Dark clouds covered Violet City. Falkner, Gym leader of Violet City, had been hang gliding with his Hoothoot when all of a sudden pitch-black clouds had spread across the sky like ink on blotting paper.
"This looks bad. What do you think, Hoothoot?" The purple-haired Gym leader turned his head to the spherical brown bird Pokemon perched on his shoulder. It blinked its large, red, black-rimmed eyes at him.
"Hoot..." it hooted nervously.
"I think we had better land." he replied. He had just reached the outskirts of town and was about to turn back towards the Gym when with a roar of thunder a bolt of lightning flashed down and struck a tall tree nearby. The treetop exploded into splinters, shredding one wing of his glider. He began to spin, as the one remaining wing got hit by a downdraft. "Hold on Hoothoot!" he yelled, seeing another tree rushing up towards him. He let go of the hang glider moments before it crashed into the tree, and flicked a Pokeball up from his belt. "Pidgeot, I choose you!" The Pokeball opened, releasing a white glow that formed into Falkner's most powerful Pokemon - over two metres from grey beak to red tail feather, with a great yellow and red head-crest nearly as long as its body. It sped down towards Falkner who was still falling, clutching Hoothoot to him as he fell. It wasn't going to make it - he was falling too fast. Then, with an low hissing growl, a black blur shot past the startled Pidgeot and caught him. Falkner looked up - he was being held by four squat legs belonging to a creature he could barely see - a dark red throat, a rounded grey chin, three dark purple spiky extensions splayed from the sides of its face. Then, he was set on the ground and the mysterious creature sped away.
"Good work Darkwing." someone said. Falkner turned to see a shady figure in a long brown coat and hat, with black goggles and dark blond hair. he had a Pokemon hovering over his shoulder - a silver, circular metal body with a horseshoe magnet either side, and three metal screws surrounding a single big eye. "Sorry about that Thunder - I was just training with Darkwing and Magnemite and didn't know anyone was flying nearby. I'm Alcazzar." he said, lifting his goggles to reveal sharp grey eyes.
"Darkwing?" Falkner asked as Pidgeot landed next to him. It looked forlorn and apologetic, so he patted its head reassuringly.
"My, that is one beautiful Pidgeot!" Alcazzar exclaimed. "You have obviously raised it very well."
"Thank you." Falkner replied, his suspicion plain. "So this strange weather and the lightning were your Magnemite's doing?"
"The lightning was, but the darkness was Darkwing."
"Who is this Darkwing?" Falkner asked again. Just then a dark blur flashed overhead, accompanied by that strange whistling sound. Pidgeot cawed a challenge, as, with a downdraft that caused Falkner to cover his face with one arm, Darkwing landed.
"This is Darkwing." Alcazzar answered. Falkner now saw that it was in fact a Salamence, although a lot smaller and darker than any Salamence he had seen before. It was about the same size as Pidgeot, with dark blue-purple scales covering most of its body, except for its red throat, forehead and wings and grey armoured chin, claws and belly. It snarled at Falkner and Pidgeot, and the latter cawed back angrily. "I'm sorry," Alcazzar said, "Darkwing is rather shy and doesn't get on with strangers. Darkwing, return." Alcazzar called, and with a flash of red light from the Pokeball in his outstretched arm his Pokemon vanished. With Darkwing gone, the sky almost instantly cleared, and the sun was revealed.
"What power can cover the city in darkness?" Falkner muttered in fear and wonder.
"Anyway I think that is enough training for now." Alcazzar said, and returned Magnemite to its Pokeball as well. He headed back to the covered cart and put the two Pokeballs back. "Could I ask you a favour?" he said, turning back to Falkner.
"What?" Falkner asked suspiciously.
"Could you direct me to the Violet City Gym?"
"You are looking for my Gym?" Falkner asked, surprised and a little worried. He still wasn't sure about this stranger - It had not been very long since some Pokemon thieves had appeared in Violet City.
"Ah, so you are the famous Falkner, 'the elegant Flying Pokemon master'?" Alcazzar replied with a slight smile. "The townsfolk here are very proud of you. It is an honour to meet you. I am here to challenge you to a battle."
"My Gym is the tall corkscrew-shaped tower near the centre of town." Falkner said shortly. "I will await you there." He climbed aboard Pidgeot and it took off towards town. "I don't trust that guy." he muttered, and his two Pokemon cawed and hooted in agreement.
Falkner was waiting as the lift finally brought Alcazzar to the roof of the Violet Gym. He strode through the open doors as if he owned the place, and stood with his hands in his trouser pockets opposite Falkner across the sandy arena, bordered on all sides by empty tiered seats. By the side of the arena stood Falkner's students, one of which stood by a large drum while another stepped forward as the referee. Falkner was both intimidated and angered by Alcazzar - he struck an imposing figure, more than two heads taller than Falkner himself, and his stance implied a surety that bordered on arrogance. Sand from the arena floor was whipped up by the wind and drifted towards Alcazzar, who covered his cold grey eyes with black goggles.
"So you came." Falkner stated dramatically.
"I left my cart parked in the lobby with my Abra. I hope that is alright." Alcazzar responded, somewhat spoiling the atmosphere. Falkner and his students were partly taken aback by this, but Falkner recovered without letting on.
"Quite alright. So are you ready?" Falkner asked. Alcazzar was staring at his students, who were quailing under the cold, scrutinizing gaze that somehow penetrated through the almost opaque black goggles.
"Actually I have one more favour to ask." Alcazzar finally said, looking back at Falkner.
"Spit it out!" Falkner snapped, irritated already. He had already come to the conclusion that he did not like this challenger and would enjoy teaching him a lesson.
"Whether I win or lose, I would like to be allowed to train with you as your apprentice for one week." 'No' was the answer obvious to Falkner, but the question threw him momentarily. He did not like this Alcazzar, but he was intrigued by him.
"We shall see." he replied. Alcazzar bowed in acknowledgement. The referee stepped forward.
"The official Johto League battle between Alcazzar the challenger from... from..." the referee began, and looked questioningly at Alcazzar.
"Whirlport City." Alcazzar responded. Falkner's eyes narrowed. He had never heard of such a place.
"Whirlport City and Falkner the Violet Gym Leader will now begin," The referee continued. "At stake is the Zephyr badge. Each will use three Pokemon, and only the challenger will be allowed to substitute Pokemon. Begin the match when ready."
"Ready." Alcazzar called.
"Are you?" Falkner replied, holding up a Pokeball. He hurled it forward. "Hoothoot, I choose you!" the ball opened with a white flash and Falkner's Hoothoot appeared.
"I thought I would be seeing Hoothoot again." Alcazzar said, and threw his own Pokeball high. "Magnemite, battle calls!" The ball opened in midair with another white flash and Alcazzar's Magnemite materialised opposing Hoothoot. Hoothoot hooted angrily and hopped up and down. Magnemite narrowed its eye and sparks ran across its magnets.
"Begin!" the referee called, and the drummer banged the drum.
"Neither me nor Hoothoot have forgotten what you did to our glider." Falkner snarled. "You think that just because you have an Electric type you can defeat my Flying Pokemon? I cannot stand people who disrespect Flying types! Hoothoot, use Tackle!" Hoothoot flew at Magnemite who hung motionless in the air while Alcazzar stood equally motionless and calm, and struck it full-on, before falling back and bouncing off the ground and back onto its feet, one of which it then retracted.
"Magnemite, use Lock On." Alcazzar called. Falkner's mind worked fast. Lock On was a move that guaranteed the next move would hit, thus the next move would likely be a powerful one, like Thunder. He smiled. Lock On also meant Magnemite would be focusing on Hoothoot, and after Hoothoot had been devastated by a Pikachu in his last battle Falkner had come up with a counter-strategy against Electric types.
"Hoothoot, use Hypnosis!" Falkner shouted quickly. Magnemite's pupil turned red and a red target appeared on Hoothoot, while Hoothoot's eyes began to glow.
"Magnemite, look away." Alcazzar commanded, but Magnemite was still focusing on Hoothoot due to Lock On, as Hoothoot's Hypnosis struck. Magnemite's eye closed and it dropped heavily to the sandy floor of the arena. "An excellent move." Alcazzar commented to Falkner with infuriating calmness.
"Hoothoot use Peck!" Falkner snarled. "Destroy that pathetic Electric type!" Hoothoot began a furious barrage of attacks on the sleeping Magnemite.
"Surely you know that Magnemite is a Steel and Electric type, and both types resist Flying type attacks, so your attacks will have very little effect." Alcazzar called over to Falkner.
"Did I ask for your advice?" Falkner spat, "Hoothoot, full-power Tackle attack!" Hoothoot flew at Magnemite again and this time knocked it back across the arena. "Now Peck again!" and the attacks continued without let-up. Then Falkner noticed a faint sliver of white across Magnemite's front. Realization hit him. "Hoothoot, quickly fly away! Magnemite is awake!" he shouted.
"Magnemite, Thunder." Alcazzar said. Magnemite's eye opened fully, and electricity crackled around it before shooting up into the sky. Small storm clouds gathered, and then a devastating bolt of Lightning struck Hoothoot.
"Hoothoot no!" Falkner yelled. Hoothoot shuddered in the pillar of light as electricity coursed through its body. The entire arena was flooded with flashing light, and Falkner and his students covered their eyes with one arm. Alcazzar, safe behind his black goggles, began to talk loudly in a conversational manner.
"You see, Magnemite's special ability is called Analytic. It makes Magnemite's moves much more powerful if it is attacked first, by analysing its opponent and finding its weak spots. Therefore my Magnemite is trained to take whatever my opponent dishes out and then strike back with devastating force." The Thunder attack finally stopped, and a battered and crackling Hoothoot fell to the arena. Magnemite swayed in midair, drained from the damage it had received and the energy its own attack had taken.
"Hoothoot, are you ok?" Falkner asked worriedly. Hoothoot hopped up, singed and battered but still standing, barely. "Now is our chance - use Tackle!" and Hoothoot flung itself at Magnemite once more.
"Magnemite, Gyro Ball." Alcazzar commanded. Magnemite began to spin, faster and faster until it became a metal blur. It shot towards the oncoming Hoothoot and the collision flung both Pokemon back at their trainers. Falkner reached up and caught his unconscious Hoothoot, rocking back and forth and eventually managing to keep his balance. Alcazzar remained motionless and his Magnemite managed to stop inches from the tip of his nose, and hovered in midair. "Whew, that was close." he whispered.
"Hoothoot is unable to battle - Magnemite is the winner!" the referee announced.
"You fought well, Hoothoot. Return!" Falkner whispered, holding Hoothoot's Pokeball as with a red flash Hoothoot disappeared. He looked up at Alcazzar and there was a fierce glint in his eyes. "Your Electric type may have defeated Hoothoot but it won't stand a chance against my Dodrio!" he threw his second Pokeball, and from the white light came a tall brown-feathered wingless Pokemon with three long brown necks supporting spherical heads with black V-shaped crests and long, curved beaks. Each head portrayed a different emotion - sadness, anger and joy. Its body was also spherical with a black underside and three large pink tail feathers, while its legs were long, thin and three-clawed.
"Magnemite, return."
"Return?" Falkner repeated uncertainly, as Alcazzar tucked the Pokeball back onto his belt.
"Magnemite has done an excellent job and deserves a long rest." Alcazzar responded. "I used Magnemite to see how you would counter my Pokemon with a type advantage. Now," he lifted a Pokeball Falkner now saw was hung around his neck, "I will see how you deal with a Pokemon with a type disadvantage to yours. So let me introduce my oldest friend. Creekin, battle calls!" he flung his Pokeball high, and the white light it emitted coalesced into a brutish figure, slightly over two metres tall and about the same width. Its body was a dark brownish green, with the texture and toughness of tree bark. Small branches covered in leaves grew from its wide shoulders. Its thick, stocky legs ended in feet that were flat stumps with short, twisted roots stretching in all directions. Its massive, long muscled arms ended in hands with five fingers like thick tendrils, and it stood with its knuckles resting on the ground. Its head was roughly rectangular, an under bite of a slab-like lower jaw with slightly jutting tusks. Its features were craggy, and two dark pits led like tunnels to small, bright green eyes, like balls of sap. Two blocky slits just below the eyes were its equivalent of a nose. Moss covered much of its legs, arms, back and shoulders, giving the impression of green fur. Falkner and his students stared.
"What is that thing?" Falkner demanded. It was like no Pokemon he had ever heard of.
"Creekin is a fully evolved Grass-Fighting type starter Pokemon." Alcazzar explained. "He also doesn't like being stared at." he added, glancing at the students, who hurriedly averted their gaze. Creekin's expression could only be described as wooden. Meanwhile, Falkner had recovered from his shock, and reminded himself that he was in the middle of a Gym battle. Still, his interest had been piqued - maybe he would take Alcazzar up on his offer.
"A Grass-Fighting type? A poor choice against my Dodrio." Falkner eventually responded. "This shouldn't take long. Dodrio, use Drill Peck!" Dodrio leapt forward, its three beaks whirring as it struck at Creekin.
"Creekin, block it." Alcazzar commanded. Creekin lifted its arms upright in front of its head to fend off the Drill Pecks, but the ferocity of the attack began to push Creekin back across the arena. Falkner then remembered the tactic Alcazzar had used against Hoothoot, and realised that Alcazzar seemed to be doing the same thing again.
"Dodrio, fly!" he commanded. This got Alcazzar's attention, and he looked questioningly at Falkner who smiled. Dodrio leapt high into the air, and Alcazzar smiled back in comprehension.
"Creekin, use Frenzy Plant to remind that bird that it is flightless." he called. Creekin slammed both fists into the arena with a force that shook the building, and then lifted them with a roar. As it lifted its fists, dozens of thorny vines shot up through the arena floor and stretched towards the helpless Dodrio.
"Dodge it!" Falkner yelled, and Dodrio tried to stretch out of the way, but tendrils fastened themselves around its legs and brought it down to the arena with a crash. Then Falkner had a thought. "Use Fury Attack to drive the vines way!" he commanded. Dodrio scrambled to its feet and furiously pecked at any vines that came near. Breathing heavily, it nevertheless had the strength to continue. Then the vines drew back into the ground, revealing Creekin also out of breath, standing once more in a defensive position. "It can't attack after using Frenzy Plant - now is our chance! Dodrio, use Drill Peck!"
"Creekin, block it." Alcazzar responded. Once again Dodrio attacked the stationary Creekin, and this time the furious attacks managed to drive it to its knees.
"Fury Attack!" Falkner shouted, and Dodrio's heads struck one-two-three times, each one pushing Creekin further back. Then, Dodrio leapt over Creekin and gave it a fast and powerful kick in the back, that made it fall full-length. It clambered ponderously back to its feet as Dodrio leapt back to Falkner. Its three heads cawed - one sorrowfully, one mockingly and one victoriously. "Now fly up and use Drill Peck!" Falkner continued, and Dodrio prepared to jump once more.
"Now, use Wood Hammer." Alcazzar retaliated. Creekin leapt forward, moving surprisingly fast for such a bulky creature, and brought one heavy fist down on Dodrio's centre head, driving it into the arena floor with terrible force.
"Fury Attack!" Falkner yelled desperately, and Dodrio's other two heads struck at Creekin's face.
"Brick Break." Alcazzar replied. Creekin's fists glowed white as it grabbed both of the attacking heads and slammed them together, before raising both arms and bringing them down heavily.
"Dodrio is unable to battle, Creaking is the winner!" the referee announced uncertainly.
"Creekin..." muttered Alcazzar, annoyed. An excellent job, my friend. Return." Once again both trainers returned their Pokemon to their Pokeballs and faced each other.
"Pidgeot, it is all up to you!" Falkner called, bringing out his final Pokemon. "So, you have fought me with a type advantage and a type disadvantage - what now?" Falkner asked.
"Now it is time for a battle in the skies." Alcazzar responded. "Darkwing, battle calls!" he also brought out his third Pokemon. Darkwing snarled at Pidgeot, who cawed back in challenge and took off, facing Darkwing in the air.
"The first move is yours." Falkner invited. Alcazzar smiled.
"Darkwing, use Moonless Night." a black orb of power formed in Darkwing's mouth, as it raised its head and fired the orb at the sky, where it burst and spread darkness like ink in water. The sun was blocked out as the arena was darkened. Darkwing was now invisible against the clouds.
"Pidgeot, use Whirlwind to blow the clouds away!" Falkner called, daunted by the sudden loss of light. Pidgeot shot skywards with incredible speed.
"Darkwing, Dragon Pulse." A low growl answered him from the dark clouds, eclipsed by a shrieking of swirling wind. Then there was a moment of absolute silence. Sound returned with a thunderclap as a ball of blue fire smashed into the rising Pidgeot, driving it down towards the ground. In the light of the attack, Falkner saw a black shape shoot past Pidgeot.
"Pidgeot, now! Quick Attack!" Pidgeot recovered and sped towards Darkwing, moving so fast it left a white trail behind it. It slammed into Darkwing from behind, causing it to roar in pain and anger.
"You have sharp eyes." Alcazzar commented, impressed. "Darkwing, Dragon Claw!"
"Pidgeot, Agility!" Darkwing turned in midair and slashed at Pidgeot, who vanished and reappeared further away. It cawed mockingly, and Darkwing snarled in response.
"Darkwing, disappear." Alcazzar commanded. Darkwing flapped its wings and lifted itself into the dark clouds.
"After it Pidgeot!" Falkner responded, "Don't let it out of your sight!" Pidgeot headed for the dark clouds with speed.
"Darkwing, Dragon Pulse."
"Pidgeot, Agility!" Darkwing shrieked invisibly towards Pidgeot, who began dodging so fast it seemed to teleport.
"That won't work." Alcazzar said. Falkner glanced at him and then looked up in horror as Pidgeot was struck full-on by another Dragon Pulse, and began to fall towards the arena. "Darkwing's ability is Darkeye. This means that the darker it is, the more accurate Darkwing becomes." Alcazzar explained. "Darkwing, back into the clouds!"
"Pidgeot, straighten up! Please!" Falkner pleaded as Pidgeot plummeted, dim light glinting from its head-crest. That was when Falkner realised that the darkness was beginning to fade.
"Darkwing, finish it off with Dragon Pulse." Alcazzar commanded, with a hint of urgency.
"Pidgeot, use Quick Attack to dodge!" Falkner called. Pidgeot was still falling towards the arena, and Darkwing was hot on its tail with another Dragon Pulse forming in its mouth. Then, the tips of Pidgeot's wings began to glow white. "Now!" Falkner yelled. Pidgeot's eyes snapped open and it instantly levelled out, and sped away in a white streak as Darkwing's Dragon Pulse grazed its centre tail feather before blowing a hole in the arena floor. Darkwing pulled up at the last moment and set off in pursuit.
"Pidgeot, Agility then Quick Attack!" Pidgeot vanished and reappeared above Darkwing, speeding towards it.
"Darkwing, turn and use Dragon Pulse." Darkwing spun in midair so that it was now on its back with its wings spread, the wind ripping past it as it fell backwards. A blue sphere materialised in its mouth and shot up towards Pidgeot.
"Pidgeot, deflect it with Wing Attack!" Pidgeot's wing glowed white as it smashed away the Dragon Pulse and continued with its attack.
"Darkwing, Aerial Ace!" Alcazzar shouted. Darkwing turned and dived, hotly pursued by Pidgeot. Surrounded by streamers of corkscrewing white fire, Darkwing made a sharp u-turn around Alcazzar, making his coat flutter, and shot back towards Pidgeot. The two collided with a force that blasted its way across the entire arena, whipping the sand up in a great cloud. The last of the darkness was dissipating, and the sun shone once more upon the Violet Gym. The sand settled, revealing Darkwing battered but standing. Pidgeot lay defeated.
"Pidgeot is unable to battle, Salamence is the winner!" The referee stuttered nervously. "So the victor is Alcazzar of, erm, Whirlport City!"
"Darkwing, good job." Alcazzar said, returning his Pokemon to its ball and walking over to where Falkner was cradling Pidgeot. "A close battle... sir?" he asked, holding out one hand in invitation. Falkner thought for a moment, then took the hand.
"Yet you won, apprentice. Congratulations, the Zephyr badge is yours."
"So, what first?" Alcazzar queried with a slight smile.
"First," Falkner replied, "You are getting me a new hang glider." people down in the street looked up as Alcazzar's cheerful laughter echoed from the buildings.