The Renegade Trainer

Two years ago...

Inside the haunted mansion was a man wearing thick coat. His hands were crossed, and he wore a menacing expression.

Before him was a Gengar with a fierce look as well.

They looked like they were about to duke it out, but both of them laughed all of the sudden.

"Alright, you can stay here and take care of that little Rotom of yours!" the jolly Thundra laughed.

Beside him, a younger Maguro and Murkrow stood silently.

"I'll catch Rotom for my team one day." the boy pointed to the small plasma Pokémon shyly hiding behind Gengar.

"Gen--Geng--Gengar!!" 

"So you're saying you'll allow it if I become strong enough?"

Gengar smirked and taunted the boy in response. It was a playful gesture, but everyone could feel the sinister energy behind it...

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Present day, Old Chateau...

Maguro and Ruiz stood a few meters apart with Gengar in between them.

"Why are we doing this again?"

"Because we'll get killed by that Gengar if we don't."

Ruiz and Iizumi were whispering to each other. They knew that Gengar was the strongest Pokémon in the room, "It's an Elite-level Pokémon, and it's still stronger even if we joint hands with that trainer. So it'll be best if we follow it."

The ranger nodded, and prepared for their Two-on-two battle.

 Meanwhile Maguro noticed something intriguing about the girl 'Seems like she can understand Pokémon like I do. I wonder how.'

He tossed his Pokéball, and came out a battle-ready Turtwig.

Ruiz did the same and he chose to battle with Eevee.

With a wave of a Ghost-type Pokémon's hand, the battle commenced. The ranger initiated as he commanded "Eevee, use [Take down]!"

Maguro stalled and after Turtwig took the brunt of the move, it was time to make a move.

"Use [Shell Smash]!"

Gengar nodded, but was still stern as he understood the boy's strategy. While Eevee was hurting from recoil, Maguro took that opportunity to set up.

That's also why he purposefully left an opening at the beginning.

"Now Turtwig, use [Absorb]!"

From its forehead, Turtwig emitted green particles that travelled towards Eevee. And even when it tried to avoid the attack, the speed boost from [Shell smash] made that futile.

"This is bad..." Ruiz was aware that Eevee took a lot of damage, and that Turtwig got back most of the Health it lost from [Take down].

 "But we're not done yet, Eevee let's use [Sand-Attack]!"

"Flank, then end it with [Headbutt]."

Both Pokémon moved as commanded, but to Maguro's surprise, Eevee wasn't knocked out by a double-power [Headbutt].

After getting blown away, it toughened up and got back up.

'It's only Indigo potential and it acts as if its better. How amusing...'

But that didn't mean Maguro was gonna go easy. "Turtwig, [Bullet seed]!"

Ruiz, who was tense, shouted his command. "Eevee, use [Quick Attack] to avoid it!"

It started moving in a zigzag pattern, swiftly dodging Turtwig's attacks.

But just as Eevee closed in and was about to hit Turtwig, it moved to the side and avoided the [Quick Attack].

"[Headbutt]!"

"[Take Down]!"

The trainers commanded at the same time, but it was Turtwig that got to strike first and Eevee fainted as the turtle bashed its head on it.

"One down, Turtwig. Good job."

"Turt--Turtwig!" Turtwig smiled gleefully as its trainer caressed its head. 

Ruiz was ready to go and was about to call on his next Pokémon when suddenly, a bright glow enveloped Maguro's Turtwig.

"It's evolving..."

"It's about damn time." its trainer smiled.

Unexpectedly, Gengar made a move and tossed something at Turtwig whow was in the middle of its evolution process. This caused the light to intensify, and a strong-looking Grotle emerged from it.

"Grotle!!" it's roar resounded across the battlefield, and its trainer sensed that its gotten stronger.

Hyped about its new form, it lunged towards Maguro and he congratulated Grotle by patting its head like the good boy he is "Congrats on evolving, buddy!"

'Your potential has improved...'

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Pokémon: Grotle

Level: 18 (09%)

Sex: Male

Type: Grass

Ability: Shell Armor

Potential: Deep Purple

Moves: Shell smash, Withdraw, Curse, Headbutt (Talent-learned), Bulldoze (Talent-learned) Bullet Seed (TM)

Held item: none

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(AN: Maguro can't see this status screen since his ability allows him to see a Pokemon's talent in the spectrum of colors, but I decided to put it when I feel it is appropriate for convenience's sake.)

Unbeknownst to everyone, Gengar had lent Grotle a High-Grade Ground gem as it was evolving. And it was completely drained as Pokémon absorb energy faster when they are evolving.

But that was because Greg sensed the need to power-up Maguro for what's to come.

"I choose you, Luxio!"

"Lux--!" An imposing aura surrounded the bluish-black canine. And with that, Grotle's attack power was weakened. 

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Pokémon: Luxio

Level: 29 (02%)

Type: Electric

Ability: Intimidate

Potential: Brown

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And though he couldn't see its opponent's stats, Grotle and Maguro knew Luxio was stronger.

'We'd be dead meat if Grotle doesn't at least severely weaken Luxio.' Maguro was well-aware of his crippling vulnerability to Electric-types.

"Luxio is my best Pokémon and is a partner since day one!"

Instead of entertaining his yapping, Maguro was concentrated on the battle "Grotle, one more [Shell Smash]!"

'It's risky, but it'd be impossible to win if I don't try it out.' Turtwig's limit was only one [Shell Smash], so he was counting on this evolved form to pull off a second one and get the hang of it.

It took time for newly-evolved Pokémon to get used to their body, much more boosting it up. It was a hard thing to pull off, but Grotle was up for the challenge.

But Ruiz wasn't gonna sit still. "Use [Fire fang]!"

"Avoid it, Grotle!" he was surprised that Luxio even had coverage to grass-types.

Grotle tried to dodge the attack, only to trip over itself as Luxio continued chasing it down. 

Maguro knew this wouldn't work, and the turtle would surely faint after getting hit by that move as it's defenses were lower than ever.

However, Grotle managed to pull off an unexpected attack in [Bulldoze] that slowed down Luxio as it closed in.

But that wasn't enough to stop it from landing [Fire fang] and taking out Grotle.

Maguro immediately tended to its wounds. Grotle was super vulnerable after using [Shell Smash] and would possibly die if he wasn't careful. 

'You did well, buddy. You did more than enough...' he returned Grotle to its Pokéball.

Seeing Maguro lower his head, Gengar was convinced that he'd lose. It had a smug look on his face, and so did Ruiz.

"You cannot beat my Luxio. We've been through a lot together. And while you do have talent, that simply isn't enough to overcome my experience."

'Oh I really can't stand you, you clown...'

It was worn out from its earlier battles, but Maguro trusted his next mon.

"Let's do this."

A tall Blue Draconic Pokémon took the field as Gyarados was released. 

"You have but one task, Gyarados. And that's to demolish that Luxio before you."

"ROARR!!"

"Luxio, use [Spark]!"

"[Outrage]!"

Gyarados may have a terrifying quad-weakness to Electric, but Maguro knew how big of a difference a lowered attack and speed would make.

'It may be weakened from its earlier battles, but I wouldn't've caught Gyarados if it wasn't for its monstrosity. Banzai all out attack!' 

Ruiz's eyes widened as he saw Gyarados slam Luxio to the ground, then picking it up before throwing it to the wall as it emitted large amounts of Draconic energy.

"I surrender!" the ranger roared.

Gengar stepped in after Maguro tossed a Persim berry to it. And so, Gyarados regained its calm while Ruiz and Iizumi tended to Luxio.

"I won."

"Gengar." (You did.)

"Then, aside from Rotom and the appliances, there is something else I want."

Maguro's lips curved to a devilish grin.

"Gengar, Gen--Gengar." (You are one cunning young man. Let's hear it!)

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[TO BE CONTINUED]