Chapter 16:
The Gigantic Match
Location: Motostoke Stadium Lobby
"There!" I said. "All registered!"
"Your match starts in an hour," said the Receptionist. "Keep in mind you will be participating with others for this."
"Others?" I asked. Beforehand, it was only a one-person thing. "I wonder who else I will be participating with?"
"Boo." Allister said into my ear.
"Hey!" I said. "It's been a while! Last time we met was our first meeting… right here!"
"I believe so," Allister replied. "I… didn't scare you."
"You really shouldn't scare people," I told him. "Please don't be like-"
"HOWDY YALL!" said the Ball Guy.
"Waah! Him!" I replied. "I need to get outta here. Hey Allister, if you're participating in the Gym challenge today, how about we do a 3 vs. 3?"
"Battle?" Allister asked. "Sounds good."
"Huzzah!" I said. "Meet you outside!"
Location: Motostoke
I stood with Allister outside as a crowd formed. Chase and Elaine were included, as well as Hop.
"We each use three Pokémon!" I said. "Substitutions are allowed!"
"A battle in the Galar region! Roto!"
"Good," Allister replied. "Let's go my Ghosts!"
Gloria Vs. Allister
"Go Frillish!" Allister sent out a blue Pokémon with five blue tentacles.
Frillish (プルリル)
#305
Water/Ghost Type
Floating Pokémon
3'11" (1.2 m)
72.8 lbs (33 kg)
It envelops its prey in its veillike arms and draws it down to the deeps, five miles below the ocean's surface.
"And I choose Liepard!" I replied. "Okay, we have the advantage. Liepard, Assurance!" Liepard's claws went dark, and it hit Frillish. When it did this however, Liepard started glowing with a mysterious energy. "What's happened?"
"Frillish! Water Pulse!" Frillish fired a ball of water at Liepard. It was a Critical Hit.
"No biggie! Liepard, Assurance again!" However, Liepard couldn't do it. "What's happening?"
"It's Curzzed Body! Roto!" Rotom Dex shouted from the crowed. "It dizzablezz a move that makezz direct contact! Zzt zzt!"
With no other option, I decided to switch. "Go Lombre!" I shouted.
"Frillish, Poison Sting!" Frillish fired a purple spike at Lombre. Whilst Super Effective, it didn't do much damage. However, Lombre became poisoned.
"Not good. We can continue! Use Mega Drain!" Lombre sapped some HP away from Frillish. It didn't knock it out however.
"Frillish, Hex!" Frillish's eyes started glowing purple. It then damaged Lombre for lots of damage.
"Hex," I said. "I know that move. It's power doubles if the opposition has a status condition such as poison. Use Mega Drain again Lombre!" Lombre sapped away the rest of Frillish's HP.
"Good one Frillish. Gastly, you're up next!" Next up was a Poison Type. Not the best matchup for Lombre, but I kept it out. "Use Venoshock!" Gastly fired purple gunk at Lombre, defeating it.
"No!" I replied. "Good idea, having that move. Liepard, come back out!" Liepard had already taken a bit of damage, but I was still optimistic. "Assurance!" It was back! Liepard attacked Gastly with its sharp claws.
"Now Gastly, Confuse Ray!" Gastly sent out a weird beam towards Liepard. It became confused.
"Uh oh. Liepard, Assurance!" Liepard instead hurt itself. "And now use Venoshock!" Gastly came back with another Poison Type attack that almost fell Liepard.
"Use Assurance again!" Liepard managed to get in one more attack, defeating Gastly.
"Oh dear. Final Pokémon. I choose Corsola!" Now Corsola in Galar are a bit different to the ones found in Johto and other regions. They are white and bleached.
Corsola (Galarian form) (サニーゴ)
#236
Ghost Type
Coral Pokémon
2'00" (0.6 m)
1.1 lbs (0.5 kg)
Sudden climate changed wiped out this ancient kind of Corsola. This Pokémon absorbs others' life-force through its branches.
"Liepard, Assurance!" Liepard hit itself, and it fainted. "No!"
"One Pokémon left my friend," Allister told me. "Use Harden!" Corsola raised its Defense.
"Okay, this will be tricky. Go Raboot!" Out came my Fire Type. "Wait, why did I do that?!" I forgot; two of Raboot's moves don't have any effect on Ghost Types! "Don't worry, we'll just have to work with what we've got! Flame Charge!" Raboot, surrounded in fire, charged into Corsola. Because Corsola has the Weak Armor Ability, its Defense rose and it gained some Speed.
"Ancient Power!" Corsola fired some rocks at Raboot for Super Effective damage. To make matters worse, its Attack, Sp. Attack, Defense, Sp. Defense and Speed rose.
"Uh oh. Raboot! Flame Charge!" Raboot charged into Corsola once more.
"Ancient Power!" The charged up Rock Type move finished Raboot.
"Yay," Allister said.
I recalled Raboot. "That was my fault, sorry."
With that, the crowd dispersed. Hop came to see me. "Rookie mistake there," Hop replied. "You could have used Corvisquire or something."
"I know," I said. "But… I didn't think of it in the moment."
"Something is wrong," Hop said.
"I'll tell you what's wrong!" I shouted. "You know who I'm fighting next? Kabu! This chap is… very strong indeed! I'm nervous! And I'm not sure if you remember, but if you lose a total of three times, boom! Disqualified! You're out of the Galar Gym challenge! PER-MEN-NANT-LY!"
"We all get that way," Hop said. "But you need to go in with a straight mind. Get prepared and heal up; we'll be cheering you on."
Location: Motostoke Stadium Gym
I was situated in front of what looked like a small field with the Motostoke Gym logo in front. I was among four Trainers. There was Allister, Lass Chrissy and Schoolboy Pip.
"Hello!" said the Referee. "So here in the Gym, only one of you can battle Kabu. You need five points. Situated around you are Fire Type Pokémon. The Trainer who knocks it out gets one point. Catching it however nabs you two. Two Trainers can try to take on one Pokémon. Ready… go!"
We all ran off. I went towards my first Pokémon, a Sizzlipede.
"Not so fast!" said Pip and we both encountered it.
"Go Toxel!" I shouted.
"And I choose Chewtle!" Pip sent out a Water Type, helpful for a Fire Type Gym.
"Toxel, Nuzzle!" Toxel rubbed its cheeks together and then attacked Sizzlipede. It became paralyzed. Sizzlipede then curled around and used Flame Wheel on Toxel.
"Now Chewtle use Water Gun!" Chewtle spat water at Sizzlipede, doing lots to it.
"Thanks!" I said.
"It's alri- wait! Stop!"
I threw a Great Ball at Sizzlipede… and it stayed inside!
"Two points!" I shouted.
"Not fair!" Pip shouted.
"It is," said the Referee.
"Let's try a different Pokémon." I had my eye on a Pokémon that looked like a candle.
Litwick (ヒトモシ)
#287
Ghost/Fire Type
Candle Pokémon
1'00" (0.3 m)
6.8 lbs (3.1 kg)
The younger the life this Pokémon absorbs, the brighter and eerier the flame on its head burns.
"Hold on!" Allister said, rushing in.
"I choose Liepard!" I shouted.
"Go Drifloon!" Allister said, sending out a Pokémon that was pretty much just a pink balloon with a yellow cross on its mouth. It had yellow-heart like patterns on the two strings coming off it.
Drifloon (フワンテ)
#124
Ghost/Flying Type
Balloon Pokémon
1'04" (0.4 m)
2.6 lbs (1.2 kg)
Perhaps seeking company, it approaches children. However, it often quickly ruins away when the children play too roughly with it.
"Liepard, Assurance!" Liepard's claws went dark and it hit Litwick.
"Drifloon, Payback!" Drifloon's body went black and it hit Litwick. "It's mine! Go Pokéball!" Allister threw a Pokéball at Litwick. It stayed!
"Urgh!" I said.
"That's Litwick number two!" Allister said.
"Number two?" I asked. "Wait… you're just catching Litwick?!"
There was no time for questioning. I ran over to a Vulpix and engaged a battle with it. Chrissy joined in.
"I choose Lombre!" I shouted.
"Go Minccino!" Chrissy said. She sent in a Normal Type.
"I have a secret weapon!" I said. "Go Quick Ball!" I threw a blue and yellow Pokéball at Vulpix… and I caught it!
"One more point!" I said. I saw a Litwick. I then saw Allister.
"IT'S MINE!" we both shouted and leapt towards it.
"Go Frillish!" Allister shouted.
"And I'll be using Lombre!" I sent out my Water Type.
"Use Water Pulse!"
"Bubble Beam!"
Both Pokémon used their Water Type moves and Litwick was knocked out.
The referee blew his whistle.
"We have a winner!"
We looked up on a screen at a slow-mo happening where Lombre and Frillish's moves hit Litwick and… I won!
"Confirmed!" said the Referee. "Gloria Smith will be battling Kabu today! But don't worry, you can all try again tomorrow!"
Everyone wasn't sad for themselves; they were cheering for me! And honestly, they show the mark of great Trainers for that reason. Not letting losses getting to them but wishing the best for those who succeed. I just wished Bede would follow their example. And I do for the rest of them.
"Thanks everyone!" I said.
Location: Motostoke Stadium Field
My nerves started to get the better of me again. Kabu. Not the strongest Trainer in Galar, but one that Trainers have had a hard time with to the point of quitting the challenge because he's too hard.
"I will win!" I shouted, running forward.
I entered into the cheering crowd where Kabu waited.
"So, you got through," he said.
"Yep!" I replied. "And I'm… I'm…"
Stage fright. Not the best time to get it.
"I'm… we'll see."
Kabu smiled. "Gloria San, or Miss Gloria as they call you over here. I didn't move from Hoenn to Galar for people to be scared of me. I came so I can be their opponent. And I will be yours today. Of course, you will be taking on Gigantamax Centiskorch. Can you do it?"
I slapped my cheeks with both hands twice. "Let's do it."
"Both Trainers have assumed their positions. On one side, we have Gloria Smith. She is hot of the heels of her victory with Gloria."
"And on the other, we have Gym Leader Kabu, who is one tough Lava Cookie to say the least."
Gloria Vs. Kabu
"Ninetales, go!" Kabu sent out a beautiful-yellow Pokémon with nine tales. I mean tails, sorry.
Ninetales (キュゥコン)
#069
Fire Type
Fox Pokémon
3'07" (1.1 lbs)
43.9 lbs (19.9 kg)
It is said to live 1,000 years, and each of its tails is loaded with supernatural powers.
Vulpix -Fire Stone- Ninetales
"We're not going down easily. Go Toxel!"
"And Gloria's first Pokémon is a Toxel. Interesting choice, to say the least."
"There is no advantage either side. How will this go down?"
"Use Extrasensory!" Ninetales let out a Psychic pulse. It hit Toxel. No, it didn't just hit. It knocked out Toxel.
"No!" I screeched.
"Would you look at that! Ninetales knocks out Gloria's first Pokémon without a hinch! This is the second time in a row Toxel has been knocked out in one swoop!"
I was sweating. I was down one Pokémon, and I hadn't laid a finger on Ninetales. "Let's deal with Extrasensory. Go Liepard!"
"And Gloria makes a smart decision! Liepard is a Dark Type, so that means Extrasensory will do nothing on it!"
"Liepard, Fake Out!" Liepard clapped in front of Ninetales, causing it to flinch. "And now use Assurance!" Liepard then slashed at Ninetales.
"Ninetales, Flamethrower!" Ninetales shot fire at Liepard. It was caught in the flames.
"Now use Torment!" Ninetales then started shouting at Ninetales. It couldn't use Flamethrower! "Great! Now, give it another Assurance!" Liepard slashed at Ninetales again.
"Use Will-O-Wisp!" Ninetales shot a blue flame at Liepard; it was burned!
"Oh, and would you look at that, Liepard gets the burn!"
"We can still win! Use Assurance!" Liepard attacked Ninetales once more. It managed to squeeze in a Critical Hit, beating Ninetales! The crowd cheered!
"And with a bit of luck, Kabu's first Pokémon is down!"
I wiped some sweat from my face. "Well Kabu, you certainly live up to your reputation!"
Kabu smiled. "Now don't get cocky Gloria. I have two Pokémon left, and one of them is Arcanine!" The next Pokémon was orange with fur all over its body.
Arcanine (ウインヂィ)
#071
Fire Type
Legendary Pokémon
6'03" (1.9 m)
341.7 lbs (155 kg)
A Pokémon that has long been admired for its beauty. It runs agilely as if on wings.
Growlithe -Fire Stone- Arcanine
"Can you still fight?" I asked Liepard. It was quite weak now, and the burn had halved its Attack. "Well, Arcanine can go out with some disabling I think. Use Torment!" Liepard shouted at Arcanine.
"Same strategy, aye? Arcanine, Play Rough!" Arcanine jumped at Liepard and starting beating it up violently. It was defeated.
"And Gloria is down another Pokémon! She only has three left, what can she do?"
"This match is mine!" I shouted. "Corvisquire!" Out came my Flying Type.
"Arcanine, Thunder Fang!" Arcanine's jaws started sparking, and it bit down on Corvisquire. It did Super Effective damage.
"Use Pluck!" Corvisquire pecked Arcanine violently.
"Now Arcanine, Crunch!" Arcanine came towards Corvisquire, about to chomp down, but it missed!
"Pluck again!" Corvisquire gave Arcanine another violent peck.
"And now Thunder Fang!" Arcanine chomped down with its sparking jaws. Corvisquire was down.
"And with that, Corvisquire goes down!"
Now we both had two Pokémon. "Go Lombre!" I shouted.
"Arcanine, Play Rough!" Arcanine hit Lombre with a Fairy Type move.
"Come back with Bubble Beam!" Lombre fired bubbles at Arcanine, taking it out! The crowd cheered.
"Well, it's time!" said Kabu. "Go Centiskorch!" Out came Kabu's ace. It was long and orange, and had flames coming out of its mouth.
Centiskorch (マルヤクデ)
#160
Fire/Bug Type
Radiator Pokémon
9'10" (3 m)
264.6 lbs (120 kg)
While its burning body is already dangerous on its own, this excessively hostile Pokémon also has large and very sharp fangs.
Sizzlipede -Lv 28- Centiskorch
"Ready?" I asked Lombre, who nodded back to me.
Kabu nodded, and recalled Centiskorch. His Pokéball got bigger. "Gloria, you're in for a treat. Ready? It's time for your first… GIGANTAMAX!" He sent out his Centiskorch, now much longer and meaner.
Gigantamax energy has evoked a rise in its body temperature, now reaching over 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit (982֯). It lashes its body like a whip and launches itself at enemies.
"And now it's our turn!" I recalled Lombre, then sent it out again, this time very large.
"And both Trainers have Maxed their Pokémon. What will go down now?"
"Use G-Max Centiferno!" Centiskorch fired a bellow of flames, much larger than Max Flare, at Lombre. When it hit, Lombre was trapped in flames, like a Fire Spin.
"Use Max Geyser!" Lombre then shot a huge blast of water at Centiskorch. It also did a lot. It started raining. "What do you think Kabu? Now your Fire Type moves are weaned!"
"And now use Max Flutterby!" Centiskorch fired silhouettes of Butterfree at Lombre. It was knocked out. A huge explosion was caused and Lombre returned to normal size.
"OH NO!" I yelled, running to Lombre. "You okay?"
"And Gloria's Lombre has been knocked out whilst Dynamaxed! There goes that strategy!"
"And with only one Pokémon remained, her back is against the wall. She REALLY needs to think of something great if she's going to beat Kabu."
I looked up at Gigantamax Centiskorch. I gritted my teeth. "This is not over." I recalled Lombre. "Kabu! I know you are known to be pretty chuffing strong around these parts, but this match is not over yet! I don't need Dynamaxing to beat you! I will beat you, then I will beat Leon and become Champion of Galar! Go Raboot!" Out came my own Fire Type.
"With no more Dynamaxing, Gloria sends out her Raboot."
"How will she stall time when Kabu only has Gigantamaxing for one more turn?"
"Raboot!" I shouted. "Use Quick Attack!" Rabboot dashed forward, and then started running up Centiskorch.
"What?!" Kabu shouted.
Raboot then dashed into Centiskorch's head! It was knocked out! As Raboot fell, I caught it in my arms! Centiskorch returned to normal! I had won!
"And with that, Gloria gets in a decisive victory!"
"It was close, but with some quick thinking, she came out on top! I'm telling you, I'm excited to see what lies down the road for her."
Kabu recalled Centiskorch. "Thanks Gloria," he said. "You deserve this." He gave me the Fire Badge!
"Thank you Mr. Kabu!" I said.
"You really surprised me," Kabu replied. "And surprises is what it takes to beat me." He looked at the crowd. "I love this, but maybe I should return to Fallarbor Town, just for a visit? After this League is finished of course."
I looked at Raboot. "Hey, why don't we do the same?"
"Here you go," said Kabu, giving me his League Card as well as TM38 for Will-O-Wisp.
Location: Motostoke
"I was on the edge of my seat!" Hop said. "You managed to get through Gigantamaxing! Gloria, you just keep coming with the surprises!"
"Aw, thanks," I said.
"So," Elaine said. "I'm guessing you're heading to Stow-On-Side next?"
"Actually," I said. "I was going to head back to Postwick for a bit. Truth be told, I've been feeling a bit homesick."
"Don't we all," Hop replied. "I'll come back with you! All this battling has made me knackered beyond belief!"
"And uzz? Roto? Let'zz get back to the Wild Area! Zzt zzt! So many Pokémon we have yet to see!"
"Good luck!" I said.
Location: Postwick
With Hop having gone back to his, I stood outside my front door.
"Raboot," I said, with it by my side. "Last time we were here, you were a Scorbunny. Look at us now."
Raboot nodded, and I rang the doorbell. Mum opened the door, and gasped when she saw me. "Sweetie," she said.
"I have lots to tell you…" I said.