Chapter 509: Water Gym Battle (2)
~Third POV~
[Sinnoh Region, Pastoria City – Gym]
On Azure's side, Tangela, its thick, thorny vines visibly scuffed and bruised, still stood thanks to the restorative power of its [Leftovers]. Electabuzz, crackling with suppressed energy, had fared much better, its electric attacks proving highly effective against Wake's water-types and leaving it relatively unharmed.
The air shifted, growing heavy with a new kind of intensity. From Wake's side, a magnificent Shiny Gyarados erupted, its scales a striking deep crimson instead of the usual blue, roaring into the downpour.
Its presence alone sent a shiver through the crowd, and a palpable wave of pressure washed over the field as its Intimidate Ability activated, lowering the attack of Azure's active Pokémon by -1 Stage.
In the other, a fearsome Hisuian Samurott materialized, its imposing figure radiating a silent, deadly grace. A [Gyaradosite] shimmered conspicuously on the Mega Evolution necklace around Gyarados's neck, while a [Muscle Band] adorned Samurott's arm, signifying its focus on raw power.
Platinum leaned closer, her eyes fixed on the new threats as she asked Gengar, "Gengar, what do you think?"
Azure's Gengar chuckled, her voice a low, raspy whisper that only their group could hear, "A classic combo, dear. Gyarados's brute force, Samurott's precision. And that H-Samurott… watch out for its blades. I sense a keen edge."
Azure's eyes narrowed, his mind racing as he thought, eyeing Gyarados, 'Mega Gyarados is a terrifying prospect. Best knock its item down.'
Azure commanded instantly, aiming to disarm the formidable Water/Flying type of its Mega Stone before it could transform, "Tangela, Agile Style Knock Off on Gyarados!"
*WHIP*
Tangela's vines, still agile despite the earlier beating, lashed out, coated in an ethereal purple energy. But before they could connect…
*SHINNG*
Hisuian Samurott, anticipating the move with unnerving speed, blurred across the arena. Its shell sword, sharp as a razor, slashed through the air in a blinding Aerial Ace. The attack, empowered by its Hidden Ability, Sharpness, struck Tangela with devastating force.
*WHSSSSH-THWACK*
Tangela cried out, a pained gurgle escaping its leafy mouth, "TANG?!"
*THUD*
The impact, far greater than Azure had anticipated for a flying-type move against a grass-type, sent it reeling. Its thick vines spasmed, then withered, its eyes losing their spark. It collapsed onto the soaked planks, swirls of faint light indicating its fainting state.
The statue referee declared, "Tangela is unable to battle!"
Pearl exclaimed, startled with wide-eyed shock, "What was that?! Aerial Ace shouldn't have done that much!"
Diamond, ever observant, mumbled, "That Samurott… it felt… sharper."
Azure's jaw tightened as he quickly realized the events in his mind, thought, 'Sharpness. Of course. It boosts the power of cutting moves. But Aerial Ace? No, the sheer force of its attack, amplified by that ability, must have been overwhelming…'
He returned Tangela to its Poké Ball with a grim expression as he whispered. "Rest well, Tangela. You fought admirably."
Wake boomed, undeterred by the loss of his earlier Pokémon, "A fine opening gambit, challenger! But my Samurott has a keen eye for intervention!"
*Shhhhh*
Gyarados, meanwhile, was not idle. Its eyes glowed with malevolent energy as it charged a colossal Hyper Beam, locking onto Electabuzz. The air crackled, the rain seeming to part around the accumulating power.
*KRA-BOOOOM*
Azure barked, his voice cutting through the downpour, "Electabuzz, Teleport!"
*SWF*
Just as the devastating beam erupted from Gyarados's maw – a torrent of raw, destructive energy – Electabuzz vanished in a shimmer of electric blue light.
*FWOOM*
The Hyper Beam tore through the space where Electabuzz had been, obliterating a section of the wooden planks and sending a geyser of water high into the air. In Electabuzz's place, another Poké Ball opened…
*Pop*
… and with a graceful spin, Froslass materialized. Her icy form seemed to absorb the ambient cold, her [Froslassite]glinting on her chest. The remaining energy of Gyarados's Hyper Beam swept directly through her, causing her no harm whatsoever.
Pearl exclaimed, eyes wide, "Whoa! It just went right through her!"
Platinum explained, a faint smile playing on her lips, impressed by Azure's quick thinking, "Normal-type moves do not affect Ghost-types."
Azure's Gengar nodded approvingly as she chimed, "A perfect counter, Boss. Switching into an immunity, preserving Electabuzz. Clever."
Wake let out a hearty laugh as he commented, "A clever switch, indeed! But you'll need more than immunity to win this!"
Azure didn't reply directly; his gaze fixed on the field. He took another Poké Ball from his belt as he declared, "Porygon-Z, prepare for battle!"
*Pop*
With a digitized hum, Porygon-Z materialized beside Froslass. Its angular, crimson, and blue form seemed to glow slightly, an aura of complex data swirling around it. This wasn't just any Porygon-Z.
Azure's Porygon-Z was a unique marvel, having evolved with the aid of an Arc Phone, an ancient device containing the comprehensive knowledge of the Pokémon world. This extraordinary evolution has allowed it to retain and selectively utilize all three of its potential abilities: Analytic, Adaptability, and Download.
It could, through sheer processing power and understanding of battle dynamics, choose the most advantageous ability for any given situation, seamlessly shifting its internal programming. Today, Azure needed every advantage he could get.
*BEEP*
The Download triggered immediately. Porygon-Z's software analyzed the opposing duo, "Beep-beep-boop! Special Attack increased!"
The rain intensified, drummed by the growing tension.
Wake declared, his necklace flashing to his Key Stone, "Alright, challenger! Let's turn up the heat! Mega Evolve, Gyarados!"
*FLASH*
The Gyaradosite around Gyazrados's neck flared, connecting with Wake's Key Stone. A blinding nexus of light enveloped the colossal Water/Flying-type. Its already fearsome body began to writhe, transforming.
Its crimson scales darkened, becoming almost black, and its form grew even more monstrous, gaining menacing black fins and a more streamlined, serpentine body. Its roar was deeper, more primal. Mega Gyarados had arrived, its Mold Breakerability now active, ready to bypass defensive abilities.
Azure countered, his voice resolute, "Froslass, Mega Evolve!"
Azure touched his Omni Ring with the Mega Evolution insignia on it, the luminous energy surging from it to Froslass. Froslass shimmered, her form gaining an ethereal, almost crystalline quality.
*FLASH*
Her flowing, scarf-like appendages lengthened and sharpened, and a delicate, icy crown formed on her head. Her cry was a chilling, beautiful sound. As Mega Froslass emerged, the continuous drizzle began to falter, then cease entirely.
*WOOOSH*
The air grew frigid, and a gentle, swirling hailstorm began to blanket the arena as her new ability, Snow Warning, took effect. The rain-slicked planks were now dusted with a pristine layer of snow.
The atmosphere of the gym transformed. What had been a warm, damp environment was now a biting, icy battleground.
Wake grinned, undeterred by the sudden weather change, "Well, well! A weather war! Show them what true power is, Gyarados! Stone Edge!"
*RMBL*
Mega Gyarados, a leviathan of destruction, coiled and then unleashed a barrage of jagged, sharp stones. Each stone, imbued with immense power from the Strong Style command, hurtled towards Froslass and Porygon-Z.
Azure commanded, a flurry of instructions, "Froslass, disappear into the shadows and use Ice Beam on Gyarados!"
*Woooosh*
Mega Froslass, moving with surprising agility for her ethereal form, teleported into the snow's shadows just in time. The incoming Stone Edge barrage with a shower of sparks and rock chips missed Froslass as she moved out of the way.
*Swf*
Reappearing from a different position, she exhaled a focused beam of sapphire ice that erupted from its geometric mouth, tearing through the hailstorm as it struck Mega Gyarados directly in its massive size!
*WHSSSSH*
The leviathan roared in pain, its scales frosting over instantly, its powerful body recoiling from the cold, "ARGHHHHH!!!!"
Azure commanded, "Porygon-Z, Agile Style Discharge!!"
Porygon-Z, its internal processors whirring, analyzed its target, 'Water/Dark-type due to Mega. Two times weak to Electric. Initiate Discharge.'
It instantly optimized its internal programming, its systems shifting to Analytic mode, boosting the power of its attack as Gyarados prepared to attack…
*ZZZZZT*
The digital Pokémon hissed, its segments spinning. It didn't just fire one bolt; it fired a rapid-fire sequence of smaller, high-frequency shocks. Because it was the Agile Style, the moves hit before Wake's Pokémon could even react.
The Adaptability boosted the power of its Normal-type core. Still, the Analytic ability kicked in as the Gyarados tried to counter-attack, adding even more raw data-crunching power to the zap. Wake commanded, aiming to boost its attack and speed, hoping to overwhelm Porygon-Z and Froslass before they could land another critical blow, "Gyarados, Dragon Dance!"
*WOOOOSH*
The crimson Pokémon began to swirl with draconic energy, its movements becoming even more agile despite its size. Using its Dragon Dance, it avoided the incoming Discharge as it glared hatefully at the two or one present.
Wake barked. Hisuian Samurott, its black shell blades gleaming, lunged forward, executing a devastating Ceaseless Edge, "Samurott, Ceaseless Edge on Porygon-Z! Show them true precision!"
*ZOOOOM*
The move, amplified by its Sharpness ability and the [Muscle Band], was a blur of steel and water, leaving a trail of dark energy. Even Gengar, who usually maintained a cool demeanor, hissed in concern, "That Samurott is dangerous, Boss! Its power has truly been honed."
Azure called out, planning to pivot to a defensive move followed by a surprise offensive, "Porygon-Z, Teleport! Then Strong Style Tera Blast if it gets close!"
Porygon-Z, anticipating the attack, glowed briefly...
*Swf*
*SWOOOSH*
… and just in time avoided the attack. However, H-Samurott grinned…
*SPLASH*
*SHINNG*
But H-Samurott was too fast, too precise, as it used Aqua Jet ruthlessly pursuing Porygon-Z. Its blades, fueled by the Ability Sharpness, sliced through Porygon-Z's ethereal form before it could fully counterattack.
*CRASH*
Porygon-Z cried out, digital sparks flying as the powerful Ceaseless Edge connected, leaving behind a lingering field of dark energy around it, "FZZZT! ERROR!! MISCALCULATED ITS AQUA JET! BEEP-BOOP!!"
Its health dropped significantly, but it stood its ground. Azure commanded, capitalizing on the Snow Warning, "Froslass, Strong Style Blizzard on both!"
*WOOOOOSH*
Mega Froslass, cloaked in the swirling hail, gathered the frigid air. With a chilling scream, she unleashed a colossal Blizzard. The freezing storm, powered by Strong Style, manifested as a blinding wall of ice shards and howling wind, engulfing both Mega Gyarados and Hisuian Samurott.
Mega Gyarados roared in agony from the chill, the Blizzard hitting it with brutal force, "ROOOOOAR!"
Its dark scales were instantly coated in a thick layer of ice, its movements momentarily hampered. Samurott, though less vulnerable, grunted, its footing shifting on the snowy planks.
Wake retaliated, seizing the initiative, barking commands, "Gyarados, Waterfall on Froslass! Samurott, Agile Style Aqua Jet on Porygon-Z!"
*SPLASH*
Mega Gyarados, shaking off the ice, gathered the abundant water from the field, coiling its body and then striking Froslass with a massive Waterfall. The torrent, a powerful physical attack, slammed into the Ghost-Ice type.
*SPLASH*
Simultaneously, Hisuian Samurott vanished in a spray of water, launching itself at Porygon-Z with an Agile Style Aqua Jet. Its speed was incredible, a flash of blue and white cutting through the hailstorm.
Azure cried, knowing Froslass was taking heavy damage, "Froslass, Destiny Bond!"
If the Waterfall proved fatal, she would take Gyarados down with her.
Mega Froslass, severely damaged by the crashing Waterfall, shimmered ominously, a dark aura briefly surrounding her. The Destiny Bond activated, her will to fight burning brightly even as her icy form began to crack.
*Hisssss*
A purple, ghostly aura linked the two. Wake shouted, "No! Gyarados, back off!"
*BASH*
… but it was too late.
Gyarados's body slammed into Froslass, the sheer force of its Mega-boosted Waterfall strength crushing Froslass. The Ghost-type dissolved into white mist, returning to her Poké Ball—but as she did, the purple aura tightened around Gyarados's throat…
*THUD*
The great red serpent let out a final, coughing roar before its eyes rolled back, its massive body crashing into the frozen pool, "ROOOOaaarrr…rrr…r…"
Double Knockout.
The crowd was dead silent. Only the sound of the falling sleet and the hum of the gym's filtration system remained.
Pearl whispered, "Incredible. He sacrificed his Mega to take out Wake's."
Diamond noted, his hand pausing halfway to his mouth with a piece of chocolate, "It's not over. Look at the Samurott."
Hisuian Samurott stood alone on a floating piece of ice, its seamitars crossed. It looked untouched, its gaze fixed on Azure with predatory focus.
Azure didn't waste a heartbeat. He grabbed his last Poke Ball, hurling out, yelling, "Electabuzz, you're back up. Porygon-Z, cover him."
*Pop*
Electabuzz reappeared, sparks dancing between its ears. Porygon-Z hovered beside it, still glitching, its Analytic ability calculating every millimeter of the Samurott's stance. Both then eyed the H-Samurott with grim determination.
Wake roared, though his voice held a note of immense respect, "Four against four... and it comes down to this! Samurott, show them the blade that carved the history of Hisui! Razor Shell!"
Azure grinned as he commanded, "Porygon-Z, Thunderbolt! Agile Style! Electabuzz, Thunder! Strong Style!"
*ZZZZZT*
The two Electric-types coordinated with the precision of a clockwork machine against H-Samurott. Porygon-Z fired a barrage of quick, distracting bolts that forced the Samurott to weave and parry…
*SHINNG*
The Samurott was a master of the blade, slicing through the electricity as if it were physical silk. But as it parried the last of Porygon-Z's agile strikes, the sky—or rather, the gym's high ceiling—opened up.
Electabuzz roared, "ELECTA-BUZZ!"
*KRA-BOOOOM*
A massive, singular pillar of golden lightning, boosted by the lingering rain and Electabuzz's [Magnet], crashed down. The Samurott looked up, its eyes reflecting the impending doom. It didn't cower…
*SHING*
It cast an energy shield Protect. It didn't look intimidated. It looked hungry.
*KRA-BOOOOM*
The collision was blinding. The sound of thunder was so loud it rattled the glass of the gym's skylights. White light filled the arena, followed by the smell of ozone and burnt salt. When the light faded, the ice had been shattered…
*Splat*
The water was still. Hisuian Samurott was grinning as it readied its weapon, taking its stance in preparation.
Wake countered, "Samurott, Ceaseless Edge!"
*Zoooom-SHINNG*
The Hisuian Samurott leaped from plank to plank, its blades glowing with a dark, cursed energy. It slashed at Porgon-Z, leaving jagged splinters of dark energy in the air that threatened to harm anything that switched in.
Azure's eyes hardened, seeing the coming enemy as he commanded, "Porygon-Z, Ice Beam! Electabuzz Thunder Punch!"
Porgon-Z drifted gracefully, its eyes glowing. It gathered the frozen moisture of the gym and unleashed a beam of absolute zero!
*WOOOSH*
But at the last second, it used Detect to avoid the attack with a feral grin. Then, when it came close to Porygon-Z…
*SHINNG*
It swung its seamitars downward as Porgon-Z was sent flying. It cried out in pain from the brutal attack, "PORYYYY!!!"
Wake grinned eagerly as he commanded loudly, "Samurott, show them the pride of the Hisuian seas! Flip Turn!"
*ZOOOOM*
The Samurott moved with terrifying speed. It lunged at Electabuzz, its blades clashing against the Pokémon's electrified forearms.
*THWCK*
Before Electabuzz could retaliate with a Thunder Punch, the Samurott used the momentum to somersault backward, spinning like a top. But instead of returning to a Poké Ball as the move usually dictated, it used the sheer speed of the Sharpness-boosted rotation to lunge forward again, this time targeting Porygon-Z.
Azure commanded, "Protect!"
*CLANG*
Porygon-Z flickered, a green hexagonal shield shimmering into existence. Samurott's blades sparked against the barrier, the sound like metal grinding against a saw. Then swiftly rushed back to its Trainer.
Azure's eyes narrowed as he saw what was happening as Wake commanded, "Show them the fury of the waves, Samurott! Razor Shell on Electabuzz! And then, Finisher Aqua Jet on Porygon-Z!"
Hisuian Samurott, now the sole combatant for Wake, let out a fierce battle cry, "SAMMMU!! (COME AND GET ME, YOU BASTARD!!! I'LL TAKE YA ALL ON!!)"
It charged at Electabuzz, its shell blade glowing with water energy, performing a brutal Razor Shell. The attack, boosted by Sharpness, cut through the hail and struck Electabuzz with merciless precision.
*Wooosh*
Electabuzz dodged the slash just in time using Detect. But Samurott then shifted its focus to Porygon-Z as H-Samurott didn't pause…
*ZOOOOM-SPLASH*
Its second command, Aqua Jet, was already underway. It zipped across the field, a living torpedo, aiming for the already damaged Porygon-Z.
Azure yelled, "Porygon-Z, Protect!"
*SHING*
Porygon-Z, battered and bruised, managed to erect a shimmering Protect barrier, but it pulsed weakly. The Jet slammed into it with immense force, and the barrier began to crackle and splinter.
*CRACK*
*SSSHHH-FZZZT*
The Protect shattered, and the tail end of the Aqua Jet struck Porygon-Z, sending it skidding backward, digital errors flickering across its body. It barely remained upright, its systems on the verge of overload as H-Samurott returned to Wake's side using Flip Turn in the Aqua Jet attack with a feral grin.
Pearl yelled in disbelief at the course of the battle, "It's too fast! It's alternating between them before they can even lock on!"
Azure muttered to himself as he saw how H-Samurott moved, "It's using the wet planks to slide each time it uses Aqua Jet or Flip Turn. Gotta take that away…"
Already having a counterattack in mind, Azure commanded, "Fine. If we can't catch you, we'll make it so you can't move. Porygon-Z, Gravity!"
*THWUMP*
The Porygon-Z's eyes turned a deep, crushing purple. It let out a digital shriek that vibrated the very air. Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted. The heavy rain didn't just fall; it slammed into the earth. The apprentice sailors in the stands gasped as they felt their own bodies grow heavy as the hail slowly ended.
*THUD*
Mega Samurott's legs buckled. The intense G-forces of the Gravity field pinned it to the wooden planks.
It tried to lift its seamitars, but they felt like they were made of solid lead. Wake strained against the pressure, "The hail just ended, and now this? And…. How can your Pokémon stand?!"
On the field, Electabuzz and Porygon-Z were moving with perfect fluidity. Platinum thought softly, a look of realization on her face, 'Gravity training. Azure has been training his team in high-gravity environments for months. This isn't a burden to them—it's home.'
Azure stepped forward, as he commanded in a serious tone, "Let's finish this. Electabuzz, Strong Style Thunder!! Porygon-Z, Strong Style Zap Cannon!!"
*RMBL*
The air became heavy. Electabuzz bulked up, his muscles rippling as he drew every watt of power from the gym's humid air. He roared, unleashing a pillar of gold-white lightning that looked like the spear of a god, "BUABZZZZZ!!"
*ZZZZZT*
Simultaneously, Porygon-Z began to glow with a blinding blue light. Its body glitched in and out of existence as it compressed a massive sphere of electromagnetic energy between its hands. Wake screamed, "Protect, Samurott! Hold the line!"
*SHINNG*
The Samurott, fighting the crushing weight of the world, managed to cross its blades, a shimmering blue sphere of energy forming around it. The Thunder hit first...
*KRA-BOOOOOM*
The Protect barrier held, but it cracked; the sheer force of the Strong Style attack rattled the Samurott's very bones. The wood beneath the Samurott splintered and groaned. Then came the Zap Cannon…
*BZZZZZT*
Because it was Strong Style, the projectile was slower, but it hit with the force of a falling star. It slammed into the weakened Protect barrier and shattered it like glass.
*BOOM*
A massive explosion of blue and yellow light engulfed the center of the gym. A pillar of steam shot up to the ceiling, obscuring everything. When the mist finally cleared, the Gravity had subsided.
The Hisuian Samurott lay on its side, its armor scorched, its eyes swirled. It had fought to the very last second, but against the combined might of Azure's tactical mastery, it was over. The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the sound of dripping water. The referee cried, "Samurott is unable to battle! The victory goes to the Ace Challenger, Azure Sky!"
The crowd erupted. Sailors were whistling, apprentices were cheering, and even the statues seemed to vibrate with the sheer energy of the match.
Crasher Wake stood still for a moment, then let out a laugh so loud it drowned out the crowd. He recalled his Samurott, whispering a word of thanks to the Poké Ball, before leaping down from his podium and wading through the water toward Azure.
*SLAP*
Wake slapped a massive hand onto Azure's shoulder, nearly knocking the wind out of him, "HO-HO-HO! SPECTACULAR! I haven't felt the sting of a defeat like that in years! You didn't just fight the tide, boy—you became the ocean!"
Azure smiled, recalling his Pokémon. Electabuzz gave a tired but triumphant thumbs-up before disappearing into its ball. Porygon-Z simply flickered and vanished with a quiet blip into his Arc Phone.
Azure said calmly, shaking the larger man's hand, "You're a powerhouse, Wake. That Samurott is something else. If I hadn't prepared for the speed, I'd be picking moss out of my teeth right now."
Wake reached into his belt and pulled out a badge. It was the Fen Badge, identical to Platinum's, but somehow it felt weightier in the context of the Ace Match.
Beside it, he held out a technical machine. Wake declared, "The Fen Badge is yours by right! And take this—TM, Brine. It's a move that doubles in power when the opponent is wounded. A true finisher for a true Ace!"
[Item: Fen Badge
Rarity Item: A+
Type: Key Item
Description: A Gym Badge, commonly referred to as simply a badge, is an item that serves as proof of a Pokémon Trainer's victory in a battle against a Gym Leader at a Pokémon Gym. With this badge, Water-Type Moves are increased by 12.5%, and controlling Pokémon is easier for the Trainer to command.]
[Item: TM Brine
Rarity Item: -
Type: Technical Machine
Description: A Technical Machine used to grant memory knowledge of how to perform the move [Brine].]
Azure took the items and placed the TM in his bag, nodding his thanks. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, pre-written check, handing it to the Gym Leader, "I appreciate it, Wake. And here you go."
Wake looked at the amount, and his eyes widened as he asked, "This… Azure, this is far more than the standard winner's purse. What is this?"
Azure said casually, looking around at the gym and the sailors who clearly looked up to the man, "For the city. Pastoria's a great place. Better than most Gym Leaders can keep safe. Keep the marsh clean, keep the apprentices fed, and keep being the Great Crasher Wake. The money's better off in the city's hands than in mine."
Wake stared at the check, then at Azure, and finally broke into a grin that could have lit up all of Sinnoh as he said happily, "You're a strange one! A scholar's mind, a warrior's heart, and a king's gold! I accept!"
Azure turned back to his group. Platinum was watching him with a look of quiet respect, while Pearl was busy trying to mimic Electabuzz's Strong Style pose. Diamond had finally finished his rice ball and was applauding softly.
Platinum exclaimed, rushing forward, her eyes sparkling, "Azure, that was amazing!"
Pearl cheered, punching the air, "Yeah! Porygon-Z was awesome!"
Diamond added, offering a rare, sincere compliment, "You fought really well."
Azure asked as he approached them, "Ready to move on?"
Pearl shouted as he stated with an eager grin, "Wait, wait! We have to get a photo! The 'Great Marsh Ace Victors'!"
Gengar floated down, sticking her tongue out at the camera. Pearl was already set up on a tripod. Pikachu hopped onto Azure's shoulder, Eevee claiming his head, and the hidden Pichu (Mew) let out a tiny, happy spark from within his jacket.
*FLASH*
As the camera flashed, capturing the group in the middle of the humid, salt-scented gym, Azure felt a sense of rare peace. Platinum asked, her eyes bright with the prospect of the journey ahead, "Next stop, Celestic Town?"
Azure nodded, looking toward the exit, "Next stop, Celestic Town."
As they walked out of the humid gym and into the fresh air of Pastoria City, Azure felt the weight of the five badges in his pocket. But looking at the trio—the scholar, the comedian, and the hothead—he felt a sense of confidence he hadn't felt in years.
Behind them, the roar of Crasher Wake's laughter echoed out over the docks, a parting salute to a battle that would be talked about in the sailors' taverns for years to come…
/////
A/N: Hope you like the chapter!