Chapter 10 - Gym Battle
"...and then her Flygon swooped in, and just obliterated Poliwrath!" One of Havila's friends was recounting a recent Championship match. She hadn't been able to see it, so she was thankful for the not-so-abridged version. All of champion Teresa's fights were a joy to watch. She'd have to catch the rerun later if there was a rerun. The friend on her other side giggled as the story ended. "What is it, Meg? Got a problem?"
"No, no, not at all. I thought you only watched those matches to look at Teresa." Meg said with a mischievous chuckle. The other friend turned bright red and stuttered for a moment before Havila calmed them both down. They had a good laugh afterwards, but Meg sighed wistfully. "It must be nice, Havi. You can go see battles whenever you want. Must be nice to have a Gym living practically next door. And I hear the new Leader is really strong!" Havila shrugged it off, looking away.
"If you want him, you can have him."
"Him!? Oo, is he a hunk? The strong, silent type?" Meg said with a squeal.
"No. So he's just your type." Meg was stunned, and Tyler burst out laughing. He was definitely planning on using that against her in the future. "He's so annoying…" she looked down and then out the window. Her voice was quiet as she muttered just loud enough for them to hear. "But he is strong…very strong."
"Ah…man, you are lucky then. If he's really that strong, he probably knows how to train Pokémon. You should try to pick his brain and make your own team better." Tyler said, pulling out a battle magazine and pointing to a few articles. Meg seemed to lose interest as soon as the hardcore details got involved.
"Artemis is more than enough, thanks."
"Well, what if you run into a Ghost or Grass type, like my Trevenant. Not to mention electric or dark types, which are pretty common moves." Havila reflexively winced. It was true - Tyler's team was varied and designed for multiple strategies. Even though individual pokemon on his team were weaker, he had won against her quite often. Meg on the other hand -
"Your ghost is just mean! It doesn't play nice at all with Sweetie." Meg was referring to her Swirlix. She was one of those trainers that captured Pokémon as pets. Not that it was a problem, but she insisted on battling with only her favorites. That usually meant her team was lacking in the power and synergy department. But both she and her Pokémon were happy and their bond was unbreakable. Havila was rather jealous. She let out a small grunt and looked out the window.
"Oh hey - why don't we challenge the new leader to a battle?" Tyler said. Havila shook her head.
"What's the point? His Gym isn't even open and he's only got his strongest Pokémon. He beat me, so you probably don't stand a chance." While her words cut, she dampened the blow with a small smile which only irritated her friend more.
"Yeah? Well, that just sounds like a 'You' problem. The score is pretty weighted in my favor - I bet I could beat him in two Pokémon! Watch me."
"Wait a minute -" before she could object, the bell rang to dismiss the students. Tyler and Meg jumped to their feet and grabbed their things. Havila had to run to catch up to them as they darted down the road the other way towards the Old Sun Gym. They were going full tilt, and almost ran into the door. A small closed sign was hanging in the window.
"Aw man…"
"See, I told you." Havila said, out of breath. The building was looking better and better each day, and it would be ready soon. But soon was not now. The kids stood dejectedly nearby when the door opened. Tyna looked a little confused but smiled.
"Ah, hello Havila and friends. What are you all doing here?"
"Oh, miss, we wanted to challenge the Gym Leader. Is he around?" Meg asked politely. Tyna shook her head, but pointed down the hill.
"His house is just down the way. He said he was going into the Sootwood soon. You might be able to catch him before he leaves if you hurry." Before she had finished, Tyler and Meg were off. Havila looked embarrassed but thanked Tyna and ran off to catch up. The three of them arrived and found Lucian in his yard juggling between tending to some small berry trees and keeping a furious Lilligant at bay. Now fully recovered, the Pokémon spared no expense at harming its trainer.
Lilligant's eyes snapped onto the kids as they approached, and a feral, airy rumble escaped its throat. Lucian tuned, and after seeing the kids, barked at Lilligant. "That's enough, eat your food." The Pokémon growled a moment longer, energy dancing around its body before it relented and stalked over to a comfortable corner to eat a handful of berries. The gym leader smiled and approached, keeping Lilligant in his vision at all times. It seems the Shadow Pokémon was at least starting to obey. "Hello, everyone. Coming from school?"
"Leader - let's battle!" Tyler said, with Meg echoing his request. Lucian was stunned for a moment before he smiled softly.
"Well, I can't give out any badges. But certainly - let me see your teams so I can pick out a good match." Both trainers sent out their Ace. Tyler's Trevenant and Meg's Marill. Lucian looked at them carefully, looked at their status in the PokéGEAR and nodded. "Alright. I think I have an adequate challenge lined up." Havila raised an eyebrow. But he pulled out two Pokéballs, one of which she knew was Muk. The other she didn't know. "Alright, let's try -"
He was interrupted by Lilligant standing and approaching. The Pokémon pointed towards Trevenant and spoke. After listening for a few moments, he replied. "You want to fight? Will you listen to me?" The Pokémon was hesitant for a moment, but nodded. Lucian put Muk back onto his belt. "So…Meg first, then Tyler? Havila, do you -"
"No." She said plainly and sat down on the grass. Tyler sat next to her, Trevenant helping itself to some berries. Lilligant stood in its corner, and the two trainers stood about twenty feet apart. Far fewer than his other battles, an indication that the fight wasn't going to be very intense.
"Okay, here I go! C'mon, Mimi!" She pointed straight ahead and Marill rolled forward with an adorable squeak. Lucian smiled and opened his Pokéball. A Zigzagoon popped out, doing erratic circles around Lucian's feet. "Ah! So cute~. Where did you find him?" Lucian chuckled and gave the raccoon a few headpats.
"Route 8 is full of the little guys around noon time. You and Havila should go out hunting for them next time you're free." He shrugged and pointed towards Marill. "Alright buddy, let's burn some energy." It barked happily and hopped in front. The stage was set, and Tyler gave the countdown from behind Meg.
"...1….Begin!" He called out in his best announcer voice. The instant the battle began, the calming look in the Gym Leader's eye was replaced with a serious and harsh look. The change in pace seemed to stun Meg, who took a step back. Zigzagoon, however, was still absolutely vibrating with excitement. Both Pokémon took off without waiting for commands.
"Alright, Zigzagoon - use Tackle!"
"Mimi, Bubble!" The bubbles scattered, sticking to the grass but missing Zigzagoon. The small Pokémon landed its attack, knocking Marill over. "Ah! Are you okay?! Use defense curl."
"Use Work-Up, buddy." Lucian said calmly, while the two Pokémon completed their buffs. He watched Meg doting on her Marill and helping it up. She clearly wasn't cut out for battles, but she cared about her Pokémon. Yet there was also something of a strategy brewing in her mind as she scanned the battlefield. She stood and took a step back and looked around again.
"Zigzagoon, don't give them a break - Pin Missile!" It bristled up, and razor-sharp spikes shot towards Marill who stood its ground.
"Whirlpool!" She ordered as Marill spun in place. The gout of water caught the pins, bubbles, and Zigzagoon before depositing them at random across the lawn. Zigzagoon barked happily, seeing the attack as a game. Meg's smile grew wider. "Now - Rollout!" Marill tucked into a ball and rolled, barreling towards Zigzagoon.
"Dodge it!" The trainer cried and the Pokémon managed. But as it jumped away, it bumped into one of the scattered bubbles. It popped and knocked Zigzagoon back. Then it clicked in Lucian's head. Whirlpool had tossed the bubbles almost at random . Some floated leisurely in the air and others had stuck to the ground. Zigzagoon would pop them, but Marill's special fur repelled the bubbles, letting it bounce off harmlessly and continue rolling. It was as clever as it was dangerous.
Mimi came back around, rolling even faster now. It slammed into Zigzagoon and sent it flying, making contact with a bubble which dropped it back to the ground roughly. Zigzagoon looked battered and hurt as Mimi came around for another attack, although it was equally as excited. "Dig!" Zigzagoon dove underground. Marill came to a dead stop at the edge of the hole and looked inside. Zigzagoon popped out with a small bark and gently pressed its nose against Mimi's. Both Pokémon startled and started rolling around each other playfully. Lucian put his head into his hand while Meg and Tyler laughed. Marill started laughing as well, and Zigzagoon looked absolutely pleased with itself.
"I guess we'll call it then?" Lucian said with a half-amused tone. He offered a snack to his Pokémon as it came barreling towards him for a hug after the tough battle. "Congratulations, Meg. That was a good battle" Tyler was in awe.
"Can you believe it, Havi?! Meg actually won." He stood up, but Mimi swatted a bubble at him, knocking him back on his rear. It huffed, defending it's trainer from the insult.
"You should look into Pokémon Contests, Meg. I think you've got potential." She blushed and nodded before picking up Mimi and walking over to Havila. "Tyler…are you ready?"
"Hell ya!" Tyler jumped up and took his position. The trainers stood on opposite ends of the lawn, a distance of roughly a hundred feet between them. Trevenant creaked into position while Lilligant hissed by Lucian's side. The gym leader put a hand onto his Pokémon's shoulder while Tyler gave his Pokémon a pep talk.
"Listen to me, Lilligant: you will hold back. Understood?" Lilligant snapped around and snarled, lifting its arm to strike. But the blow never came. The plant turned to face its foe. "Havila, care to count us down? And have Artemis raise a Barrier please."
"I'll do it!" Meg interrupted and stood. Havila sighed but had her Slowbro put up the psychic wall around the combatants as Meg did the countdown.
"The battle between Leader Lucian and Challenger Tyler is about to begin! On your marks. Ready?…Battle!" No orders were issued, but both Pokémon took off towards each other. They clashed with intense force, cracking the ground under their feet. Havila winced as the dark aura around Lilligant flared to life. The ghost Pokémon howled and dug into the ground, but Lilligant kept pushing.
"Nothin is stronger than Trevenant! Hit her with a Shadow Claw!" Trevenant tried to push Lilligant back and prepared to swipe. Lilligant held on tight, its eyes flashing with dark energy. The impact of both moves caused an explosion, knocking both Pokémon back against the barrier. "What in the world…Trevenant, Wil-o-Wisp!"
"Too slow - Safeguard!" Lilligant created a safe wall of energy around itself. The fire attack diffused and vanished as it hit. Tyler took a sharp breath. Lilligant and Trevenant circled each other waiting for further orders.
"Alright, use Curse!" Trevenant reached up and tore off a branch from its body. Foul energy wrapped around Lilligant as the curse took hold. The Pokémon visibly wilted and it clutched at its chest. "Now - do it!" Trevenant's color faded until its body melted into a shadow and vanished. Lucian's Pokémon was confused but on high alert.
"Shadow Force, huh?" Lucian muttered to himself as Tyler kept his eyes closed and waited. "The two of them are in perfect sync…this is bad."
"Lilligant - Synthesis!" Lucian called out, but there was no response from the Pokémon. "Hurry!" He called out again, but nothing. Havila put a hand up to her head. The aura around Lilligant was changing. Twisting into something much more dangerous.
"Hey, wait -"
"Now!" Tyler interrupted and pointed towards his opponent. "Shadow Force!" Trevenant manifested above Lilligant and dove forward. Lilligant caught it and tossed it towards and through the barrier. Trevenant crashed into the ground and slammed into Tyler. Both of them rolled into a pile as Lucian, Meg and Havila ran over to check on them. Tyler grunted as they dragged him out from under his Pokémon, but otherwise seemed unhurt. The Pokéball's on Lucian's belt trembled, opening up in response to something.
"Lucian! Your Pokémon -" Havila said and pointed. Muk, Raichu and Slowbro all stood between Lilligant and the trainers, roaring and feinting to keep Lilligant at bay. Lilligant seemed distant, its eyes open wide but not present. "...this is bad. Her aura is different." As if in response, faint sparks of energy began to manifest. Something was building up inside and ready to burst out.
"Enough!" The call snapped all Pokémon out on the field to attention. It wasn't angry or harsh, but it was plenty firm and authoritative. Lucian walked between the Pokémon and stood in front of Lilligant. It raised a hand to strike. Lucian stood still. "That's enough. Return." He said, pointing the Pokéball forward. Everyone held their breath. The energy surrounding Lilligant faded slowly. The Pokémon slumped forward into Lucian's arms and fainted - completely exhausted by the battle. "Relax, calm down, get some sleep." He whispered softly and put Lilligant back into its Pokéball.
"That was intense, huh?" Tyler said as the tension finally broke. The group collectively sighed.
"Sorry about that…but that was well fought, Tyler. I could see you raised Trevenant well and how much you trust each other. You're going to go far - maybe even to the league itself."
"Yup, that's the plan!" He smiled, as if the last few moments had not happened. Havila sighed.
"With that attitude you won't even make it to the final thirty-two."
"Bet?"
"Yeah, bet." The two of them struck a deal whilst Meg and Lucian sighed. She turned to him and smiled.
"So, can we come by again sometime? I'd love to let Mimi play with Zigzagoon."
"I want to fight your Muk next time, too!" Tyler added. Havila just shrugged.
"Of course. The gym is open to you guys anytime."
Aisha sat in the Pokémon Center watching the readings from Lilligant. The target was close enough that she could make her move. But the readings didn't make sense. Her boss was on the line, listening in to her ramblings. "...XD-082 Beta activated. XD-082 Alpha responded by shutting down."
"As expected?"
"Exactly as expected, well within parameters." Aisha rubbed her eyes and sighed. "But the issue is the frequency of the signal. Alpha's Shadow Energies went wild."
"...is it purifying?" The Director asked, chilling Aisha's blood. Impossible. She had designed this process. There were no flaws.
"No."
"Fine. Give her another nightmare and send her off in the morning."
"Sir, you cannot get attached to the target like this…." the man chuckled softly and took a sip of coffee.
"Ah, miss Aisha…you never did understand the goal of your work, did you? No matter." He stood and prepared to end the call. He was a busy man after all.
"What do you mean, sir?"
"Deal with the Gym Leader before the league challenge starts." The call ended and Aisha was left alone with her questions.