AN: Hey everyone, I have the next chapter here. We get to the main event now, Ruby verse Marnie for the Dark Badge. Time to see if Ruby has learned from her training and prepared to get her second league badge. Or is she in over her head this time? Hope you enjoy this chapter, leave a review with your comments and questions, and have a nice day.
See the most recent Save State Chapter for Cover Art details.
Chapter 20 – Scream and Shout
The entity of Team Yell gathered around the arena to watch the battle. Ruby walked up on the right end; her team fully healed. To her far-right in with the screaming fans, Sonia smiled with a wink to the hooded trainer. Directly across Sonia walked the former leader of the Spikemuth Gym, standing with a slight slouch and tired eyes, "The gym battle will soon commence between the challenger, Ruby." Piers said before looking to his left, seeing his little sister walk up in a new marron and back attire, now with tatter skintight pants and a top that exposed her midriff, "And the Dark-type Gym Leader, Marnie. Each trainer is allowed four Pokemon, and a winner is declared when four of a trainer's Pokemon are defeated." Piers then raised both his hands, causing the trainers each readied their first Pokemon to send out, "Begin!"
"Liepard, you're up first!" Marine declared with her Pokeball in her left, which was green with an orange button. She reeled back for the toss, lifting her left leg. The ball opened with a dark aura, causing a purple and dirty yellow furred feline Pokemon.
"Growlithe, I choose you!" Ruby said as she tossed out her ball, causing the canine Pokemon to appear.
"Growl!" the canine Pokemon said before glaring at the smirking dark feline Pokemon.
"Alright, a good old cat verse dog match," Ruby said with a grin, then pointed, "Growlithe, use Play Rough!" Ruby called out with her Pokemon rushing towards Liepard.
"Liepard, use Fake Out!" Marnie said with the dark feline Pokemon charging Growlithe. Upon the collision, Liepard it first with Growlithe recoiling back in a flinched state, "Now use Torment." She said with Liepard gaining a dark aura with a confident look on its face.
"Use Play Rough again!" Ruby called out but then saw Growlithe covered in a dark aura, "W-what!?" she said as Growlithe struggled to move.
"Ruby, Torment makes it so your Pokemon can't use the same move in a row," Sonia called out.
"Okay, in that case." Ruby said before pointing, "Use Flame Wheel!" she said as the dark aura faded, causing the canine Pokemon to coil in a blazing ball before rolling towards Liepard at high speed.
"Push it back with Snarl," Marnie ordered, causing Liepard to roar with a black pulse wave emitting around her body. The blast pushed Growlithe away, breaking the Flame Wheel before it could reach anywhere close to the dark feline Pokemon, "You'll need to do better than that if you want to win."
"Darn it," Ruby said while Growlithe growled, gaining his red aura. However, Ruby had an idea, "I know, Growlithe return." She said as she took out the Pokeball.
"Growl?" Growlithe said as he was recalled into the ball.
"Switching out even after it looked like you Pokemon got a boost in attack?" Marnie commented, "In that case, Liepard, use Nasty Plot." She said with the dark feline Pokemon gaining a stronger dark aura.
"If you want to play a ranged game," Ruby said as she took out a different Pokeball, "Go, Roselia!" she said before tossing out the ball, causing the rose Pokemon to appear.
"Rose," Roselia said while elegantly landing on the battle arena, posing with her flower arms crossed, "Elia."
"Use Magical Leaf," Ruby called out.
"Roselia!" the rose Pokemon said before unleashing the purple aura petals onto the dark feline Pokemon.
"Use Snarl," Marnie said, causing Liepard to roar again. However, the dark aura emitted was twice as large, overcoming the magical leaf before slamming into Roselia. Ruby gasped while Marnie grinned, "Nasty Plot made Liepard's special attack much stronger." The dark gym leader spoke, "You see, she was planning your demise."
"Oh no," Ruby said to herself, "Roselia, use Growth." She said with the rose Pokemon gained a green aura as her body got slightly bigger.
"Use Torment." Marine said with Roselia stopping its growth, "Now, Nasty Plot again."
"Okay, time to improvise." Ruby said before pointing, "Now, Water Sport!"
"What?" Marnie responded before Roselia unleashed a blast of water from its roses, which splashed into Liepard's body. The dark feline Pokemon recoiled in discomfort, its dark aura fading as her fur was soaked, "Why would you do that?"
"Well, cats don't like water, right?" Ruby responded.
"That's not how type matchups work," Sonia said with a slight giggle, then saw Liepard still trying to shake off the water.
"In any case, that will buy us some time." Ruby said with a smile, "Roselia, charge up for a Solar Beam!"
"Rose!" the rose Pokemon said while closing her eyes and crossing her arms, have particles of light gather into its flower arms.
"I see," Marnie said before gritting her teeth, seeing Liepard still shaking off more water. The flowers soon got to a bright white color before Liepard regained focus. "Go, use Snarl!" Marnie called out with Liepard roaring with a dark wave of energy larger than before.
However, Ruby grinned as Roselia opened her eyes, "Fire!" the hooded tried pointed as her rose Pokemon unleashed solar beam from its flower arms. The beam of light collided with the dark roar, causing a clashed of energy before a massive explosion enveloped the arena and Pokemon. Ruby waited for the smoke to clear, first seeing a panting Liepard at Marnie's end, "She's a tough one, but we're-" Ruby was saying until she found Roselia, who laid on her back with swirling eyes, "Oh no!"
"Roselia is unable to battle." Piers declared, causing Team Yell to cheer at Marine's early lead.
Ruby recalled the fainted rose Pokemon back to its ball, a sincere smile on her face as she looked at it, "You did great out there." She said before focusing back on Liepard and Marnie. The hooded trainer then swapped pokeballs before tossing one out, "Come on back out, Growlithe!" Ruby said as the canine Pokemon reentered the battlefield.
"Growl!" Growlithe howled.
"Him again?" Marine commented as Liepard chuckled, "This match-up did not go well last time."
"This is not like last time," Ruby responded before pointing, "Growlithe, Retaliate!" she said with Marnie slighting gasping. Growlithe then dashed towards Liepard at high speed, causing the dark feline Pokemon to panic before realizing the canine Pokemon was now behind her. Suddenly, Liepard felt a rush of pain before falling limp to the ground with swirling eyes.
"Liepard is unable to battle," Piers called out, causing Team Yell to be in shocked silence.
"Yay, Ruby." Sonia cheered, "You tied it back up."
"Impressive." Marnie said as she recalled her Liepard, "Now I can start playing a bit more seriously." She said before tossing out her next Pokemon, "Croagunk, your turn!"
Emerging from the dusk ball was a bipedal toxic blue frog with orange engorging cheeks, "Cro...Cro…" the toxic frog Pokemon said with its cheeks puffing.
"Another dark type, so we know what to do." Ruby said before pointing, "Attack with Play Rough!"
"Growl!" Growlithe growled before rushing in, slamming into Croagunk. However, the toxic frog Pokemon caught the canine Pokemon with both arms.
"Cro…Cro…" Croagunk spoke as Growlithe flared his fangs.
"Ruby, that Pokemon is Poison and Fighting, not Dark," Sonia called out.
"Yes, a bit of curveball for my challenges to overcome." Marnie said before smirking, "If they can, that is." She then pointed, "Croagunk, use Swagger!"
"Cro…" Croagunk said before it radiated a purple aura, "Gunk!"
"Growl?" Growlithe said before it was soon encompassed in the same aura, "Growl! Growl!" the canine Pokemon barked as its attack started to overpower Croagunk. However, the toxic frog Pokemon leaped over Growlithe, who then continued to charge into the opposite wall. Ruby watched in shock as Growlithe continued to bash its head against the wall, think its target was still in front of him.
"Growlithe, snap out of it!" Ruby called out, but Growlithe could not stop his bashing. The hooded trainer then gritted her teeth, "Return." She said while recalling the canine Pokemon back to its Pokeball.
"If you plan to keep up with this Retaliate strategy, it's going to fail." Marnie commented, "Not only will you run out of Pokemon first, but your Growlithe will get too tired before he can finish off my last Pokemon."
"Which is why I need to beat your Pokemon first." Ruby said as she held a new Pokeball, "Staravia, come on out." She said before tossing the ball.
"Staravia!" the starling Pokemon said upon emerging from the ball.
"Go, use Quick Attack!" Ruby said with Staravia dashing in at high speed.
"A flying type will not give you as much of an advantage as you think." Marnie responded, "Croagunk, use Poison Jab."
"Cro," the toxic frog Pokemon croaked before its right arm was covered in a purple aura, then leaped into the air. Staravia intended for a midair collision but was shocked as Croagunk's jab landed first. The starling Pokemon was knocked off course but managed to recover before he could crash into the ground.
"Circle back and use Wing Attack!" Ruby ordered.
"Star!" Staravia responded before retargeting Croagunk in midair, the wings now glowing in a white light.
"Counter with another Poison Jab," Marnie called out.
"Cro," Croagunk said as his left arm changed to have a purple aura. The wing and the jab collided, creating an explosion. However, it was the toxic frog Pokemon that was flung out, "Gunk!" Croagunk screamed before slamming into the ground.
"Nice one!" Ruby cheered, "Now hit it was Steel Wing." She said with Staravia emerging from the smoke, the wings already encompassed in a metal lighting as they charged down at a still recovering Croagunk.
However, Marnie grinned, "Use Revenge."
"Cro," Croagunk said as its arm now glowed a bright blue.
"Star," Staravia said as it was about to hit his target, but Croagunk withstood the hit, "Ravia?" he said before the toxic frog pokemon's punch landed again, "Star!" the starling Pokemon cried as he was flung back.
"That attack does double damage it Croagunk was hit just before," Marnie responded.
"Darn it," Ruby said as a line of sweat ran down her face but saw Staravia get back on its talons.
"Staravia," The starling Pokemon shouted as he expanded his wings, but then shuttered with a purple aura, "Star!"
"Oh no, those jabs from before poisoned him." Ruby realized.
"Here is another move that does twice as much damage." Marnie responded before pointing, "Use Venoshock."
"Cro…Gunk!" Croagunk said before his cheeks puffed, then opened his mouth to unleash a stream of toxic sludge that slammed into Staravia's body.
"Staravia!" Ruby called out in panic as the starling Pokemon fell. As Piers was about to call the outcome, Staravia pushed up onto its talons again, "Nice job, you still got this!" Ruby cheered before pointing, "Use Endeavor!"
"STAR!" Staravia screamed as a clear pulse wave ran through the arena.
"Cro…Cro!" Croagunk said before flinching in the pulse wave, falling to one knee.
"I see what you're planning, but it will not work." Marnie called out, "Croagunk, use Swagger."
"Cro…Gunk!" Croagunk said before he was encompassed in a purple aura, one that soon encompassed Staravia.
"Star! Star!" Staravia began to scream in a wild direction.
"Now, while it's confused." Marine called out, "Finish it off with a Poison Jab!"
"Oh no," Ruby panicked as the toxic frog Pokemon rushed in. However, she gasped upon realizing the enemy was directly between her and the starling Pokemon now. "Staravia, you have to listen to me!" Ruby called out, "I know you can hear me." The hooded trainer spoke with a look of focus, "So, rush towards me with Quick Attack!" she said with everyone gasping.
"Star!" Staravia screamed before dashing towards the voice at high speed.
"Cro?" Croagunk had a look of shock before the starling Pokemon slammed into him, sending the toxic frog Pokemon into the sky before it crashed into the ground.
However, Staravia's attack did not stop as he continued until ramming into Ruby. The hooded trainer caught her Pokemon in her arms, hugging him while he thrashed, "It's okay. It's okay." Ruby spoke in a calm voice, slightly flinching from the pain of the impact, "I'm right here."
"Star! Star! Star!" Staravia cried out until the aura started to fade, the confusion warring off, "Staravia?" the starling Pokemon spoke before look at his trainer, who looked down at him with a gleeful smile, "Star..." Staravia said in remorse before nuzzling in Ruby's arms, "Ravia."
"It's okay, I'm fine." Ruby responded as she petted her Pokemon, "And you did great."
Piers watched Ruby and Staravia, then turned to see the dust settle. There, the toxic frog Pokemon laid on its back, his eyes swirling. "Croagunk is unable to battle."
"Yikes," Sonia said with a sigh, "That was a risky move."
Suddenly, Sonia heard a voice from behind, "Well, that's Ruby." The Galar professor looked back to see it was Rosa speaking with Roman standing close by, "She is full of surprises."
"You too are back," Sonia said with a smile before looking to the orange-haired criminal, "How did it go?"
"I don't want to talk about it," Roman said with a sigh, "What is going on with Red's battle?"
"Well, she just took the lead." Sonia said as Croagunk was recalled to its ball, "But Staravia is badly damaged. Even if it fights, he won't last long." She said before Ruby recalled her Pokemon to its ball.
"Yeah, last time she tried to keep him out to fight longer, it did not end well for Staravia," Rosa said while recalling the battle against Roark. She then looked over to see Marnie toss out her next Pokemon, which was a large creature with a green body covered in thick black fur, "That's a-!" Rosa exclaimed as she took out her Pokedex, "Grimmsnarl, Bulk Up Pokemon. Its hairs work like muscle fibers. When its hairs unfurl, they latch on to opponents, ensnaring them as tentacles would."
"Oh, so this thing did speak its name." Roman commented, "Well, Red's got this one."
"Huh? How are you so confident?" Sonia asked, then looked to see Ruby with a look of focus in her eyes as she gripped a Pokeball.
"Go, Eevee!" Ruby said as her first Pokemon emerged from the ball.
"Eev!" the foxlike Pokemon said as it landed onto the battlefield.
"Grimm," Grimmsnarl said as it looked down at its opponent, cracking his knuckles. However, Eevee looked back up with determination in her eyes.
"Eevee, use Swift!" Ruby called out as the first attack, causing the foxlike Pokemon to unleash a barrage of stars from her mouth.
"Block it with Bulk Up," Marnie responded, causing Grimmsnarl to flex his hair muscles. The fibers absorbed the swift, resulting in nearly no damage, "Now, hit it with a Darkest Lariat." She ordered with Grimmsnarl radiating a black aura before extending its arms, then spinning at high speed towards Eevee.
"Dodge it with Dig," Ruby said with Eevee quickly burrowing unground with Grimmsnarl passing over top.
The monstrous Pokemon stopped its attack before scanning the area, "Grimm?" it said before Eevee erupted out of the ground below Grimmsnarl, her head colliding with the chin of her opponents, "Grimm!" Grimmsnarl said while recoiling back in pain.
"Nice, now hit it with a Swift again," Ruby said with Eevee unleashing the barrage of stars from its mouth again. This time, they collided with Grimmsnarl unable to block the barrage.
"U-unreal," Sonia commented.
"Heh, see." Roman said before crossing his arms, "We ran into a wild one of those before, so she should be able to beat it again."
"Oh, nice to see you have faith in Ruby's ability," Rosa said with a smirk and her hand on her chin.
"I was referring to her Pokemon." Roman responded with a glare, "If they lose, it just proves it was Red's fault."
"Sure, that's what you meant." Rosa sarcastically responded.
"So, this isn't the first Grimmsnarl you've battled." Marnie commented as she overheard the conversation, causing Ruby to slightly scratch the back of her head, "Well, did the other one try this?" The dark gym leader said before pointing, "Use Spirit Break!"
"Grimm!" Grimmsnarl said before encompassed in a pink aura, then reeled its right arm back. Ruby and Eevee knew they were out of range of a punch, but in the swing, they gasped as the hairs extended like a tentacle. They coiled around the foxlike Pokemon, pulling her into the range of the other arm, "Snarl!" the monstrous Pokemon said before uppercutting Eevee into the sky.
"Eev!" Eevee screamed in pain as she was blasted to the other side of the arena.
"Oh no, Eevee!" Ruby called out in panic before Eevee landed back on the ground, she then saw a pink aura around her Pokemon before it shattered, "Did her aura break?" she said before seeing Eevee stand up.
"You're special attacks got a lot weaker." Marnie commented, "That Swift will do nothing to us now."
"Then use Quick Attack!" Ruby called out, causing Eevee to dash in at high speed.
"Bulk Up again," Marine responded, causing Grimmsnarl to flex more than before. Eevee crashed into its head again, but the attack had a little effect this time.
"U-use Dig," Ruby called out with Eevee burrowing underground.
"Not this time." Marnie called out, "Grimmsnarl, launch it out of the ground with Hammer Arm."
"Grimm!" Grimmsnarl said before slamming his bulky arms into the ground, creating a quake the seemingly shook the whole city. The force warped the ground, causing Eevee to blast out of the hole she dug.
"Finish it with Darkest Lariat!" Marnie ordered with her Pokemon encompassed in the dark aura again, then landed a spinning crash into a still stunned Eevee. Ruby gasped as the foxlike Pokemon was flung towards her, landing her arms with swirling eyes.
"Eevee is unable to battle." Piers said with Team Yell cheering louder than before.
"This is bad." Sonia commented, "She now just has Growlithe and a barely standing Staravia."
"Ruby…" Rosa said in slight worry.
"Tsk, damnit Red," Roman said while slightly gripping his arms.
Ruby recalled her Eevee back to its ball, the took out a new partner to send out, "Growlithe, it's up to you!" she said while throwing the Pokeball.
"Growl!" the canine Pokemon howl as he emerged from the ball, glaring down his massive opponent.
"Use Retaliate!" Ruby called out with Growlithe rushing in at high speed, stopped once behind his opponent. However, even after taking the attack, Grimmsnarl barely faulted for the assault.
"With all those Bulk Ups, you are going to need a lot more power. But I am not going to let you boost with Justified anymore." Marnie commented, "Use Spirit Break." She said with the monstrous Pokemon wiping his hair muscles towards Growlithe.
"Dodge with Agility!" Ruby responded, causing Growlithe to quickly evade the lashes of muscle hair, "Use Play Rough."
"Grooowl." Growlithe howled before crashing Grimmsnarl with an all-out assault.
"Use Hammer Arm," Marnie called out with Grimmsnarl wildly swinging its arms. However, none of its hits landed on the canine Pokemon.
"If we can't be stronger, we'll be faster." Ruby said before pointing, "Keep up with Play Rough!" she said with Growlithe continuing to attack Grimmsnarl all over its body.
"Grimm…Snarl," Grimmsnarl spoke in a weakened voice from all the attacks.
"Use Spirit Break," Marnie called out, causing Grimmsnarl to reel back its arm again.
"Back away with Agility," Ruby responded causing Growlithe to jump back as fast as he could.
"Aim for its legs," Marnie added on with Ruby gasping. The muscle hair launched and latched around Growlithe front legs. "You aren't getting away this time." She said before Grimmsnarl started to pull Growlithe in, all while gritting ready for an uppercut.
"Oh no, think Ruby, thi-" Ruby said to herself before having an idea, "Growlithe, use Flame Wheel." She called out with Growlithe rolling into the attack, gaining a blazing aura in its ball form. Marnie and Grimmsnarl gasped as the Flame Wheel incinerate the muscle hair, freeing the canine Pokemon. Growlithe then slammed into Grimmsnarl's chest, setting the monstrous Pokemon ablaze as before bouncing off and landing back near Ruby, "Now, let's use Retaliate one more time!"
"Growl," Growlithe growled before dashing in again. With one swift strike, the flames all faded from Grimmsnarl's still body. However, the monstrous Pokemon then fell forward with swirling eyes, "Grooowl!" Growlithe howled while sitting as the victor.
"Grimmsnarl is unable to battle." Piers responded, "The Gym Leader now has one Pokemon remaining."
"I know." Marnie said as she recalled Grimmsnarl to its ball, "And you should already know what Pokemon it is."
"If that thing was just the warm-up." Roman commented, "How scary is her last one going to be?"
"Go, Morpeko." Marine tossed out with a tailless rodent emerging.
While the middle of the fur was yellow, the right side with brown, and the left was black. The cheeks were pink, and the eyes were black with white dots in the center, "Morpeko Peko." It spoke with a smile on its face.
"…" Roman watched with half-open eyes, then sighed, "I don't know what to expect out of life anymore."
"That's Morpeko, Two-Sided Pokémon," Sonia answered, "As it eats the seeds stored up in its pocket-like pouches, this Pokémon is not just satisfying its constant hunger. It's also generating electricity." She said as Morpeko nibbled on seeds it had in its pocket-like pouches.
"Okay Growlithe, just one left." Ruby called out as the canine Pokemon readied for battle, "Use Play Rough." She said with Growlithe rushing in.
"Use Quick Attack," Marnie said with Morpeko dashing in at high speed, slamming into Growlithe before he could get off his attack.
Suddenly, Morpeko's body flashed in purple light. As it had, the hungry Pokemon's form changed. the yellow fur was now purple, while the rest was black. With a look of anger in its red eyes, its mouth flared the ravenous teeth, "Morpeko Peko." Morpeko spoke in a grumpier voice.
"What happened?" Rosa asked.
"That's Morpeko's Hunger Switch." Sonia responded, "After each attack, Morpeko's intense hunger drives it to extremes of violence, and the electricity in its cheek sacs has converted into a Dark-type energy." She said while turning to the others in dread, "This is known as its Hangry Mode."
"…" Roman looked back at the Galar professor with half-open eyes.
"What? I didn't name it that." Sonia responded.
"Hm, I think this next move expresses my feelings." Marine said with a slight smile, "Morpeko, use Bite."
"Mor," the hangry Pokemon said before jumping on Growlithe's back, "Peko!" she said before sinking her teeth into the back of the canine pokemon's neck.
"Well, what do you think?" Marnie asked.
"Uh?" Ruby said in slight confusion, then watched Morpeko changed back into its other calmer mode while nibbling on the bite marks.
"Now, use Spark," Marnie said with Morpeko's body engulfing in electricity that soon spread to Growlithe's. After a few seconds of shocking, Morpeko jumped off the canine Pokemon before changing back into its hangry mode, "Use Aura Wheel."
"Mor," Morpeko said as she started to run in place. suddenly, a black wheel of electricity formed around her before she charged into Growlithe.
"Quick, dodge with Agility," Ruby called out, but Growlithe remained still as his body sparked with yellow electricity, causing Ruby to gasp at the paralysis.
"If we can't be stronger, we'll be faster. You're the one who said that." Marnie said before the Aura Wheel hit, launching Growlithe back in pain.
"Come on, you can still do this. Growlithe!" Ruby called out as the canine Pokemon barely had the strength to push himself up. However, his body still sparked with electricity as his eyes were closed.
"Time to end this." Marnie commented, "Use Spark one last time."
"Peko," Morpeko said as she dashed in covered in electricity.
"Oh no," Ruby said in a panic, her brain trying to think out a way out of this situation. Suddenly, she recalled her huntress trainer with her big sister. In using her speed semblance, the red hooded girl could easily avoid the blond brawler's punches. However, Ruby recalled when Yang stopped moving and closed her eyes. As she tried to finally pull a win over her big sister, the blond brawler opened her red eyes and unleashed a knockout punch. While Ruby was stunned on the ground, Yang raised her arms in victory. As the memory ended, Ruby knew what she needed to do, "Growlithe, wait until the last moment, and use Play Rough at close range."
"Growl," Growlithe said with his eyes still closed but trusted his trainer. He listened until the crackle of electricity was at its loudest. In opening his eyes, the canine Pokemon's glare glowed with the red aura of justified, "Growl!"
"Mor?" Morpeko said in shock before getting pummeled in the Play Rough assault, "Peko!" the hungry Pokemon said as it was flung out of the cloud and skidded next to Marnie's side.
"Morpeko, are you okay?" Marnie said as Morpeko slowly pushed herself up, then changed into its hangry mode. The two then looked over to see Ruby and Growlithe having a matching look of focus, "The next move will end this." The dark gym leader said before pointing, "Use Aura Wheel."
"Morpeko Peko." The hangry Pokemon said as it began to run in place, generating the dark electric wheel.
"Growlithe, use Flame Wheel!" Ruby countered.
"Growl!" Growlithe howled before rolling into a ball of fire. The sparks from the paralysis adding to the flames.
The two attacks continued to charge as Ruby and Marnie glared at each other, "GO!" they declared at the same time as the two-wheel attacks rushed into each other. Growlithe and Morpeko struggled to gain ground over the other in the attack, the flames and dark electricity mixing in the attack. Suddenly, the collision resulted in an explosion with a shockwave of heat that ran through the whole city. Everyone when silent as they waited for the smoke to settle, waiting to see who was standing.
However, neither Pokemon was conscious anymore. Growlithe laid on his side while Morpeko was flat on her belly. Ruby and Marnie gasp as Piers raised his hands, "Both Pokemon are unable to battle." He said before then gesturing towards the hooded trainer, "Which means with one Pokemon left, the winner is the challenger. Ruby!"
"Yes, she did it!" Rose cheered with a glimmer of light in her eyes.
"Way to go!" Sonia added on with applause.
"Cut it close this time." Roman commented, then smirked, "Heh."
Ruby ran up to Growlithe, cradling the canine Pokemon as he barely regained consciousness, "You did amazing. I'm so proud of you." She said while hugging Growlithe, who responded by licking his trainer's cheek.
Marnie recalled Morpeko to its ball, then smiled at it, "As did you. I'll make sure to whip you up a good meal after your healed." She said before putting the ball away and turning to Ruby, "Even when against tough odds, you pushed through the darkness and reach the end." Marnie said before extending her right hand, which held a piece of copper with a black symbol on it, "As proof of your victory, I present you with the Dark Badge." The Spikemuth Gym leader offered with Ruby accepting with a smile on her face. Marnie then turned to Team Yell, who were all still in silence, "Don't be rude. In these heated battles, you can cheer even if the outcome is not what you wanted."
"Yes Marnie!" Team Yell shouted, "You may have lost, but your still our idol!"
"And," Marnie said while sightly gesturing to the hooded trainer.
"And Ruby, congratulations on your victory!" Team Yell screamed, "You were amazing, now move forwards and win this whole league." They all yelled and chanted, "RUBY! RUBY! RUBY! RUBY!" they said with Marnie looking back at the hooded trainer, whose face was slightly red with embarrassment.
A short while later.
At a table in the Pokemon center, Roman said while sifting his Poketch. Suddenly, Ruby walked up and sat across from him, "So, did my ranking go up?"
"It looks like it," Roman responded, "But you're not exactly in the famous tier yet."
"Well, at least now I'm halfway in the league." Ruby responded before stretching her arms over her head, "We just need to ask Rosa or Sonia where to go next."
"I already have a place in mind." Roman said before reaching over to a paper on the table, "I asked that nurse to print this out after I found it on this watch." He showed it to Ruby, which looked be a new city, "This place in Kalos is called Lumiose City. And you tell me what that building looks like."
Ruby looked at the page and gasped, seeing a tall white tower with clear sky glass plating, "Is that a communications tower!?"
"It sure looks like one, but it is known there as an electric-type gym." Roman responded before grinning, "That doesn't mean we should just ignore this opportunity."
"How did you even find this one?" Ruby asked.
"I got a tip from that investigator guy I hired back in Sinnoh." Roman responded, "He told me I could meet with someone that could shed some light on a couple of our questions."
"Like where the others are?" Ruby asked.
"Hopefully," Roman responded, then stood up, "You just make sure you're ready for the next gym battle." The orange-haired criminal then walked away, "I need to talk with that girl about something."
"Oh, okay." Ruby responded before seeing Marnie and Sonia walking up, "Hey, you're back in that other outfit now." She said to the Spikemuth gym leader.
"Well, our challenge is over." Marnie said before reaching into her pocket, "However, I wanted to give you this as a gift." She said before taking out a purple disc in a plastic case, "This is a-"
"A mixtape of that guy's songs!" Ruby spoke with a smile on her face.
"N-no, it's a TM," Marnie responded in slight shock.
"Oh." Ruby said before having a look of confusion, "What's a TM?"
"It's a technical machine that allows a Pokemon to learn a new move." Sonia clarified.
"This one contains Venoshock." Marnie explained, "Normally, I would give you a dark-type move. However, I recalled your Roselia and think this would help her more than throwing water at the Pokemon."
"Really, thanks!" Ruby responded as she took the TM.
"No problem, I wish you luck in the rest of your gym challenges," Marnie said with a smile.
"Same here," Sonia said, "I need to go back to professor duties before they realize I took a bunch of time off." She said before winking at Ruby, "But I'm sure we'll meet again." The Galar professor said with Ruby nodding with a smile on her face.
Just outside of Spikemuth, Roman walked over to see Rosa looking at the shoreline, "You said you fixed my hat?"
"Well, not me exactly." Rosa said as she took out a Pokeball, "Leavanny, come on out!" she said as a tall bug lady Pokemon appeared out of the Pokeball.
"Leavan," Leavanny spoke with a smile, holding out Roman's hat in its leaf arms.
"Wow," Roman said as he took the hat back, "It looks brand new, impressive." He said before noticing one change, "What happened to the black feathers here?" The orange-haired criminal said while looking at white feathers.
"Oh, those couldn't be fixed, and I didn't feel like plucking your Murkrow." Rosa responded, "Besides, I have a few pretty feathers I found of the bridge I wanted to use. What do you think?"
"It's fine," Roman said before Rosa recalled Leavanny. He was about to put the hat on before Rosa was going to walk away, but then sighed, "This was owned by my first boss."
"Hm?" Rosa responded as she stopped her leave.
"He was my role model, more of dad to me than my real deadbeat one was." Roman added on, "Took me under his wing, showed me the ropes, and made me feel like someone actually cared about my…existence."
"What happened to him?" Rosa asked.
"…The same thing that happens to everyone in our line of work." Roman said before putting the bowler hat on, "This hat is all I have left of him, so I would rather not lose it."
"I see," Rosa responded, "Anything else you want to talk about?"
"No," Roman said while looking at the shoreline, "And I would rather you not tell Red about this."
"Okay, I won't." Rosa responded before walking away, "I'll let you do that when you're ready."
"…" Roman did not say a word, just looked off into the shoreline, then sigh, "Neo," he said to himself, "If I can't break this trend by surviving, I'll make sure you at least live to see a happy ending." He promised while adjusting his hat.
AN: There you go, Ruby is now halfway down with the gym challenges. She barely pulls out a win with Growlithe carrying a lot of these battles. I liked how this showed Ruby learning from her battle against Roark and knew to recall Staravia this time. Still, Marine was her toughest opponent yet, but they will only get tougher. As for Roman, he got his hat fixed and opened-up about its connection to him in this continuity. There next stop looks to be Lumiose City in hopes of a third badge and meeting with Looker's informant. However, we will be switching gears and going back to the LYN team as they set sail to the Isle of Armor. That is all for now, thanks for reading, and hope to see you in the next chapter.