Petalburg XII
Sitting in the stands after my battle, the adrenaline from my match still coursing through me, I turned my attention to Roxanne's fight against Norman. The contrast between our styles couldn't have been more stark, and it got me thinking about how each of us approached battles so differently. Watching Roxanne was like attending a masterclass in precision and control—every move carefully calculated, every decision executed with almost clinical efficiency.
Norman opened with his Loudred, its towering form stomping onto the field with an ear-splitting roar that rumbled through the stadium. In response, Roxanne sent out Terra, her ever-reliable Nosepass, whose stoic presence was the polar opposite of Loudred's brash energy. The two Pokémon squared off, but Roxanne wasted no time in setting the stage for her strategy.
"Sandstorm," she called, her voice calm but commanding.
Terra raised its arms to the side and suddenly, a swirling cloud of sand filled the battlefield. Visibility plummeted, the harsh winds whipping around Loudred as Terra stood unfazed in the storm, its rocky hide blending seamlessly with the chaos.
Norman countered quickly, "Loudred, Hyper Voice!"
The blast of sound tore through the sandstorm like an invisible shockwave, the raw power causing Terra to flinch momentarily. But Roxanne had anticipated this.
"Rock Polish, then Thunder Wave!" she ordered.
Terra's movements became a blur as its speed sharply increased. Using the cover of the sandstorm, it darted in, landing a precise Thunder Wave that paralyzed Loudred. The Normal-type's movements slowed to a crawl, and with the limited visibility Loudred already had, Roxanne capitalized on the opening without hesitation.
"Rock Tomb!, Bury it!" she called.
Large boulders shot out from the ground and rained down on Loudred with pinpoint accuracy. The paralyzed Pokémon had no chance to dodge, and the sheer force of the attack buried it under a mountain of rock. The referee's flag shot up.
"Loudred is unable to battle!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, but I couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Norman. Loudred had been completely outmatched not fast enough to counter the sandstorm, nor equipped to handle Terra's relentless precision. Roxanne had quickly turned the battlefield in her favor, and she'd won decisively.
But Norman wasn't one to back down. With a calm yet focused expression, he sent out his next Pokémon, Zangoose. The moment Norman called Zangoose onto the field, the atmosphere in the stadium shifted. Its predatory stance, sharp claws glinting under the lights, and piercing gaze commanded absolute attention. The crowd murmured, a collective anticipation rippling through them as if they could sense the danger this Pokémon posed. Even from the stands, I could feel the sheer intensity radiating from it.
Norman wasted no time. "Activate Toxic Orb," he said, his voice steady.
The small orb began to glow faintly in Zangoose's claw, and moments later, a thin sheen of poison coated its body. It flinched for a second as it felt the poison kick in but instead of appearing weakened by the toxic effects, Zangoose straightened, a dangerous energy crackling around it as its Toxic Boost ability kicked in.
"Now, Swords Dance," Norman ordered.
Zangoose leaped back and crossed its claws in a fluid motion, a shimmering aura surrounding it as its attack power surged. It was already a formidable presence, but now it was a ticking time bomb of raw destructive force. I leaned forward in my seat, gripping the edge of the bench. Roxanne had to act quickly.
From her side of the field, Roxanne's expression remained calm, but I could see her gears turning. She glanced at Terra, who was still maintaining the sandstorm swirling around the battlefield. I could tell she was weighing her options. The sandstorm had been a cornerstone of her strategy up to this point, but Zangoose was too fast, too relentless, it would use the storm as cover rather than be hindered by it.
"Terra, drop the sandstorm," Roxanne commanded.
The swirling winds began to fade, the gritty haze settling as visibility returned to normal. Terra looked visibly relieved, its rocky frame trembling slightly from the exertion of maintaining the storm for so long. Maintaining something as massive and consuming as a sandstorm wasn't easy, and I could tell it had taken its toll.
Roxanne's voice cut through the dissipating storm. "Rock Polish. Then go on the offensive."
Terra glimmered briefly as it honed its speed, its movements becoming sharper and more fluid. With a renewed vigor, it stomped forward, sending jagged stones hurtling toward Zangoose.
"Rock Tomb!" Roxanne called.
The stones arched through the air, aiming to entrap Zangoose and restrict its movements. But even with its slightly hindered visibility from the poison taking effect, Zangoose moved like a predator in its prime, slipping between the falling debris with terrifying agility.
"Metal Claw, close the gap!" Norman shouted.
Zangoose's claws glowed with a metallic sheen as it surged forward, weaving through Terra's attacks with ease. It lunged at the Nosepass, landing a heavy hit that sent Terra skidding back.
"Power Gem!" Roxanne countered, her voice rising in intensity.
The beam of light erupted from Terra's rocky frame, cutting through the battlefield in a brilliant arc. For a moment, I thought it might connect, but Zangoose dodged at the last second, its movements almost a blur.
"Rock Slide!" Roxanne called, not missing a beat.
The battlefield rumbled as boulders shot up to rain down once more. This time, a few managed to clip Zangoose, eliciting a grunt of pain. But it was clear the predator was not deterred, it was almost as if the damage fueled its ferocity.
Norman's voice rang out again, calm and commanding. "Brick Break."
Zangoose closed the distance in an instant, its claws glowing with destructive energy. With a resounding crack, the attack hit Terra squarely, shattering its defenses. The Nosepass staggered, its rocky exterior visibly cracked from the onslaught.
Roxanne's expression tightened as Terra wobbled, barely holding on. But Zangoose wasn't finished.
"Again" Norman called.
The second hit landed even harder, sending Terra crashing to the ground. The referee's flag shot up.
"Nosepass is unable to battle!" the referee declared.
The crowd erupted into a mix of cheers and gasps. Terra had fought valiantly, but it was clear Zangoose was operating on a completely different level.
Roxanne returned Terra to its Pokéball with a quiet word of thanks, her face calm but focused. She reached for her next Pokéball, the glint of determination in her eyes unwavering despite the overwhelming odds. The air in the stadium grew heavier, anticipation rippling through the crowd like an electric current.
But as seconds ticked by, Roxanne didn't immediately release her next Pokémon. The crowd began murmuring, their impatience growing louder. Even I couldn't help but lean forward, my curiosity piqued.
"What's she waiting for?" I muttered to myself, only for Flannery's voice to cut through my thoughts.
"She's buying time," she said matter-of-factly, not even looking at me as her eyes stayed glued to the battlefield.
I blinked, realizing I'd almost forgotten she was sitting next to me. "Buying time?" I asked, turning to her.
Flannery nodded, flipping a strand of hair over her shoulder in her usual fiery way. "League rules give challengers 30 seconds to decide which Pokémon to send out after one of theirs faints. Roxanne's using every second of that clock."
My eyes widened slightly as the realization hit me. "She's stalling so the poison can keep working on Zangoose, isn't she?"
"Exactly," Flannery replied, crossing her arms. "Every moment Zangoose stays on the field, that Toxic Orb is eating away at it. But even with that, I'm still worried if it'll be enough."
She glanced at me, her fiery confidence dampened just a little. "Zangoose is fast, too fast. And Roxy's Pokémon aren't exactly the most agile. Trying to pin that thing down while it's boosted from Swords Dance and Toxic Boost… it's a nightmare. Add in the fact that Zangoose knows moves that can counter her team, and—" She cut herself off, her brow furrowing in frustration.
"Hey, hey, Flan-Flan," I said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "It's not like you to stress this much. Roxanne knows what she's doing, and I'm sure she's already thought all of this through. Trust her. She's not the kind of trainer to walk into a fight like this without a plan."
Flannery exhaled sharply, brushing her hair back again. "You're right," she said, though the tension didn't completely leave her voice. "She did mention she had a surprise with Titan, didn't she?"
I grinned, remembering the knowing smirk Roxanne had flashed at me a couple of days ago when I asked about Titan. "She definitely did. So, let's sit back and see what she's got up her sleeve."
Flannery gave a small smile but still seemed lost in thought. "It's just… watching her and you go up against Norman has me thinking about my own match. I'm not sure if I'm ready for this."
I gave her a playful nudge. "Flannery Moore, nervous? Now I've seen everything. Don't tell me the fiery future gym leader of Lavaridge is having doubts."
She shot me a glare, but the corners of her mouth twitched. "Don't push your luck, Mich. I'll fry you where you stand."
I chuckled. "That's more like it. You've got this, Flan. And hey, just think—by the time we're all done, Norman won't know what hit him. We'll take him down one by one."
Her confidence seemed to rekindle slightly at that, her grin growing wider. "Yeah, you're right. Let's see how Roxanne does, and then it's my turn to turn up the heat."
The stadium grew silent as Roxanne finally reached for her next Pokéball. She took a deep breath, steadying herself before hurling it onto the battlefield with precision. "Titan, it's your time!" she called out.
In a flash of light, Titan appeared, and the crowd gasped. The once small and sturdy Aron now stood proudly as a Lairon, its steel-plated body gleaming under the arena lights. Titan let out a deep, rumbling roar, stomping its heavy feet into the ground. Even from where I was sitting, I could feel the tremor resonate through the stands.
"No way…" Flannery whispered, leaning forward. "Titan evolved. This just got interesting."
I couldn't help but grin. "I knew she was holding something back. Looks like Norman's in for a real fight now."
""
Roxanne started strong, her voice calm but commanding. "Titan, Autotomize! Let's pick up the pace!"
Titan, her Lairon, glowed faintly as its heavy armor seemed to lighten. Its movements grew noticeably faster, and the battlefield shifted in her favor. Across from her, Norman remained composed, his Zangoose glaring at its opponent with sharp, predatory eyes.
"Zangoose, close in with Brick Break!" Norman's tone was sharp, and Zangoose immediately lunged forward with frightening speed, its claws glinting ominously.
"Metal Sound, drown the field!" Roxanne shouted.
Titan unleashed a deafening screech, the metallic reverberations causing even the spectators to wince. Zangoose faltered mid-lunge, clutching its ears as the painful sound brought it to its knees.
"That should slow it down," I thought, leaning forward in my seat. The poison from Zangoose's Toxic Orb was beginning to take effect, but Norman's Pokémon wasn't going down without a fight.
"Hold it together, Zangoose!" Norman's voice cut through the din like steel. "You've got this!"
Roxanne capitalized on the opening. "Titan, Rock Tomb barrage, now!"
Rocks shot up from the ground, encasing Zangoose and pelting it from every angle. The predator thrashed, its claws glowing with Metal Claw as it hacked away at the encasing rocks. Cracks formed, and Zangoose roared as it broke free, its eyes burning with determination.
But Titan was ready. With its newfound speed, the Lairon practically glided across the battlefield. As Zangoose emerged, Titan slammed into it with a powerful Iron Tail, sending the already battered Pokémon skidding back. The crowd erupted in cheers, the intensity of the battle keeping everyone on edge.
Zangoose struggled to its feet, breathing heavily, its movements unsteady. Despite the mounting injuries, it refused to give in.
"Damn," I muttered, impressed despite myself. "That Zangoose is a beast. And this is just third badge level? That's insane."
Norman's expression tightened. "Zangoose! Agility!"
Zangoose blurred, its form becoming a streak of white as it zipped across the field with newfound speed. Norman's next order came without hesitation. "Brick Break, now!"
The agile Pokémon darted toward Titan, leaping high into the air to deliver a crushing blow. As it descended, claws raised for the strike, I noticed the faintest hint of a smirk on Roxanne's face.
"Titan Protect!" Roxanne's voice rang out confidently.
Just as Zangoose's claws came down, Titan's Protect flared to life, forming a shimmering shield that absorbed the impact. Zangoose's momentum was halted mid-air, its claws screeching against the barrier. Caught off guard, it had no time to react as the Protect dropped.
"Clamp and ground it!" Roxanne ordered.
Titan moved with startling precision, its jaws snapping shut around Zangoose's leg. With a mighty heave, the Lairon slammed Zangoose into the ground, creating a crater on impact. The predator struggled weakly, but Roxanne was already preparing the finishing blow.
"Rock Slide! Bury it!"
Titan reared back, summoning a cascade of boulders and gravel that rained down mercilessly, burying Zangoose beneath the rubble. When the dust settled, Zangoose lay still, fainted under the weight of the attack.
"Zangoose is unable to battle!" the referee declared. "The round goes to the Challenger Roxanne!"
The crowd erupted in applause, and Flannery and I couldn't contain ourselves. We jumped to our feet, shouting, "Let's go, Roxy! What a fight!"
Norman recalled Zangoose, a faint smile on his face. He looked at Roxanne with genuine admiration. "That was impressive, Roxanne. Your calm demeanor throughout the battle and your ability to think even under pressure are commendable. You've earned this next challenge."
Roxanne gave him a polite nod, her usual composure intact, though I could see the satisfaction in her eyes. She watched as Norman raised his last Pokéball, steeling herself for the final round.
He raised his final Pokéball, the anticipation palpable in the air. "Let's see how you and Titan fare against this."
As Norman reached for his next Pokéball, the air grew heavier, charged with anticipation. When the bright light faded, a Girafarig stood proudly in the center of the field, its dual heads scanning the battlefield with eerie synchronicity.
"Of all the Pokémon I expected Norman to pull out, I didn't think it'd be that one," I muttered, leaning forward slightly.
Down on the battlefield, Roxanne's face remained calm, though I could tell she was assessing the situation rapidly. She was in her element, calculating her next move.
"Titan, Metal Sound!" Roxanne commanded, her voice ringing clear over the murmuring crowd.
Titan unleashed a metallic screech that echoed through the stadium. The shrill sound visibly rattled Girafarig, its knees buckling slightly as it flinched under the assault. Roxanne wasted no time.
"Now, Rock Tomb Barrage!"
Titan roared, summoning a cascade of massive boulders that hurtled toward Girafarig, aiming to encase it. But Norman was quick to react.
"Girafarig, Psybeam!" he barked.
The Girafarig's horns glowed brightly, and a colorful beam of psychic energy burst forth, halting the incoming boulders in midair. For a moment, the rocks hung suspended in the air, shimmering under the force of Girafarig's psychic grip.
"Send them back!" Norman ordered, his tone steady and commanding.
The Girafarig's horns flared again, and the boulders shot back toward Titan with startling speed.
"Damn," I muttered, my eyes widening. "That must've taken a huge amount of effort from Girafarig. Those boulders weren't small."
Flannery nodded, her knuckles white against the railings. "Yeah, but look at Titan. He's struggling to dodge. The damage from Zangoose is catching up to him."
She was right. Titan tried his best to evade the incoming rocks, but his injuries and reduced speed from the earlier fight left him vulnerable. One of the boulders clipped him hard on the side, sending him staggering back with a grunt of pain.
Norman saw his opening. "Agility, then close in with Double Kick!"
Girafarig moved with blinding speed, zigzagging across the battlefield until it was directly in front of Titan. It reared back and struck out with its hind legs.
"Protect, then Iron Tail!" Roxanne countered.
The shimmering barrier of Protect absorbed the force of the Double Kick, causing Girafarig to stumble slightly. Titan seized the moment, attempting to retaliate with a powerful Iron Tail. But Norman was a step ahead.
"Confusion!"
Girafarig's psychic aura flared again, halting Titan mid-attack and lifting him slightly off the ground. The Lairon thrashed against the invisible hold, but it was no use. Girafarig hurled him backward, slamming him into the ground with a loud crash.
"Now, finish it with another Double Kick!" Norman commanded.
Girafarig charged forward, its hind legs glowing faintly as it struck Titan with a devastating blow. The Lairon's body slumped to the ground, motionless. Roxanne's expression remained unreadable as she recalled Titan to his Pokéball.
"Titan's done," I said quietly, watching as the referee declared Girafarig the winner of the round. "Norman doesn't play. That psychic control and Girafarig's sheer adaptability are nuts."
Flannery crossed her arms, a small frown tugging at her lips. "True, but Roxy still has one more fresh pokemon left, and Rocky isn't exactly a pushover."
"Yeah," I agreed. "It's all up to Rocky now."
Down on the field, Roxanne clipped Titan's Pokéball back to her belt and pulled out her final one. She paused briefly, her gaze flickering to Norman before she tossed the ball into the air
As the bright light from Roxanne's final Pokéball faded, Rocky, her Rhyhorn, stomped onto the field with a loud, earth-shaking roar. The crowd erupted into cheers, and I could practically feel the energy radiating from Rocky as he pawed at the ground, ready for battle.
"Rocky's here to play," I muttered, leaning forward. Flannery, beside me, gave a sharp nod, her eyes glued to the battlefield.
Norman, ever calm, assessed the new challenger with a small nod. "Girafarig, let's stay sharp."
Roxanne wasted no time. "Rocky, Bulldoze! Wreck the field!"
With a bellow, Rocky slammed his front legs into the ground, sending shockwaves rippling through the arena. The terrain shifted violently as chunks of earth and jagged stones were unearthed, creating a chaotic battlefield designed to disrupt Girafarig's movements.
"Girafarig, stay nimble!" Norman called out. The dual-type Pokémon dodged with surprising grace, its psychic abilities allowing it to push any stray stones away before they could connect.
"Hold it in place with Confusion, then move in with Double Kick!" Norman's voice was sharp and clear, his commands precise.
Girafarig's horns glowed as it extended its psychic hold on Rocky, halting the Rhyhorn mid-charge. With the battlefield in chaos, Girafarig used the uneven terrain to spring forward, its hind legs glowing faintly as it landed a solid kick on Rocky's side.
But just as Girafarig reared back for the second kick, Rocky let out a guttural growl and shook off the psychic hold with brute force. With speed that belied his size, he snapped his jaws around Girafarig's leg, eliciting a sharp cry from the Pokémon.
"Good job, Rocky! Just like we practiced with Titan!" Roxanne's voice carried over the noise of the crowd.
"Smack Down, then Poison Jab!" Roxanne commanded.
Rocky's powerful neck muscles flexed as he whipped Girafarig off its feet, slamming it into the ground with a resounding thud. Before Girafarig could recover, Rocky's horn glowed with a venomous sheen as he aimed a Poison Jab straight for his opponent.
"Protect!" Norman's voice cut through the stadium, and Girafarig reacted instantly. A shimmering barrier of energy materialized just in time, absorbing the toxic strike.
"Now, get some space!" Norman ordered. Girafarig pushed itself up with its psychic energy, leaping backward to create distance.
Roxanne wasn't about to let up. "Rock Polish, Rocky! Don't let it breathe!"
Rocky's rocky armor shimmered as he increased his speed, the cumbersome Rhyhorn now moving with startling agility. With a roar, he charged forward, his horn spinning as he unleashed a Drill Run aimed directly at Girafarig.
Norman's Girafarig darted sideways, its horns glowing with energy as it launched Psybeams and hurled loose stones to try and slow Rocky down. The colorful bursts of energy struck Rocky's hide, leaving scorch marks, but the resilient Rhyhorn barreled on, refusing to yield.
"Girafarig's putting up a hell of a fight," I murmured, watching the battlefield intently. "But Rocky's relentless."
Flannery crossed her arms, her expression tense. "Yeah, but Girafarig's agility is no joke. If it keeps dodging and wearing him down with ranged attacks, things could get dicey."
The tide turned suddenly. Girafarig, focused on avoiding Rocky's attacks, misstepped on one of the jagged stones from the earlier Bulldoze. Its footing faltered, and the momentary stumble was all Rocky needed.
"Drill Run, now!" Roxanne shouted.
Rocky lunged with precision, his horn glowing as he spun into Girafarig with all his might. The impact was massive, sending Girafarig skidding across the battlefield. Dust and debris filled the air, obscuring the field for a moment before settling to reveal Girafarig struggling to stand, visibly battered and breathing heavily.
Norman's lips pressed into a thin line. "Girafarig, one last Psybeam! Give it everything you've got!"
The Psychic-type unleashed a desperate, blinding beam of energy that struck Rocky head-on. The Rhyhorn growled in pain, skidding back slightly from the force but remaining upright, his sheer willpower driving him forward.
"Rocky, finish it! Drill Run!" Roxanne's voice was steady, her confidence unwavering.
With a defiant roar, Rocky charged one last time, his horn gleaming in the sunlight as he closed the gap in an instant. The collision was earth-shaking, and when the dust settled, Girafarig lay unconscious at Norman's feet.
"Girafarig is unable to battle!" the referee declared, raising his flag. "The winner of this match is Roxanne Voss of Rustboro City!"
The stadium erupted into cheers, the roar of the crowd almost deafening. Flannery and I jumped to our feet, shouting and clapping as Roxanne stood tall on the field, her face a mix of relief and quiet pride.
Norman recalled Girafarig, his expression softening as he turned to Roxanne. "Well done. You kept your composure even when things looked grim. That kind of calm under pressure is what separates good trainers from great ones."
Roxanne inclined her head, her usual reserved demeanor shining through. "Thank you, Norman. Your team was formidable, and this was a battle I won't soon forget."
As she and Rocky exited the field, I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride for my friend. Roxanne had truly earned this victory.
CHAPTER END