Chapter 12: Before the Ultra Cup
"Damn! I was so close... just how strong can you keep getting?" Said Alfred looking annoyed.
The match was over with Piers coming out victorious. It honestly was a close match but Piers managed to catch him off guard with an Ice Punch to his Noivern. This must be how a competitive sparing match goes in Galar.
"You Liam right? I request to battle you here and now." Said Piers.
Huh... HUH!?
"Oh? Piers to challenge someone? You got lucky Liam." Said Sharlene beaming.
"I'll take on your challenge then." I said getting up and standing where Alfred stood in his battle.
"Let's make it interesting. If you win against me, I'll give you the Dark Badge and something that can help you. If you lose, You will fail your rehabilitation. Are you ready to see how far you will go?" Said Piers giving a weak grin.
So all or nothing then? Let's do it then.
"I accept your challenge Piers." I said carrying Sunlights pokeball.
If he uses the same team as he did with Alfred, it should be possible to take him down.
"The battle will be 3 vs 3. Single Battle. Dynamax will be forbidden this battle. Now then... Get ready for the chains of the underground to consume you completely!" Said Piers preparing to sing and sends out his first pokemon.
He starts off with a Skuntank. He swapped his line up then... this is not good. I send out Sunlight to begin the battle knowing of the disadvantage she will have. I can hear the crowd around Spikemuth cheering on Piers completely. I have only one option to get out of this mess.
"Sunlight, Baton Pass!" I said as Sunlight nods.
Sunlight is returned to my Pokeball through the ability of Baton Pass. I swap her out for Canon. Canon can use this opportunity to learn her moveset more. I see Piers give a light grin once more. Wait a minute. I fell for a trap!
"ʽ Now you get it! You fell for the stench and now will become a victim to Skuntank's combination! Use Toxic on his Dragonair! " Sung Piers.
His Skuntank immediately sprays a poisonus spray on Dragonair from a far range causing Canon to cringe in pain and feeling weak. Toxic, a deadly move that is capable of poisoning pokemon and overtime will keep weakening their vitality. I have to end that Skuntank fast.
"Canon, Dragon Pulse!" I command.
Canon begins charging up for her Dragon Pulse when Suddenly the Skuntank rushes in and hard Jabs Canon in the mouth cancelling out Dragon Pulse! So it carries sucker punch as well.
" An unbeatable combination, Sucker Punch and Toxic. One that slows down the vitality of a pokemon and the other rendering pokemon unable to act quickly to lightening fast jabs! " Said Piers as the crowd goes wild for him.
This is looking bad. I can use that but, it's a gamble. Better now than to suffer more damage quickly.
"Canon, let's take a nap. Rest!" I commanded.
Canon charges psychic energy as she suddenly falls on the ground sleeping peacefully. This will remove the poison out of her system but, depending how deep asleep she is, she will take minimal damage or be in grave danger.
"Not bad, but it won't be enough. Skuntank, use your Screech to raise the spirits of the crowd!" Said Piers.
His Skuntank lets out an aggressive screech which forced Canon to wake up annoyed and cranky. This is bad, now he has lowered Canon's senses and made it easier for us to fall for the sucker punch once more. We might be in trouble.
"Canon..." I stopped.
Canon nods as the Skuntank reaches out for a second sucker punch. Upon getting close enough Canon uses her tail and Slaps Skuntank with all her might pushing the Skuntank back and causing it to lose balance. Thats not Iron Tail... it nodded because... it knew Extreme Speed. I didn't think she was able to pack Extreme Speed.
"Oh? This got exciting. Skuntank Snarl!" Said Piers.
The Skuntank unleashed a rather loud snarl which is starting to completely tire out Canon.
"Canon, Dragon Pulse!" I commanded.
Canon unleashes what must of been her strongest Dragon Pulse directly towards Skuntank. The blast covered all of Skuntank completely in a powerful dragonic blast. Surely it should be knocked out from that. What? I can see the Skuntank still standing strong. This is not looking good.
"I'm disappointed... I was expecting better from a trainer under Sally's wing but, all I saw was an embarrassment. Skuntank Snarl!" Commanded Piers as the Skuntank unleashed a powerful Snarl.
Canon too tired to move any further was struck by the powerful and rough sounding wave of dark energy and fell defeated. I'm sorry Canon, I didn't do well enough to reach your full potential. I return her to her pokeball. This is bad. Cosmos has yet to recover from his fight with that clover member. I don't wish to overexert moon nor Crescendo too much. I'm left with no choice but to send in Sunlight.
"Come on out Sunlight." I Said summoning her out of her pokeball.
"Have you given up then? A fairy is swimming in the den of poison and shadows." Said Piers looking serious.
I can't give up period. Instead I'm going to put all of my faith in Sunlights paws.
"Were ready for you. We will show you that no matter how bad the odds will be, we will not fall." I said as Sunlight gives out a grin.
"Then let's resume, Skuntank, Sucker Punch!" Commanded Piers.
In the blink of an eye the Skuntank disappeared ready to strike.
"Now! Hyper Voice!" I commanded.
Right as the Skuntank goes in for the sucker punch Sunlight unleashed her screaming sonic boom towards the ambushing Skuntank sending it flying to the fence and falling in defeat. It may not do as much damage but, it can throw off Skuntank's ambush with delayed timing. Piers returns the Skuntank to it's pokeball and then reaches for a second dusk ball on his belt.
"Toxtricity Let's go!" Said Piers sending out a pokemon I'm unfamiliar with.
Toxtricity? Sounds like an Electric type. Electric and Dark maybe? We'll play it safe.
"Sunlight, Wish!" I command.
Sunlight is delighted as stars surround her before they disburse.
"Go for your solo Toxtricity! Overdrive!" Said Piers.
The Toxtricity begins air strumming as a surge of electrical energy starts to form around it's feet. The electricity bursts out and zaps Sunlight. Sunlight seems to have taken it well but, I should be careful if it can strike her from blind spots. The only moves I have left is Psyshock. Her moveset was changed on the recommendation from Alfred saying that her moveset should focus more on taking down the primary weakness to poison while having a move like Hyper Voice to deal with neutral opponents. It all comes down to this then, if that pokemon is indeed a dark type then I won't have much tools left to be able to defeat Toxtricity.
"Sunlight, Psyshock!" I commanded.
Sunlight concentrated her psychic energy to manifest astral projectiles. The Toxtricity looking worried braced for impact as the projectiles were throwen towards it. At the very last second it got out of the way and prepared to rush Sunlight. It was worried. That would mean that Toxtricity is Poison or Fighting.
"Toxtricity, give them a finale they won't forget. Sludge Bomb!" Said Piers.
The Toxtricity hurls out a sphere filled with poisonus sludge at Sunlight. Sunlight having no chance to get out of the way. Sunlight starts giving a weak cough and maintaining a weaker stance. That Sludge Bomb did alot of damage.
"Not good enough. You're going to drown before the final song." Said Piers as his Toxtricity prepares a second sludge bomb.
"Checkmate. Sunlight, Psyshock!" I command.
Sunlight immediately channels her psychic energy to form orbs of Psychic energy and uses it to surround Toxtricity. The Toxtricity attempts to fire off the Sludge bomb but is intercepted by one of the orbs.
"Crash down, Sunlight!" I commanded.
Sunlight hurls all of the Psychic orbs down on the Toxtricity. One after one pushing the Toxtricity back more and more giving no room for it to get out of the way. This usage of the attack was developed thanks to a combination of altered movesets and sparring matches with Moon. The perfect formation to protect Sunlight from harmful close combative fights. Crash formation. The Toxtricity falls in defeat as the constant barrage of orbs kept dealing damage that it couldn't sustain any longer.
"I see now. I got to use my trump card then. Give it up for the lead of my crew. The proud roar of Spikemuth that will crush the will of anyone who contests our sounds! Let's go Obstagoon." Said Piers returning Toxtricity and sending out Obstagoon.
There it is, the legendary Obstagoon that Piers uses. It's stated to have been able to have caused gym leaders heavy problems when they clash with his Obstagoon. I'm going to take it down!
"Sunlight, Wish!" I command.
Sunlight closes her eyes as stars surround her and her stance becomes stronger. Round 2 begins here.
"Your final song has ended! Obstagoon, Cross Poison!" Commanded Piers.
No! Another poison move. Obstagoon rushes towards Sunlight slashing her with their hands filled with poison. Sunlight is cringing from the pain but remains determined to win.
"Hyper Voice!" I command.
Sunlight unleashes a screaming sonic boom that barely pushes back the Obstagoon.
"It's over, You're Sylveon will not be able to deal with the power of Cross Poison. Hit her one more time!" Commanded Piers as once more the Obstagoon slashes Sunlight causing her to struggle to stand.
"Hyper Voice, Sunlight." I command.
She once more unleashes a screaming sonic boom that once more barely pushes back the Obstagoon. This can't be the end... it can't be.
"Take down the Sylveon, Cross Poison!" Commanded Piers.
The Obstagoon once more Slashes Sunlight with poison claws, causing her to fall to the ground. Sunlight, I am so sorry. I'm so sorry. Please, don't fight anymore.
"You still have one more pokemon to send out, come on..." Stopped Piers seemingly shocked.
Sunlight stands once more looking like she came back from the brink of unconsciousness. You truly are an incredible partner Sunlight.
"Sunlight, you don't need to fight anymore, I don't want you to get hurt anymore." I said reaching for Sunlights pokeball. I can see Sunlight turn her eyes to me and looks determined. She wants to win and win only with her strength. Alright then, let's finish this together.
"Let's show him that were more than just luck." I command as Sunlight roars.
"You got spirit kid but, it will not be enough to earn an encore. Obstagoon, Cross Poison!" Piers commanded.
"Sunlight, Hyper Voice!" I command.
Sunlight once more, unleashes a sonic boom scream from her mouth slightly pushing back the Obstagoon. The Obstagoon comes in and slashes Sunlight who unlike the previous times remained still but nearly reaching her limits. The Obstagoon seems barely phased by the attacks.
"Hit her with the final note Obstagoon, Cross Poison!" Commanded Piers.
"Sunlight, Hyper Voice!" I command.
This is it, our last desperate attack to take down the Obstagoon. The Obstagoon slashes Sunlight in the face not before being blasted in the face with Sunlight's Hyper Voice. The clash between the two created clouds of dust covering the two completely. Sunlight... I know you're willpower is stronger than any pokemon out there, I know you can defeat the Obstagoon. The dust clears to find Sunlight barely standing and looking like she was about to collapse while the Obstagoon looked down at Sunlight, still looking fresh. Damn it.
"Looks like you've been overwhelmed..." Piers stopped grinning.
"Sunlight... you did great. You proved here alone that you are willing to push beyond limits to not fall. You truly are one magnificent pokemon." I said as I can see Sunlight's weak smile.
Huh? The Obstagoon it isn't moving. No way... it fainted standing up? Each time we attacked it looked like it wasn't fazed or even hurt.
"Oi, Sharlene... what happened? Is Pier's Obstagoon still conscious? Why is it not attacking." Asked Alfred.
Sharlene walks up between the two pokemon checking on Sunlight first and then checking on Obstagoon. She takes a deep breath before passing judgment.
"Sunlight is barely conscious. Obstagoon is unconscious but remains standing. Leader Piers can cast judgement on whether the battle will continue or not." Said Sharlene in a very serious tone.
Piers sighs, "The match is over. Kid... no Liam. You're pokemon have earned their victory today. I can tell that my pokemon gave it their all in an attempt to defeat you and we fell in defeat in the end. Your Sylveon feels the same, satisfied in claiming the victory it desired." Said Piers walking towards me and Sunlight.
Sunlight finally collapses. I pick her up.
"Er is it possible to use a pokemon centre here?" I asked.
"Yes it's about a couple minutes from here." Piers responded.
"Thank you!" I said as I rush Sunlight to the nearest pokemon centre.
Cosmos follows up by using his vines to climb up to my shoulders. I wonder if he was watching the match carefully. As Piers mentioned, the pokemon centre was just a 15 minute jog from their arena. I entered the Centre to find a couple of folks who wore outfits that would get you called a punk back in Unova. They all look at me with nearly blank expression. They don't seem energetic like their gym leader.
"Oi, we saw ya match mate. You ain't half bad. Anyway, here to heal you're pokemon I presume?" Said a guy running the healing machine.
"Yes please sir. Due to the status I have though, I don't have a trainer card, how much you charging non trainer card individuals?" I asked.
"Oh right you don't have one. The chairman mentioned that stuff to us months ago. We'll cover ya party for 10,000 Poke Dollars." Said the man.
10,000 sounds much better than what the other centre's are offering. It's gonna sting the funds for a bit but, at least the party will be healed up again. I reach for my wallet and pull out the 10,000 dollars and hand it over to the man.
"Alright just place your pokemon on the table and we'll get them up and going." Said the man.
I place my team's pokeballs on the table and return Sunlight to her pokeball. Cosmos is the only exception as he did not want to leave my shoulders. The man puts the pokeballs in the healing machine.
"It's gonna take a while so just hang around til then mate." Said the man.
That match was a wake up call. He almost wiped me out effortlessly. The only reason we won the match was on Sunlight's determination to not faint and even then if the Obstagoon was able to make one more attack, it would've been over, especially if Cosmos didn't want to fight and Illuminate being quick to fatigue in longer battles. I can feel a tap on my shoulder as I turn around to find Piers, Sharlene, and Alfred.
"Oi, you forgot these. You won the match so you earned the badge and something that will come in handy in the Ultra Cup." Said Piers handing me the badge and a small box.
So this would technically be my first badge within the Galar league and already getting a very close call victory makes me nervous about how much stronger the rest of the region can be. I'm confused though why Piers gave me a small box though.
"The box you are carrying was found in Spikemuth over a couple of months ago. We haven't figured out at all what the marbles in the box can do or what it does for that matter but, I figured it would be best in the hands of someone who can study it well. From our battle I can tell that you aren't a bad person if you're pokemon's determination is as strong as a wall. The chairman however don't trust you that much. It's best that you don't cause much trouble for a while kid or else he will send you back to prison." Explained Piers.
Marbles? What? I don't even want to think why marbles have anything to do with battling but, I guess that's why we need to study them.
"Thank you..." I said awkwardly.
I must have done alot of things now that damaged his trust with me. I shouldn't poke anymore unknown Beedrills nests if I actually want to have a life again. I starting to get irritated when I try to do the right thing only to mess up my rehabilitation in the process. Make note... don't get involved in anymore situations.
"So why give me these er... marbles for?" I asked.
"I have no use for them and also Marnie wouldn't forgive me if I didn't thank you for saving her. Now that everything is settled I have a concert to prepare for." Said Piers as he prepares to leave the centre.
I owe him one. If these marbles can be used for battle, that would be nice. I'm going to need all the help I can get when challenging the Ultra Cup.
"Oi mate, your pokemon are healed up. You seem to have gotten Piers respect and protected the future face of Spikemuth. If ya need to heal up your pokemon for cheap until you get your trainer license fully reinstated, we got you're back." Said the man holding out the tray with 5 pokeballs.
The team is fully healed up and must be refreshing for them instead of the stinging feeling of medicines and feeling sore if a battle occurred. Got to make sure I can make a trip for the team to relax when I can. Alright just try to do good... wait that so far has gotten me more into trouble. I guess just try to stay as neutral as possible. Gah, this is so frustrating. I pick up the pokeballs and head outside the pokemon centre. Tomorrow is a very important day as the Ultra Cup will begin their preliminary and the first major obstacle on a long path begins. Waiting for me outside is someone I didn't expect to see so soon.
"I see you've grown a little. The Snivy seems to like you at least." Said the girl in the hoodie.
"Yeah, I want to help him achieve his goals. I want to achieve the goals of all my pokemon." I responded.
I still remember that she has Sharlene's original team in her possession. I should be wary of her motivations if she is with N.
"I could tell. N did the right thing in giving you the Snivy to take care of. However, I am here to ask a favour of you. There is a trainer participating in the Galar cup. A young girl in the Galar region has reported her pokemon stolen by said trainer. I need you to take down the thief and return the pokemon stolen. If you complete the task I will reward you." she said.
Wait what? I'm going to stop a thief? Well it's also someone competing in the cup so it can be narrowed down quickly. I should refuse the task but, at the same time I cannot let that thief get away with hurting younger trainers by stealing their pokemon. It's time to show true change.
"I'll take down the thief and return the pokemon. I cannot let them get away. Not anymore." I respond.
"Great! Now get some sleep, you are gonna need it for the hard work you will be doing tomorrow." Said the girl in the hoodie before disappearing.
So begins what could be my ticket to prison or a breakthrough rehabilitation. Either way, I'm going to get that child their pokemon back. Let the next trial begin.