I pushed my dark hair out of my eyes, holding it there with one hand while staring at the X-transceiver on my left wrist. It was windy today, and storm clouds were closing in. It was going to storm. I couldn't help but think that was some sort of sign of things to come after what happened two nights ago.
I sighed and leaned back against the side of the hanger that Skyla used as her gym. Alex was inside, in the middle of her battle against the Flying type Gym Leader. I'd have been watching had it not been for Looker finally getting back to me.
"Alright, go ahead," I said to the tiny image of Looker on the wrist device.
"Thanks to your intel we were able to track the plane and safely secure it when it touched down in Castelia City," he began. "And we seized a ton of their drug known as Dream Shots."
"But..." I prompted after a few seconds of silence followed this news.
"But if your estimate of how many crates there were is correct, then we're missing more than several of them," Looker said grimly. "And we didn't find the Executioners onboard, nor anyone matching your description that you detailed as persons of importance."
I sighed, leaning my head back. "Were you able to find out where the crates disappeared along its flight path?" I asked, but I already knew the answer.
"Unfortunately no," he said, shaking his head. "We still have several teams out searching, but so far no leads. With the Executioners involved, it's unlikely we'll ever find them. That's not even the worst part."
That got my attention. "What?"
Looker sucked in a breath. "One of the crates containing the drugs held a nasty surprise. A bomb. Luckily one of our guys spotted it before it could go off and we were able to disarm it. But this is some powerful stuff here. And what you found out before about them planning something for Castelia..."
"We can then safely assume that the missing crates might have held more of these bombs..." I trailed off. "What should we do?"
"You and your friends should stay out of this," Looker advised sternly. "It's a miracle the Executioners let you go at all, but knowing you, I can't say I'm not totally surprised. You have the luck of the devil, Zeno. I'm hoping we won't need the help of ordinary trainers, so just continue on your travels. If something happens, leave it to us."
"Sure," I said, but I think even Looker knew that if something went down in Castelia, the three of us wouldn't be far behind. Luck of the devil was right. Half the time I wondered how I was even alive. Heck, the end of my journey should have happened before I even thought of running away to Alola.
Once the call was cancelled, I went back inside just in time to see Alex walking back to the stands. She wiggled the feather shaped badge in her hand. I smiled while clapping her raised hand. "Good job. My turn next then."
Alex grasped my shoulder, giving me a worried look. "You sure your battle plan is a good idea? What if you lose?"
"Win or lose it'll still be a good learning experience," I reassured her. "It'll be good for him. But let's be real," I patted her on the shoulder as I strode past. "We won't lose."
I could almost her her smirk as she called out, "Then go get 'em!"
"Are you ready to crash and burn?" Skyla called out to me as I approached the arena. I stopped within my box, enlarging one of my pokeballs.
"Not yet," I said, narrowing my eyes. "In fact, we're gonna soar."
Skyla laughed. "That's the attitude I want to hear. But let's see if you can match it with altitude."
A blonde woman in a flight attendant's outfit raised her hand on the side of the battlefield. "The Mistralton City Gym Battle between Zeno the Challenger and Skyla the Gym Leader will now begin! Only three Pokemon are allowed on either side and the battle will be over when the other trainer's Pokemon are unable to battle! Additionally, only the challenger may substitute Pokemon! Now begin!"
"Corviknight!" I shouted as Skyla yelled, "Skarmory!"
Both the Flying/Steel type and Steel/Flying type arrived on the battlefield on the ground and immediately locked eyes with one another. Feathers ruffled, clanking together as they narrowed their beady eyes at one another. Corviknight let out a loud angry caw while Skarmory let loose a furious metal shrill.
"What the heck?" I exclaimed as I watched both Pokemon glare at one another.
"I, uh," Skyla scratched the back of her head. "Skarmory, what's gotten into you?!"
Skarmory shrilled in indignation at her trainer's question.
"Uh, Robert!?" I yelled, glancing back at my friend. "What's going on!?"
"Hold on-" Robert was already typing furiously on his Robby. "Got it! Uh... Run down version, Skarmory and Corviknight are mortal enemies."
"Oh, great," I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Corviknight, I guess I don't need to ask if you're ready-"
A great squawk and a ruffle of metal wings. Grinning, I nodded. "Well if you're ready then, Skyla?"
"Heh, whichever way the wind blows, I follow." Skyla threw up her hand. "And right now it's blasting your way! Skarmory-"
"Corviknight-!" I thrust out my arm.
"STEEL WING!"
Both Pokemon soared towards one another, clashing midair with their wings before grappling one another with their talons. Corviknight squawked angrily and bashed his glowing beak into Skarmory's side, drilling it into his metal plating. Letting out a harsh cry of pain, Skarmory released his hold and flew back before being engulfed in a blazing blue aura.
A similar aura wrapped itself around Corviknight as both Flying types streaked towards one another, colliding with a massive CLANG! A wing sliced upwards and talons lashed out before both parted once again, soaring around the arena towards one another. Skarmory's wings began to glow blue as he slammed them into Corviknight's middle, but the Raven Pokemon spun himself around, slapping one wing down on Skarmory's back before following up with a slicing motion with his other wing.
Skarmory's eyes blazed as he fell towards the ground, pulling up just before he made contact and propelled himself back into the air. But Corviknight had vanished. Then there was movement from above. Corviknight had flown all the way to the top of the warehouse, claws digging into the metal, making him appear like a Crobat. He launched himself downwards with a strong beat of his wings, another blue aura racing across him as he began to spin, his beak glowing harshly.
Skarmory changed direction and blasted upwards towards him, matching him move for move. Their rotating beaks crashed into one another, creating a horrible nails on a chalkboard sort of noise before both Pokemon broke off from one another and flew past one another. Corviknight extended his wings, slowing his descent before he reached the ground. Skarmory continued upwards before faltering and came crashing down, creating a small crater with dust rising from the zone of impact.
"Skarmory is unable to battle!" The ref called once the dust had settled to reveal that Skarmory had fainted.
"Nice flying, both of you" Skyla praised as she returned her Pokemon. "It's rare to see a trainer with the skills to manage a Flying type in their element. How many?"
I blinked. "How many what?"
"Flying types of course," Skyla winked. "How many do you got?"
"Just Corviknight here and a Gyarados," I told her.
"Ooo, Gyarados are a real powerhouse," Skyla clapped her hands together.
"Yeah, but you won't be seeing him today."
"Oh?" Skyla cocked an eyebrow. "And why's that?"
I thumbed the pokeball clipped to my side fondly. "Let's just say today's gonna be initiation day for someone special. I just ask you don't hold back."
"Your wish is my command," Skyla threw up another ball. "Swoobat, let's fly!"
Corviknight shot for Swoobat, but the Psychic/Flying type dove beneath him and swooped back up to press her nose against Corviknight's back. A kissing sound followed a burst of psychic energy in the form of a heart that made Corviknight flinch. Swoobat followed up the attack by slashing her wings, the air slashing down on Corviknight, driving him down to earth where he crashed.
"Hone Claws!" I shouted. Metal gleamed from the dust cloud before Corviknight shot up into the air once more, a glow fading from him. Swoobat was closing in again. "Brave Bird around her!"
Corviknight blasted off behind Swoobat, avoiding her before she could let off an attack. "Hone Claws!"
"Prepping yourself up for an attack I see!" Skyla grinned. "Let's confuse the poor guy! Attract!"
Swoobat threw out her wings, stopping herself as she winked, a multitude of hearts shooting out towards Corviknight. "Brave Bird straight through it!" I commanded. "Let's take her out in one hit!"
"Not in this lifetime!" Skyla swung her hand. "Prepare to use Psychic!"
Corviknight blasted forwards, the blue aura encasing him shredding the Attract as he neared Swoobat, who's eyes were beginning to glow pink. I gripped a fist. "Now! Switch to Power Trip!"
The blue aura faded, but the momentum kept Corviknight going as dark energy blasted around him. Psychic energy crashed into him, but it did little to stop him before he slammed into Swoobat. Both Flying types fell to earth in a heap, fainted.
"Both Pokemon are unable to battle!"
"It's time," I returned Corviknight, switching his ball out with another. "Joltik, I choose you!"
The Bug/Electric Pokemon appeared, looking very tiny indeed on the big field. He turned to face me and I squatted down next to him, holding out my hand. He crawled, reaching out a limb and placing it upon my palm.
"Do you trust me?" I asked. I had to make sure. Never again would I use my Pokemon without considering their own feelings. I made that mistake in Kalos. Not again. But Joltik, despite quivering slightly, gave a nod, a tiny jolt of electricity transferring into my hand. I smiled. "Then let's win this."
"It's almost like you planned this," Skyla shook her head, smiling. "Come out my darling Swanna!"
Look up your past Pokemon battles and realize you tend to use Swanna in your battles? And then decide to pit Joltik who'll have a double advantage against said Swanna for his first battle? I smirked. "Let's just say the wind seems to be blowing in our favor."
Skyla laughed again. "I like your style! Swanna, begin with Air Slash!"
Swanna flew forwards, slashing her wings as the blades of air zoomed towards Joltik.
"String Shot onto her!" I shouted and Joltik fired a strand of web that stuck to Swanna's front and Joltik was pulled into the air, dodging the attack.
"How about we go for a ride!" Skyla swung her hand. "Aerial Ace!"
"Oh no you don't!" I roared. "Joltik, Thunder Wave onto the web!"
Joltik's body sparked and electricity shot from him as Swanna began to increase her speed. It shot up the web and sparked against Swanna, paralyzing her, causing her to falter mid-move. But the force of her sudden stop snapped the web and Joltik began falling.
"Hit him with an Air Slash!"
"Perfect!" I grinned. "Sucker Punch!"
Darkness gathered around Joltik's entire body as his body seemed to yank itself back up into the air before he hit the ground, zooming towards Swanna and hitting her in the head before bouncing off and being pummeled by the blades of air. He hit the ground, dazed.
"Hit him with another Air Slash!" Skyla ordered.
Swanna moved to obey, but her body spasmed and she dropped to the ground as electricity raced along her body.
"Quick, while she's down!" I yelled. "Joltik, hit her with an Electroweb!"
Joltik hauled himself to his feet and spat a blob of web that expanded as it flew towards Swanna, charging itself the moment it did so. It enveloped Swanna and she cried out in pain as the energy assaulted her.
"Let's speed up further by using Agility!" I told him and Joltik began hopping about on the spot, his movements suddenly getting faster.
Suddenly Swanna burst free from the electrified web with a burst of wind and she soared for Joltik, her wings glowing.
"You're small and fast, so use that to your advantage!" I shouted and Joltik leaped up, moving so fast he almost disappeared. Swanna flew to a halt, panicked as she tried locating Joltik. There, nestled in her feathers on her back, he sat.
"Swanna, shake him off!" Skyla yelled, equally panicked.
With a wide grin, I cried out, "String Shot!"
Joltik shot a web point-blank on her back, the strands shooting around her body, trapping her wings. She crashed to the ground and Joltik was shaken off from the impact. He skidded onto his legs, electricity gathering around him.
"Let's wrap this up!" I shouted.
The strategy had been a simple one. Like the same way I had Corviknight abuse Power Trip, I intentionally had Joltik lower Swanna's speed and increase his own. Joltik was weak compared to my other Pokemon, and he didn't have much fighting experience. In order to get him some actual experience against tough Pokemon, I had to be smart about it.
So, with all the pieces in play, I gave one last command. "Use Electro Ball!"
The gathered electricity shot from Joltik as an orb, slamming into Swanna, knocking her out instantly.
"Swanna is unable to battle, which means Zeno the challenger wins!"
"Great job out there, Joltik!" I praised him as he leaped towards me, landing in my arms. I rubbed his tiny head and he leaned into it. "You did good. Keep that up and you'll be a pro in no time." I glanced up at the stands. "See, Alex!?"
"Yeah yeah, never doubted you for a second!" She yelled back with a wink.
"Sure," I rolled my eyes before looking back at Joltik. "You're going to do just fine, Joltik. I promised to be a better trainer. I'm going to prove that by helping you become stronger. So let's take on Unova together, shall we?"
Joltik's response was a tiny jolt through my body, causing me to laugh.
"Well, that was certainly some interesting strategies," Skyla said as she came over. "You've earned this badge." She held it out the feather shaped badge. "Both of you."
I took the badge and held it to Joltik, who rubbed against it. I smiled. Despite losing to Clarity, and N seeking the power of this 'Dragon of Truth', I couldn't help but feel like things were finally going the way they should.
