Chapter 559: Vs. Tower Tycoon Palmer (1)
~Third POV~
[Sinnoh Region, Battle Zone – Battle Tower]
Palmer's voice was deep, carrying a relaxed yet powerful tone, declared, "Azure Sky, your Frontier run streak ends with me. I'm your opponent today, and I'm ready to give you a challenge you won't forget!"
Azure grinned, a spark of competitive fire igniting in his eyes. He replied with an eager grin and challenging tone, "Wouldn't have it any other way, Tower Tycoon Palmer! I've been looking forward to this."
Pikachu, Eevee, and Pichu hopped off Azure, joining Rotom and Gengar, who were already settling into dedicated spectator seats at a safe distance from the field. Azure called out, "Make sure you cheer loud for me, guys!"
Rotom buzzed, its spectral form flickering with excitement, "OOOOOOOH YEAH! You got this, Azure!"
Gengar, a mischievous grin on her face, floated closer to the barrier. She cackled, her voice a low, raspy whisper that only Azure and his Pokémon could understand clearly, "Show him what a real champion looks like, Boss! Scare him good!"
Palmer began, gesturing to the battlefield, "Alright, Azure. This will be a 3-on-3 Singles Battle. Are you ready?"
Azure confirmed, his hand hovering over his Poké Balls, "Ready when you are!"
He had carefully selected his three combatants: Infernape, Lucario, and Gallade. Each was a powerhouse, designed for diverse combat scenarios.
Palmer's grin widened as he reached for a Poké Ball. Then roared, "Then let's make this fifty, shall we? Go, Dragonite!"
*WHOOSH*
A majestic dragon, its scales shimmering, burst forth from the Poké Ball. Dragonite, with its powerful wings and gentle yet determined eyes, landed with a soft thud, its orange antenna twitching. A [Dragoninite] glinted faintly on its neck.
Azure paused, a subtle shift in his expression. Dragonite was a formidable opponent, known for its incredible speed and raw power. He knew Palmer wouldn't hold back. Azure murmured, taking a deep breath, "Alright then… Gallade, step up!"
*FLASH*
From a bright beam of light, Gallade materialized, a knight-like Pokémon with sharp blades extending from its elbows. Its eyes, normally stoic, held a fierce determination.
Immediately, threads of psychic energy began to weave and coalesce between its hands, forming a shimmering, translucent spoon-like blade – a Psywave-conjured weapon, ready for battle.
Gallade braced itself, its [Galladite] Mega Stone glowing faintly on its wrist. It turned its psychic spoon towards Dragonite with fierce determination.
Palmer raised an eyebrow as he muttered, "A Psychic Spoon as a sword? Interesting. Never seen a Gallade use Psywave quite like that."
Azure replied, a confident smirk playing on his lips, "He's full of surprises. Gallade, let's start this! Mean Look!"
Gallade's eyes narrowed, focusing intently on Dragonite. A swirling vortex of dark psychic energy emanated from its gaze, locking onto the Dragon Pokémon. Dragonite immediately felt a strange sense of being tethered, unable to escape the battlefield.
*WHOOSH*
Palmer's expression hardened. Palmer commanded, his voice sharp, "Dragonite, don't let it faze you! Extreme Speed!"
*ZOOOOM*
Dragonite, despite the unsettling pull of Mean Look, roared and vanished in a blur of motion. The air rippled as it rocketed across the field, an orange streak aimed directly at Gallade, intending to slam into it with devastating force.
Azure's eyes tracked the phenomenal speed. He swiftly countered, "He's fast! But we predicted this! Teleport!"
Just as Dragonite was about to make contact, Gallade shimmered and vanished, reappearing several feet to the left, its eyes still firmly fixed on Dragonite. The Psychic Spoon remained clutched in its hands.
*CRACK*
The spot where Gallade had been standing moments before cracked under the force of Dragonite's missed attack!
Palmer quickly ordered, refusing to lose momentum, "Another Extreme Speed!"
*SHIII-HALT*
Dragonite turned, a low growl rumbling in its chest, and prepared to charge again. But before it could unleash its signature move, Gallade's blades glinted.
Azure called out, "Disable!"
A wave of purple energy shot from Gallade, engulfing Dragonite. Suddenly, the powerful Dragon Pokémon shuddered, its eyes wide with confusion. It tried to move with Extreme Speed again, but found the motion blocked; the very thought of using the move was temporarily erased from its mind.
Palmer's eyes widened fractionally. He muttered before commanding, "Smart move. Dragonite, Draco Meteor!"
*ROOOOOAR*
Dragonite let out a mighty roar, summoning a massive, fiery orb of cosmic energy above it. The orb split into a volley of glowing, scorching meteors that rained down with terrifying speed and force, aiming to engulf Gallade.
Azure shouted, "Full Counter technique, Gallade!"
*Whooosh*
Gallade moved with incredible agility, planting its feet firmly. Its Psychic Spoon glowed brightly, reflecting a shimmering barrier of light in front of it (Reflect), then another, faintly green barrier shimmering behind the initial one (Light Screen).
The incoming meteors slammed into the invisible shields, but instead of harmlessly dissipating, one of the larger meteors was caught, its trajectory bending. With a powerful thrust of its psychic will, Gallade hurled the supercharged meteor back at Dragonite, an exact mirror of the original attack!
*FWISH-THWOOM*
Palmer's eyes flashed with surprise. But composed himself instantly, countering, "What?! Dragonite, Dragon Tail! Swat it away!"
*CRACK*
Dragonite, still hampered by Disable, managed to gather its strength. With a mighty swing of its formidable tail, it slammed into the returning meteor. The impact sent shockwaves across the field, fragmenting the fiery projectile into harmless dust.
Azure pressed, seizing the momentary advantage, "Now, Strong Style Psyblade!"
Gallade, moving with a burst of psychic energy, rushed forward, its Psywave spoon glowing with an intense, razor-sharp light. It closed the distance almost instantly, slashing diagonally across Dragonite's chest.
*SHIIIING*
A direct hit!
Dragonite cried out, staggering back from the unexpected impact, a faint shimmer of purple energy momentarily disrupting its pristine scales. But Palmer didn't panic; he adapted and changed momentum.
Palmer commanded, his voice now laced with urgency, "Dragonite, regain control! Fly up! Finish it with Draco Meteor!"
Dragonite roared, shaking off the immediate pain. It flapped its powerful wings, ascending rapidly into the sky, then unleashed another devastating volley of Draco Meteors. This time, Gallade couldn't fully counter in time, nor evade entirely.
*BOOM-BOOM-BOOM*
Several meteors slammed into Gallade, sending it spiraling to the ground in a cloud of dust and debris. A pained cry escaped its lips, "Gal! (Shit!)"
Azure called out, his heart clenching, "Gallade!"
Palmer, seeing the dust settle, sighed as he muttered, "Alright, that's enough. I was expecting a bit more from you, Azure. Dragonite, return!"
He raised his Poké Ball, a hint of disappointment in his voice. But a low growl rumbled from the dust cloud, and then a faint, shimmering line of dark psychic energy pulsed from the debris, still connecting to Dragonite.
Dragonite, mid-recall, found itself frozen, unable to move back into its Poké Ball. Its eyes were still locked onto the barely visible form of Gallade.
Palmer blinked, lowering his Poké Ball, a puzzled expression on his face, and muttered, "What in the… Mean Look? Still active?"
Azure declared, a fierce look in his eyes, "The battle isn't over yet, Palmer!"
*Rumble*
From the swirling dust, Gallade slowly, painstakingly, pushed itself up, one knee, then two feet, trembling but resolute. Its blades were chipped, its psychic spoon flickering, but its eyes burned with an unyielding spirit.
Azure's hand shot up, his Omni Ring glowing a brilliant blue. He declared, "Gallade, surpass your limits! Mega Evolve!"
*FLASH*
The Mega Evolution emblem on his ring pulsed, connecting with the [Galladite] on Gallade's wrist. A torrent of light erupted around Gallade, its form distorting and expanding. Its head fin elongated, its arm blades sharpened, and its waist armor gained a more intricate design. When the light subsided, Mega Gallade stood, radiating an even fiercer aura of power and determination.
Palmer, caught off guard but quick to react, mirrored Azure's action. His Mega Ring flashed, connecting with the [Dragoninite] on Dragonite's neck, declared excitedly, "Impressive! But two can play at that game! Dragonite, Mega Evolve!"
*FLASH*
A similar torrent of light engulfed Dragonite. Its form grew more fearsome, its wings becoming larger and more jagged, its scales hardening, and a powerful, primal energy swirling around it. When the light faded, Mega Dragonite roared, its presence dominating the battlefield.
Azure commanded, "Alright, Mega Gallade! Strong Style Psycho Cut!"
*SHINNG*
Mega Gallade wasted no time. With a powerful, sweeping motion, it unleashed a barrage of razor-sharp, crescent-shaped psychic blades that tore through the air, heading directly for Mega Dragonite.
Palmer countered, his voice booming, "Hyper Beam!"
*ZZZWWWWOOOOM*
Mega Dragonite gathered an immense amount of energy, its mouth glowing with a blinding white light. A colossal beam of raw power erupted, obliterating the Psycho Cuts in its path and rocketing straight for Mega Gallade!
Azure smirked, a dangerous glint in his eyes as he countered, "Telekinesis on the spoon, Gallade! Send it back!"
Mega Gallade, with incredible focus, extended a hand, and its Psywave-conjured spoon shimmered into existence again, now radiating an even more potent psychic aura. With a powerful mental push, it connected with the Hyper Beam, not stopping it, but bending its immense energy...
The beam began to curve, its trajectory shifting, performing an impossible arc!
Palmer's eyes went wide, exclaiming, "What?!"
*FWOOSH—KER-THWOOM*
The Hyper Beam, now redirected, slammed into Mega Dragonite, its own attack engulfing it in a blinding explosion of energy!
But that wasn't all.
As the Hyper Beam impacted, the remaining Strong Style Psycho Cuts that Palmer initially thought were obliterated had merely been displaced by the Hyper Beam's force. They now converged, striking Mega Dragonite simultaneously with its own redirected attack!
*CRACKLE—BOOOM*
Mega Dragonite let out a pained roar, unable to withstand the combined onslaught. The sheer force of the explosion ripped through its form, causing its Mega Evolution to unravel in a chaotic flash of light. Dragonite crashed to the ground, unconscious, reverting to its normal form.
*THUD*
A stunned silence fell over the arena. Azure's Pokémon in the stands erupted in cheers, "PIKA-PIKA-CHU! EEVEE-EVEE! PICHU!"
Rotom buzzed, impressed, "WOAH! Talk about a reversal!"
Gengar cackled, floating excitedly, and boasted proudly, "That's how you do it! Double whammy! Scare 'em silly, Boss!"
Palmer stared, a mixture of disbelief and profound admiration on his face. He recalled his Dragonite, a faint smile spreading across his lips as he muttered, "Incredible... Truly incredible, Azure. That 'Full Counter'... to reflect any move, and then to use Telekinesis to redirect my own Mega Dragonite's Hyper Beam back at it, simultaneously striking with your own Psycho Cuts... I'm genuinely impressed."
He paused, a chuckle escaping him as he boasted proudly, "Though, I must admit, it was Dragonite's Hyper Beam that delivered the final blow to itself. A bit of poetic justice, wouldn't you say?"
Azure nodded, a humble smile on his face as he confessed truthfully to Palmer's partner, "True. It would have been a much longer battle otherwise, sir. Your Mega Dragonite is incredibly powerful."
Palmer's grin returned, more eager now as he replied excitedly, "Indeed! But the battle is far from over!"
He reached for another Poké Ball, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. He grinned, yelling, "Let's see how you handle this!"
*WHOOOMPH*
He tossed the Poké Ball high, and from it emerged a truly colossal Pokémon, its stony, ancient form radiating an immense, almost oppressive power...
*THUD-THUD*
The ground trembled with each deliberate step of Regigigas. Its blue and red markings glowed faintly, and a [Life Orb]pulsed with dark energy around its wrist.
Azure's jaw dropped. He pointed at the legend, exclaiming in disbelief, "Regigigas?! How do you have one?!"
He knew Regigigas was a Legendary Pokémon, rarely seen, and he himself had encountered and caught one here in Sinnoh during his travels. But to his meta-knowledge, Palmer shouldn't have one.
Palmer chuckled, a smug look on his face as he casually explained cheekily, "This one? Oh, I found it in the Hoenn Region. Had a friend lend me his Regi Trio to activate its temple there. Lucky find, wouldn't you say?"
He winked, clearly enjoying Azure's shock, and added smugly, "Just another little something I picked up on my travels."
Azure's wariness intensified. Regigigas was a force of nature, but it had a significant drawback: its Slow Start ability, which severely reduced its Attack and Speed for the first five turns. This was his window.
Azure commanded, his voice urgent, "Mega Gallade, Strong Style Aura Sphere! Take it down quickly!"
Mega Gallade formed a powerful orb of spiritual energy, focusing all its strength into a potent, concentrated blast. But Palmer's voice boomed, attempting to disrupt Azure's swift offensive, "Not so fast! Regigigas, Gravity!"
*THWUMP*
Regigigas's body pulsed, and an immense, unseen force pressed down on the battlefield. The air itself seemed to grow heavy, intended to slow down and ground any Pokémon. Palmer fully expected Mega Gallade to be crushed, its movements hampered by the crushing gravitational pull…
*WHOOOSH*
But to his genuine surprise, Mega Gallade continued to move normally, its Aura Sphere still forming, its footing just as steady. The luminous orb launched from its hands, streaking towards Regigigas…
*BOOM*
The Aura Sphere slammed into Regigigas's chest with a resounding impact, shaking the colossal Pokémon. Regigigas grunted but remained standing, its ancient eyes focused on Mega Gallade. Azure watched, a bead of sweat tracing his temple. Regigigas was incredibly sturdy. He had to keep the pressure on.
Azure commanded, "Mega Gallade, Sacred Sword! Close the distance!"
Mega Gallade's arm blades glowed with a holy light, and it lunged forward, intending to cleave through Regigigas with its powerful attack. But Palmer reacted as he ordered, "Regigigas, shield!"
*RMBL—CRUNCH*
With surprising agility, Regigigas stomped its foot, and a massive earthen shield erupted from the ground, blocking Mega Gallade's Sacred Sword. The blades grated against the rock, unable to penetrate.
Palmer pressed, "Now, Regigigas, force it back! Throw rocks!"
*THUD-THUD-CRACK*
Regigigas roared, tearing massive boulders from the ground with ease and hurling them towards Mega Gallade like cannonballs. Mega Gallade dodged and weaved, but the sheer volume and force of the projectiles pushed it back, denying it an opening.
Palmer called out, a confident smirk returning, "You're on a time limit, Azure! Slow Start won't last forever! Regigigas, Block!"
*ZZZZWIIIIING*
Regigigas extended its massive arms out in front of it, its body glowing with an intense, binding energy. A wide beam of pure force erupted, slamming into Mega Gallade and holding it firmly in place...
Mega Gallade struggled, its muscles straining, but it couldn't move, couldn't break free. Azure cursed under his breath. Palmer was playing the long game, using Regigigas's unique abilities to stall until Slow Start wore off. Azure muttered, his mind racing, "He's trying to run down the clock."
Palmer's grin was wide, almost cheeky, but he asked curiously, "That's right! I have my ways to halt an opponent in their tracks! Gravity was my first attempt, though I'm genuinely puzzled as to why your Mega Gallade moved as if it were completely unaffected by my Regigigas's intense gravitational pull. Almost as if… it was used to it already?"
Azure chuckled, a small, weary smile as he confessed, "It's called Gravity Training, sir. I put my Pokémon through it to boost their overall physical abilities. Naturally, they become faster and stronger than most Pokémon, and they develop an inherent resistance to high-gravity environments."
Palmer's eyes lit up with genuine interest as he replied in an excited tone, "Gravity Training, you say? Fascinating! I'll have to try that with my own team when I have some free time. An excellent idea!"
He nodded, enlightenment clear on his face, but quickly refocused. He added, his voice regaining its competitive edge, "But for now, the battle!"
Rotom buzzed, watching Mega Gallade struggle to break free, "Gengar, you think he can get out of this?"
Gengar pondered, her eyes sparkling mischievously, and answered, "Hmm, Boss always has a trick up his sleeve. Always."
Azure knew he was running out of options. Regigigas's Block would keep Gallade trapped until it was knocked out or Regigigas used another move. He needed to break the concentration. Azure commanded, "Gallade, Psyblade!"
Palmer raised an eyebrow as he couldn't help but question, "Psyblade? But your psychic spoon... it faded after that last Draco Meteor reflection. Without it, Psyblade won't have the same cutting power."
But then it clicked in Palmer's mind, 'But did it fade?'
Just then, Palmer's eyes snapped wide. He noticed it. Mega Gallade was not holding its psychic spoon. His gaze darted frantically around the battlefield, searching. Then, a faint shimmer, a glint of psychic energy, appeared behind Regigigas!
*SHIIIIING*
The psychic spoon, conjured through sheer mental power, manifested precisely where Regigigas was most vulnerable. It slashed down with incredible force, a spectral blade cutting right into the colossal Pokémon's back!
Regigigas roared in pain, its concentration on Block momentarily shattered. The binding beam flickered and vanished!
Azure explained with a smug look, "That's how he does it! Gallade can use its psychic energy to conjure the spoon anywhere on the field, not just in its grip!"
Palmer conceded, quickly regaining his composure, "Clever! Regigigas, Foresight! Don't lose track of it!"
Before Gallade could press the advantage, Regigigas's eyes glowed, and a wave of intuitive energy washed over the battlefield, locking onto Mega Gallade. The psychic spoon, having served its purpose, shimmered and faded away, its energy used up in the surprise attack to free Gallade.
Azure ordered, seeing the opening, "Now, Mega Gallade, Close Combat!"
He knew this was risky, but he had to pour on the damage while Regigigas was still weakened by Slow Start and reeling from the surprise attack. Mega Gallade, free from Block, unleashed a furious volley of punches and kicks, a whirlwind of martial arts directed at Regigigas's vulnerable points.
*WHUM-THWACK-CRACK*
Each hit landed with punishing force, shaking the legendary Pokémon. But Regigigas was not defenseless. Even with Slow Start, it possessed immense strength. As Mega Gallade pressed its attack, Regigigas suddenly moved, its colossal hands darting out.
*GRAB*
Regigigas seized Mega Gallade by its arms, its stony grip like an unyielding vice. Mega Gallade struggled, its eyes wide with shock.
Palmer bellowed, his voice laced with triumph, "Crush Grip!"
*CRUNCH*
Regigigas squeezed, an unimaginable force crushing Mega Gallade. A guttural, silent cry of pain escaped Gallade as its Mega Evolution faltered, then dissolved in a flash of light, reverting to its normal form. Its eyes rolled back, and it slumped, unconscious, from Regigigas's grip.
*THUD*
Gallade hit the ground, defeated.
Palmer crowed, his grin widening in victory, "Yes! Regigigas wins this round! I told you, Azure, the battle isn't over by a long shot!"
He raised a triumphant fist. But then, Regigigas itself staggered…
*THUD*
A strange, shimmering purple aura pulsed around it, like a lingering echo. The colossal Pokémon grunted, then its legs buckled. With a mighty crash, Regigigas crashed to the ground, its ancient eyes closing, unconscious.
Palmer's confident declaration died on his lips. His arm dropped, his face twisting in confusion. He peered at the field, utterly baffled, exclaiming in disbelief, "What... what just happened?! Regigigas is out?!"
Azure, though grim-faced at Gallade's defeat, managed a wry, almost smug smile at the scene. He explained proudly, "Gallade used Destiny Bond, Palmer. If he goes down, he takes his opponent with him."
Palmer's eyes snapped to Azure, then to the fainted Gallade, then to the equally fainted Regigigas. His jaw clenched.
*Click*
He let out a frustrated click of his tongue as he admitted in an impressed tone, "Destiny Bond... a desperate, but effective move. You tied the Legendary down with your own Pokémon. Well played, Azure. Well played."
He recalled Regigigas with a thoughtful, almost begrudging respect in his gaze. He muttered sternly, "One Pokémon down for me, two for you. But don't think this is over, Azure. Not by a long shot."
Azure met his gaze, his determination unwavering. He still had Infernape and Lucario ready to go. The Battle Tower challenge was far from finished. The stakes were high, and Palmer was proving to be every bit the Frontier Brain legend had made him out to be.
This was going to be a battle to remember.
/////
A/N: Hope you like the chapter!