"Charizard is unable to battle!"
"As such, the winner is competitor Ash!"
The announcer's words rang through Allister's head as he watched the final battle of the world coronation series finally conclude. Ash pulled through, and defeated the undefeated Champion of Galar. Who would have thought?
"It's over!"
"A new champion is born today!"
"Hailing from Pallet Town in Kanto, Competitor Ash!"
The masked gym leader smiled underneath his cold mask. It was rare for him to be smiling, but how could he not? He helped Ash's Gengar achieve its Gigantamax form. Seeing the shadow Pokémon deal the first blow against Leon's team ignited some pride within himself...it was foreign feeling.
Allister contemplated for a moment but then switched off his Rotom Phone. The boy leaned off the wall and began walking through the empty halls of his gym. It wasn't spectacular or grand like most other gyms of Galar but it was home to him. The young gym leader would eventually step outside to see the bright sun shining down.
"It's nice outside." He said to himself before looking at the other distant Gym of Stow-on-Side.
The boy who can see spirits continued to look onward, he suddenly had an impulsive idea. An idea that was inspired by the boy who claimed the world championship mere moments ago.
"I wonder how Bea is doing." He muttered to himself, as he took his phone and began dialing.
"Woah, that was incredible!" Korrina exclaimed with her arms stretched out in excitement.
"It truly was." Bea agreed with her fist in the air. "He has truly surpassed the king of Galar."
Before she could say anything else she heard her phone go off. She reached for the right pocket of her skirt and saw that her friend Allister was calling her. Her eyebrows went up in surprise, because it wasn't normal for him to initiate a phone call so she was a bit curious as well.
"Who is it?" Korrina asked, squishing her face against Bea.
Bea blinked and created distance between them. She didn't mind the close proximity, but sometimes it was unexpected.
"Korrina, we talked about personal space, remember?"
"Oh yeah, sorry." Korrina apologized as she chuckled slightly.
Bea couldn't help but laugh as well. "It's alright but I'll be in the back room." She said pointing to the door behind them. Korrina gave her a nod as Bea walked toward the doorway.
With her now alone, she answered the call.
"Allister?" She said softly.
"H-Hey Bea?"
"Yeah?"
"Could you help me with something?"
"Sure, what do you need?" She replied back.
"It might be best if I asked you in person, do you mind?" He asked quietly.
Bea pondered for a moment and she finally answered. "Of course not, I'll be on my way."
When Bea came back to the room, she was greeted by Korrina who had a popsicle in her mouth.
"I'm going to leave to see Allister." Bea said as she grabbed her satchel and hung it around her shoulder.
Korrina gave her a thumbs up before taking out another wrapped popsicle seemingly out of nowhere. "Would you like one before you go?"
Before Bea could turn the doorknob, she looked at her fellow gym leader and smiled.
"Sure."
Bea ran toward the nearest taxi service and once she found one, she was happy to see a familiar face. It was the same taxi man who came back to deliver her phone to her during one of her training trips.
"Hey again, miss." The cabbie man greeted as he tipped his hat. "Where are we going this time?" He asked, opening the door to the cab.
Bea hoisted herself into the taxi cab and turned to the Cabbie man. "Stow-in-Side gym please."
"You got it." He said as he closed the door behind her and began to climb on to his saddled Corviknight.
"Let's go buddy." He affirmed his partner.
The Corviknight gave a sharp nod as it flapped its wings to ascend to the dimming sky. As they flew, the sky took on a twilight color scheme and Bea couldn't help but admire the scenery.
'It's beautiful.' She thought to herself.
Even with all the regions she traveled to, her home region of Galar, was just a league of its own. The towns, the people and Pokémon made it special, though it could be said the same by many others who have their own experiences. Galar was tough but elegant in a way that couldn't be described by anything else. Bea wanted to be stronger but she also wanted to be more humble, that's why she wanted to help Allister in any way that she could.
She grew up with strict parents, but she somehow managed to befriend Allister at a young age. He was always picked on or casted away as some found him to be creepy. She was like an older friend that would protect him from harm but sometimes she wished Allister would defend himself. If only she could assist him in getting stronger, both mentally and physically.
Perhaps a change was needed, she thought.
After an hour or so, the raven Pokémon began to descend. Bea noticed through the cab window that Allister was waving from the entrance of the gym. It was night out, meaning the spirits were out and about as Allister would say. She was always intrigued by Allister's ability to see ghosts without issue, and based on his stories, she was kinda glad she didn't.
She took a breath and opened the taxi cab door. The gym leader hopped out and proceeded to thank the taxi man's service. She took a berry out of her satchel and tossed it in the air. The Corviknight was quick to react and caught it mid air. Bea smiled, before turning around to the main gym of Stow-in-side. She casually walked toward Allister, who was seemingly nervous about something.
Once close enough, Bea opened her mouth to speak.
"Hi Onion." She greeted him with a warm smile.
"H-Hi." He said as he looked down.
It was a nickname that Bea came up with as Allister's hair antennae reminded her of a stem, plus he wore a white mask, one of the colors of an onion.
"What's wrong?" Bea asked, "You said you wanted to tell me something."
"I-I uh- just follow me." He stuttered before taking Bea's hand, leading them to run across the hallway entrance.
They eventually reached the arena with Allister letting go of Bea's hand. The young boy would then go to the middle of the battlefield with the older girl following close.
The Ghost type gym leader would then face Bea and bow his head suddenly.
"Please teach me how to get stronger!" He practically yelled out.
That request was not something she expected so she asked more to narrow it down.
"What do you mean to get stronger?" Her eyes furrowed.
"I-I want you to train me, so that I can one day battle Ash! Just like you did!" He exclaimed as his eyes began to emit a purple hue.
Bea was still puzzled but continued the conversation with her own views "But Allister, you are already strong enough, you became a gym leader at the age of ten!"
"New trainers don't start their journey until that age!" She continued, pointing to Allister. "You're twelve now, meaning you've been running this gym for two years already."
"I know but I want to get stronger than just in Pokémon battles, I want to get strong like you!" He spoke as he took off his mask.
"Every time I see you battle or even train, I couldn't help but admire you!"
"I want to be confident and strong minded like you." He finished as small tears began forming on the corners of his eyes. "I'm just tired of being this way, being shy and..."
Bea's expression dropped as she saw him tear up. She knew Allister was sensitive but for him to willingly take off his mask meant serious business. She put her hand on his head in an effort to comfort him.
"Hey now don't cry." She whispered. "I'll help you in any way I can."
"You will?" Allister sniffed.
"Of course, we're friends aren't we?" Bea assured.
"C-can we go somewhere tomorrow?" Allister timidly asked.
"Yeah, where to?" Bea replied.
"Postwick." He muttered.
"I don't see why not." She agreed, putting a hand on her hip.
Within the next morning, both Gym leaders rode on the train to Postwick passing the wild areas filled with Pokémon. It was a long trip but they kept each other company by talking about their own encounters with Ash.
"Oh that's right you helped his Gengar achieve its Gigantamax form." Bea remembered, sitting in the opposite seat across Allister.
"Mhm." Allister confirmed.
"Ash was truly an enigma." Bea said as she took a sip of her tea given by the train staff.
"He sure was.." Allister whispered.
"Though I must say that It was completely uncharacteristic of you to help someone by your own will, usually you avoid any sort of interaction." Bea raised an eyebrow.
Before Allister could say anything, the train came to a halt. Then an announcement soon came throughout the train car saying they had indeed arrived at Postwick. The masked boy stood up from his seat and ambled toward the exit, not even looking back to his friend nor even saying a word.
"Hey wait!" Bea called out as she hurried behind him.
Once she got out of the train however, he was nowhere to be seen. It was going to be one of those games, the good old fashion hide in seek.
"Allister..." Bea pinched her nose in slight annoyance. With her being competitive, she tightened her gloves.
"Alright Allister, challenge accepted."
She promptly jogged across town, seeing the people caring for the Wooloo within the fences or the shops selling merchandise and goods. The town of Postwick was simple yet had so much life.
As she continued to search she felt something wet land on her hair. She peered upward to see the gray clouds surrounding the sky.
"Great." She said simply as rain began to pour heavily.
The gym leader quickly started to sprint, passing a decorated house through a gate toward a nearby forest. The forest was covered with thick fog, with the trees being enough to provide some sort of shelter from the weather. A distant howl could be heard in which Bea ignored it for now as she was trying to find her friend. She knew that Allister likes hanging around places that could bring solitude and this was the perfect place.
After a few minutes or so the karate prodigy came across a broken down red bridge next to an abandoned shelter out in the open. She took a step forward but then felt something poke her side. She flinched and saw that Allister was the one behind her.
"Hey!" Bea laughed, "Don't do that!"
"S-Sorry I thought it would be funny." Allister chuckled, moving his sleeved hand to cover his masked mouth.
If there was anyone that Allister was completely comfortable with it would be Bea. Their friendship was something they would always be grateful for.
"So why did you want to come here?" Bea asked, moving her hand through her silver hair.
"I-I guess I just wanted to hang out here..." Allister answered, connecting his index fingers in a shy manner. "This forest is a place where I can just think."
Bea hummed, seemingly taking the answer for now. They both stood there, admiring the gloomy atmosphere as the wind whistled through the trees. It was comforting silence until the younger one spoke up.
"I want to get stronger...can you help me with that?"
Bea looked down to him. "Allister you're already strong, you don't-"
"Please j-just hear me out!" The masked boy interrupted with hands flailing out.
"It's just...seeing Ash and Gengar battle Leon inspired me." He started, clutching his fist "If you do help me...I know that we will travel to a far away land...but wherever we go, I know that I can trust you Bea."
Bea was silent before kneeling slightly down to Allister. She stared deeply into his eyes, trying to find some kind of hesitation.
"If you want me to train you, I want to see your eyes telling me so." Bea said sternly. "I want to see that determination that is hidden behind this mask." She said, flicking his mask.
Allister took a step back before his pale hands shakily grabbed each side of the mask, he hesitated but his spirits pulled through as he yanked the mask off. He threw it away, landing in a pile of mud.
"I want you to train me, no holding back." He confidently exclaimed as his eyes shined with the violet aura. His arms stretched out, in full display, there was no doubt that he was telling his true intentions.
"There it is." Bea smiled proudly, she walked forward to her friend and pinched his cheek causing Allister to falter.
"Ow w-what was t-that for?" Allister asked while rubbing the irritated side of his face.
"That was for disappearing on me and making run through the rain!" Bea scolded.
"O-oh sorry about that." He apologized, skipping away to find his mask.
"We'll begin training next week, so be prepared to go somewhere new." Bea announced while stretching her arms.
"Where exactly?" Allister asked, clipping his mask back on.
"A place known as Paldea."
One week later...
"Thanks again!" Bea called from the taxi cab's communication box.
Bea and Allister were on a trip to the border of Paldea, wearing their traveling attire but had their gym outfits in their respective bags.
"No problem, miss." The Cabbie man radioed as he tightened his grip on Corviknight's harness. "We're gonna land real quick since I can Gigantamax now!"
The dynamax band he wore was glowing brighter as they flew across the twilight sky. It was such an extraordinary experience to see such power unleash within the region of Galar. Pokémon becoming behemoths was truly a sight to see.
"I just need to adjust the Taxi cab so that it's secured for it!" He yelled as they landed on a nearby mountain.
Once on the ground, Corviknight let go of the cab and created some distance. The phenomenon of Gigantamaxing took place in mere seconds, increasing the raven Pokémon's size drastically. Once adjusting the taxi cab on Corviknight's head, they skyrocketed to the sky.
"We should reach Galar's furthest borders more quickly this way, though Paldea is still far away." The taxi man whispered to himself.
Inside the taxi, Bea was on her phone just looking over the news. All she saw was the new world monarch being announced and the occasional news feed about Hoenn's newest top idol being a girl from Kalos. After some time scrolling, she felt a small pressure on her shoulder, she looked to see that Allister had fallen asleep, with his mask still on.
'I really hate that mask...' she thought distastefully.
She turned off her phone and laid her head on the back cushion and sighed tiredly. Soon she too would fall into a deep slumber.
It took several days to reach their final destination, stopping multiple times in Kalos to give Corviknight a well deserved rest. By the third day, they had finally made it to the grand region of Paldea.
Once the door was opened, the two gym leaders were immediately blinded by sunlight. They shuffled out of the cab and stretched out their limbs. The area was very open with grassy plains going for miles. Flowers flowed gracefully with the current of the Paldean winds. In the distance, there were watch towers that seemed to be ancient but still standing firm in place.
"So this is the place we'll train?" The ghost gym leader questioned as they trailed through the grasslands.
"Yup, and we're lucky enough the next gym challenge sign ups don't open for three months from now, so you and I are going to train hard during that time." Bea answered, pointing to her companion and to herself.
"That is true." Allister mumbled.
Then suddenly they heard a loud screech coming from Corviknight after some Pokémon with giant hammers slowly approached them.
"Sorry miss! I gotta leave now, I don't want those pink goblins going after my bird here!" The Cabbie man hollered out while climbing up his saddle.
"That's alright, thank you again! See you in three months!" Bea called out across the grassy field. Moments later, their Corviknight taxi service was up with the clouds, getting smaller and smaller the farther they went.
"Now let's start our first workout known as walking." Bea said, pointing to a trail.
"For how long?" The younger one asked.
"For however long it takes us to reach the city of Mesagoza." She said stoically while taking out a map out of her satchel. Allister nodded simply as they began on the dirt trail.
It took them about six hours as the moon replaced the scorching sun. During that time Allister began sleep walking with Bea only noticing when his glowing eyes were dimmed out. It was kind of strange how Allister's eyes could do that but even so she carried him on her back to the famous city.
She was glad she was wearing her workout fit. Similar to her gym outfit but more casual, had her signature colors. Allister however wore his gym coat with baggy pants, not really good clothing choices for what they are here for but they can buy new clothes here anyway.
It was gonna be a long three months of training but she was still excited to begin her training.
Once the next day came, Bea and Allister were at an open field. The sun was barely getting up but Bea made it a short lesson that waking up early can improve their training sessions.
Soon enough Bea got into her signature stance and began speaking.
"In order to get stronger you need to get strong in the physical sense as well!"
"It'll take time, but I believe you have the potential."
"Anyone can change for the better but not all have the drive to do so!"
Allister nodded diligently.
"Come on, show me what you got." Bea said as she raised her fists.
This was gonna be a rough couple of months he thought to himself.
Once three months passed, it was time for them to return to Galar. Bea promised they would do this every year, taking three months to train and to grow together.
The first year was all about building mental strength which even then it was difficult for Allister to learn but still improved nonetheless. His stuttering was mostly gone, he grew more confident but without the mask he reverted back to his shy nature. Bea needed to find a way to break his attachment to that mask.
In the second year, Bea taught him self defense first in a way to defend himself whenever he wasn't around his Pokémon or her. They walked, ran, and hiked mostly to build muscle. They would set up tents, talk about the latest news like when the world monarch disappeared from the public eye or watch the live performances from Kalos and even got to witness a new Kalos Queen being crowned.
As the years went by, their training became tougher and dangerous. Bea began to release her fighting type Pokémon to help with the training process. They sparred with Machamp in which Bea was careful this time around as Allister was still getting used to handling a punch from the four armed Pokémon.
They celebrated their birthdays together near campfires and ate sweets until they were a laughing mess under the Paldean stars. Bea turned nineteen with Allister pushing sixteen. Overall they were close friends who enjoyed life as it was, though not without its changes. Their home region of Galar was changing technologically during the Clemontic Wave, a gym leader from Lumiose city wanted to share the light to the world as he announced during his public conference. His company, known as Clemontic Industries, began to release airships for public transportation and as a way for Taxi services to have resting stops in the air.
The World champion was rarely seen, only showing up to battle whoever challenged him or when the media press surrounded him. Many people weren't sure if the Monarch could ever be beaten. However, the new generation of trainers were slowly but surely making their mark, like the famous ace trainer who commanded a giant serpent Pokémon known as Zygarde. It was a force to be reckoned with but it was still shrouded in mystery.
Only time will tell of what the future holds...
"Come on, show me what you got!" Bea shouted in her fighting stance. "I want to see your improvement from our last couple of fights."
"Alright" Allister nodded as he went for the Hang stance.
The recently turned seventeen-year old boy took a deep breath and began running directly at her at full speed but unfortunately fate had other plans as he immediately tripped on a rock. He fell face first to the ground with an audible cracking sound on impact...
Bea could only blink, she was truly flabbergasted by what just transpired.
When he got back up, Bea took notice that his mask cracked a little. Allister seemed to notice as well and he slid his gloved fingers down the crack.
"I- uh...no no no!" Allister swiftly pulled off his mask to inspect the damage. "My mask is broken!" He gasped.
"Don't worry I'm sure we can fix it up." Bea calmly stated as she reached for the mask. However, when she grabbed it, the mask instantly split into two.
"Uh oh."
Days later...
"In Kitakami, a Pokémon called Poltchageist can fully seal the pieces together." Allister stated expertly. Since he had no mask, he hid under the hood of his new coat.
"I see, well you're lucky I'm a popular Gym leader that can afford tickets there." Bea joked while sitting on a seat next to Allister. They were on one of the new airship models sent out to Paldea from Kalos. They were able to traverse oceans and long distances which was perfect for what they needed.
After a few hours, the docking bay was opened for passengers leaving Allister and Bea to walk around the land of Kitakami, a perfect place for many tourists they soon realized. There was loud music and festivities but the friends weren't there for that reason sadly.
During their search for the ghost Pokémon, they saw a strange looking airship that wasn't like any they had seen. It seemed to have metal wings and looked like a boat with a giant air balloon attached to it.
"Well that's a strange model..." Bea squinted as the airship flew into a group of clouds.
"I don't think that airship is a part of Clemont's fleet." Allister pointed out.
"You're probably right, it looks too makeshift."
"We should probably get going Bea." Allister pitched in, walking toward an entrance to a forest.
They walked for what felt like hours with no luck on locating Poltchageist. They did find many other Pokémon such as Mankey or a Hatenna. With every passing moment Allister couldn't help but feel a bit frustrated, having no way to hide face made him uncomfortable. He may have grown but he still felt the same even after all this time. Maybe Bea's effort was wasted? No Allister couldn't think that. They would find a solution, it just hasn't been found yet.
"I think it's time to rest for now." Bea suggested. Allister turned around and sighed, seemingly agreeing as the night fell over them. Setting up their individual tents, they collected dry wood from the forest and began to light a fire. They sat on tree logs and watched the fire crackle with the smoke flowing in the night sky.
Allister took out his broken mask from his bag and pieced them back together.
"We'll find it eventually, Allister." Bea smiled.
"You've been saying that for the past few hours." Allister snapped, well guess he was acting like a moody teenager tonight.
"Oh I'm sorry." Bea apologized, baffled. "Why do you still need that dumb mask anyway?"
"It's precious to me, you know that." Allister said as he drew his hood over his eyes.
"That mask serves no usefulness here, Allister." Bea argued, getting up slowly.
"That thing has been holding you back from your true potential, why can't you see that!" She continued.
"You don't know anything." Allister rolled his eyes, curling up his body more.
Bea's eyebrows furrowed in slight agitation, over the years they had their ups and downs. They had dumb arguments like any other friendships would have but ever since Allister became a teenager, it was a bit more difficult to deal with. In her belief, the mask was just another obstacle that he had to overcome but he was too blind to see it. Bea became nicer over the years but perhaps maybe she should be bold, just for tonight. She peered at Allister and she got a risky idea.
"Hey Allister?"
"What?"
"Is that the Pokémon we've been trying to find behind that tree?" Bea spoke, pointing behind him.
Allister turned his attention away, creating an opening for Bea to snatch the mask right off his hands. Before he could react, Bea was already running away deeper into the forest.
The eyes of the ghost gym leader glowed intensely as now he was angry at how she played a dirty trick. Allister launched himself off the broken down tree he was sitting on and took out his Dusk balls from his satchel. He released them in the air with the energy spewing out his laughing Pokémon. His team consisted of Gengar, Runerigus, and Chandelure.
"You three help me find Bea, get my mask but don't hurt her." He commanded as his ghosts vanished into the ground. Allister started pacing to the direction where Bea went but suddenly felt something move in his satchel.
Oh
It was his Primeape that he evolved from a Mankey. He caught it during one of their outings in Paldea, Bea did as well but the difference was that it was a female. Allister decided to keep it in his Pokéball for now and continued onward.
Bea just kept on running until she was a fair distance away but when she stopped, she realized the fog had gotten thicker. She barely saw anything three feet ahead of her. The gym leader reached her hand out to avoid walking into something. Once she felt the rough texture of the bark of a tree, she decided to climb it. She sat on one of the branches. She overlooked the area to see if she was followed.
'I'm sorry Onion, but you have to learn sooner or later..' Bea thought sadly, holding the broken mask closer to her chest. The wind blew as if it were crying, Bea would see the moon was covered in blood red. The Blood moon made her sense something was eerily coming.
And she was right.
She saw the bleeding red eyes of a Gengar ingrained into the tree, not just a random Gengar but one that belonged to Allister. The older girl jumped off the branch and scanned her surroundings.
"I know that I started it but if you're willing to continue playing this game, then so be it." Bea yelled confidently as she released her own team of Pokémon.
Machamp, Grapploct, and Hawlucha were her key members of the night. One by one, Allister's Pokémon revealed themselves under a full blood moon. They all stood there waiting for one to make the first move. No movement until a figure came out behind a tree. The figure wore the hood over his head but the eyes were glowing, like a reaper.
"Allister." Bea nodded.
"Bea." He acknowledged. "May I have a mask back?"
"Then come and get it." She smirked as her fighting type Pokémon clutched their fists together.
"Fine, Gengar use Shadow Ball." He ordered calmly.
"Machamp, use Knock off!"
Their Pokémon clashed with one another with Hawlucha banging its fists against Runerigus as Grapploct launched itself onto Chandelure. The Pokémon battled one another until one fainted after another leaving only Gengar and Machamp weakened greatly. The two friends called them back meaning it was just Bea and Allister standing on opposite sides of a foggy field.
"I believe this a good time to have our practice, so show me your heart's strength and don't hold back." Bea announced as she tied her hair into a ponytail.
Allister slid his feet against the dirt, raising his fists in the air. "I promise I won't Bea, it wouldn't be fair to the both of us."
His eyes shined and somehow caused a chill to run up Bea's spine. Before any could advance, the ground suddenly shook.
The ground trembled again and again followed by a horrifying roar.
Bea and Allister turned to see what was making the commotion. It was a large looming figure that was bigger than any of them. It had an eye illuminating green with fur all withered and most importantly the red gauge in its head like the red moon in the dark sky.
It growled at them.
"Is that an Ursaluna!?" Allister spoke first.
"I'm not sure, Allister get behind me now." Bea told him sternly.
She reached for her Pokéballs only to realize something.
'Oh no' she thought regrettably.
She couldn't bring out Machamp or ask Allister for Gengar as they were both too weak to battle. She suddenly remembered that they both had one Pokémon each but would they be enough? She glanced at Allister and he seemed to get the same idea.
At the same time, they grabbed their Pokéballs and threw them to release their last remaining Pokémon
"Prime!"
"Ape!"
The rage monkeys spoke in a raspy tone. They both seemed to be ready to brawl as they were visibly angry at the giant beast in front of them. They awaited their trainer's commands.
"Primeape, use Close Combat!" Bea shouted.
"You too Primeape!" Allister followed.
The Pokémon ran at their target in sync as they caused the first few blows against the Blood Moon beast. In retaliation the beast used its paws and harshly smacked the Pokémon to the ground. The two Primeapes held firm as they went back on the offensive. This time the beast used its sharp claws to swipe at them. The beast managed to slice and stab them but the Primeapes stood strong.
"Bea, I think it's time to use that new move."
"You're right." Bea nodded.
"Primeape, use Rage Fist!" The trainers cried in unison.
The Primeapes were soon engulfed with a purple hue as they pulled their cuffed fists back and launched a ranged attack to the monster. Once the attack came into contact, the beast fell back and growled in pain.
"It worked!" Allister cheered.
"Don't celebrate too soon." Bea spoke as the beast rose to its feet.
"Use Rage fist again!" Allister commanded.
"Primeape!"
"Prime Prime!"
Both Pokémon called out.
The Pokémon continued their onslaught of attacks, causing the monster more considerable damage. It was going well until the beast's red dome began glowing up like it was charging up for an attack.
"What's it doing!?" Allister yelled out worriedly.
"I-I'm not sure." Bea stuttered,
Not a good sign if Bea was stuttering.
The Blood Moon beast roared as a beam that was red as blood rushed out of its head, hitting their Pokémon harshly. The Pokémon flew backwards at an insane speed and stopped only when they crashed into the nearby trees, taking them out of the fight entirely.
Bea and Allister took a few steps back as the giant loomed over them. The duo knew what was coming but got into their stances to prepare for the worst. It showed it snarling teeth and it raised its claws, ready to strike but...it never came as an enormous electrical strike hit the beast first.
"Pikachu, use Iron Tail!" A young man in a dark clock yelled across the fog.
The two gym leaders then saw a Pikachu launch itself into the air and slammed its tail against the head of the beast causing it to fall on the ground, making a small crater.
"Use Electroweb now!"
Allister turned his sight to the person who called the attack and it was no one other than...
The strongest trainer in the world, Ash Ketchum.
Bea eyes widened when seeing that familiar face again. "Well if it isn't the missing Monarch everyone has been trying to find."
"Yeah but hold that thought real quick." The Monarch said as he took out a dusk ball from his belt. "I'm going to catch this Pokémon."
As he was ready to catch the wild beast, it instantaneously roared so powerfully that the force pushed the ball away from it. The Blood Moon Pokémon stood up and turned its back on the group of trainers. It growled weakly and ran off toward the blinding fog.
"Aw man." Ash whined but swiftly turned to his friends behind. "Are you guys alright?"
"Yeah we're fine, thanks for saving us back there." Bea thanked him but quickly turned her body toward her Primeape and came to its aid with Allister mimicking the action to his own.
"Primeape can you hear me?" Allister frantically called out. He put his ear to the heart of his Pokémon and it was fainting fast..
"Here, let me." Ash spoke in a serious tone as he took out a potion spray. He sprayed it on both of the Pokémon's wounds but still they were not waking up.
"Well guess it's time to use this." He muttered as he took out a Harmonica.
Bea raised her eyebrow. "A Harmonica?"
"Just hold on a minute." He said as he took a breath and began playing a simple tune.
A few minutes went by and they saw a shadow above them, it was something that the Galar trainers didn't recognize at all.
"Hey Ash, who is that?" Allister questioned timidly.
"Don't worry she's a friend of mine." Ash smiled upward. "It's a Pokémon called Ogerpon, her teal powers should be able to help them."
The masked Pokémon started to spin into a dance and a green aura began illuminating particles that sprinkled over the two Primeapes. Slowly the eyes of the Pokémon opened up but soon enough both began to glow.
"They're evolving!" Allister shouted excitedly.
When the glow disappeared, the Primeapes they knew were now Annihilapes. A duel type Pokémon of ghost and fighting, a good combination of Allister and Bea's specialty.
And with that, Ogerpon ran off to the distance.
"Well now that they are ok, I must get going." Ash said as he draped his cloak over his body.
"Where do you think you're going?" Bea asked tiredly.
"Oh just getting more of Poltchageist's goo!" Ash answered cheerfully, grabbing a jar full of the said green goo. "I need it so I can fix my girlfriend's vase that I broke." He smiled cheekily.
"Wait you have a-"
"Can I use some of that!" Allister interrupted as he took the opportunity to take the broken mask out of Bea's bag.
"Hey!"
Ash glanced at the mask and chuckled. "I wondered where your mask went, but here I'll fix it." He said as he grabbed a brush from his belt.
The world champion carefully glued the pieces back together the best he could and gave it back to Allister who delicately placed it on his face. The mask was back together though the price was that green substance was oozing out. As Allister rejoiced, Bea on the other hand rolled her eyes.
As the Monarch bid them farewell, he went into some kind of magic portal. It was oddly shaped like a golden ring. However, the two Gym leaders were too drained and didn't exactly care for an explanation.
They walked back to camp. Took care of their Pokémon and sat by the campfires like they had for the past years. It was silent and it was not the comfortable kind. They knew they had to talk but none did. Allister sighed heavily as he took off his mask and placed it beside him.
"I hate that mask."
"What?" He blinked
"I said I hate that mask." Bea repeated with almost no emotion. Allister stared at his friend but didn't say anything.
"Goodnight." She said as she went to her tent. "Be prepared for tomorrow, consider it your final test." Bea said not even looking back and zipped the tent up.
Allister glanced at his mask and spoke to it.
"You are going to serve as my armor for tomorrow." Allister chuckled softly, he was used to Bea's cold personality but deep down she was one of the most caring people he knew. He stood up and walked to his tent for some shut eye.
It was the afternoon when it commenced, the clouds were heavy and the sound of thunder could be heard from miles away. Their arena was an open ground surrounded by trees. The atmosphere was humid and suffocating.
It was time.
"You ready?" Bea asked simply, cracking her fingers.
"Mhm." Allister answered as popped his neck.
Allister and Bea bowed to each other as they got into their fighting stances once more.
"Best two out of three, may the best trainer win." Bea said calmly and made her first move.
She sprinted toward the masked boy and slid under his feet knocking him off balance. Allister caught himself from hitting the ground with his hands, and landed on his feet almost instantly. Bea wasn't done just yet as she threw a knife hand strike against the back of his head causing Allister to fall right back down. Bea swiftly climbed onto him and grabbed one his arms up his upper back with the other locked down to the ground.
"Is that all you got?" Bea stared down as lightning strikes hit a tree behind them with rain pouring right after.
Cliché
Allister tried to shake but everytime he did, Bea would twist his arm up behind his back causing him to wince in pain. Guess he lost this round so he forfeited.
"That's a point for me then." She let go and walked away.
They got back to their original spots and repeated their gestures.
"Begin." Bea announced as ran toward him again.
'She's coming' Allister thought as he prepared his own defense.
He knew she wouldn't repeat the same move twice but that still didn't help his current predicament. Once Bea got close enough he threw a punch toward her but it was immediately caught by her hand. Allister quickly drew his second fist but even that was captured as well. What he didn't expect was that Bea pulled him in so aggressively and used her knee to strike somewhere near the diaphragm.
"GAH!"
His eyes shot open as his mouth spewed out some saliva. He fell to the ground coughing with Bea approaching again.
"I told you I wasn't holding back Allister." Bea said as she reached for Allister again but was taken by surprise when he threw his whole body at her, tackling them both to the dirt. Bea proceeded to get out of his gripped, and grabbed his back and threw him a short distance away.
"I guess you do have more in you." Bea laughed as she got closer to him.
Allister kept coughing but he soon got an idea. Once Bea was close enough he took off his mask and shot it at her. It smacked her right at her nose causing the older one to cover her injured nose instantly. While she was distracted, Allister would then swipe under her, kick her legs and she fell on her back. He jumped onto Bea holding his fist in front of her face.
"That was a dirty move..." The fighting type prodigy grinned as her nose dripped with blood. "But I guess I deserved that." She tapped her hand to the ground signaling she lost the second round.
Both got back up, ready to continue their little skirmish. "Come on, show me what you got." He repeated the words she said all those years ago.
"I want you to go wild with your fighting spirit you locked away for my sake." The younger one said, snatching his mask off the ground and placed it back on his face. "I know you got more in you."
Bea's eyes twinkled, the wind picked up and so did the rain. Thunder clashed and created an ominous atmosphere. She sprinted toward her opponent and raised her leg ready to kick. Allister's reaction time was barely on point but managed to escape her first attack and he dodge her jabbing hand as he ducked under it. It was to the point where he was mostly dodging and weaving her attacks as Bea was far faster than him. He just couldn't find an opening to go on the offensive.
Everytime Bea enacted a hit, Allister would block it entirely with his palms or his arms but it still hurt either way. The more time spent the more Bea began getting too excited with the fighting spirit within herself. She was having fun with someone who was able to equally go against her but even so, she can get carried away.
"Take that mask off!" Bea yelled out as she tried grabbing the thing off his face but to no avail. "That thing has been holding you back for years! Why can't you see it!?"
After saying that she hopped backwards creating some distance between them. The rain drenched them, no doubt that they could catch a cold. Bea stared daggers at Allister and then in the next second she dashed to him like a bullet.
'She's faster than before!?' Allister panicked as he raised his guard up but nothing could prepare him for what was to come. Bea was able to take a hold of some mud in her hand and threw it into the eye holes of the mask, effectively blinding Allister temporarily. Her next move was her infamous roundhouse kick. She raised her right leg and kicked Allister's mask so hard that it shattered. It was like a shockwave and everything went still. No one moved as time seemed to have stopped. They both stared at each other in complete awe until one of them spontaneously reacted first.
It was Allister who headbutted her right in her forehead with half the mask still intact. She was dazed and couldn't keep standing so she fell on one knee with one of her arms holding her up. Her eyes looked up to see Allister, the mask he wore looked like a disfigured mouth now as jagged edges looked like teeth.
It was frightening what she saw but at the same time she was happy that Allister managed to defeat her in hand to hand combat. She smiled one more time at him and then it all went black.
"Bea! Please tell me you're ok!" An echoing voice shouted.
"Bea I'm sorry that I went too far!"
"Please wake up!"
Bea groggily woke up to see Allister shaking her shoulders. She noticed he was covered in bandages and she took a good look at herself. Her forearms were all taken care of and felt a little something on her nose. Turns out Allister planted a simple patch on it. Another thing she noticed was the fact Allister was crying.
He didn't have his mask on either.
The karate prodigy took a hold of his shoulder, stopping his shaking posture.
"You defeated me." She whispered.
"I-I know I didn't mea-"
"You beat me!" Bea laughed out loud as she hoisted herself, she grabbed Allister's neck under her arm and began roughing up his hair.
"Bea cut it out!" Allister winced trying to escape her grasp.
"You finally beat me hahaha!" Bea cried joyfully, she was smiling and it was a true one. She was so happy that she crushed Allister in a bone crushing hug.
"I get that you're proud but I think we need to get some medical attention." Allister gasped out, finally breaking out of Bea's hold.
"You're right but you're carrying me over there." Bea yawned as she fell limp on him.
"Really?"
"You broke my nose, Onion." She said jokingly.
"You broke my mask!" He snapped back but they both started laughing their hearts out.
Years later...
"Everyone get to your positions!" A twenty-seven year old Bea called upon her students. "Today I'll introduce you to my partner Allister. "
As if on cue, a twenty-four year old Allister came to the floor of the new and improved Dual type gym of Stow-on-Side.
"Evening boys and girls, it is with great pleasure meeting you all." Allister softly spoke while taking a slight bow.
"I hope we both serve as excellent mentors for you all and I welcome you to the Stow-on-Side gym."
"Go on and get ready in your individual locker rooms and we shall start the first lesson." Bea clasped her hands together giving them a warm smile.
She has indeed been humbled over the years and she does not regret it one bit.
The students of the new generation clapped excitedly and rushed toward the halls, leaving the gym leaders alone for the time being.
"So Bea about my proposal early, would you still like to get some ice cream later?" The taller one asked as he leaned down to her eye level.
"Well look at you being formal but let me think about it" Bea said softly as she tapped her chin. "Sure, I would love to get some sweets with you Allister"
"Wonderful!" Allister smiled behind his withered mask.
Before any of them could continue their conversation, they saw a Talonflame with a messenger capsule attached to it. It flew through the open dome of the battlefield and took a letter rolled up within its talons. Bea took it and began to read the letter.
"What does it say?" Allister asked curiously.
"It seems that the Monarch and the Kalos Queen is hosting a grand ball in Lumiose city. " she said as she continued to read it.
"And we are apparently invited to go."
"Interesting."
End of chapter 1.
Notes:
Hope you enjoyed it! Leave any comments if you like as it would be greatly appreciated! Follow me on my socials to keep being updated about this fanfic!
