Better Eight Than Never
The referee spoke up and announced, "The match between Emily the challenger and Clair the gym leader will now begin. Each trainer will use three Pokémon. The battle will be over when all three Pokémon on either side are unable to continue battling. Only the challenger will be permitted to substitute Pokémon."
"Are you ready for this, Emily?" Clair asked.
The blonde girl nodded. "You bet."
Clair tossed her Pokéball and called on Kingdra. Emily decided to start with Undine. Undine made the first move by launching her Water Gun. Kingdra evaded the attack with his Agility. After that, he attacked with Swift. But Undine was prepared. Battling with Quilava helped her learn to evade the stars. She jumped into the pool and began swimming. Kingdra launched his Hydro Pump, but Undine took the attack and used it to restore her energy. Kingdra launched his Hyper Beam, but Undine dove underwater to dodge the attack. She approached Kingdra and pulled him under and smacked him with her tail. Kingdra tried to hit Undine with his Swift, but she was swimming around too fast. They both came up to the surface. Kingdra was becoming exhausted and Undine wasn't even breaking a sweat. Kingdra launched another Hyper Beam, but Undine dove underwater again. She came back to the surface and launched her Aurora Beam. Kingdra was too worn out to dodge and the Aurora Beam was very effective against him. Kingdra fell back in defeat.
Clair called her Kingdra back and called on Gyarados. Emily decided to call Undine back and send Sylphid to take her place. Sylphid used his Discharge, but Gyarados countered with Dragon Breath. After that, Gyarados launched his Hyper Beam. Sylphid dodged by diving into the water. He swam over to Gyarados and gripped his tail in his teeth and began using Thunder Fang. Gyarados began thrashing around and managed to shake Sylphid off.
Clair was ready to make the battle more interesting. She placed her fingertips close to the Keystone in her bracelet. Gyarados' Mega Stone began reacting to the Keystone and he Mega Evolved. Gyarados attacked with Hyper Beam, but Sylphid got back in the water. Clair wasn't going to let the same trick work twice. Gyarados grabbed Sylphid in his mouth and tossed him aside. Sylphid tried to attack with Discharcge, but Gyarados countered with his Dragon Breath. If Sylphid couldn't attack Gyarados, he could attack the water. He used Discharge to electrify the water in the pool, but Gyarados leapt out of the water and avoided taking damage. He was about to use Bite on Sylphid, but he dodged and jumped on Gyarados and attacked with Thunder Fang. The effects of Mega Evolution wore off and Gyarados was back to his original state.
The match was looking good so far. Emily still had all of her Pokémon while Clair had only one Pokémon left. But this last Pokémon was going to be a surprise. It was Druddigon. Clair caught this Pokémon while she was on a jouney through the Decalor Islands. Druddigon was also a different color. Druddigon were normally red and blue, but this one was orange and green. It was also a full-fledged dragon Pokémon.
Emily knew that electric attacks weren't very effective against dragon-type Pokémon, but perhaps Sylphid could wear Druddigon out. But she had to decide carefully. Sylphid's battle with Gyarados was wearing him out. But he pulled himself together and said he could still fight. He made the first move by attacking with Discharge. Druddigon took the attacks without receiving much damage. Sylphid tried to attack him head-on with a Quick Attack, but Druddigon dodged and used Hyper Beam. Because Sylphid was at a close range, it was impossible for him to dodge. The Hyper Beam landed a direct hit and knocked Sylphid out.
Emily sent Undine back into battle. She tried to attack with her Aurora Beam, but Druddigon dodged the attack. Although he couldn't fly and his body was sturdy, Clair had been training Druddigon carefully enough to make him avoid most enemy attacks. Druddigon attacked with his Dragon Claw. After that, he launched his Dragon Breath. Undine dove underwater to avoid getting hit. She swam towards Druddigon so he would be at a close range for a direct attack, but Druddigon saw her coming and used Dragon Breath. The effect of the attack paralyzed Undine and she had a hard time moving around. She was too immobile to try to attack even from afar. Druddigon finished her off with his Hyper Beam. Undine came to the surface like a dead goldfish. She was no longer able to battle.
Emily decided to use Lumina as her last Pokémon. Druddigon made the first move by attacking with Dragon Breath. Lumina took the attack, but ended up getting paralyzed. But her special ability caused Druddigon to be paralyzed as well. Lumina attacked with Swift, but Druddigon knocked the stars back with his Dragon Claw. The attacks kept going on until the paralysis kicked in for Druddigon. Lumina gathered her strength and attacked with Confusion. Druddigon became confused from that attack. Now he was too dazed and too immobile to attack. Lumina took this chance and attacked with Psychic. Druddigon couldn't take any more and fell in defeat.
Clair approached Emily and congratulated her. "Well, Emily, that was a battle I'll never forget." She holds out her hand and presents her with the Rising badge as proof of her victory. Emily takes the badge and cheers in triumph with her Pokémon.
None of the boys could believe it. Their friend had finally won eight gym badges and was finally able to qualify for the Johto league. Officially, it was known as the Silver Conference. Clair notified the heroes that the Silver Conference would take place three months from now in Silver Town at the foot of Mt. Silver. This gave Emily plenty of time to train her Pokémon. Clair also told Emily that she could register for the Silver Conference by returning to New Bark Town where she first registered as a trainer. So it was decided that the heroes would return to New Bark Town. Clair wished Emily the best of luck and shook her hand. "It was a great pleasure meeting you."
Kaiba returned the gesture. "Thanks for a great time, Clair. Hanging out with you was one of the best times I had on this journey." He blushed and said sheepishly, "Someday, I hope I can make you feel welcome in my world as you've made me in yours."
Clair didn't understand what he was talking about, but she accepted his kindness all the same. "Sure. And who knows? Maybe we could play Duel Monsters again. And when you've acquired more dragon Pokémon, maybe you and I could have a battle too?"
Kaiba nods and says, "I'd be honored, Clair. We dragon masters have a lot to learn from each other. It'd be great to hang out with you again. Until then, take care." He shakes her hand and kisses her cheek. A red hue stretches across Clair's face. She giggles and places her palm against her cheek.
She clears her throat and says, "Now then, if you follow this road, it'll take you across the sea. You can catch a ferry that will take you to New Bark Town in a day."
"Okay," said Emily. "Thanks again, Clair. I hope to see you again."
"Don't worry, we will," Clair promises her. "Good luck in the Silver Conference," she said again. After saying their goodbyes, the heroes begin their journey back to New Bark Town.