"I'm coming to you live from the Newmex Gym where it appears that another challenger has come to battle our gym leader: Antonio." A reporter claimed. The news that Davis was challenging the gym spread over the whole city and they were acting like it was a big event. "We're all hoping for a splendid battle and... Wait. It looks like the challenger is coming here." She said as they all saw Davis and the others heading their way. "Excuse me! Can we get a word?!" She called as they all the reporters acted like a stampede.
"Uh... Are they talking to us?" Davis said as this was unusual. All of them surrounded him and his friends with a whole bunch of questions.
"Do you mind telling us your strategy to battle Antonio?"
"What kind of pokemon will you be using?"
"How do you feel about reporters asking questions?"
"Uh... This is rather weird." Davis said.
It would seem that Davis' gym battle against Antonio is a bigger deal than he expected. Despite that, he can't allow it to distract him from winning this battle and earning his seventh badge.
Pokemon
It's a battle, win or lose
It's the friends you make
It's the road you choose
We've got the right stuff
So make your mind up
And find the courage inside of you.
If you're strong, you'll survive
And you'll keep your dream alive
Let the battle begin
Pokemon
Be the best you can be and find your destiny
It's the master plan
The power's in your hand
Pokemon
(Davis' voice) It's Battle Magic
This gym was unlike any gym Davis has been to before. It was more like a stadium than an actual gym and it was packed. Tetsu and Cletus were hooked with private sections for them to watch the battle.
"Wow. The gym is more like a sports arena." Tetsu said. "People didn't make this big of a fuss when he battled you, and you had a fan club watching."
"Antonio is like a superstar." Cletus said. "I know he says he likes performing, but this might overdoing it since he's suppose to be a gym leader. I just hope Davis doesn't let this distract him."
"It's time once again for Antonio to battle another challenger. Will Antonio be the victor or does this trainer have what it takes to defeat him? We are about to find out. Hoping to earn his seventh badge, here's...Davis Motomiya!" Davis and Imperialdramon came running out with the crowd being a good sport and cheering for them.
"Wow. I've never seen a gym like this one before." Davis said.
"Never would have expected a crowd." Imperialdramon said as they were amazed with this place.
"Now, here comes our beloved gym leader...Antonio!" That was when a puff of smoke exploded on the other side and Antonio was standing there.
"I welcome you to my gym, Davis." Antonio said. "I hope you don't mind the crowd. I'm sorry for the theatrics, but sometimes you've got to give the people what they love." Seeing him made the crowd go wild for him.
"They do think he's a superstar!" Cletus said.
"And Davis is just the supporting role." Tetsu said. "Antonio must be the most popular gym leader there is or something. I just can't believe he would allow a spectacle like this."
"Well, it's actually not a bad idea. Making it seem like the crowd is against you is not a bad way to affect the challenger's judgement." Cletus said. "As long as Davis stays focus on the battle, he should be fine. Of course, it all depends on how Antonio battles."
"I hope you don't mind the crowd, Davis." Antonio asked.
"I don't mind at all. I'm here for a battle, but that doesn't mean we can't put on a good show." Davis said. "So let's get this party started."
"Here we go!" The ref said as he ran out and took his position. "The gym battle between Antonio, the gym leader, and Davis, the challenger, will now begin. Each side will be using three pokemon. The battle will be over when all three are unable to battle. During the battle, only the challenger is allowed to substitute pokemon. When both of you are ready, you may begin!"
"What pokemon work best against fairy-types again?" Tetsu asked.
"Steel-types and poison-types." Cletus answered.
"Then Mawile and Venomoth are his best chance." Tetsu said.
"Let's see what you can do, Davis." Antonio said as he had a pokeball appear in his hands. "Come, my lovely assistant: Gardevoir!"
"Gardevoir!"
"Gardevoir..." Davis said as he reached for his pokedex to try and learn more about this pokemon.
"Gardevoir, the Embrace Pokemon. A psychic and fairy type, and the evolve form of Kirlia. Sometimes, for it to protect its trainer, Gardevoir will expend all its psychic power and actually create a small black hole."
"Well, let's see what he's really go. Mightyena, I choose you!" Davis called.
"Migh!"
"What?! Why is he using Mightyena?!" Tetsu said.
"Gardevoir might be a psychic-type, but its fairy-type attacks will do massive damage." Cletus said.
"Interesting choice... What are you up to?" Antonio said.
"You'll find out soon enough. Mightyena, Fire Fang!" Davis said as he got the battle started. Mightyena charged right in with fire around its fangs.
"Protect!" Antonio said with Gardevoir forming a barrier around itself and blocked Mightyena's attack. "Now use Moonblast!" Gardevoir gathered moonlight and threw it right at Mightyena with some massive damage being dealt. "Sorry, Davis. You should know that dark-types are weak against fairy-types."
"Maybe, but this is really strong against fairy-types. Iron Tail!" Davis ordered. Mightyena pulled itself together and smashed its tail right against Gardevoir with some damage really being dealt now. "Now use Bite!" Mightyena sank its teeth into Gardevoir and caused a small explosion to go off and that was enough for Mightyena to win.
"Gardevoir is unable to battle! Mightyena is the winner!" The ref claimed. Antonio losing like that was quite a shock to his fans.
"I see... Mightyena knows a steel-type attack. Clever." Antonio said.
"Mightyena, that was great. However, you should rest for now. It's only going to get tougher from here." Davis said as he brought Mightyena back knowing the other two battles won't be as easy as that.
"Well, my pokemon and I won't go down so easily. Come, my lovely assistant: Sylveon!" Antonio called as he chose his next pokemon.
"Sylveon!"
"Sylveon?" Davis said as he pulled out his pokedex again.
"Sylveon, the Intertwining Pokemon. A fairy-type, and the evolve form of Eevee. It uses the ribbons to send soothing feelings to erase hostility, but it is capable of aiming for an opponents weak points."
"It's one of Eevee's evolve forms... Well, it's going down all the same. Mawile, I choose you!" Davis called.
"Mawile!"
"A fellow fairy-type with it also being a steel-type. This is sure to be interesting." Antonio said as he readied himself for this battle.
"Fairy Wind!" Both of them said. Both pokemon used the same attack with them clashing against each other and creating a sparkling twister. Mawile tried to endure the battle, but soon lost sight of Sylveon. Even when the wind disappeared, Sylveon was gone. Mawile tried looking around for it, but it was too late as Sylveon's ribbons tied around Mawile from behind. Then, Sylveon thrashed Mawile against the field.
"Now throw Mawile and use Disarming Voice!" Antonio said. Sylveon threw Mawile up in the air and blasted it with a sonic attack with Mawile taking little damage and crashed against the ground. "Now use a Shadow Ball barrage!" Sylveon unleashed a barrage of Shadow Ball attacks and each one was blasting against Mawile.
"Use Brutal Swing and hit them all back!" Davis said. Mawile fought back as she took her jaws and smashed them against all the attacks to keep them away. "Now use Iron Head!" Mawile charged straight at Sylveon and smashed right against it.
"Sylveon, Fairy Wind!" Antonio called. Sylveon unleashed the attack and it was enough to push Mawile back. Mawil tried her best to endure the attack, but something was wrong. Her vision was getting blurry and it seemed like Mawile was breathing a bit hard. "Shadow Ball!" Sylveon unleashed the attack with Mawile getting blasted and she was knocked out of the battle.
"Mawile is unable to battle! Sylveon is the winner!" The ref declared.
"What?" Davis questioned.
"I figured Mawile would have lasted longer." Imperialdramon said. Despite that, Mawile still lost so Davis hurried over and lifted her up.
"You okay, Mawile?" Davis asked.
"Mawile..."
"It's fine. Just get some rest." Davis said as he brought Mawile back in her pokeball.
"Hey... Did it seem like Mawile got weaker for a moment? Sort of like Mawile unexpectedly lost some strength?" Tetsu questioned.
"You're right. That was rather strange. Maybe Mawile took more damage than we thought." Cletus said. Putting it behind them, Davis got his next pokemon.
"Let's finish this! Venomoth, I choose you!" Davis called.
"Venomoth!"
"Yes! Since Venomoth's a poison-type, he's got the advantage." Tetsu said.
"Perhaps, but the problem is that the only poison-type attack Venomoth knows is Poison Powder, which just poisons the opponent and not actually deals damage." Cletus pointed out and Tetsu realized that's a big problem.
"Venomoth, Gust!" Davis called. Venomoth started flapping its wings and unleashed a strong gust, but Sylveon was enduring.
"Sylveon, let's use Copycat!" Antonio called. Sylveon glowed cerulean for a moment and then unleashed it's own Gust with Venomoth getting blasted. That surprised Davis and the others.
"What just happened?" Tetsu questioned.
"Copycat is a move that copies the last attack the opponent uses." Cletus said.
"That's not going to stop us! Psybeam!" Davis said. Venomoth kept battling as it fired the beam from its eyes.
"Disarming Voice!" Antonio called. Sylveon used the attack and the two of them ended up colliding and canceled each other out. "Now use Copycat and copy that psychic-type Psybeam!"
"No you don't! Supersonic!" Davis called as Venomoth acted faster. Venomoth unleashed the sonic wave with Sylveon getting confused and not attacking. "Now use Gust!" Venomoth unleashed the gust of wind again with Sylveon getting hit hard and was blown away with Sylveon taking too much damage.
"Sylveon is unable to battle! Venomoth is the winner!" The ref declared.
"Sylveon, return. You were lovely." Antonio said as he brought Sylveon back. "Davis, you're doing rather well. However, I'm afraid our show has to come to an end. Come, my lovely assistant: Florges!"
"Florges!"
"I've been waiting for this. Venomoth, let's go!" Davis called with Venomoth ready to battle. "Venomoth, Psybeam!"
"Florges, Energy Ball!" Antonio said. Both pokemon used their attacks only to have them cancel each other out.
"Venomoth might not last much longer, and Mightyena will be at a big disadvantage. I've got to give Mightyena the edge in case things don't go well." Davis said. "Venomoth, get up close and use Poison Powder!" Venomoth tried flying in close to poison Florges with the powder.
"Now use Flash!" Antonio said. Just as Venomoth reached Florges, Florges unleashed a bright light that made it difficult for Venomoth and for Davis to see. Venomoth tried using that poisonous powder, but it wasn't quite reaching Florges. "Very good, Florges. Now use Psychic to hold Venomoth in place." Florges used the power of her mind and held Venomoth right where it was with Venomoth taking serious damage. Venomoth kept trying to get out as it was still using Poison Powder. "Finish this with style! Dazzling Gleam!" Florges shined a rainbow color and smashed right into Venomoth. By the time Davis could see again, he saw Venomoth was blown across the field and landed near his feet with it taken out of the battle.
"No! Venomoth!" Davis called as he tried to help it.
"Venomoth is unable to battle! Florges is the winner!" The ref declared.
"Quite effective with how he used Flash to temporarily blind his opponent so they can't counter." Cletus said.
"What's Davis going to do now? Mightyena is all he has left." Tetsu said. "Even with Iron Tail, he's at a big disadvantage." It wasn't looking good for Davis.
"What now? One hit from Dazzling Gleam and it could all be over?" Imperialdramon questioned.
"We're just going to have faith in Mightyena. Mightyena, let's go!" Davis called. Mightyena came out, but was already breathing rather hard. 'I've got to time our attacks just right, but what do I do if they use Flash. That light is so intense that... Wait! That's it!'
"Not going to attack? We shall then, but let's make sure you can't escape. Florges, Flash!" Antonio called with Florges getting ready to use the attack.
"Mightyena, swing your tail around while you're using Iron Tail! Make sure you close your eyes!" Davis called.
"Migh!" Just when Florges used Flash, Mightyena swung its tail around while using Iron Tail. When that happened, the light from Flash reflected off the tail and it hit Florges right in the eyes. Florges was the one blinded this time.
"Now go and strike!" Davis called. Mightyena charged right at Florges and smashed its Iron Tail against Florges with some damage being dealt.
"I don't believe it! He used our own Flash against us!" Antonio said as he was amazed by that. Florges tried getting back up, but Antonio could tell that something was hurting Florges. "Florges? What's wrong?" He got a closer look and saw Florges was sick and getting sicker. He soon figured out why. "Oh no! A small bit of Venomoth's Poison Powder must have reached us after all. Florges, we must end this! Dazzling Gleam before it's too late!"
"It's already too late! Iron Tail once more!" Davis called. Since Florges was poisoned, Mightyena was able to move faster and struck Florges with attack. The attack knocked Florges right out of the battle and it was over.
"Florges is unable to battle! Mightyena is the winner!" The ref declared.
"Oh yeah! We won!" Davis cheered.
"Amazing! He really turned it around!" Tetsu said. "I've got to admit that what he just did was rather incredible!"
"Yeah, but I'm not sure the crowd agrees." Cletus said as the audience was silent. They might not have liked that Antonio lost, but he accepted it as he walked over to Davis and his pokemon with him clapping.
"Davis, that was truly a splendid battle. I wish you good luck in your future battles." Antonio said as he held out his hand.
"Thanks a lot, Antonio." Davis said as the two of them shook hands and the whole crowd cheered for both of them as it really was an amazing battle.
"You did great, Davis!" Tetsu called as he and Cletus came down to them.
"You managed to win your seventh badge. You only have one more to go." Cletus said.
"Yeah. I just need one more badge and I can enter the Centros League." Davis said.
"Only one more, huh..." Antonio said. "If you haven't decided on that gym yet, may I suggest the Calforn Gym in Calforn City? It's a fabulous gym in a fabulous town with an incredible gym leader."
"Calforn City... Hold on! Isn't that where Flint is from?!" Tetsu said.
"That's right! He said his mother is the gym leader and he wants to be like her." Cletus said. "That means that gym's specialty is with fire-types."
"A fire-type gym that could have a fiery hot battle? Sounds perfect for my eighth gym battle." Davis said as he was getting fired up at just the thought.
"Until we meet again." Antonio said as he turned away and walked off.
"Antonio, wait!" Davis called and stopped him. "You forgot about the badge."
"Ha. Just check your pocket!" Antonio said. Davis searched around his pockets and felt something. He pulled it out and saw it was really the badge with it shaped like a pink eight-point star. "That is the Magic Badge. It is proof that you have won here."
"How did he do that?!" Davis questioned.
"Well, a magician never reveals his secrets." Tetsu said as they just rolled with it.
"Yeah! The Magic Badge is all mine now!" Davis called.
"Yeah/Migh/Veno/Wile!"
Davis has managed to earn his seventh badge. With it, he is just one badge away from entering the Centros League, and it sounds like he has already found where his eighth badge is being held. Things will be heating up real soon, so you don't want to miss any of it.
To Be Continued...