Chapter 26:
Let it Bea
Location: Stow-on-Side
Allister was taking on the Gym first that day, so I wouldn't get to battle Bea until the afternoon. I had little doubt Allister would lose; Bea's Fighting Type moves wouldn't do anything against Allister's Ghost Types unless they had Scrappy as an Ability, though that didn't stop Bea from winning the first time. I would also say they might have the move Foresight or Odor Sleuth, but those moves (and various others as of recent) have mysteriously been forgotten by Pokémon all over the world.
"Hey G!" Hop said as I was just standing around clearing my head. "So, you ready for today?"
"You bet!" I replied. "Allister told me not to watch; he knows a like surprises with Gym battles."
"Well how about a surprise battle now?" Hop asked. "Let's get some training in!"
Gloria Vs. Hop
"You're first Cramorant!" Hop shouted. He sent out the Water Type I watched him catch.
"Then I'll use Toxtricity!" I replied.
"Cramorant, use Dive!" Cramorant dove under some nearby water. This let it dodge Toxtricity's Shock Wave. "Now!" Cramorant, with a Arrokuda in its mouth, hit Toxtricity.
"Now use another Shock Wave!" Toxtricity this time hit Cramorant, almost defeating it. Cramorant then fired the Arrokuda at Toxtricity.
"That's Cramorant's Ability, Gulp Missile. When it uses Dive, it will sometimes come out with an Arrokuda in its mouth. It will fire it at the opposing Pokémon when it takes damage. Let's do it again!" Cramorant dove underwater once more, dodging another Shock Wave. When it came out though, it had a Pikachu!
"What is that thing doing?!" I asked. "Surfing?"
"I don't know!" Hop shouted as Cramorant hit Toxtricity.
"Shock Wave again!" Toxtricity finally defeated Cramorant, through Cramorant fired the Pikachu at Toxtricity.
"Nice job. But that was a bit random. Okay Silicobra, go!" Out came a Ground Type next.
"Can't have you battling that," I told Toxtricity, recalling it. "Go Ludicolo!" I had this covered. "Hydro Pump!" Ludicolo shot a blast of water at Silicobra, knocking it out in one blow. Just then, a Sandstorm started.
"Sand Spit!" Hop replied. "When the User is hit, it creates a Sandstorm. Thanks Silicobra." Hop recalled it. "Now, time for a Pokémon you should be familiar with. Go Toxel!" Out came a Toxel of Hop's very own!
"Cool!" I replied. "Ludicolo, want to stay out for a bit? Zen Headbutt!" Ludicolo's head started glowing, and it bashed into Toxel. It was down in one fell swoop.
"What's going on?!" Hop shouted. "Okay. Remain calm. Go Thwackey!" Finally was Hop's Starter.
"Thanks," I told Ludicolo. "Raboot, go!" My Fire Type was sent out. "Flame Charge!" Raboot, covered in fire, charged into Thwackey.
"Thwackey, Knock Off!" Thwackey hit Raboot with a stick.
"Come back with Headbutt!" Raboot hit Thwackey with its head, causing it to flinch. "And Flame Charge!" Raboot hit Thwackey with one final Fire Type attack, defeating Thwackey.
"Nice battle!" Hop said, as he went in to shake my hand. "You didn't even break a sweat!" Hop however was sweating. He then sighed as he recalled Thwackey.
We looked at the Stadium. We saw Gigantamaxed forms of a Gengar and Machamp. Didn't scan them for the surprise obviously. "Looks like Allister's almost finished," I said. "Why don't we go and wait for him in the Lobby?"
Me and Hop started going the way of the Gym, when someone elbowed passed me. "Will you mind where you're-"
It was Bede; he looked back at me. "I did," he replied.
"Let me guess," Hop said. "You're probably here to take on Bea?"
Bede showed me his Badges; the Fighting Badge was indeed in there. "No. I've already beaten here. I have other business, and you two are interrupting me. So, I must wish you tata. Oh, and Hop? Battle like you did just there and you will have no chance against Leon. He certainly has no chance against me."
Hop stuck his tongue out, and the two of us walked to the Stow-on-Side Gym.
Location: Stow-on-Side Gym
"Congratulations!" We told Allister. He had won the battle with flying colours.
"Thanks," he said. "Even with a Defense advantage, Bea was still strong. Gloria, good luck. I'll be watching you on the TV at my place. I don't like sitting in the crowds; it's too noisy."
"That's fair," said Hop. "Shall I walk you back?"
"Yes," Allister replied. "We'll be rooting for you."
"She'll win!" Hop assured him. "Gloria can take on opponents like a Pachirisu can take on Draco Meteors; with confidence and optimism! Okay, we shouldn't delay you anymore!"
I registered, and went in.
I went into the Gym where I noticed it looked like a giant pinball table.
"Welcome!" Bea said on a large TV screen. I saw with her was a Hitmontop, a brown Pokémon with blue legs. "Trainer, your challenge will be to get in the teacup that looks like a Clobbopus!" I saw it in front of me. Yes, I had been on one of these before. I took a trip to the nearby Stow-on-Side Towers theme park about a year back and forced Mum to go on one of these; she felt too sick to go on anymore rides afterwards.
I got into the teacup and it started spinning down the track. It was essentially a giant pinball table, and you had to push a button to activate some mechanisms (with boxing gloves on the end) that bump you away from the edge. To change direction, I had to swivel the plate in the middle to go left or right via spinning.
After some spinning and bumping, I reached the break zone. Of course, this wasn't a complete break; a Gym Trainer was waiting there.
"Ha! Stopped feeling dizzy yet?"
Gloria Vs. Gym Trainer Ian
"I choose Bewear!" Ian shouted. Bewear was a large-pink and black Pokémon with strong arms.
Bewear ( キテルグマ)
#095 (Mainland)
Normal/Fighting Type
Strong Arm Pokémon
6'11" (2.1 m)
297.6 lbs (135 kg)
Once it accepts you as a friend, it tries to show its affection with a hug. Letting it do that is dangerous – it could easily shatter your bones.
Stufful -Lv 27- Bewear
"And I choose Kubfu!" I replied. "Use Brick Break!" Kubfu chopped at Bewear, though it didn't do too much. "But… how?"
"It's called Fluffy," Ian said. "It halves damage from all contact moves. Come back with Bind!" Bewear started hugging Kubfu.
"Return!" I said, but I couldn't. Bind prevents escaping! Kubfu wriggled free, though a special energy still prevented it from getting recalled. "We'll just have to chance it! Brick Break again!" Kubfu chopped at Bewear again.
"Use Strength!" Bewear punched Kubfu, knocking it back.
"Come on Kubfu, you haven't lost yet! Aerial Ace!" Kubfu dove into Bewear. Critical Hit! Bewear was down!
"Well at least you didn't use any Fire Type moves…"
"You okay?" I asked Kubfu. "You did very well. Come on, let's get going!"
I got on the next Clobbopus, and spiralled down again. With all this spinning, I could see why Mum hated these kind of rides.
I got to the next break platform where another Gym Trainer was waiting for me.
"You'll be LEEKING tears when I'm finished with you!" she said.
Gloria Vs. Gym Trainer Claire
"I choose Farfetch'd!" Farfetch'd is a Pokémon that has a Galarian form to. Unlike Farfetch'd from Kanto, Johto and Kalos, Galarian Farfetch'd are dark brown and have an even longer leek.
Farfetch'd (Galarian Form)
#218 (Mainland)
Fighting Type
Wild Duck Pokémon
2'07" (0.8 m)
92.6 lbs (42 kg)
The stalk this Pokémon carries in its wings serves as a sword to cut down opponents. In a dire situation, the stalk can also serve as food.
"Corvisquire!" I shouted. "Use Pluck!" Corvisquire started flying towards Farfetch'd. It stabbed it with its beak, doing lots of damage.
"Brutal Swing!" Farfetch'd's leek started glowing dark and hit it Corvisquire.
"One more Pluck!" Corvisquire hit Farfetch'd one last time; it was finished!
"I deserved to lose for that pun alone."
One more spin down and a few bashes and I finally made it down to the last break point. Of course, a Gym Trainer was there to challenge me, so I took him on.
"Hah! Let's see how you like two fists at once! Well, a hand and a leg."
Gloria Vs. Gym Trainer Simon
"Go Hitmonlee!" Out came a brown Pokémon with a round boddy and springy legs.
Hitmonlee (サワマルー)
#108 (Mainland)
Fighting Type
Kicking Pokemon
4'11" (1.5 m)
109.8 lbs (49.8 kg)
This amazing Pokemon has an awesome sense of balance. It can kick in succession from any position.
Tyrogue -Lv 20 with high attack- Hitmonlee
"And I choose Corvisquire!" I replied.
"Hitmonlee, use Blaze Kick!" Hitmonlee's right foot caught fire, and it stretched out its leg to hit Corvisquire.
"Scary Face!" Corvisquire made a horrifying expression at Hitmonlee. This lowered its Speed. "And now use Pluck!" Corvisquire rammed its beak into Hitmonlee for lots of damage.
"And now Mega Kick!" Hitmonlee hit Corvisquire with a powerful kick. It was defeated.
"Okay," I said. "Taking out my Flying Type? Impressive." That made me all the most concerned to face Bea. "I choose Raboot now!" Raboot jumped onto the field. "Flame Charge!" Raboot set itself ablaze and rammed into Hitmonlee.
"Double Kick!" Hitmonlee kicked Raboot twice.
"Headbutt!" Raboot hit Hitmonlee with its head, finishing it off.
"Let's switch from kicking to punching! Go Hitmonchan!" Next was another brown Pokémon, but wearing a pink… skirt? I didn't know. But it also had red boxing gloves.
Hitmonchan
#109
Fighting Type
Punching Pokémon
4'07" (1.4 m)
110.7 lbs (50.2 kg)
Its punches slices the air. However, it seems to need a short break after fighting for three minutes.
Tyrogue -Lv 20 with high Defense- Hitmonchan
"Use Mach Punch!" Quickly, Hitmonchan punched Raboot. "I know you're trying to raise your speed with Flame Charge, but give up; Mach Punch has priority!"
"Headbutt!" Raboot headbutted Hitmonchan. It took it.
"Now use Thunder Punch!" Hitmonchan's fist started sparking, and it punched Raboot. It became paralyzed. Raboot couldn't move. I saw Hitmonchan charging up another move.
"Come on Raboot! Flame Charge!" Raboot couldn't move again.
"Now Hitmonchan! Focus Punch!" Hitmonchan punched Raboot with all its might, knocking it out.
"Raboot!" I yelled. Having Thunder Punch to paralyze Raboot and then using Focus Punch, which doesn't work if the user takes damage, to give it a good hit. It was a risky strategy, but a rewarding one nonetheless.
"Toxtricity!" I shouted. "Let's see how you like to have status infliction! Use Toxic!" Toxtricity fired purple gunk at Hitmonchan; it was poisoned!
"Admittedly, yeah. That's clever. Mega Punch Hitmonchan!" Hitmonchan punched Toxtricity very hard.
"Finish with Shock Wave!" Toxtricity zapped Hitmonchan, fainting it.
"My arms and legs are tired…"
"That was the last Trainer!" I said. "Now we can take on Bea!"
After that spinny experience, I walked into the corridor that lead to the stadium. All my Pokémon were healed and I walked out into the cheering crowd to beat Bea.
"Uncle Mustard told me all about you," she said. "Tell me, are you using Kubfu in this battle?"
"I don't want to reveal anything," I said.
"Trainers!" said the referee. "Please assume your positions! This is a Single Battle!" We both walked over to our corners.
"The trainers have moved into their area."
"Gloria has been on a roll with these victories. Can she continue this streak?"
Bea spread out her feet. "Ha! I won't go easy on you!"
Gloria Vs. Gym Leader Bea
"I choose Toxtricity!" I shouted.
"Go Hitmontop!" Bea replied.
Hitmontop (カポエラー)
#110 (Mainland)
Fighting Type
Handstand Pokémon
4'07" (1.4 m)
105.8 lbs (48 kg)
After doing a handstand to throw off the opponent's timing, it presents its fancy kick moves.
Tyrogue -Lv. 20 with equal attack and Defense- Hitmontop
"Toxtricity! Start with Toxic!" Toxtricity poisoned Hitmontop.
"Hitmontop! Dig!" Hitmontop went underground.
"Not risking that," I said. "Come back!" I switched Toxtricity for Corvisquire, who was immune to Dig.
"Smart move," Bea told me.
"Gloria recalls her newly evolved Toxtricity for Corvisquire."
"As a Toxel, it did not do well at all. It's even been seen as a laughing stock among the fandom. Thankfully Gloria didn't make it any worse."
Well, that wasn't very nice. "Corvisquire, Pluck!" Corvisquire pecked Hitmontop hard.
"Rock Slide!" Hitmontop made rocks fall onto Corvisquire. It was Super Effective.
"Pluck again!" Corvisquire attacked once more, and Hitmontop was finished. The crowd cheered.
"And Gloria takes down Hitmontop!"
"She is regretting switching into Corvisquire less and less."
"Well," Bea said. "Let's see how you do against Pangoro!" Her next member was a black and white Pokémon with large fists and a bamboo twig in its mouth.
Pangoro (ゴランダ)
#112 (Mainland)
Fighting/Dark Type
Daunting Pokémon
6'11" (2.1 m)
299.8 lbs (136 kg)
This Pokémon is quick to anger, and it has no problem using its prodigious strength to get its way. It lives for duels against Obstagoon.
Pancham -Lv 32 with Dark Type in Party- Pangoro
"Pangoro is strong but slow," I said.
"Is that so?" Bea asked. "Pangoro! Bullet Punch!" Pangoro's fist turned to metal, and it quickly punched Corvisquire.
"Pluck attack!" I shouted at Corvisquire stabbed Pangoro with its beak. "And again!" Corvisquire attacked once again, almost downing Pangoro.
"Use Payback!" Pangoro then went and punched Corvisquire with a black fist. It was knocked out.
"And Corvisquire goes down!"
I got too cocky. Now my main hope for the match was defeated. Well, time to show them who's a laughing stock. "Toxtricity!" I shouted.
"Bullet Punch!" Pangoro punched Toxtricity first, but it didn't do much damage at all.
"Shock Wave!" Toxtricity managed to get one final blast of electricity to Pangoro, defeating it.
"Toxtricity's street credit has been renewed!"
"It's amazing what an evolution can do."
Bea got out her next Pokémon. "Go Sirfetch'd!" This Pokémon was white and feathery. It had a yellow beak and was holding a large-green onion and a leaf shield.
Sirfetch'd (ネギガナイト)
#219 (Mainland)
Fighting Type
Wild Duck Pokémon
2'07" (0.8 m)
257.9 lbs (117 kg)
Only Farfetch'd that have survived many battles can attain this evolution. When this Pokémon's leek withers, it will retire from combat.
Farfetch'd (Galarian) -3 Critical Hits in one battle- Sirfetch'd
"Can you keep going?" I asked Toxtricity. It was fine. "Great! Now, use Screech!" Toxtricity made a loud-piercing screeching noise that harshly lowered Sirfetch'd's Defense.
"You really think you can do that? I've come prepared! Sirfetch'd! Iron Defense!" Sirfetch'd's shield gleamed with iron, raising its Defense back to normal. "Don't even think about trying that again."
"We won't," I replied. "Use Toxic!" Toxtricity badly poisoned Sirfetch'd.
"Knock Off!" Sirfetch'd's leek started glowing black, and it swiped Toxtricity. Sirfetch'd kept taking damage from the poison.
"Now use Shock Wave!" Toxtricity fired some more electricity at Sirfetch'd.
"Revenge!" Sirfetch'd charged into Toxtricity. It wasn't very effective, but still pretty strong regardless. Oh, yeah. Did I mention it was a Critical Hit? That was enough to finish Toxtricity.
"And Toxtricity is down again!"
"But at least it put up a good fight."
I recalled Toxtricity. "Well, it's worth the risk. Go Liepard!" I knew a Dark Type was risky, but it had to be done.
"Well this is interesting."
"Gloria has gone for a Dark Type, which is weak to Fighting Type attacks. What is this girl planning?"
"Fake Out!" Liepard flinched in front of Sirfetch'd, making it flinch. I saw Bea smile, as Sirfetch'd's speed rose. "What?!" I shouted.
"Ow! Gloria forgot about Steadfast, Sirfetch'd's Ability!"
"As you know, Steadfast raises the User's Speed whenever it flinches. Now Sirfetch'd will be even harder to take down."
"Revenge!" Sirfetch'd hit Liepard for tons of damage.
"Use Torment!" LIepard shouted at Sirfetch'd, disabling Revenge that turn.
"Oh come now," she said. "I do watch your matches, you know. Use Aerial Ace!" Sirfetch'd darted into Liepard, taking it down.
"A move that didn't quite work for Gloria."
"But at least she has the advantage of Torment up."
"I choose Ludicolo!" I yelled.
"And we now see that Gloria's Lombre has evolved into a Ludicolo."
"Lombre saw some tough fights, and the audience is beyond excited to see what its evolved form has to show. I'm guessing a lot."
"Use Brutal Swing!" Sirfetch'd swiped its glowing leak at Ludicolo.
"Hydro Pump!" Finally, Ludicolo blasted Sirfetch'd was a gush of water. It was finished.
"And Bea is down to her final Pokémon! The audience is going wild!"
Bea nodded. "As expected from Uncle Mustard's student." She threw her Pokéball and sent out her grey four-armed titan, Machamp.
Machamp (カイリキー)
#140 (Mainland)
Fighting Type
Superpower Pokémon
5'03" (1.6 m)
286.6 lbs (130 kg)
With four arms that react more quickly than it can think, it can execute many punches at once.
Machop -Lv 28- Machoke -Trade- Machamp
I recalled Ludicolo and sent out Kubfu. "I secretly promised that I would let you battle it Bea."
"Well, what a surprise. It seems that Gloria has obtained herself a Legendary Pokemon!"
"And not just anyone, but the Pokemon that is VERY RARELY given away by Mustard, who you might know as Leon's predecessor Champion."
Bea recalled Machamp. "Okay. Get ready to feel the Kung Fu Power of… G-Max Machamp!" G-Max Machamp was, as well as massive, set with four glowing-orange hands.
The Giagantamax energy coursing through its harms makes its punches hit as hard as bomb blasts.
"And now my turn!" I shouted, recalling Kubfu. My Dynamax band started glowing and my Pokeball got bigger. I threw it, and Kubfu was massive!
"Machamp, G-Max Chi Strike!" Machamp created a massive-purple fist that punched from the sky onto Kubfu.
"Use Max Airstream!" Kubfu then shot wind at Machamp, doing lots of damage. Kubfu's Speed then rose. "And again!" Kubfu hit Machamp once more.
"G-Max Chi Strike again!" Machamp brought its fist down once more. This was a Critical Hit that knocked out Kubfu, ending my Dynamax turn.
"Such power!" I said. "But at least she only has one more Gigantamax turn left." I sent out Raboot. "Use Headbutt!" Raboot headbutted Machamp, not quite knocking it out.
"Max Darkness!" Machamp fired black energy at Raboot, knocking it out and ending Machamp's Gigantamax session.
"We've got this match Ludicolo!" I yelled. "Zen Headbutt!" Ludicolo's head glowed, and it hit Machamp. It was defeated.
Bea nodded. "That was a great match. Uncle Mustard taught you well."
"And with that, Gloria scores another victory!"
"That is Gym Badge number four. She is halfway there. At this rate, she'll make it to the Galar Championships and maybe even battle Leon."
"You battled well," said Bea. "Here. The Fighting Badge." The next Badge was handed to me; it had a knuckle on it. "I also give you TM042, which contains Revenge. It's a move that powers up when you took damage this turn. Finally, my League Card. Good luck!"
"Woah!" Hop said in the Lobby. "Halfway there!"
"I'm still processing things," I replied. "So, Ballonlea next?"
"Let's take a break tomorrow!" Hop said.
Yeah. That was a good idea.