I will be honest, this is going to be kinda bad. It'll be shorter than usual, because I don't have much of a plan for what'll happen before and after the gym battle. Not to mention the gym battle is going to be shorter than normal since it's a double battle. As you've seen two chapters prior, I don't really know how to extend them very much. But I shall try, and I hope you enjoy.
Chapter 63:
Olympic Games
When Max and Bonnie wake up, the first thing they do is go searching for Brock and Olivia. They're both eager to see if Brock went through with his plan to propose to Olivia or not. When they don't find the couple around the Pokémon Centre or around town, they decide they must still be in their hotel. So, they go to the foyer and wait for them there. Finally, after about half an hour of waiting, and Max contemplating giving up and coming back later, the lift doors open, and Brock and Olivia step out into the foyer, looking totally elated. Max and Bonnie immediately run up to them. "How did it go?" they both ask together. Brock chuckles at this, and Olivia beams at them, before holding up her right hand and revealing the engagement ring on her finger. Bonnie almost screams with excitement for them, but Max quickly covers her mouth so they don't draw attention to themselves. "You have got to keep your romance obsession in check" he reprimands. Bonnie blushes and apologises.
Brock and Olivia then go off to have breakfast. Max and Bonnie plan to head somewhere else to eat in order to give the newly engaged couple some time to themselves, but the pair insist they come along, with Olivia even offering to tell them how it went down. Bonnie agrees to that immediately and practically drags Max after them, so she can hear the full story. Once they sit down and get their food, Olivia launches into the story. They had gone to dinner in the really fancy restaurant that Brock had reserved a table for them in. They rode in on Steelix, which Olivia loved since they're both rock type trainers. They arrived and ate a stupendous meal together, and Olivia couldn't help but notice how tense and nervous Brock looked. Once they were finished, Brock paid and led Olivia out. Olivia was expecting them to be heading back to the hotel, but Brock claimed he wanted to go on an evening stroll together. They did so, and ended up walking by a moonlit lake. While walking along it, Brock stopped her, got down on one knee and pulled out the ring. Olivia had said yes before the question even left his lips.
When she finishes telling her story, Bonnie has stars in her eyes, and begins wondering how her brother will propose to Korrina. "Easy their Cupid," says Max jokingly. "They've only been dating for 4 months. I think it's a bit soon to be thinking about their marriage." Brock nods in agreement. He'd been told the story of how Bonnie had gotten her brother to finally ask his crush out while they were walking to Anistar the day before. "Helping them to ask each other out is one thing," he explains. "But marriage isn't something you can convince another couple to do. That takes time, and both partners need to be open to the idea. So, while you were able to convince the couple to ask each other out, proposing is something either your brother or his girlfriend need to come to a decision about on their own." Bonnie nods in understanding. "Wow," says Max. "That was very insightful of you." Brock smiles at this. "Well, I am a bit of an expert in love" he replies.
This causes Max to almost fall out of his chair with laughter. "Right," he says, barely able to speak from laughing so hard. "Love expert, of course. Remind me, how many times did I have to drag you away from a pretty girl? And how many times has Misty had to smack you over the head for doing the same thing?" In response, Brock holds up his hand to show his engagement ring, and also a rather rude gesture. "Hey, I'm engaged," he replies. "So, I think I know what I'm talking about." Max rolls his eyes at this. "And a broken clock is right twice a day," he counters. "Doesn't mean it knows the time." Bonnie laughs at Max's retort, which makes him blush a bit. Brock notices and smirks. He opens his mouth to respond, but before he can Max quickly scents danger and stands up. "Speaking of time, I'd say it's about time you get your next gym badge," he says to Bonnie quickly. "Nice talking with you two, congrats, and we'll catch up later." Then, he leads Bonnie out of the hotel's dining area, feeling as Brock's eyes bear a knowing look into the back of his head.
They arrive at the gym to find it basically empty. Max looks around confused. "Olympias gym is known to be very tricky," Bonnie explains, seeing the look of confusion on Max's face. "So, not many people bother with her gym. They find another one to deal with. In truth, I was thinking about going to one of the other gyms instead of this one, but seeing Trixie taunting me with her Psychic badge made me really want to challenge this one." "What makes this one so hard?" Max asks. "Olympia is a psychic herself," explains someone from the doorway into the gym. "She can command her pokémon through thought, rather than saying them out loud." Both kids whirl around to find a young woman standing there waiting for them. "Bonnie Citron," she says. "We have been expecting you." Bonnie looks excited at this. "Did you read the future to find that out?" she asks. The woman laughs. "No," she replies, "you're brother told us that he figured you'd be coming here. Now, follow me please into the gym. Max Maple, you can follow as well, but you will need to separate from us to make it to the stands." "How did you know my name?" he asks. The woman shrugs. "I read your mind," she replies. "Now, follow me." Looking slightly crestfallen that she didn't have her fortune read, Bonnie follows the woman, with Max right behind her.
They make it to the arena, and Max separates from Bonnie, heading up into the stands so he can watch her battle. Bonnie steps into the field, and the woman who guided her steps up to the referee post. Then, down from the ceiling floats Olympia, using her psychic powers to levitate herself down to the stadium. She smiles at Bonnie when she sees her. "You have grown since last we met," she remarks. "Although I suppose you'd rather I skip the pleasantries and get on with the battle, so you can catch up to that rival you hate so much." Bonnie stares at her. "Sorry," she says. "I didn't think you'd figure that out." Olympia laughs. "Nothing to worry about dear," she tells her. "And if it helps you feel any better, that girl was fighting desperately, just so she could gloat about staying ahead of you." This does make Bonnie feel better, but she doesn't need to say that. "Thanks for the info," she says instead. "Now, let's get on with the battle." Olympia nods and pulls out her two pokéballs.
The referee goes through the rules, as quickly as she can. "This shall be a double battle between Gym Leader Olympia and Challenger Bonnie. The battle will end when both pokémon on one side are unable to battle. There will be no substitutions permitted. Are both trainers ready?" Both of them nod. "Then battle begin!" Then, they send their pokémon out. Just as Bonnie had hoped, the two Olympia throws out are two Meowstic, one male, one female. She remembers how difficult Ash found them, but luckily for her, she has Max Maple helping her. So, she sends out an unlikely duo. Gardevoir and Luxray come out of their balls and let out mighty cries of anticipation. Olympia looks rather intrigued by her choice, but doesn't say anything, instead telepathically ordering her pokémon to begin attacking.
The female Meowstic immediately uses Future Sight, while the male goes for a Psybeam straight at Luxray. Luxray manages to dodge the attack and run in, chomping down on the male Meowstic with Crunch. The Meowstic cries out from the super effective hit and tries to shake Luxray off, but he's too heavy. While the Meowstic is pinned, Gardevoir rushes in and hits him with Fairy Wind, doing more damage. The male Meowstic manages to free himself from Luxray and back away, while the female comes in with a strong psychic attack, too quick for Luxray to dodge. This is where Max's plan truly comes into play. Gardevoir rushes forth and takes the strike. Since she's also a psychic it doesn't hurt her much. The male tries to hit Luxray with Psycho Cut, but Gardevoir takes that as well, leaving Luxray open to strike the female. However, her Future Sight finally activates, and she's able to avoid the hit. Luxray spins around and tries to go in again, but the male gets in the way and uses two more Psycho Cuts. Luxray manages to dodge one, but is unable to dodge the other, and is knocked off his feet. But Gardevoir quickly uses Heal Pulse on him, and he's able to get back on his feet, fully ready to keep going.
By this time, both Meowstic and Olympia have figured out Bonnie's plan. So, they decide to get Gardevoir out of the way as possible, and keep using Future Sight on Luxray so they know when he's coming. That's when Bonnie activates the next phase of her plan. She pulls out her wristband and Mega Evolves Gardevoir, making the Meowstics' attacks even less effective. Gardevoir keeps the Meowstic busy while Luxray sneaks up on them. The female senses his approach and tries to intercept him, but is struck in the back by Gardevoir before she can. This momentary lapse of conversation allows Luxray to completely close the distance, and hit her with a powerful Crunch. The female Meowstic screams in pain and Luxray bites into her arm. The male tries to help her, but Luxray leaps off the female and uses bite on the male, damaging him even more. The male tries in vain to shake Luxray off, and Luxray uses Spark, knocking the male Meowstic out.
The female is furious that her mate had been defeated, and tries to launch a massive attack on Luxray. But Gardevoir is able to intercept and hold her in place. Luxray comes in for another Crunch attack, however, Meowstic quickly uses psychic to throw him away. Gardevoir uses her own power to catch Luxray before he hits the ground, and this lapse in concentration allows Meowstic to break free and hit Gardevoir with a powerful Psycho Cut, sending her flying into the wall. Then, Meowstic rounds on Luxray, ready to finish him off, but to her surprise, there's now over twenty Luxray standing there, bearing their teeth at her. She tries to use Future Sight to find the real one, but before she can, all the Luxrays charge at her, she blasts them all away with Psychic, but is hit in the back with Moonblast from Gardevoir, who is still standing, only barely. This little distraction allows Luxray to leap up out of the dust to use Crunch one last time. This weakens Meowstic so much that she falls unconscious on the ground.
"Both of Olympia's pokémon are unable to battle!" the ref announces, with great shock in her voice. "Making Challenger Bonnie the winner of this match!" Bonnie cheers with delight at this, and Dedenne hops out of his bag to celebrate with her, jumping up on her head to cheer along. Max comes down from the stands to join her, and Olympia approaches, an impressed look on her face. "Well now, you two really do make a good team," she comments. "I must say Max Maple, that idea of yours was very smart." Max blushes at this. "Thanks," he says, "but it wasn't even close to being 50% me. I just based the ideas off of Bonnie's skills. She's the one who did all the work." Bonnie blushes at this. "Well then," says Olympia. "I'd say the League had better watch out this year, if such a formidable duo is going to be involved." The two of them beam with pride at this, before Bonnie accepts her badge, and the two leave the Gym. However, just as they're about to head back out into Anistar city, a different voice calls out to them. "That was a great battle Bonnie!" the voice says. "We watched it from the screen. Very impressive." Bonnie gasps and wheels around. She knows that voice rather well.
Don't know why I'm ending this on a cliff-hanger since I am genuinely dreading the next two chapters and how bad they're going to be, but I thought it'd be fun I guess. I'm actually quite proud of that battle, and I was going to do something like it with the battle against Trixie, but I figured it would be quite boring to use the same battle twice, so I came up with a different one for her. Now, I bet you're curious as to who was talking to Bonnie, well, you'll have to wait until Sunday or Monday to find out. The reason I say Monday, is because I have noticed that I have a habit of putting off chapters I'm not to sure about, and that will almost certainly happen with the next one. But hopefully not, so see you then.
