Chapter 461: Platinum's Grass Gym Battle
~Third POV~
[Sinnoh Region, Later, Eterna City – Gym]
"Are you quite ready, Azure?"
The voice was clear, refined, and carried the unmistakable air of aristocracy. Platinum Berlitz stood beside him, her posture perfect, her attire immaculate.
Azure managed to arrive, meeting the group with Pikachu over his shoulder, Eevee on his head, and Pichu (Mew) sound asleep on his pockets. Azure replied with an easy grin, his gaze sweeping over the stone facade of the Eterna City Gym, "Just waiting on you, Platinum. You seemed to have forgotten that Gym Leaders tend to be a bit tougher than the trainers on Route 201."
A light flush touched Platinum's cheeks as she refuted, "I'll have you know my Prinplup performed admirably. It was a strategic miscalculation, nothing more."
Azure chuckled, earning a glare from the noble heiress, "Right. A 'strategic miscalculation' that nearly had you using your Ponyta as a smokescreen."
Ahead of them, two other trainers, a study in contrasts, jostled with excitement. Diamond, a portly boy with a perpetually cheerful disposition, was currently trying to prevent his Munchlax, Lax, from devouring the strap of his backpack. Pearl, lanky and perpetually energetic, was gesturing wildly with a hand that his Monferno, Chimlar, seemed to be mirroring.
Azure said calmly, his voice taking on a more authoritative tone that made both Diamond and Pearl snap to attention, "Alright, you two. Remember the deal. You spectate, you learn, and you don't get in the way. Platinum and I handle the Gym challenge."
Pearl said, giving a sharp salute, "Got it, sir!"
Diamond added, finally prying a berry from Lax's mouth, "No problem! We'll be the best spectators ever!"
As they approached the Gym's entrance, a weathered stone statue with glowing red eyes came to life, its voice echoing with ancient authority, and said sternly, "State your names and your purpose."
Platinum announced, her voice ringing with confidence, "Azure Sky and Platinum Berlitz, here to challenge the Gym Leader!"
The statue paused lightly, registering the name before it intoned, "The challengers have been acknowledged. The path to the main battlefield is open. Your companions may follow the designated spectator route."
Diamond and Pearl whooped, dashing down a side path that wound around the main arena. The voice continued, "Challengers, select your battle format for the Elimination Round. Switch-In, or Double Battle."
Azure and Platinum exchanged a glance. They said calmly in near-perfect unison, "Double Battle."
It was the most efficient format, a test of synergy and team composition. Platinum nodded, a flicker of respect in her eyes. She appreciated efficiency.
As they stepped into the cavernous main chamber, the air grew cool and smelled of damp earth and blooming flowers. The battlefield was a stunning recreation of a forest clearing, with soft grass underfoot and towering, ivy-covered stone pillars. In the stands, Diamond and Pearl were already bouncing in their seats.
Azure gave them a brief nod before taking a seat himself, gesturing for Pikachu and Eevee to settle beside him. Pichu (Mew) remained a warm, lump-shaped secret in his pocket. He said, his voice low, "Alright, Trainer Platinum. This is your show. Show me what you've got."
Platinum strode onto the field with the poise of a queen. The path was a labyrinth of vines and shifting platforms, each section hiding a trainer ready to pounce. This was the elimination round, designed to weed out the weak.
Platinum stepped forward, her Prinplup—a regal penguin Pokémon with a sharp crest—materializing at her side, followed by the fiery ponytail of her Ponyta as she stated, "I'll handle this."
Azure leaned against a mossy wall, observing the scene. Platinum was methodical. She commanded her Prinplup with crisp, clear orders, its Bubblebeam and Peck attacks making short work of a Bellsprout and an Oddish.
Her Ponyta, with its flaming mane, was a whirlwind of speed and power, using Stomp and Flame Wheel to dispatch another trainer's Turtwig. With each victory, the path cleared, leading them deeper into the Gym's verdant heart.
Finally, they reached a massive, open-air arena. High stone stands overlooked a battlefield covered in soft grass and dotted with crystalline pools. And there, seated in the stands with a serene smile, were Diamond, Pearl, and their Pokémon.
But the true focus was on the field. Across from her, a young woman with a sharp, stylish outfit stepped forward, a confident smile on her face.
She declared, her voice filled with vibrant energy, "I am Gardenia, the Gym Leader of Eterna City! A challenge for the Forest Badge? I accept! Let's see if your fire and water can overcome the power of Grass!"
Azure then moved to the side, taking a seat on one of the stone bleachers carved into the cavern wall. Pikachu hopped down onto his lap, and Eevee curled up at his feet. He confirmed, "She's the challenger. I'll just spectate with the others from here. And wait for my turn."
Platinum stepped onto the battlefield, her expression set in a mask of determination. She had something to prove, not just to Gardenia, but to Azure, and perhaps to herself. Gardenia said excitedly, a grin spreading across her face, "Alright then. Let's begin! I'll be testing your spirit as a Double Battle. 2 Pokémon only for this match! Let's do this! Roserade and Cherubi!"
*Pop*
From two Poké Balls on her belt, two Grass-types materialized. Roserade, elegant and deadly, stood tall, its bouquet arms poised to strike. Beside it, the cherry-like Cherubi bounced on its stubby legs, its single, large eye full of mischievous energy.
Platinum unclipped two Poké Balls of her own as she declared, "Ponyta! Prinplup! Let's show them our combo!"
*Pop*
With two flashes of red light, her partners appeared. The fiery stallion, Ponyta with its held item [Charcoal], stomped a hoof, flames licking at its hooves. The proud penguin, Prinplup, with its held item wrapped around its fins [Mystic Water], sharpened its fins, looking every bit the aristocrat of the sea.
Gardenia commanded, "Begin!"
The battle began. Platinum commanded, her voice sharp and clear, "Prinplup, use Bubble Beam on Cherubi! Ponyta, target Roserade with Flame Wheel!"
*Sssss*
*Splash*
Prinplup sucked in a breath and unleashed a torrent of shimmering bubbles that shot towards the small cherub Pokémon. Simultaneously, Ponyta cloaked itself in a swirling aura of flames and charged the nimble Roserade.
Gardenia countered calmly at the incoming attacks, "Roserade, dodge and use Grass Knot! Cherubi, Sweet Scent!"
*Wooosh*
Roserade was impossibly fast. It sidestepped the Bubble Beam with a dancer's grace, its vines snaking out from the turf beneath Ponyta.
*THUD*
The fiery steed, mid-charge, suddenly tripped as the vines wrapped around its legs, sending it stumbling to the ground. The Flame Wheel dissipated as it crashed to the ground with a pained whinny.
*Pooof*
Meanwhile, Cherubi's cheeks puffed out, releasing a cloud of sparkling, sweet-smelling pink dust. The cloud engulfed Prinplup, who suddenly looked confused, its attacks faltering as it swatted at the air.
Platinum commanded, a hint of desperation in her voice, "Snap out of it, Prinplup! Use Mud Sport!"
*Splat*
Prinplup shook its head, shedding the confusion, and slapped its flippers on the ground, covering itself in a layer of slick mud. It was a clever move, reducing the power of any future Electric attacks, but it did little to solve the immediate problem in front of it.
Gardenia smirked as she pressed her advantage, "Now, Roserade! Finish Ponyta with Mega Drain!"
*ZAP*
Roserade's bouquet glowed with a sickly green light as a beam of energy shot towards the downed Ponyta. Platinum switfly commanded, "Ponyta, get up and use Stomp!"
Ponyta struggled to its feet, but the Mega Drain beam struck it first. The green energy siphoned life force from the Fire-type, and Ponyta cried out, stumbling back, visibly weakened.
Azure watched from the stands, his expression unreadable as he saw the battle. Platinum was a skilled trainer; her commands were precise, but she was being completely outmaneuvered.
Gardenia was using the environment and her Pokémon's abilities in perfect concert. Platinum was treating it like a formal duel, while Gardenia was fighting a battle. He saw Eevee's ears twitch, and a faint, encouraging spark from Pikachu's cheeks. They could feel it too.
*SPLASH*
Prinplup, seeing its partner in trouble, ignored Platinum's orders and fired a powerful Water Pulse at Roserade, forcing it to break its attack on Ponyta to dodge. But this left Prinplup wide open for Cherubi, who rained down a flurry of Razor Leaf attacks.
*SMACK*
Prinplup crossed its flippers, taking the hits with a grunt. Platinum's brow was furrowed. She was on the defensive, her Pokémon taking hit after hit.
Her Prinplup was being peppered by Cherubi, and her Ponyta was struggling to recover from the Mega Drain. She was losing.
Then, her eyes narrowed. A flicker of understanding.
Azure's voice from a previous lesson echoed in her mind, 'Use the battlefield. It's not just a square box.'
She had seen the holes. When Roserade had used Grass Knot, it had churned the earth, leaving small ditches and mounds.
A desperate, brilliant idea sparked in her mind. She shouted, "Prinplup! Head for that depression in the ground to your left! Use Bubble Beam, but aim it at the ground, churn it up!"
*SPLASH*
Prinplup, loyal even when confused, obeyed. It hopped over to a small crater and fired its Bubble Beam directly into the dirt, sending a spray of mud and grass flying.
But Gardenia wasn't going to allow Platinum to continue her plans and shouted, "Oh no you don't! Roserade! Cherubi! Energy Ball!"
*SHIII*
Both Roserade and Cherubi both focused their energy on forming a sphere of energy. Then launched it at Prinplup.
*Swooosh*
It was launched in its direction. But Platinum countered, "Ponyta! Protect!"
*CLANG*
Just in time, Ponyta managed to block both the Energy Balls from harming Prinplulp. Platinum's voice was sharp, cutting through the air, "Now Prinplup, into the hole! Use Blizzard!"
Gardenia looked on, puzzled by her commands, muttering, "What's the point of that? Blizzard in this weather will be weak..."
But Platinum had accounted for that. The mud from Prinplup's Bubble Beam and the damp earth of the pit were kicked up by Prinplup's feet as it unleashed its attack.
*FWOOOSH*
A raging vortex of snow and ice, far more powerful than a typical Blizzard, erupted from the pit. The super-chilled mud mixed with the icy winds, creating a devastating slush storm that shot across the field, catching both Roserade and Cherubi completely off guard.
*CRACKLE*
They had been focused on Prinplup, never expecting an attack from such an unconventional angle. The blizzard slammed into them with the force of a freight train. The icy mix froze them solid on impact...
*THUD*
Roserade and Cherubi were encased in glittering ice, their eyes wide with shock before they slumped to the ground, defeated. Silence filled the gym, broken only by the panting of Platinum's Pokémon and the dripping of melting ice.
Diamond and Pearl's jaws were on the floor. Gardenia stared for a moment, then broke into a wide, delighted grin as she proclaimed, "Incredible! To turn a disadvantage into such a brilliant strategy! You've truly grown as a trainer!"
She walked forward, pulling a green, forest-shaped badge from her belt and TM declaring proudly, "The Forest Badge and TM Grass Knot are yours! Wear it with pride, Platinum Berlitz!"
Platinum accepted the badge and TM, her hands trembling slightly from the adrenaline. A genuine, proud smile blossomed on her face as she recalled her exhausted Pokémon. She turned and gave Azure a look that was equal parts triumphant and expectant.
He gave her a small, acknowledging nod. He said calmly, his voice carrying across the field, "Not bad."
Gardenia's gaze snapped to him, her eyes sparkling with a fresh wave of excitement as she stated excitedly, "And you're next, aren't you? Azure Sky. The name's been whispered in the League circles. The man who tamed the Battle Frontier. I've been hoping you'd challenge me!"
Azure rose from his seat, stretching his arms over his head. Pikachu hopped onto his shoulder, and Eevee scrambled to its favored spot on his head as he replied, "Wouldn't miss it for the world, Gardenia."
/////
[Sinnoh Region, Meanwhile, Eterna City – Team Galactic Eterna Building]
Meanwhile, in a darkened office high above the city, a woman with short, dark hair and a prominent 'G' on her shirt watched the events on a monitor with a deep frown. Jupiter, one of Team Galactic's Commanders, tapped her fingers impatiently on her desk.
She sat in her office, arms crossed, muttered coldly, awaiting her Grunts, "We've got him. The man with the Clefairy. He's secure at the Rad Rickshaw. Get a team ready. We need to know where he found it."
Elsewhere, in the back of a moving van, an old man named Rad Rickshaw trembled as he clutched a Poké Ball containing his beloved Clefairys. He had no idea why these strange people in black uniforms had taken him, but he knew it couldn't be good. The van screeched to a halt in a secluded alley behind the Team Galactic Eterna Building. Grunts roughly pulled him out, dragging him inside. The building was cold, sterile, and humming with the sound of strange technology.
Rad pleaded, "Let me go! I haven't done anything!"
Jupiter descended a flight of metal stairs, her high heels clicking ominously. She said, her voice a smooth, dangerous purr, "You've done something very important. You have a Pokémon of great interest to us. A Clefairy. Where did you find it?"
Rad said, clutching the ball tighter, "Never! I'll never tell you!"
Jupiter sighed. She turned to a Grunt as she commanded, "Have it your way. Prepare the interrogation chamber. We'll get the information one way or another Mr. Rad...."
The Grunts dragged a protesting Rad away. Jupiter watched, her expression unreadable. Their operation in Eterna had been a success so far; they had acquired several rare Pokémon from the city's storage, but the Clefairy and Rad's information was the real prize.
*BOOOOM*
Suddenly, a massive explosion echoed through the facility, shaking the entire building. Alarms blared, a piercing, strident sound that grated on Jupiter's nerves.
She snapped into her radio, "What was that?!"
Jupiter's blood ran cold when the Grunt informed her, "Commander! An intruder! It's… It's Cynthia! The Champion is here!"
Cynthia. Of all the people to show up, the strongest trainer in Sinnoh was the worst possible one for Jupiter.
On the main security feed, she saw her. The Champion stood in the main lobby, her long, flowing hair and elegant black dress a stark contrast to the brutal efficiency of her Pokémon.
A Spiritomb, a being composed of 108 maligned spirits, floated beside her, its face a cryptic, menacing grin. And at her side was an Alpha Garchomp, its blade arms spinning, its roar a promise of utter devastation.
Grunts swarmed her, sending out their Pokémon. A Zubat, a Glameow, a Shinx. Cynthia didn't even flinch.
She commanded calmly, "Spiritomb, use Shadow Sneak."
*SWOOOSH*
The Spiritomb vanished, only to reappear behind the entire group of Grunts, unleashing a wave of dark, ghostly energy that sent them all flying. Garchomp moved like a blurring lightning bolt, its Dragon Claw sending a Grunt's Glameow crashing through a wall.
A Grunt screamed over the radio, "They're tearing us apart!"
Jupiter clenched her fists. The mission was compromised. The Clefairy was important, but her own safety and that of her Grunts were paramount. Cynthia was a walking natural disaster.
She ordered, pulling out a Poké Ball, "Abra, get us out of here!"
*Pop*
She grabbed the stolen Pokémon storage discs and made her way to the backup escape route as she issued commands, "All units, this is Jupiter! Mission is scrubbed! Retreat immediately! I repeat, retreat!"
Through the security feed, she watched as Cynthia effortlessly dispatched the last of her guards. The Champion began moving deeper into the building, her path inevitably leading to where they had held Rad.
*Swf*
With a final, frustrated glare at the monitor, Jupiter and her remaining Grunts vanished in a flash of teleportation, leaving the building and its stolen assets behind. Cynthia walked through the now-quiet halls, Garchomp and Spiritomb flanking her.
She found a storage room where several Pokémon in cages were huddled, along with a dazed old man. She asked, her voice softening slightly, "Rad Rickshaw?"
Rad looked up, his eyes wide with relief as he exclaimed, "Ch-Champion Cynthia! You saved me! Those… those people…"
Cynthia explained, freeing the Pokémon, "They were Team Galactic. What did they want with you?"
Rad said softly, clutching the ball to his chest, "They kept asking about my Clefairy. It's nothing special. But I don't know why they'd be so interested."
Cynthia's eyes narrowed. Team Galactic.
They were a shadowy organization, and this confirmed their presence and that their goals were more than just corporate malfeasance. She wasn't informed of their existence till few months back when the International Police got involved.
It started with Sird's capture and the use of Psychic Interrogation to get any info out of her mind. What they found startled them and informed the Sinnoh League and Association of such an organization under their noses.
Once they got wind of it, Team Galactic became extremely careful after Sird's capture. Their recent crimes and actions were made extremely careful moving forward, as they made sure to hide their actions, and their leader remained in hiding.
The International Police tried to gather more info on the leader from Sird's mind. But unfortunately, she'd never disclosed that information, being mentally probed, and anymore attempts would leave her in a vegetative state.
She looked at Rad as she questioned him softly, hoping to gather information, "You're safe now. But they might be back. Can you remember anything else? Did they give a name? A symbol? Anything?"
Rad shook his head, his mind a blur of fear and confusion, and replied, "No… I'm sorry. It all happened so fast."
Cynthia sighed, a flicker of frustration crossing her face as she thought bitterly, 'Another lead gone cold.'
The trail was getting fainter, but she was more determined than ever. Team Galactic was making their move, and she would be there to stop them.
/////
A/N: Hope you like the chapter!