Author's Note:
Here it is, the third Unovan gym battle. Firstly, I want to apologise for the long wait, I got hit by a dose of writer's block & also an autism diagnosis. Apparently, I was good at masking it in my early life but benefitted from some of the more beneficial aspects but now it's come out in force & procrastination. I think because I was always more interested in telling the Ash side of the series & Drake was my attempt at trying more of my own ideas then adapting work, I'm fond off, that is the disconnect. I know this because I've completed the plans for the next three stories containing Ash & one of those is Sinnoh which is currently planned to be my longest individual book (chapter wise) to date. I do want to say, because of this development, I don't know when further updates will come, it's when they're written.
Secondly, a big thing has happened since the last update. Rachael Lillis has passed away at too young of an age. She is best known for her role as Misty & Jessie from the original anime series dub along with some other roles. While neither were my favourite character's growing up, I am very upset by this massive loss to the world. Whenever I've written Misty, it's her voice I've had in my head, and she'll be greatly missed. I wish her family and friends well in this adjustment period, I know the pain of losing someone to cancer and it's never easy.
Now time for the actual author's notes for this chapter. Yes, if you couldn't guess by the previous chapter, the gym leader I've turned into this universes version of Bob Ross. He passed before I was born but I have seen some of his show since and I feel like his philosophy towards life is similar to how I've characterised Ash... so, of course the best way to show case it is by putting him against Drake. Also, who else do you think off when you hear 'American painter'? Not a lot to say here, it's a gym battle and a chance to see one of my favourite members of his team. Bug happens to be my favourite type after all. I do want to bring up some things in reviews recently, I was asked if I'd consider posting on multiple platforms. They mentioned AO3 specifically but I'm not familiar with that site. I do have a watts-pad account for reading but it'll take a while to reformat every chapter so long story short, the answer is no. Not much else to say, don't forget to vote in the poll and with that, let's begin...
Chapter eighteen: Drake verses Burgh: Double
Drake stood outside a skyscraper with the Unovan league symbol above the entrance. Marowak stood beside him and the other two behind. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and pictured the four Pokémon that he prepared for the pending match.
It's not that he's concerned about losing, just like with Xatu in Nacrene, he's certain that his pre-Unova team member can win by himself. His hesitation comes from the specific Unovan Pokémon. This is a very risky game he's playing but the double battle format is offering a unique opportunity.
Opening his eyes, he shook his head. Too late to change his mind now. Walking forward, he pushed the door open.
Stepping into the Castelia city gym and his eyes scanned around. Webbing hung from all corners and the entire room was marble white. Some people were scattered around sculpting different pieces with all different types of materials. Walking forward, a spot light burst on him, forcing him to stop in his tracks.
"Hey-hey welcome friends to the Castelia gym-" Burgh's voice echoed.
Looking forward, a set of colourful tiles created a path forward. Rolling his eyes at the theatrical display, he moved forward through the gym. Reaching another room at the back, they stepped inside, and he had to admit surprise.
The room was a giant canvas with a massive with a few trees scattered around. The floor seemed to be an abstract rainbow pool with the outlines of a standard battlefield where Burgh sat on a stood with a paint-plate in one hand and a selection of Pokéballs sat on it.
"Welcome friends to the Castelia gym." He smiled, standing up. "Are you ready to feel some joy when we play?"
"Let's get this over already-" He groaned, walking over to one side of the field.
"Yes sir... as soon as you relax-" He smiled, walking over to the opposite side of the field. "No pressure. Just relax and let it happen."
"Easier said than done." He growled. Hearing his positive joyful tone, filled with optimism reminded him of one person.
"I appreciate that you need the darkness to show the light." He smiled. "It's easy to forgive a child scare of the dark... it's scary in there but the real tragedy is when ostracize those who embrace it... and are scared of the light... it can be blinding at times."
"You charge by the hour doc?" He asked
"I just call it like I see it-" another artist from the previous room entered and took up a space between them with two flags.
"This'll be a four-on-four gym battle between the Castelia city gym leader, Burgh Ross and the challenger, Drake Ketchum from Pallet town!" The referee announced. "It'll be a double-battle format with each trainer using two Pokémon at once. No time limit or substitutions. Burgh shall choose first!"
"I started painting as a hobby when I was little... I didn't know I had any talent in it or as a trainer-" He revealed two Pokéballs. "I believe talent is just a pursued interest. Anybody can do what I do if they put in the effort. Now join me, my friends!"
In a flash of light, two creatures landed on the field. The one to first catch his attention was an enormous, hard shell, which resembled a cut-away block of earth with multiple layers and strata visible. Poking out of the bottom front seemed to be the actual Pokémon, a crustacean or more likely insectoid creature, it was difficult to tell due to the earth covering most of it, in a brownish-orange colour. The tips of the two pincers sticking out and the six feet holding the shell up were dark grey. Two glaring yellow eyes locked onto him as he pulled out his Pokédex to scan it:
Crustle, the Stone Home Pokémon. The final evolved form of Dwebble. This highly territorial Pokémon prefers dry climates. It won't come out of its boulder on rainy days. Its thick claws are its greatest weapons. They're mighty enough to crack Rhyperior's carapace
"Rock type..." He mused to himself, lowering his device. "Covers fire, flying... likely knows a ground move. Perfect for coverage."
His eyes scanned over to the second opponent. A much smaller insectoid Pokémon with a shimmering steel silver body split into three distinctive sections stood barely to the size of Crustle's pincer. Their ovoid abdomen was a dark grey with a light grey band wrapping around the middle and two circles resembling rivets near a jagged seam. The thorax was slightly smaller, but identical in design with the abdomen, the only difference being one circle instead of two. The head was spherical, containing the same light grey wrap design as the body, however it wrapped from front to back on the head. On each side of the head were large red eyes with hallow black pupils. Two round mandibles were attached below the eyes and were situated in front of its horizontally opening mouth, clicking in an aggressive manner. Atop of the head were two long antennae, each tipped with small spheres. Six black legs sprouted from the thorax, each leg had one claw at its tip, except the front legs that each had two. He used his device once more for the much smaller bug:
Durant, the Iron Ant Pokémon. They lay their eggs deep inside their nests. When attacked by Heatmor, they retaliate using their massive mandibles. With their large mandibles, these Pokémon can crunch their way through rock. Individuals each play different roles in driving their natural predator away
"Find freedom on this canvas we call the battlefield!" Burgh declared; his annoying smile spread over his face.
Putting his device away, he unclipped two devices from his belt. Holding both out, they released his two Pokémon onto the field.
"A Pinsir and a Shelmet..." Burgh grinned. "Coming into a bug gym with two bug types of your own? Now you've peaked my interest."
"Why are you a bug type specialist?" he asked. "I would've thought... normal. They have most versatility, like a blank canvas, after all."
"Very good-" He nodded. "I just ended up spending a lot of time with them. They tend to hang out with the most beautiful sights, and I couldn't help myself, I just had to paint them. We became good friends and it's like I always say... everyone always needs a friend."
"Maro-" his ground type nodded in approval.
Shaking his head, he focused on the four Pokémon about to battle. His first capture crouched down and aimed his horns forward, clicking in anger as Durant returned, taking up their own battle-stance. While Crustle shuffle slightly but looked more stoic... Shelmet, hid in his shell.
"Crustle and Durant verses Pinsir and Shelmet!" The ref declared. "Let the battle begin!"
Burgh verses Drake: Round one
"Pinsir, you're on support!" He commanded. "Shelmet use spikes!"
Jumping into the air, his newest bug launched a barrage of pins. Flying through the air, they landed just at the feet of their two opponents.
Durant scattered onto the top of Crustle as the larger Pokémon formed a large rock in front of them. The bug steel type lept up and landed on the rock as it was launched towards both of his Pokémon. He didn't need to intervene as his first capture knew what to do.
Moving in front of Shelmet, he drew an arm back and clenched his fist. With fighting type energy swirling in his arm, he punched the rock, and it crumbled into smaller rocks. Picking up the speed, he used both arms to begin sending the smaller shards flying back over the field.
Crustle withdrew into his shell and the rocks just bounced off. His eyes flickered down to see Durant on Pinsir's back.
"Shelmet!" He shouted.
His newest bug stumbled back and spat a purple liquid up. Splitting the steel bug off Pinsir, his acid seemed ineffective as Durant dived.
Fangs sparked with electricity and set the acid into flames. Clamping onto the newest bug captured, she swung her head and sent Shelmet flying.
Pinsir stomped the ground, and a rock burst up. Smothering the flames, he stood tall over the field as Durant burrowed into the ground.
Crustle turned slightly to face his smaller bug type. A massive rock formed between his claws and shot out, but his larger bug jumped first.
Pinsir through his weight down and crashed through the rock wrecker, shattering it into rubble before it got close to Shelmet. Standing in-between the two bugs, he crouched down and twitched his horns in Crustle's direction as Shelmet shook in place.
"It's difficult to see things when your too close-" Burgh warned. "Dear Durant, if you would."
Jumping up from the ground, her fangs sparked with electricity. Flying past Shelmet, she delivered a strike with her thunder fang.
"Pinsir stop Crustle if he tries to interfere-" He instructed. "Shelmet this is a one-on-one... now use yawn!"
Shelmet wobbled slightly and a big bubble formed at the time of his shell. Growing bigger and bigger as Durant scuttled to the side. A loud screech echoed out of the metal bug and the sound wave caused the bubble to pop. While the other two bugs held their positions despite the loud noise.
"Isn't it wonderful that you can change your mind and come up with all sorts of happy things and strategies?" Burgh asked. "Like guillotine, my friend!"
Before he could question which one it was, Durant snapped her mouth appendages around his smallest bug. Lifting him up into the air, both of them glew white and with a flick to the side sent his newest team member flying. Skidding over the floor, his shell opened, and swirls replaced his eyes.
"Shelmet is unable to battle!" The ref declared. "Drake will have to send in his next Pokémon to continue!"
Holding up his bug types Pokéball, he recalled him into the device and clipped it back onto his belt. Pinsir turned and walked back over to his original starting position. Their eyes met and a silent question asked to which he subtly shook his head. Looking over the brown bugs shoulder, he saw both opponents moving back into their own original positions in front of Burgh. Another Pokéball already filling his hand.
While his plan hasn't ended here, he does need to adapt. After all, both of these opponents are much tougher for his next Pokémon then one might've thought but he also needs to be more curious. Who would've thought Burgh of all gym leaders would use a move like guillotine.
"I hope we haven't dissuaded you from this battle, Drake-" Burgh sounded sincere. "The secret to doing anything is believing that you can do it. Anything that you believe you can do strong enough, you can do. Anything! As long as you believe. You just need faith."
He couldn't help but narrow his eyes and feel his eyebrow twitch at the sound of that declaration. It sounded way too similar to his father's and Ash's favourite saying about never giving up... it's easy for people who get handed everything in life on a plate. Never needing to worry what's around the corner.
"Faith-" He growled with venom. "The magic word that keeps you from never having to think for yourself."
"I'm sorry, son... I didn't mean to hurt you like that-" Burgh apologised. "You gotta have opposites, light and dark and light, in painting. It's like in life. Gotta have a little sadness once in a while, so you know when the good times come. And they do come, I promise you."
"Yeah, course... as long as you keep faith-" he sneered, thrusting his hand out. "Go Rufflet!"
In a flash of light, his normal flying type landed on the ground next to Pinsir. He glanced around before spotting the two opposing bugs. He barely got one foot away before his first capture collapsed his hand around the small birds body.
"Hehehehe, it seems Rufflet is quite excitable-" Burgh smiled. "I can't think of anything more rewarding then being able to express yourself to others through. Whatever method you wish. Exercising the imagination, experimenting with talents, being creative, these things, to me, are the window to the soul."
Not feeling the need or desire to respond, he glanced to the side. Locking eyes with the ref for a split second, he lifted both flags up.
"Crustle and Durant verses Pinsir and Rufflet!" The ref declared. "Let the battle begin!"
Burgh verses Drake: Round two
As if he already knew what to do, Drake watched his first capture launch the small bird into the air. Flapping his wings hard, he struggled to gain control over his flight path as he sailed high into the air. Running forward, Pinsir closed in on both of the two bugs. Crashing into Crustle, he pushed the big rock back.
"Durant, why not repeat our little trick from the first round?" Burgh asked.
The steel bug scuttered up onto Pinsir's back and a smile flickered upon his lips. Her mouth appendages glew white and stabbed into his bugs back.
Throwing himself back, Pinsir crushed the bug on the ground. Rolling over he, kneeled in front of the female bug who struggled to get off her back.
"Big mistake-" He informed. "Moves like guillotine only work on weaker opponents. If you'd please demonstrate Pinsir!"
Reaching out as he stood up, he grabbed the female bug and tossed her up into the air. His horns glew white as she fell back down with Rufflet nearby.
Whacking his horns around, he smacked her along. Skidding across the ground, she stopped with swirls in her eyes as Rufflet face planted the floor.
"Durant is unable to battle-" the ref declared. "Burgh will need to send out his next Pokémon to continue!"
He smirked as his two Pokémon returned to their starting positions. A red outline faded from around his first capture. While Burgh recalled the fallen bug steel type. His eyes glanced to the stag beetle Pokémon before catching sight of the annoyed looking bird by his side
"Pinsir, let Rufflet take the lead next time!" Drake instructed, turning to Burgh. "You see, you made a mistake."
"I don't believe in mistakes-" He smiled. "Just happy accidents but please, do explain if you disagree."
"You shouldn't have shown us the move guillotine," he replied, "it proved a threat to any of my Pokémon from today... except for Pinsir. Neutralize the threat was paramount. You see, Pinsir is my strongest or most powerful fighter... he is my tactician. My first capture and we have learnt to think alike."
"You're certainly interesting-" He produced another Pokéball. "Now, my friend, it's your turn."
In a flash of light, a plump, centipede-like Pokémon that stood with the front half of his body raised vertically off the ground. Her segmented body was a dark magenta, except for the smooth-looking, dark grey underside. Long, slightly bent horns similar to antennae extended from her head, as well as an identical pair of horns on the rear. Purple bands decorated these horns, and teardrop-shaped rings of the same colour marked each of the body segments, one on each side of her body. She possessed four pairs of short, purple fore-claws on the body segments that made up the neck. Her four hind legs were longer, thicker, and spaced farther apart. Each hind limb had curved dark grey bands around the middle. He pulled out his Pokédex for a check on the opponent:
Scolipede, the megapede Pokémon. The final evolved form of Venipede. Scolipede latches on to its prey with the claws on its neck before slamming them into the ground and jabbing them with its claw's toxic spikes. These are extremely territorial and known to rule forests in which they live
"Hmm-" He mused as a series of small explosions erupted around her feet. "Pinsir, let Rufflet take the lead. I wanna see what he's capable of."
His first caught nodded and took up his starting stance as the young bird hopped about in a frenzy. He wasn't silly enough to think that the normal flying type could win but maybe a tough enough loss would teach him some humility.
Scolipede stood tall over the others, imposing a large shadow over the others. While Crustle prepared in his usual stance beside the new partner.
"Crustle and Scolipede verses Pinsir and Rufflet!" The ref declared. "Let the battle begin
Burgh verses Drake: Round three
He smiled as Rufflet took the chance to start immediately. Charging over the field towards Scolipede with glowing wings.
"Give 'em a boost."
Pinsir stomped the ground, and a rock shot up from under the running bird. The momentum shot him up into the air, striking the megapede's side.
Curving around the bug poison type seemed unprepared to counter the emergence take off. Landing on Scolipede's head, his beak glew white. With a small hop, he rapidly thrusted his beak into the top of Scolipede's head.
"Shake it off!" Burgh instructed
The bug poison type shook her upper body back and forth. His youngest team member stumbled between the two head horns.
"Just like in the battle against Riolu!" He countered.
Throwing himself off the large Pokémon, the movements created a draft big enough to help him glide down. Taking a wide berth around in his flight down, his wings shimmered in a silver metal coating.
"Spin & dive!" He shouted.
Spiralling down on his axis, he became a silver blur. Dive bombing onto the rock bug. Standing back up on the slab of earth shell.
Letting out a series of squawks of excitement, he hopped up and down. It seemed to have the desired effect as Scolipede turned to him.
Her horns glew purple and thrusting her head down, a toxic x shot forward. Running forward and leaping off stone home Pokémon.
The tailwind from the cross poison gave him a boost to glide back at the other bug. While Crustle took Scolipede's attack and skidded backwards.
With a glowing beak, he flew straight into the eye of the bug poison type. Clutching his talons into her face, he unleashed a peck barrage.
Thrusting her upper body back up, he was helplessly flung into the air. Opening her mouth, she struck him with a series of poison stingers.
Flying over the field, he scraped and bounced over the floor. Stopping on his stomach with most energy drained, he tried to push himself up.
"He still has some fight left in him?" Burgh asked, sounding genuinely surprised.
Scolipede let out a loud cry and charged forward. With a small hop, curled up into a ball. Rolling towards him with seismic tremors radiating out.
Pinsir walked in between the two and took up a defensive stance. Taking the rollout head-on, he grabbed onto the side of the larger bug. Skidding against the ground, he picked up the megapede Pokémon and held her over his head.
Throwing the bug poison type over the field. She skid across the ground on her side while his pure bug type let out an angry cry.
"Fine-" He pulled out a Pokéball and held it out in front of him. "Rufflet isn't able to continue."
A red light shot out and engulfed his youngest Pokémon, sucking him back into the device. As Scolipede wiggled back onto her feet.
"Rufflet has been declared unable to battle!" The ref declared. "Drake will have to send in his next Pokémon to continue!"
Clipping the device back onto his belt, he caught sight of Burgh staring at Pinsir. Wide eyes and mouth trembling as the colour in his cheeks faded slightly.
"It seems like I might've underestimated the strength of your Pinsir-" Burgh mused. "Stopping Scolipede with raw strength..."
"I'll let you in to a secret-" he whispered. "Your true mistake is underestimating me. If you can't read your opponent, then you can't predict there team."
"And you think that you've got a read on me?" he asked.
"We'll see with how the rest of this battle goes-" He pulled another device off his belt. "Go Excadrill!"
His ground steel type materialised on the field and let out a hissing cry. Flaring his metal claws out to the side as he made himself as wide as possible.
"Pinsir!" He got the pure bug types attention. "Just like before, let him take the lead."
Receiving a nod confirming the plan, he took a couple steps behind the ground steel type. Entering a pose similar to a runner at the start of their track. Excadrill scraped his claws together and let out a low hiss in disapproval.
"Crustle and Scolipede verses Pinsir and Excadrill!" The ref declared. "Let the battle begin!"
Burgh verses Drake: Round four
He watched as a massive rock formed between Crustle's claws. Firing the rock wrecker at his two Pokémon, Excadrill escaped by creating a hole in the floor. Pinsir braced himself and used raw strength to bring the boulder to a halt.
Lifting his shell up, the rock bug type slammed it down. Seismic waves echoed out and struck both Pinsir and Scolipede.
Excadrill shot up from the ground and pieced the bottom of the earth-shell. Spinning Crustle out, it ended the short earthquake.
Uncurling from his drill form, the rowdy Pokémon's claws shone with a silver colour. Throwing his weight down in a double metal claw.
Landing on the stone home Pokémon's back, he rotated between his claws. Each slashing down with steel type energy.
Scolipede came in and used her horns to flick Excadrill off her partner. Twisting in the air, he snapped a claw onto one of her horns. Lowering himself onto her head, he snapped his adjacent claw on the other horn. His crush claw proved to be an iron grip as she flung her upper body around.
"Crustle, be agent and help Scolipede out please." Burgh instructed.
The large poison bug type stopped her shaking and pointed her head at her opponent. Excadrill in full view of the opposing duel bug.
Burgh's stone home Pokémon who shot small sharp rocks out. Each hitting the ground steel type, who growled in pain and anger.
"Okay Pinsir, you can finish this now..." He instructed, pinching the bridge of his nose. Did he just forget his iron helmet could've easily whacked the stones away? Excadrill may be tuff but smart or strategic leaves a lot to be desired. "Go for Crustle!"
His first capture climbed onto the top of the rock wrecker and crouched down. Diving off, he tacked the rock bug, and both went rolling over the floor.
Pinsir landed just past him as the stone home Pokémon struggled on his back. With glowing horns, he charged and snatched the heavier bug up.
Running along the field, his guillotine scrapped into either side of his opponent. Smashing into the rock wrecker, both Pokémon disappeared as it turned into a pile of rubble over them. Emerging the other side, Pinsir released his grip, and the rock bug type slumped down by his feet.
"Crustle is unable to battle!" The ref declared. "Burgh will need to send out his next Pokémon to continue!"
His ground steel type hopped down from Scolipede's head and walked back over the field. A red light engulfed the fallen bug, removing him from the field as Excadrill let out a low grumble. Pinsir following suit and returning to his original spot.
"If you was smart about it then you could've finished Crustle off-" Drake informed me. "But yes, there was also a reason behind letting Pinsir do it."
The steel ground type let out a low growl. Snapping the metal claws together.
"Fine..." He held his hands up. "You heard him, Pinsir. Let Excadrill go the full way next time. Then it'll be two-on-one."
"Sir-Pinsir."
"Drill?"
"No, I doubt have faith you can do it," Drake replied, "one-on-one, you could handle the opponent given the right circumstances but two on one, it requires several techniques, none of which I've taught you yet. It also requires you excel in some aspect of battle to give yourself the edge. You lack the build or raw strength which Pinsir uses. Your quick but not nearly fast enough. I would say terrain control, but you lack the finesse to use to its full advantage."
"Exca!"
"You won't improve if I just tell your great with no constructive feedback-" he retorted. "But this will allow me to see where your starting in uneven number battles. And it doesn't really matter because the end result of this battle is already decided."
"I wouldn't count your Rufflet's until they've hatched-" Burgh called out, holding a Pokéball in hand. "I need you, my friend! Leavanny!"
In a flash of light, a thin, yellow, bipedal insectoid Pokémon materialised. Spikes exploded at her feet. She had a broad, split-leaf around her large, round-head and she had long antennae that ended in semicircles. Her eyes were red with no apparent sclerae, and a tiny, dark green thorax. Her abdomen was yellow and covered in a green leaf. Her hands were long and leaf-like with a 'bite' taken out of each, creating blade-appendages. While the upper arms were also leaf like but with a vein of yellow at the top. Her hips were wide, and her thin legs were yellow with dark green, thick segments around the upper part, like armor.
"Interesting-" he mused, pointing his dex to scan the final gym Pokémon:
Leavanny, the Nurturing Pokémon. The final evolved form of Sewaddle. It keeps its eggs warm with heat from fermenting leaves. It also uses leaves to make warm wrappings for Sewaddle. Known as the mother of the forest, its known to care for young regardless of species
"Yep... I'm certain now-" Drake nodded, putting his device away. "I would tell you why but for now I'll just say, checkmate in three."
"You play chess?" he asked.
"Yes-" He nodded. "Far more effective in strategizing then painting, I'm afraid."
"Maybe but us artists are a different breed of people-" Burgh smiled. "We're a happy bunch."
Feeling a tinge of anger, his nose twitched before he shook to clear his head. Looking towards the two Pokémon, he Excadrill enter his starting pose.
Pinsir walked back slightly, leaving his partner to battle, crossing his arms. Scolipede lowered her head with a strong huff of breath exhaling from her nose.
Leavanny walked forward and positioned her blade-arms in front of her body. In a slightly defensive stance, he studied her to try and gage her experience.
"Scolipede and Leavanny verses Pinsir and Excadrill!" The ref declared. "Let the battle begin!"
Burgh verses Drake: Round five
He watched his subterrain Pokémon charge forward in a frontal run. His claws glew white and extended as he lept from one part of the field to the next. His attention seemingly focused on the new arrival. Granted, she looks the least intimidating so going for the weaker link is somewhat strategic.
Her blade-arms glew bright green with grass energy as she ran forward. Swiping them down, it hit Excadrill's inner arm, cancelling his crush claw.
Sliding one foot forward, she moved under the slightly airborne opponent. Bringing her leaf blade up, she tossed him overhead.
Spinning to continue to face him as his Pokémon clamped shut into a drill. She spat out a thick string which hit his back, and she quickly pulled him back.
Crossing both arms over her chest, an energy-x formed, and she threw it forward. Striking his ground steel type in the back.
Uncurling from his drill form, his claws shimmered in a silver metal. Bringing them down on the neutering Pokémon as the string snapped off.
Leavanny danced around the side, avoiding the more rugged and slower fighter. Shooting golden seeds out of her mouth, which struck his side and back.
He moved his claw to block the bullet seeds. Scolipede came charging and piercing his back with his horn. With a swing to the side, he was sent flying over into the rubble Pinsir created with the large boulder. Skidding over the floor, he ended up on his stomach.
"What have I told you about using your environment. When we met, you knew your location, but you need to adapt." He instructed. "Rapid spin!"
His fully evolved Unovan Pokémon snapped shut into his drill form. Landing on the floor, he began spinning around and rocks went flying in every direction.
Drake's first capture moved in between Excadrill and their trainer. Stomping the ground, he rose up a slab of earth as a shield.
Glancing over the field, he noticed the two opposing bugs being pelted with sharp rocks. Scolipede crawled in front of Leavanny and threw up a protect.
As the rocks stopped, he glanced back to see a hole where Excadrill spun. As the protect shield fell, Excadrill shot up underneath the poison bug type. His claws slashed over Scolipede's chest before he snapped shut on her skin. Using his strength to mount up on her back.
Letting out a pained roar, Scolipede began thrashing around. Excadrill managed to climb his way up to top of the megapede Pokémon.
Steading himself by snapping his claws onto the horn. He lifted his feet before stomping them down, delivering an earthquake straight into his opponent.
Scolipede cried out and thrust her head back with enough force to finally launch her rider. A thick blob of toxic sludge followed him up, more out of reflect then intention on the bug poison type's part. Both reaching the apex of their flight around the same part.
"Use it on Leavanny!" Drake shouted.
Spinning around on the fall down, his claws grabbed the sludge bomb. Using the fall to pick up momentum, he tossed the ball down once more.
Leavanny pounced up and pierced the sludge bomb. Landing on top of Scolipede, away from the raining sludge, she began to glow mystically which passed onto the megapede Pokémon. His eyes widened as Excadrill landed right at Scolipede's feet.
Before he could cry out a warning, the ground steel type dug another hole. He closed his eyes as he saw the subterranean Pokémon's chance.
Rearing her front up, Scolipede slammed her upper half down. Seismic waves echoed out as he dropped to the floor from the quake.
His eyes locked onto his bug type who crouched into a running-start position. Tensed up with eyes closed.
"If he stops moving then pull him out-" Drake instructed.
A single nod from the stag beetle and he took a breath. Lifting one arm up, he punched it into the ground. Excadrill came flying up from the ground and landed flat on his back with the bulldoze ending. A red outline radiated off Pinsir as his muscled flared up. Both of them struggled back up onto their feet.
"Excadrill is unable to battle!" The ref declared. "Drake will have to continue in a two-on-one format!"
Walking out from behind the earth-shield, he pulled out his Pokéball arm recalled the steel ground type. Pinsir moved into position in front of both opponents. Leavanny sat on the back of Scolipede, who made herself tower over the field.
"There's no shame in calling it quits!" Burgh called out. "A trainer's first responsibility is to there Pokémon's wellbeing."
"Funny." He smirked. "I was going to tell you the same thing."
"In case you missed it, it's down to a two-verses-one-" Burgh countered. "And Pinsir has been out from the start. He must be feeling tired."
"Try again-" He narrowed his eyes. "Pinsir has an ability called moxie. Every knockout he causes gives an adrenaline boost. Durant, Crustle... Excadrill. One boost on top of the other. Not to mention he's seen this entire battle. He's studied your style and that of Leavanny and Scolipede."
"Hehehe, you're certainly an interesting character-" Burgh smiled widely. "But this battle isn't over yet!"
"Yes, it is-" He smirked. "Your Pokémon just don't realise it yet! Pinsir!"
His first capture turned back to look at him.
"Take out Scolipede first-" he instructed. "And don't go straight for guillotine. At least make it somewhat interesting."
Giving a nod, he turned back and crouched into his opening stance. With horns pointing at the two opponents, they twitched in excitement.
"Scolipede and Leavanny verses Pinsir!" The ref declared. "Let the battle begin!"
Burgh verses Drake: Round six
His pure bug type took off in a sprint over the field with impressive speed for his species. The helping hand mystic glow covered both opposing Pokémon. Opening her mouth, Scolipede fired out a barrage of poison stings.
Taking the toxic projectiles head on, he leapt with his built-up momentum. Crashing into the bug poison type, who stumbled backwards.
Snapping his horns around her midsection in a vice grip, he began rocking back and forth. His superior strength causing her to wobble in motion.
All three bugs tumbled onto the ground, splitting apart. Leavanny being the quickest to recover, extended her leaf blade arms.
Slicing them on his stag beetle, Pinsir gritted his teeth as he stood up. Clenching both fists shut, he punched out.
Hitting her blade arm away, her inner elbow and mid-section in that order before repeating on the other side. The pressure points caused her assault to halt in place and he stomped the ground, and a rock burst up, encasing, and immobilising the bug grass type.
Scolipede, back on her feet, charged into his back. Horns glowing bright purple as she struck full force with her poison jab.
Lifting him up into the air, he watched the stag beetle grab hold of the toxic horns. Stabilising himself on top of her head.
With a red outline radiating off him, his muscles flared his strength as he pulled back. Rearing Scolipede onto her rear legs, stingers shot out of her horns.
Caught off guard, he dived back, and she slammed back onto the ground. Seismic waves from her bulldoze expanded out.
Crumbling Leavanny's rock tomb prison, she spun to the side and spat out a thick string shot. To latched onto one of Pinsir's fists from behind, she cut it with her blade arm and grabbed the thread before repeating with his second fist. Tension filled both strings as she tried to pull him back.
Flaring his strength again, he pulled her over the field. Slamming her into his back, she thudded hard on the ground.
Stomping his foot to create another rock tomb prison around her. He turned back to face his second opponent.
Scolipede scrapped the ground with some of her front legs, she took off in a charge. Horns pointed at Pinsir and glowing purple with toxins.
Entering his own charge, they halved the distance between them as he jumped. Grabbing her horns, the momentum was enough to pull her back.
Dragging her into a full turn, he landed behind her on one knee. She lay helplessly on her back, wiggling to try and stand back up.
Standing up and stomping the ground, a rock tomb burst up from beneath him. Entering a flying summersault, he spread his body wide at the apex. Throwing his full weight down, the body slam landed directly on her stomach.
A pained cry wheezed out of the megapede Pokémon before she collapsed onto the floor. Looking at his first capture, he frowned.
While the moxie boost radiated from him, there was a purple mark over his face. Sweat poured down his face as the poison took ahold of him.
"Scolipede is unable to battle!" The ref declared. "Let the battle continue!"
Turning back to the remaining opponent he saw brown seeds raining over her and exploding. Destroying the rock prison, she rolled to the side.
Sweeping back onto her feet, she seemed as fluid as a dancer. Pinsir crouched low before entering a run, lagging slightly compared to before.
Entering her own run, she swerved to the side and spat out a string shot onto his hand. Spinning around his back, she continued to weave her web. Wrapping it and his other arm, she continued to dance around the pure bug type. Creating a full-on straight jacket around Drake's first capture.
With a single thread connecting the two, she delivered a shock down the line. Her electroweb electrified his whole body.
Crying out in pain, a red outline radiated off his body. Breaking the webbing with his pure strength, he reached and grabbed a stunned Leavanny.
"H-how-" Burgh gasped.
Pinsir pulled her close in a Snorlax-hug. Entering a run towards the wall where he'd slam her with his full force.
"Durant, Crustle, Excadrill & Scolipede-" Drake lectured. "His ability is moxie. Most Pokémon get tired from long battles but not Pinsir. When you said this'll be a double battle, I was excited. I thought some interesting strategies to challenge me, but you failed at the first hurdle."
His bug body slammed her into the wall before stepping back. Wobbling back and forth on her feet, Leavanny was helpless as he grabbed her arm.
Spinning on the spot, he built up momentum as she spun with him. With his massive strength, he sent her flying over the field.
"In a double battle, you eliminate the challenge first." He continued. "Durant's guillotine was the biggest threat. Then Scolipede had an unknown element, but Crustle just kept getting in the way. Leavanny, her helping hand was dangerous but only in that it'll help boost her partner. The threat was still Scolipede."
Stomping the ground and a rock pillar shot up in front of him. Brick breaking the earth slab, he sent discs of the stone flying over the field.
"But Pinsir stood back, and your other Pokémon went on the attack!" Iris shouted from the sideline. "Surely they were the bigger threat. No?"
Leavanny, unable to dodge from the onslaught assault, landed flat on her back. Swirls replaced her eyes as Pinsir stopped and walked back to his side.
"Leavanny is unable to battle!" The ref declared. "Making the victors of the battle Drake and his Pinsir!"
He took a moment and turned to the purple haired girl. "I thought you'd been paying attention. In chess, the pawns go first."
His bug type let out a grunt of agreement and he nodded to show he agreed with the gesture. It might seem cruel, sending Shelmet and Rufflet out into battle where they had no chance of winning, but a gym leader would show far more restraint than your average trainer. Also, with it being a double battle, there was a bigger purpose for them being put through this test but that'll have to wait as the gym walked over to him.
"You've certainly shown yourself to be strategic in your planning-" Burgh smiled. Holding his palm out, a thin badge shaped like a green heart divided into three parts, or the wings and body of an insect sat as he took it into his own hand. "This is your proof of victory today, the insect badge."
"Another one down, five more to go-" He uttered as Pinsir made a grunt of agreement.
"How many discoveries have you made since you started your adventure?" Burgh asked. "When I was a kid, my innocent heart was captured by the beauty of bug Pokémon. I drew with them and battled with them, and after all this time, I continue to discover new things. A world shared with Pokémon is a world swarming with mysteries. Like the mystery of what made you clutch onto logic, reasoning, and strategy to a fault?"
"A fault?" He felt his eyebrow twitch in annoyance. "I won, remember."
"You may have won the battle but at what cost?" the gym leader asked. "Was it worth putting Shelmet or Rufflet into a fight they weren't prepared for?"
"Pinsir was on hand to stop it." He corrected. "If I miscalculated."
"And because you won, you'll feel you were right-" Burgh interjected. "But you can't just keep running on gambits. Eventually, your luck will run out."
"Course it will." He nodded, turning on a heel. Leading the way out of the gym, he caught sight of the two humans following but he refocused his attention on his first capture who walked beside him. "Okay, Pinsir. What'cha make of the others? Get an understanding of their potential?"
"Sir!" He nodded. "Pinsir."
"Good... the next place we're heading is through a desert and the last thing I want is to chase Rufflet through a sandstorm," he explained, "I want you to take up his training at the lab. He's got the fighting spirit, but I need it moulding into something useful."
"Pin-sir!"
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