LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 39 - Battle Frenzy
Chapter 39 – Battle Frenzy
The battle between the gym trainer Eli and his challenger Egon from our own Lavaridge town will now begin! This will be an elimination match with each trainer using three Pokémon, only the challenger is allowed to substitute Pokémon during the match.
“Let’s begin, Magby, I choose you!”
“Orin show your stuff!”
Both of us called out our respective Pokémon at the same time. Eli choosing to lead off with one of the gym’s magby. This one in particular was known for being lackadaisical with training, the Magby having stayed unevolved for a good number of years making her the perfect gym Pokémon.
“Heya Maggie, this time it’s me trying to earn a badge don’t go too soft on us, okay?”
“Maaagby!”
Maggie’s repertoire mostly consisted of fighting and fire type moves. So, this would be the best time for Orin to show off.
“Confuse ray!”
“Smokescreen!”
My attempt at dazzling our opponent is immediately stopped by a cloud of black billowing smoke expelled from Maggie’s mouth. Using smokescreens to block a visually transmitted status move like confuse ray is par of the course in a fire type gym. Since Eli was not allowing me to win by using slyer means, this fight would devolve into a straight up brawl. The kind of situation which would spell bad news for my little candle Pokémon.
‘Sadly, Litwick’s move pool is not expansive enough to do anything more than this.’
“Night shade!”
“Flame wheel!”
Night shade was a nifty attacking move, the more battle experienced a user is the more the illusionary mirages brought about by the move sap the victim’s vitality. Move tutors theorized that a more battle-hardened Pokémon can conjure up more lifelike threats to use against their opponent’s psyche.
Eli’s decided to close the gap between his Pokémon and mine. Litwick weren’t known to be capable of any sort of physical brawling so this would be the correct course of action for Eli to follow. While the only thing Orin could do would be to punish the charging Magby as much as possible. Orin’s eyes grew dark and out of them sprang two beams of dark energy accurately hitting Maggie’s physical form.
As expected, the laser didn’t hinder Maggie as much as I hoped it would. My Litwick was at most only around three months old, the images he could conjure not being much of a hassle for a more experienced Pokémon like Maggie to overcome.
The flame wheel connected, pushing back Orin a fair bit but not by much. The reduced effectiveness of a same type attack showing itself.
“Thunder Punch!”
“Minimize dodge!”
As Maggie’s electrically charged fist closed in on Orin the candle Pokémon drastically reduced in size. Minimize reduces the user’s size so that the air pressure from the incoming attacks helps you avoid taking a direct hit. The decrease in size only lasted briefly but that was more than enough for Orin to get out of harm’s way.
“Night shade again!”
Having gained the opportunity to capitalize on Maggie’s loss of momentum Orin and myself got the chance to retaliate with an attacking move of our own. Once more twin jet-black lightning crashed into Maggie’s body. Sapping another dose of her vitality.
There was a limit to how many times a Pokémon could use minimize and now that Maggie knew what to look out for it would be harder to pull off that trick again.
“Psychic!”
Maggie’s eyes glowed and Orin’s form was enveloped with psychic energies. Lifting the little Litwick up from the arena floor and slamming him back onto the ground with great force.
“Lit…”
“It’s fine you did great, let’s go out with a blast alright? Use Night Shade one last time!”
“Thunder Punch!”
Once more Maggie got hit by Orin’s Nightshade but shortly afterwards successfully KO’d my Pokémon with her lightning wreathed punching move. Orin toppled over completely out of it.
“Litwick is unable to battle! Magby wins!”
“Return!”
Activating Orin’s poké ball’s return mechanism a beam of redlight shot out and absorbed my Litwick back into its confines. I briefly addressed my downed team member as he was recovering in his ball.
“You did great out there Orin. The others have multiple years of age and experience on you. Even being able to keep up is praiseworthy. Just leave the rest to them.”
“Come on out Numsy!”
I wasn’t planning to drag out the match any longer than I had to. After evolving Numsy was one of my strongest competitors, and I knew the gym couldn’t start fielding its own camerupt against fourth badge challengers. My eruption Pokémon took the stage ready to earn another gym badge. Maggie on the other hand was weakened enough that Numsy wouldn’t have to do much to faint her. This was a good opportunity to see how far along Numsy had gotten to mastering his newest move.
“Earth Power!”
“Low kick!”
Numsy’s body glows gold, and the ground all around him starts to shake, with glowing gold cracks causing ground type energy to erupt from underneath Maggie. Maggie didn’t have enough time to get close enough to execute her low kick attack, which would have been very effective on a Pokémon as heavy as Numsy. The golden energy took its toll and Maggie collapsed on the ground defeated.
“Magby is unable to battle! Camerupt wins!”
“It seems Numsy did learn a thing or two while staying with that old Camerupt. Well now he’ll have to contend with this guy. Go Torkoal!”
A familiar looking tortoise Pokémon appeared on the field. Torkoal’s appearance caused the ambient temperature in the room which was already fairly high to rise explosively. This particular Torkoal was proficient in the use of its ability drought, the only known Pokémon in the world with access to this ability. Eli hand raised this Pokémon by himself and was very secretive on how his tortoise Pokémon became able to use this amazing ability. He was part of this secret club of Torkoal trainers who kept mum about how to train up this fabled ability.
I was fairly sure this Torkoal’s strength was on par with fifth or maybe even sixth badge gym Pokémon. Eli calling out his personal Pokémon now was indicative of him not wanting to let Numsy give me free and easy wins.
“Is this still a gym battle?”
“Absolutely Egon! But I am going to have you work for it!”
“Fine but if we win, you’ll have to give me some training advice!”
“Earth Power!”
“Protect! Follow that up with Solar Beam!”
Numsy’s move proved ineffective against the shield conjured up by Torkoal. The tortoise Pokémon, directed by Eli, seemed intent on using defensive tactics to deal with any super effective moves coming his way. Before coming out of its shell to pelt my Pokémon from range.
‘With the effects of sunny day active Torkoal won’t have to let its guard drop to gather energy. We’ll have to close the distance.’
“Flame charge through the Solar beam!”
“Ruuupt!”
Torkoal, after dropping its crystalline shield, immediately fired off a solar beam in Numsy’s direction. At the same time Numsy wreathed himself in flames in order to muscle through the incoming hit and close the gap between him and the tortoise Pokémon. Naturally a fire type’s solar beam wouldn’t be as strong as one coming off a grass type Pokémon, but it would still pack a wallop.
Numsy blazed through the oncoming solar ray packed with grass type energy. His toughness had significantly improved since his evolution since normally a blast like that would’ve sent him flying. This time his added weight and strength was enough to withstand the impact and give Torkoal an equally powerful body blow to his face. The artificial sunlight acting as a double-edged sword empowering Numsy’s flame charge to be more powerful than it ought to be.
“Withdraw!”
“Yawn! Gas him out!”
Eli made a tactical error in assuming my Pokémon didn’t know any gas attacks yet. His Torkoal was now surrounded in a cloud of gas. Withdraw being unable to block against these kinds of attacks. Just like me Eli must have figured out that the gas from Numsy’s yawn attack would soon kick in bringing torkoal to sleep since he wasted no time calling on Torkoal to launch another attack.
“Earthquake!”
At this level of proximity there was no way for Numsy to avoid that attack. I was preparing myself to have Numsy faint from the point zero quakes when my long time friend surprised me for the first time in a long while. Without my instruction Numsy covered himself in a turquoise force field very similar to the one our opponent used earlier, halting the earthquake from doing any more damage.
“Numsy, you learned protect in secret?!”
“Came.”
Not having much time to praise him since we were in the middle of a battle the earthquake eventually subsided. Eli’s Torkoal coming out of his shell asleep. The yawn having finally shown its effects.
“Now Numsy hit him with…!”
Before I could give the command to victimize our defenseless opponent, Eli withdrew his Torkoal back into his poké ball.
“Gym Trainer Eli has chosen to withdraw his Pokémon from the battle! According to the rules of a league endorsed gym battle this makes Camerupt the winner!”
“You’ve certainly kept up with your training since traveling abroad Egon. Are you ready for my final Pokémon? Go Flareon!”
Another one of Eli’s personal Pokémon materialized on the field. This time it is his work partner Flareon. Rangers like Eli are frequently sent on search and rescue missions. Flareon was used to suss out the location of missing trainers and also doubled as a therapeutic Pokémon able to calm down emotional and traumatized people. I knew from personal experience that Eli’s Flareon was a tricky Pokémon to beat.
“Keep light on your hooves Numsy! Flareon is strong.”
“Charm!”
“Bulldoze!”
Before Numsy had the chance, Flareon channeled what I would presume to be fairy type energy through its eyes. The effect was immediate lulling Numsy into a sense of complacency and adoration. I wasn’t the recipient of the attack but suddenly Flareon seemed more helpless giving me the urge to protect the floof even against my better judgment.
Numsy’s half hearted attempt at using the move bulldoze still managed to deal an effective amount of damage turning the battlefield into hazardous terrain. Making me flinch involuntarily since usually it was my job to repair the damaged terrain after gym battles.
‘Sorry! Poor sap who has to clean up this mess afterwards.’
“Earth Power.”
“Copy Cat!”
‘Tch.’
Normally Flareon would have no way to perform any sort of ground type moves. Eli must have waited for this chance to turn the tables on me. Copy Cat was a move that duplicated the type of energy inside the opponent’s body giving his Flareon access to the last move Numsy performed.
Both Pokémon had to endure the offensive ground type energy bursting out from underneath their feet. Flareon being light on her feet managed to come out harmed and exhausted but still on her feet. Numsy on the other hand…
“Rupt…”
“It’s okay you did well. Numsy return! Go Rena!”
Numsy wasn’t very maneuverable and with him being hurt from his last fight with Torkoal I figured now would be a good opportunity to withdraw him for my other partner who was still full of energy.
“The challenger has chosen to substitute his Pokémon. Let the battle recommence!”
“Quick attack!”
“Charm again!”
Again Eli was using the same strategy to cripple my Pokémon's incoming offensive by artificially lowering my Pokémon’s will to fight. However, this time I was ready with a trick of my own.
“Encore!”
This is the move Rena has been working on with Mr. Moore’s Ninetales. Encore forced the opposing Pokémon into only using the same move over and over again.
“Flareon on your feet!”
Normally trainers would command their Pokémon to avoid clashing until the effects of encore ran out, but I wasn’t letting him go that easy.
“Follow it up with a disable attack!”
Rena released blue rings of energy from her body that made our opponent unable to move.
This was my grand strategy. With Flareon’s body being forced to keep performing the same move a disable attack would mess up the Pokémon even further forcing its body into a struggle. Flareon had no choice but to damage itself hopelessly.
“Now finish it. Use flamethrower!”
We had to follow it up quickly encore usually only lasted for less than half a minute. Rena fired off an intense blast of fire strengthened even further by the effects of the sunny day Torkoal left behind. However, before the move could connect, Eli just like before withdrew his Pokémon.
“Gym trainer Eli has chosen to withdraw his final Pokémon. Vulpix wins the battle making Egon from Lavaridge Town the victor!”
“You did it Rena! Our very first gym badge from Hoenn.”
“Vuuuuul!”
“That was some fine strategy there at the end Egon. I haven’t seen the old encore into disable ploy in a long while. In my role as an official gym trainer for the Lavaridge Gym I award you the Heat badge.”
“Thanks, we couldn’t do it without help. Rena has learned a lot from Mr. Moore’s Ninetales.”
“Say what kind of advice were you looking to get from me?”
“Well, I have theorized that those of the vulpix line could develop the drought ability as well. So, I started off training Rena how to use sunny day. Although she has become proficient in the use of that move there’s still something that prevents her from obtaining that ability.”
“Hmm I see… and you want to learn the training method I used to have Torkoal learn how to do it?”
“Yes please!”
“At the moment the method is taught amongst those in the ranger corps. To light up dimly lit caves and the like during rescue operations in situations where the use of flash is too directional, and there is a need for a wider field of view. Seeing as the corps is apolitical it would be bad for me to give trainers running the circuit the means of training up this ability. Since technically speaking all trainers doing the circuit are running for public office in a way.”
“You can say that this is for science’s sake. If my Vulpix manages to develop the ability, I’ll even accredit you on my research paper. What do you say? I can also give you a guarantee that I won’t catch any Torkoals or spread this information around.”
“Research paper? I didn’t know you had lab sponsorship.”
“Well yeah, Professor Juniper from Unova. It’s just free-lance though, he pays me for discoveries that result in scientific breakthroughs.”
“Tell you what…I’ll lend you a hand with this, but you will also have to give over any relevant data to a lab in Hoenn. I can’t have the Unovans getting one over our local professors.”
We shook hands and a deal was struck. With Eli promising to mail me a ranger instruction guide on training up the ability as soon as he got off work. Since Eli was cheating by using higher leveled Pokémon than what was allowed for a fourth level badge match, I figured I would have also earned a technical machine but that was not the case. Mr. Moore had given him specific instructions to not give out any additional award aside from prize money, since according to the boss a fire type specialist would never take the easy way out on teaching fire type moves.
After dropping off my three partners at the Pokémon center, I went back home to pack my things. Tomorrow morning I had a battle appointment with the Mauville gym. In the unlikely case that Victini’s teleport didn’t work out, we'd have to buy teleportation services locally on short notice, so it was best to already be on our way today. I also had to say goodbye to my grandparents.
Later at home*
“This is it, if you want to contact me Nurse Mary next door has my number. I’ll visit you guys as often as I can. Since Victini learned teleportation, she has been familiarizing herself with the town so it should be doable for her to get us back home on short notice. If I qualify for the Ever Grande conference, I’ll make sure to reserve two tickets for you so you can come and watch me live.”
“Ever Grande Conference that’s all the way over at ever Grande city. That’s way too far for these old bones of mine.”
“Shut it you old codger! If our grandson qualifies, we are going.”
“Thanks Grandma. I am off, wish me luck!”
With my family matters settled I set off to pick up Flannery at the gym. Before having Victini teleport the both of us to Mauville. I was hoping she got all her affairs in order because I was not looking forward to having to help her pack up for a long journey.
‘Who am I kidding this is Flannery. I’ll have to double check the supplies she is bringing just to make sure. You will have to be the one to help her pack her things, Tini.’
“Why me?!”
“You are both girls, it'd be less awkward. I am not going into that room unless I absolutely have to. Just make sure she brings two extra set of clothes and a weeks’ worth of socks and undergarments. Anything else we can just shop for in Mauville. Oh, and also make sure she picked up her Pokémon partners out of the gym’s corral. Knowing her she might leave one behind by mistake.”
At this point of the conversation the bargaining usually begins where I have to promise some kind of feast for making Victini go out of her way to lend her assistance. Oddly enough, that didn’t happen. Instead we made an unspoken promise that she could make me do something unreasonable in return.
As we walked inside the gym which was closed to the public we noticed Mr. Moore standing at the lobby desk probably waiting to see his little girl off.
“Heya, Mr. Moore I am here to pick up Flannery.”
“Egon, I’ve heard about you earning our gym’s badge today. Good, Eli appraised your skills to be around your average sixth badge challenger. Naturally this means that I will expect you to challenge all subsequent gym leaders at that level.”
‘Ughh… Orin and Halo aren’t at that level yet. How does he expect me to shore up their skills while not letting them participate in any gym battles? And sixth level gym challenges are usually four versus four Pokémon too. Maybe I can worm my way out of this.’
“Sir… Halo is only a week old, and Orin should only be around three months old. They aren’t ready yet for the sixth level.”
“That’s what gym trainers are for! You might not know it because you worked with us, but every other gym makes timeslots available for trainers on the circuit who want to train up their younger and more inexperienced team members. They only pay as much as regular challenges, but the quality and know-how of your opponent is guaranteed.”
As we were busy talking, I let Victini out of her ball to check up on Flannery. Since the gym was closed for the day and all the staff members were off work, she could have her run of the place without being noticed.
My conversation with Mr. Moore continued.
“How far have you planned out your travels with Flannery so far?”
“First Victini will teleport the both of us to Mauville where I have a challenge lined up for my second badge. After which we will leave again for Fortree City. The gym leader there has invited me to come over in order to vet Tranquill’s adoption there as a gym Pokémon. I’ll challenge her for my third gym badge.”
“Fortree… after which you will be going through Hoenn’s archipelago?”
“Not immediately. I want to check out the safari zone with Flannery and see if they have relocated any fire type Pokémon there for me and Flannery to catch. Then we’ll set off to Mt. Pyre, Rena hasn’t seen her family in a while... This will also give Flannery the chance to see if any Vulpix living over there are interested enough to partner up with her.”
“A Vulpix yes that could work…and afterwards?”
“Well… I don’t think there are any other native fire types except for numel and camerupt. But if she was looking to catch one of those, she could have done so by just walking around Lavaridge.”
“Hmm fine if you two can’t find anything in the safari zone I will take measures to ensure she has a full team for next season’s circuit.”
Just like that our conversation came to a close. What ensued was awkward silence, to alleviate the tension a little bit I released Halo. She hasn’t gotten any chance to battle yet and she made for a nice distraction. Mr. Moore being eager to know more about her species and their personality traits in general, was quickly distracted by my limited knowledge of the larvesta line.
“So, the Claydol who was responsible for looking after her mother also shared an accounting of the species’ past with me. Sometime in our planet’s history the sky darkened due to some sort of cataclysmic event. The absence of sunlight caused the crops to start dying out. The renowned ancestor of little Halo here was powerful enough to act as the sun’s replacement, saving the ancient people of that time.”
“Fascinating.”
“Larr Vess!”
Little Halo was as pleased as Mr. Moore to hear about her heroic ancestor maybe even more so. The bug type puffing up just hearing about the grand feat.
“Did they tell you what the species of the father is? This could also be relevant to any future training plans.”
“Well, no I didn’t ask… but the ranger who helped me out with her egg told me that her species only couple with other bug types that manage to beat them in battle. That would be a tall order for any wild bug type to accomplish.”
“Indeed, but some species of Pokémon are near enough related to bug types that they can interbreed without any issues. You mentioned that her mother lives near a desert environment, right? I can imagine that a hardy enough Flygon could pose a challenge to her.”
“Flygon aren’t native to Unova. I’ve traveled through that desert multiple times there were no signs of any trapinch pit traps.”
Halo was as absorbed into the conversation as me. She seemed to place some amount of importance as to the identity of her father. Eventually I got the mental signal from Victini to let me know Flannery was done packing up and she was coming down to meet up with us in the lobby.
‘Did you make sure she packed all the essentials?’
“She didn’t need any help…”
‘Wait…? Why is she just now deciding to leave her room?’
“She is scared. This is her first time leaving home.”
‘You know what must be done…’
Victini could double as therapeutic support Pokémon in a pinch. Of course, she doesn’t have the official certification granted by the league, but the power of her fluffy ears was enough to help any person out of their malaise. We tested her efficacy on my grandparents, and they’ve been back at it with the lava cookie store ever since.
‘It’s understandable leaving home for the first time can be scary. Just let her know she’s but a teleport away if the homesickness becomes too much for her.’
Eventually footsteps could be heard coming from the gym’s empty halls until Flannery finally came into our line of sight. She was cradling Victini in both arms a large backpack strapped to her back. Streaks of dried tears lining her face. Mr. Moore became very protective at the sight of his granddaughter’s current state.
“You don’t have to go if you don’t want to sweetheart. Grandpa can just buy you a new partner Pokémon. There’s this growlithe breeder that…”
“No!! I want to do this. It’s just that… I am going to miss everyone while I am gone.”
I felt like I shouldn’t be watching this vulnerable moment between family members. So, I decided to get gone while the two worked out their emotional affairs.
“What about me?!”
‘You are her support bunny. She is supposed to be vulnerable with you. Just stick with it and afterwards you’ll get to choose our dining spot in Mauville city.’
A short while later*
I was standing outside the gym for what felt like half an hour before eventually Flannery showed up together with her grandpa. To my relief she looked much more confident now after getting some private time to work things out with her grandfather.
“I am ready, Egon! Grandpa says I have to call him thrice a day or else he won’t let me go with you. Pffft, it’s a hassle but that’s the price of freedom I guess.”
‘Who does she think she’s kidding? This grandpa’s girl…’
“Okay…? We’ll first be teleporting over to route 110. Victini and I really got along with this pack of electrike living over there, so don’t get startled if we suddenly pop out in front of them. From there it’s only a ten-minute walk over to Mauville where we’ll stay for the night.”
“Vi Vi.” “Hold my paws.”
Both of us did so.
“Bye grandpa, I’ll call you later tonight!”
Lavaridge town disappeared, and we found ourselves facing that very same nanab berry tree. The pack’s secret berry spot was deserted but I had no doubt they would sniff us out before long.
“This is it, route 110. Now then Flannery, how would you navigate us in the direction of the nearest town?”
“This isn’t an educational trip, Egon! I’ve done enough of those during trainer’s school.”
“Just pretend that I am a completely clueless person.”
“Hmpff, I don’t have to pretend to believe that.”
‘Is this how it’s going to be? Did I just shoot myself in the foot by taking this little hellion with me?’
“Ruff!!”
Out of the tangled bushes came a group of familiar faces. The pack’s noses must be better than I thought, noticing our presence not even a minute after we teleported.
“Hey you guys! It’s us, how have you been? Don’t mind the extra person, she'll keep your hidden berry spot a secret, promise.”
“Puppies!!”
“Arf!?!”
Seeing Flannery warming up immediately to the wild pack of electrike assuaged my worries somewhat.