Chapter 317: The Charmer Vs. The Conqueror (2)
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, Fortree City – Gym]
The humid air of Fortree City, usually a gentle breath through its tree-lined pathways, felt thick with unspoken tension within the Fortree City Gym. Perched high amongst the colossal branches, the gym's battlefield was a circular clearing, dappled with sunlight filtering through the canopy above
At its heart, two figures stood poised, separated by a meticulously maintained grass and rock terrain. Azure stood confidently at the center, his posture relaxed yet attentive. His signature partners, Pikachu and Eevee, sat comfortably on the sideline eating popcorn, their eyes, like their Trainer's, fixed on the unfolding drama.
Today, however, he was merely the arbiter, a steady anchor in a swirling storm of emotions. On one end of the field stood Sapphire, a whirlwind of untamed spirit.
Her wild, dark hair, usually adorned with the leaves and vines she used in her research, seemed to bristle with her indignation. Her eyes, normally bright with curiosity, now blazed with a fierce, almost primal anger.
Seeing Ruby again, after all this time, ignited a frustration that had festered since yesterday after they're argument. Hoenn, her beloved region, was in distress – its delicate ecosystem threatened, its legendary Pokémon stirring restlessly.
Yet, Ruby, a Trainer of undeniable strength, chose to squander his talent on trivial pursuits, letting the region suffer while he chased beauty pageants. He stood before her, not as a hero, but as a symbol of wasted potential, and it infuriated her to her core.
Across the field, Ruby stood equally resolute, though his demeanor was a stark contrast to Sapphire's fiery intensity. His tailored clothes, more suited for a Contest Hall than a battle arena, seemed out of place.
His usual suave smile was gone, replaced by a grim determination. He was here to fight, not just for victory, but for a bond he knew he had recklessly severed, a wound he yearned to heal.
He was ready to face any punishment Sapphire could dish out, every single one of her furious attacks, for the chance to bridge the chasm between them. The memory, though hazy with time, pressed against him. He'd been so young, just a boy, when he'd first met Professor Birch's daughter.
He remembered playing in the woods, his budding skills as a Trainer focused on protecting her from a rampaging Salamence. He'd won, but at a cost. The injuries he sustained, the sheer ferocity he'd shown, had caused her to break down crying, scaring her.
Believing he had horrified her, that his raw battling instinct was too fierce, he'd made a fateful decision. He would never battle again. Instead, he would dedicate himself to the art of Pokémon Contests, to showcasing beauty and appeal, to ensuring his Pokémon never again evoked fear or tears from anyone.
He had built his world around that moment, unknowingly building a wall between himself and the very person he thought he was protecting. That wall had begun to crumble just yesterday, thanks to Azure.
The fear, the tears, the Salamence – it all came rushing back. And now, he stood against her, ready to resurrect the battling skills his body instinctively knew, honed by years of underlying talent and the experience he'd inadvertently gained in Contests, applying strategy and showmanship in a new, combative light.
Azure, ever the strategist, had orchestrated this confrontation. When Ruby had pleaded for a chance, Azure had approached Sapphire with a proposition. He had convinced her with a clever twist of words.
The deal was struck: he would assist Hoenn, but only after she defeated the person of his choice, Ruby. It was a masterful manipulation, tapping into both her pride and her desperate desire to prove herself for Hoenn, bringing her to this very battlefield, ready for a full-on 6v6 Pokémon Battle.
From the shadowed hallway that overlooked the arena, three figures observed. Brawly, the muscular Gym Leader of Dewford, and Roxanne, the stoic rock-type specialist of Rustboro, stood quietly, their expressions unreadable.
They had been informed of Azure's arrival, but Azure, with his own agenda, had chosen not to alert Winona, the Fortree City Gym Leader. Winona, in her haste and perhaps sensing Sapphire's unique abilities, had recruited the ten-year-old girl without consulting the others.
Neither Brawly nor Roxanne was fully convinced Sapphire should be entrusted with such responsibility, given her age, but Azure's presence and this pre-planned battle seemed to be setting a different stage.
They were here, not to interfere, but to witness. Soon, Wattson, the eccentric electric-type Gym Leader of Mauville, shuffled up behind them, his usually jovial face quieted by the palpable tension in the air. He simply nodded, joining their silent vigil.
The air crackled. Azure raised his hand as he said calmly, "This is a full 6-on-6 Pokémon battle between Sapphire and Ruby! The battle will conclude when all of one Trainer's Pokémon are unable to continue! Trainers, send out your first Pokémon!"
At Azure's command, a synchronized flash of light erupted from both ends of the field. Sapphire, her jaw set, flung her Poké Ball with fierce resolve, "Phado, let's go!"
*Pop*
A sturdy, grey and black Pokémon with a powerful trunk and thick hide materialized with a trumpeting cry – Phado, her Donphan. Around its tusk, a faint green glow indicated the restorative power of its held item, [Leftovers].
Simultaneously, Ruby, a deep breath steadying his nerves, released his own partner as he declared, "Nana, your stage!"
*Pop*
With a sleek, dark blur, Nana, a Mightyena with gleaming fangs and an [Expert Belt] strapped around its chest, appeared opposite Phado. The moment Nana materialized, a wave of palpable menace washed over the field.
*Shiii*
Phado, despite its robust stature, flinched, its powerful form momentarily quivering as its Attack stat was lowered. Sapphire gritted her teeth as she thought, 'Intimidate! The ability to lower my Pokémon attack by -1 Stage!'
Ruby's immediate advantage. Azure's voice boomed, clear and impartial, "Now then… Let the battle begin!"
Sapphire wasted no time as she ordered, "Phado, Take Down!"
*Zooom*
With a guttural roar, Phado coiled its immense body, then shot forward, a living cannonball aimed directly at Nana. The ground trembled under its charge.
*Rmbl*
Ruby's eyes, once soft, hardened with a focus Sapphire hadn't seen in years as he countered, "Nana, Iron Tail!"
*Wooosh*
*CLANG*
Nana, swift and agile, met Phado's charge head-on. Its tail, usually covered in dark fur, shimmered metallic, whipping out with incredible speed and force. The two Pokémon collided with a deafening CRACK!
*CRACK*
Phado's momentum was momentarily halted, its charge deflected as Nana absorbed the blow, its tail a sturdy shield. Ruby commanded, pressing his advantage, "Now, Nana, use Crunch!"
*Zooom*
Nana bounded forward, its powerful jaws snapping, teeth glinting, ready to tear into Donphan. However, Sapphire countered, her voice sharp, "Don't think so! Defense Curl, Phado!"
*THUD*
Phado, quick for its size, tucked itself into a tight ball, its tough hide becoming an even more impenetrable defense. Nana's Crunch landed, but the impact was muffled, the powerful bite barely scratching Donphan's increased physical resilience.
Phado absorbed the blow, its sturdy form barely registering the attack. Sapphire praised, seeing the stat boost her Pokémon had gained, "Excellent, Phado! Now, Rollout!"
*Rmbl*
Phado, still curled, began to spin, gaining speed rapidly. The stat boost from Defense Curl synergized perfectly with Rollout, doubling its initial power.
It became a destructive, rolling force, a grey blur hurtling towards Nana. Ruby's eyes widened slightly, ordering, "Nana, dodge!"
*Wooosh*
Nana, quick on its paws, leapt sideways, just avoiding the initial impact. But Phado's Rollout was persistent.
*BOING*
It bounced off a gym wall, ricocheting back towards Nana with increased velocity. Sapphire urged, "Rollout again, Phado!"
*Zooom*
The Donphan continued its relentless assault, a destructive pinball. Nana dodged once more, but this time, Ruby saw an opening, countering, "Nana, behind it! Iron Tail!"
*CLANG*
As Phado spun past, Nana, with a burst of speed, darted around its flank. Its metallic tail whipped out, catching Phado squarely on its rolling back.
The force sent Donphan careening, no longer simply rolling, but sliding uncontrollably towards a far wall. Sapphire yelled, her eyes tracking her Pokémon with intense precision, "Phado, use the momentum! Jump!"
*BUMP*
Despite the unexpected trajectory, Phado's battle instinct, honed by Sapphire, kicked in. Just as it was about to slam into the wall, it used the force of its uncontrolled roll to gather energy, launching itself into a massive, arching leap.
*BOING*
It was a desperate, yet brilliant maneuver. Phado became an airborne missile, twisting in mid-air, its tusks pointed directly at Nana.
Sapphire bellowed, "Take Down!"
Ruby's breath hitched. That was a move he hadn't seen in years, a move of pure, unadulterated strength. He closed his eyes for a split second, concentration etched on his face, tapping into a deeper connection with Nana.
He felt the rhythm of the battle, the precise moment. His eyes hardened as he countered fiercely, "Nana, Dark Pulse, now!"
*PEW*
Nana, acting on an almost telepathic command, unleashed a swirling orb of dark energy at the exact moment Phado was descending. The Dark Pulse erupted, a concentrated blast of pure malice, striking Phado mid-flight.
*BOOM*
The impact rocked the Donphan, throwing it off balance and sending it tumoring heavily to the ground, landing with a jarring thud. A faint aura of confusion shimmered around it, but quickly cleared.
*Thud*
Sapphire cried, her voice laced with concern, "Phado!"
Ruby allowed himself a small, relieved exhale as he thought proudly, 'Nana was impressive. Good work.'
Before Sapphire could issue another command, Nana was already moving. Ruby called, pushing his advantage, "Poison Fang!"
*Splat*
Nana lunged, its fangs dripping with venom, aiming for Phado's exposed neck. But Phado, though winded, was far from out.
A fierce, determined gleam entered its eyes. A shimmering, orange energy began to gather at its mouth, growing in intensity. Sapphire commanded, her voice ringing with newfound resolve, "Phado, Hyper Beam!"
She knew the risk, the recharge, but it was a gamble she was willing to take. Phado maintained its stance, ignoring the approaching Poison Fang, its focus entirely on gathering the immense energy.
*CHOMP*
Nana's fangs bit down, but Phado's tough hide, still boosted by Defense Curl, deflected the worst of the venomous attack, though a faint purple quickly stained its skin. Then, with a devastating roar, Phado unleashes the Hyper Beam, "PHAAA!!!"
*PEW*
A colossal, blinding blast of pure energy erupted from its mouth, tearing across the battlefield, directly at Nana. The sheer power of the attack made the air crackle, but Ruby yelled, his voice urgent, "Protect!"
*BOOOM*
Nana, with incredible agility, summoned a shimmering green barrier just moments before the Hyper Beam made contact. The beam slammed into the Protect shield with an ear-splitting explosion, creating a blinding flash and an enormous veil of smoke that engulfed Nana.
Phado, now vulnerable and exhausted, stood spent, needing to recharge. Ruby commanded, his voice cutting through the fading roar of the Hyper Beam, "Now, Nana! Dark Pulse!"
*Shiii*
From within the dissipating smoke, Nana launched another Dark Pulse, a dark, swirling orb that shot towards the recharging Phado. Sapphire's voice, though sharp, betrayed a hint of desperation, "Phado, dodge! Rollout!"
*Rmbl*
Phado, still sluggish and exhausted from the Hyper Beam, managed to roll sideways, narrowly avoiding the Dark Pulse. It began to spin again, slowly at first, then gaining speed for another Rollout.
Ruby, however, wasn't done. He had seen the opportunity as he ordered, "Nana, redirect Dark Pulse! Target Phado!"
In an astonishing display of control, Nana, with a flick of its head, redirected the trajectory of its own Dark Pulse, which had just missed Phado. The dark energy, instead of harmlessly disappearing, swerved back, circling Phado as it rolled.
The sphere of darkness then enveloped the rolling Donphan, turning Phado into a spinning, darkened ball of pure shadow. The effect was disorienting, confusing, and left Phado temporarily unable to see properly.
Sapphire screamed, thinking quickly, recalling the terrain, "Phado, listen to my voice! Head for that rock! Catapult yourself!"
She couldn't see the specifics, but she knew the general layout. Despite being shrouded in darkness, Phado instinctively obeyed its Trainer's command. It spun blindly, using the momentum of its Rollout to veer towards a large, jagged rock formation on the edge of the field.
*BUMP*
With a powerful, desperate surge, it slammed into the rock, using the impact to launch itself skyward once more, a dark, spinning projectile arcing through the air. Ruby's eyes widened as he yelled, "Nana, watch out!"
*SMASH*
But it was too late. The darkened, spinning Phado, propelled by its own momentum and Sapphire's precise guidance, descended like a meteor.
*THUD*
It struck Nana squarely, a direct hit to the head. The impact was sickeningly loud, a dull thud followed by a soft whimper. Nana collapsed, unconscious, the [Expert Belt] clattering faintly on the ground.
Azure raised his hand decisively as he declared openly, "Nana is unable to battle! Donphan is the winner!"
A wave of relief washed over Sapphire, quickly replaced by a surge of triumph. She clenched her fists, a small, fierce smile gracing her lips as she thought, 'One down. Just 5 more to go…'
It was a brutal victory, a testament to her and Phado's resilience. Ruby looked at his fallen Mightyena, a pang of regret in his chest.
He knelt beside Nana, gently cradling its head, a silent apology in his touch. He looked up at Sapphire, a complex mixture of admiration, sorrow, and renewed determination in his eyes as he thought, 'This was just the beginning.'
/////
[Hoenn Region, Fotree City – Gym (Hallway)]
From the shadows, Brawly whistled softly, seeing they're battle, "Impressive. An unconventional use of Rollout and Dark Pulse redirection."
Roxanne nodded slowly, commenting on they're battle in a calm tone with a clear voice, "Her tactical awareness is undeniable. And his adaptability... he didn't miss a beat from his contest skills."
Wattson chuckled, a low rumble. He fixed his gaze on Azure, a knowing glint in his eyes, "Aye, a fine start to a battle, ain't it? These two are more than just brawlers. They're thinkers. And he picked a good one to stir the pot, Azure."
Azure merely smiled, a subtle nod acknowledging Wattson's observation. This battle was far from over, and the emotional stakes were higher than the Fortree Gym itself.
But then Flannery, the fiery Gym Leader of Lavaridge, burst into the hallway, her red hair bouncing with her indignation. Her gaze swept across the hidden Gym Leaders as she yelled, "What in the world is going on?! Sapphire, why is she fighting some… some random boy? And Azure's here?! Why wasn't I informed?"
Wattson whispered, placing a hand on her shoulder as he explained, "Flannery, quiet down for a moment. We're just watching how this unfolds."
Roxanne added, crossing her arms together in a calm tone, "Azure came, and well, this battle… it has significance. Just observe for now."
Brawly simply shook his head, a silent plea for her to wait. Flannery, though still fuming, reluctantly obliged, her eyes now fixated on the arena.
/////
[Hoenn Region, Fortree City – Gym (Battlefield)]
With Nana down, Ruby took a deep breath, exhaling as he thought calmly, 'Whew… seems like my body remembers how to battle. Or at least getting used to it again… however, Nana did her duty time for an encore!'
Ruby announced, his voice imbued with a newfound determination, "It's go time! Kiki, it's showtime!"
*Pop*
From Ruby's side, a delicate, graceful Pokémon appeared in a burst of sparkling light. His Delcatty, also holding her held item [Leftovers], landed elegantly, its large eyes blinking charmingly.
For Sapphire, the memory of Nana's swift damage on Phado before Mightyena fell flashed through her mind, adding another layer of frustration as she thought, 'Ruby wasn't just a Contest boy; he could battle, and he was good.'
Sapphire roared, eager to seize the momentum, "Phado, Rollout!"
*Rmbl*
Donphan began to coil, preparing to unleash its powerful, accelerating attack. But Ruby was quicker.
His eyes, though often focused on aesthetic appeal, now narrowed with the cold precision of a battle strategist as he countered, "Kiki, Fake Out!"
*CLAP*
Delcatty moved with unexpected speed, darting forward and swatting Phado across the face with a swift paw. The Normal-type attack landed and, true to its nature, made Phado flinch, interrupting its Rollout.
Phado staggered, its momentum broken. Ruby commanded, pressing his advantage, "Now, Kiki, Iron Tail!"
*Whip*
Kiki's tail hardened and glowed with metallic energy, whipping around with surprising force. It struck Phado, already off-balance, with a resounding CLANG.
*CLANG*
The Donphan cried out, collapsing onto its side. It struggled to rise, but after a moment, sank back down, swirls appearing in its eyes. Azure raised his hand, declaring, "Phado is unable to battle! Sapphire, bring your next Pokémon!"
Sapphire grit her teeth, her knuckles white as she gripped Phado's Poké Ball. She murmured, her anger momentarily replaced by gratitude as she returned her Pokémon, "You did well, Phado."
She glanced at Ruby, a flicker of something beyond fury—perhaps grudging respect—crossing her features before her resolve hardened again as she thought, 'He might be good, but he would not win.'
Sapphire took a deep breath, steeling herself. She called, throwing her next Poké Ball, "Relly, it's your turn!"
*Pop*
With a splash and a rumble, a massive Relicanth, an ancient, rock-hard fish Pokémon, appeared on the field. Its craggy, armored body seemed impervious, a true tank. It too wore a [Rocky Helmet], promising chip damage to any physical attackers.
Ruby remained unfazed. Even with the type disadvantage, he wanted to test Relly's defenses as he ordered, "Kiki, Iron Tail!"
*CLANG*
Kiki charged, its metallic tail striking Relly's rocky hide with a sharp clang. The Relicanth barely registered the hit, but Kiki recoiled slightly from the [Rocky Helmet's] effect kicked in, chipping Kiki's health.
Sapphire commanded fiercely, confident in her Pokémon's raw power, "Now, Relly, Head Smash!"
*WOOOSH*
Relly surged forward, its head glowing with immense force, aiming a devastating blow at the smaller Delcatty. But Ruby was prepared for this as he countered, "Kiki, Protect!"
*CLANG*
A shimmering green barrier materialized just in front of Kiki, absorbing the full brunt of Relly's Head Smash. The force of the impact sent vibrations through the arena, but Kiki remained unharmed behind its shield.
Relly, however, didn't recoil, nor did it show any sign of self-inflicted damage. Ruby's eyes narrowed, a glint of his old battling acumen returning.
He carefully observed Relly, a small, knowing smirk playing on his lips. He murmured to himself, but loud enough for Kiki to hear, "So that's it. Rock Head. No recoil damage. Smart, Sapphire. Very smart."
He connected the dots quickly: this Relicanth could unleash powerful, recoil-inducing moves like Head Smash without penalty, making it a formidable physical attacker. He'd have to be careful about physical contact.
Knowing this, Ruby shouted, mixing his attacks, "Kiki, Iron Tail again! And follow up with Play Rough!"
*Wooosh*
Kiki, swift and agile, landed another Iron Tail on Relly, then quickly darted in close, unleashing a flurry of playful, yet damaging, attacks. Relly grunted, clearly feeling the accumulation of hits, but its stony expression remained.
Sapphire urged, frustrated that Kiki wasn't going down faster, "Relly, Head Smash, one more time!"
*Wooosh*
Relly lumbered forward, gathering momentum for another crushing Head Smash. But Ruby had anticipated this as he countered, "Kiki, Double Team!"
*Wooosh*
Just as Relly lunged, Kiki vanished, replaced by an array of shimmering illusions that spread across the field, making it impossible to tell which was real. Relly's Head Smash slammed into empty space, its power wasted.
Sapphire quickly countered, hoping to sweep away the illusions and catch the real Kiki, "Damn it! Relly use Surf!"
*SPLASH*
Relly roared, summoning a massive wave that crashed across the battlefield, engulfing the multiple Kiki images. They vanished in the spray, but the real Delcatty, agile and quick, had already found a perch on a raised part of the arena, completely untouched.
Sapphire's worry deepened. Her brows furrowed as she watched Kiki regroup as she thought cautiously, 'This wasn't going as planned. Ruby's movements and commands were sharp and precise. He wasn't the frivolous Contest boy I remembered.'
The real Kiki, having evaded the Surf, now darted forward, its entire body glowing with renewed energy. Ruby's voice was steady, unwavering as he ordered loudly, "Iron Tail, Kiki! Full power!"
*Wooosh*
Kiki twisted in mid-air, its tail a flash of steel, and struck Relly with devastating force. The hit was a critical hit, revealing a golden aura glow…
*CRACK*
… A loud CRACK echoed through the Gym as Relly cried out, a guttural sound of pain. The massive Pokémon staggered, its heavy frame trembling, and then, for a moment, it flinched, its movements freezing.
Relly looked bad; it's usually a stoic expression etched with clear distress. Ruby's face remained determined, a stark contrast to the elegant poise of his Delcatty.
This unwavering resolve, even as his Pokémon looked battered, only infuriated Sapphire further. She needed to end this now. She commanded, desperately, "Relly, Head Smash! Don't let up!"
Relly shook its head, trying to clear the lingering effects of the critical hit and its own daze, and began to charge once more. But as it moved, its eyes, usually filled with battle focus, suddenly softened.
Ruby's lips curved into a slow, confident smirk. He muttered, a glint of triumph in his eyes as he smirked, "It worked. Bout time."
Sapphire watched in horror as Relly, mid-charge, suddenly veered off course. Its eyes were now fixed on Kiki, a gooey, lovestruck expression replacing its battle-hardened glare. It was infatuated. Kiki's Cute Charm ability had finally triggered.
Sapphire shrieked in horror, but her commands fell on deaf ears, "Relly, what are you doing?! Attack!"
Relly merely gazed at Kiki with starry eyes, completely ignoring its Trainer. Ruby seized the opportunity, "Now, Kiki, Wish!"
*Shiii*
Kiki glowed with a soft, ethereal light, storing up healing energy for the next turn. Then, with Relly still frozen by infatuation, Ruby delivered the final blow as he commanded, "And Kiki, Grass Knot!"
*Whip*
Kiki materialized a tangle of grassy vines from the ground, wrapping them swiftly around Relly. The Water/Rock-type Pokémon was incredibly vulnerable to Grass-type attacks, a crushing 4x weakness.
*SNAP*
The vines tightened, squeezing Relly with immense force, and the ancient Pokémon cried out, a pained roar. It finally collapsed, a heavy, defeated thump, as the infatuation faded, only to be replaced by the swirling eyes of defeat.
*THUMP*
Azure's hand went up again as he declared loudly, "Relly is unable to battle! Sapphire, use your next Pokémon!"
/////
[Hoenn Region, Fortree City – Gym (Hallway)]
From the sidelines, the Gym Leaders exchanged glances. Wattson chuckled, shaking his head, "Clever… very clever. That Cute Charm was pure luck, but Ruby's quick thinking to capitalize on it with Wish and Grass Knot… that's pure skill."
Brawly nodded slowly, agreeing as he added with a cheeky grin, "He read her Pokémon's ability and waited for his chance. And that 4x weakness… a devastating combination. He's definitely got talent."
Even Flannery, still annoyed, conceded seeing the match between them, "He might look like a Contest boy, but he's got a strategic mind. I didn't know he was so… calculated. Who the heck is he anyway?"
Roxanne merely watched, her expression unreadable, but an undeniable flicker of newfound respect in her eyes for Ruby as she thought, 'With talent like his, it would be easy for him to be an Elite 4 Member in a few years…'
The battle was far from over, but the trajectory had shifted. Ruby had not just fought; he had strategized, adapted, and revealed a battling prowess Sapphire had vehemently denied he possessed.
And Sapphire, though still seething, was now facing a formidable opponent she had not truly expected. The air in the Fortree Gym thickened further, promising more intense conflict to come.
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 100 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!