Chapter Twenty Two: Battling the Storms
Wet. This was how Anuvi felt the following morning. Blearily opening one eye, he looked down to see a dark stain on his bed sheets that certainly wasn't there the night before. Anuvi flushed at the sight, feeling more self-conscious than ever. He'd never wet the bed before… not even before what could possibly be the toughest battle of his short, juvenile life…
But wait, Anuvi thought, his memory overtaking his panicky reason. I never have wet the bed before… Fawna always said I had a bladder of steel… so ho- what the? he broke off suddenly, a large drop of what seemed to be water hitting the side of his head and exploding. Instinctively closing his eye, he stared at the window with his other wondering if it were open, for it did look quite misty outside. Before he could contemplate on the possibility of rain and why he felt so heavy, a cream-tipped tail swished across his field of view.
Eyes snapping wide open, he looked straight up to see Lavender curled up over his back, her eyes closed and a trail of drool issuing from the side of her mouth, mumbling in her sleep as another drop of spittle threatened to fall onto his head.
La-LAVENDER! Anuvi bellowed in his mind, an animé tic pulsing off the chart at his temple as blood surged to his brain. He rolled the Evolution Pokémon off his back onto her own, where she slept on, her cherubic face full of innocence as she raised her paws not unlike a Growlithe beseeching a belly rub and smiled widely. The sight made Anuvi forget his anger completely and smile despite himself.
Poor kid must've had a bad dream, Anuvi thought kindly, deciding to let her sleep on while he went to get the spit out of his fur. As he closed the door behind him, he wondered why the ward was empty of all the others but himself and the Eevee. A split second later, his embarrassment tripled as the only logical conclusion came to mind. Feeling grumpy again, he stumped off to the bathroom to wash wondering why Sapph didn't wake him as well.
After his shower, Anuvi walked back to the ward to see that it was full again. Ignoring Zen's smug smirk, he turned to Crimson instead and directed his questions at the Five Star Pokémon instead.
Hello, Anuvi, Crimson trilled, digging into a dish of regular pokéchow (made by Haley this time) Sleep well?
Oh, I'm sure last night was the best in his life, Zen said lewdly, stealing an amused glance at Lavender, who was now awake and had suddenly turned red. Who'd 'ave thunk our widdle Lawender's all gwown up, he added with a derisive laugh.
Enough, Corporal, Ace said snippily, shooting the howling Fighting type a quelling stare. Lavender said she had a bad dream and she only thought Anuvi wouldn't mind!
At this Lavender blushed deeper scarlet.
Affirmative. Laveneder's subconscious presented her with horrific manifestations of her past, causing a fear-induced spillage of excrement over her bed, Silver added, causing Lavender to glow with shame.
OK, that's enough, Anuvi said shortly, stepping up to Lavender's defense before she put Rudolph the red-nosed Stantler to shame. Everybody has bad dreams… well, almost everybody, he added, shooting a skeptical glance at Silver, whom Anuvi assumed lacked the imagination to have dreams at all. Point is, he went on, staring around at Crimson, Silver, Ace and Zen, where the heck were you guys when I woke up, and why didn't Sapph wake me too?
Well, erm, Crimson began, noticing the Leaf Squirrel Pokémon's anger.
We were training with Sapph at the time, Ace went on nervously. On the battle field, I mean.
And Sapph didn't wake ya up cuz he thought you guys were cute together, Zen added with another raucous peal of laughter.
C'mon, Lav, Anuvi said shortly, ignoring the Combatant Pokémon's laughter. Let's go find Sapph.
OK, Lavender consented, hopping off the bed and trotting out after the Leaf Squirrel Pokémon.
As the two walked up the corridor in silence, the Normal type's ears drooped slightly as she turned to her Grass element teammate and said, I'm sor-
You don't need to apologise, Lav, Anuvi said shortly, not looking at her but keeping his eyes focused on the doorway that led to the reception area of the Pokémon center.
Oh, OK, Lav said quietly. Looking up at her senior teammate she added, Aren't you going to ask wha-
No, Anuvi said again in the same, terse manner. Stopping suddenly, he turned, smiled at Lavender and added kindly, Not unless you want to talk about it, OK?
Beaming as her ears pricked up, she said, Thank you, Anii.
Smiling, the Mongle replied, Don't mention it. Now let's go find our trainer and give 'im a piece of our mind!
Yay! Lavender squealed, skipping alongside her friend as they entered the Pokémon Center's reception hall to see a boy of eleven years chewing on toast as he gazed out of the window that stood alongside his table in a contemplative mood. Noticeable differences in Sapph's usual appearance (he had dispensed with his red anorak and his yellow and black cap, which he'd lost in his death-defying fall the other day) and usually brash demeanor would have made Anuvi's eyes slide over him. Familiarity, however, caused him to make a beeline for the cloud-watching youth, his mouth set in a firm line.
OI, SAPPH! I've got a bone to pick with you! Anuvi called out in a grumpy temper as he stumped over to the boy's table.
"Oh, hey, Anuvi! Toast?" Sapph greeted his peeved Pokémon, offering him a piece of toast.
Take a note: next time you want to sweet talk me, offer me something cinnamon, damn it! Anuvi said crossing his arms crossly as he plunked himself in front of his trainer on the table. Snatching up a slice of toast, he stuck it in his mouth, ripping off a good portion of it and chewing ostentatiously, muttering darkly.
"I guess you're peeved that I didn't wake you and Lavender up for training," Sapph said slyly.
Anuvi just kept chewing in response although his muttering did become more pronounced at this junction.
"It's still early," Sapph went on. "I was thinking of training you guys specially when you woke up. Lavender needs someone friendly to train with, especially when it comes to fighting blind."
What? Anuvi said, his interest piqued as he stared at Sapph with his eyebrows raised. 'Fighting… blind'? Are you gonna blindfold us or something?
"Nah, you don't need to blindfold Lavender to get the concept across to her…" Sapph began, stopping when he noticed Anuvi had dropped his toast.
Y-you know she's… Anuvi gasped, sure he was the only one to figure out his team mate's darkest secret.
"Yeah," Sapph said meditatively. "I figured it out during our first battle in Green Hill City. She kept going the wrong way and was conversing to inanimate objects that happened to lie around. First I thought it was her nature, but the nature is just a guise."
Well, if you know that, Anuvi said, clearly surprised. Then you should know that she wanted it to be kept a…
"I'm pretty good at keeping secrets, Anuvi," Sapph said calmly, albeit a little coldly as well. "Don't remind me of how much I need to do so," he added, averting his eyes from his starter Pokémon as he remembered the secret he had to keep from Haley.
Sorry, buddy, Anuvi said quietly.
"It's OK, Anuvi," Sapph replied. "Is there anything else you wanted to tell me?"
Actually, there is, Anuvi said in a conspiratorial tone. It's about Lavender, too…
Let me tell him, Anii, Lavender voice piped up from Sapph's ankle. Reaching down, he lifted up the Eevee on to the set besides him and went on, It's about time I let this off my chest. The nightmare I had last night? I was reliving my past…
And so, with many a well placed interruption, Lavender told the Leaf Squirrel Pokémon and their trainer all about her past in Orre, from her rough transport across the harsh desert landscape the landmass was popular for, through the grueling nature of the horrific tests they performed and the fates of her less (and more fortunate) fellow test subjects. Sapph and Anuvi were struck speechless as Lavender narrated her tale to them, horrified that anyone could be so inhumane, not only to Pokémon but to their own researchers, one of whom was abandoned in the desert after being contaminated in a reagent leak, and astounded that Lavender survived it all and had enough strength to put on a true smile day by day.
Man, Lav… you're one tough Eevee… Anuvi said softly, staring at his ditzy team mate. You da 'mon!
"So the ever-happy routine's all an act?" Sapph asked her in equal wonder.
Not really, Sapph, Lavender said succinctly. This is how I'd have been if I wasn't born in the labs, anyway. Either way, she added with a swift smile at Anuvi. You're the amazing one, Anuvi. That's why I look up to you as a big brother… Anii.
Now I'm embarrassed… Anuvi said, sticking out his tongue as he rubbed the back of his head, blushing hard.
"Well, if we're all done here," Sapph said calmly, causing both his Pokémon to look up at him in surprise. "We'd better get moving. We have about two hours to game time and we'll need time to rest up before the match, whether you're battling," he added, staring pointedly at Anuvi. "Or not," he said with a swift glance at the Eevee.
***
Ten o' clock didn't bring any more favourable weather than Chinooka City was experiencing at daybreak. The mist had deepened considerably although not enough to seriously impair visibility and a hint of thunder lingered in the violet clouds that hung over the open air arena.
Sky stood on the sidelines, holding two flags (in the regulatory red and green colours) her reddish brown hair in a single, long plait today.
"Alright," she said loudly, getting the attention of all the citizens who'd taken the day off to see their gym leader battle (as he'd been away so long, it had been a while since they'd seen the event.) Many wore tan coloured cloaks with highlights of varying shades and tones. Amongst them sat Haley, in the front most row wearing a cloak with ocean blue trim, next to Nurse Joy, staring around at random, wondering why they brought binoculars to the match.
"The official gym match between your gym leader, Ricon Wingams," she announced in a showboat kind-of-voice, raising her red flag towards her older brother who rose to his feet, his muscular body draped in a ceremonial silver grey native cloak. Applause and loud cheers rang out from the citizens, displaying how much admiration he drew from his kinsmen. Ricon acknowledged their cheers with a casual wave of his hand, blushing faintly as though he'd done nothing more than help an old lady cross the road.
"Aaaaand his challenger, Sapph Manson from Cherrygrove Town, Johto," Sky went on, raising the green flag to the other side of the field, where Sapph stood, his slight, eleven year old frame shrouded in a cloak identical to what many of the audience were wearing except his had a vibrant green, zigzag trim. Quite a number of the spectators applauded kindly, Nurse Joy, Haley and Sky with much enthusiasm and Ricon with a kindly nod. Sapph just smiled faintly before regaining his 'game face', as Sky went on, "will now begin! Each trainer will be allowed three Pokémon apiece, with the challenger alone allowed substitutions! A Pokémon will be considered unable to battle after a down count of five, and in the case of a substitution for the gym leader. Are both trainers prepared?"
"Let's make this a match to remember for both of us, Sapph!" Ricon called, his voice ringing with determination.
"Yeah!" Sapph replied, smiling broadly back.
"Then let the match… BEGIN!" Sky yelled lowering her flags, signaling the start of the battle and seemingly the rain that has threatened to fall, which began with a moderate drizzle.
"OK, let's fly, Pidgeotto!" Ricon cried, sending out his first battler.
So! Just as I thought, he is a Flying-type user! Sapph thought in a determined voice, watching the bird Pokémon spread its moderately sized wings and use them to keep itself airborne with rhythmic strokes. OK…
"Let's do this, Silver!" Sapph yelled, sending a red and white orb spinning into the air, releasing a small, silvery Pokémon with a horseshoe magnet on each side of its spherical body crackling with golden electricity as its circular eye focused on the Flying type before it.
Its voice issuing in a dull lifeless voice, the Magnemite droned, Temperature, sixteen degrees centigrade, humidity, seventy two percent. Health readings one hundred percent… opponent health levels one hundred percent. Awaiting battle protocooollll…
Sapph sweat dropped as he said with much eye rolling, "At least you haven't lost any charm, Silver." Getting serious, he ordered, "Silver! Use Thunderbolt!"
Energy levels satisfactory… target locked, attack initiated! Silver droned expressionlessly, firing off a moderately sized bolt of lightning straight for the Pidgeotto.
"Dodge it!" Ricon ordered, not losing his cool for a second as his Pidgeotto swooped downwards, pitching from side to side to avoid the continual bursts of electricity, each one coming way too close for comfort. "Good job!" Ricon cheered as Pidgeotto successfully avoided each attack. "Now go, use Quick Attack!"
"As you wish, Chief," the Pidgeotto said in a brisk, city-dweller's voice, accelerating sharply as he closed the gap between the two Pokémon in mere seconds.
Sapph, however, anticipated this tactic, being one of his favourites and called out, "Silver, behind the pole, quickly!"
Command acknowledged, initiating evasive measurrrrres, Silver droned slowly, moving swiftly behind the pole that stood to its left, leaving Pigdeotto to swipe futilely at the screw atop the metallic electric type's round centerpiece.
"Thunderbolt again!" Sapph ordered, prompting Silver to let loose more sizzling blasts of electricity.
"Good dodge, Sapph!" Ricon called as the crowd gasped and whooped in appreciation. "Watch this one! Pidgeotto, dive for the pole!"
Got it, Chief! The Pokémon called, back flipping in midair to avoid the first flash of lightning which shot past to hit a cloud, causing it to regurgitate the charge, which pursued the blazing Pidgeotto as it suddenly, without an order, performed a Double Team, creating illusionary copies in his slipstream, each of which dissipated as the lightning struck them from behind. Just when it looked like the aerial Pokémon would be hit, the lightning struck the decorative pole as Pidgeotto blazed past unscathed.
"Not bad!" Sapph complimented the gym leader, shaking his sopping wet hair out of his sapphire blue eyes as he issued his next order, "Silver, use consecutive Thunderbolt!"
Energy levels depleted by fifteen percent… command prompt acknowledged, Silver announced releasing quick bursts of electricity towards the incoming, feathery missile.
"Double Team, and then Brave Bird!" Ricon commanded, getting into the swing of things.
You'se the boss! The Pidgeotto chirped, swaying from side to side as he advanced, leaving a clone in his wake whenever he moved in the opposite direction. Each clone received another jolt of electricity as red energy cloaked the real Flying type, exploding as he finally made contact with the Magnet Pokémon, causing the Steel type to go slamming into another pole, levitating away in a shaky manner.
"Silver! You OK?" Sapph called anxiously as the crowd roared its approval.
Health down thirty-six percent… critical hit, Silver droned, its voice still sounding strong. Opponent's health down by twelve percent.
"While he's stunned, Pidgeotto! Quick Attack!" Ricon ordered, not missing a beat.
Feast on my Beak Fu, fool! Pidgeotto cawed, ramming Silver again in the eye with its stumpy, pinkish roan beak.
Health down forty-two percent… tactically sharp move… Silver groaned as he hovered away dizzily.
"Grrr… Silver, Zap Cannon attack!" Sapph commanded, sharply; pointing at Pidgeotto for emphasis.
Energy levels adequate… initiating counterattack, Silver droned as a black sphere pulsing with white-hot electricity formed between its magnets, letting it fly when it reached maximum capacity at the Pidgeotto's back.
"Pidgeotto, dive quickly!" Ricon called out urgently.
Wha- WHOA! Pidgeotto screamed, diving just in time. The speeding sphere of electricity shot by, barely brushing against his brown-plumed back, causing telltale spasms of paralysis to wash over the Pokémon.
"Got you!" Sapph cheered.
Ricon simply smiled in reply and asked, "You sure, Sapph? Pidgeotto, use Façade!"
"Oh, crap!" Sapph gasped as he watched Pidgeotto loop back towards the blinded Silver and lay into his Electric Pokémon with extreme force, flashing various colours as it flew in to strike.
Health now down to eleven percent… requesting permission to use ultiset maneuver, Silver droned.
"Do it!" Sapph agreed without thinking, pausing once the words left his mouth. "Wait a second… what a ultise-"
Boosting energy capacity to one hundred teravolts… initiating Thunderrrr Raaaaaiiiin, Silver screamed, flashing bright yellow as the Magnemite rose high into the air, small balls of electricity twinkling around it like stars.
There was a subdued silence hanging in the air above the bleachers as the spectators who were muttering amongst themselves in wonder as the balls of lightning steadily increased in number.
"What on earth…" Nurse Joy gasped, staring at the Magnemite, as it continued to accumulate power.
"Don't ask me, Nurse Joy," Haley said in an equally bewildered voice, whipping out her notepad and feverishly jotting down what she was seeing, though finding it hard to believe.
"Whatever that attack is, don't let it hit you, Pidgeotto!" Ricon commanded, displaying worry for the first time during the match.
Got it, boss! Pidgeotto cawed in a worried tone.
Probability of escape is one over zero, undefined, Silver droned. Thunder Rain attack initiated, it added, what looked like millions of miniature senbon needles exploding from each miniature sun, lancing through the poles like a hot knife through butter, breaking up the sodden earth that it struck, striking a fully paralyzed and helpless Pidgeotto a million times over, so quickly the Flying type had no time to scream. It flopped onto the earth in a dead faint, causing the crowd to go silent in shock at the scale and magnitude of the attack.
"Pidgeotto is unable to battle," Sky announced after a shaky five-count. "Magnemite wins!"
"You did it, Silver!" Sapph cheered, pumping his fist.
ERROR… ERROR… PROCESSES NOT RESPONDING… ATTACK RANGE INCREASING… TECHNIQUE MUST BE HALTED IMMEDIATELY… FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN DESTRUCTION OF ALL LIFE FORMS AND GYM PROPERTEEEEE, Silver droned, out of control as random sparks shot off at wild tangents, towards Ricon, Sapph and Sky, whose eyes widened in horror as the attack closed in on her.
"Oh, crap! SKY, RUN!" Sapph yelled; his eyes widening as he saw the young girl back away, stumble and freeze up in fright.
"SKY! GET OUT OF THERE!" Ricon yelled, dashing over to push his little sister out of the way. He was stopped as a strafe of electric needles hit the ground at his feet, forcing him to retreat, watch her close her eyes tight as the inevitable pain came rushing in… his mind in a panic once the fact that he'd never make it stole over him …
…fortunately for Sky, the attack never made it either.
Bare inches from Sky's terrified face, the projectiles suddenly fizzled into nothingness, leaving the crowd silent, wondering as to how the attack stopped. A loud scream that rent the air a split second later answered their unspoken question.
Haley and Nurse Joy's head swiveled as they turned to look at Sapph and rose as one to his aid. Sapph had gone rigid, his hand clutching a pokéball in his right hand. Before either lady made it, the pokéball underwent a minor explosion, blowing Sapph's hand free of the pokéball (which had somehow remained intact) and flinging Sapph back six feet onto his back. Hard.
"Sapph!" Haley screamed, reaching out to grab him before Nurse Joy pulled her back.
"Haley, don't!" The matron gasped, straining with the effort of holding Haley back. "Sapph just received an electric shock! Touch him now, in this weather, and you'll get hurt too!"
"Relax, Haley. 'M fine," a low groan from the ground said. Looking down through tear-streaked, silvery eyes, Haley saw Sapph sit up, massaging his wrist as he stared down at his right palm, which was now covered with electric burns.
"That looks nasty," Ricon said softly, who'd rushed over to look Sapph over after ensuring that Sky wasn't hurt and Pidgeotto was returned safely. "Let's get that under wraps right away. We need to postpone the match anyway… weather's too bad…"
"No way!" Sapph protested, scrambling to his feet. "We've gotta see this to the end!"
"Sapph, you just got your hand fried by over a hundred volts of electricity!" Haley shouted. "What do you think you are, invincible?! You could have gotten yourself killed, using Electric Pokémon to battle in this weather!"
"Thanks for the memo, Haley," Sapph replied flippantly. "Lucky for me I haven't got anymore Electric types up my sleeve anyway…" he added before wincing in pain; Ricon had applied a stinging balm to his palm to soothe the pain.
"I'd also say we should stop the attacks before anyone gets hurt, Sapph," Ricon said, guiding Sapph to a small shelter on the other side of the playing field opposite the bleachers and began to expertly bind his hand with clean white bandages. "No matter how much you… and I… want to continue it."
"So how do you expect to stop the match… forfeit?" Sapph snapped through tightly gritted teeth. "If I do it, and lose another gym match, I'm out of the running for the Corei League Finals! If you forfeit, you lose the match and I win the match and a badge I probably would have won anyway in a totally uncool way!"
"He has a point, Anii," Sky said quietly as she stepped under the shelter to join them. "Neither of you can forfeit now. And after all, didn't you say a master trainer battles on and wins the match regardless of the circumstances?"
"If you meant the weather… then, yes," Ricon said softly, staring out at the field where the rains fell even more heavily, the hint of thunder growing ever stronger. "But when the circumstances involve you safety and that of the citizens, then I can't go through with it."
"I'm not a little girl any more!" Sky half-shouted.
"Actually… yes, you are," Ricon replied evenly albeit through slightly clenched teeth. Haley couldn't help admire the diplomacy he displayed in dealing with the snot-nosed brat she would've had the pure pleasure of spanking raw.
"So… what about all the other ten-year-old Pokémon trainers who run these dangers every day?" Sky demanded huffily, her brown eyes flashing dangerously.
"They're not my only sister!" Ricon said calmly, his voice quivering slightly. "Nor are they my only blood relative. We don't have much Sky in stock here, you know."
"I understand," Sapph said softly.
Sky, Ricon, Haley and Nurse Joy stared as Sapph went on. "If it were my little sister in this situation, I'd probably forfeit too. But my sister wants me to succeed as much as I want to for her."
"Sapph," Ricon replied weakly.
"If I've received second degree electric burns on my hand, and still want to keep going," Sapph said with a smirk, raising his freshly-bandaged hand as he spoke on. "Who are you to stop me? I came to this continent with something to prove. Winning your badge will bring me one step closer to accomplishing it. But no matter what, I'll never take the easy way, the shortcut or the low road. I'm gonna earn every badge there is here that I can and win the Corei League… through effort. No freebies. And no mercy," he added, staring at Ricon with hardened eyes.
Ricon couldn't answer; he was totally lost for words.
Clenching his fist and ignoring the pain, Sapph said firmly, "We're going to continue this match. With or without a ref… and we're gonna finish this here… and now. Make no mistake, I am leaving this city with the badge."
Ricon then looked around at Haley and Nurse Joy's worried faces, Sapph and Sky's determined faces, sighed and said, "OK, Sapph… you win."
***
The bad weather seemed to sweep the entire southern belt of Corei, such that Everwood Town was experiencing a downpour like no other. A small, raincoat-clad figure dashed up the rain sloshed Main Street, clutching a large bag to her chest with one hand as she wrestled with the wind for her umbrella with the other.
"I'm back!" The young girl called, bursting into the warm and mercifully dry Pokémon Center, dripping mud and water all over the welcome mat.
Good, we need some backup back here, a huffily exhausted voice replied in Pokétongue. It's owner, a harassed-looking Chansey waddled over, her egg pouch wobbling slightly as she took the parcel from the young nurse-in-training.
"What needs to be done?" The young girl asked, pulling off her raincoat and placing her nursing cap on her head.
Three Rattata in Ward Two for poison extraction and a Lazillo in Ward Four for Ferrohog quill removal, Chansey reeled off, moving towards the kitchen to prepare dinner. Oh, and you got mail.
Nurse Joy Jr. blinked at the Egg Pokémon's afterthought. Mail... for me? Wonder who it's from... she thought, turning to the handsome Pidgeotto that stood waiting for her at the reception desk, where her older sister was seeing to a boy with complaints about his Caterpie's welfare.
The young girl removed the parcel from the Pidgeotto's pouch and slit open the package. The Pidgeotto, though not at all eager to get wet again, spread its wings and took off through the newly opened doors back towards Chinooka City. Opening the letter as she walked through the swinging doors that lead to Ward Two, she saw that it had two pieces of paper inside; a letter and a photograph. Curious as to what was in the picture she glanced at it and smiled.
A boy of eleven stood with his arm around an enormous bird of nearly equal height. The bird wore a long white scarf and a flying helmet that made the young matron smile as warm memories of a Litaire which she had gifted with a similar flying helmet several months ago flooded her mind. The boy donned in a bright red anorak as brought back fuzzy feelings of a much deeper kind from within the young girl's heart.
Glancing at the letter, she saw that it read:
Hey Joy,
How're you doing? Hope you and the other nurses are doing OK.
We've reached Chinooka City and I found out a surprise from my Mawhoot, Ace (in the photo) which just evolved recently. Enclosed is a small token of our appreciation for what you did for her when she was alone. We both picked it out. Actually, Ace did. I just paid for it, ha, ha.
Thanks again,
Sapph.
Opening the package she gasped as she held up a light plain white dress with blue trim at the short sleeves and vee neck with red triangles accompanying it near the hem of the material. Sapph had obviously bought it at the local crafts market it town.
The nurse closed her eyes as she smiled, the warm, fuzzy feeling in her heart intensifying.
Thank you, Sapph, she thought happily. You may not have known it, but this made today the best birthday ever...
A tear of happiness leaked from her sea green eyes as she twirled around happily and danced off towards Ward Two, where the Rattata were waiting.
***
"Ace, use Sky Attack!"
"Mawhoot, you use Sky Attack too!"
The match had continued into the inky blackness of the storm as two Swoop Pokémon reared up, their eyes glowing bright blue as they scanned each other for weak points. They suddenly sped towards each other, trailing bright blue streaked behind them as they clashed, the attacks cancelling out.
"Wow, those two are evenly matched!" Haley exclaimed to Nurse Joy from underneath the large red umbrella that shielded them from the onslaught of precipitation.
"True, they've been at this butting match for the last ten minutes," Nurse Joy agreed. "They've been matching Wing Attack for Wing Attack; Sky Attack for Sky Attack and Mawhoot's Quick Attack with Ace's Double Team since they've been called out! It's like watching them fight mirror images of themselves! Quite the performance!"
A young boy, who looked no older that seven and sitting directly in front of Haley piped up, "Whoa, cool! That Sapph guy's giving the Gym Leader Ricon a run for his money!"
"Well, he won't last long if this goes on," the little girl sitting next to him said worriedly, her sea green eyes displaying concern from under her strawberry red fringe. "Ricon-hame's Mawhoot, I mean…"
"Bah," A second boy who sat next to the young girl said dismissively. This lad was comparatively beefier with thick straw blond hair. "Ricon's not even trying."
"Yes, he is!" The first boy said loudly, as Ace and Ricon's Mawhoot created a minor squall in the middle of the stadium by attacking each other with Wing Attack, which cancelled out once more. "Ricon-hame's so giving it his all! They're in perfect syncroly!"
"Yeah," The second guy went on. "He hasn't even used his secret weapon…"
"Yes, well," Haley said firmly, quelling their argument before she lost all concentration on the match and patience with the unruly boys. "How about you lot keep your commentary to an undertone so the rest of us can be surprised?"
"Yes, Ai-neh," the three children replied dutifully.
"Oh, and another thing… it's not 'synchroly'… it's 'synchronization'. Or 'in sync' for short," Haley corrected the first boy.
"Thank you, Ai-neh," the boy replied dutifully.
Haley turned a quizzical eye at Nurse Joy, who understood its meaning and said, "A 'hame' suffix denotes high respect in Dunedé… and Ai-neh," she said with a slight giggle, "means 'ma'am'. It's usually used to address women my age to those of middle age, most often used to address female school teachers."
Haley's face reddened as she spluttered, "M-m-ma'am?! I'm too young to be a ma'am!"
Nurse Joy laughed some more before a loud noise from the crowd caused the two ladies to look up in shock to see Sapph pick himself quickly off the floor, staring at the spot where he stood a second before which now housed a deep, blackened hole which lay in line with the one which was currently smoking in the middle of one of the totem poles.
"Whoa! That was Ricon-hame's Hyper Beam!" The second kid gasped.
But that'd leave Ricon open for a while, Nurse Joy thought worriedly.
Sapph stared at Ricon and grinned, thinking, Getting impatient, Ricon? Don't worry… now that you're open, we'll be attacking with our strongest move too…
"Ace, time for the Cyclone attack!" Sapph yelled.
Roger that! Ace complied, creating a tornado around her as she charged in to strike. However, this time, water droplets seemed to be sucked into the twister, melding with it to form a brilliantly blue liquid twister which masked Ace's form which Haley knew was right in the forefront of the attack, spinning at a high speed to keep the watery hurricane turning.
Oh, no… you can't move after Hyper Beam! Ricon thought desperately. Aloud he cried, "Mawhoot, take the hit!"
Mawhoot crossed his wings and grunted as they took the full force of the Water Cyclone attack head-on, the crowd gasping and wincing emphatically as the force of the collision sent him flying into a totem pole.
"Wow… direct hit!" Haley cheered, rising to her feet.
Nurse Joy merly shook her head and replied, "It's still a long way from over, Haley… Ricon's Mawhoot has taken worse hits head on… and survived."
"What? Impossible!" Haley spluttered, turning to stare at the cloud of chippings that floated where the collision had occurred to reveal that Ricon's Mawhoot still looked ready to battle, although a little worse for wear than he was before the attack hit.
Ricon's eyes, which had widened in shock as the attack took place, smiled fervently and called over, "Quite an originality streak you have there, Sapph… it was quite the strategy to use the extra humidity in the air to wrap water around the cyclone and increase its power."
Sapph in the meantime was simply gawping at the attack, stunned at its strength and versatility to adapt.
Makes sense, Sapph thought his mind straying to his last gym match against Clyff, when Ace used the sand and rock to create a stony twister. Looks like this attack'll come in handy later on…
"But that's all I'm allowing of you. Mawhoot," he said suddenly serious. "Quick Attack!"
Mawhoot's eyes narrowed as he shot towards the helmet-clad Flying type with phenomenal speed, scoring a clean hit on her left wing joint as Ace broke free of the spin and sought to gain her bearings.
"Damnit!" Sapph cried out in frustration. "Ace, can you keep flying?"
Should be able to, General, Ace replied swiftly. It's only a dislocation.
Only a dislocation?! Sapph thought incredulously, his mouth hanging open in shock at the toughness of his Pokemon. Shaking his head and shielding his face from the onslaught of rain, he thought; Rain's picking up. I dunno how much longer we can keep this battle going before lightning kicks in. Better end this quickly!
Sapph then called out, "Ace, we've got to end this quickly!"
"Why not just give up then?" Ricon called craftily.
"Not on ya life, Ricon," Sapph snorted back. "Wait for my signal to use Cyclone again!"
Like I'll let you, Sapph Manson! Ricon thought determinedly. "Mawhoot," he cried out, pumping his fist. "Let's go with Wing Attack!"
"Can't you wait?" Sapph said in a mock-scolding voice. "Ace, confuse him with Double Team! And stay above him!" he added, indicating her opposition.
Ace let out a shrill cry as she multiplied in the face of the oncoming attack, filling the sky with large, dark brown doppelgangers as the opposing Mawhoot began to cut them down with his stiffened wings.
A low rumbling rent the air as the Mawhoot copies were dispatched swiftly with loud cries of pain.
Almost there, Sapph thought grimly, his eyes on the sky. Just hold out a little longer, Ace. Man, I hope this works…
Soon after the thought had escaped his mind had a jagged flash of lightning split the sky, heading straight for Ace (who was higher up than Ricon's Swoop Pokémon)
"Sapph, get Ace out of there!" Haley screamed as the crowd rose to their feet as one in anticipation of an electrifying collision, their yells mixing up and creating quite a rabble.
"Is he nuts?!"
"He's not gonna order an evasive maneuver?"
"Does he wanna lose? Is he giving up?"
"Why's he just standing there?"
"Haley," Nurse Joy said in silent awe, staring through her binoculars. "Sapph's… smiling."
"He's what?!"
Perfect timing, Sapph thought as time seemed to slow down in the arena. "Ace, use Cyclone now! Full power!"
ROGER! Ace yelled, spinning like crazy once again.
"What's he doing?" Ricon asked, thoroughly shocked at this junction. "Doesn't he know what will happen if he does that in this wea… no, he can't have… Mawhoot! Ready a Hyper Beam… NOW!" He screamed the last word as he realized Sapph's plan.
His Mawhoot acknowledged the order by beating his wings powerfully, creating a large enough gap between himself and the spinning Ace as he readied a second sphere of Megacite energy as something remarkable occurred. Ace's spinning not only attracted a tremendous amount of water around her body, but somehow drew the negative charge towards her too. The force of her spin was so strong this time however that rather than getting wet, a pocket of air enveloped her as well, creating an air barrier between herself and the water just as the lighting struck, causing large powerful sparks of electricity to swirl around the cyclone as well. The crowds were making plenty of noise as this; never before seeing the maneuver in play more than once, as they watched the powerful water and electric-charged Cyclone pelt towards its mark.
"Mawhoot!" Ricon yelled tensely.
With a voluminous cry, his Flying type unleashed a golden beam of raw destruction upon the speeding tornado, creating a titanic, mid-air power struggle… one that Hyper Beam was losing fast. With a loud roar, Ace thrust harder, breaking through the Megacite attack and colliding with the wide-eyed male Mawhoot with a flash of light and an enormous bang.
"N-no way," one of the boys gasped as he watched the power of the attack easily defeat Hyper Beam, one of the strongest attacks known to trainers worldwide.
"Mawhoot!" Ricon yelled in shock as he watched his faithful battler fall back to earth in a near faint.
Ace seemed pretty spent too, for as she broke free of the rotation, she began a tailspin towards the ground.
Ace, Sapph thought, stunned at how much his Mawhoot could endure. Raising his pokéball resignedly in perfect sync with Ricon, both trainers called out, "Return," as red capture beams issuing from the spheres sucked their occupants home.
Sky looked at Sapph half-quizzically, half-stunned and knew she didn't need to ask. Raising both flags, she announced, "Both Mawhoot are unable to continue. This round is also a tie."
Both Haley and Nurse Joy flopped back onto the bench and exhaled deeply, almost as though they were the ones battling on the field.
"What a match," Nurse Joy muttered weakly. "I can't believe how coolly those two can duke it out."
"It's not over yet, Nurse Joy," Haley corrected her solemnly, all thought of covering themselves with the umbrella forgotten. "Both of them still have one Pokémon remaining."
Nurse Joy's sea green eyes widened as she stared at Haley. "Good Lord, I'd forgotten!"
"Nurse Joy," Haley asked seriously. "What could Ricon have that could be stronger than that Mawhoot?"
"Looks like we'll both find out today," the rose pink-haired trainer replied. "What of Sapph?"
"Well," Haley said thoughtfully. "Most of his remaining Pokémon would be at a disadvantage… Zen, Anuvi and Crimson all have weaknesses to Flying type attacks… and Lavender's in trouble if he picks anything air-based. Plus Zen's banned for this match and the next by Clyff Endlethorn's new legislation…"
In her mind, she added; if I were Sapph, I'd choose Crimson… with his Comet Punch Thunder Style, he just might be able to cinch the victory… choose wisely, Sapph!
OK, now I have two options… Sapph thought, as he shrank Ace's pokéball and fingered it nervously, staring across the pitch at Ricon, who looked ready to throw down the final gauntlet. If I use Crimson, I'll have an offensive advantage, and a good chance to win this match. But at the cost of my promise to Anuvi… what do I do? He thought as his mind strayed back to the conversation he'd had with his starter the previous night:
-Flashback-
Chinooka City Pokémon Center, the previous night
Anuvi went on quietly, Please, Sapph. Let me battle tomorrow. After Dinocanyon, I can't keep being a liability to the team… the only one who can't fight to win any more… I know it sounds crazy, he went on, causing to Sapph to open and close his mouth like a Magikarp out of water. But in the Entover and Nightspark Gyms, I was battling for fun. For kicks. After we lost at Dinocanyon…
"That wasn't your fault, buddy," Sapph said quietly.
I felt I had to step up my game… playing to win is what gives the team its greatest thrill… makes the victory all the more sweeter… anyone who can't… if I don't… how can I be a leader if I'm not taken seriously.
After Anuvi's speech, Sapph looked out of the window at the rising moon and said, "Anuvi? You're wrong."
Affronted at the idea of having his worst fears made a mockery of, Anuvi said, About what?
"The whole liability thing," Sapph said with a wan smile. "The battles we won, they were thanks to you… without you, Anuvi, I'd have been out of the running long ago… but you stuck by me… you and Crimson… Zen and Ace… Silver and Lavender… even Mogshex and Grandpa," Sapph smiled at the last two names, fond memories filling his mind. "No matter how mismatched the team was, you were always the putty that kept it together. You still are, so don't forget it."
I feel inferior to them, though, Sapph, Anuvi confessed. Ace and Crimson have both evolved… Lavender can evolve any time she wants, sort of… and Zen can pummel anything to dust. Even Silver can take almost any hit and laugh about it… if he could laugh, he added as an afterthought. I'm just fed up with being the baby of the group.
After a moment's silence in which Sapph took all Anuvi's frustrations in, he said quietly, "You really want to do this, hunh?"
Anuvi nodded silently.
Exhaling heavily, Sapph said, "Guess I have no choice. OK, you're in."
Anuvi's ears perked up so high, they seemed to grow a couple of inches.
REALLY?! He shouted.
"Yeah," Sapph said, smiling a weary smile. "After Dinocanyon, you deserve an opportunity to cut loose. Go crazy tomorrow… figuratively speaking, of course," he added hastily.
Words failed Anuvi. In his familiar, hyped tone he said, Yeah, yeah, I know. Reaching over to the bed, he nuzzled Sapph's neck and added, Thanks, buddy.
-End Flashback-
Rubbing the same spot on his neck with his eyes closed, he came to his decision. Reaching for the pure white pokéball on his belt, he enlarged it and yelled, "Let's do it, Anuvi!"
"What the- oh, Sapph, you total MORON!" Haley screamed as she noticed the characteristic green spiral pattern the light took as Anuvi was released.
"He's using a grass type?!" the large boy who'd been so confident about Ricon's ability scoffed. "What a loser."
"He can't possibly think he can win with that thing in only its first stage, can he?" The other boy asked incredulously.
Stunned discussions ran rampant all over the stands as the spectators consulted their neighbors over Sapph's strange decision to use a Mongle to fight a Flying type master.
"What are you thinking, Sapph?" Ricon said in an aside. "Are you messing with my head? Trying to throw my game?"
Couldn't pick a better day to battle, buddy? Anuvi asked in an annoyed voice.
"Hey, you wanted to battle, remember?" Sapph retorted with a smirk.
Anuvi opened his mouth to argue the point and then shut it, knowing it was useless to argue the point.
"Well, Sapph," Ricon called out, grabbing their attention. "This is certainly an unorthodox approach, even for you."
"Hark who's talkin'," Sapph replied cockily. "Who's the one who fought a Magnemite with a Pidgeotto today?"
Ricon grinned and said, "Fair enough. Don't think I'm going easy on you anymore!"
"You were going easy?" Sapph asked in mock surprise with a trace of insulted feeling mixed in. "Now you've gone and hurt my feelings, Ricon."
Less talk, more smack, Anuvi interjected sharply after a few warm up stretches and readying his stance.
"If you feel insulted, I guess I should apologize then," Ricon said wittily. "Take this as my apology. Go… Farfetch'd!"
Without further ado, Ricon threw down his last challenge to the forefront of the gym's defense, where it cracked open, releasing a spurt of bright white light which spilled onto the field and took form: two webbed, three-digit feet which held up a dumpy, yet lightweight body. As the light dimmed, its body was revealed to have a creamy white colour whilst its broad yet short wings and sparsely plumed head bore a tone similar to milk chocolate. A 'V'-shaped marking stood out on its forehead almost like a monobrow for its beady eyes, which were narrowed in anticipation for a battle. To complete the bizarre image, a stick similar to a sprig of leek was clutched tightly in between the feathers of its left wing. A long, yellow beak reminiscent of a duck completed the picture as Sapph scanned the creature on his Pokédex.
Farfetch'd, the Wild Duck Pokémon, the Pokédex droned. It is said to be unable to live without the stick it holds under its wing. As such, it will defend the stalk with its life.
That's a Pokémon? Sapph wondered, staring at the Farfetch'd as it twirled the stick around three times over its head with an odd sort of Pow Wow dance. Looks more like a living Christmas dinner...
"Farfetch'd, use Feather Storm!" Ricon commanded swiftly.
With pleasure, Farfetch'd concurred, raising his wings and beating them furiously to shake of a large multitude of white down as his eyes went white. A strong wind blew through the stadium, catching up the feathers and sending them hurtling towards Anuvi with the force of a Rhydon's Take Down.
"Heads up, Anuvi!" Sapph called out.
Way ahead of ya! Anuvi called back, leaping to the right and crouching low as the wave of feathers shot past, causing Anuvi's fur to ruffle in the attack's powerful slipstream.
"What the-?" Anuvi and Sapph gasped in unison as Farfetch'd began a crazy sort of quick step whilst swinging his stick over his head three times. Ending his dance with a stomping of his right webbed foot, the Wild Duck Pokémon beckoned with his right wing, his eyes glowing white once again.
What gives? Is he daring me to attack? Anuvi wondered aloud staring at the Farfetch'd's weird behavior.
"ANUVI, WATCH OUT!" Sapph hollered.
What the… WHOA! Anuvi yelled, back flipping away as the Feather Storm came back from the rear, the volume of the feathers seemingly doubled.
"What the heck was that?!" Sapph gasped. "It's almost as if…"
"Farfetch'd's controlling the feathers on his own? Right in one, Sapph," Ricon completed with a smile.
No way! Anuvi gasped. How am I supposed to hit him then?
Answer: you don't, Farfetch'd said calmly, exhaling deeply almost as though relaxing.
"Anuvi!" Sapph called out. "His Feather Storm attack is strong, but it's unwieldly."
Anuvi turned back to stare at his trainer. So that means…
"Your Pokémon doesn't have the luxury to look away, Sapph," Ricon chided the younger trainer softly. "Farfetch'd, Feather Storm again!"
"Eyes front, Anuvi!" Sapph ordered as Farfetch'd began to beat his wings again. "Dodge the first attack and then strike with Leaf Blade!"
Good plan, Anuvi said, readying his pounce as his tail leaf began charging up energy.
Farfetch'd's attack had doubled again as it sped in at breakneck speed. Anuvi timed his movements and jumped the Feather Storm effortlessly. Landing on all fours the Leaf Squirrel Pokémon raced in on the seemingly defenceless Wild Duck Pokémon. Once within range, Anuvi leapt into the air and began to swing his energy-laden tail around at his opponent's head, when he was shocked to see that the Farfetch'd was smiling.
Noticing the hesitation in his Pokémon's poise, the Johton trainer called out, "Anuvi, what's wro- NO!" Sapph screamed as the Feather Storm blindsided the Grass Pokémon from the left, sending it sprawling into the mud.
"Why so surprised, Sapph?" Ricon called out to the stunned boy trainer. "Don't you know an Agility attack when you see one?"
Agility?
"Yep," Ricon said knowingly, as though he'd read Sapph's mind. "Farfetch'd has been trained to alternate between Swords Dance and Agility between Feather Storm attacks to increase its speed and power until the opponent stays down."
So, in short, we can't assume we know how fast his next attack's gonna be, hunh? Anuvi groaned, rising to his feet, yet inexplicably smiling. Perfect…
"Anuvi… you OK?" Sapph said cautiously, as though afraid to hurt Anuvi's pride further.
Never better, the Mongle replied, wiping a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth, which was twisted into a wicked smile. Don't forget, he's not the only one with speed here…
"Anuvi, be careful," Sapph warned. "We dunno how much of his attacks can be influenced by Agility… or Swords Dance!"
Chill, man, Anuvi said confidently. I've got this covered. C'mon, Sapph let's give it all we've got!
Sapph closed his eyes briefly, opened them again determinedly and agreed. "Anuvi, use Quick Attack to get past the Feather Storm and attack with Leaf Blade once there's no chance of a counter!"
You got it! Anuvi yelled, taking off with a spurt of speed so great he temporarily disappeared. Reappearing four feet closer to his target, Anuvi sped in, a focus greater than anything seen of him before etched in his eyes.
"Keep it busy with Feather Storm, Farfetch'd!" Ricon countered in his calm, undisturbed demeanor.
The same gale and tide of plumage came racing towards Anuvi, creating a chicken of the road scenario which the Feather Storm won only in a manner of speaking. Anuvi, showing off his agility, used Quick Attack again to pivot to the left, dodging the first attempt. Touching the ground on one paw, he pushed himself speedily in the other direction creating a feint of sorts which Farfetch'd had failed to see before redirecting the Feather Storm that way.
Your attacks are easy to read once you know how! Anuvi called confidently, using Quick Attack again to blitz forward another four feet. Sapph was right: it is unwieldly. And that's where your weakness shows.
Farfetch'd raised his stalk to defend himself from the speeding Mongle before he used Quick Attack once more, fading from sight and reappearing behind the Wild Duck Pokémon, his tail alight.
Got him! Sapph cheered mentally, his grin barely hiding his anticipation for the smack down that was sure to come.
All Ricon and Farfetch'd did in reply to this display of adroit fleet-footedness was to breathe out calmly and in the case of the gym leader, mutter a single word, "Slash."
Anuvi's eyes slid out of focus as he felt the wind get knocked out of him violently as Farfetch'd nailed him across the chest with his stick in a classical backhanded samurai slash that sent Anuvi rocketing skywards in pain, a large red wound opening up across his chest, trailing blood as the stick moved through the air.
Sapph's eyes widened in horror; pure, disbelieving horror as Ricon explained.
"Come now, Sapph… don't tell me you really thought you had us with that? It's only natural that Farfetch'd would know a close-range attack like Slash in case an opponent got past the Feather Storm. Speaking of which… Farfetch'd!" Ricon ended on a shout, prompting Farfetch'd to raise all the Feather Storms thus far accumulated into the air above Anuvi's limp form and bring them crashing down with unwanted force on the Grass Pokémon, driving him three feet into the soil, despite the fifteen feet that Anuvi had left to fall.
Up in the stands, Haley and the Pokémon matron made emphatic gestures to show that they felt Anuvi's pain as the Feather Storm proceeded to force the Mongle into the soil.
Fortunately the attack ended as swiftly as it had begun. Anuvi lay quite still in the hole Farfetch'd's attack had made, his breathing labored as he fought to keep his eyes open. Innumerable cuts and bruises peppered his small frame, causing intense pain as the rain beat down relentlessly.
Ricon's eyes softened though his voice was no less firm as he addressed Sapph again. "You and your Pokémon have true courage and determination, Sapph. The way you fight together against all odds is reminiscent of many a Pokémon Master. However, each of those Masters knew when the fight was lost, and each one bowed out gracefully.
"I'll say it again, Sapph Manson. You've fought well… and lost. This is your last chance to give up, for I will not be held responsible for what happens next should you refuse. Do you forfeit?"
Forfeit… when have we ever forfeited? Sapph wondered, icy fury, pumping through his veins.
Forfeit sounds too much like giving up to me, Anuvi said, choking on a blood cloot as he began to rise shakily onto his feet.
"We've always found the strength to keep battling," Sapph went on, flashes of his past gym battles flashing through his mind; Ace tackling Aerodactyl without fear, a foe several times her size back then at the Dinocanyon City Gym, Anuvi pounding Ledian back at the Entover City Gym and Crimson the Ledyba learning Comet Punch Thunder Style in the heat of battle. "Always. Despite the odds," he went on as Crimson's match with Cassandra's Shuckle came to mind.
Regardless what reason and fact had to say, Anuvi continued, remembering his bout with Reg's Mightyena, Tenebrus, during the Gatonda Tournament. Giving up was not an option. Because to us…
"Giving up meant quitting…" Sapph said in a loud clear voice.
Quitting… meant surrender… Anuvi continued, echoing his trainer's defiant tone.
"…and what you have to know…" Sapph began.
…is that we'll never surrender! Anuvi completed with a yell. As Anuvi's furious desire to win peaked, a blinding flash of light erupted from him, flooding the field and whipping up a maelstrom fiercer than anything the weather had offered earlier.
Sapph and Ricon shielded their eyes from the glare as powerful winds whipped at their thick cloaks, blowing the rain in all directions, including straight back up.
What's going on here?! Farfetch'd asked his master, shielding himself from the waves of power emanating from the centre of the light with his trusty stick.
Ricon yelled in shock. "Sapph… what the hell's happening?!"
Sapph replied by squinting into the light where he could barely make out a shape that seemed to shrink into a small sphere and enlarge to the size of a Watmel berry as appendages grew out it; two long, slender ones reached for the muddy ground and ended in dainty feet which touched the floor gently as two more limbs grew out, reaching for the air around it. These started slender but seemed to widen into ham-sized forearms which ended in three digit hands.
"It must be an evolution," Nurse Joy gasped. "But the energy level ratings are insane!"
"Pokémon don't give out nearly half as much energy when performing Explosion!" Haley yelled back. "What's Sapph doing?"
This is an evolution?! Sky gasped mentally. It's my first time seeing one… what power!
Is this it? Sapph thought desperately as leaves suddenly blew in from the nearby trees, fusing together as they were drawn in closer to form foot long, diamond shaped foliage as they floated in towards the receding light and affix themselves to Anuvi's strong back.
Finally the light dimmed to a level at which all spectators could see what had happened. Anuvi stood at three feet two inches and now looked leaner, meaner (in a totally cool way, Sapph thought) and more battle conscious than ever. His tail leaf had withered away, leaving a short stump of a tail in its wake. His fur had for the most part maintained its forest green hue with the exception of the fur under his nose running down to his belly, which had gone several shades darker than forest green. The strangely symmetrical leaves that had formed during the overdose of power now rested on his back (from the nape of his neck) and the upper biceps of his shoulders, forming a short cape of leaves of sorts, coloured similarly to his belly.
Anuvi… Sapph thought proudly as he took out his pokédex to scan the new creature that stood before him, by him, on his side, as he had from their first ever battle in Everwood Forest up 'til that point… for though his shape had changed, and his demeanor suddenly serious, the heart of his best friend had not.
Squirrage, the Warrior Pokémon. The evolve form of Mongle. Grass/Flying type. The leaves on their back are used not only as projectiles, but also as aerofoil that keep it airborne for extended periods of time.
Sapph looked up to see Anuvi's eyes closed with concentration as the after effects of the evolutionary process began to kick in. Light, neon green vapor swirled around his body and all his cuts and bruises closed up almost on their own accord. Raising his hands and flexing his fingers, Anuvi opened his sharp eyes that had changed color from ruby red to deep purple. Staring down his pointed nose at his hands; quietly astounded as his achievement.
…you did it…
Well, now, Anuvi said in a low voice, fixing his piercing eyes upon the Wild Duck Pokémon. Shall we continue?
Ricon ground his teeth in worry, and commented calmly. "Very timely… Sapph, you must have the Darkrai's luck."
"Every Mongle has his day," Sapph quipped.
"However," Ricon went on calmly, now in full control of his emotions. "Grass types are still weak to Flying attacks! Farfetch'd, use Feather Storm!"
Farfetch'd complied by causing his fallen feathers to rise again with a vengeance. With a flick of its wing, the Flying type Pokémon sent the attack speeding towards the Squirrage, who watched it coming calmly… almost too calmly.
Should I dodge… or let his disillusion himself into thinking it will hurt? Anuvi asked Sapph calmly without looking back.
Sapph smiled and said, "Your call, mate."
Cool.
Just as the attack would have made colossal contact, Anuvi simply flickered slightly before the attack hit him full in the chest.
Gasps escaped from everybody's lips as Anuvi fell backwards slowly.
Got him, The Farfetch'd thought excitedly.
Nice shot, a calm voice called out.
Sapph, Sky, Ricon and Farfetch'd's heads swiveled upwards towards its source to see Anuvi perched atop the tallest totem pole, staring down in cold amusement.
You actually hit an afterimage, Anuvi went on calmly, causing Farfetch'd to blanch in horror. Although I'm guessing it was because I moved late.
N-n-no way… Ricon thought in horror, developing a nasty twitch. Did he just cover thirty feet in the blink of an eye?
"U-unreal…" Sapph concurred.
Haley nearly passed out from the shock of what she was seeing.
One more thing, Anuvi said softly. Will you be using Agility next or should I just close my eyes to give you a sporting chance?
Y-you… *******! Farfetch'd squawked, moving his wings in a wild movement that caused the leaves to come racing back for Anuvi from the rear.
"Anuvi!" Sapph called urgently as the deluge of feathers came about again, ready to smother their target. Next second, Anuvi had moved again, causing the top of the pole to be crushed into splinters.
That ought to shut your monkey mouth, Farfetch'd said, panting slightly.
You can attack with all the power you like, Anuvi said in a bored voice.
Farfetch'd's eyes widened in horror. Not because Anuvi had dodged that attack. What terrified the Wild Duck Pokémon was that from the sound of the calm, taunting voice was that the Warrior Pokémon had managed to get right behind him. And had his eyes shut. Not to mention that considering the fact that Anuvi was roughly forty feet away when he'd launched the attack would make any Pokémon feel deeply disturbed.
Anuvi stood back to back with Farfetch'd with his arms crossed and as he went on said in an unamused tone of voice, But I'd advise speeding up. I'm not even breaking a sweat back here.
YOU! Farfetch'd yelled, swinging his stick around with the aim of lopping off the taller Pokémon's head, but meeting thin air.
C'mon, Farfetch'd, Anuvi called again, 'disappearing' from sight and reappearing before the Wild Duck Pokémon. Stop trying to hit me and hit me.
As you wish! Farfetch'd screamed, staring at Anuvi in a way that would be enough to make anyone crap themselves. Next second it was white death from above as all of the feathers the flying type had amassed since the start of the battle rained down mercilessly upon his opponent.
"Anuvi!" Sapph yelled in worry, as the stands were struck dumb in horror at the carnage that was sure to be resultant.
Is that it? Dear, dear… what a disappointment, Anuvi's voice said sadly.
Sapph looked up and with a leap of heart saw his Squirrage seated atop a second pole, cross-legged and looking almost disdainful.
Looks like it's my turn now, Anuvi said softly, his eyes finally open as he rose to his feet and stretching out his right hand, causing a few loose leaves to flutter into the stormy late morning air. Yaiba…
Sapph's anticipation caused shivers to run down his spine as the leaf landed in Anuvi's palm. Clenching his fist over the leaf gently yet firmly, what looked like a two foot long blade seemed to spring out of nowhere, encasing the leaf nestled in the Warrior Pokémon's hand. Humming gently, the thin blade glowed the same shade on neon green Anuvi the Mongle's tail would when using Leaf Blade.
…no Hayashi, Anuvi said softly, drawing all eyes onto him.
What is that thing?! Farfetch'd trilled hoarsely.
You don't need to know, Anuvi answered shortly. Let's go.
With that, Anuvi jumped forward with such force that he blew off the top of the totem pole with his initial acceleration. Farfetch'd gasped as he raised his stick in defense, barely avoiding a scar running from the crown of his head to his feet.
Ten percent, Anuvi said uninterestedly, before jumping back.
What? Farfetch'd snarled, ticked off at Anuvi's tone of voice.
I only used ten percent of my full capacity there, Anuvi reiterated. Wanna see twenty?
What a Leaf Blade! Sapph thought in amazement.
"I think I just wet myself," the beefy boy in the stands said in a trembling voice.
A-amazing… Sky thought in shock.
All I wish to see, Farfetch'd said coldly, twitching a wing feather surreptitiously, is you lying at my feet in defeat!
With a roaring sound, the Feather Storm came rushing back for Anuvi from behind, looking once more like it was weirdly under remote control.
"Anuvi, behind you!" Sapph yelled.
The Squirrage acknowledged the warning by nonchalantly swinging his weapon backwards without looking and cleaving the Feather Storm with next to no effort at all, causing Ricon and Sky's jaws to drop.
Cocking an eyebrow in annoyance, Anuvi simply said, Bor-ing!
Farfetch'd was far from cool-headed now. With a deranged yell, he rushed in with his stalk raised above his head, in hopes of slashing down across Anuvi's face.
"No! Farfetch'd, stay calm!" Ricon called to no avail, as Anuvi parried the blow with ease. Using his Agility-enhanced speed, the Wild Duck Pokémon thrust and lashed out at the Warrior Pokémon with a volley of high-speed consecutive attacks.
Hmm… please tell me this isn't all you've got, Anuvi said as he used the Yaiba no Hayashi to block every strike with a grace so profound it seemed he knew exactly where each attack was coming from even before Farfetch'd planned it.
Why… you… arrogant… little… rat… hold… still! Farfetch'd snarled, putting all his strength into an upwards Slash that Anuvi blocked once again. However, due to the Sword Dance attacks the Flying type had used earlier, the force of the blow sent Anuvi skywards.
Now you're mine! Farfetch'd thought as he took one wing off the stalk and raised it towards the Squirrage, clenching it swiftly. Feather Storm attacks littered the sky all around Anuvi and closed in quickly with the aim of finishing the match swiftly.
"No…" Haley whispered in horror.
"ANUVI!" Sapph screamed.
Hmph… Anuvi snorted with a grin.
Fanning out his cape of leaves, Anuvi caused a sea of green to flow out of the foliage on his back, which then proceeded to swipe at all the waves of white feathers, breaking apart their united front and causing them to fall harmlessly back to earth.
"What was that attack?" Nurse Joy stammered.
"It looked like a Leaf Storm," Haley gasped. "But it's impossible for a newly-evolved Squirrage to know that attack! It's possibly the strongest Grass attack known!"
Farfetch'd dropped his stalk in horror, appalled that his ultimate Feather Storm had been annulled so easily. A split second later, his eyes widened in shock as Anuvi blurred out if sight once more, followed by a crushing pain to his chest as the Warrior Pokémon nailed him with the strange sword attack across his defenseless sternum.
Farfetch'd went skidding backwards across the field, barrel rolling a couple of times before crashing at his trainer's feet, all the fight gone from him.
Sky looked at her brother as he returned his fallen warrior to his pokéball and understood that the match had drawn to a close. Raising her red flag towards Sapph's end of the field, she announced, "Farfetch'd is unable to battle. Squirrage wins. Victory goes to Sapph Manson of Cherrygrove Town!"
The crowds were stunned at the display of raw battling prowess the younger trainer had shown, staying on par with their leader until the very end.
"He-he won?!" The large boy yelled in shock, staring at the victorious Sapph Manson as he walked up to his starter Pokémon to compliment it on a job well done.
"HE WON!" Haley cheered in mingled jubilation and surprise, leaping up from her seat excitedly, Nurse Joy right on her heels.
Sapph and Anuvi looked up to see that the weather was celebrating with them; the storm clouds clearing up to reveal weak yet cheerful sunlight shining upon the muddy field.
Well… that was fun, the Squirrage said dolefully, staring around at the appreciative applause that began to ring throughout the stadium. While it lasted, he added.
"You can't be serious?!" Sapph said in shock.
You know it, Anuvi replied wittily with a wink.
"Congratulations, Sapph," Ricon smiled, shaking Sapph's uninjured left hand. "That was a match I'm sure to remember for many years."
"Me too, Ricon," Sapph grinned.
Ricon went on solemnly as he reached for something in his pocket. "The skies bear witness to your triumph here today, and as you etched your skill onto the blue heavens above, may this Aero Badge serve to etch the memory of what your effort and pure determination have brought you today."
Placing the badge in the victorious trainer's palm, where it glinted in the newly unmasked sunlight, Ricon ended his speech, "You reached for the sky today, Sapph. Keep striving for victory and success will surely be your lot."
Sapph looked down at the badge. It was a small golden hoop with what looked like two small white feathers fanning out from opposite sides. A tear of happiness leaked from Sapph's eye as the long-lost feeling of euphoria only winning a gym battle could bring washed over him and engulfed him. Brimming with smiles, he turned to Haley and Anuvi and said, "How you like them apples?"
Haley rolled her eyes and smiled, saying, "Really mature victory speech, Sapph Manson."
Anuvi cocked his head to one side, folded his arms and said You are crying. Wuss.
"Shows how mature you are, Anuvi," Sapph retorted, playfully sticking out his tongue.
Hey! I'm plenty mature! Anuvi said sharply, feigning an affronted front. I just don't go about showing my emotions so openly.
"Well, let's get that hand wrapped up again," Ricon said briskly. "You can't wear it now the dressing's all wet."
"What? You're not gonna put more of that stinging balm on it again, are you?" Sapph said shocked.
"Yup."
"Awww, maaaan…" Sapph moaned. "That stuff bites…"
"I know; it is made from shed Celcub fangs," Ricon quipped, prompting laughter from Haley, Sky and Nurse Joy.