Chapter 616: Triple Leaders Gym Battle (2)
~Third POV~
[Unova Region, Striaton City – Gym]
The air inside the Striaton City Gym hummed with the ambient warmth of halogen lighting and the scent of freshly pruned boxwood. It was a botanical arena, lush and vibrant, designed to test not just a challenger's power, but their harmony with the natural world.
Up in the elevated stands, Black leaned against the railing, his jaw set, his eyes locked onto the turf below. Beside him, Cheren adjusted his glasses, a calculator-like gleam in his eyes as he mentally jotted down data for future League matches.
Bianca bounced on the balls of her feet, her hands clasped together in pure excitement. Bianca squeaked, her voice echoing softly in the cavernous room, and asked excitedly, "I still can't believe he actually asked to fight all three of them at once…Has anyone ever done that before? Other than us, of course."
Cheren replied, his tone clipped, "Never. It's a statistical anomaly. The Triple Battle format is demanding enough when split across rotations, but taking on Chili, Cilan, and Cress sequentially in individual bouts? It's inefficient. But..."
Cheren paused, glancing at Azure standing calmly on the battlefield below, muttering in a conflicted tone of voice, "...knowing Azure, he probably calculated it as the most entertaining route."
From their side, Azure's Pikachu's ears twitched. Gengar rasped, her voice a delightful, echoing whisper that made Bianca jump, much to her delight, "Heh-heh-heh! Look at 'em down there, sweating bullets. Cilian looks like he's about to serve a five-course meal of defeat!"
Rotom popped out of Azure's Arc Phone in Black's pocket, its digital screen glowing brightly, and chimed in, "Bzzzt! Analysis! Cilian's Pansage is holding a [Grass Gem] based on the previous battles! Combined with that intense chlorophyll scent in the air, its Grass-type output is going to be through the roof, Zzzt!"
Down on the battlefield, the scoreboard flashed a stark reminder of the stakes: 1 - 1. Azure had swept past Chili with Tepig, but stumbled against Cress's chilling composure. Now, it all came down to the final round.
Cilan stepped forward, a confident, theatrical smirk on his face, holding a Poké Ball embossed with leafy green trim. Cress stood off to the side, acting as the referee, holding his hand high. Cilan announced, sweeping his arm outward toward the turf, "For our final course, we shall serve up a dish of pure vitality! Come forth, Pansage!"
*Fwump*
The Grass Monkey Pokémon materialized in a burst of green light, landing in a crouch with its leaf tail twitching aggressively. It possessed a [Grass Gem] held tightly in its small paws, glowing with a faint, verdant aura.
Azure reached into his belt and pulled out his third Poké Ball. He checked Minccino's status screen with a calm expression.
|Name: Minccino (Chinchilla Pokémon)
|Type: Normal
|Tera: Normal
|Level: 21
|Gender: Female
|Held Item: [Silk Scarf]
|Ability: Technician
|Nature: Jolly
|Moves: Protect, Growl, Helping Hand, Tickle, Encore, Baby-Doll Eyes, Sing, Charm, Attract, Pound, Double-Slap, Swift, Echoed Voice, Tidy Up (EM) (2 moves left to learn)
Clenching her Poké Ball, he thought firmly, 'I hadn't gotten the chance to teach her the Strong and Agile Style yet. But… she needs this battle to move on and needs to learn I'm with her, never abandoning her, or else she can't move on from the past…'
*Click*
With a soft click, he tossed it onto the field. He declared resolutely, "Alright, Minccino. You're up. Let's show them what you've got."
*POP*
The ball popped open, releasing a burst of sparkling white light. Out stepped Minccino, her fluffy tail sweeping the floor, her held item [Silk Scarf] tied neatly around her neck. But the moment her dark eyes landed on the menacing, glaring Pansage across the turf, her ears pinned flat against her head.
A high-pitched squeak escaped her, "Cinooo! (Oh no!)"
*Swooosh*
Without a second thought, Minccino turned tail and bolted backward, diving straight behind Azure's legs, burying her trembling snout against his trousers. In the stands, Bianca gasped, "Oh no! She's terrified!"
Cheren frowned. He muttered, "Matchup disadvantage aside, her psychological state is entirely compromised. This is a severe lapse in conditioning."
Black crossed his arms, his gaze darkening slightly as memories of Accumula Town resurfaced. He explained to them, "It's not conditioning, Cheren. She was abandoned. Back during some stupid speeches in Accumula... Azure found her left behind by some worthless excuse for a Trainer. Azure took her in."
Down on the field, Azure didn't panic. He knelt slowly, ignoring the stares of the Gym Leaders, and placed a gentle hand on Minccino's trembling back.
Azure murmured, his voice a low, reassuring hum that carried across the quiet arena, talking to Minccino, "Hey… Look at me. I know it's scary. But I'm right here. I promise you, no matter what happens out here, I'm not going anywhere. I'm not abandoning you. Do you trust me?"
Minccino peeked out from behind his leg, her large, tear-rimmed eyes locking onto Azure's calm, unwavering gaze. The sincerity in his face washed over her like warm water. Slowly, the trembling stopped.
She gave a small, resolute nod, stepping out from the safety of his legs and facing the field once more. Azure whispered, standing up and pointing forward, "That's my girl… Let's open with a Pound!"
*Zooom*
Minccino dashed forward, her small paws glowing with kinetic energy, aiming a direct strike at Pansage. Cilan commanded smoothly, "Pansage, side-step and counter!"
*Wooosh*
With preternatural grace, Pansage simply shifted his weight to the left, letting Minccino sail right past him…
*Thwack*
Before Minccino could recover her balance, Pansage whipped around and spat a rapid-fire volley of hard seeds. Bullet Seed!
The projectile barrage struck Minccino square in the back as she tried to scramble away, sending her tumbling across the turf cried out, "Cinno! (My hair!)"
Cilan called out, adjusting his chef-like stance, "You see, challenger? A battle is like a recipe. You lack affinity with your ingredients. Minccino's flavor profile clashes entirely with mine. Pansage, close the distance."
Pansage advanced smoothly, its expression cool and collected. Minccino, shivering anew, scrambled backward in a blind panic.
*Smack*
In her haste, she bit down on her own tail, tripping over a decorative garden rock and sprawling ungracefully into the dirt. Azure called out, his eyes sharp, "Minccino, shake it off! Use Swift!"
*Swooosh*
Minccino leaped up, shaking the dirt from her fur, and spun around, launching a constellation of glowing, golden stars toward the Grass Monkey. Cilan shouted, "Absorb the energy! Energy Ball and eat!"
*Shiii—GULP*
Pansage summoned a ball of energy as it consumed the [Grass Gem] clutched in its paws. Then swallowed it, allowing it to activate its Hidden Ability Overgrow….
*Flash*
A blinding green light enveloped the Pokémon as the gem shattered into glittering dust, supercharging its internal biology. Pansage cupped its hands, gathering the ambient energy and the incoming golden stars into a massive, pulsing sphere of green light…
*WHIP-SMACK-CRACK*
With a flick of its wrists, Pansage unleashed a sweeping Vine Whip, obliterating the remaining stars in mid-air and scattering golden pixel dust across the battlefield. Pansage began to march forward, relentless and imposing.
Azure commanded, his mind working a mile a minute, "Swift again, Minccino! Keep moving!"
*Swooosh*
Minccino fired another volley of glowing stars. Pansage raised its vines to block once more, swatting them away with casual disdain.
But as the last star vanished, Cilan blinked.
The arena went dead silent….
Minccino was gone.
Cilan blurted out, his theatrical composure cracking for a fraction of a second at the sight of the missing Pokémon, "What?!"
The crowd in the stands leaned forward in unison. Even Black's eyes widened.
Rotom shrieked from Black's side, trying to find Minccino, "Bzzzt! Optical tracking lost! Where did the target go?!"
Gengar chuckled, pointing a stubby purple finger toward the ceiling, "Up there."
Azure grinned, his voice ringing out across the arena, "Tidy Up!"
*Shiii*
With a rustle of white fur and a surge of latent energy, Minccino's speed and attack power dramatically spiked by a single stage. But all eyes finally landed on a singular, stray star left over from the earlier Swift attack—floating high above the turf.
Minccino was riding on top of it. She stood balanced precariously on the glowing projectile, her paws outstretched, maintaining frantic control over the levitating star.
Her breathing was heavy, the sheer mental and physical exertion of the stunt draining her stamina rapidly. Azure pushed, his voice cutting through the tension, "Don't let up now! Shoot it!"
*Swooosh—BOOM*
With a mighty squeak of effort, Minccino directed the star downward, diving off her makeshift transport just as it crashed into the turf with a brilliant explosion of light. The attack landed dead-center, catching Pansage off guard and forcing the Grass-type to skid backward.
Azure's internal calculations clicked into place as he thought, 'With her Ability, Technician, even minor moves cast at weird angles pack a serious punch.'
Cilan's eyes narrowed. The playful chef routine was gone; the Gym Leader was serious now as he ordered, "Impressive acrobatics. But every meal must reach its climax. Pansage, prepare Solar Beam!"
*SHIIII*
Pansage dropped to all fours, gathering a blinding sphere of pure sunlight onto the leafy crest of its head. The turf around it began to dry and crack as ambient thermal energy was sucked directly into the attack. Pansage grabbed the concentrated ball of light, pulled its arms back, and unleashed a searing, serpentine beam of raw solar power straight toward Minccino.
Minccino froze, her eyes reflecting the blinding white-hot light hurtling toward her. Paralysis gripped her limbs.
Azure's voice cracked through the panic like a whip, "Protect!"
*CLANG—BOOOM*
Snapped out of her stupor just in time, Minccino thrust her paws forward. A translucent, hexagonal barrier materialized around her the exact millisecond the Solar Beam crashed against it. The shockwave rattled the glass fixtures of the Gym roof, sending a gust of wind sweeping through the stands.
As the light faded, Cilan let out a breathless whistle of praise. He complimented the two in a genuine, respectful tone, "Magnificent defense. Truly. But you aren't out of the woods yet, challenger."
*Pew-pew-pew*
Pansage wasted no time, following up with a barrage of Bullet Seeds that hissed through the air. Azure countered smoothly, "Baby-Doll Eyes."
Minccino dropped her stance, blinking up at the incoming barrage with large, impossibly innocent, wide eyes. The sudden display of pure, disarming vulnerability caught Pansage completely off guard. The Grass Monkey faltered mid-stride, its expression softening, its attack losing all its malice.
Azure commanded, "Now! Attract!"
Thanks to the speed boost from Tidy Up, Minccino moved faster than the naked eye could track. She darted forward, winking playfully at Pansage. A cluster of pink, floating hearts erupted around the Grass-type. Pansage's eyes turned into swirling pink hearts, completely and utterly infatuated.
Cilan stepped back, genuinely alarmed. He exclaimed in alarm, "Infatuated?! In the middle of combat?!"
Before Cilan could recover, Pansage—fighting against the paralysis of love through sheer stubborn instinct—snapped its jaws shut and spat a desperate, point-blank Bullet Seed at Minccino!
*Bang*
The attack caught Minccino square in the chest, sending her tumbling backward into the dirt in a flurry of panic and disarray. She lay there, wheezing softly, her [Silk Scarf] fluttering in the dust.
Cilan shook his head, offering a sympathetic yet biting critique, "You see, Azure? You made a fundamental error. Poor type compatibility, mismatched personalities... It's a recipe for culinary disaster."
In the stands, Bianca chewed on her thumb as she asked Black, "Is he right, Black? Is Azure pushing her too hard?"
Black shook his head firmly, his eyes locked on his rival. He replied firmly, "No. You don't know Azure. Types don't mean a thing to him when trust is on the line."
Down on the battlefield, Azure's voice cut through the murmurs of the crowd. It wasn't loud, but it carried absolute, unshakeable conviction.
Azure called out, walking a step closer to the edge of the trainer's box, "Types don't matter, Cilan. I trust my Pokémon. And I'll guide her every step of the way because I know she can do this. I'm not giving up on her. Ever."
Minccino, struggling to push herself up off the turf, paused. She turned her head, her dark eyes meeting Azure's. The words echoed in her mind, washing away the lingering shadows of her past abandonment.
A profound warmth bloomed in her chest. Cilan scoffed, adjusting his collar as he stated firmly, "Sentimentality. You're becoming desperate, challenger. And a sour attitude will just spoil the flavor of this entire battle."
Azure smiled, a glint of absolute mischief in his eye, and answered, "We'll see about that. Minccino. Aim your Swift at the wall."
*Swooosh*
Without hesitation, Minccino spun around and fired a cluster of golden stars toward the hard brick wall of the Gym. The stars ricocheted wildly off the masonry, bouncing back across the arena in a chaotic, glittering web.
*Cling-clang-cling*
Before Cilan or Pansage could track them, Minccino vanished into the flurry of stray light, riding atop one of the bouncing stars once more. Cilan started, his eyes darting frantically across the room, and muttered, "Where did she—?"
*Thwack*
Before Pansage could react, a blur of white fur dropped from above, delivering a stinging Pound directly to the top of the Grass Monkey's head. Pansage stumbled backward, limping heavily, its infatuation breaking as the physical impact jarred its senses.
Cilan shouted, desperation creeping into his theatrical tone, "Finish it with Vine Whip!"
Azure countered, "Pound, go!"
Both Pokémon sprinted toward each other across the bruised turf, a collision course of pure, unbridled willpower. Pansage lunged forward, baring its whip. Minccino leaped into the air, her paws glowing with a bright, iridescent energy.
At that exact microsecond, a translucent, golden text screen flashed visibly in the air right beside Azure and Minccino—a system notification known only to Azure:
[Minccino is bracing itself, wanting to be of use to you!]
[Minccino learned the move: RETURN!]
With a burst of dazzling, white-hot emotional energy, Minccino's paw struck Pansage with staggering, overwhelming force, while Pansage's vine whip grazed her shoulder in a glancing blow.
*BAM*
Silence.
For one heartbeat, two heartbeats, three—both Pokémon stood frozen, back-to-back, motionless on the turf. Then, Pansage's eyes rolled back. With a soft sigh, the Grass Monkey collapsed into the grass, its eyes rolling out.
*Thud*
Cilan stood frozen, his mouth slightly open. In the stands, the crowd erupted into a roar of absolute astonishment. Bianca dropped her hands, her jaw hitting the railing. Cheren pushed his glasses up, his calculations completely rewritten by what he had just witnessed.
Cress announced from the referee's box, his voice trembling slightly with shock, "Pansage is unable to battle! The winner is... Azure!"
Minccino collapsed gently onto the turf, panting softly, her chest rising and falling in exhaustion. Azure let out a long breath, a massive grin spreading across his face as he jogged onto the field. He scooped the small Pokémon up into his arms, cradling her close against his chest.
Azure whispered, burying his face gently against her soft fur, "You did it. Thank you, Minccino. You trusted me. And you proved them all wrong."
Minccino let out a happy, exhausted chirp, nuzzling her head affectionately under his chin, "Min! Cinooo!"
Up in the stands, Gengar crossed her arms and snorted, saying with a confident grin and resolute tone, "Hah! Told you! That little monkey never stood a chance against a chef who cooks with pure heart!"
Rotom buzzed excitedly, snapping pictures from every angle of Azure's and Minccino's victory, "Bzzzt! Incredible statistical anomaly! A brand-new move learned mid-battle through sheer emotional resonance, Zzzt!"
Moments later, the three Striaton brothers gathered on the battlefield. Chili was grumbling good-naturedly, Cress offered a respectful nod, and Cilan stepped forward with a wry, appreciative smile, holding out a sleek, metallic disc and a shining green emblem.
Cilan admitted, bowing slightly, handing the items over, "A masterclass in flavor. You managed to bring out a taste we never knew existed in that little Pokémon. Please accept the Trio Badge, along with TM Work Up, and our Gym's cash prize."
[Item: Trio Badge
Rarity Item: A+
Type: Badge
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, Fire-, Grass-, and Water-Type Moves are increased by 12.5%, and control of Pokémon is easier for the Trainer to command.]
[Item: TM Work Up
Rarity Item: -
Type: Technical Machine
Description: A Technical Machine used to grant memory knowledge of how to perform the move [Work Up].]
Azure accepted the items, slipping the Trio Badge proudly onto his case. He turned back toward the stands, walking over to where Black, Cheren, and Bianca were making their way down the steps.
Azure grinned, holding up the Badge smugly, saying, "Did you see that? 1 down, 7 to go! Not bad for a first Unova Gym, right?"
Black walked up, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. He stared at the Badge, then at Minccino resting comfortably in Azure's arms, before letting out a heavy sigh. Black said, though a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips, "You're an idiot, Azure. Challenging all three at once? Using a Pokémon with a natural type disadvantage? You're asking for a disaster every time you step onto a field."
Azure chuckled, stroking Minccino's ears, and replied firmly, "Maybe. But sometimes, Black... having a little bit of blind faith in your partners is the only way to pull off a miracle. Besides, she learned Return right when it counted."
Black retorted, turning on his heel and heading toward the exit, "Yeah, well, miracles don't win League Championships—preparation does. Come on. We have to meet up with White at Accumula Town before she starts blowing up our phones."
Azure said coolly, "Right behind you… right after I heal my team."
Following close behind them, Bianca and Cheren chattered excitedly about the battle behind them, the sunlight streaming through the glass roof of the Striaton Gym, casting a warm, golden glow over the beginning of their grand Unova journey.
/////
A/N: Hope you like the chapter!