Track 45 - Martyr No More
"This will be a single, three-on-three battle with no substitutions! When all of one side's Pokémon have been defeated, a winner will be declared!" the referee explained for the fourth time. "Trainers, are you ready?"
Ulani had made it through her Top 16 battle and now it was Enoka's turn. Across the battlefield stood Gladion. Leinani wanted her rival to win, but she wasn't sure how much of a chance he'd have against the mysterious Gladion. If there was ever a good chance for Leinani to study the boy with eyeliner, now would be the time.
"Ready!" Enoka exclaimed. Gladion simply nodded.
"Begin!"
"Forretress, come on out!" Enoka said while he threw his Poké Ball forward. His Pokémon with the iron-hard shell emerged and floated in the air. He looked out at Gladion through two perfectly circular eyes.
Gladion slowly drew out his Poké Ball from his belt and then held it out in front of him. "Easy. Go, Porygon-Z!"
"Our Top 16 battles continue with Enoka versus Gladion! Both of them were able to get through the other rounds with ease, but how will they fare against one another?" the announcer wondered.
A multi-colored electronic bird materialized on the field. Its eyes were deranged and its movements were erratic.
Enoka pointed his finger upward and grinned. "Forretress, start this battle off with Spikes!"
Forretress quickly began to spin, and he launched iron barbs from his body and into the air. The barbs landed right below Porygon-Z, who wasn't concerned with them.
Gladion smirked. "We'll deal with those later. Tri Attack!"
Porygon-Z forced itself to stop moving around. It focused its eyes on Forretress and pointed its arms forward. Its beak and two arms started to glow in different colors: yellow, blue, and red. It unleashed three separate beams that swirled and combined. The beams connected with Forretress, but the Steel-type didn't appear bothered.
"Gyro Ball!" Enoka shouted.
Forretress started to spin again, and his body was covered in silvery energy. He shot down the field, blasting his way through Porygon-Z's tri-colored beam.
"Keep them back with Thunderbolt!" Gladion commanded.
Porgyon-Z unleashed sparks from its body. They zipped down the field and made contact with Forretress, but the Steel-type was unwavering. He crashed into Porygon-Z, forcing him back. Porygon-Z was forced into the ground, but it quickly returned to the air, now with bloodshot eyes.
"Tri Attack! Give it all you got!" Gladion shouted.
Porygon-Z released the tri-colored beam once again. It blasted into Forretress after he had stopped spinning. The Steel-type was strong, but he could no longer pretend that he wasn't taking any damage. He floated backward as he took the attack, and once the beams disappeared, flames suddenly exploded off of Forretress' body.
"Oh no!" Enoka exclaimed. "Fight through it and use Gyro Ball!"
Forretress groaned as he start to spin once again. He was much closer to Porygon-Z this time, so he didn't have to use energy to get down the field. Porygon-Z attempted to move out of the way, but once Forretress built up speed, it was impossible to dodge. Porygon-Z was batted back once again, but Forretress' strike was much weaker.
"Now, Bug Bite!" Enoka shouted.
Forretress, using the fact that Porgyon-Z wasn't knocked far away, was able to come to a stop and then lunge forward. He was engulfed with dark green energy, and he clamped his shell down onto Porygon-Z. The abnormal Normal-type Pokémon let out a terrible shriek, and once it became silent, it collapsed to the ground.
Gladion, who usually had a calm look to him, stared at his fallen Pokémon with shock in his eyes.
Leinani huffed and then folded her arms. "All talk, Eyeliner? Do better."
"Porygon-Z is unable to battle! Forretress is the winner!"
Forretress' eyes were happy, but as the fire erupted from his body again, he slowly lost some air. He turned around and returned to his side of the field, almost unable to stay airborne.
Gladion withdrew Porygon-Z, and he didn't have to give his next Pokémon a second thought. He threw a Premier Ball into the air, and a Pokémon with dark blue fur and a red feather coming from the top of his head materialized on the field. He wasn't a large Pokémon, but he had an intimidating and mischievous look to him.
The spikes that Forretress had set started to move. They suddenly targeted Weavile and shot for him. One by one, they collided with the Pokémon, doing minimal damage. When they finished, they settled back into the ground, waiting for Gladion's third and final Pokémon. It didn't take too much of Weavile's willingness to fight, but before he could even do a single move, he was already hunched over.
Enoka scratched the back of his head. "You know that my Forretress is a Steel-type, right? He'll run right over your Weavile."
"Don't worry about me," Gladion responded.
"We won't!" Enoka said with a grin. "Gyro Ball!"
Forretress started to spin, and he shot forward. The metallic energy coated his body as he prepared to run over the Ice-type Pokémon.
"Dodge!" Gladion shouted.
At the last second, Weavile leaped into the air. Forretress started to slow down, as his ailment prevented him from attacking for an extended period of time.
"Brick Break, now!"
Weavile's long claws started to glow with chi. He made his descent, and his eyes narrowed as he focused in on Forretress.
"Use your Iron Defense!" Enoka desperately commanded.
Forretress focused, and a silvery aura surrounded his body. Weavile cut through the aura with his chop, but it softened the blow. He held out and pushed down, trying to break through Forretress' thick armor.
"Forretress, Bug Bite!" Enoka yelled.
Flames exploded from Forretress once again, but he fought through the pain. Dark green energy surrounded his body, and he snapped forward, clamping the front of his shell down onto Weavile's leg. The Dark-type let out a loud shriek, making some in the crowd cover their ears.
"Weavile," Gladion said calmly, "finish this!"
Weavile gritted his teeth and raised his long claw once again. The chi collected in his claw, and he hammered it down. Forretress let him go and finally collapsed to the ground, unable to stay afloat. Weavile backed away from Forretress with a limp. Had the Pokémon still been conscious, Weavile would have kicked him for good measure.
"Forretress is unable to battle! Weavile is the winner!" the referee announced.
"And Weavile evens out the score!" the announcer said while Enoka withdrew Forretress. "But, it looks like Weavile didn't get through his battle without a scratch! Gladion still has a lot to do if he wants to catch up with Enoka!"
Enoka thought over his next choice. He slowly drew out a Poké Ball and looked at it.
"Not sure what to do?" Gladion asked. "We're waiting."
"I just don't want to embarrass you," Enoka said. "But, fine. Go, Dhelmise!"
A Pokémon that had possessed parts of an old sunken ship appeared in the air. It rocked its anchor back and forth like a clock while it stared down the field at Weavile.
"You've chosen a Pokémon naturally weak to Weavile," Gladion said with a smile. "You thought that I was making mistakes. Maybe you should have taken more time to think. I'm sorry for taunting you."
"Oh, my Dhelmise has the perfect counter for your little Pokémon," Enoka responded. "Finish this with one shot! Anchor Shot!"
"Dhel," the Pokémon cooed in a deep voice. It rocked its body back and forth before launching its anchor straight down the field. The anchor was still connected to the rest of its body by chains made out of ghostly energy.
"Dodge!" Gladion shouted.
Weavile moved to the side, avoiding the attack and explosion caused by the heavy anchor hitting the field.
"And Night Slash!"
Weavile looked up to the steering helm with the ghostly eye. His claws extended with dark energy, and he ran down the field as fast as he could.
"Escape with Phantom Force!" Enoka instructed.
Weavile slashed outward, but moments before he could make contact, Dhelmise opened up another dimension and floated backward into it. Dhelmise's helm disappeared, but his anchor remained on the field. Weavile came back to the ground and looked around, confused by the maneuver.
"Weavile, they can come back from anywhere! Be careful!" Gladion warned.
But almost as though Dhelmise predicted Gladion would say something, it emerged back into the battlefield directly behind Weavile. It swung its small body, slamming its helm into the back of Weavile's head.
As the Dark-type keeled over from the attack, Dhelmise used its ghostly energy to reconnect with its anchor, taking its full form once more.
"Now, Power Whip!" Enoka ordered.
The seaweed around Dhelmise's body extended. It cracked against the ground around Weavile before swinging and batting directly into the Dark-type Pokémon. However, Weavile held onto arm-like seaweed.
"That's how you do it! Ice Shard!" Gladion shouted.
Weavile held out tightly with one arm while he raised his other upwards. His claws were encased in ice before he brought it down, ripping up parts of the seaweed. Dhelmise was forced to let go, and it whimpered as its seaweed fell weakly to the ground. Some of the ice from Weavile's strike had stuck itself to the seaweed.
"Finish Dhelmise with Night Slash!" Gladion commanded.
Weavile looked down at the seaweed and then the helm and anchor portion of Dhelmise's body. His claws extended with black energy, and he ran down the field, ready to deal the final blow.
"Got ya! Anchor Shot!" Enoka said. He clicked his tongue and then did finger guns at Gladion.
Dhelmise took aim and blasted its anchor one more time. This time, Weavile had picked up too much speed to jump out of the way. The anchor connected with the Ice-type Pokémon, launching him back to his side of the field.
The referee observed Weavile and then held up his flag. "Weavile is unable to continue! Dhelmise is the winner!"
"This battle has been intense! Two powerhouse trainers slugging it out for their home region of Alola!" the announcer said, reminding the crowd that they were watching hometown boys.
Dhelmise slowly pulled back its anchor and frostbitten seaweed. It was a Ghost-type Pokémon, but it was still sensitive. Enoka wasn't quite sure if it even liked battling.
Gladion withdrew his Weavile and then contemplated his next move. He slowly pulled a Poké Ball from his belt and then stared at it.
"What? Nervous?" Enoka said in a mocking tone.
"A little bit," Gladion responded. "But, no matter. Go, Type: Null!"
Gladion's next Pokémon materialized on the field, receiving confused murmurs from the crowd. Gladion looked from side to side, trying to gauge a reaction from any of the Aether Foundation's staff members. None of them seemed to respond in any noticeable way.
His Pokémon was a quadruped creature with confusing features. Its front two legs were green and had claws on the end, while its hind legs appeared canine in nature. Its tail was a massive fin, implying that it could have been Water-type. The Pokémon's head was encased in a rusty steel box with an axe protruding from the top.
"I've never seen a Pokémon quite like this," the announcer said. "What did Gladion call it?"
Leinani pulled her headphones off her head. She had been listening to heavy rock music, but upon the appearance of the mysterious Pokémon, she wanted to get a better look.
"What's this Frankenstein creature?" she wondered.
Before anyone could get a better look, the spikes that Forretress had set up emerged once again. They shot into the air and battered against Type: Null. The creature was taken by surprise and took a few steps back. But once it tried to retaliate, the spikes disappeared back into the ground.
"Type: Null, it's okay," Gladion exclaimed. His voice had seemingly soothed the Pokémon, and Type: Null relaxed. Gladion pointed out to Dhelmise. "That's your target! Use X-Scissor!"
Type: Null focused its attention on Dhelmise, and the axe on its head started to glow with dark green energy. He then sped down the field and leaped into the air. Before Enoka could say anything, Type: Null came down onto Dhelmise and slashed outward. The Ghost-type was knocked back a few feet, and his anchor dragged against the ground.
"Earthquake!" Enoka ordered once he realized that Dhelmise was yet to faint.
Dhelmise dug his anchor into the ground and then moved it forward, sending fissures down the field. Once the fissures reached Type: Null, some of the ground raised. It shook, Type: Null lost its footing within the cracks.
"Mystery Pokémon or not, we're gonna win this!" Enoka exclaimed. "Power Whip!"
Dhelmise raised his damaged seaweed limbs and extended them outward slowly. The ice had made it difficult for Dhelmise to move.
"Iron Head!" Gladion ordered.
As Dhelmise hammered down his strike, Type: Null's axe began to glow with metallic energy. He took Dhelmise's strike with ease.
"Now, X-Scissor!"
Type: Null slashed through the seaweed, causing Dhelmise to screech from the pain. He then pulled his feet from the ground and started to sprint down the field.
"Disappear!" Enoka instructed.
Before Type: Null could reach Enoka's side of the field, Dhelmise disappeared into the ghostly dimension, and all went quiet.
Enoka grinned. "This battle is ours! Dhelmise, Anchor Shot!"
The ghostly portal opened up above Type: Null.
"Aerial Ace!" Gladion suddenly shouted.
As Dhelmise came through, Type: Null leaped into the air. Its axe started to glow with white energy, and it slashed at Dhelmise. The two Pokémon came back to the field, but only Type: Null landed cleanly. Dhelmise's anchor smashed into the ground, and its helm collapsed.
"Dhelmise is unable to battle!" the referee announced. He looked at Enoka's Pokémon with an unsure look on his face. "Type: Null is the winner!"
"We're now down to one Pokémon each!" the announcer said. "Gladion's Pokémon has taken some damage, but Gladion wouldn't have made it this far without some adversity!"
Enoka withdrew Dhelmise and looked at the odd Pokémon. By looks alone, he couldn't quite get a read on it, but after seeing it resilience in battle, he knew it was strong. If Enoka was going to win, he would have to hit it with everything he had.
"Go, Incineroar!" Enoka shouted while throwing his Poké Ball forward. Enoka's first Pokémon emerged on the field and immediately extended his arms. With a loud shout, the flames around his waist exploded in an intimidating fashion.
"No time to appeal," Enoka said. "Use Cross Chop!"
"Fight back with Aerial Ace!"
Incineroar crossed his arms while he bounded down the field. Type: Null's axe started to glow with white energy, and with one jump, he leaped to meet Incineroar in the middle. The two Pokémon clashed, but they held out momentarily, neither giving an inch.
"X-Scissor!" Gladion ordered.
Once the energy from both attacks had subsided, Type: Null changed up its strategy. This time, it focused the dark green energy to its claws. With one swift strike, it knocked back Incineroar.
"Don't let it get away with that! Darkest Lariat!" Enoka instructed.
Before Type: Null could retreat, Incineroar took three large steps forward. He ran his bicep into the metallic box that shielded Type: Null's face. The Normal-type was lifted off the ground and thrown backward.
"Keep it going with Thunder Punch!" Enoka shouted.
Incineroar's left fist sparked with electricity, and he jabbed at Type: Null. But, the odd creature was prepared. It simply pivoted to the side, narrowly avoiding Incineroar's strike.
"Crush Claw!" Gladion shouted.
Type: Null put together both of its front claws, which started to gather power. It brought both of the claws down onto Incineroar's upper back, tossing the Fire-type to the side with ease.
Enoka punched his fist outward. "Don't give them an inch! Use Flare Blitz!"
Incineroar quickly recovered and then roared. He dragged his front paws against the ground while the flames around his waist became intense. He was engulfed with flames and then started to dash down the field. Before Gladion could give a command, he crashed into Type: Null, causing an explosion.
Leinani put her hand to her chin. "You could of dodged that, Eyeliner."
The referee and crowd were forced to wait for the smoke to die down. Once it did, it revealed that both Pokémon were still standing, but both were wobbly.
"X-Scissor!"
"Thunder Punch!"
Neither one of the Pokémon needed to expend energy to run. Instead, they both swung their bodies. Incineroar's fist met with Type: Null's axe. They held out momentarily until the energy of their attacks caused yet another explosion. Both Pokémon were forced back, but neither was ready to give in.
However, sparks emitted off of Type: Null's body.
"Yeah! We did it! This battle is ours!" Enoka exclaimed.
"It looks like Gladion's Pokémon has been paralyzed! What does this mean for the rest of the battle?" the announcer exclaimed.
"Don't matter! We're ending this!" Enoka yelled while he held up his wrist. His brown Z-Crystal started to glow, and Enoka began his ritualistic dance.
"Not if we can help it!" Gladion responded. He revealed his own Z-Crystal, this one white. He frantically started his dance, and the crowd watched on with bated breath.
"It looks like we're gonna get a clash of Z-Moves! Everyone, hold onto your seats!"
"All-Out Pummeling!"
"Breakneck Blitz!"
The two trainers gathered the energy and sent it to their respective Pokémon.
Incineroar growled as chi surrounded his body. He snickered and then dashed forward.
Type: Null was surrounded by the white energy, but as soon as it tried to step forward, the sparks emerged, and its muscles were shocked into stopping.
Type: Null and Gladion could only look on as Incineroar came down the field. Once he reached Type: Null, he released an all-out attack. Using chi, he kicked, punched, and headbutted. Type: Null could only sit there and take it. With one last punch to the side, Type: Null was thrown into the air. It crashed back down in front of Gladion, unable to get back up.
"Type: Null is unable to battle! Incineroar is the winner! The victory goes to Enoka!" the referee announced while the crowd erupted into cheers.
Gladion withdrew Type: Null and then looked up at the screen. His face was removed from the tournament bracket while Enoka's picture moved on to the Top 8.
"With this victory, we now know the match-ups for tomorrow! Everyone, please bring your eyes to the screen."
Ulani put her hands together and brought them to her chest. She almost didn't want to find out who she'd be battling, as the process of preparing for battles was mentally tasking.
When Leinani saw the bracket, she sighed and then tapped Ulani on the shoulder. "Let's do our best, alright?"
Ulani's eyes widened, and she looked at her rival. "O-okay. I won't lose!"
"First Charlotte, and now Ulani. Is this what a conference is like? I have to battle all of my friends?" Leinani thought out loud as she walked back from the restaurant. She had gone alone. Her family knew that she needed some time alone after her dramatic day.
"Hey," a voice whispered from the side.
Leinani stopped and cocked her head. She looked down a dark alleyway. Other kids her age would have screamed and run. But, she liked the idea of 'self-defense.' So, she called back.
"Who's there?"
Then, Gladion stepped out from behind a dumpster. "It's me."
"Hey, Eyeliner. You're creepy."
"Can you talk?"
Leinani sighed and then nodded. She looked up, noticing a security camera that monitored the streets. She walked into the alleyway and out of sight.
"Whaddup?"
"Was today convincing?" Gladion asked.
"Convincing?"
Gladion nodded. "Yeah. I let your friend win. I'm too strong for most of the trainers here, and if I wasn't careful, I was going to win."
"Excuses."
"It's really not," Gladion said. "For the next couple of days, I'm gonna be investigating the Aether Paradise. My sister and my dad are still missing, and I think it has something to do with Ultra Beasts."
"Or other legendary Pokémon," Leinani suggested.
Gladion tilted his head and looked at Leinani curiously.
"I'm just spitballing here. I'm pretty sure we had a run-in with some Aether dorks when my bro and I were on Poni Island. They were after a legendary friend of ours," Leinani explained.
Gladion put his hand to his chin. "My Type: Null is a legendary Pokémon. I actually helped it and some of its friends escape from this place a few months ago. I took a risk using it today in my battle, but I wanted to try to get the Aether Foundation to move. I wanted to see how they'd react."
Leinani wasn't sure what to believe. She folded her arms and then cocked her head. "Look, my goal is to win here. I know that you miss your sister and papa, but have you tried just going to the authorities?"
"They don't believe me."
"I barely believe you."
"And, I think my mom got to them before I could. They're paid off to push it all under the rug."
"You are conspiracy city, Eyeliner. Alright, what do you want me to do?" Leinani asked.
"Stay in the tournament. Keep doing what you're doing. I don't think that the Aether Foundation is going to do anything while they have the strongest trainers in Alola on the island. Whatever they plan to do, they're going to do it after the conference. All of the foreign trainers will go back home and some Alolan-born trainers will go to other regions."
"And, I'll be battling the Elite Four!" Leinani exclaimed.
Gladion laughed. "Okay, yeah. Well, let's say that doesn't happen. I've seen you battle. Think you could hang around for a couple of weeks? Where are you going after the conference?"
Leinani hadn't put any thought into it. She only knew one path, win.
"None of your business," she said.
Gladion folded his arms. "That's fair. Good luck tomorrow. Stay sharp."
"Don't tell me what to do," Leinani said before she turned around. "Don't get caught snooping."
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
So, Enoka moves on! And, Gladion is now going to seriously look into the Aether Foundation. I'm excited to get into that aspect of the story. But first, Leinani vs. Ulani!