Shadowed Over Fairy Dust

18

Battle On the Bridge:

Onward, To Hulbury!

A/N: This Fan Fiction is based on the Galar region and games (Sword/Shield) featuring CanonXOC

"The sea! Can you see!? I LOVE the Sea!" Anani beamed as she stood on the beams of the side rails of a bridge that leads to Hulbury. Enchanted on Route 5 by the sight of the scenery the bridge crossed over, and the smell of the salty sea breeze.

"I don't know why..." said Marnie,"It smells like fish."

"Yeah~" Anani giggled,"I like Fish'n'Chips!" she beamed.

"Yes that's all fine and well..." said Hop,"Now come down from there or you're gonna end up drowning in the sea!" Hop laughed as he instantly took hold of her love handles, sending her into a fit of giggles while she fell backwards into his arm.

"Oi, Hop!" she huffed," We're not even over the sea right now!" she said,"This bridge crosses over another part of the Wild Area, see!?" she pointed out," And besides...I know how to swim!"

"Yeah, maybe you do." said Marnie,"But can you out swim a Sharpedo?"

"Hmm..."

"The answer is no, Anani." Hop blinked,"You can't."

"...I knew that." she muttered.

"Well you want to know what I know?" Hop asked as he moved to her side and leaned over the rail,"I know that Anani and I haven't shared a battle since before we left Postwick!" he stated and turned leaning back,"With one Gym Badge a piece, I think it's high time we test our mettle!" he smirked,"You know, get a little practice in before we go for our second badge in Hulbury!"

"So am I right in assuming this is a challenge then?" Anani smirked.

"You better believe it!" said Hop returning the expression.

"Wicked!" said Marnie,"I don't think I've ever seen you two battle before...this should be good!"

"But of course it will!" said Hop, " I am the future Champion, after all! And Anani is my greatest rival!"

"Keep dreamin' Hop!" said Marnie, and he laughed.

"Say Marnie...would you mind playing Ref?" he asked.

"Well it seems I have little choice...eh Morpeko?" she blinked as she looked down to the critter that chirped its name in approval,"Get yourselves situated, and we'll begin!"

XXXXX

Hop and Anani each each stood opposite sides of one another while the sound of the rushing waves crashed against the pillars.

"All right you two!" said Marnie,"I want a good clean fight y'hear!?" she stated.

"Naturally!" said Hop.

"No Arguements here either." Anani noded.

"Good!" Marnie stated,"This match will be three on three! Ready? BEGIN!"

"All right, let's go Wooloo!" Hop grinned as he tossed out his every trusty ball of wool.

"This oughta be a blast from the past~" Anani grinned,"Go Punkoon!"

"Ahh Punkoon~" Hop laughed,"Wooloo's old rival!" he grinned,"You've sure grown alot since I caught you and gave you to Anani, didn't you Punkoon?"

"Linooorrrroooo!" What was once Punkoon the Zigzagoon was now Punkoon the Linoone after having spent time training a while before reaching this point in their journey. The three traveled together, but they each liked to take a little time and space for themselves between rest stops to pump up their muscle. Friends or not, this was still a challenge, and they were all still rivals working toward the same goal.

"We can walk down memory lane later on!" said Anani,"Use Night Slash!"

Linoone let out a mighty roar and took a leap at Wooloo with his claws sharpened.

"This is gonna be a right powerful blow!" said Hop,"Quick, save yourself with defense curl!" he said. As such, Wooloo rolled into itself when Night Slash landed and, while taking a hit bounced around like a bouncing ball from the impact,"Now use Double Kick!" said Hop, and Wooloo re emerged from its protective coat landing two super effective kicks on Linoone.

"Are you okay!?" Anani asked,"Shake it off!"

"Linooneraaaa!" Linoone howled.

"Don't stop there!" said Hop,"Go in for Tackle!"

"Punkoon quick!" called Anani,"Counter Wooloo's tackle attack with your Headbutt!"

The two Poke'mon went head to head, and knocked heads while they were at it, each one taking damage from a powerful hit.

"Now use Snarl!"

Linooneraaaarr!" A powerful growl came from Linoone, with so much force to it, Wooloo rolled back and took a knock out hit aginst the bridge beam."

"Wooloo...Return!" called Hop.

"Round one is complete!" said Marnie,"The winners are, Anani and Linoone!" she stated,"But what a wicked fight it was!"

"No kidding!" said Hop,"But Anani and Punkoon aren't the only ones who got stronger!" he grinned with a fire in his eyes, "Go! Raboot!"

"Raboot?" Anani blinked as a rabbit hopped out of Hop's Poke'ball.

Your Scorbunny!" she beamed,"It evolved!"

"Yeah,"Hop chuckled sheepishly,"Happened during my battle with Milo."

"That's amazing Hop!" Anani grinned,"But we're not giving up either!" she smirked,"Go! Bloo!" and in an instant, Sobble hopped out of its ball.

"You may be smaller than him now, but you're not weak! Y'hear!?"

"Bluubawaa~!" Sobble seemed nervous, but waited its trainer's next orders.

"You're gonna hit him with Water Pulse!" she declared

"Bwooup!"

A powerful watter bullet came fast at Raboot who held up its arms as a means of a defense, but it didn't minimize the damage.

"Oof...typical you know your type match ups!" said Hop,"Use double kick!"

Raboot charged in quick footed and hopped to the air to land a kick on the small Poke'mon.

"Dodge it, Bloo!" Anani said,"And use Water Gun!"

With a roll to the side, Raboot's first kick missed, and a stream of water shot from Sobble directly against the Rabbit Poke'mon landing a critical hit.

"Raboot is unable to continue!" said Marnie,"Round two goes to Anani and Sobble!"

"Yes!" Anani beamed and Sobble cheered right there with her when suddenly a light to its blue skin.

"Lookit!" said Hop.

"Oh wow!" said Marnie,"Fighting against Raboot must have given it a lot of experience!" she stated,"Because now it has enough to evolve!"

Anani grinned excitedly as she watched her Sobble grow in size and let loose a battle cry once its evolution was complete.

"Drizziiiiile~" it cried out while Anani clapped her hands with glee.

"Well done, Bloo!" she beamed.

"Congratulations!" Hop laughed, "Now both of our starters have evolved!" he grinned, "But we can celebrate that feat later," he said,"I still have one more Ace!" he smiked,"Go Corvisquire!"

"Nice! Rookidee evolved too!" Anani beamed,"Did that also happen with you battle against Milo?"

"It sure did!" said Hop,"So who will your third be?"

"You'll just have to see~!" she grinned as she tossed her Poke'ball and out popped .

"Purloin, eh?" Hop pouted,"I stilI can't trust her has far as I can throw her- pack thief!" he chuckled, "But I agree she's ace!" said Hop, "Go for Wing Attack!" he grinned and the small cat took a beating from a pair of battering wings...

"Mrooooow~" Purloin inhaled and loosened out a battle cry.

"No worries - now you can use Pay Back!"

"That was a strong hit!" said Hop.

"That's because when Pay Back is used successfully after taking a hit , the damage is doubled!" said Anani.

"We're not down yet!" Hop grinned,"Now use Pluck!"

"Reeeua!" the feline hissed and yowled as she tried to run from the jabbing beak plucking at her head.

"Beat it back with Fury Swipes!" said Anani, and in an instant the cat leapt at the bird and left a number of scratches across its face while using the action to flip back away,"Now use Swift" An array of stars shot quickly a at the oppsing creature thanks to Purloin's high speed. Corvicsquire who was temporarily blinded by the stinging scratches, took a direct hit from the fire and fell unconscious to the bridge floor.

"Corvicsquire is unable to battle any more!" said Marnie,"Round three goes to Purloin." she stated,"The winner of this battle is Anani!"

"Aww Pots!" Hop sighed in defeat,"Well...we both have a Gym Badge for a reason." he stated,"I should have expected you to be stronger too." he smiled.

"It was a right wicked match!" said Marnie.

"It sure was." said Hop as he called back Corvicsquire and he and Anani met center and clasped hands,"Good one, Anani!" he said,"I'll be sure to beat you next time."

"We'll sure see, won't we?" she smiled.

"Well I say, we're ready to make our way to Nessa! The Leader of the Water Gym!" he grinned,"Let's rush!" and in a flash he took off ahead in the race.

"Oi what gives I thought this was a time out!" Marnie huffed as she tried to run to catch up.

"One thing you'll learn about Hop as we travel together,"said Anani,"He doesn't believe in the meaning of the words Time Out both of the girls laughed while they tried to keep step with their energetic male friend just up ahead. As they made it through the entry way to Hulbury Anani felt truly accomplished.

I won my first Gym Badge...

She thought to herself.

And here I am in the land of my second.

"I know you two are excited to register for your second match." said Marnie,"Believe me, I am too." she stated,"But before we do anythig we should give our Poke'mon a good rest." she stated,"So that they can be strong and ready to take on Nessa." she blinked,"Plus we probably don't realize it yet ourselves, but I guarantee our bodies are exhausted as well."

"You're right." said Hop,"That battle with Anani totally wiped me out." he sighed,"We should rest up at the Poke'mon center." he nodded,"Come on Anani...let's go check in."

"All right." she nodded softly. Hop and Marnie walked on ahead lost in conversation with eachother while Anani took in the sights of the city. One particular sight caught her attention a bit more. She blinked as she followed it. It was the sight of a familiar...long... Hot Pink coat, and delicate motion of hand through wind blown hair of the sea. Her eyes went wide as she whispered his name...

"It's Bede..."

To Be Continued