" So, what should we do now? " Valerie pondered, walking next to Atsumu.
" Well, you could stroll through Anistar for a bit longer. " Atsumu suggested. " I'm going to go challenge Olympia to a gym battle. "
" Eh? " Valerie uttered, turning her head towards Atsumu with a confused expression.
" What? " Atsumu asked, upon seeing her face.
" Well, it's just... I didn't think you'd still be doing the gym challenge. " Valerie admitted. " With everything happening as it did, I assumed you'd stop. "
" That... is a reasonable assumption. " Atsumu admits. " As for why I'm still doing it, it's because there's a trainer I met and have expectations for. I still want to have a battle with him. "
" Oh, is he a rival of yours? " Valerie asked.
" I think so, yeah. " Atsumu replied.
" You think so? " Valerie questioned.
" Yeah... I didn't have a proper rivalry with anyone. I was focused on myself and didn't consider... one-upping anyone. " Atsumu replied, and then a few memories came to his head, showing a white-haired man with a team of bug types, causing him to sigh in frustration. " Actually, no, that's not true. I did have a rival. But that rivalry had ended on bad terms. "
" Guess that's another thing you must attend to once you get home. " Valerie smiled.
" Yep. " Atsumu responded. " Man, I was a real piece of work. "
" Was? " Valerie chuckled. " You still are. "
" Ha, ha, so are you. " Atsumu retorted.
" I know. " Valerie smirked. " But not as nearly as bad as you. "
" ... Fine, you're right. " Atsumu sighed, then asked, " Will you be staying to watch my gym battle, or do you want me to teleport you back to your gym? "
" I'll head back to the gym. I have a book to read. " Valerie smiled.
" Nice. Do you want me to bring you anything after my battle's over? " Atsumu asked, creating a portal directly to Valerie's office.
" Just one thing. " Valerie said, before pulling Atsumu down by the collar to look her face to face. " I want you. Once you're done, I expect cuddles when you get back. Got it? "
" Yes, ma'am. " Atsumu responded.
" Good. " Valerie smiled, letting Atsumu go, and stepped through the portal.
Once the portal closed, Atsumu turned on his heel and walked back into the gym.
...
" Back so soon? Is there anything else you wish to share? " Olympia immediately asked upon sensing Atsumu enter her Gym's main hall.
" Nope. I'm just here for a gym battle. " Atsumu replied.
" ... Couldn't it have waited till later? The information you've provided has my brain working overtime. " Olympia said. " And that information was given less than 10 minutes ago. "
" I know, I was there after all. That's why I'm doing this. You'll still have to ponder all this later anyway, but at least do it after relaxing for a bit. " Atsumu said.
" And having a Pokemon battle is considered a way to relax? I'd wager sitting in a comfy chair, reading a book, and drinking tea would be far more relaxing. " Olympia said.
" To each their own. I'm just here to have a battle. " Atsumu said.
Olympia sighed. " Very well, I accept. "
" Must you sound so... resigned while saying that? " Atsumu mused. " You're making me feel bad springing this up on you last minute. "
" Yet you don't feel bad in the slightest. " Olympia responds, glaring at him. " Come along. Let's begin straight away, before I change my mind. "
" You have the authority to do that and not get in trouble? " Atsumu asked.
" A Gym Leader is required to accept challenges, but can refuse, given they have an acceptable reason. Unless you agreed to have the battle another time, I'd get in trouble. Though I'm sure I'd get off without major repercussions. " Olympia said, leading the way to the battle arena. Atsumu followed behind, humming in acknowledgement.
Reaching the battle arena, Olympia walked over to her side of the field, and Atsumu followed suit. The referee took his position and cleared his throat.
" This is an official gym battle between the Gym Leader, Olympia, and the challenger, Atsumu Miya. The battle format is a 4v4 double battle, Advanced Challenge. Both sides have unlimited switches so long as they have more than 2 Pokémon left. The battle ends when either side has no more Pokémon left or one forfeits. Now, both trainers, please send out your first two Pokémon. "
" Indeedee, Delphox. " Olympia called out, releasing her Pokémon onto the field, and purple energy covered the field courtesy of Indeedee's ability, Psychic Surge.
" Sableye, Gengar. " Atsumu called out, releasing his Pokémon onto the field.
" Are both trainers ready? " The referee asked, glancing at the two combatants, both of whom responded with a nod. " Begin! "
" Indeedee, Play Rough. Delphox, Expanding Force. " Olympia called out.
" Gengar, disappear. Sableye, parry, and observe. " Atsumu said.
Psychic energy shifted into a rectangular prism around Gengar and Sableye, the energy exploding within, yet affected neither of the combatants. Gengar disappeared, leaving behind the sound of a snap, while Sableye stood still and calmly observed the approaching Indeedee as the psychic energy shattered on contact.
' I need some Earl tea. ' Olympia thought. ' That would be nice. And a plate of various biscuits. '
Indeedee pounced at Sableye, hands glowing bright pink, and aimed at Sableye's head. Sableye slipped the right, the following left, and dodged the front kick. Indeedee chased Sableye down when he tried to get some distance, and Sableye began parrying Indeedee's strikes, his claws coated in a metallic gleam.
" Dark Pulse. " Atsumu called out.
Olympia's face remained impassive. Delphox mirrored her trainer's expression, her eyes darting calmly around the room. Indeedee continued to fight Sableye, her back visible to Delphox, standing tall before she was knocked back! Indeedee recovered, coming to a halt while Sableye had disappeared.
' That command was for Sableye... ' Olympia thought. ' Both have now disappeared... No point in thinking further. Future Sight Delpohox. Calm Mind, both of you. Prepare to end this fight quickly. '
Indeedee closed her eyes while Delphox's eyes glowed a dangerously blue hue.
' Telepathy. ' Atsumu noted. " Perish Trap. "
The temperature of the room dropped as a multitude of eyes appeared across the arena. They glowed with a red tint and snapped in the direction of Delphox and Indeedee. The two of them narrowed their eyes as they glanced around them, keeping a calm mind through it all.
Suddenly, a soft melody echoed through the halls. A bead of sweat formed on Olympia's face as Delphox and Indeedee flinched. Their eyes twitched rapidly, their eyes darted around, and their senses were on high alert to find the two responsible for this, but to no avail.
The eyes grew weary, slowly drooping down till they finally closed and exited reality. The bead of sweat dropped down as Olympia let a shaky breath, her heart thumping loudly within her chest. The silence was deafening.
" Your... flair for the dramatic is quite uncanny. Have you ever thought of doing contests? " Olympia asked, trying to keep her voice steady, yet a little crack in her tone had been noticed. The familiar tone of excitement.
" Thank you, and I have not. " Atsumu replied, raising his hand and snapping his fingers.
Purple, inky portals appeared, and from the depths, a thick Haze covered the battlefield. Joyful snickers could be heard from within.
' How truly frightening. ' Olympia thought, eyes narrowing, yet she could see nothing but black. ' Delphox, Indeedee. Can you locate them? '
' No! ' Indeedee snapped.
' The Haze is too thick. We cannot get a visual on either. ' Delphox informed.
' What about through Psychic Terrain? Has Sableye touched the ground? ' Olympia questioned.
' Negative. ' Delphox responded.
' Phantom Force. You've memorised Gengar's signature, right? Can you pull Gengar out? ' Olympia asked.
' ... Negative. ' Delphox replied with a growl. ' I cannot sense them at all. '
' ...I see. Delphox, use Fire Spin. Force everything inside the storm. Indeedee, stay behind Delphox and use Protect. ' Olympia commanded.
Indeedee quickly positioned herself back to back with Delphox as a massive fire tornado appeared. An energy shield appeared around Indeedee and Delphox as the Haze was sucked into the tornado, swallowed whole, and burned. As the flames died down, a silhouette appeared from within the heart of the tornado, and once the fire went away, everyone was greeted with the sight of...
Gengar taking a shower?
Gengard turned around and found Delphox and Indeedee staring at her. She let out a gasp before hiding her body behind the curtain and glared at the ones who breached her privacy!
' Trying to take a bath here! Can't I have some privacy?! ' Gengar exclaimed.
Indeedee and Delphox stared blankly at the scene before Delphox used an Expanding Force and blasted Gengar with a wave of potent psychic energy! However, Gengar remained unscathed.
' Rude. ' Gengar called out.
' An illusion! ' Olympia thought, frustrated, and clicked her tongue. Her Pokemon mirrored her expression, clearly annoyed by the games. Suddenly, cracks in the sky appeared! Densely packed shards burst from the tears and flew down from above. They followed a path, one heading straight for Delphox and Indeedee, and the other heading towards Gengar.
' ... ' Olympia blanked as the sequence played out. Delphox and Indeedee quickly sidestepped the attack, allowing it to land on the target behind them. Gengar took the attack head-on, staring blankly at the approaching objects and shrugged, accepting her fate.
Two large explosions rang out on the field. As the dust settled, it was revealed that Sableye was on the field and had been rendered unarmed by the attack. Gengar, on the other hand, was nowhere to be found on the field. A substitute.
' ... This is getting ridiculous. ' Olympia thought. ' We're short on time now anyway. Delphox. Indeedee. Focus all attention on knocking out Sableye. Attack. '
Hearing their trainers' command, Delphox and Indeedee focused their attention on the grinning Sableye. Delphox gathered flames while Indeedee began to clap her hands, giving Delphox a Helping Hand. Sableye raised his hands, readying himself for the attack, but felt a change in the terrain. Psychic Terrain had faded.
Grinning, Sableye switched gears and used Quash. As Delphox was about to launch its attack at Sableye, Dark-type energy forced Delphox to stop in its tracks. Gengar snapped between Delphox and Indeedee, aiming a Shadow Ball and a Dark Pulse, respectively. Grinning with glee, Gengar fired the attacks simultaneously.
The attacks landed on both Pokemon, slamming into them and then carrying them across the field into the walls behind them. Gengar giggled as she raised her hand and made a zero. Even though they were hurting from the attack, Delphox and Indeedee picked themselves up and stood ready to right once more.
But they were too late.
Time was up. Perish Song took effect. Delphox and Indeedee felt their consciousness slip from their grasp and fell to the ground, unconscious.
" Delphox and Indeedee are unable to battle. Leader Olympia is down to two Pokémon left. " The referee announced.
Olympia recalled Delphox and Indeedee to their pokeballs. Closing her eyes for a moment, Olympia mulled over the current situation and came to a decision,
" I forfeit. " She announced.
The referee looked at her with a questioning gaze. In turn, Olympia simply gave him a nod. The referee nodded in acknowledgement and announced the results.
" Leader Olympia has forfeited the match. The winner is Atsumu Miya. "
Gengar and Sableye gave each other a high five, grins on their faces from getting the win. Atsumu smiled at the sight before recalling both of them to their pokeballs. He then walked over to meet up with Olympia. The two shook hands, and Olympia gave Atsumu her gym's badge.
" Perhaps I should've waited till a later date. " Atsumu mused.
" Perhaps. But I don't feel disappointed or frustrated by this. It comes with the job after all. " Olympia smiled. " Besides, I do feel a bit more relaxed now. Your strategies leave very little room for distractions. "
" That so... that's nice to hear. " Atsumu smiled softly.
Olympia chuckled, " Battles are quite a nice way to relieve tension, but considering it's part of my full-time occupation... I'm not short on the number of battles I need to participate in. Especially during the Pokemon League season. I've gotten exhausted with Pokémon battles more and more as the days pass. When I was younger, though, that wasn't a problem. I loved battles. All of the gym leaders did. We've just gotten more reserved with time.
You're now going through the same thing. "
" I am? " Atsumu questioned. " I ... haven't been in the mood to battle that often anymore. Honestly, I feel my desire to fight strong opponents dwindle more and more. Did you go through this too? "
" I have. And it hasn't been only me. " Olympia said. " At one point in time, we were all interested in battles and growing stronger, traveling across regions, and experiencing what was there in the world. But we can't all keep journeying from place to place forever. Our interests can change, and then we need to find something else to fulfill us. "
" However, I wouldn't mind relaxing with you more often, though. " Olympia smiled. " You're version of relaxation works quite well, I feel refreshed. "
" ... Really? " Atsumu asked doubtfully.
" Indeed. When facing you, any leyway given allows you time to set up something quite devious. Your flair for the dramatics makes it hard for anyone to focus on anything but the battle. What is relaxing if it is not no longer placing focus on a particular piece and placing attention on something else to feel refreshed? You forced me to pay attention to something that would make me feel relaxed, and I certainly would enjoy another session. " Olympia smiled.
" ... Huh? " Atsumu uttered, blinking owlishly, very confused.
" Was that not clear enough? I thought I explained that quite well. " Olympia mused.
" Uh... well, I'm a bit confused. Are you saying you'd now prefer battling as a way to relax or only as a way to relax when you're battling... me? " Atsumu asked.
" The latter. " Olympia said. " I'd still prefer drinking tea rather than battling to relax. But if it's you, I'd probably choose battling to relax instead. "
" I see... guess I'm doing something nice then. " Atsumu smiled.
" I certainly feel thankful. " Olympia responded. " Also, I must ask. Who was it that cast the Mean Look? "
" In this instance, Sableye. " Atsumu replied.
" I see... then Gengar set up the Perish Song, but Gengar could also use Mean Look. Was this the shower scene part of the plan? " Olympia asked.
" In this instance, yes. But I usually allow Gengar and Sableye to decide what to show. " Atsumu said.
" Quite the dangerous duo. " Olympia praised. " But where were they hiding? My Pokémon could not sense them anywhere? "
" Phantom Force. " Atsumu replied.
" Hmm... Is that so? Phantom Force is a move that allows ghost types to disappear into a subspace and reappear later. I've trained with Fantina, the Ghost-type Gym Leader from Sinnoh, and after many trials, my Pokémon have been trained to pull out Ghosts from their hiding places. Though not many know this. " Olympia explained.
" Was there something different to your use of Phantom Force, or did you train your Pokémon to never be caught in that scenario? " Olympia questioned.
" ... Truthfully, it's the former. I didn't know the latter was possible. That's honestly really amazing. As for the former, well... to put it simply, there is a space that my Pokémon can access, and it's what allows me to use Phantom Force in various ways. But I'm not going to tell you. Try coming up with a theory, and if I like one well enough, I'll tell you. "
" ... Hmmm, very well. " Olympia agreed. " Next time we battle, you won't be able to evade me. "
" We'll see. " Atsumu teased.
" Thanks for the battle. I'll see you later. " Atsumu said, turning on his heel and heading towards the exit.
" Hopefully not too soon. " Olympia responded, watching Atsumu leave her gym.
" I would like some tea and biscuits, please. Also, do mention that I'll be closing the gym for a day tomorrow. " Olympia said, turning to the referee.
" Understood, ma'am. " The referee said, soon leaving to accomplish his duties while Olympia headed to her office to relax in her comfy chair.
___________________________________________________________
Sup.
So, it's been quite a while since the last update to this story. Nearly an entire year. In that amount of time, I have completed my college education and gotten a job. It was extremely hectic during this time, and I had a lot on my mind. I just could not get back into writing the next chapter for this story.
Till now.
I still haven't finished everything I wanted while making this story, so here I am. It took me quite a while to recall where I left off and what direction I was headed with this story, but I do believe I got everything. Though I will admit, with how long I've been away and after everything, I don't believe I'm back fully. And considering where I am in life now, I can't make promises about consistent updates.
Until this story is completed, I'll still be posting chapters. Hopefully, I don't take, like, a decade to complete this, but I'll certainly make the effort to keep going till the end.
I hope you guys liked this chapter.
Tell me what you guys thought of it.
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Have a nice day.