A chapter of downtime before round 2. Enjoy!

Unlike lunch, dinner was served in the Laverre City Cafe, the city's main restaurant, and all the Trainers and Pokemon ate together. It was a good thing, Medicham thought, that the Cafe was so big; even so, it was packed full, the numerous participants in the Gym Challenge and their various allies taking up plenty of space.

The participants themselves were all sitting at a table with Valerie at the head, eating and talking like old friends, though Medicham noticed a small amount of coldness towards Raymond; nothing too out of the ordinary, but the slight amount of bitterness in the tone of their words towards him and their equally slight hesitation to even speak to him indicated that they had come to the same conclusion as Medicham and the rest of Marcus's team.

Something, or someone, was sabotaging the tournament. And it was affecting all of the contestants except for Raymond. The implications were clear.

"So," Jaya was saying, "how did you manage to pull that off? Laverre's a bustling city - where was everyone, and isn't anyone going to be irritated about the fire damage to the buildings?"

Valerie smiled. "I'm afraid I can't share all my secrets, Jaya," she said. "But as for the fire damage…the buildings that were set on fire had been scheduled for demolition a few months prior. I persuaded the company in charge of the demolitions to refrain - for a price, of course." Her smile dipped a little. "The unplanned damage, on the other hand, will require monetary compensation."

"Sorry," Marcus murmured embarrassedly.

"Anyway, the people of Laverre will be returning tomorrow," said Valerie. "Since the rest of the Gym Exam will take place in the Gym, there is no need for any more town-wide theatrics."

Ilima took a bite of meat (which Pokemon it was, Medicham couldn't recognize, though perhaps that was for the best), swallowed, then spoke. "Valerie, I have to say that you outdid yourself today."

"Thank you very much," said Valerie. "I must say…it was a relief that everything went off without a hitch."

Medicham didn't miss the uncomfortable glance that shot between Marcus and Ilima.

"If you'll excuse me," said Valerie, turning her head. "It appears Team Furisode have made their return."

Medicham had indeed heard the door open; as Valerie spoke, Medicham turned to see the four Laverre City Gym Trainers trooping in one after the other, smiles on their faces. Valerie stood from her seat. "I must discuss affairs with them. Please, do not refrain from eating on my account."

The four contestants obliged. Medicham stared after Valerie as she exited the room, her Gym Trainers at her heels. As she did so, out of the corner of her eye she spotted Cloyster, moving out of Valerie's way along with Brambleghast.

Gholdengo's words came back to Medicham once more, and she sighed. I'm sorry, Cloyster. But someone has to tell you. And it's better if it's me.

She arose from her meal and began to step slowly over to Cloyster and Brambleghast. Each step felt forced, each movement requiring Medicham to strain. She watched as Cloyster and Brambleghast talked amongst themselves, not noticing her approach. Cloyster looked more at ease than he had in months.

I just, you know, kinda happened to be looking for a Trainer, because all of my siblings have already gotten Trainers, and so I was wondering if you'd let me have a go on your team.

Medicham smiled slightly. He'd been so innocent back then. So happy. Just like he was now.

Could she really take that away from him?

I have to. This'll end in heartbreak no matter what.

Medicham swallowed and took a few more steps. Cloyster's eyes finally registered Medicham's arrival. "Oh, Medicham! Have you met Brambleghast yet? Brambleghast, this is Medicham!"

"Hi, Medcham!" said Brambleghast with equal cheer. "It's nice to finally meet you!" She held out a vine to shake Medicham's hand; Medicham took it with some trepidation, again second-guessing herself.

"It's nice to meet you too, Brambleghast," said Medicham. "May I borrow Cloyster for a bit?"

"Sure!" said Brambleghast. "Don't take too long, Cloyster!"

"I won't!" Cloyster called back as he followed Medicham away from Brambleghast. Medicham stepped stiffly to the nearest corner of the Cafe, which was thankfully unoccupied. Then she turned to face Cloyster, trying to keep her reluctance from showing.

Unfortunately, Cloyster clearly saw it anyway from the way his expression drooped. "What's wrong, Medicham?"

Medicham sighed. No sense in delaying. "Look, Cloyster," she said, "I know you…like Brambleghast a lot. And I love that you're friends. But…this isn't going to last forever. Once the Gym Exam is over, either Raymond or Marcus will leave Laverre, and you won't be able to see Brambleghast nearly as routinely as you do now."

Cloyster looked glum. "Yeah…I know. I've been trying not to think about it."

"If you know," said Medicham, "then you know what you're doing isn't going to end well. Listen, Cloyster. I promise I wouldn't be saying this if I didn't know you needed to hear it…but this needs to stop before it gets any further."

"Are you saying I should stop seeing Brambleghast?"

The sadness in Cloyster's tone nearly caused Medicham to break down, but again she rallied her strength to continue. "I know it's hard…but please, trust me. And if you can't…trust Gholdengo. He's more experienced than I am, and-"

"Gholdengo?" Cloyster's expression suddenly darkened. "Did he put you up to this?"

Medicham gulped. "He…well…he's the one who…warned me…" She trailed off as Cloyster's expression darkened further. I said the wrong thing, didn't I?

"Brambleghast was right," Cloyster growled. "Gholdengo does know how to get you to do something he wants. I don't know how he managed to get your ear, Medicham, but listen to me. Screw Gholdengo." Medicham stepped back slightly at the sheer rage that had entered Cloyster's voice. "Brambleghast is afraid of him. I'm one of the few Pokemon she's even willing to talk to about him. And I refuse to abandon her to him. Tell Gholdengo…" The name was spat with such fervor that Medicham took another step away from Cloyster, her back pressing up against the wall behind her. "…that he can take his opinions about me and Brambleghast and shove them up his-"

"Cloyster!" Medicham snapped, noticing heads were beginning to turn as Cloyster's voice rose. Cloyster noticed it too; he glanced around guiltily, then sighed. His eyes narrowed and he rolled closer to Medicham.

"Don't try and split me and Brambleghast up again," Cloyster whispered. "Unless it's honestly, truly you talking…and not Gholdengo using you as an Arceus-damned mouthpiece."

Turning swiftly, Cloyster rolled away, leaving Medicham to disengage herself from the wall. She sighed, pressing a hand to her forehead to wipe the sweat from her brow. Well, that went brilliantly. First Drapion, now Cloyster…it feels like everyone seems to have some sort of beef with Gholdengo. I really shouldn't have brought him up.

Shaking her head, she began to step back over towards the rest of Marcus's team, moving past the curious glances of the Trainers and Pokemon whose ears had caught the tail end of Cloyster's words. Damn it…now I'll be lucky if he even wants to talk to me for the rest of the Gym Exam. How could I have blown that so badly?

"What happened?" Brambleghast asked as Cloyster approached her. "I heard shouting…is everything all right?"

Cloyster shook his head.

Brambleghast leaned in closer. "What happened?" she asked again, enunciating every syllable.

"Medicham…she told me that we had to stop," said Cloyster. "Warned me that once the Gym Exam was over, we wouldn't be able to see each other like this anymore. And then she told me-"

"She's right."

Cloyster stopped speaking out of sheer surprise.

Brambleghast frowned. "Look, Cloyster…you know as well as I do that we're from different Trainers. Trainers who have different lives. And sooner or later, our Trainers are going to split up, and take us with them."

Cloyster finally mustered the courage to speak. "Brambleghast-"

"Hush, Cloyster," said Brambleghast. "Look…we might not be able to make this last forever. But…we can make it last as long as possible. To tell you the truth, Cloyster…you're special to me. I've enjoyed every second of our time together. And nothing's stopping us from enjoying more of it. We don't need to look so far ahead. Let's just…live in the moment. Okay?"
Cloyster nodded slowly. "I'd like that very much. But listen, Brambleghast. Gho-"

He was cut off as Brambleghast pressed her mouth to his.

It was a weird feeling; her mouth felt rough, like a tree branch, but at the same time it felt soft and comforting. Cloyster leaned into it, abandoning the words he was about to say. It seemed an eternity passed before Brambleghast pulled away.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I just…figured I had to do that at least once." She perked up. "And you know what they say - there's no time like the present!"

"Yeah." Cloyster forced all thoughts about Gholdengo from his mind. Why burden Brambleghast with that? Ruin this moment?

"Yeah," Cloyster said again. "I'd love to live in the moment. At least for a little while longer."

Watching from across the room, Gholdengo sighed in disgust. He hadn't appreciated how long it had taken for Medicham to move, but at least she finally had.

Unfortunately, it appeared that she'd failed to convince Cloyster of the necessity of leaving Brambleghast. Now they were even closer.

What a joke. Gholdengo shook his head. If Brambleghast is distracted like this, she can't serve Raymond as efficiently. And if she can't do that, she's not playing her part in helping Raymond become stronger.

Gholdengo curled his lip. I promised to help him become stronger. And that means I have to make sure everyone plays their part. I can not…and will not...allow this distraction to continue.

"I'm going to get some more," said Raymond. "Be right back."

The Paldean Ghost-type Trainer arose from his seat, clutching his empty plate in both hands, and stepped over towards the nearby buffet. Marcus, Jaya, and Ilima watched him as he went; as soon as he was out of earshot, Jaya leaned closer. "We can't keep dancing around this forever."

"We don't have to," Ilima whispered. "Just until we figure out what's really going on."

"If he really is cheating," said Jaya, "or if someone's cheating for him, we can't waste time. Every day this goes undiscovered, he gets even more of an unfair advantage."

"Like I said back in the Pokemon Center, Ilima," said Marcus, "we really just need to report this to Valerie."

"And then what?" Ilima asked. "Listen, Marcus. We don't know if he's cheating or if someone else is cheating for him. If it's the former, then I agree wholeheartedly. But if it's the latter, things are different. If he's not at fault, I don't want him to suffer because of someone else's actions. I mean, for all we know, someone's actually trying to get him in trouble."
"That would explain the relative…openness of the sabotage," Jaya murmured.

"Point is, we can't act openly until we've figured this out," said Ilima. "And that means the Exam continues. Besides…Valerie's not a fool. If this continues, I'm not sure she won't shut down the Exam herself."

"All right." Marcus nodded. "We'll take this slowly. But if the Exam ends, and he wins because of this…"

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." Jaya put a hand on Marcus's shoulder. "Believe me, I don't like playing the sore loser, but if this kind of sabotage lets him win, I'm not just going to stand back and watch it happen either."

"Neither will I," said Ilima. "But at this point, we'll just have to wait."

At length, the dinner ended, and Gholdengo allowed Raymond to collect him and the rest of the team. It was a short walk back to the apartments, and yet it seemed a lot longer, for tonight Gholdengo would have to undertake some major efforts. Efforts that he'd hoped to avoid.

Today had been successful. All that remained was to make the rest of the Gym Exam just as successful.

First, though, he needed to attend to Brambleghast's distraction. Medicham had failed at dealing with one end, so he'd have to deal with the other. He had no doubt he'd be able to convince Brambleghast - the problem lay with Cloyster. He'd have to keep track of the Water/Ice-type.

Maybe even remove him if he continued to pose a problem.

As Raymond entered his room, he took off his belt and placed it on the desk next to the door. Then he grasped Gholdengo's Dusk Ball and carried it with him to his bed. Recognizing that his Trainer desired to talk to him, Gholdengo readied himself as Raymond released him onto the bed beside him.

"Gholdengo," said Raymond, "do you know anything about what happened today?"

Gholdengo raised his hands and cast out his word-forming metal ribbons. WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

"The…sabotage," Raymond said. "Look, I heard about what happened to the other three Trainers. And…when I left the table tonight, I saw them whispering. Didn't pick up on what they said, but their body language, and the fact that they were whispering, told me enough. I was the only one who didn't get sabotaged, so of course they suspect me."

I WISH I KNEW SOMETHING, Gholdengo wrote. Lying to his Trainer rankled in his mind, but he could not allow Raymond to know. It would be detrimental to Raymond getting stronger.

Raymond sighed. "I don't…I don't want to win like this," he said. "I need to talk to Valerie. Tell her the truth. If I get disqualified, that's fine, but I don't want to gain this position due to foul play."

Gholdengo's eyes widened. No! This isn't how this was supposed to go! If Raymond gets disqualified, he loses his best chance at becoming stronger!

The words came out a little distorted. YOU DON'T NEED TO TALK TO VALRIE.

"Valerie," Raymond corrected.

SORRY.

"Gholdengo, are you all right?" Raymond asked. "You only misspell words like that when something's bothering you."

IT'S JUST…Gholdengo stopped writing, trying to figure out what to say. YOU WON'T JUST BE DISQUALIFIED. WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU WILL BE WORSE. AND I DON'T WANT THAT FOR YOU.

"What else can I do, Gholdengo?" Raymond asked.

LET ME HANDLE IT, said Gholdengo. I WILL INVESTIGATE, AND I WILL FIND OUT THE TRUTH.

Raymond still looked doubtful, so Gholdengo played another card. IF WE TELL VALERIE, WHOEVER'S DOING THIS WILL GET AWAY. IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT?

"No," said Raymond.

I PROMISE I WILL GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS.

Raymond nodded slowly. "Okay. Thanks, Gholdengo. I need to rest. How about I recall you, and-

NO.

Raymond blinked.

I CANNOT REST KNOWING THESE PERPETRATORS ARE STILL OUT THERE. PLEASE, ALLOW ME TO REMAIN OUT OF MY POKEBALL TONIGHT.

Raymond swallowed. "Okay, Gholdengo. But promise me you at least get a little bit of sleep, okay?"

OKAY.

Raymond smiled. "I'm glad to have a Pokemon as dutiful as you," he whispered. "Good night, Gholdengo."

GOOD NIGHT, RAYMOND.

Raymond always left the seals off his Dusk Balls. He believed in his Pokemon having the freedom to choose when they wanted to leave and when they wanted to return, as long as they showed responsibility in doing so. That meant that when Gholdengo heard the faint hiss of a Pokeball opening, he wasn't exactly surprised. He turned almost lazily to see it was Brambleghast's; the Grass/Ghost-type was rolling towards the half-open door of the room, red eyes glinting in the darkness.

"What are you doing?"

Brambleghast jumped, spinning to look at Gholdengo. "Gholdengo! I didn't know you were up."

"What are you doing, Brambleghast?" Gholdengo asked.

"I…" Brambleghast looked down at the floor. "I wanted to see if Cloyster was okay. He was a little distraught today after Medicham talked to him, and I thought of something I want to say-"

"So you're sneaking out," said Gholdengo.

"Well, I don't exactly want to put it like that-"

"Is that so?" Gholdengo took a step closer to Brambleghast. He'd been wondering how to initiate their conversation, but this was as good an opportunity as any. "Tell me, how would you put it, Brambleghast?"

"I…I just want to see my friend," said Brambleghast.

"Friend?" Gholdengo took another step closer. "Interesting word choice, especially considering what happened this evening."

He narrowed his eyes. "Tell me, Brambleghast, do you even know the consequences of what you are doing? Sneaking out at night…what's next? Lying to your teammates? To Raymond?"

"I would never-"

"Cloyster or Raymond?"

Brambleghast glared at Gholdengo. "I don't have to choose."

"Are you sure about that?" Gholdengo took another step closer; now he was looming over Brambleghast, forcing the Grass/Ghost-type to look up at him. "You really think there won't come a time? When that time comes, are you going to choose Cloyster, or are you going to choose Raymond?"

Brambleghast's glare redoubled, but at last she said, "Raymond's been my Trainer for three years. Of course I'd choose him."

"Then why are you betraying him?"

"Excuse me?" Brambleghast growled. "I'm as devoted to him as the rest of you!"

"If you were so devoted," said Gholdengo, "then you'd be investigating the clear sabotage affecting the Gym Exam instead of attending to your little love affair."

"Oh, don't even go there-"

"Why not?" Gholdengo asked. "Raymond's the only one who isn't being sabotaged. All suspicion points to him. If he wins because of this sabotage, they'll call him a cheater. Without any evidence to the contrary, he'll be unable to defend himself. And do you know what will happen then, Brambleghast?"

Brambleghast shrank back as Gholdengo continued to speak. "He won't just be disqualified. He'll be blacklisted. Practically barred from Training for an entire year, at least. Separated from his Pokemon, separated from me and you, because of something outside his control. But you don't care about that, do you? No, you'd rather run off with Cloyster."

"That's not right!" Brambleghast cried.

"Then prove it!" Gholdengo snarled. "I'm going to investigate. Get to the bottom of this. If you want to run off to check on Cloyster, go right ahead. But if you want to help Raymond, then come with me. Forget Cloyster. Our Trainer needs our help. Are you with me?"

Brambleghast hesitated before nodding. "I'm with you."

"Good." Gholdengo smiled. "Then let's go. Search Laverre - start at the burned-down houses, then work your way northward. I'll search the south. If you get in trouble, Shadow Sneak, and scream."

"And what if you get in trouble?" Brambleghast asked.

Gholdengo's smile widened. "Don't worry about me," he said. "You know how strong I am."

"Yeah," said Brambleghast. "All right, let's go."

Gholdengo followed Brambleghast out of the room, chuckling to himself. All too easy. Now that that little annoyance had been dealt with, he could focus back on his mission.

"You sure they'll be around?" Brambleghast asked.

"No," said Gholdengo. "But they might. Remember, you take north, I'll take south."

"Got it." Brambleghast looked around Laverre. It was still empty of people, the twinkling streetlamps illuminating empty streets. Slowly, Brambleghast began to roll into the town, eyes scanning from side to side.

Gholdengo waited until Brambleghast was out of earshot. Then he turned and stepped back into the apartments.

That's Brambleghast dealt with. Now that she's out of the way, at least for now, I can proceed with my plan.

Jolt couldn't sleep.

Every time she tried, awful thoughts ran through the Emolga's head. Memories of Ribbon's unconscious body being hauled out of the burning building. The Pokemon Center had kept Ribbon overnight, treating him for a concussion, smoke inhalation, and first-degree burns. How did that even happen? It's not like Ribbon's clumsy…he's pulled harder maneuvers than that a thousand times before!

Jolt sighed. I can't believe it's Ribbon…

She'd met the Unfezant six months ago, when she'd been part of a force attacking him and the rest of Jaya's team. A formerly-Trained Raichu had taken control of the Electric-types of Chargestone Cave and gone full warlord, attempting to drive all other Trainers and Pokemon out of the cave. Jolt had been one of his many soldiers, too scared to leave. The Gym Leader of Mistralton City, Skyla, had come along with her Gym Trainers and several others to fight back. Jaya had been one of them, and during the resulting battle, Jolt had engaged with Ribbon. The Unfezant had recognized her fear and spared her even as he cleaved through the rest of her allies with artful Air Slashes.

But it had been the words he'd spoken to her afterwards, when Raichu had fled and his forces had been dispersed. She'd been cowering against a stalagmite, afraid of the Trainers who were rounding up the Electric-types she had fought alongside, worried that the same would happen to her, when Ribbon had approached, Jaya at his side. And he'd spoken seven simple words, seven words that had changed Jolt's life entirely.

"Would you like to join our team?"

Jolt had never looked back from that point. She and Ribbon had become close friends, the Unfezant taking it upon himself to train her in several techniques. Jolt was the youngest and weakest of the team, yet Ribbon had never treated her with the scorn normally associated with being the runt. He'd shown her endless patience, even when she failed again and again, even when she lost her wits and made mistakes.

The room seemed emptier without him.

The others were asleep in their Wing Balls. Wing Balls were a rare type of Pokeball that utilized a slight but constant airflow to simulate a breeze. Jolt loved her Wing Ball, but tonight she preferred one of the numerous portable perches Jaya always took with her on journeys.

Jolt tucked her head under her wing and squeezed her eyes shut, trying once again to force herself into a state of sleep. But even as she did so, she heard the doorknob to the room turn suddenly but quietly.

Her eyes flashed open as the door began to swing slightly into the room. Through it came a tall, skinny, gold-colored figure. Isn't that one of Raymond's Pokemon? Gholdengo?

"Hi!" Jolt whispered. Gholdengo's eyes flicked up. Jolt hopped off her perch, extending her wings to glide down to a spot in front of Gholdengo. "What do you need?"

Gholdengo smiled kindly. "Jolt, was it?"

Jolt nodded enthusiastically.

"Are any of the others awake?" Gholdengo asked.

"Nope," said Jolt. "It's just me."

Gholdengo nodded. "Now, I'm sure you know about the sabotage that hurt your friend Ribbon, right?"

Jolt's eyes narrowed. "Do you know something?"

"Maybe," said Gholdengo. "I'm not sure yet…but I think you could help me. Would you mind following me?"

"Of course not!" said Jolt. "Should I wake the others?"

"Not until we know for sure," said Gholdengo. "Follow me closely, okay?"

"Okay!" Jolt hopped after Gholdengo as he stepped back through the door. As Jolt moved through the doorway, it shut behind her; the doorknob clicked back into place.

"You can open doors?" Jolt asked. "That's so cool! Is that your Ability? I wish I could open doors. My Ability's Motor Drive! It lets me boost myself like I have a motor!"

"Good as Gold lets me control, generate, and transmute metal," said Gholdengo. "Which the doorknobs are made of. This way, please."

Jolt followed Gholdengo closely down the hallway, passing door after door. Eventually, he turned, walked down a set of stairs, moved to the door leading outside, and opened it up. Jolt fluttered after him, eyes gazing around as she registered they'd gone outside.

"How much longer?" Jolt asked as Gholdengo stepped further outside.

"Not far now," said Gholdengo. "We should be…" His voice trailed off; his eyes shot over Jolt's shoulder. "Behind you!" he snarled, his entire demeanor changing in an instant.

Jolt whipped around, Electric energy coursing across her body as she faced the open door back inside. She saw nothing. "Where is-"

A footstep landed behind her. "Not quite fast enough." Metal shifted against metal as Gholdengo raised his hand, a silvery liquid flowing from his fingers.

"Good as Gold. Tithe Tide."

Jolt whirled, tapping into her Ability to increase her speed as fast as she was able. "Motor Drive: Electro Burst!" A blast of Electric energy flew from her wings at Gholdengo, only to slam into a wave of oncoming metal and dissipate as the wave plunged towards her. But even as she launched the blast, Jolt lunged backwards, propelled by Motor Drive; a flurry of steely tendrils exploded out from the oncoming wave, reaching out for her, but she was too fast for them to grasp.

Motor Drive was similar to the Ability Speed Boost, Jaya had told Jolt when she'd first unlocked the Ability. Speed Boost was simple superspeed, nothing more, but Motor Drive was a fair bit more nuanced. Effectively, she could apply power to her body, driving it faster and therefore increasing her speed. It was less effective at enhancing one's speed than Speed Boost, but it was balanced out by greater versatility.

That said, it still made Jolt quite fast. Fast enough that she could evade even Gholdengo's rapid flurry of metallic tendrils.

She hit the wall of the apartment building behind her. No, wait, that was the door - when had Gholdengo closed it? Regardless, there was nowhere left to run.

She would have to fight.

"Electro Strike!" Jolt threw both her wings forwards, unleashing a colossal bolt of Electric energy at the wave. The metal exploded under the blast, the tendrils exploding into many fragments, the wave buckling backwards as the remnants of the powerful Thunder attack streaked towards Gholdengo.

"Good as Gold. Lightning Rod."

Gholdengo raised his arm, and from the floor arose a cylinder of brownish metal. The Electric energy of Jolt's attack seemed to curve away from Gholdengo and towards the rod of metal, slamming into it and dissipating into the floor.

The initial exchange of attacks over, the two Pokemon squared off, readying for further engagement.

"It was you," Jolt growled, "wasn't it?"

"Yes," said Gholdengo. "It was."

Jolt's wings crackled with Electric energy. "You're gonna pay for what you did to Ribbon."

"And you think you're going to be able to exact revenge on me?" said Gholdengo. "Please. Your power doesn't even approach mine."

"Motor Drive!" Jolt tapped into her Ability yet again and lunged, moving so fast that the air behind her exploded in a sonic boom. Electric energy coursed around her body as she flew at Gholdengo. "Electro Charge!"

"Good as Gold. Body Transmutation: Copper."

Gholdengo simply stood still in her path, but even as she leaped the Steel/Ghost-type's entire body morphed into that same brownish metal. Jolt slammed into him, and even as she did the Electric energy was ripped from her body and dissipated into Gholdengo's. Gholdengo stepped back slightly - the attack clearly had some form of impact - but Jolt felt like she'd slammed headfirst into a brick wall.

Gholdengo smirked. "Pathetic."

Even as Jolt bounced off, momentarily stunned and beginning to fall to the ground, Gholdengo brought his hand around and sent a point-blank Shadow Ball into her stomach. Jolt was sent flying backwards; her back scraped the ground as she skidded to a halt, gasping for air.

"Good as Gold. Tithe Tide."

Once more a wave of liquid metal flew at Jolt. Jolt forced focus back into her mind. She could not lose this battle. Jaya and the others had to know about Gholdengo's treachery.

"Motor Drive!" Jolt lunged upwards with another sonic boom, allowing the wave of metal to pass beneath her. Spinning, Jolt aimed her body towards Gholdengo. If he thinks Electric energy is my only weapon, he has another think coming.

"Electro Strike!" Again she sent another overpowered blast of Electric energy towards Gholdengo; again Gholdengo defended with an upraised pole of copper, attracting and dissipating the blast. This time, though, Jolt was prepared; the Emolga was already lunging after her Thunder. "Motor Drive: Electro Charge!"

"This again?" Gholdengo sighed as Jolt streaked towards him. "Good as Gold. Body Transmutation: Copper."

"Motor Drive!"

One of Motor Drive's applications that Speed Boost didn't have was that it could also be used to boost the speed of other things. Learning new techniques, for one, though Jolt hadn't really mastered that. One thing she had mastered, though, was using Motor Drive to boost the speed of her reactions.

And so it was effortless for her to instantly abandon her Wild Charge and backwing, firing off a swift Pursuit as she did so. A flurry of Dark-type rays flew from her body at Gholdengo, who was clearly unprepared for the sudden change in tactics. But clearly he had decently fast reaction time of his own. "Good as Gold: Steel Shield!" he cried; in a flash, he raised a hand and silver strands shot out, coalescing into a circular barrier of metal in front of him to deflect the rays.

"Motor Drive!" Jolt cried the instant she saw the shield forming. In a flash she was diving for Gholdengo's legs, summoning an Astonish as she did so. Gholdengo, temporarily blinded by his own sudden shield, was unprepared; Ghost energy glinted around Jolt's body as she slammed into Gholdengo's ankles, and this time the Steel/Ghost-type overbalanced and began to topple over.

Jolt leaped clear, boosted by Motor Drive, and spun as she did so. "Electro Strike!" Toppling and momentarily staggered, Gholdengo couldn't defend in time; the crackling Electric energy struck him head on, sending him spinning to the ground.

At least, it should have.

"Good as Gold: Body Manipulation."

At that utterance, Gholdengo just...stopped. Jolt's eyes widened. Instead of lying prone on the ground, Gholdengo was suspended mid-fall at a forty-five degree angle, face turned to glare at Jolt. One leg was badly bruised and his right side was seared by the Thunder Jolt had struck him with, but if he was feeling any pain, it was lost in the rage flaring in his eyes.

"I can manipulate my own body at will," Gholdengo growled. "Tell me, Jolt, did you really think that was me trying?" With a grunt of effort he forced his own body to stand back up. "Good as Gold. Body Manipulation."

And then Gholdengo was suddenly streaking towards Jolt at a speed the Emolga had thought impossible for the larger Pokemon, a Shadow Ball flying from his fingers. Jolt reacted instantaneously, summoning Normal energy around herself and leaping forwards in a Motor Drive-boosted Quick Attack. The Normal energy took and dissipated the Ghost-type attack, though the backlash sent a ripple of pain through Jolt's body. She ignored it, tossing another Pursuit flurry at Gholdengo, then summoning another Astonish as she and Gholdengo lunged for one another at speeds that a Ninjask would have envied.

"Good as Gold: Steel Shield."

Gholdengo reacted instantaneously. Another silvery circular shield formed in front of him, deflecting the rays. This time it dematerialized just as quickly; Jolt saw it disappear, and instantly decided against going for the legs again. He'll be expecting that. Instead, she continued her charge, diving flat out for Gholdengo's face. The two were thirty feet apart...twenty...ten...five...

"Good as Gold: Body Manipulation."

Gholdengo suddenly shrank to half his size, flattening against the ground; even with her augmented reactions, Jolt was directly above Gholdengo before she could adjust. And that was the one mistake Gholdengo needed.

"Good as Gold: Steel Sword."

A sleek spike of metal lanced upwards from Gholdengo's shrunken body and ripped through Jolt's left wing. Pain seared the appendage as Jolt lost control of her flight; her remaining wing flailed uselessly as she tumbled to the ground, rolling several times before coming to a stop.

"Good as Gold: Body Manipulation."

And then Gholdengo was right there, having shoved his own body forwards at an insane speed once again.

Jolt managed to twist, glaring up at him. "You're not going to get away with this."

"Who's going to stop me?" Gholdengo smirked. "Good as Gold: Steel Sword." His hand extended, unleashing another blade that lashed out for Jolt's right wing.

"Substitute!"

Pain ripped through Jolt's body as she summoned the duplicate of Normal energy, leaping clear with Motor Drive as Gholdengo's blade slashed through the copy. Jolt spun, Ghost energy rippling around her body as she lunged once more, aware that she was running out of options-

"Good as Gold: Body Manipulation."

Before her shocked eyes, Gholdengo's body split in two, each half of his body folding to either side. Jolt shot through the gap, her Astonish crackling uselessly. Gholdengo spun, his body coming back together. "I suppose I'll have to finish this quickly," he murmured, raising both hands. Jolt twisted in time to see Gholdengo's entire body turning back to its normal golden color as he raised both hands to the sky, his form flaring with Steel energy.

"Good as Gold," Gholdengo snarled. "Make It Rain."

A barrage of Steel energy-formed projectiles flew up from his outstretched hands, arcing in midair and coming down upon Jolt like a storm of meteors. There must have been hundreds of projectiles, each one gleaming gold. "Motor Drive!" Jolt cried; she would need all the reaction time she could get in order to avoid this new attack.

Her wing seared with pain. She gritted her teeth. She needed to push through the pain. I can't let Gholdengo get away with this!

He hurt Ribbon. I owe him.

The projectiles came at her, and Jolt leaped upwards into the thick of the barrage, scanning the rain for a safe path through. As soon as her eyes detected one, she spun, twisting through the plummeting shower of Steel-type projectiles. Some passed so close that they skimmed the fur on her body, but none struck her, and with a last final exertion she was through, the last of the projectiles streaking past her body.

That was his ultimate attack? All right...I can still do this. I can-

"Good as Gold. Steel Spikes."

The tail end of the projectiles falling around her suddenly sprouted spines, and Jolt, having relaxed a moment too soon, was unable to evade. Three pierced through her body, gashing her right wing, left cheek, and stomach. Jolt howled in agony; with both wings ruined, her flight failed her, and she fell to the ground after the Make It Rain in a shower of blood.

She slammed hard into the ground; a nasty crack indicated at least something had broken. The ground under her was hard and cold. Very cold, in fact. Almost like-

Steel. Crap.

"Good as Gold. Steel Entrapment."

The puddle of metal covering the ground around her suddenly arose in a flurry of tendrils, twisting in midair and reaching down towards her. Jolt screamed - or at least she tried to. But even as she opened her mouth, one of the tendrils shot forwards and poured into her mouth, stopping just short of choking her. Her scream came out as a weak, muffled squeal.

More metal twined swiftly around her, pinning her wings and covering her eyes, holding her tightly in place and muffling her yells. She tried to summon another blast of Electric energy, but Gholdengo's voice sounded again. "Good as Gold. Transmutation: Copper."

The metal around her body shifted to that familiar brownish color, and all the Electric energy coursing around Jolt's body was suddenly dragged away, siphoned into the metal as it finished entrapping her. Gholdengo's voice sounded for a third time, though this time it wasn't an attack.

"Don't struggle, Jolt. I'm not going to hurt you anymore. I just need your Trainer to be a little less focused. Keep her off her game."

The metal surrounding Jolt began to move through the air, dragging the Emolga with it.

"I'll release you once all this is over," Gholdengo murmured. "That's a promise."

Okay...clearly my definition of 'downtime' needs some work.