Update March 3, 2018: Okay, so having had some time I looked at this chapter again...and I hated it. At first I had been trying to avoid pushing out a chapter, hence why this was as late as it was, but then I went and tried pushing this part out too soon. I had reasons for it, but I never should have. This chapter isn't what it could have been, and I apologize for that. So, what I'm gonna be doing (and sort of what I've been meaning to do before, so it's not like it's not something that I didn't have planned) is do some major proofreading and editing for all of the previous chapters and in the process fix this one up, while possibly adding a part I originally had back into this chapter.
"As you wish," Iona said, unconcerned. "It doesn't matter who I face, really."
"Do you really think that you'd beat either one of us so easily, then?" Umeko retorted, pulling out a Poké Ball from her bag.
"Oh, no," he replied, glancing down at his own Poké Ball with a bored gaze. "I'm not so cocky as to believe my victory is ensured. But we will go all out, right, Raichu?" he added, his emotionless tone a sharp contrast to his statement. Upon saying this, he dropped his Poké Ball to the ground. His Raichu wasn't the Raichu I had been expecting. It floated in front of its trainer on its oversized tail, a slight smile on its face as it stared at Umeko with its pristine blue eyes.
"So will we, then. Three on three?" Umeko asked as she backed away to allow room for the upcoming battle.
"Like I said, all out."
"Okay…Nidoqueen, help me out!" Umeko called, tossing her Poké Ball high above her. The Nidoqueen stared down its opponent, a smirk on its face. Even with its ground typing, Nidoqueen would be in trouble if that Raichu of Iona's could get in a psychic type move.
"Elektricheskom Pole," Iona muttered to his Raichu, the Pokémon in question squealing in delight in response to his command. Electricity gathered around its yellow cheeks, and the ground began to spark in response. Its eyes widened, and it looked more alert than before.
So, he must be setting up…The increased power of electric type moves is next to useless against Nidoqueen, but Raichu's speed increases because of its ability.
"Poison it!" Umeko commanded before Raichu could finish with the terrain. The Nidoqueen lumbered forward and sprayed a mist of purple coloured gas from its mouth at the exact moment Raichu's move was complete. Unable to avoid the Toxic, it reeled back, wiping at its face.
"Ignore it," Iona said, the Raichu grimacing but nodding anyway. "You know what to use. Do not stop until it is down." With yet another nod, Raichu glared at its opponent. In front of it formed three different orbs, colored light blue, blue, and purple. It used its tail to throw the orbs forward, smiling all the while. Nidoqueen shot off a black sphere of energy in response, the two attacks causing an explosion. Raichu refused to let up, keeping on the offensive with a barrage of these orbs. Nidoqueen held up against the onslaught, but it was clear that its Shadow Balls would soon succumb to the never ending Psyshocks.
"Ace of spades!" Having released yet another Shadow Ball, the poison type deftly leaped into the air. Ignoring the Psyshock that managed to hit against its hide, it divebombed into the Raichu, sending it flying back before unleashing another Shadow Ball on the foe, the attack making a direct hit. Righting itself in midair, Raichu flipped backwards and released at least a dozen Psyshock attacks one after another. Nidoqueen, unable to dodge or deflect the attacks, raised an arm over its face and braced itself. The multitude of orbs smacked into the poison type, sending up a cloud of smoke. When it cleared, I gasped. By some miracle, Nidoqueen was still upright, but even more confounding was that it appeared completely unscathed.
"What? Impossible! How is it still standing?" I asked in surprise. Even Iona frowned at the predicament.
Umeko chuckled. "If this were any normal Nidoqueen, it wouldn't be. It's showtime. Night Daze!" Nidoqueen was surrounded by a crimson aura, which expanded in all directions. The blast was so strong I had to avert my eyes. When I looked back, the Nidoqueen was gone. Standing in its place was a small black Pokémon, its light blue eyes set in a fierce glare at Raichu's trainer.
"A Zorua," I gasped. No wonder the Psyshock didn't do damage; psychic type moves had no effect on a dark type like Zorua. I turned from the little illusion worker to its trainer. "So, wait, you don't train ground types?"
"Nope! Common mistake, but it helps in moments like this."
There was much more that I wanted to ask, but those questions could wait until after the battle was complete. I glanced over at Iona; he shrugged, unconcerned with this latest development. "Interesting. Another secret revealed to the masses. Soon there'll be none left to hide, and what will the world think of you then?"
"I don't care what the world thinks. Maybe I'll just show the world that it's the one that's wrong!" Umeko retorted, my words from earlier echoing through her own. "Now it's our turn! Ace of spades, once more!" The Zorua gave a wide grin as it flipped into the air as agilely as it had as a hulking Nidoqueen. It smacked straight into Raichu and released a Shadow Ball at point blank range.
"Udar molniy." The Raichu gave a devilish smirk in response, its increased speed allowing it to dodge the second move. Sparks coated its small, brown body. The electricity gathered around it before the amassed energy shot forward in a single powerful bolt.
"Pulsing wave! Go!" Zorua shot a Shadow Ball straight into the Thunderbolt. Eyes glowing in the crimson aura surrounding it, it rose its paws before slamming them back into the ground. The aura, intermingled now with pink, lashed forward to collide into both Raichu and its attack. The Thunderbolt, powered as it was by the Electric Terrain, pierced through both of Zorua's attacks. Umeko's Pokémon lurched as the Thunderbolt ran through its small frame.
"Finish it, Raichu," Iona commanded. "Stal'noi khvost." Raichu's large tail became covered in a metallic sheen. It flipped forward and slammed its tail straight down on the prone Zorua. The dark type was smacked further into the ground.
"I'm sorry," Umeko murmured, tears streaking her face as she returned the unconscious Zorua. "Revenge will be ours. Retaliate and hit 'em where it hurts! For Zorua!" she cried out, throwing her second Poké Ball, this time to the ground. I barely had the chance to blink before a large brown and black blur slammed into the poor Raichu. The Krookodile had thrown all its power and rage from its friend's downfall into its blow. Already battered from Zorua's earlier struggles, the Raichu simply couldn't continue fighting. Iona returned his Pokémon before it hit the ground unconscious. Without a word, he dropped his second Poké Ball. The pink and purple floral Pokémon floated quietly, not even seeming to acknowledge Krookodile's existence. The ground type snapped its jaws as it crossed its tiny arms as best it could over its body. Without hesitation, the Musharna erected a glass-like barrier around itself.
"This'll be easy. Crunch over and over! That'll wear it out!" The Krookodile ran towards its target, surprisingly limber for its size. Musharna barely had a chance to move before Krookodile was right on top of it. It bit right into the dream mist Pokémon. The barrier absorbed the brunt of the attack, but the Musharna cried out regardless. Floating back a bit, Musharna surrounded itself in a rainbow sheen. Krookodile screeched in pain as it bit down the second time. The ground type went for another strike, but was thrown back when Musharna protected itself with an impenetrable blue-green sphere. The sphere weakened on the fourth before shattering on the fifth. The glassy barrier fell to the powerful bite as well. With the additional power from Moxie, Musharna was easily defeated.
Iona didn't even seem to care that Musharna had been defeated so easily. "You can handle this one yourself," he remarked as he dropped his final Poké Ball, the first words he had uttered since his Raichu had fainted. The purple Pokémon in front of him shook out its silky fur, its large ears twitching slightly. Espeon let out a yawn as it stretched its legs. Its blank stare locked on Krookodile, the latter of which was once again taking the stance it took upon defeating Raichu.
"Keep at it, Krookodile!" Umeko called. With the widest of grins, it ran towards Espeon. Tail twitching, the psychic type leaped out of the way as its foe bit only on air. Letting out a snort, it bit again, and once again Espeon shied away from the strong jaws. Krookodile couldn't even land a single Crunch.
Closing its eyes, Espeon took in a deep breath as its body was coated in the same colorful sheen Musharna had been earlier. It charged at Krookodile, tail whipping back and forth all the while. Umeko's Pokémon easily moved out of the way, but was startled when Espeon suddenly veered to intercept it. "How…?" I muttered, suddenly remembering rumours of Espeon being able to sense air currents and even predict the future with its fur. "It seems there is some stock in the rumours after all."
"What do you-oh!" Umeko responded, coming to the same realization.
"You catch on quickly," I remarked with a slight smile. I was surprised that she caught on at all.
"Change of plans. Earthquake!" Krookodile shook its head, the very earth around it shaking violently in response. Espeon, however, was already in the air, the gem on its forehead glowing white. Suddenly shooting a glare, a similarly coloured beam of light shot towards Krookodile. An abnormal screech emitted from the ground type as it fell to the ground. A few seconds passed, but it showed no signs of getting back up.
Umeko's mouth was set in a grim line of determination as she returned Krookodile. "Alright, this is it. Eeveelution versus Eeveelution. We'll show you who's on top!" She twirled in a circle before releasing her Poké Ball up into the air. A pure black Pokémon plopped in front of her, the rings on its body dully glowing golden in colour.
Espeon didn't even give Umbreon a chance to attack. Tail going still, it opened its mouth, and I had to cover my ears as a harsh noise emitted from its mouth. It only continued to increase in volume and intensity, and Umbreon was grimacing from the sound.
"Quick, while it's distracted!" Umeko shouted, barely able to be heard over the din of battle. "Throat Chop!" Umbreon closed its eyes in concentration, and it barreled forward. Espeon's tail twitched, and its eyes widened as it tried to skitter away. However, Umbreon was too fast and smashed its paw into the opponent's esophagus. Coughing profusely, Espeon tried to continue its noise, but found itself unable to. Snarling, it released Signal Beams sporadically. Umbreon leaped away, able to keep out of the line of fire.
"Espeon. Enough." The Pokémon in question inhaled sharply before returning back to its emotionless expression. Its tail twitching once again, Espeon charged with a Dazzling Gleam ready. Umbreon, knowing that an attempt to dodge would be futile, retaliated with an Iron Tail. The two Pokémon were thrown back from the force of the two attacks.
"Wish upon the stars, Umbreon!" With a simple nod, Umbreon closed its eyes, a peaceful expression coming to its face. Star shaped projectiles swirled around the dark type in circles. Eyes still closed, the stars shot towards Espeon. It tried to dodge, but found itself incapable of avoiding the attack. Each star aimed true, and if Espeon's throat wasn't already sore, it would have screeched from the pain. Umbreon kept up with this tactic, as it was the only chance it had to land an attack on a foe that could see the future. Espeon's eyes widened as its tail flailed erratically. Frustrated, Espeon once again released random Signal Beams, wanting to take Umbreon down with all of its being. The myriad of attacks created explosions into the air, obscuring the combatants from view. I squinted into the chaos, desperately wanting to see who would emerge victorious.
At long last, the commotion died down, both Espeon and Umbreon covered in dust and scratches. They panted in unison, their legs wobbling. Neither seemed willing to give up. They remained this way for several seconds before Espeon crumpled to the ground.
"Yes! We did it, Umbreon!" Umeko cheered as she ran towards her Pokémon. With a final bout of energy, it leaped into her open arms before closing its eyes.
"I see." Iona, despite having lost the fight, seemed completely content with the outcome. "I suppose this encounter didn't go the way I had hoped, but nothing to it. You'll realize she's no good soon enough." He turned and walked away without another word.
"Well done, Umeko. Has he always been so...condescending?" I asked as I approached my victorious friend.
"Pretty much. His family has never liked mine," she added dismissively. "Anyway, that's that!" She then smirked, and with a laugh grabbed my wrist and dragged me behind her. "Come on, there's still so much we can do! Besides, the day's not done yet!"
"I...I'm not sure I-"
"Shh! Just come! I've got the best view in my room! Please?"
I sighed, knowing that there was no denying Umeko. "Very well," I responded. She squealed as she pulled me along. I mentally resigned myself to whatever fate Umeko had in store for me, hoping she wouldn't start pranking people from the typical dark trainer tendencies. It didn't matter to me that she hadn't told me she actually trained dark types. It was not like I had asked her. I had simply assumed she trained ground types due to her Zorua's illusions. Iona's words struck a nerve in me, but the only reason I could see for Iona's nastiness towards Umeko was this family feud that existed. It was something I could uncover at a later date.
See, I told you I wouldn't end on a cliffhanger this time (though maybe you consider it one? I don't know. It's not meant to be one is all I can say)! I am sorry this one is a bit late, as life was quite hectic over the last couple of weeks. I wasn't about to push myself to get something published on FanFiction if it's still rather shoddy in its quality. Also I have no idea how I had been managing to keep up the weekly updates beforehand, but I am ever so grateful that it has managed to work out thus far.
So, with this fight, I ended up bringing in some Espeon/Umbreon action, as suggested by Mega Espeon. I'm not sure how I feel about it, and I may end up adding to it later, but I felt like I couldn't hold a chapter back any longer. So we'll see how it works out.
Responses:
-Clarified Conundrum: I'll be honest, I'll have to look and see if it is indeed similar to Hotaru and Aina, as I'm kind of fuzzy on the details right now. And you weren't thinking too hard into it, as it was a rivalry.
-ChibiMuffehnz27: Thank you for the favorite and the follow!
-Mega Espeon: I wish I knew.
Trivia:
-Edit: Okay, translations that I somehow managed to forget. I have no clue how it didn't make it in here, but that changes now. All the moves Iona says are their Russian names. "Elektricheskom Pole" is Electric Terrain, "Udar molniy" is Thunderbolt, and "Stal'noi khvost" is Iron Tail.
-I'll be honest, I really did have Umeko as a Ground-type trainer for a while, but as I was writing Chapter Five, I started writing the whole third-year reveal...and then thought "hey, wouldn't it be funny if that Wooper from earlier was actually Zorua?" I actually have hinted at Umeko training Dark-types before. The first instance was in that chapter itself with Mudsdale having blue eyes: normal Mudsdale eyes are actually black in color. It's a really subtle one, one that many people would miss, including myself if I hadn't been writing it myself. And the fact that very few people in the Ground dorm know who Umeko is makes much more sense since she wouldn't be in that dorm but rather the Dark dorm. One could also argue that her not fitting the "serious and no-nonsense" personality of Ground-type trainers also counts as even earlier foreshadowing too, although to contradict that, at that point in time I was still thinking of Umeko training ground types and one could make the argument that the type trained doesn't always reflect personality.
-This chapter was originally longer. But I'm holding back on the second part for next chapter, as what I had for it I didn't particularly like. But I do look forward to it. I guess that'll be my cliffhanger for the chapter.