Strey felt like she was ready to pounce.
From the way her partner was cackling and clacking her teeth together in pure eagerness, Strey felt the feeling was mutual with Sprian. The strange, purple imp with black striped markings of old and red eyes that held an ocean of emotion had been the gift that finally got Strey out of her hometown. With this sudden burst of hysteria and bloodthirst, Strey had been curious what had interrupted the party of life and sought reasoning.
Strey didn?t like to be thought of as ?left behind? for her journey as she chosen to continue school, thank you very much. And that had been noticed. In a world where children could control monsters of destruction and urge them to do battle on a daily basis was it not reasonable that the very pure and good nature of pokemon might indeed be warped someday?
Which was unfortunate because pokemon absolutely thirsted for battle.
Strey grinned smugly at her pumped pokemon, Sprian?s blood singing for the dance as she sensed the powers within the gym leader that stood before them. This was an appropriate first gym, Strey mused as she took in the military style gym. Once it had been a glorious fun park for water and electric types run a bit rampant. Oddly enough those two elements aren?t compatible when used laxly. The gym had been completely remodled, a structured facility that was held with pride.
The cadets Strey had previously battled had been proof that the remodel had been a much needed growth for both the pokemon and the trainer?s minds. When the wily Sprian had launched into battle Strey?s heart drummed with the beat. That had been fun.
Across from them with a rather strict look was a dark skinned woman with ocean blue eyes that could seep you away in their intensity. ?You did well against my Cadets,? Andie the gym leader spoke, her voice strong. ?But now we will see if you are truly worthy of moving forward in your journey.? A well muscled arm threw a red and white sphere high into an arc, the ball bursting with an explosion of light.
Both Strey and Sprian grinned madly, the little fairy type already jumping in front of her opponent before it had even formed. Long and elegant, a purple shark floated just above the ground, large eyes unblinking. Its glowing webs down its body was constantly in rhythmic motion, truly a beautiful pokemon. At once both fairy type of pokemon took their stances.
?Begin!?
?Back!? Andie barked. ?Defensive mode!?
Strey didn?t let her opponent get the chance. ?Disarming Voice!? she laughed. ?Don?t let it run away, keep it near you.?
Sprian had puffed up comically, her body holding in air. Expanding just as the Faireeze had turned tail Sprian open her jaw like an unhinged Seviper, a bellow of audio blasting in the form of an unholy scream. The sound waves knocked the purple shark right off its fins and into a rough tumble. ?SPRII!?
?Now?s your chance!? Strey ordered. ?Follow up with some physical damage.?
The little ghoul actually wasted a beautiful moment of dramatically raising her hands and curling them into suddenly sharpened claws, a sharp toothed grin taking up her face. Cackling, Sprian rushed forward, red eyes glowing playfully at the stunned opponent and struck with a deadly precision that did not match with the childish actions.
?Play Rough,? Andie ordered smoothly, having been waiting for her chance at a close up encounter.
?Sprian, jump back!? Strey ordered quickly, wincing with lightning fast speed her pokemon was overcome.
It was quite the beating, Strey decided as she watched her pokemon, Sprain?s tumbling form getting a pounding. Using every inch of its body, the Faireeze was a flailing mess as its fins and tail actually created up a dust cloud, scrambling claws trying to reach for freedom or a foot peeking out. ?Fair!?
?Get out of there with Feint Attack? Strey shouted over her pokemon?s pained cries.
Grunting, Sprian felt for the shadows even as physical pain descended onto her. It was simple to find once the order had been placed and she had a focus. Her body shifting, Sprian?s form disappeared just as Faireez?s tail slammed to the ground, the purple shark blinking in shock. ?Zee,? it cooed softly, swimming about in the air to find its opponent.
?Now?s your chance,? came Andie?s smooth voice. ?Rain Dance.?
Ah, so she was finally getting tactical. Strey had been waiting for this move for a while. Faireeze danced like a slithering serpent, a loud croon reverberating from the purple shark. Enjoying the spectacle, Strey watched in amazement as rain clouds formed above, droplets quickly falling. Feeling comfortable in its own element, Faireeze eyed its surroundings, searching for his opponent. Where it should have been looking was its own shadow, but who really does that? ?Zeee!? Pained cries erupted from the gym leader?s pokemon as beneath its very belly came Sprian.
?Sprrrii!? Sprian howled, claws scratching the underside of Fairzee, dark shadows slipping from her form like wisps of smoke. Her attack struck true and Strey could see heavy damage take place on her opponent.
?Now!? she all but screamed in excitement. ?Disarming Voice!?
?You?re not the only one with long range attacks! Faireeze, use Water Gun!?
A long stream of water blasted its way toward Sprian, Strey about ready to warn her pokemon, but an interesting thing happened. The imps mouth had already opened wide and sound cannons blasted, the steady stream of water rippling midair where is splattered like a spray across the gym. And still the sound waves went, blasting right into Faireeze once more and sending it fumbling head over fin.
Andie allowed a grin at Strey, her pokeball already beaming with red light at it recalled the fallen ?mon. ?Excellent,? she congratulated. ?Certain elements certainly to have odd effects on another, don?t you think?? She asked Strey. Her powerful body was standing straight and her arms had folded. ?It is our responsibility as trainers to influence and teach our pokemon to control these gifts,? she continued powerfully. ?Pokemon that could normally never live together can be brought together in working harmony or you can bring disaster. Show me how you will bring balance with your strength!? Andie bellowed, finally heaving his final pokemon.
Strey stood at the ready. As intrigued as she had been for Andie?s little speech her focus was for her and now. To dance with her pokemon in battle and bring her opponents to the ground. ?Think you can handle it?? Strey asked smugly, smile stretching. ?Disarming Voice!? she yellowed, pointing a finger to her newest opponent.
Again Sprian puffed up comically, a burst of a sound cannon blasting forward. Cracks burst from the ground and specks of dust and rocks were blown away. By the time the attack was done Strey?s ears were ringing and her jaw was hanging open from shock.
Completely still, a heavily clawed pokemon glared at Sprian, the little fairy type grinning a nervous toothy smile. It snorted at the two of them, a long stripe of vibrant gold hair nearly gleaming from the much darker and earthy hardened fur went down the creature?s body like a Mohawk. ?Badgrun!? it howled, calling out to its opponent and slamming rock hard claws to the ground.
?Tch, ground type,? Strey muttered. No wonder it hadn?t been swept off its feet. Running a hand through her now soaked purple hair, Strey grinned at the falling water. ?But this is what we?ve been preparing for! Sprian, get close!?
Andie cocked her head curiously as the little imp scampered toward her pokemon, wondering what her opponent could be up to. ?Rock Blast,? she commanded.
Strey?s grin widened even as her heart hammered wildly, excitement and adrenaline filling her as heavy rocks were blasting towards Sprian. She didn?t even need to command her pokemon to dodge. Sprian was ducking and darting, her red eyes intent. ?Spri!!? Thunderous crashing filling the stadium with each thrown boulder until at last Sprian got close enough to jump atop the much bulkier pokemon. ?Spriiisp! Spri!? Sprian cackled as she held on for dear life.
?Run Gad!? the Badgrun was bellowing, beginning to buck and stamp his feet as Sprian held tight to his tuff of hair. Snarling, the mixed pokemon tried snapping at Sprian, missing each time with a clack heavy teeth.
?Stop joking around, Sprian,? Strey barked. ?Disarming Voice!?
Strey was sure her opponent would be hearing ringing for days after how close that attack was. She had lost her hearing plenty of times at concerts for being too close to the speakers and was pretty sure this would be much worse. Badgrun was keening a low, pitiful sound, sparks flashing in defense around its body.
Andie nodded approvingly. ?Excellent. You knew a long range attack such as that had no effect on the hardened body of my Badgrun but close up? well, I suppose I?ll be taking him in to get his hearing checked.? Strey laughed, liking this person, even as Andie?s face darkened. Oh, fighting back. ?But we know how to handle close ups as well. Shock Wave.?
Strey cursed, brilliant light striking her pokemon?s form. The rain made it all the worse as the electricity coursed through her wet body. Sprian shrieked, her body spasming and yet still retaining her grip on Badgrun. ?Hang on,? Strey muttered under her breath, watching Andie gaze at the pokemon with a smug expression.
?Spri?? Sprian gasped, body looking weak as it folded around Badgrun?s head. The duel type growled but did not buck the pokemon to the ground, instead allowing the fairy type to fall to the ground in a dead faint.
?Learn to harmonize the elements and you can maximize your power,? Andie spoke wisely. She held her open palm to the still pouring rain. ?The moment you allow your opponent to bring its power booster to the field you are done for.? She gazed at Strey. ?You are finished.? Strey was unimpressed, her toothy smile as sharp as her pokemon?s. Andie frowned at the look. Nothing good ever came from such a grin. Her worry came to be as the black and yellow pokemon let out a wild bellow, Andie startling because that was a roar of fear. Confusion spread across the gm leaders features as her pokemon actually started running in circles, growling in dismay as he gazed up at the rain and attempting to stay dry. ?Badgrun, what?s wrong?? Andie barked, trying to get her pokemon?s attentions.
Wild, confused eyes glanced at the gym leader for help, electricity crackling. ?Grun Bad!? Badgrun roared, electrical balls being shot towards the rain clouds.
Strey almost laughed at the gym leaders look, wondering just what in the name of Arceus was wrong with her pokemon. ?Badgrun, get a hold of yourself! Magnitude!?
As Strey?s pokemon was still holding onto the wild pokemon, Strey knew the ground move wouldn?t reach her pokemon but would instead act as a focus of command. ?Sprian,? Strey spoke with a coo, her gaze meeting Sprian?s eyes. They were glowing with a hidden power and a whole lot of trickery. ?I think it?s time to take this one down.?
Amidst the rumbles, Sprian sprang into action at the sound of her trainer?s voice, limp body suddenly striking. Large sharp teeth glistened with saliva as Sprian opened her mouth almost grotesquely and bit down hard on Badgrun?s neck. Pain now added to the already spooked pokemon, Badgrun was now running blindly. Andie was attempting to calm her pokemon but words had lost their meaning,
?Badgrun!? the duel pokemon howled, even smacking into his own thrown boulders with loud crack. Badgrun was beginning to look beaten. Both Sprian and Strey grinned mockingly at the fear of their opponent as he continued to hurt himself in his confusion. That is, until she just stopped mid flail. Strey frowned in surprise as confused eyes watched the rain, a look dawning horror and anger appearing.
?Oh sh*t,? Strey muttered. ?It?s wearing off!? she called to her pokemon, immediately getting Andie?s attention.
?Badrun, Shock Wave!? Andie called angrily. ?Shrug off whatever it is they?ve done to you!?
Again Strey cringed as her pokemon screamed. They had really been relying on that special trick of Sprian?s, and while it had certainly caused enough damage, it hadn?t taken them to the end. ?Disarming Voice!? she ordered quickly, not letting up even as both pokemon panted weakly. Another attack like that and Sprian was done for. ?You got this!? Strey encouraged. ?Take it down!?
Perking at the energy of her trainer?s voice, Sprian took in her deepest breath yet and knowing it to be her last, Sprian opened her mouth with a bellow. Her voice was already carrying as the electrical sparks appeared around Badgrun?s fur. The electric and ground pokemon was visibly shaking, ears pressed back and attempting to continue sparking. She was shaking her head in pain, trying to drown out the sound. Paws shaking, Strey and Andie watched in awe as, at last, Badgrun fell to the floor with a whimper. Sprian?s shriek lowered in volume and finally died out, the little fairy type panting heavily.
When Strey had walked into the gym she had expected to win because that was what she had come here to do. And yet despite that determination and self assurement Strey stood stock still in shock, barely able to believe that her fierce little pokemon had not only taken down a gym leaders pokemon but two. It wasn?t until her pokemon fell to her knees did Strey shoot forward to catch her exhausted pokemon.
Pride swelled within Strey as she held her pokemon. Sprian giggled happily, eyeing Strey in a way the teen couldn?t quite comprehend at the moment. All she knew in that moment was how proud and happy she was that she had this opportunity with such a strong being. They would make it, Strey knew.
Together they cackled.
The gym leader allowed them their moment, a confused expression on her face but gave Strey a nod of respect once they made eye contact. ?I?m impressed,? Andie said, giving a hand to Strey. They both shook strongly. ?But my Badgrun,? she continued in, ?how did you confuse my pokemon? I heard no Confuse Ray or Suersonic.? Her stare was critical.
Strey grinned, expression full of mischief. ?It?s a special ability,? she told the gym leader quietly with a wink. ?Sprian are pretty big tricksters,? Strey grinned at her starter, ?and that really helps with their ability. You see, Sprian can warp a pokemon a person?s reality.?
Andie?s eyes widened. ?A mental attack?? she mused, shaking wet hair out of her face and then pausing. ?The rain,? she muttered with a smile of her own. ?haha you changed the rain!?
Strey laughed along with the gym leader. ?Falling fire seems a lot scarier than falling water, doesn?t it??
Andie smiled warmly, eyes glancing at the fallen Sprian. ?Dangerous creature,? she said carefully, finally giving Strey a shrew look. ?With the current times, I?m sure I don?t have to explain just how dangerous a mind altering pokemon can be, especially for a beginning trainer??
Strey gave the gym leader a half lidded smile, amusement dancing across her features. She resisted the urge to laugh in the gym leader?s face. How naive most trainers were. One did not have to travel across the land to various gyms to be a pokemon trainer. That was only one aspect of life and yet so many people thought that was the ultimate point. Sprian might have been Strey?s first personal pokemon but she certainly wasn?t the first she had ever commanded. Knowing now how powerful the anti-delirium was, Strey wondered how far they could go. But she did understand the gym leaders concerns.
?I understand,? she said aloud for the gym leader?s benefit.
Andie nodded seriously, her military presence powerful. ?Then, Strey of Wenge Town, I am proud to present to you the badge of Gallant Town.?