Chapter 17 – Gym Badge Number 3
A/N: This is a original Pokemon Fan Game, made by Amethyst. if you wish to check it out and play the game download it at Reborn Evolved. search for it on your web browser if you want to get to the website.
Time: 13:00
Location: Lapis Ward
"Ah, you're back!" Victoria heard the door open, with Percival and Lucille entering. "Did you find someone Shelly can talk to?"
"…" Percival grimaced, thinking about how the doctor he met seemed. He really didn't want Shelly to talk let alone meet with him.
"We might have some words to cheer her up though!" Lucille tried to brighten the mood. Which before anyone could say anything, Lucille hurriedly went to find Shelly.
"Ugh… it's like she never passed out yesterday." Victoria had a worried sigh.
"It's curious, I feel like she's hiding something… but I'm not sure what?" Percival added, "Every time I try to press the matter, she changes the subject."
"Do you think this has to do with what that Nero guy said?" Victoria returned Percival with a worried glance.
"Maybe…" Percival responded with slight anger, and worry. Worry for his friend Lucille, anger for that Nero might have gotten in her head. "Though Lucille has been able to jump from sadness to joy fairly fast… but she could just be using it as a facade."
"…" Victoria was silently worried now.
Upstairs, Lucille had just finished telling shelly what Anna had said to her. Shelly was a bit surprised to hear this, but she quickly resolved. "That's right… What am I complaining about? Heather's the one who lost her dad… I don't have any room to be shaken up. I need find her!"
"Right!" Lucille was in support. But following that, Victoria and Percival arrived to where Shelly and Lucille were.
"I'm still in the boat of having Shelly rest." Percival commented.
"N-no, I'm okay, really!" Shelly tried to explain. Then turning to Lucille with a smile. "Thanks, Lucille."
"Just call me, Lucy." Lucille smiled.
"Okay. I'm… going to try and find Heather. She needs to know. Ah but…" Shelly quickly turned her gaze to Victoria. "Victoria, didn't you come here for a Gym Battle? Oh, I'm sorry! With everything that happened, I totally forgot… We can do it now though."
"Huh?" It seemed that shelly wasn't the only one to forget. "No, it's fine. You don't need to apologize."
"O-okay, sorry." As she said that Shelly noticed. "… Oh, oops."
"Really, don't worry about my battle. I'd rather wait until everything's sorted out." Victoria tried to reassure Shelly.
Percival looked to Shelly, with hearing about her accepting gym battles he had an idea. "Victoria, if you're not battle. Could I maybe take your place?"
"Um… Sure." Victoria accepted, not really okay with whatever Percival was planning.
"Oh—oh, you too?" Shelly said in surprise. "Okay. I'll go wait in the gym. Just um… come whenever you're ready."
"Wait, I'll come with!" Lucille smiled following after Shelly.
"She's really strong it seems." Percival smiled, for shelly to accept a battle so soon after a traumatic experience.
"Percy, I have a bad feeling about this." Victoria warned against Percival
"… I don't." Percival responded, slightly ignoring Victoria. He started to walk down the stairs, and entered the puzzle portion of the Gym
"Percy, wait!" Victoria shouted chasing after him.
"…" Percival sighed stopping for Victoria.
"Look, I know this is weird, but do you really have to fight her?" Victoria asked, but followed up with a reason for Percival not to. "I mean, she's just recovering from a traumatic encounter. I'm worried that this is just going to stress her out more."
"If I continue are you going to try and stop me?" Percival asked curiously.
"Yes, this is me, trying to stop you." Victoria said determined, bringing out her first Pokémon a Pancham.
"fine… Steel." Percival reluctantly agreed. Seeing how Victoria was, even explaining what he had planned might not work. When Victoria sent out her Pancham, Percival responded grabbing his Metang, Steel. Who once on the field charged with psychic energy and headbutted the small Pancham, knocking it out in one hit. "Victoria please, stop."
"No, Torracat!" Victoria declared sending out her next Pokémon "Fire Fang!"
"*Sigh* Steel Zen Head Butt again." Percival asked. Though the Torracat was faster getting in the first hit brining Steel to 41%. While Steel also brought the Torracat to low health of 49%. "Victoria, this isn't just about getting a gym badge. I'm fighting her for another reason."
"I believe that fighting her for any reason, would cause stress for her!" Victoria declared, "Torracat, Fire Fang!"
"Ugh. Steel return, Phoebe you're on." Percival saw that Victoria wasn't listen switching out his Pokémon. Phoebe landed on the field, going down to 83% due to the Fire fang.
"Even if you have the type advantage, I won't let you win. Torracat Bite!" Victoria declared.
"Phoebe Water pulse." Percival responded calmly, as if the bite attack was not threat. Though it did bring Phoebe to 61%. While the pulse of water from Phoebe took out Victoria's Torracat. "again stop, I don't mean harm to come to you or Shelly."
"Then don't fight her!" Victoria shouted back at Percival, sending out a Pikachu to fight the Milotic.
Predicting the move Victoria would make, Percival switched out Phoebe to a member who wouldn't be paralyzed. The newly evolved Geissler, in Eelekrik form. Though once on the field, they were hit and their health fell to 87% "Fake out was it. Well that was probably the most effective move you had."
"Pikachu, Electro ball!" Victoria commanded as the Pikachu launched a ball of electric energy at Geissler, who's health fell to 75%.
"Geissler respond with Crunch." Percival commanded calmly, with the Eelekrik eel levitating to the Pikachu biting into it, having it fall to 51%.
"Ugh… Pikachu!" Victoria cried out in surprise. And another ball of electricity was fired at Geissler. This time brining him 63%. Though once again the Eelekrik Crunched into the small yellow mouse, knocking it out. Leaving Victoria slightly shaken "Is there really nothing that I can do?"
"Victoria, please listen." Percival tried to call out to her once more, "Shelly is a strong girl, you can clearly see that. Besides, what I'm challenging her for isn't a battle like this. I'd prefer her to just have a fun battle, one where the two-fighting cast away their worries, and focus on having fun."
"…" Victoria wondered if Percival was telling the truth. Sending out her final Pokémon to test, him.
"So, were still doing this? Fine." Percival said annoyed at Victoria's disbelief.
"Kirlia Psychic." Victoria commanded, sending psychic energy toward Geissler, bring it to 20%.
"hah… Geissler Crunch." Percival commanded This time more powerful than the last two, this one took down the Kirlia with one chomp. Then with Percival looking at Victoria with pleading eyes. "I really mean no harm to come to Shelly, please Believe me."
"Okay…" Victoria reluctantly accepted. "Clearly, I can't stop you anyway. Just, please be gentle with her."
"Of course." Percival smiled
"Then till we meet again Percy." Victoria nodded knowing that she had to do some training to catch up to Percival's level. "I won't be on the losing side next time."
"…" Percival half smiled half sighed. Smiled for having a rival, who was serious to try and beat him. Sighing, for a remembrance of him saying those words to someone else. Once Victoria left, Percival had continued his way to complete the gym puzzle, finding Lucille and Shelly talking
"I love all of the books!" Lucille cheered. "I always liked reading books in the library back at home."
"I'm glad you like it." Shelly blushed from happiness. "I spend a lot of time reading so I could be as good as my brother."
"You have a brother?" Lucille's curiosity peeked at hearing this.
"Yeah. He's so cool! He's a Gym Leader in Johto!" Shelly smiled. "I wanted to be just like him, so I came here to do this!... but no matter what I did it was never enough… He always just pretended like I didn't exist."
"I'm sure he cares about you." Lucille responded, "To be honest, I'm quite jealous of you and Percy. I always wanted a brother."
"Siblings are nothing but annoying." Percival added walking closer. "They take you stuff without asking, get on your nerves, challenging you to unwanted Pokémon battles, and causing some Pokémon to evolve into a form that you didn't want. Really they're more trouble then they're worth."
"Oh, come now don't say that." Lucille whined.
"He' never done anything like that to me… but I believe I'm just a disappointment to him…" Shelly sighed out, before shaking her head. "It's fine though, I know my place. Sorry, we kinda got off topic… So… So, um… Good luck!"
"… Let's have a fun Battle Shelly." Percival smiled
"R-right!" Shelly answered, tossing out an Illumise, and a Masquerain. "I fight my battles in doubles. Masquerain, and Illumise Go!"
"If that's your style then let it be. Geissler, Artemins." Percival looked about the field knowing he was facing bugs. "Artemis change the Field! Geissler, Discharge!"
Shelly looked on in surprise as the field began to change to a pink misty terrain. Though knowing to not let up. "Illumise set up the rain! Masquerain, use this to our advantage! Icy Wind!"
With Artemis changing the Field to Misty Terrain, and Shelly's Illumise causing it to rain inside. The other two Pokémon on the field: Masquerain, hit both the Eelekrik, Geissler sending it to 72% lowering its speed. And Artemis the Gardevoir was hit with the cold wind lowering her speed and brought to 84%. While Geissler the Eelekrik, brought the Masquerain to half health and the Illumise to 75% with its electrical discharge of energy.
"Illumise, Dazzling Gleam on the Eelekrik. Masquerain, Bubble Beam on the same one!" Shelly chose to fight the one with the weaker defense. With the combination of the attacks, Geiser was knocked out.
"Artemis, Psychic!" Percival commanded, With Artemis targeting the Masquerain, finishing it off as well. "Geissler, you did well take a rest. Phoebe, You're on."
"Nice going Masquerain. Let's go Anorith!" Shelly called out, with her current rain setter still on her field she chose her next Pokémon. "Anorith, Rock Slide! Illumise, Dazzling Gleam on Gardevoir."
"Artemis, Draining Kiss on Illumise! Phoebe Follow up on Anorith with Water Pulse!" Percival shouted in counter.
With the Swift Swim on the Anorith it moved first slamming rocks on to Artemis and Phoebe bringing both of them to 73%. Artemis then got hit with a Dazzling Gleam, bringing her to 55%. Phoebe then sending a Pulse of water boosted by the rain at the Anorith, managed to take it down in one hit. While Artemis flinched from being hit with the rocks.
"Ah! Anorith no!" Shelly called as her second Pokémon fell.
"Sorry shelly." Percival said with a bit of worry.
"N-no it's fine you're just doing your best! It's fine! Go Araquanid." Shelly called out bringing out her fourth Pokémon. "Illumise, again with Dazzling Gleam! Araquanid Bubble beam!"
"Both focused on Artemis… Eh. Phoebe Water Pulse on Illumise! Artemis Draining Kiss!" Percival called back.
With the Illumise sending a Gleam of Dazzling energy at Artemis, her health fell to 37%. Phoebe then hit the Illumise with a water Pulse brining it to 28%. Followed by Artemis who drained the energy of the Illumise knocking it out, while Artemis Healed herself back up to 51%. Finally, the Araquanid brought Artemis back to 3% from the Bubble Beam.
"Ah, Heather I need your help!" Shelly called sending out a Yanmega. "Heather Air Cutter! Araquanid bug bite on the Milotic!"
With the Yanmega quickly firing off blasts of air hitting both Phoebe and Artemis. Phoebe fell to 83%, while Artemis fell from the attack. "Artemis! Phoebe, Ice Beam on the Yanmega."
With that continuing the Yanmega lost a majority of health falling to 30%, and getting frozen. While the Araquanid hit Phoebe bringing her to 61%.
"You did well, my friend. Vee, come help." Percival smiled, bringing out a Leafeon to the field.
"Ah… Heather, come on thaw out! Um Araquanid! Bug Bite on the Leafeon." Shelly startled by this quick turn of events called out.
"Vee! Aerial ace on the Araquanid. Phoebe, Ice Beam again, same target!" Percival called out.
The Yanmega unfortunately was unable to thaw itself out. While Vee the Leafeon Hit the Araquanid, knocking it to 50%. While Phoebe had taken out the Yanmega with an Ice Beam. While the Araquanid had brought Vee to 68%.
"Heather no!" Shelly Cried as her Yanmega fainted. And nervously laughed as she sent out a Volbeat to the field. "Hehe… Failing again…"
"Hey don't say that this has been a great battle!" Percival cheered on. "Besides, someone as smart as you could definitely turn this battle around."
"…" Shelly started to smile at Percival's support. "All right! Bugsy Tail Glow! Araquanid Bug bite!"
"Tail glow huh…" Percival slightly worried at the set up. "Vee, Aerial Ace on the Araquanid. Phoebe, keep the Volbeat Captivated!"
As Percival called this out, once the Volbeat had its special attack raised by three stages, it was then lowered two stages by Phoebe. Meanwhile Vee Managed to knock out the Araquanid. Finally, with the Time reaching its limit the Misty Terrain disappeared. Though Rain still poured in the room.
"ah… to counter me… Bugsy, the Field is back Struggle Bug!" Shelly called out, with a swarming attack launched at both Vee and Phoebe.
"Rain still up." Percival noted. "Vee Aerial Ace. Phoebe, Water Pulse!"
Vee was the first Pokémon to move, Bringing the Volbeat to 50%. The Volbeat moved next knocking out Vee in one shot, and sending Phoebe to 41%. Though Phoebe retaliated with a Water Pulse, brining Volbeat to 10 %.
Though Percival saw that he was more likely to win, but sent out his next Pokémon anyway. "Steel. On the field."
"mm… Bugsy, Moonlight- wait no!" Shelly cried as she found the Volbeat became confused from Phoebe's water Pulse, knocking itself out. "…Guess… I'm still not good enough, huh?"
"Hey, don't say that." Percival said recalling his Pokémon. "this was a fine battle. One of the best ones I've had so far since entering Reborn. Shelly, if you hold your self to someone else's expectations you'll never meet them."
"Yeah…" Shelly quietly agreed with Percival. "When you say it like that… But… but it's okay, you did really well."
"Shelly." Both Lucille and Percival sighed at the small girl as she grabbed a Gym Badge handing it to Percival.
"um, since you have that badge now, Pokémon up to level 40 are probably gonna like you. It also lets you use the move Rock Smash outside of battle. And um…" Shelly looked around, missing an item before noticing it. It was a small disc she grabbed it and gave it to Percival as well. "Here, take this, please? That contains the move Struggle Bug... It's a pretty unique move in that it's both offensive and defensive. Just... call it my thanks for um, helping me deal with... everything."
"We barely did anything." Percival sighed. "You got through with your own strength."
"Yeah, your battle style was amazing!" Lucille cheered, "Compared to my tactics I still have a lot to learn!"
"Thanks…" Shelly blushed.
"Hm… It seems to be getting late. Shelly if you don't mind, could we spend the night?" Percival asked.
"What?" Shelly asked surprised looking at her watch but it still seems pretty early.
"Yes, but even though she isn't on the gym challenge. She did say she had a lot to learn." Percival pointed to Lucille. "I think she would be honored to get a lesson in fighting form you, besides. I was just lucky that There were no critical in this battle, it could have totally gone in any one direction based off of any mistake either side made."
"Oh… All right." Shelly smile. "Um Lucille?"
"I'd love too." Lucille smiled, as if Shelly never needed to ask.