Miho Chan
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Chapter 10: Insert Obligatory Hard Enough Pun Here
🕑 Added 2023-06-19 06:03:47 +0000 UTCIllya yawned as she emerged from her tent, wiping her eyes as Matilda padded out after her. The crackling of the campfire and the hiss of a camp stove drew her to the firepit in the middle of the clearing, and she wandered over to slump on a log. “Morning, Shirou,” she mumbled, perking up as the boy in question passed her a mug of coffee. “Best otouto.” she mumbled - into the mug, this time.
Shirou nodded as he continued the stir the boiling pot of miso soup, the original firepit from last night crackling away as he cooked rice over the coals. “Good morning Illya-nee-san. Breakfast will be ready in about five minutes. We’re mostly waiting on the rice. What protein would you prefer this morning?” Pausing, he pointed at his cooler. “We have fish, chicken, or pork.”
“Pork, please. Do we have bacon?”
“Yes, we do, though I’ll have to cook that separately,” Shirou said.
“Please?” Illya and Matilda both used Babydoll Eyes. Shirou just nodded, snapping his fingers to have Yagi pull out the package. Minutes later, the scent of frying bacon filled the air.
“Looking good!” Isabella advanced from the treeline, her Growlithe and Roselia trotting alongside. “Enough for us too, or…”
“No,” Shirou replied honestly. “I only have enough provisions for myself, my Pokemon, Illya, and her Pokemon. If you don’t have your own provisions, I’m willing to share, but I will not be happy about it.”
Isabella drooped. “You’ve said that every morning…” She groaned. “When we get to town, I’ll chip in on the next grocery run if only so you’ll share.” She looked over at the meal coming together, her Pokemon watching with their own shining eyes. “Now I know why Donovan abandoned the mission for your cooking…”
“If you share your own provisions, I am willing to cook for your Pokemon and yourself,” Shirou allowed, finally taking pity on the poor girl.
“Yes! Let me go get my stuff!” Moments later, a load of fresh fish, seasonal tubers, leeks, and a few packages of store-bought ingredients were piled before Shirou, and the young man began preparing the ingredients at a will. As he sped up, Isabella turned to Illya. “So! Excited for your gym battle today?”
Illya nodded rapidly, beaming at Isabella, “I am! It’ll be my first first step to officially battling with Cynthia-nee!”
“...you don’t aim low,” Isabella acknowledged. “So! Neither of you have a water or grass type - that’s the easy way to take out Roark. I thought you might pick someone up along the way, but no dice. Why?”
“Picking up a pokemon that resists or knows supereffective moves versus rock is pointless when we both already have good coverage against it,” Shirou answered, looking at Ritsuka and Yagi with a raised eyebrow. “Ritsuka knows double kick and dig, and despite her wings, she’s not a flying type. She’s additionally been working on other moves for coverage, including mud-slap. Yagi is a fighting type, Matilda knows enough moves to make a well trained Smeargle blush, and Fubuki knows chilling water.”
“Huh. So you both didn’t want to pick up another pokemon just to beat the gym?” Isabella leaned back. “Not that I don’t get it, but not an attitude seen by a lot of trainers.”
“What’s the point of catching a Pokemon, most of whom are lifelong companions, for the purpose of overcoming a single challenge?” Illya asked instead of directly
“Competitive trainers sometimes treat Pokemon like that. And honestly? Some Pokemon are just looking for some training, a chance to get stronger, then go home.” Isabella shrugged. “A lotta bug types go that way. They stick around, evolve, and then go back into the wild after a year or two.”
Illya looked over at Fubuki, who shook her head. “I’m not going anywhere, Illya. I’m a ghost, and there’s no rush for me to go elsewhere.” She copper her chin with one hand. “Besides, I’m interested to see if or to what extent I can learn magic. I have some ideas.”
Yagi looked up from where he was bench-pressing a log. “I haven’t sworn an oath to the Kingdom yet, and I think I’d rather stay with you anyway, Shirou.”
Reassured, both fallers settled in to eat. In a few hours, they’d be in Oreburgh, and hit the first roadblock on their journey.
Illya looked around the city with wide eyes. “It’s kinda… industrial, all over.” She mused, looking at the metal siding and tilted roofs rising from the dark stone and earth of the town. Smokestacks from furnaces reached to the sky, white smoke rising into the air.
“That makes sense,” Shirou mused, blinking at Illya’s look, “What? Oreburgh is a mining town.”
Isabella laughed. “Yeah, first mine established by the immigrants here five hundred years ago. The mines here are deep and wide, connecting to the Underground.”
Shirou nodded. “Coal and iron, right? Plus tumblestones and many of the materials used in modern technology.”
“Yup. And that’s why this place has had mostly rock, steel, and ground gyms over the last two hundred years, though there was this one guy who led a fire gym for a while. Might even still be some Rolycoly around from those days,” she mused.
Nodding, Illya fell silent as a quartet of trainers moved towards the gym, laughing and joking. Listening in, Illya frowned. “They seem… confident.”
Isabella sighed as they advanced. “Rock is a good typing, but a lot of trainers assume just blasting in with a grass or water type will get them a win.” As the four boys entered the gym before them, the trio stepped up. “I’ll bet they came here for an easy badge. Especially since Roark’s only been at the job for a year now.”
“His win-rate says otherwise,” Shirou pointed out, receiving a knowing look from the Diamond Clan member, “Well over eighty percent on first challenges.”
“Yeah, Roark uses a lot of ancient pokemon, which throws a lot of newbie trainers off their game,” Illya acknowledged. “Not sure why those boys would think that.”
“Want to watch their matches?” Isabella asked, looking up at the clock on the wall. “We’ve got half an hour before their time slots.”
“It’ll be good for scouting,” Illya mused, looking to her younger brother who shrugged. “Sure.”
Entering the bleachers, the entire group winced as a Budew was sent hurtling back across the line, a young man in a red construction helmet watching the field as a sturdy geodude lobbed another stone into the air. “One down. New capture?” He called over cheerily.
His opponent gaped. “But–”
“You need a little training for a first badge.” Roark called out, pitching his voice so the whole arena could hear it. “A new capture needs a week of training, if not more, to be ready for battle.” He nodded at the boy. “Send out your next Pokemon or withdraw, please.”
The boy tensed, before throwing out another ball. “Go, Shinx!” The little electric type landed, looking uncertain at the rock before him. “Focus on Bite!”
“Well, you do know your matchups. Geodude, Mud Slap.” The approaching Shinx didn’t last long after the bombardment. “Come back when your budew’s gotten some training. And maybe another Pokemon for your second.” He withdrew his own Pokemon, looking at the three trainers loitering at the base of the battle court. “Who’s next, then?”
“Hmmm,” Shirou mused, taking a look at the geodude with a glint in his eyes. “That geodude is experienced.”
“Typing and power doesn’t beat skill and training,” Yagi commented. “To be a gym leader… it used to be a lordship. Even a ‘weak’ gym has power greater than any but the Elite.”
Illya watched with interest. The second trainer’s Buizel managed to take out the fresh geodude, only to fall to a small, domed creature. “Hmm, I don’t recognize that Pokemon…”
“Omanyte, a fossil Pokemon.” Isabella identified it. “It’s water-rock.”
After twenty more minutes, the four challengers had all been sent packing, and Roark looked around before pulling out a radio. “Excuse me, is my one-thirty challenger here yet?” He asked. “I was looking forward to them–”
“We’re in the stands, Leader Roark,” Illya called, just barely having heard him speak due to the size of the room, giving the man a dainty wave as she continued. “I believe my brother had the first slot.”
“Ah, wonderful!” He waved as Shirou hopped down and came up to the challenger’s box. “Mr. Emiya, I believe?”
“You’ve singled us out? May I ask why?” Shirou called, returning Yagi from his place at Shirou’s side. Gym etiquette only allowed for one Pokemon to be out at a time, and Ritsuka, as his starter, always had that privilege unless she deferred it to another member of the team.
“Lab-sponsored trainers aren’t too common, and a lot of them last year skipped my gym for one reason or another, if they even do the challenge,” Roark explained. “A pair of siblings with two sponsorships? Well, you caught my attention.” He struck a small pose. “But can you keep it? It’s as hard to maintain as my defense, after all!”
Nodding at his starter, who took her place at his side, he answered, “I believe I will.”
“This will be a two-on-two battle between Challenger Emiya and Leader Crag. The Challenger is allowed to substitute at any point freely, while the Leader is forbidden from making switches. When I declare a Pokemon is unable to battle, the Pokemon must be withdrawn from the field promptly. Challenger, do you accept these terms?”
“I do,” Shirou called. Tradition demanded he did, as it demanded the Referee announce a well known fact before the battle.
“Leader Crag?” The ref called, turning to the Gym Leader.
“I accept,” Roark responded, palming a fresh Pokeball from his bag.
“Then begin!” The Ref called, the whine of a barrier snapping into place resounded through the arena as two Pokemon struck the arena, Yagi rising from his crouch even as a new Pokemon spun onto the battlefield.
“Rolycoly!” The little coal pokemon spun its wheel, preparing for battle.
Yagi’s gaze narrowed, then pumped his fists as Shirou spoke. “Quick attack.” He tapped his palms as he spoke, and Yagi launched forward, speeding up as he came in for a strike.
“Aura’s flaring– Rolycoly, dodge into rock polish! We’re going to need the edge!” Roark called out, the little Pokemon turning on a dime and skidding to one side as Yagi crashed down, barely avoiding the force-palm that Shirou had ordered.
Frowning, the red-haired boy briefly considered a strategy before deciding that if this was going to turn into a slugging match he’d do it on his own terms, “Bulk up!” Yagi dropped to the ground and started doing rapid-fire push-ups, glowing red as he did so, before springing back upright with a sharp “Ri-lu!”
“Hmm. A lot of trainers forget to boost. Good job on that. Not good enough, though. Throw up a screen and start belching sparks!” The Rolycoly puffed, a cloud of dark smoke filling its side of the arena before small shots of fire began to flick from the ash cloud.
“Poorly chosen, sir!” Shirou yelled, blood quickening. “Vacuum wave! Clear the smog!” Yagi smiled, then whipped his arms in a blur, the roiling air busting the smokescreen while the trailing edges caught the rock-type. “Follow up with a quick strike!”
Roark’s eyes widened. “Incinerate! Fire back!” The little rock-type blasted out a glob of coals at Riolu, who took the shot to close the distance and smack his opponent with a force palm, sending him reeling.
“Keep the pressure up, Yagi!” Shirou encouraged, the fighting type grunting as he pursued the reeling rock type, quick jabs filled with fighting type energy slamming into the Pokemon repeatedly. In response, the Rolycoly spun his wheel, kicking sand and mud at Yagi even as he fired more bursts of flame, yet he continued to lose ground. With one final blow, Yagi sent the rock skidding from the field, battered and spent.
“Gym Leader Roark’s first Pokemon is unable to battle! Gym leader, send out your second Pokemon!”
Roark nodded, returning the little rock, and then tossing out a second ball. “Go, Archen!” With a cry, the little flying-type took no time before swooping in and smashing Yagi with its wings. With a grunt, the Riolu allowed himself to be flung backwards, a ball of aura forming in his hands. Which promptly fizzled out, rather predictably.
“Detect!” Shirou barked firmly as the Archen pursued his Pokemon, Yagi smoothly dodging the Wing Attack and countering with a Quick Attack. The two pokemon clashed, only for the little bird to eventually bowl Yagi over before Plucking him repeatedly. Shirou watched, before holding up one hand. “Yagi, tap out!”
“But–” Yagi yelled, the ancient Pokemon on top of him pausing.
“You’re in disadvantage, and your loss will not lose the match. You’re done.”
“Yes, Shirou,” Yagi replied, slapping his palm against the ground.
“Challenger Emiya has forfeited his Riolu. Challenger, send out your second Pokemon!” The Ref called dutifully, giving Shirou a nod of respect.
“Ritsuka, I’m counting on you!” Shirou called, the Wyrmeon dashing onto the field from her place at his feet, hackles raised as she glared challengingly at the prehistoric bird. Roark looked her over, before whistling.
“Better to stay in the air, Archen. Even if she can fly–” Seconds later, Ritsuka took off, flapping after Archen, who squawked before swooping away.
“Why do I think I’ve seen one like you before? I haven’t! Why are you so scary?!” Archen shrieked as he wheeled.
“Ritsuka, Dragon Dance!” Shirou called, using the opportunity to boost as the terrified Archen continued to flee the dancing apex predator. Ritsuka’s wings beat double time, before she sped up, catching up even as the hopping Archen started spamming Rock Throws. The resulting clash of iron tail went through the rocks and smashed the little bird to the ground, before landing squarely on his head. Bouncing off, she looked back at her target.
“Are you okay?”
“...I wanna go home now,” Archen tweeted forlornly as Defeatist kicked in.
“Yeah, no.” Ritsuka looked up, letting out a growly chirp. “Gym-leader-san, I think this one’s done. Have another, or…”
Roark shook his head and withdrew the teary-eyed birb. “Right. I think I may have underestimated you, challenger. You’ve earned the Coal Badge, if you’d like.”
As Shirou moved to reply, his Wyrmeon cut him off, already guessing what her trainer was going to do. “Shirou, if you wouldn’t mind, I’d prefer to be tested more before you accept the badge.”
Blinking at the somewhat odd yet somehow totally in character request from his starter, Shirou shook his head in a negative. “My starter would prefer more of a test before I accept the badge, Leader Roark.”
Roark nodded. “I can accommodate.” He withdrew another pokeball, flicking it into full size. “I always keep a few higher strength mons on duty in case of problem trainers. Go, Aerodactyl!”
The draconic predecessor emerged in a burst of red light, drawing gasps from the crowd. It looked down, squinting at Ritsuka. “...oh, something tells me you’ll be a treat to fight,” he rumbled. “Never seen an Eevee fossil mon before…”
Adapting admirably to the changing situation, the ref made a note on his device before coughing to gain both the crowd and trainers’ attention. “To note; Challenger Emiya has earned the Coal Badge, and will now be continuing this match in exhibition format. This will be a one versus one match using standard Ace level rules. Ratings will remain unchanged for Leader Roark, and depending on his performance, Challenger Emiya may be offered an Ace rating. Do both the Leader and Challenger consent to these rule changes?”
With a brief glance at Illya, who was nodding rapidly, Shirou firmly nodded, as Leader Roark did the same after noticeably longer consideration.
“In that case, begin!”
Immediately, both Pokemon took off, but not before Roark roared out. “If we’re taking this seriously… Aerodactyl, set up some course hazards!” The ancient Pokemon grinned, his wings striking off each other and filling the air with jagged floating stones, which began to edge towards Ritsuka as she swooped about. Not fast enough to truly be an immediate threat, Stealth Rock simply wasn’t capable of that, but it was enough that the eeveelution would constantly have to keep an eye out on the changing locations of the aerial mines.
“Ritsuka, continue setting up!” Shirou called, his starter continuing her aerobatics as she continued to boost for as long as she could get away with it, each little maneuver getting faster and tighter as time passed.
Roark winced as he saw Ritsuka continue Dancing. “Rock Polish, then start using Ancient Power! We can’t let her get fully boosted!” Aerodactly roared, chips of rough stone peeling off to reveal marble-smooth stone beneath, before a cluster of rune-carved stones formed before him and fired at the dancing Eeveelution.
“Ritsuka, Backstab!” As Ritsuka finished her final dance, she blitzed out of her move, taking hits on her wings as she blurred beneath her hovering opponent, then flipping up and smashing into his back with an Iron Tail. The Aerodactyl screeched, rotating even as Ritsuka flapped her wings to remain in the air, the smaller pokemon nimbly circling her opponent.
“Knock her out of the skies! Stone Edge!” Roark called, and Aerodactyl screamed, a web of sharp stones launching from the ground into the skies, forcing a screech of displeasure from the other dragon, who was hit in the torso by one of the barrages, knocking her off course but not into the ground as Roark had hoped.
“Ritsuka, hit and run tactics with Dragon Breath!” Shirou called, Ritsuka chirping her agreement as she blitzed towards the Aerodactyl, violet flames tearing into the ancient dragon as she blitzed past him. With a spin, she catapulted up, before smashing down with another iron tail, slamming him into the ground, before following up with more dragonbreath. As the stone lizard tried to flap up, she continued to hammer him, bashing in wings, only to pause as a golden glow lit the room. With a yelp, she launched herself over the ancient pokemon just before a hyper beam blasted past her and struck the barrier around the arena. As she landed, she watched as the larger Pokemon gasped, trying to steady itself, before looking up and seeing her still standing.
“...Arceus, no more, please,” The Aerodactyl gasped, slamming his tail on the ground twice, then slumping over. “I need more agility training.”
“Leader Roark’s Pokemon has tapped out! Challenger Emiya wins!” The ref called, barrier dropping at the declaration. Nodding to the gym leader, the male official returned his attention to the tablet he was tapping away at for some unknown reason, quite obviously content with the outcome of the battle.
“I was a bad matchup for you, sir.” Ignoring the human referee, Ritsuka acknowledged her opponent as respectfully as she could while panting in exertion. Holding that many boosts for that long had taken a toll on her, and it was quite clear that the Wyrmeon wouldn’t last much longer herself, given how hard she was pushing herself, “It was a fantastic battle, either way.”
“Don’t coddle me, little one. I’m too used to fighting ground-pounders,” the ancient pokemon grunted, even as Roark advanced, pulling out his ball. “Stay alive; I’ll want a rematch when I’ve figured out how to fight you properly.” He said before the red light caught him.
“Well done! Mr. Emiya, please come over here,” Roark called. With a short nod of respect, the red-haired boy recalled his flagging starter and marched towards the Gym Leader, bowing respectfully as he arrived.
“First, Mr. Emiya, congratulations for winning my Coal Badge.” Roark handed the small circle of steel to Shirou, who looked down at it with a tiny stirring of pride. “Second, for winning so decisively, and against a greater challenge than normal, I’d like to give you a small reward.” He reached into one of his jacket pockets, revealing a plastic case. Flipping it open, he handed Shirou a disc. “That’s the Technical Machine for Stealth Rock. Highly versatile in skilled hands, but I don’t think you have a partner who can use it yet.”
With another awkward bow and a declaration of thanks, Shirou took both the badge and technical machine, the latter with no small amount of reluctance. His sister’s gaze, however, discouraged any attempt at refusing the reward that he did not personally believe he’d earned.
As Shirou walked up the stairs, Illya flounced down, her smile wide as she approached her podium. “Hello, Leader Roark!” She began, before the man raised one hand.
“Ms. Illya, before we begin, I must ask your brother a question.” Turning, he looked up at Shirou, who blinked twice. “Is your sister significantly weaker than you?” Illya pouted as her deception crumbled.
“She is more proficient at battling than I am, though our Pokemon are on fairly even grounds.” Shirou answered with a mildly apologetic look on his face as he shook his head. “Sorry, nee-san. I hope you weren’t relying too much on deception for your first badge.” The subtle snark sent Illya’s brow twitching as she took to the field, grumbling something about lippy redheads under her breath.
“Right then.” Roark moved back over to his podium, pressing a couple of buttons. A hatch popped open, and he removed a pneumatic canister from the hidden chute and placed several Pokeballs inside. Moments later, a new canister arrived, and he plucked three balls from it. “Alright then. This will be a two-badge level challenge, with commensurate rewards. Is that acceptable, challenger Illya?”
“It is, Leader Roark,” The Einzbern half-homunculus answered cheerfully, pulling Matilda’s Pokeball from her belt. “I am ready.”
“This will be a two-on-two battle between Challenger Einzbern-Emiya and Leader Crag,” the ref called, going through the motions rather professionally. “The Challenger is allowed to substitute at any point freely, while the Leader is forbidden from making switches. When I declare a Pokemon is unable to battle, the Pokemon must be withdrawn from the field promptly. Challenger, do you accept these terms?”
“I do!” Illya called, tossing Matilda’s pokeball up and down, all the while practically vibrating in excitement.
“Leader Crag?” Once more, the ref turned to the Gym Leader, an ancient ceremony playing out once more.
“I do,” The Gym Leader stated rotely, rolling his eyes as the ref turned away.
“Then begin!” The Ref called, the whine of a barrier snapping into place resounded once more, two pokeballs bursting open and depositing an Eeveelution and an angular stone head on the floor.
The Nosepass fixed itself on Matilda, before abruptly shivering as Roark called out. “Rock polish and get set up!” Seconds later, the panels all over the rock-type shone silver, just before a curtain of pointed stones filled the air with an electromagnetic pulse.
“Misty Terrain.” Illya called neutrally, her voice losing all inflection as she focused on the battle ahead. At her call, Matilda cried out, pink mist spewing from all around her as the terrain effect snapped into place, halving the strength of dragon type moves and preventing status conditions for grounded pokemon, all the while boosting the power of fairy type moves. “Prepare to intercept their attacks with Iron Defense.”
“At once, my Queen.” The Sylveon barked, her feelers gaining a metallic sheen as she stood and waited for the Nosepass’ move.
Roark frowned. “Misty… hmm. Nosepass, Rock Polish again, then begin Danmaku protocol.” He looked at the Sylveon. “Iron Defense… no, that’s something else. Pattern three!”
The Nosepass shone again, then began to spin rapidly, rotating like a top before he began to spin around the arena, Power Gem shots filling the air as he rapid-fired at Matilda. “Pattern three; rotation turret! Getsmoked!”
Smoothly deflecting most of the gemlike constructs of rock type energy with her feelers, the Sylveon daintily began yawning, a white-cloudlike substance crawling forth and enveloping the rotating turret. “Ah, you’re being too loud. Please, be silent now.” The fae complained, eyes glowing with power as she continued to boost herself with Calm Mind. Iron Defense, after all, was all about giving the sylveon time to gain enough strength to sweep with a knockout blow.
“Keep it up Matilda!” Illya cheered, some inflection now entering her voice as the girl began to get excited. “We’re almost there!”
“Hmm.” Roark studied the board. “Oh, another sweeper. No, not going to let that happen. Switch to Shatter Rocks, Pattern 5.”
“Understood, Pattern 5.” The Nosepass spun against the ground, causing hundreds of rock fragments to fly up and dart inward from all directions, the Sylveon blocking quickly to keep from being penetrated.
“Why aren’t you getting drowsy… right, the mists.” Matilda hissed as a few rock splinters burst through her guard and dug in. “Ouch! My lady, may I go on the offensive?”
“Go for it Matilda! Draining Kiss!” Illya called with a sweep of her left arm, her starter bounding forth gracefully as a heart shaped orb of energy began to bound back and forth between the Sylveon and her target. The first volley missed, the second connected, causing the rotating Nosepass to jerk, before rotating and releasing another barrage of Power Gem at the Sylveon. The gleaming shards ripped into Matlida, causing her to lurch before Nosepass closed the distance, spinning across the ground.
Roark smirked. “Should’ve kept an eye on the mist. Lock her down!” he yelled.
“Deploying paralysis field. Getstunnned.” Nosepass yelped as another attack hit him, before releasing a point-blank thunder wave as the mists around the field fell away. Matilda jerked, then winced as sparks ran over her frame, countering with a blue sphere of energy which laid the damaged Nosepass out cold.
“Urk. My lady, I– I believe I’m paralyzed,” Matilda winced.
“Nosepass is unable to battle,” The ref declared neutrally, “Leader Roark, send out your next Pokemon.”
“Right. Larion, finish her off!” The bulky metal armadillo slammed into the ground, then immediately bounded forward, head shining a dull silver as he slammed towards Matilda. With almost savage glee, the Sylveon takes the hit, forcibly anchoring herself as a ball of condensed aura form before her maw. Knowing that Illya is about to call for baton-pass, and unwilling to leave without a parting gift of her own, Matilda launches the ball of aura forward at point blank range.
“Baton Pass!”
Acknowledging her queen’s command, the fae-fox passes the baton to her fellow member of the court, entrusting the rest of the battle to the lady of ice. Even as Fubuki emerged, the charged Aura sphere slammed into the Larion, sending him sprawling across the ground.
“Aura sphere? I didn’t think Sylveon could learn that.” Roark remarked as Lairon struggled back to its feet. “Still, an ice-type? Going in with a disadvantage, even with the stacked buffs.” He observed.
Lairon was far less sanguine. “Oh shit, ghost! Argh, I hate fighting you guys– gals?” He rumbled, even as the arena started to whirl with ice. “And now it’s snowing. Ugh…”
“Deal with it.” Fubuki’s response was filled with far more smug than was healthy for an individual to consume, even as Illya called out her order.
“Icy Wind!”
“As you command, my queen.” The Froslass grinned, fading into the snow and taking her sweet time to reeappear behind the Larion, dousing the steel-type with gusts of icy-wind. The Lairon grunted, enduring the strikes before responding with a headlong rush, head glowing silver as he dove for a strike. Fubuki swirled, grazed by the headlong rush. “Ouch! You’ll pay for that. Get doused, lout.” She lashed out with a burst of Chilling Water, the attack bolstered by the Calm minds she’d inherited.
Larion cursed as the douse of frigid water connected. “Alright, let’s pin you down.” He stomped, hundreds of Stealth Rock thorns poking through the ground before they fired upward, homing in on the ice-type.
“Retaliate with Ominous Wind!” Illya commanded firmly, sweeping her left arm across her body grandly. With admirable alacrity, Fubuki swept her own tiny arm out, a wave of ill colored wind turning aside several of the stones as they came. The burst repelled the most direct stones, but the indirect shots dug in, the Froslass wincing as the ancient variation of stealth rock began digging into her, sapping her endurance. Almost by reflex, Fubuki shot a blast of ultra-chilled water towards her attacker, seemingly preempting her trainer’s call to do so.
“This is now a battle of attrition, Ms. Illya.” Roark called out. “It could be anyone’s game, or can you insure a win?”
Illya scowled. “I think it’s going to be my win. Are you sure this is a two-badge team?” she shot back. “Fubuki, keep up the pressure. You’re wearing down his offensive power.”
“Yes ma’am.” Fubuki replied, summoning another blast of water. As Larion charged, she blasted the ground, then let him slide past her, hitting his rear with another pulse. “You know, do you have any ranged attacks other than those little splinters?” She asked as she floated into the air. “You may want to use them.”
The armadillo pokemon hacked, then tried blasting upward with a Rock Blast. Fubuki chuckled as she danced through the falling snow, fading in and out of sight before wincing as the stone splinters dug into her. Below her, the Lairon growled, digging underground.
“Fubuki, we’ve got our chance! Follow that rock!” Illya cried victoriously, a vicious grin flashing across her face. Finally! She’d been waiting for Leader Roark’s Larion to use dig forever now. With a cry, Fubuki complied,. melting into the ground like an apparition in the night. Roark flinched, even as a blast of icy water blew Lairon into the air, Fubuki emerging from beneath with a cackle. Spreading her arms, she began to fire blasts of icy wind, each shot juggling Lairon and keeping him airborne and helpless.
Roark slapped his hand on the podium. “It’s your win, young lady. Well exploited,” he acknowledged.
“Gym Leader Roark concedes! Challenger Illya has won!” Pausing, the ref nodded firmly to himself. “Challenger Illya has won the Coal Badge. Trainers, please meet at the center and exchange pleasantries. This concludes Challengers Emiya and Einzbern-Emiya’s Gym Challenge. We will now have an hour recess for Lunch. Challenges for the Coal Badge will resume afterwards.”
As the various watchers applauded, Illya hopped over the bannister surrounding the court and easily stepped over the wrecked field, approaching Roark as he returned his Lairon. Roark looked up, a smile on his face. “Well, I’m glad you told the truth about your competency. Facing a one-badge team with those two… it wouldn’t have looked good for either of us.” He reached into his pocket and removed his badge from it. “Here you are, young lady.”
“Thank you.” Illya accepted the badge, then looked up at Roark intently. “I also want to meet with you in your role as Master of the Underground,” she said formally, then looked him over a little more closely. “Also… you wouldn’t happen to know the location to challenge Lord Kleavor, would you?”
“Going on the Warden’s Journey?” Roark smiled as the girl nodded. “Well, I might be able to help,” he admitted as the two left the room. “But it might be a couple of days…”
