Episode 17: Double Gym Battle! Showdown in the London Underground!
In the foggy city of London, our trio were on the hunt for their next gym badge. As the sun set over the skyline, a rumor was spreading that two up-and-coming Gym Leaders were holding a special event in the London Underground, also known as "The Tubes" by the locals. Near Big Ben was the Westminster station, where the sounds of rock music could be heard event from the outside.
"I guess the gym Leaders are musicians," Kris guessed. "Not that that's uncommon or anything. Heck, one of the more popular Gym Leaders here in London is a rock star himself."
"Let's see if they're willing to battle," Ashton said. "Vulcan's been itching for a battle."
The trio went into the underground, not having to go far down to see a unique duo rocking out for a small crowd of fans. The first person was a woman in cowboy gear with an open vest, ten-gallon hat, and long curly brown hair. She was playing the base as her Pokémon, a Krokorok, nodded along to the beat next to her.
In contrast, the man playing next to her was wearing a skin-tight jumpsuit, with flaming orange hair and a lightning bolt painted over one eye. He was both singing and playing the electric guitar and had the most fans in the crowd, all of them sporting the same lightning bolt design on their clothes. His Pokémon, a Morgrem, was casually sitting on the portable amp nearby.
"…Ziggy played guitar!" the man sang, finishing the song as the crowd cheered. "Thank you all for coming out to his concert tonight! A thank you to the city of London for letting us hold it right here in the underground. For those just joining us, I'm Ziggy- yes, like the song, my parents were cheeky like that- a local to London, and my friend here is Annie, all the way from the heart of Texas!"
"Glad to play for y'all," Annie said with a tip of her hat. "I'm more a country girl, but rock and roll is the next best thing!" The then eyed the crowd with a glint her in eye. "However, we're not just here to play music. We're Gym Leaders as well, so if any of y'all want to throw down with us for a badge, feel free to step up to the stage."
"Looks like that's our cue," Dylan said. He and Ashton moved through the crowd to reach the stage. "We'll take you guys on!"
"Oh, so we've got some challengers already," Ziggy said, holding the microphone down to them. "What's your name, kid?"
"I'm Dylan, and my friend here is Ashton," Dylan replied. "So, what's your gym challenge?"
"Not challenge here," Annie said. "Not enough space for that. Just consider enjoying our music while we battle to be one and we'll be square."
"Sounds fine to me," Ashton said. She pulled out a Poké Ball and summoned Azrael. "Let's do this!"
Dylan summoned Aurora, and the two Steel types gave a nod before taking to their side of the stage. Krokorok and Morgrem stood opposite to them, with Ziggy and Annie locking eye with their opponents.
"This will be a double battle, with two Pokémon for each competitor," Ziggy explained. "Other than that, let's try not to trash the train station, okay?"
"Get ready for our rocking performance, y'all!" Annie said, striking her bass as the battle began. The song "I Love Rock and Roll" started to play as the battle began, with Annie singing this time. "Give 'em a taste of double Torment!"
The two Dark types did just that, with Aurora and Azrael falling for the move. The Lucario sent out an Aura Sphere at Krokorok, but Morgrem took the hit for his teammate, falling to the ground in pain. Azrael took that moment to use Steel Wing on Morgrem, but the Devious Pokémon just smirked and used False Surrender, its hair jutting out to deflect the attack.
"That Torment was a good move to start off with," Kris said. "Now Aurora and Azrael have to cycle through their moves instead of only using super effective ones."
"Luckily, we're more prepared for that," Dylan said. "Aurora, cycle through Aura Sphere and Water Pulse!"
On it, Aurora replied, her voice more aggressive due to Torment. The Lucario continued focusing on Krokorok, the Desert Croc Pokémon dodging what it could before retaliating with a Bulldoze. Aurora flinched as her footing was shaken, leaving her to be caught off-guard by a Draining Kiss from Morgrem. I did not consent to that! She growled, punting the Devious Pokémon with a Meteor Mash, knocking him out.
"You did your best, Morgrem," Ziggy said. "Annie, do your thing while Mawile takes care of this!" Sending out his next Pokémon, Aurora was hit with an Iron Head, flinching the Lucario.
Azrael swooped in, using Pursuit for some chip damage, but Mawile suddenly started glowing as Ziggy began a guitar solo, a ring on his finger glowing as well as Mawile Mega Evolved! "Time for the solo!" Ziggy shouted.
"No way!" Ashton said in awe.
"Now we're in trouble," Dylan gulped.
Mega Mawile latched on Azrael as he swooped in for a Pursuit, delivering her own Sucker Punch before quickly following up with another Iron Head, sending the Skarmory straight to the ground.
"Finish them off, Krokorok!" Annie ordered, with her Pokémon using Bulldoze once more. Being grounded, Azrael took the full force of the attack, knocking him out, while Aurora barely managed to hang on. "And let's make sure we stay safe in all of this!"
Krokorok shouted, spitting sand into the air that started to swirl around the battlefield.
"That's Sandstorm," Ashton frowned. "It's risky, but Vulcan is our best bet against Mawile."
"Do it," Dylan said. "Aurora, one last move!"
I've got this, she nodded. Powering up her Aura Sphere, Aurora curved to go around Mawile and sock Krokorok right in the head, knocking the Sand Croc Pokémon out as Aurora was hit a Sucker Punch, knocking her out as well.
"We're all down to one Pokémon now," Ziggy said, starting up the next song. "And we've got a winning strategy."
"Get out here to win this, Excadrill!" Annie called. Her Subterrene Pokémon flashed her claws, ready for battle. "With this Sandstorm, your Fire type is as good as gone, girlie!"
Dylan smirked. "That's what you think, but we're about to rain on your parade. OR should I say, Hail on it. Got win this, Poli'ahu!" The Artic Vulpix gave a cheer as she was sent out, the sand fading as snow fell down instead. "We've still gotta be fast, but I'll back you up for the win, Ashton!"
"You kids pulled one over on us," Ziggy admitted. "But we're not gonna give up now! Mawile, rage on with Iron Head!"
"Go for Rock Slide, Excadrill!" Annie ordered.
The two Pokémon rushed to attack, with Vulcan and Poli'ahu dodging out of the way and retaliating with an Aurora Veil and Flame Wheel. Staying on the offensive, Vulcan continued to Flame Wheel at Mawile, with Poli'ahu backing him up with Frost Breath to keep their enemies on their toes.
The two teams went back and forth trading blows, Vulcan tanking most of the hits and jumping to avoid and Bulldoze attacks that Excadrill send out. Kris was enthralled in the battle, taking notes while Maui watched on, cheering for his friend to win.
"The songs almost over," Annie said.
"And so is this battle!" Ashton noted. "Vulcan, finish them off!"
"Back him up too, Poli'ahu!" Dylan called.
The Artic Vulpix used Frost Breath, doing extra damage on Mawile and Excadrill. Vulcan ran in with one last Flame Wheel, meeting Mawile in a standoff with Iron Head, the two clashed, but the heat of Vulcan's flames turned blue, giving the Quilava the power to push past his limits and break through Mawile's attack, defeating the Mega Evolved Pokémon and blasting through to knock out Excadrill as well.
Ziggy and Annie stopped playing, recalling their Pokémon as well. "Well, I guess the shows over," Ziggy sighed.
"Good job, you two," Annie said, hiding her face with her hat.
"Good job, Vulcan!" Ashton cheered.
Poli'ahu cheered for her friend as well, jumping around the Quilava as he looked proud of himself. Suddenly, Vulcan started glowing, his blue flames exploding around him in a brilliant display of pyrotechnics.
"Vulcan…?" Ashton said hesitantly
When the flames faded, the Quilava was no more, instead being replaced by a might Typhlosion! Vulcan looked at his new form, then nodded to Ashton and flared his flames, now permanently blue in color.
"That final clash with Mega Mawile must have pushed Vulcan hard enough to trigger his evolution," Kris said.
Ashton looked at Vulcan and smiled. "Now you're even more awesome that before!"
"What a way to end that battle!" Annie laughed. "I wonder if this is what Cousin Clay meant about the excitement of battle."
"Cousin Clay, as in the owner of one of the biggest corporations in Texas?" Dylan asked.
"The same one," Annie nodded. "But I decided that music was my passion instead of the family business."
"You know, the two of us are from Texas," Dylan said.
"No, I'm from space," Ashton butted in.
"Ignore her," her friends sighed.
"Either way, here's the badge for winning our match," Ziggy said. He handed both of them a badge that was shaped like a guitar, one side pink and the other side tan. "That's the Tour Badge for ya!"
"And with it, both of us are now halfway through our journey," Dylan said.
The two didn't have time to bask in their victory, however, as something shook the entire train station, making the crowd mumble in worry. Quickly heading outside, the trio and Gym Leaders were shocked to see what had caused the ruckus. A gigantic Malamar towered over Big Ben, with civilians all shouting in fright at the sight of the oversized Pokémon.
"That's not good," Kris said dully.
"Aren't giant Pokémon a staple of battles here in the UK?" Dylan asked.
"They are, but only in stadium matches," Ziggy said, pulling out his phone. "We gotta call some friends to help deal with this. A Dynamax Pokémon on the loose is never a good sign."
"Look upon me a tremble, puny humans!" the Malamar shouted, laughing evilly as he looked downwards at the fleeing civilians. "The time for my world conquest has begun!"
Author's Note
Ziggy (OC)- A Fairy-type Gym Leader that's inspired by the character of the same name from a David Bowie song. He's long-time friends with fellow rocker Piers, though the two were rivals growing up.
Annie (OC)- a Ground-type Gym Leader who's the younger cousin of Clay from the Unova league. She plays bass in a country rock band back home in Texas.