Episode 30: Dylan's Mentor! Inari's Fierce Gym Battle!
"Here we are in Tokyo!" Kris said, looking around in amazement. "There's so much going on here in the city. It's almost like being back in the US."
"There's plenty of Gym Leaders to try and challenge as well," Dylan added. "You know, the Japanese Pokémon League is actually the oldest League in existence. It was the Indigo League that standardized all future Pokémon tournaments and Gyms, even if it's not all about battling."
"Hey, where to Ashton go?" Aurora asked, looking around. "If we're going to take on the next Gym soon, I was sure she'd want to watch…"
"I'm here!" Ashton called, coming up to the group alongside Vulcan and Orochi, the trio all holding a comical amount of bags. "Sorry, but being in Japan I just had to pick up some souvenirs from my favorite animes! They have so much exclusive stuff here!"
"You're just lucky we get free plane tickets for the Gym Challenge," Kris sighed. She took the trio over to a billboard. "Anyway, here's the list of Gyms, Dylan. Which one do you want to take on?"
Dylan looked at the list, before gasping and smiling. "That one, here in at Shibuya Crossing!"
"Huh, it's an Ice-Type Gym," Ashton noted. "Why this one."
"Because it's run by an old friend," Dylan explained. "Remember how I went to do special battle training the year before we left on this journey? Well, this Gym is run by my coach during that training. I never expected her to become a Gym Leader, though…"
Heading to the Crossing, the trio found the Gym was set up inside a small tent. Entering it, the space was a simple setup, with a video screen on one side and a table on the other. Behind a sleeping Weavile was a woman with long brown hair and red glasses, wearing a battle-ready outfit. "Welcome to the Shibuya Crossing Gym! I'm Nia, nice to meet you!" the woman greeted.
"Good to see you again, Nia, Weavile," Dylan bowed.
Nia gasped. "Dylan? It's been so long!" She got up from her chair and gave him a hug. "How are Aurora and Vex doing? I missed you guys when you left the Ferrum League."
"We're doing good, Nia," Aurora said. "I may have learned to speak Human since we last met, and I've grown stronger as well."
"She's also got herself a new mentor!" Delphi stated, coming out of her ball to tease Aurora. "Hm, so you're the reason my Aurora is so strong? I'll be interested to see you're your Pokémon bring to the table, dearie."
Vex came out of his ball as well, giving Nia a nuzzle. "Good to see you too, Vex," Nia laughed. "Well then, if you're here that must mean you want to challenge my Gym, right?"
"You got it," Dylan nodded. "I'm guessing that we'll be doing it Pokken style, correct?"
"If you follow me outside, we can get started," Nia said, leading the trio out to the Crossing. With a press of a button a protective field came over the street, locking in the area where the battle would be taking place. "Okay then! This battle will be a three versus three match, with both teams switching Pokémon after one side faints. Whoever has the most points at the end wins. Both teams can use Support Pokémon as well."
"Support Pokémon?" Ashton asked.
"In a Pokken battle, both teams let their Pokémon decide the moves in a free-for-all martial arts match, with two other Pokémon able to be summoned in for a quick support move by the Trainer," Dylan explained. "As the fight goes on, you build up Synergy with your partner, until you can unleash that power in the form of a powered-up from and super attack!"
"We actually had some experience with Mega Evolution back in the Ferrum League, but we didn't have a Mega Stone to use it outside of the region," Aurora added.
"I'll be taking in Weavile, Empoleon, and Pikachu Libre," Nia said. "For Support Pokémon, I choose Ninetails and Mismagius."
"For my team, I choose Vex, Aurora, and Delphi," Dylan said. "And for my Support Pokémon, I choose Joker and Inari."
Both Trainers went to either side of the field, with onlookers stopping to watch the match. "Attention, people of Tokyo, a new challenge is about to begin!" Nia announced. "The Gym Leader Nia- that's me, by the way!- against the challenge, Dylan. Okay then, let's send out our Pokémon!"
Vex was sent out first, going up against Empoleon. "We better watch out for Ice moves. Nia is a master of the type," Dylan warned. "Luckily for us, Pokken battles don't care much for types: it's all about power here!"
"Noibat!" Vex cried, before energy surrounded his body, evolving in Noivern. The Sound Wave Pokémon gave a battle cry before lowering into a fighting stance.
"Weavile!" Weavile taunted, sharpening his claws before gesturing to Vex.
"Are you ready for this?" Nia asked. "Then let's… battle!"
Weavile ran in first, using Icicle Crash to create an icy platform to hang on. Vex shattered it with a Boomburst, before dodging Night Slash and flapping his wings, creating a Heat Wave attack. Weavile was sent backwards, but quickly faded from sight as the Sharp Claw Pokémon jumped in front of Vex, using a Fake Out attack.
"Their movements are different from other battles we've seen," Kris noted. "In fact, only Aurora has fought like this, up to this point."
"That's because Dylan is using his Synergy Stone to communicate with his Pokémon," Ashton said, pointing to the earpieces he and Nia were wearing. "I've heard that the Ferrum League uses a lot techniques found in Aura training that allows a Pokémon and their Trainer to fight on a different level from normal… I guess those rumors are correct."
Vex roared and went for Air Slash, using his claws to combo Weavile before grabbing the Sharp Claw Pokémon with his feet, flying up in the air before tossing his opponent to the ground. Weavile recovered from the attack, jumping up high with Icicle Crash and comboing with Fury Swipes, knocking Vex to the ground as Nia sent out Mismagius to use Ominous Wind to continue the assault.
"You've definitely improved since last time we fought," Nia said. "It's been a while since Weavile was this pumped up."
"I recall him and Vex having a rivalry of sorts during our training," Dylan mused. "But now is when we get serious. Time to Synergize!" In a flash of rainbow light, Vex became surrounded in an aura of dragon energy.
"I was thinking the same thing!" Nia smirked, using her Synergy Stone to give Weavile an icy aura.
"So this is the power of Synergy Stones," Kris said in awe. "Both of their Pokémon's power levels just went up. They're almost on the same level as Mega Evolutions!"
"With a Synergy Burst, all Pokémon can become equal on the battlefield," Dylan said, watching as Vex and Weavile traded Icicle Crashes and Dragon Pulses. "But there can only be one winner here. Let's do this, Vex."
"Weavile, go for Sonic Slash!" Nia called. Weavile rushed forward with ice-enhanced claws, only for Vex to quickly dodge out of the way! "What!? You dodged that?"
"Vex has been training to avoid ice moves, and now you've falling into our trap!" Dylan shouted. "Go for Meteor Burst!"
Vex let out a cry as he hit Weavile with a Boomburst, stunning the Sharp Claw Pokémon as their Burst Attack connected. Vex flew up high, summoning a massive Draco Meteor before splitting it apart with Dragon Claw. As the mini-Draco Meteors fell, Vex used Boomburst to direct the shards into Weavile, pelting the adversary into submission and knocking him out.
"Wow, that was intense!" Nia said, calling Weavile back. "Glad to know you haven't gone soft on me!"
"I've made sure Dylan is at the top of his game," Ashton said. "He has to face me in the finals of the World Tournament, after all!"
"Well then, onto the next round," Nia stated, calling out her Empoleon.
"I will take this one," Aurora stated, stepping forward while calling on her aura to calm her mind.
"You've got this, dear!" Delphi cheered.
Fight on, mentor! Inari added.
"Empoleon!" Empoleon cried, slapping his fins together like swords.
"Yes, we have had this battle coming for a long time," Aurora nodded, taking a fighting stance. "I've grown since then. Now, let me show you the fighting techniques of my ancestors!"
The two Pokémon clashed, Steel Wing meeting Meteor Mash she the two Steel-types traded blows. Empoleon then used Ice Beam to create an ice patch to slide along, with Aurora jumping over the attack in order to not be frozen up. The Lucario created an Aura Sphere in the air, before splitting it up into homing shots to track down Empoleon. With the grace of an ice dancer Empoleon jumped around the attacks, but did get clipped by a few of the spheres. Closing the distance again, Empoleon used Defog before Nia called in Ninetails, casting Will-o-Wisp on Aurora, lowering her attack.
"That should slow you down!" Nia called.
"We're not down just yet," Dylan said. "If we can't hit as hard, we just need to speed things up!"
Joker let out a cry as he swooped in, using Tailwind to give Aurora speed boost. The Lucario then went into a Bone Rush combo, ending it with a Water Pulse that knocked Empoleon away.
As the battle was going on, Team RedHot were watching from the rooftops, Aliana having a device out to record the battle. "This Synergy Burst technique seems powerful, master," she said, the team's mysterious boss on the other side of the call.
"It may be powerful, but it is nothing compared to what I have Tabitha working on," their boss said.
"I just need a few adjustments, and then I'm sure the device will work," Tabitha stated.
"Hey boss, what is this freaky ball you gave us?" Miror B asked, holding up a pitch black Poké Ball.
"that, Miror B, is what you will be using to capture the Lucario," their boss explained. "Once the battle below is done, release the Pokémon inside. Subject Crystal will do the rest."
Back with the Gym Battle, Aurora let out a cry as she burst into Mega Lucario form, with Empoleon using his own burst to gain a water aura. "Witness the power of the ancients!" Aurora shouted, rushing forward and delivering an aura-powered punch to Empoleon's face. The Lucario then delivered an uppercut, before dodging backwards and charging up her aura to the max.
"Aurora Storm Cannon!" Dylan and Aurora shouted, miming the same move as Aurora unleashed a massive beam wave of Fighting energy at Empoleon, soundly defeating him.
"That move was straight out of Dragon Ball!" Ashton cheered.
"It was impressive," Kris nodded, before her device started beeping. "Wait, I'm detecting a massive energy spike in the area. What is-?"
Her question was answered as a being bathed in darkness burst through the protective dome, landing on the ground in a crater. As the dark energy moved away, the being inside was that of a Suicune, though it's eyes were pure red and its fur was discolored by the evil aura that seemed to be infecting it.
Aurora flinched. "What is wrong with that Pokémon?" she wondered. "It's mind is clouded by pain and anger…"
"Wait, I think I've seen that before," Kris said. "That dark aura… my teacher warned me about that kind of energy. The Suicune… it's been turned into a Shadow Pokémon!"
Nia suddenly cried out, dropping to her knees as she took off her Synergy Stone. "I just got a massive amount of interference, as it someone hacked into my coms!"
"That would be us!" Tabitha shouted, revealing Team RedHot. "Our boss has sent us to catch that Lucario, and we will be doing just that."
"Fat chance!" Ashton shouted. "You may have a freaky Shadow Pokémon, but we've defeated you plenty of times before."
"I think you misunderstand what is going on here," Aliana stated. "Shadow Pokémon have no weaknesses, and are superior to all other types. Who knew that the way to unleashing a Pokémon's full power was to close off their heart."
"That's just cruel!" Kris exclaimed.
"That Suicune is suffering. I can feel that it hates the from you've put it in!" Aurora said.
"And who asked you?" Miror B scoffed. "We're just doing what our boss told us to. Now then, Suicune, Synergize!" The Shadow Pokémon roared as it tapped into Nia's Synergy Stone, gaining a dark ice aura as liquid darkness poured from the sky.
"It's presence is even created corrupted weather," Dylan said, wincing as the Shadow Rain stung. "Aurora, we've got to get out of here!"
"Not so fast: True Sheer Cold!" Tabitha commanded. Suicune sent out an aura pulse that caught Aurora off guard, the Lucario helpless as the Shadow Pokémon sent out a wave of ice, trapping the Lucario inside of it.
"Aurora!" Dylan shouted. "Guys, help get her out!"
Kris and Ashton sent out their Pokémon, but Suicune easily knocked them away as well. "It's useless! Shadow Pokémon are the strongest!" Miror B laughed.
Master… Inari whispered, looking at Aurora's frozen state. The Zorua growled, before charging as Suicune.
"Inari, don't!" Delphi cried.
Suicune just roared, pinning Inari to the ground and savagely clawing him. The Zorua took the hits, almost blacking out in the process. No, I must fight… for Aurora. You hurt Aurora! He screamed, the shadow energy of Suicune suddenly leeching off into the Zorua. Inari's eyes glowed as his body grew bigger, hair growing out wilder as his blue markings turned purple.
"Did he just… absorb the Shadow energy!?" Ashton shouted.
Kris gasped. "Wait, I've read up on the Zorua of Hisui. They evolve from the hatred in their hearts reaching a fever pitch, and since Shadow Pokémon are created from the hearts of closed-off Pokémon, Inari must have been able to jumpstart his evolution by absorbing the hatred from Suicune!"
Inari, now a Hisuian Zoroark, let out a primal scream as she pushed Suicune away. The Shadow Pokémon just huffed, using its ice to completely freeze the floor of the arena. "You will pay for what you've done to Aurora!" Inari shouted.
"And he can talk now!?" Ashton gaped.
"He's using my voice, though. I think Zoroark can simply just mimic voices they've heard before," Dylan pointed out. "Either way, we have to let Inari try. Let's do this, partner!"
Inari and Suicune squared up, before the final battle took place. Suicune went for Aurora Beam, but Inari phased into mist before reappearing to use Sludge Bomb. "Feel my pain!" Inari shouted, calling on his inner darkness to cast Bitter Malice against the Shadow Pokémon. The Zoroark then dodged a Blizzard before firing out Swift rounds, the stars digging into Suicune's fur.
"How is that runt actually fighting back!?" Tabitha shouted in surprise.
"It appears that he drained about half of Suicune's energy to evolve," Aliana stated. "They're on the same playing field now, even if our Shadow Pokémon is in a permanent state of Synergy Burst."
"Take this!" Inari shouted, using a Dark Pulse to clash against Suicune's Hydro Pump.
"Ugh, just use True Sheer Cold again!" Miror B ordered.
Before Suicune could do anything, Inari rushed forward, coated in his own Synergy Burst. "No, I'll show you my Burst attack instead!" he cried. "Take this: Bitter Vengeance!" The Zoroark clashed his claws together, his hair going wild as illusion energy gathered around him. Massive claws suddenly pinned Suicune to the ground, with the illusion changing to that of a giant Zoroark. The eyes of the illusion flashed, and Suicune soon blew up in a burst of Ghost energy, the illusion fading afterwards as the battle was one.
"Inari… you did it!" Dylan cheered.
"No way… How did we lose again!?" Miror B gaped.
"This retrieval mission was a failure," Aliana shook her head. Before she could recall Suicune, the former Team Flare Admin was struck by a psychic attack, with the ball reappearing in Delphi's hands.
"I knew that my Magician ability would be handy one day," the Delphox giggled. "No more Shadow Pokémon for you!"
Aliana growled, but Tabitha shook his head. "So what if we didn't capture the Lucario? We got enough data for our project. I'm sure Boss has done his part as well." With that, Team RedHot teleported away, leaving the Shadow Suicune behind.
As Ashton and Dylan worked to free Aurora from the Sheer Cold, Kris went over to the Suicune, calling out Madamefetch'd to inspect the Pokémon. "I know that you're suffering, but my mentor knows some people that can cure you from this poison," Kris said, putting a hand to Suicune's head crest. As she did so, a flash of memory came to her, of a Rockruff that helped her out back in Ancient Johto. "What was that…?" she wondered, before taking Suicune's Poké Ball and recalling it inside.
"There we go!" Ashton said, watching as Vulcan finally metled away the ice. Delphi caught Aurora as she fell from her prison.
"You okay, dearie?" Delphi asked, holding the Lucario bridal-style.
"I'm fine… just cold…" Aurora shivered. Delphi held up her wand, lighting a flame and holding it close to Aurora. "Thank you…"
"For all that just happened, you still managed to pull through," Nia said, approaching the trio. She frowned as she looked around the destroyed area. "That Shadow Pokémon did a number on the battlefield, though. I haven't seen a Pokémon like that since the Shadow Mewtwo incident before I started training Dylan. Either way, I think after that fierce battle, you deserve this."
Nia handed over a badge to Dylan, which depicted a Synergy Stone inside of it. "With this Ferrum Badge, it means that you've completed my Gym Challenge. Thank you for the great battle, Dylan!"
"Heh, looks like we came out on top," Dylan mused, giving a pat on the head to Vex as Aurora smiled. "And good job in your first major battle, Inari."
"I did what I could to be a dark avenger, like I promised Aurora I would become," Inari said.
"We should work on giving you your own voice to use though. It's weird hearing Dylan say all this edgy stuff," Ashton laughed. "So, where are we going now?"
"I want to take Suicune back to the states and get her cured of the shadow energy," Kris said. "You two continue on your Gym Challenge. We can all meet up back in New York city from there."
"Sounds like a plan," Dylan said. "Well then, your last Gym is next, Ashton. Where do you want to go?"
Author's Note
This was a lot of fun to write. Pokken Tournament is an underrated game, and I hope it gets a sequel someday.
Shadow Pokémon come from the Colosseum games (and I guess Pokémon GO as well now), and there were a few hints as to where that plot line is going next.
I want to finish this story this year, so I'm going to try and get more chapters out, at least two a month. See you next time for Ashton's last gym battle!