BOOM!
With a thunderous crash, Gyarados's massive body slammed into the water, sending waves soaring sky-high.
Fortunately, Pheromosa's control over energy was extremely precise. At the instant Gyarados hit the water, she dispelled the Electroweb into the air.
Crasher, dumbstruck, was swept up by the waves and tossed high into the air, stopping less than a meter from Pheromosa.
"Uh, could you maybe save—", Before he could finish, Crasher felt a gale whip him back down, dropping him right onto the giant lotus leaf where he'd started.
"Yoo~"
Pheromosa floated midair, unmoving, her gaze fixed on Crasher's remaining Pokémon.
The meaning was crystal clear.
'Next. Who's up?'
Having just witnessed Pheromosa's brutality, Crasher's Pokémon all stepped back in unison.
Even Gyarados, thick-skinned with Intimidate, couldn't survive a smooth combo. What chance did they have?
Caution flickered in Crasher's eyes.
His pride as a gym leader told him, he couldn't throw this fight anymore.
The opponent was strong, deserving of his full effort.
The earlier thought of blocking challengers, of gym leader's pride, shattered in an instant.
As the Water-type gym leader Crasher, now he only wanted to give it everything he had and battle properly.
"From here on, I'll be fighting at full power!"
'Full power?'
Axel nodded, lips curling upward.
'Finally bringing out the Rain Team?'
But in Crasher's 22 Pokémon, he hadn't seen Pelipper or Politoed.
And among known Pokémon, only Kyogre and those two had the Drizzle ability.
If so, then Crasher would use a fast Pokémon to set Rain Dance?
Sure enough, a Greninja burst from the water.
"Pheromosa, use Taunt."
"Yoo~"
Before Greninja could react, Pheromosa folded her arms, looking at it with a face of pure world-weariness.
Her drooping lids, her purple eyes full of disdain.
Greninja exploded.
'Really? I just showed up and you already look down on me like that?'
'You may be strong, but that doesn't mean I won't fight with my life!'
Without hesitation, Greninja leapt from the water, Water Shuriken in hand, lunging at Pheromosa.
A second later, Pheromosa kicked, and Greninja was back in the water.
Eyes spinning, stars twinkling overhead.
'Who am I? Where am I? How did I end up like this?'
"Yoo~"
'Next!'
In the following minutes, Crasher kept sending out Pokémon.
At first, his aim was to defeat Axel. Now it was reduced to, just get Rain Dance off.
But ever since Greninja and Gyarados, no Pokémon had lasted long enough to make Pheromosa use a second move.
Greninja's Taunt was only because Axel, cautious as ever, wanted insurance.
After more than a dozen went down, Crasher's fingernails dug deep into his palms.
This Pokémon was just too ridiculous.
Normally, 22 Pokémon in rotation should be enough to wear out even a powerhouse.
But today, it seemed his Pokémon couldn't even manage to stall her.
Taking a glance at Kingdra, Crasher drew a deep breath.
'No choice, must keep going!'
As long as he could set Rain Dance, Kingdra would have a shot.
Even if there was no hope of victory, at least he could salvage some pride.
"Ludicolo, I'm counting on you!"
"Ludi~"
Ludicolo glanced back at Crasher, feeling like it was just a joke.
'So many before me fell instantly, and you're pinning all the pressure on me?'
Crasher gave a bitter smile.
'Maybe I should just surrender?'
Anyway, continuing this way, he had no chance of winning.
Catching Crasher's wavering, Axel blinked.
'Wait, this guy seemed pretty strong-willed. Why's he collapsing so quickly?'
'This won't do. I haven't even tested Pheromosa's Z-move yet!'
His plan was for Pheromosa to try out her Z-power, then leave Crasher with two level-appropriate Pokémon for Platinum to practice against.
"Ahem! Pheromosa!"
For the first time since sending her out, Axel didn't rely on their bond, he just spoke.
"Let them set up Rain Dance."
"Yoo~", Pheromosa nodded indifferently.
After all, these were just weaklings who couldn't even beat a Bastiodon.
Whatever the weather, she only needed a single kick to end it.
But Crasher's eyes lit up.
Since founding his gym, this was the first time he'd met such a good trainer.
Other challengers, once they saw a chance, were afraid he might turn the tables.
But Axel?
Even though Officer Jenny had called ahead, Axel hadn't taken advantage. Instead, he was giving Crasher room to fight.
No wonder Jenny herself had spoken on his behalf.
'This man is kind!'
Splash~ Splash~
Dark clouds gathered below the gym ceiling, and soon, light rain pattered down.
Ripples spread across the water, serene and beautiful.
In Crasher's eyes, it was even more so.
In rain, Ludicolo's body shifted subtly.
In simple terms, friction with the air nearly vanished, speed soaring.
"Ludicolo, finally, it's our chance to counterattack!"
"Quick, use Hydro Pump, make them suffer, huh?"
Before Crasher even finished, Pheromosa flicked her hand and fired an Aura Sphere.
Ludicolo was one-shot.
"This can't be right!", Crasher stared at Axel in disbelief.
"How could your Pokémon be faster than Ludicolo in rain?"
Axel lifted a hand, brushing his nose lightly.
"Sorry, my Pheromosa's Speed goes up every time she knocks out a Pokémon."
Crasher's index finger trembled wildly, nearly choking on his breath.
He'd clearly seen Pheromosa's Attack spike after each knockout, thought it was like Gyarados's Moxie.
Never expected, she also boosted Speed every time?
'How the hell is anyone supposed to fight that?'
"I admit—"
"Eh!", Axel quickly patted Platinum's arm, cutting Crasher off.
"Gym leader Crasher is right!"
Crasher: "???"
'What did I even say?'
Platinum blinked, puzzled. He hadn't said anything yet, and you already interrupted him?
And you knew what he was going to say?
'Don't tell me you're sharing some man-to-man telepathy.'
Axel looked deadly serious, "I also think giving up halfway is a really lame act. Platinum, you're lucky."
"On your first trip out, you encountered a strong trainer like Crasher."
"Even if time's short, he may not be able to teach you training skills or tactics for the peak, but right now he's teaching you what it means to never give up!"
"Gym leader Crasher, am I right?"
Crasher drew a deep breath, the corner of his mouth twitching for a long while.
"…You're right."
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