Pokemon to its ball.
Satisfied, Braixen collapsed, and Skylar returned it to its pokeball.
"That was amazing, buddy!" He cried.
"I always knew you had it in you!" Tyler yelled, as he and Kaila walked down the stairs.
"That was amazing!" Kaila complimented Skylar, as she sprinted down the staircase and hugged the winning trainer, before both of them looked rather embarrassed by the entire affair.
"Ah, love is in the air."
The hatred directed towards Tyler in that moment was hotter than even Braixen's final Flame Charge.
"Well, that was a phenomenal battle!" Viola exclaimed as she approached the trio.
"Thanks, I really enjoyed it as well!"
"As is Pokemon League conduct, I will present you with your first badge of Kalos, the Bug Badge." She explained, as she placed the object into Skylar's hand.
A look of awe crossed the face of the young trainer. This was a momentous occasion for the young trainer. He'd finally conquered the first true hurdle on his way to the League, and he could now be considered a real trainer. He still had a long way to go, but his battle with Viola, against seemingly insurmountable odds, had shown him that he could accomplish the seemingly impossible if he tried. This was truly one of the greatest moments in Skylar's li-
"Still got more badges than you."
"Damnit, Tyler!"
And so the trio set off once more, to face whatever challenges their journey would next throw at them, whilst Viola looked on somewhat fondly.
The teen had grown even across his battle with her. When he'd entered, he was but an overly zealous kid, looking for a fight, but upon leaving he'd become a trainer. Skillful in strategy and able to think on his feet, he could go far. Viola made a mental note to keep track of his exploits. Turning around, she got a good look at the ruin their battle had left her gym in.
On second thought, she was going to track him down and murder him.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and don't mind that I took a few liberties with Viola. I'll try to write it as if each gym leader specialises in a type of battle, and I decided to change her team and battle style for the purposes of my fanfiction. At any rate, it's good to be back.