After getting the Regis to join their cause, Lapis and his group traveled to Sootopolis City, where Groudon and Kyogre were currently fighting at. Since the Nuzlocker was unable to participate in the battle due to the challenge rules, he supported the others at a distance. The group fought valiantly, but even with the Legendary trio and a new evolution, the ancient Pokémon were still too much for them. Suddenly, Rayquaza's appearance over the city ended the feud, and the weather in the region returned to normal. Lapis, now no longer under the whim of any Legendary Pokémon, returned to his last Gym challenge. He may know which types are super effective against their Pokémon, but a hauntingly familiar strategy could doom his chances. Will Lapis be able to overcome this to win his last Gym Badge?
Lapis' Pokémon:
Zuli (Lvl. 47 Swampert, male; Item: Soft Sand): Impish Nature, Torrent Ability, moves: Tackle, Strength, Mud Shot, Surf
Bixbite (Lvl. 44 Camerupt, male): Bold Nature, Oblivious Ability, moves: Rock Slide, Tackle, Ember, Earthquake
Onyx (Lvl. 47 Mightyena, female; Item: King's Rock): Mild Nature, Intimidate Ability, moves: Take Down, Rock Smash, Crunch, Bite
Pearl (Lvl. 47 Grumpig, female): Lax Nature, Thick Fat Ability, moves: Psychic, Psybeam, Shock Wave, Confuse Ray
Celestite (Lvl. 46 Altaria, female): Gentle Nature, Natural Cure Ability, moves: Fly, Safeguard, Take Down, Dragonbreath
Amethyst (Lvl. 47 Vileplume, female; Item: Miracle Seed): Quiet Nature, Chlorophyll Ability, moves: Petal Dance, Acid, Poisonpowder, Moonlight
Pokémon sent to the PLA: Tiger Eyes (Linoone, male), Citrine (Makuhita, female), Kyanite (Electrike, female), Moonstone (Swellow, female), SmokyQuarz (Numel, male)
Chapter 44: Iridescent Elegance
Lapis left the Pokémon Center and flinched. Then he remembered yesterday's events.
Oh yeah. No more bad weather…just the normal humidity.
Breathing a sigh of relief, he made his way to the Sootopolis City Gym.
It was a large building with white posts, large paned windows, a long blue roof, and an indoor observation deck. The structure was also surrounded by small gardens and ponds with elegant fountains. As he went inside, he saw a large white fountain was prominently placed in the center of the lobby, with crystal-lined cabinets and vases of blue roses and white lilies lining the ice blue walls.
To his surprise, the Gym Guide, Jim, had a big smile on his face. He looked cleaner than usual, with his dark green suit now a light blue one.
"Hey, Lapis. Welcome to your final Gym in the Hoenn Region."
The Nuzlocker raised an eyebrow. "What's up with ya, Jim? You're ain't this friendly...or neat."
Jim adjusted his bowtie. "I wanted to be…more presentable for your last challenge. And…well…" He cleared his throat. "I…want to apologize to you, Lapis."
Lapis crossed his arms, half-interested to hear what he had to say.
"I thought you were just an arrogant delinquent, so I wanted to make sure you knew what it was like to be treated by people like you. But as I learned more about you, I realized you didn't deserve this punishment. You're misunderstood, something I can resonate with, believe it or not…"
"Why'd you say that?"
Jim wistfully smiled. "I was kind of like you as a teen. Though…the choices I made were a lot worse for everyone involved with me… You may be standoffish, and rude… Yet, deep down, you really care for those close to you. I admire that about you, Lapis."
The Nuzlocker smirked. "Guess we both thought the same of each other. You ain't so bad yourself, Jim. Even though I already know all about type advantages."
The guide laughed. "I know, but that's the PLA spiel. Anyway. You better get going. The ice in there isn't going to stay frozen forever."
"Ice? What're you-?"
A maze unlike any other Lapis had seen greeted him past the double doors. It was on a three-tiered platform with sheets of thin ice and the occasional boulder. No Trainers were on the platform, making him suspicious.
What the? What do I do with this?
He turned to Jim, who shouted, "You need to walk on the ice on this platform, without backtracking, to reach the set of stairs leading to the next platform. If you finish the puzzle on the top platform, you complete the first part of the challenge."
"What happens if I backtrack?"
"You…don't really want to know. I suggest using your tablet; it'll give you an aerial view of the platforms. Anyway, I gotta close the doors, can't let the cold air escape."
"Uh…thanks…?"
Lapis looked at his device, which clearly showed what path he needed to take. He got onto the first platform, walked in a Z-pattern, and unlocked the next set of stairs. Then, he walked in a figure-eight pattern on the second platform, unlocking the last set of stairs. Tracing out the more complicated path ahead of time, he carefully stepped on the correct panels until he reached the end. But before he could make it to the finish line, Lapis slipped on an icy step and fell on his back. The ice around him shattered, and he fell into the room below. Something soft broke his fall, and he groaned.
What the hell happened?! One moment I was up there, and now I'm here…in the dark…on a mattress.
Suddenly, he felt like he was being watched.
"Uhm…who's there?!" he called out into the darkness.
A black-haired woman wearing a blue shirt and purple shorts appeared, her eyes fixed on the Trainer.
"There he is, everyone!" she shouted. "That's the Trainer who wants to defeat our idol!"
Lapis noticed more women with the same clothes in the three-part room and prepared himself. "How many of you are even here?"
"More than enough to take you down!"
"Did Juan lock you all down here or somethin'?"
"Of course not! We are all members of the Juan and Only Fan Club! Our lovely Juan invited us here for this one-in-a-lifetime chance to battle for him!"
"So you're all here, willingly? Are you all insane?!"
"Yeah, we are! We're insanely in love with Juan!"
The Nuzlocker rolled his eyes. I hate fanatics who end up like cultists… "Then I'll have to dash those fantasies! Go, Pearl!"
Ms. Hōfu and Juan, the flamboyant Gym Leader, watched Lapis battle his way through the Juan and Only Fan Club members from the security room.
The PLA representative frowned. "Juan, this seems a little over the top. And highly unethical."
"I believe this is the perfect final test for the young Trainer," he replied with a wave of his hand. "He will be facing the Elite Four and my protégé, after all. Besides, my fan club are the only other people I can trust for this kind of scenario. They know how to push a normal Trainer's willpower with their passion."
"Right… Anyway, it appears he's almost done defeating your fan club."
"Indeed he is. I shall prepare for our battle then."
After Juan left the room, Ms. Hōfu sighed. So it all comes down to this. Lapis, I hope Juan's evasion tactics don't destroy you…
An hour later…
Lapis returned to the gym battlefield, tired and annoyed by the earlier events. First a puzzle, then rabid fans… It better not get any worse…
There, across the battlefield encased by aqua green walls, the concave ceiling, and stained glass, was the Gym Leader. He was an older man, sporting a goatee and very short dark gray hair accented with two white upright tufts. The blue eyes stood up amongst his white ascot and blue coat with white trim that covered his purple one-piece suit.
Ms. Hōfu and Jim, meanwhile, sat in the stands.
"I'd like to officially welcome you to the Sootopolis City Gym, Lapis," Juan said with a bow. "I hope my fans didn't scare you too much."
"They're more cultists than fans if ya ask me."
The Gym Leader snickered. "My protégé was right about your sarcastic wit. I was the one who taught Wallace everything there is to know about Pokémon, both as a Trainer and a Coordinator. And to think he is now the Champion, I still cannot believe it."
This guy is such a talker…
"Anyway," Juan continued. "I normally conduct Gym battles on a water-based field. But since you are participating in the Nuzlocke challenge, we shall suffice with this solid battlefield. Let us begin the match, shall we?"
"Finally. Let's get this over with."
Juan took out his first of five Poké Balls. "You shall bear witness to our artistry. A grand illusion of water sculpted by my Pokémon and myself! Display your elegance, Amara!"
A Level 41 Luvdisc floated in the air before landing softly on the ground. Lapis no longer bothered to question why she would be able to survive without water.
"Go, Amethyst!"
The Vileplume made her first Gym battle appearance in a long time, and she gave her Trainer a confident nod.
Seeing that they were ready, Juan made the first move. "Amara, Water Pulse!"
The move made contact, but the swirling water sphere did minor damage.
"Amethyst, use Petal Dance!"
The Pokémon twirled around, creating a twister of pink petals from the opening on her flower. The super effective move immediately knocked Amara to the ground.
Juan sighed as he returned his Pokémon. "Expected, but still elegant. Let's see how you handle my next Pokémon. Display your elegance, Calidez!"
A Level 43 Sealeo took his teammate's place. Although Lapis knew Amethyst could land another super effective Petal Dance, he wanted to protect her from any potential Ice type moves.
"Return, Amethyst! Go, Pearl!"
The Grumpig, also making her first Gym battle appearance in a while, grinned at the happy Pokémon.
"Pearl, Confuse Ray!"
She shot several white rings at the blue Pokémon, making him confused.
"Calidez! Snap out of it and use Aurora Beam!"
But the Sealeo slapped himself in the face with his flippers.
Lapis smirked. "Use Psychic!"
She carried the heavier Pokémon with her blue mental powers and slammed him into the ground. Calidez tried to attack again, but he hit himself again in confusion.
Juan frowned and healed his Pokémon with a Hyper Potion. "Please, Calidez. You can break through the confusion!"
But the Nuzlocker didn't give their opponent time to do that. "Pearl, use Shock Wave, then Psychic!"
The blue electric bolt dealt a great amount of damage, and the Psychic type move finished him off.
After returning his second Pokémon, Juan smiled. "You're quite the Trainer, Lapis. I knew you didn't have an Electric type on your team, but your Grumpig knowing Shock Wave made up for it. Now, let's see if you can handle my more powerful Water type Pokémon. Display your elegance, Poderoso!"
A Level 43 Crawdaunt menacingly opened his claws, making Pearl nervous.
Looks like we're facing another type disadvantage. "Return, Pearl! Go, Zuli!"
As the Swampert readied himself against the Rogue Pokémon, Juan chuckled. "So you're using your Swampert in this match. Let's see how he fares against my type specialty."
"Gladly. Zuli, Mud Shot!"
He sprayed Poderoso with mud, lowering the latter's Speed.
"An interesting strategy, but I already know Poderoso is slower than Zuli. Crabhammer!"
Poderoso slammed his glowing blue claws into the Hoenn starter. Zuli took the hit well and smiled.
"Strength!"
"Crabhammer!"
The Water types rushed at each other and grasped each other's arms. They pushed each other, but neither one was budging.
Lapis then noticed the Crawdaunt's strength beginning to fade. "Zuli, loosen your grip and use Tackle!"
The Mud Fish Pokémon smirked, letting the Crawdaunt overpower him. But as the Dark type lowered his guard, the Ground type slammed into his opponent. The surprise move knocked Poderoso back to his Trainer's side of the field, and he lay on the ground.
Juan returned his Pokémon and said, "Your Swampert certainly surprised me, and I've defeated my fair share of Swampert. Now then, let's continue, shall we? Display your elegance, Sabiduría!"
A Level 41 Whiscash flopped on the field then floated in the air. Again ignoring the physics, Lapis switched out Zuli with Amethyst.
Juan forced a smile. "Sabiduría, Amnesia!"
The Pokémon made a forgetful face, and a large pink question mark appeared over his head. His Special Defense rose greatly, but Lapis wasn't worried.
"Amethyst, Petal Dance!"
The stat boost did nothing to stop the Grass type move from knocking Sabiduría out. Juan returned his second to last Pokémon; to Lapis' surprise, the Gym Leader was still calm.
"Like my colleagues have said, you are an excellent Trainer. But now, let me see how you fare against my strongest Pokémon. Display your elegance, Donaire!"
A Level 46 Kingdra stood in front of his Trainer, a Chesto Berry attached around his neck.
A Dragon and Water type…this isn't good… My Pokémon don't have any super effective moves against him, but dealing damage is better than dealing less or none.
Juan waved his arms. "Donaire, Double Team!"
The Dragon Pokémon made copies of himself, raising his evasion.
Lapis gritted his teeth but shouted, "Amethyst, Petal Dance!"
The Grass type move hit Donaire, but it didn't do as much damage as he hoped. Yellow ducks then circled around the Vileplume's head, and her eyes had the well-known swirly pattern.
Confusion already? Damn, I was hoping she would be able to land another Petal Dance before that happens.
"Now, Donaire, Ice Beam!"
The Nuzlocker's eyes grew wide as his Pokémon's health was cut in half by the super effective attack. "Hang in there, Amethyst! Use Poisonpowder!"
The Flower Pokémon regained some of her senses and scattered the purple powder over her opponent. Lapis smiled as he watched Donaire's body give off a faint purple color.
"Return, Amethyst! Go, Pearl!"
The Grumpig returned to the field and took an Ice Beam better than her teammate did.
"Shock Wave, Pearl!"
The Electric type move dealt massive damage, lowering Donaire's health down to red. The Nuzlocker's smile faded when the Gym Leader chuckled.
"I expected as much. Donaire, Rest."
The Kingdra fell asleep, curing his energy and the poison. Then, he ate the Chesto Berry, waking him up from his induced slumber.
This isn't good. Pearl can only use a certain amount of Shock Waves, and I need to save my Ethers or Elixirs for the Elite Four… If only he didn't use Double Team so I could use Zuli!
"Pearl, Psychic!"
The Manipulate Pokémon slammed the Kingdra into the ground with her powers, lowering his health down to yellow.
Juan adjusted his ascot and smiled. "Looks like we need to put our elegance on full display. Double Team!"
Lapis gritted teeth as the Dragon Pokémon raised his evasion for the second time. "Pearl, Psychic!"
She tried to gain control of his body, but Donaire broke free. Then he fell asleep again, regaining his health but now unable to move for two turns.
I need to regain control of this match. "Confuse Ray!"
The white rings missed the stationary target, and Lapis had Pearl use another Shock Wave and a Psybeam to deal damage. After Donaire woke up, Juan had him do another Double Team.
Lapis felt a twinge of frustration. "Shock Wave!"
The Electric type move dealt a decent amount of damage, but Juan's Pokémon removed his injuries again with another Rest. Then, it became the cycle that Lapis thought he was over with.
Nothing we do is working! Psybeam, miss. Confuse Ray, miss. Even Psychic, misses! And that damn Kingdra's still using Rest and Double Team! Shock Wave can only do so much, and I can't afford to mess up…
"Getting frustrated, Lapis?" Juan teased. "Then you'll be more frustrated with this. Donair, Water Pulse!"
The orb of swirling water struck Pearl as she missed another Confuse Ray. A second Water Pulse lowered her health to yellow, and Lapis used a Hyper Potion on his Pokémon. But the continuous onslaught, coupled with critical hits and confusion, kept forcing the Nuzlocker to heal his battered Pokémon. Pearl was still eager to continue, but her moves kept on missing. And despite getting a few critical hits herself, Juan prolonged the battle with his own Hyper Potions on Donaire.
After what felt like hours, Pearl missed her last Psybeam on a sleeping Donaire. Lapis, struggling to stay calm, looked at his tablet.
Shock Wave is Pearl's last remaining move… Looks like I have no choice. "Use multiple Shock Waves!"
The moves made contact, then Donaire woke up.
To the teen's surprise, Juan also looked resigned. "It appears we have reached the end, my friend. Double Team."
The Kingdra tried to make more copies of himself, but he was unable to.
Lapis' eyes grew wide. Is Donaire running out of moves too? Then in that case…
"Pearl, keep using Shock Wave!"
Smiling, she did just that. The Dragon Pokémon had no choice but to withstand the Electric type move as much as he could. The panting Grumpig fired a larger than normal blue bolt, resulting in a critical hit and knockout.
"Well, it appears you are the winner…" a slightly dejected Juan said, returning his Kingdra. "You have a brilliant shine, but," he continued with a smirk. "However, you still lack elegance, compared to me or even my protégé."
Lapis could barely hold in his emotions, clutching the recently returned Pearl's ball tightly. "H-How dare you say that! You're the one lackin' elegance here with that stupidly broken tactic!"
"Mr. Eurig…" Ms. Hōfu muttered. She expected him to explode but was pleasantly surprised when he took several calming breaths.
The Gym Leader chuckled. "I was going to lend you one of my outfits to improve your elegance, but it appears your own style suits you better. Anyway, allow me to present you this Rain Badge and the Technical Machine for Water Pulse. You are also able to use Waterfall outside of battle, handy to access Evergrande City, where the Hoenn League is."
Lapis snatched the triangular raindrops pin and the CD labeled "TM03" out of the man's hands. Once Ms. Hōfu documented her last notes and left the room, Juan's demeanor changed.
"A word to the wise, Lapis. The reason why I used that strategy is because Champion Wallace will likely use it as well. I wanted to see if you were able to handle the situation, and you passed."
Lapis sighed. "Guess that's as good of an explanation as any. Still don't like you though."
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" The group of fan club members Lapis battled earlier stormed into the room, their angry eyes focused on the teen.
"I'll handle this," Juan whispered. He became his jovial, showy self and shouted, "Ladies! I want to thank you all for helping me with this unique opportunity. As a reward, my Pokémon and I will give you a private performance!"
The women's attitude changed. They immediately sat on the bleachers, and their idol sent out a Milotic. Juan snuck a wink at the Nuzlocker before beginning their performance. Relieved, Lapis returned to the Pokémon Center and thought about the next stretch of his journey.
Looks like I did get all Gym Badges. Now I need to make my way to Evergrande City… Guess I need Larimar's help again since he can use Waterfall.
"Um, Lapis?" the nurse asked. "You received a letter."
"Letter? From who?"
"I'm not sure. But it is addressed to you." After giving him a white envelope, she returned to her duties.
It is addressed to me. I wonder who it's from. Lapis opened it and found a letter. As he read its contents, the color drained from his face.
Th-This can't be right! I need to find him, now!
Questions for the Chapter:
What did you think of Lapis' reconciliation with Jim?
What did you think of Lapis' Gym battle?
What are in the contents of the letter?
