Chapter 276: Normal Gym Battle (1)
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, Later, Petalburg City – Gym]
After giving his Pokémon some rest, it was time for Azure to return to Petalburg City to earn his fifth Gym Badge. Using Gardevoir Teleport, he had arrived in Peatalburg City, a hub of bustling activity and the site of his fifth Gym challenge.
His current team, a versatile and powerful group, rotated through rigorous training sessions daily. All waited within their Poké Balls, brimming with anticipation.
The days in Peatalburg had been a blur of strategy, exercise, and bonding. Azure believed in training not just their bodies, but their spirits, fostering an unbreakable trust between Trainer and Pokémon.
Now, the time for the challenge had arrived. The Peatalburg Gym, a stately, traditional building that exuded an air of quiet strength, loomed before him.
Azure took a deep breath, a familiar thrill coursing through him. This was what he lived for. Pushing open the heavy double doors, Azure stepped into the Gym.
*Thud*
The interior was spacious, bathed in natural light filtering through high windows. A large, circular battle arena dominated the center, its pristine surface ready for combat. The air hummed with a tangible sense of discipline and power.
From the far end of the arena, a figure emerged. Tall, with a calm, discerning gaze and an aura of quiet authority, it was Norman, the Petalburg City Gym Leader.
Norman was known not just for his incredible strength as a Trainer, but also as a dedicated father. His expression softened as he approached.
Norman began, his voice deep and measured, "Azure Sky, it's good to see you again. I must first express my deepest gratitude. Both as a father and a friend, for watching over Ruby and Sapphire during their journey here in Hoenn. I appreciate your assistance, and your efforts in protecting them from the foolishness of Team Magma and Aqua did not go unnoticed."
Azure felt a flush creep up his neck, a sheepish grin touching his lips. He scratched the back of his head. He waved a dismissive hand, uncomfortable with the praise, "Ah, well, I just did what anyone would do, Norman. They're good kids, and those teams were causing a lot of trouble."
Norman offered a brief, warm smile, a rare sight that quickly faded, replaced by his usual serious demeanor as he stated, his eyes now sharp and focused, "Be that as it may… understand this: despite your commendable actions, I will not take you lightly. Not while in my Gym."
Azure's grin widened, a spark of excitement igniting in his eyes as he replied, "Wouldn't have it any other way, Gym Leader. A true challenge is exactly what I came for!"
Norman nodded, a flicker of approval in his gaze as he said sternly, "Excellent. Then let us begin. This will be a full-on, six-on-six Pokémon Battle."
*Click*
He pulled out his Rotom Phone and activated a small, sleek machine that rose silently from the floor near Azure. The device, Azure knew, was a leveling system specific to Ace Trainers to test themselves.
Gym Leaders provided it to ensure a fair and appropriately challenging match. It scanned a challenger's chosen Pokémon, adjusting their levels if necessary, or allowing the Gym Leader to select their own team to match the challenger's strength.
*Beep*
The machine beeped softly, indicating it was ready. It wouldn't reveal the Pokémon, only confirm their levels were registered as Norman instructed, "Choose your six, Azure, and place them in the slots."
Azure considered his vast team for a moment, his mind racing through strategies in his head. He wanted a balanced team that could adapt to Norman's notoriously powerful Normal-types.
With a plan firm in his mind, he selected his Poké Balls and placed them into the machine's six slots, one by one. The six he chose were of the following: Combusken, Swampert, Shelgon, Manetric, Metagross, and Alpha Slaking.
He chose these six as they can gain experience fighting in Gym Battles. It would be technically their first time fighting a strong foe.
*Beep*
The machine whirred, scanned each Poké Ball, and then let out a final, affirmative beep. With Azure's choices locked in, another similar machine opened on Norman's side, allowing him to select his six Pokémon to match the incoming challenge.
Norman made his choices with a thoughtful, precise air. Norman declared, returning his Rotom Phone to his pocket, "Alright, Azure. Let's see what Indigo's champion has in store for Hoenn."
He took a deep breath and, with a flourish, threw his first Poké Ball as he declared, "Go, Zangoose!"
*Pop*
A sleek, white, and red Pokémon, Zangoose, materialized on the field, its claws already glinting dangerously. A small, purple orb glowed briefly around its neck – it's Held Item [Toxic Orb].
*Shiii*
Immediately, Zangoose flinched, a faint purple aura indicating it had been poisoned. But rather than weakening it, the Zangoose seemed to surge with renewed vigor, its fur bristling as its Toxic Boost ability activated, amplifying its already formidable attack power.
Azure grinned, a spark of competitive fire igniting in his eyes. Norman wasted no time with powerful, strategic Pokémon.
Azure took a deep breath as he thought cautiously, eyes narrowing, 'He isn't holding out at all, isn't he? Better to give this everything we got!'
Exhaling, he tossed his Poké Ball as he declared resolutely, "Alright, Combusken, let's show them what we're made of!"
*Pop*
With a flash of light, Azure's shiny Combusken, its golden feathers gleaming, burst onto the field. Around its ankle, its chosen Held Item [Black Belt] was clearly visible. As it landed, it seemed to vibrate with energy, its Speed Boost ability already beginning to activate, marking the start of a relentless increase in its agility.
Norman's eyes widened briefly before hardening as he thought, 'It's been raised to such a high level! In just a few short days, it was raised this high… amazing, even though it was born with its Hidden Speed Boost and is a Shiny! Impressive.'
But he kept his praise to himself as his intense focus was now on the battle. Norman commanded, wasting no time, "Zangoose, Quick Attack!"
*Zoooom*
The Cat Ferret Pokémon darted forward with incredible speed, a white blur streaking across the arena. Its claws glowed, striking Combusken with a sharp, swift blow.
*SMACK*
Combusken staggered slightly, but its fighting spirit never wavered. Azure countered, his voice sharp and clear, "Combusken, Double Kick! Aim for the chest!"
*SMACK*
Combusken responded instantly, its leg snapping out twice in rapid succession. The first kick landed squarely, forcing Zangoose back a step…
*SMACK*
… The second connected with even greater force, making Zangoose hiss in discomfort. The Black Belt amplified the impact of its fighting moves.
Norman pressed, sensing the power of Combusken's kicks, speed increasing, "Crush Claw, Zangoose! Dig in!"
*SHINNG*
Zangoose lunged, its claws glowing with an ominous red energy. It swiped at Combusken, attempting to tear through its defenses. But Azure countered quickly, roaring, "Detect!"
Combusken's instincts flared as its eyes snapped open. A brief image of Regirock flashed in its mind, and attacking with a Hammer Arm appeared in Zangoose's place as it used Crush Claw inches away from its face…
*Wooosh*
… at the last second, dodged as it kicked the ground using Double Kick to propel itself backwards to avoid Crush Claw. Norman blinked, surprised as he muttered, "To have it dodge at the last second? It's not something that can be trained even inches away using Detect… but rather by instinct."
*Thud*
Skidding back from its attacks, Combusken regained its focus, seeing Zangoose. It looked just as surprised managing to dodge as it chirped happily, "Com? Combusken! (Whoa! That crazy training worked!)"
Azure chuckled, seeing Combusken's reaction had sharpened during its sparing session against the Regis. But he regained his focus as his command cut through the arena, "Flame Charge, Combusken! Strong Style!"
*Ssss*
Combusken roared, flames erupting around its body. It charged forward, a fiery comet, slamming into Zangoose with an explosive burst.
*BOOOM*
The fire singed Zangoose's fur, and the impact sent it skidding back. As the flames subsided, Combusken felt a surge of energy, its Speed Boost and the newly activated Flame Charge further increasing its already impressive speed.
Norman's eyes narrowed as he uttered bluntly, "Impressive. Swords Dance!"
*Shiii*
Zangoose stood its ground, its body glowing red as its attack power soared even higher. The poison effect continued to take its toll, but the Toxic Boost ability was turning that pain into raw, unbridled power.
Azure urged, knowing the danger of Zangoose's boosted attack, "Don't let it set up too much, Combusken! Sky Uppercut!"
*Wooosh*
Combusken leaped into the air, its fist glowing with fighting energy. It arced downwards, aiming a powerful, upward punch at Zangoose.
*Wooosh*
But Zangoose, anticipating the move, suddenly sidestepped with surprising agility, narrowly avoiding the full force of the blow. The Sky Uppercut grazed its shoulder, inflicting some damage but not the direct hit Azure sought.
Norman barked, capitalizing on the near miss, "Zangoose, Slash!"
Zangoose's claws crossed, glowing with white energy, and it slashed fiercely at Combusken. The attack caught Combusken off guard, but Azure countered, "Double Team Combusken!"
*Wooosh*
At the last second, Zangoose's Slash attack hit an afterimage. Thankfully, Combusken's Speed rose drastically as it reached +5 Speed Stage, as it narrowly avoided the empowered hit using Double Team, increasing its evasion.
Azure's voice was firm. Rallying, his partner yelled confidently, "Hang in there, Combusken! Focus! STRONG STYLE FIRE PUNCH!"
Drawing on its inner fire, Combusken's arm burst into brilliant blue flames. Moving with a speed that now seemed almost impossible, a testament to its accumulated Speed Boosts, it spun and delivered a devastating punch directly to Zangoose's chest.
*SSSSS*
The impact was immense, the flames searing. Zangoose let out a pained shriek, its eyes widening in shock as it was engulfed in the fiery assault.
When the flames dissipated, Zangoose lay still, unconscious. The referee declared, "Zangoose is unable to battle!"
Azure let out a relieved breath as he praised his Young Fowl Pokémon proudly, "You were incredible, Combusken!"
Combusken, panting but triumphant, raised its fist, "Combusken! (Aye, Sir!)"
Norman retrieved his Zangoose, a look of respect in his eyes. He stated bluntly, "A powerful start, Challenger. Your Combusken is remarkably fast. But let's see how you handle this next challenge…"
He threw his next Poké Ball as he declared, "Staraptor! Come out!"
*Pop*
With a flash of brilliant light, a magnificent, avian Pokémon materialized on Norman's side of the field with its held item [Life Orb] around its neck. Staraptor, with its sleek, powerful body and piercing gaze radiating confidence, let out a sharp cry.
The air around it seemed to shimmer for a moment, and Azure felt a subtle wave of pressure wash over him – the activation of Intimidate. Staraptor's presence was so powerful, so commanding, that it momentarily unsettled his own Pokémon's confidence, lowering their Attack power by -1 Stage.
It was a classic move, a psychological blow before the first actual attack. Combusken flinched as a blue aura veiled it, and Azure thought bitterly, 'Not a good match-up. Even if Combusken is faster at +5 Speed and +1 Evasion… not worth risking with this Predator Pokémon out in the field.'
Azure, however, had anticipated this. He simply grinned, raising his own chosen Poké Ball as he recalled his Young Fowl Pokémon happily declared, "Return Combusken! Alright, Manectric, show them what you're made of!"
*Pop*
Another flash, and Manectric appeared, a sleek, lupine Pokémon with a vibrant yellow mane and tail that sparked with untamed energy. It let out a sharp bark, its blue fur bristling, "Arf! (I'm ready, sir!)"
Attached to its neck, a small, polished [Magnet] gleamed, its Held Item ready to enhance its Electric-type powers. As Manectric materialized, its fur seemed to rise and fall, not in fear of Staraptor's Intimidate, but in an innate reaction.
*Zzzz*
A low hum filled the air as the friction of its arrival, and the mere act of existing around it, caused electricity to surge and gather within its radiant mane. The blue fur on its back stood on end, acting like natural conductors, storing the excess energy that literally crackled off its body.
This wasn't merely a visual effect; it was the activation of Manectric's powerful ability: Lightning Rod. A silent, potent bolt of energy seemed to leap from the arena floor directly into Manectric, supercharging its internal systems as it gained +1 Special Attack merely landing in the arena.
Its eyes glowed brighter, and a visible aura of electricity enveloped it. Norman, quick to realize the trick, muttered, "I see… using Manetric's fur to gather friction from the atmosphere to generate electricity, he used it to bolster his Pokémon Lightning Rod ability without using any Electric Moves… clever."
Norman's brow furrowed, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. He hadn't expected Azure to lead with a Pokémon that could not only shrug off Intimidate but actively benefit from the energy surging around it.
Staraptor, sensing the shift, let out a frustrated squawk, its initial advantage nullified, perhaps even turned against it. Norman cracked a light smile as he thought, 'Not bad. Not bad at all, Indigo Champion… this battle might be interesting.'
The field crackled with tension. On one side, Staraptor, the fierce flying predator, has already spent its Intimidate, but its resolve is unyielding.
On the other hand, Manectric, a living conduit of electrical power, has its Special Attack already ready to unleash a storm. The first move, however, belonged to Norman. Norman commanded, his voice sharp and clear, "Staraptor, start with Brave Bird!"
*FWP*
With a powerful beat of its wings, Staraptor shot into the sky, a blur of brown and white soaring in the air. Its entire body ignited with a fierce, sky-blue aura, transforming it into a living projectile.
It plummeted towards Manectric with devastating speed, the air shrieking around it, intent on a direct, heavy strike. The sheer force of the attack, while powerful, also promised recoil damage to the attacker – a risk Norman was willing to take to establish dominance.
Azure countered, his eyes narrowed as he followed Staraptor's descent, "Manectric, Strong Style Thunder!"
*Zzzzz*
Manetric grinned as it howled, unleashing a Strong Style Thunder. Norman's eyes narrowed as he muttered, "I see your trick, Sky. Staraptor aborts Brave Bird into Steel Wing! Electric Remover now!"
*Shinng*
Aborting Brave Bird immediately, Staraptor's wings turned into steel as it flew past Manetric. And then it placed one wing above and one on the ground as the Thunder finally came…
*BOOOOM*
Redirecting the Thunder Staraptor nullified the electricity as it used its wings to have it travel to the ground, effectively nullifying the attack. Azure frowned as he asked, "I suppose you got that from watching the Tournament?"
Norman chuckled lightly, keeping his attention on the battle as he uttered, "Hmph! What can I say when you showed a way for Flying Types to nullify Electric Type attacks… how could I not get my Pokémon to learn that?"
Azure slowly grinned in return, his cap shadowing his face as his partners Pikachu and Eevee cheered from the sidelines. Azure countered as he said excitedly, "Fair enough, Norman. But that just means I gotta take out your ground advantage! Manetric! Electric Terrain!!!"
*ZAP*
Manectric's body becomes covered in yellow electricity, and it fires a beam of electricity from its body at the Staraptor. It was stunned as it attracted the beam of electricity, trapping it as it recoiled in pain, "SKREE!!!'
The electricity then forms into a dome of electricity around the Staraptor. When the dome appears, it will hurt the opponent, and if the opponent touches the dome, they will get hurt again. Staraptor flinched as it glided its wings off the ground, and Norman frowned, seeing this move.
But Azure didn't give Norman the chance to let his Pokémon breathe as he ordered, "Don't let up! Manetric Thunderbolt!"
*Zzzz*
Before Staraptor could recover from its own recoil and the impact, Manectric's revenge was swift and electrifying. Its body flared, the [Magnet] on its neck pulsing with raw energy, amplifying the power it had gathered.
*KABOOOM*
A blinding, searing bolt of yellow lightning erupted from Manectric's mane, arcing explosively through the air. The Thunderbolt, supercharged by the previous Lightning Rod boost and the [Magnet], struck Staraptor mid-recovery.
*ZAP*
The Flying-type Pokémon shrieked as the powerful electrical discharge engulfed it. Electricity coursed through its feathers, making them stand on end, and a cloud of smoke briefly obscured it from view.
Staraptor stumbled back, its elegant flight momentarily disrupted, its body trembling from the shock. The super-effective Thunderbolt had taken a massive toll.
Norman's eyes narrowed. Azure was not just relying on raw power; he was using abilities and held items in conjunction to create devastating combinations.
Norman called out, concern tinting his voice, "Staraptor, can you still fight?"
*Fwp*
Staraptor, though visibly shaken, let out a defiant cry, "SKREE! (I can still fight!)"
It shook its head, ruffling its singed feathers, its gaze still fixed on Manectric. It might be hurt, but it wasn't out.
Norman acknowledged, though his expression remained serious with his arms crossed, "Impressive. Azure, your Manectric is formidable. But Staraptor isn't one to give up! Quick Attack, Staraptor!"
*Zooom*
This time, Staraptor didn't take to the skies. Instead, it darted forward on the ground with astonishing speed, a white streak across the arena, intending to land a swift blow before Manectric could prepare another powerful Electric-type attack.
Its claws extended, ready to rake across Manectric's flank. Azure, however, was already anticipating this as he ordered, "Manectric, counter with Volt Switch!"
*Zooom*
As Staraptor closed the distance, Manectric's body crackled again. It didn't wait for Staraptor to hit.
*ZAP*
Instead, it charged forward to meet the Quick Attack, its fur sparking wildly. Just as Staraptor's claws were about to make contact, Manectric discharged a focused burst of electricity directly into Staraptor. The Volt Switch was a quick, sharp burst of electrical energy that jolted the Flying-type, but more importantly, it allowed Manectric to swiftly disengage.
*Pop*
Before Staraptor could even process the second jolt, Manectric had vanished in a flash of yellow light, retreating to its Poké Ball. Azure swiftly caught the returning ball, a confident smirk playing on his lips.
Norman watched, a flicker of understanding in his eyes as he realized the tactic. Azure hadn't just attacked; he had tactically retreated, dealing damage while also saving Manectric from further harm and gaining a free switch-out for his next Pokémon.
The [Magnet] and Lightning Rod had done their job beautifully, leaving Staraptor reeling from the hit. Norman conceded, a grudging respect in his tone, "Very clever. A Volt Switch to keep the momentum. But who will you send out next?"
Azure raised a new Poké Ball, his grin widening. He thought calculatedly, 'True, which Pokémon next would be a match for the weakened Staraptor… but then again, I already have my answer.'
/////
A/N: Thank you guys for your thoughts on the matter of the Elite Four. You provided some good points that I'll consider moving forward on when I write the chapters for them. And you made some good points bringing back the MC main team against them to show his full strength.
But I'll stick to the Hoenn Team for this region leaving only 6 partners as it was those Pokemon that journey with him so far. But thank you guys for your thoughts on the matter regarding the Hoenn Elite Four and who knows maybe I'll have the Main Team (Kanto or Johto) Team battle in the Kanto/Johto Elite Four.
Your thoughts matter to help make this story interesting now then... Reach the goal of 100 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!