AN: Hey everyone, I have the next chapter here. Took a while but gym battles take a lot of planning to make work. In this chapter we have Neo on her way to take on the Water Type leader of Unova. This one was a lot of fun to make and has a lot of cool strategies. But overall, I do like the way the trio here interacts. 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 39 – A Watery Daze
"…!" Neo's eyes widened in amazement at the sight. The trio walked through a massive glass tube that was surrounded by the clear water of the sea. The rock and ridges in the waters were colored with coral of all different shades. Multiple water Pokemon swam through the deep as they passed by under and over the tube.
"This is kind of cool," Leaf commented as she looked around.
"Yeah," Yang said as she also looked at the glass, "That stuff is strong enough, right?"
"It should be, I heard it was reinforced for any water types in the area."
"…" Neo looked around for any water types that caught her eye, then she saw one that made her gasp, "…!" she pointed towards a massive blue whale Pokemon.
"Now that's a big one," Yang added on as Leaf took out her Pokedex, "Wailord, the float whale Pokemon. The biggest of all Pokémon. It can dive to a depth of almost 10,000 feet in only one breath. It can sometimes knock out opponents with the shock created by breaching and crashing its big body onto the water." The Pokedex said with the blond brawler turning to Neo, "What are you gonna do if you have to fight one of those in this gym?"
"…?" Neo shrugged.
"Hehe, don't worry," Leaf responded as she put away her Pokedex, "I have something to give her that will-"
"Turn the tides." Yang finished with a smile, causing Neo to look on with half-open eyes.
"I wasn't going say it that way, but basically yes." Leaf said as she reached into her bag, then pulled out something before handing it to Neo. The mute girl looked at the object in confusion, then smirked when she realized what it was.
The trio made their way out of the Marine Tube and into the next area. A sign nearby read their location, Humilau City. They then looked around and discovered a large glass building with a gym icon. They entered with Neo taking the lead, discovering a watery setting. The décor was more of a river stream. Multiple islands of docs and large lily pads were seen throughout the area. They then saw a young man in a swimsuit with a red and yellow swim cap on walking up, "Hello, welcome to the Humilau gym." He said with a bow, "To face our leader, you must complete our obstacle course." He said before pointing to the end of the building, which showed a blue platform, "Simply make it to that end before the buzzer rings and your gym challenge awaits. But fall in the water, and it is all over for you."
"That's it?" Yang commented. "Piece of cake."
"I don't know, this looks unsafe." Leaf said with her arms crossed.
"If you want, there is a gauntlet of trainers you can battle instead of the obstacle course." The young man responded, "But your Pokemon may be too tried then to face Marlon's ace."
"…" Neo crossed her arms before considering her options, then smirked. "…" She pointed down the obstacle course.
"Very well but note that you only have one shot at this option." The young man said with Neo nodding. She focused on her path while he readied a timer, "Ready… Go!"
Neo dashed forward and leaped on one of the lily pads, which skated across the water. The mute girl rode it as if it was a surfboard before crashing into a dock. She ran on the dock before leaping to another lily pad. Leaf and Yang watched in awe as Neo continued her paces, never slipping on the watery wood or slick lily pads. In one final jump, she landed on the platform before a buzzer was heard. Neo then turned around and gave a curtsy to the others.
"Wow, a new record!" the young man commented after stopping the timer, "Very impressive."
"Yeah well, I can do that too." Yang shrugged off, "In fact, reset this and let me give it a go."
"Yang, that seems like a bad idea." Leaf responded, "You're not challenging this gym with your team, so why do this?"
"Pride," Yang said as she saw the lily pads move into position, "Now watch this."
"Ready," the young man said as he reset the timer, "Go!"
Yang dashed forward and leaped on one of the lily pads, which skated across the water, "See, what I tell you." She said before leaping onto one of the docks, "Piece of-" the blond brawler was saying before slipping on the edge of the dock, "Sh-" Yang said before landing in the water with a big splash, causing a buzzer to be heard.
"…" Neo looked on with half-open eyes, as did Leaf and the young man.
A short while later, Leaf and Yang were in a nearby stand to watch the match. The young man stood nearby between Neo's platform and the empty platform, now assuming the role of the referee. The blond brawler was wrapped in a towel, her hair still wet as it dripped over her eyes, "How's that pride working for you now?"
"Achoo!" Yang sneezed, "I don't want to talk about it." she said before looking over to Neo, "How did you do all of that in heels?"
"She's good at moving in those," Leaf responded before seeing something approaching from the water, "Huh?"
It appeared like a small blue fin, but it was a sudden splash, a young man in blue skintight swim pants was seen. His skin was tanned, but his feet and waistline were pale. He skidded on his platform before smiling at Neo, "Sup, here already, huh? I'm Marlon, the gym leader here." he said while taking off the goggles, "You look strong. Shoots! Let's start!"
"This guy gets right to the point," Yang commented with a smirk.
"The match will be a four-on-four singles battle match," the referee spoke, "You may each throw out your first Pokemon."
"…" Neo tossed out her first Pokeball, causing Hattrem to appear. The serene Pokemon landed on one of the many lily pads throughout the area to stand above the water.
"If I remember right, Neo said she was not using Cubone in this fight at all." Leaf commented, "Makes sense, as this is a water gym."
"Jellicent, come on out!" Marlon said as he tossed out his Pokeball, causing a big blue jellyfish Pokemon to appear.
"Huh, for some reason, this Pokemon reminds me of …boring lectures," Yang said as she looked at Jellicent, focusing on its massive mustache.
"Begin!" the referee declared.
"…!" Neo pointed with Hattrem unleashing a Dazzling Gleam.
"Jellicent, use Surf," Marlon said with the massive blue jellyfish Pokemon summoned a large wave of water. The two attacks collided with the aqua attack wining out, crashing into the serene Pokemon, "Your moves are good. But ours are better."
"Tsk," Neo gritted her teeth before pointing again, "…!" Hattrem now switched to using Expanding Force.
"Ominous Wind!" Marlon said with Jellicent expelling a purple aura from its body. The wind clashed with the Expanding Force, pushing it back before crashing into Hattrem, "My specialty may be water, but I know that ghost beats psychic any day of the week."
"…!" Neo pointed with Hattrem using Life Dew, slowly healing its wounds.
"Not so fast, using Brine!" Marlon said with Jellicent firing a beam of water towards Hattrem, which crashed on impact. While grinning at first, he gasped as a green barrier showed that Hattrem was protected from the attack, "Heh, not bad."
"…" Neo pointed with Hattrem unleashing an Expanding Force again. This time landing the hit with Jellicent getting knocked back, "…!" The mute girl smiled at landing a good hit.
"Use Recover," Marlon said with Neo gasping. Jellicent glowed in a yellow aura before its wounds healed away.
"At least they're at a stalemate," Yang commented.
"No, Neo's losing big time," Leaf added on, seeing Hattrem panting, "Her Pokemon has taken more damage and healed less."
"…!" Neo pointed causing to use another Dazzling Gleam but was answered with another Brine. The beam of water broke through the light before hitting the serene Pokemon, landing a critical blow. Hattrem was sent flying back before landing beside Neo, eyes swirling.
"Hattrem is unable to battle." The referee called out.
"Yikes, that was quick." Yang commented again, her eyes focused as her fists clenched, "Come on, you're better than that."
"…" Neo recalled Hattrem with a soft smile, then focused on Marlon and Jellicent. She readied a Pokeball and tossed it, causing the sky squirrel Pokemon to emerge.
"And electric type, I see how it is." Marlon commented, "Okay, let's use Ominous Wind!" he said with Jellicent unleashing the purple aura wind again. However, Neo smirked as she pointed, causing dark energy whips to fire out and cut through the wind. The attack lashed the massive blue jellyfish Pokemon, sending it flying back, "Huh?"
"Zehehehe," Emolga snickered before turning into Zorua.
"I get it, smart," Marlon commented.
"…" Neo smirked with her arms crossed, but then saw Zorua radiated a purple aura for a moment, "…?"
"However, your sneak attack activated my pokemon's Cursed Body ability." Marlon said before pointing, "Now your attack is disabled. Go, use Brine!" he said with Jellicent firing a beam of water.
"…!" Neo pointed with Zorua dodging.
"Not good, her move is the only thing Zorua has that does super-effective damage to this Pokemon." Leaf said in worry.
"Now Surf," Marlon said with a massive wave of heading towards Zorua, leaving the tricky fox Pokemon no place to dodge.
"…!" Neo pointed with Zorua using Burning Jealousy. The flames erupted while colliding with the water from the surf, shrouding the area in a massive steam cloud.
"You can't get away that easily, use Ominous Wind!" Marlon said with Jellicent attempting to blow away the steam with its attack. However, something shot up from above the steam cloud to dodge the ghost-type attack. It was Emolga, who then glared down at Jellicent, "That illusion won't work again, you can't fool-"
"…!" Neo pointed with Emolga diving down towards Jellicent, the sky squirrel pokemon's body shrouded in electricity.
Emolga crashed into Jellicent, electrifying the massive jellyfish Pokemon, "Em!" Emolga said as he circled back in the sky with a smirk.
"Wait, that's the real one?" Marlon gasped, then had a realization, "I get it, you used that steam cloud to switch out your Pokemon without me noticing."
"Yeah, that's Neo for you," Yang commented as she looked up at Emolga, but saw the purple aura radiating from his body, "But now she can't use that electric move again-" she was saying until Emolga was quickly sent back to its Pokeball, "Eh?"
"That move was volt switch," Leaf commented, "It can allow a Pokemon to make an attack and switch out to another one in the party." She said as Neo tossed out another Pokeball, causing Zorua to reappear, "Perfect for making sure you are in control of the matchups." The shred trainer said with Zorua unleashing another Lash Out. Jellicent could not recover fast enough before getting whipped, sending him into the water with a splash. He reemerged with swirling eyes.
"Jellicent is unable to battle." The referee declared with Marlon recalling his Pokemon.
"Zehehehe," Zorua snickered as Neo smirked.
"I see, you're good." Marlon commented as he recalled his fainted Pokemon, "However," He said before reading a new Pokeball, then turned towards the open water, "We're just getting started! Go, Wailord!" the water gym leader said with the float whale Pokemon emerging.
"WAAA!" Wailord spoke before water shot out its blowhole.
"Well, what will do you with Pokemon of this size?" Marlon said as he turned back to Neo.
"…" Neo smirked as she recalled Zorua, then tossed out Sliggoo.
"Goo!" Sliggoo spoke with a glare towards Wailord.
"I don't think that little one will be a match for-" Marlon was saying until Neo recalled Sliggoo, "Huh, what are you doing?" he said before seeing Neo smirk, revealing a bangle on her left wrist, "Is that a-"
"…!" Neo then had her Pokeball gain a pink aura and expand in size. She chucked the ball as far as she could into the open waters, causing it to burst with a massive Sliggoo emerging.
"GGGGGOOOOOOOOOO!" The Dynamized Sliggoo roared with a booming soundwave.
"How did you get one of the devices again?" Yang asked Leaf.
"Stole it from that psychic hat dude before we left." Leaf responded, "It's his fault, he should have seen it coming."
"Nice." Yang responded, looking back to the match, "This should even the odds a bit."
"Now things are getting interesting," Marlon said before pointing, "Wailord, use Ice Beam."
"WAAAA!" Wailord opened its mouth to unleash a stream of chilled air toward Sliggoo.
"…!" Neo pointed back.
"GOOO!" The Dynamax Sliggoo opened its mouth, firing off a stream of poisonous ooze. The two attacks collided and mixed, resulting in an explosion that hit both Pokemon with shards of frozen venom.
"Don't give in." Marlon called out, "Use Bounce." He said with Wailord lunging into the sky.
"…!" Neo gasped as the float whale Pokemon was rocketing towards her Pokemon, "…!" the mute girl pointed again, causing the Dynamaxed Sliggoo to unleash a dragon-like stream of wind on its body. The Wyrmwind collided with Wailord, sending it flying backward before landing in the water.
"Time to go all out," Marlon declared, "And Water Spout!"
"WAAAAAA!" Wailord said before firing a blast of pressurized water out its blowhole.
"…!" Neo pointed again, which caused her Dynamaxed Sliggoo to gather water from around the area near its mouth, then unleash it with the force of a geyser. The two streams collided with a massive burst of water that rained down over the area. Both of the Pokemon breathe heavily in exerting their power. However, The Dynamaxed Sliggoo began to shrink, its body radiating pink energy that was fading, "…?"
"Goo?" Sliggoo said in confusion.
"Looks like the Dynamaxed wore off." Marlon commented, "You missed your chance to do some real damage to my Wailord."
"Tsk," Neo gritted her teeth, the looked around in confusion, "…?"
"Huh, is it raining?" Yang commented on the droplets.
"It is an aftereffect of the Water Max Move." Leaf said.
"…!" Neo had an idea before recalling her Sliggoo, then tossed out a Pokeball of someone reentering the battle.
"Em!" Emolga said as he entered the field, flying from above.
"Oh no," Marlon said as he realized his opponent's plan, "Wailord, you have to use-" He was saying, but realized the float whale Pokemon was panting from exhaustion.
"…!" Neo pointed, causing Emolga to toss an Electro Ball into Wailord's blowhole, causing the massive electrocution of the float whale Pokemon. The extra water from the rain conducts the electricity. After a few seconds, Wailord rolled over with swirling eyes.
"Wailord is unable to battle." The referee said with Marlon recalling his Pokemon.
"Nice, she took the lead," Yang said with a smile.
"Using the rain to boost the effectiveness of your electric attacks after Wailord was weakened by those Max attacks." Marlon commented, "Not bad," he said with a smile, readying another Pokeball, "But you're not the only one who can do that. Go, Mantine!" the water type gym leader said with a massive stingray Pokemon with a light grey bottom and navy-blue top.
Leaf took out her Pokedex to scan the new Pokemon, "Mantine, the kite Pokemon. On sunny days, schools of Mantine can be seen elegantly leaping over the sea's waves. This Pokémon is not bothered by the Remoraid that hitches rides. If it builds up enough speed swimming, it can fly over 300 feet out of the water from the surface of the ocean." The Pokedex said the Leaf reading more details of the target, "It looks like it is a water and flying type. Meaning the electric type moves will do massive damage."
"Mantine, use Air Slash!" Marlon said with the kite Pokemon cutting the wind with its fins, creating ripples that headed towards Emolga.
"…" Neo pointed, causing Emolga to dodge, "…!"
"Em!" Emolga said while charging an electro ball, then chucked it at Mantine. However, the kite Pokemon evaded the attack with insane speed, "Em?"
"…!?" Neo gasped as Mantine skidded across the surface of the water.
"Uh, how is that big thing that fasts?" Yang asked.
"Oh no," Leaf said as she looked back at the Pokedex, "That has swift swim as its ability, so its speed in the rain is doubled."
"And we're going even faster." Marlon commented as Mantine dashed over the water, "Use Agility!" he said with Mantine gliding through the air at unreal speeds.
"…" Neo pointed with Emolga switching to using Acrobatics. However, the sky squirrel Pokemon could not keep up with the kite Pokemon's speed, "…" Neo gritted her teeth as she had Emolga try to engulf itself in electricity to use a Volt Switch. Still, the attack was unsuccessful.
"It's no use, Mantine, use Confuse Ray!" Marlon said was the kite Pokemon firing a yellow ball of light from its mouth into Emolga's eyes. The sky squirrel Pokemon then became confused as it started to fall towards the ground. Neo took out her Pokeball intending to recall her Pokemon, "Not getting away, use Hydro Pump!" Marlon called out with Mantine unleashing a powerful stream of water from its mouth. The blast collided with Emolga's body, sending him rocking down and into a wall.
"…!" Neo gasped before the hydro pump ended, showing a cracked wall and a pinned sky squirrel Pokemon.
"Em…" Emolga said with swirling eyes before falling off the wall.
"Emolga is unable to battle." The referee called out, causing Neo to recall Emolga.
"There goes her ace for this gym." Leaf said with a sigh, "What is she gonna do now?"
"She'll figure something out," Yang said with a smile on her face.
"…!" Neo tossed out a Pokeball, causing Sliggoo to reappear.
"Ze." Sliggoo snickered.
"Heh, not fooling us this time. I know that's an Illusion." Marlon said as Neo pointed, causing Sliggoo to unleash a Burning Jealousy into the water. A stream cloud was created, but the water gym leader anticipated this. "Now, you're going to swap Pokemon and try to hit where we can't see you." He said before pointing, "Mantine, keep your distance and use Air Slash." The kite Pokemon flew high before cutting the air with its fins. Their attack ripped through the steam, but revealed nothing was hidden, "Huh, where did-"
"…!" Neo pointed, causing dark energy lashes to emerge from the water. The unaware Mantine was whipped and bonded by the lashes. The originator of the lashes was pulled out of the water, causing the Sliggoo illusion to break and turn into Zorua, "…" Neo recalled Zorua to its ball and tossed another ball into the air. Emerging over Mantine was the real Sliggoo, whose body slammed into the kite Pokemon.
"Nice moves," Leaf commented as Yang grinned.
"Shake it off!" Marlon called out as Mantine rocked Sliggoo away, "Now, hit it with Confuse Ray." He said with the kite Pokemon shooting off the wobbling yellow ball of light.
The ray connected with Sliggoo, causing her to wobble as she could not focus on her target, "Goo… Goo…"
"…!" Neo pointed, causing Sliggoo to fire out Dragon Breath, Acid Spray, and Water Pulse. However, all moves were missed, and none landed close to Mantine.
"Time to knock this one out," Marlon spoke before pointing, "Use Hydro Pump." He said with Mantine about to unleash its powerful water move again. However, one of the random Water Pulses headed towards the kite Pokemon. Before its move could land, Mantine staggered from the hit, "What's wrong?" he said with Mantine wobbling the same way Sliggoo was, then misfired the Hydro Pump in the confusion.
"Hehe," Neo giggled, having given his opponent a taste of their own medicine. She then saw Sliggoo snap out of her confusion, "…!" she pointed with the gooey Pokemon firing another Acid Spray. The attack landed and pushed Mantine back, but the kite Pokemon still was able to fight.
"We have to gain back our speed, use Agility!" Marlon said with Mantine dashing around the arena. In flying against the rain, it washed off the acid that drenched its body.
"…!" Neo pointed with Sliggoo unleashing another Dragon Breath. However, the attack was unable to keep up with the kite pokemon's speed, "Tsk." Neo scoffed, then gasped as she realized the rain was stopping. At the same time, Mantine slowed down, allowing the dragon breath to connect with a part of its body, "…!" Neo smiled as she saw the opportunity, causing Sliggoo to jump into the air.
"Dodge it!" Marlon called out, but Mantine shuttered in paralyze of the last attack. At that moment, Sliggoo landed a Body Slam into the kite Pokemon, sending the two into the water with a big splash. The wave settled to show Sliggoo raising its head high as she stood over the unconscious Mantine.
"Mantine is unable to battle." The referee called out.
"Come on, just one left!" Yang called out.
"…" Neo looked back with a smile and nod while Sliggoo hopped off the fainted Pokemon.
Marlon recalled Mantine with a smile on his face, "So it's come down to this." he said before smiling at the Pokeball, "Alright Carracosta, your turn!" he said while tossing out his last Pokemon. Emerging was a large blue turtle with a stonelike shell. Leaf still had her Pokedex out as she read its new entry, "Carracosta, the Prototurtle Pokémon. This Pokémon emerges from the water in search of prey even though it moves more slowly on land. They completely devour their prey: bones, shells, and all. Because of this, Carracosta's shell grows thick and sturdy."
"Yikes," Leaf commented.
"Yeah," Yang added on, "Also what the heck is a Prototurtle?" she asked with Leaf shrugging.
"…!" Neo pointed, causing Sliggoo to unleash a Water Pulse.
"Use Scald," Marlon said with Carracosta unleashing a stream of boiling water from its mouth. The two water attacks collided each canceling the other out.
"Tsk," Neo gritted her teeth with Sliggoo leaping into the air for a body slam.
"Smack Down," Marlon said with Carracosta launching one of the rock parts of his shell at Sliggoo. It hit the gooey Pokemon in midair, sending her back to the water in a sudden drop, "Now, Aqua Jet!" the water-type gym leader said with the Prototurtle Pokemon encasing its body in water before dashing towards Sliggoo float in the water. The hit landed and sent the gooey Pokemon out of the water and landed next to Neo with swirling eyes.
"Sliggoo is unable to battle." The referee called out, causing Neo to recall her fainted Pokemon.
"Down to one," Leaf said, "Zorua hasn't taken much damage, but neither has this thing."
"I said she'll figure it out." Yang said as she smiled at Neo, "And if not, I won't let her live this loss down."
"…!" Neo tossed out her Pokeball, causing Zorua to appear.
"Zehehehe." Zorua Snickered.
"I don't see what's funny, you're out of illusions." Marlon called out, then pointed, "Carracosta, use Scald!" he said with the Prototurtle Pokemon firing the boiling water from its mouth again.
"…!" Neo responded with Zorua unleashing a Burning Jealously. The water and fire mixed to create a steam cloud again, shrouding the tricky fox Pokemon.
"This trick again," Marlon said with his arms crossed, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. But this is the third time now." He said before grinning, "So, I think I have this plan figured out. Carracosta, use Shell Smash!" the Prototurtle Pokemon radiated a light blue aura. In one flex, the aura shattered, but its body glowed brighter with a new powerup.
"Uh oh," Yang commented as Neo gasped.
"Aqua Jet," Marlon said as Carracosta dashed forward through the steam cloud, ripping the air apart in search of Zorua, "Looks like it's in the water again," he said with the Prototurtle Pokemon diving in the water. Suddenly, Carracosta reemerged with Zorua at his head had taken the hit of the Aqua Jet.
"Ze!" Zorua recoiled in pain.
"…!" Neo gasped before pointing, causing Zorua to use fury swipes into Carracosta's face. However, this only stagged the Prototurtle Pokemon before he tossed Zorua aside.
"That's not gonna be enough," Marlon commented, "Smack Down." He said with Carracosta throwing a rock again, this time hitting Zorua and sending her into a lily pad.
"Tsk," Neo gritted her teeth before Zorua used Lash Out. The dark energy whips coiled around Carracosta's body to bind him.
"Gotcha ya," Marlon said as Neo gasped, "Head straight in for another Aqua Jet!" he said with Carracosta engulfing in water before dashing forwards.
"…!" Neo gasped as Zorua was unable to release the whips to dodge out of the way, "…!" the mute girl pointed as the tricky fox Pokemon unleashed a Burning Jealously. It was a direct hit on the Prototurtle Pokemon, but it was not enough to stop its momentum. Carracosta powered through and crashed into Zorua's body, sending the tricky fox Pokemon back and into a wall, "…!" Neo looked back to Zorua, who struggled to stand back up after that hit.
"You're a fighter, I'll give you that." Marlon commented, "But it's all over for you. Carracosta, one last Aqua Jet!" he said with the Prototurtle Pokemon.
"Ze," Zorua tried to get up to move out of the way of the attack but was too exhausted. She saw the Prototurtle Pokemon approach quickly. She used her Lash Out to bind Carracosta, but the Prototurtle Pokemon was pressing through it. Zorua looked over to Neo for what to do next. Her mute trainer had a look of worry on her face as she was racking her brain on what they could still do, but neither had any idea out of this, "Ze," Zorua said as she and Neo closed their eyes as she waited for the attack to hit.
"Don't give up," Yang called out, causing Neo to open her, "You can still win if you keep fighting!" the blond brawler said with the mute girl turning to her, "Don't give up!"
"…!" Neo gasped before nodding, turning back to Zorua, "…!" she passed the same message onto Zorua, to keep fighting.
"Ze," Zorua gritted her teeth as she still tried to hold back Carracosta with Lash Out.
"Not gonna work," Marlon said with a grin, "Use Scald!" he said Carracosta shooting a stream of boiling water from its mouth again directly towards Zorua.
Zorua's eyes were still closed, unable to see the incoming attack. "…!" Neo called out the income attack in her mind, causing the tricky fox Pokemon to open her eyes. However, they glowed with a blue light, "…?" Neo gasped as Zorua's body becomes surrounded by a crimson aura.
"ZE!" Zorua screamed as she raised her head and front paws, causing the aura to expand. A pink and crimson glowing force field of energy appears from the aura around the tricky fox Pokemon, "ZE!" Zorua slammed its paws down as the dark energy shockwave ran throughout the who area. Carracosta's attack was nullified by the power of this aura, pushing him away and landing the Prototurtle Pokemon on its back.
"…" Neo was in stunned silence.
"Wow," Yang said in shock.
"That move, it was Night Daze." Leaf spoke with a smile forming, "It's the Zorua line's signature attack."
"Neat," Yang said before looking back to Neo, "Now, let them have it."
"…" Neo nodded before pointing, causing Zorua to glow in a crimson aura.
"Quick, Aqua Jet!" Marlon called out with Carracosta covering itself in water before repositions its body. The Prototurtle Pokemon rocketed towards the tricky fox Pokemon at full speed.
"…!" Neo internally screamed as Zorua was about to unleash Night Daze. At the same time, Carracosta crashed into the crimson aura, creating a massive explosion. A silence fell over the area as the trainers waited for the smoke to settle. After a few seconds, the silhouette of the Prototurtle Pokemon, "…" Neo gasped as Carracosta was still standing.
"…Zehehe," Carracosta snicked before the illusion faded, revealing Zorua was still conscious.
"…!" Neo gasped again, then realized the real Carracosta coming to the surface of the water, his eyes swirling.
"Carracosta is unable to battle," the referee called out, "The winner is the challenger, Neo!"
"She did it," Yang called out in glee.
"Yeah," Leaf said as she saw Neo running across the lily pads, making it to Zorua. She hugged the tricky fox Pokemon, then checks to nuzzle against one another.
Neo then watched as Carracosta was recalled and Marlon then swam up to meet them, "You and your Pokemon did amazing out there," He said will before offering the mute girl a badge in the shape of a teardrop with three shades of blue, "And as proof, I offer you the Wave Badge."
"…" Neo nodded after accepting the badge, looking at it with a smile, then hugging her Zorua once again.
A short while later.
The trio of girls sat at a table in the Pokemon Center, "So, next stop is that Dragon Gym?" Yang asked Leaf.
"Unless you want to do that water obstacle course again?" Leaf asked with a grin.
"Nah, I'm good." Yang said before seeing Neo offering Yang the Dynamax band, "You want me to use that in my gym battle?"
"…" Neo nodded.
"Thanks, but I think I will be good without it," Yang responded, "We only do have one of those with us."
"Which is why I'll hold onto it," Leaf said as she took the bangle, "If I think one of you will need it for a match, I'll think about giving it to you then." She said before a noise was heard over the intercom, "I think your Pokemon are all healed up." The shrewd trainer said to Neo.
"…" Neo nodded as she got up from her seat and made her way to the front desk of the Pokemon Center. Nurse Joy handed a try of the four pokeballs to the mute girl, "…" Neo bowed her head before taking the Pokeball, but then saw something in the corner of her eye, "…?" in looking over, she saw a television screen with someone on it, "…!"
"So, you should think about training a bit before the next gym," Leaf suggested to Yang.
"Come on, I'll be fine," Yang shrugged off, "I beat if we leave right now, we can make it to town by night-" she was saying until Neo ran over, pulling on Yang's right arm, "Hey, what are you doing?" the blond brawler said as she was being dragged out of her seat by the mute girl.
"…!" Neo had a look of panic as she brought Yang towards the television, then pointed, "…!"
"Why, what is so important that you have to show-" Yang was saying as started to look at the screen, then gasped as she went silent.
Leaf walked over to the Yang and Neo looking at the screen, "What is with you two?" she said before looking at the screen, "That? It's just a Pokemon Contest, they have them all over in Hoenn and Sinnoh." She said before realizing something, seeing the person they were focused on, "Wait, do you know that girl?"
"Yeah," Yang said as she smiled, tears rolling down her eyes, "It's Weiss."
AN: There you go, Neo has her third badge and Zorua now has Night Daze. The battle was a lot of fun to write. I really liked the way Neo used Zorua's illusion abilities in the fight. Also, the Dynamax was fun to bring back. Still, I think the most important part of this chapter is the ending, which means as a sudden change, we are switching over to the WBH gang a few days prior to this event. That is all for now, thanks for reading, and hope to see you in the next chapter.