Pokémon Adventures: GAMER PATH

Chapter 141: Kimono Girl Challenge (2)

~Third POV~

[Johto Region, Ecruteak City – Ecruteak Dance Theater]

After defeating Kuni, the crowd roared with excitement. Azure felt a surge of adrenaline. He was ready.

The third Kimono Girl stepped forward, her face serene beneath her elaborate headdress. Sayo, with her Jolteon. Sayo said, her voice calm but firm, "You've proven yourself a worthy opponent, Trainer. But Jolteon is a force to be reckoned with."

Azure nodded, his gaze locked on the electric Pokémon, a blur of yellow energy. He reached for a Poké Ball as he said confidently, "I know. That's why I chose him. Hitmontop, I choose you!"

*Pop*

The Spinning Pokémon materialized onto the battlefield; its body balanced expertly on its point. The crowd gasped again.

Hitmontop was an unconventional choice against an Electric-type, but Azure knew its strength. He had studied Jolteon's weaknesses, its reliance on speed, and special attacks were perfect for his Hitmontop to tank.

He grinned as Hitmontop, once a Tyrogue, trained under him with sheer determination, with a careful balance of strength and defense, evolved into Hitmontop. He smirked as Hitmontop was eager for battle, "Hitmontop! Hit!"

Kimono Girl Sayo commanded, "Jolteon, Quick Attack!"

*Zoooom*

Jolteon surged forward, a streak of lightning aimed at Hitmontop. Azure countered, "Hitmontop, Agile Style! Rapid Spin!"

*Voooom*

Hitmontop spun faster, a vortex of crimson energy. He met Jolteon head-on, deflecting the Quick Attack with a resounding crash.

*SMACK*

The impact sent Jolteon staggering back, momentarily disoriented. Not only that Hitmontop gained a red aura, signaling a +1 Stage increase of its Speed.

Sayo shouted, recovering quickly, "Jolteon, Thunder!"

*Crackle*

The air crackled with electricity as Jolteon unleashed a powerful Thunder attack. Azure knew a direct hit would be devastating.

Azure commanded, his voice ringing with urgency, "Dodge with Detect! Before the Thunder hits!"

*Zoooom*

Hitmontop surged forward, a blur of motion. He moved with incredible speed, dodging the crackling arcs of electricity as Detect activated, avoiding serious damage.

It skidded around like a Beyblade, effortlessly maneuvering around the battlefield. The red aura activated again, increasing its speed as it used Rapid Spin to buff its speed, as Sayo's eyes squinted, seeing this.

Seeing the battle turn to Azure's favor, Sayo ordered, "Thunderbolt!"

*Zzzzz*

Unleashing a bolt of electricity at Hitmontop Azure countered, "Now! Counter with Mega Kick, then a Strong Style! Bulldoze!"

*SMASH*

Hitmontop charged forward as it landed a Mega Kick at the Thunderbolt, managing to block the attack with sheer force. And having built enough momentum slammed its foot down, causing the ground to shake.

*RMBL*

As the ground shook, it created a shockwave on the ground. The shock wave then crashed towards Jolteon, carrying Ground-type energy as it was super effective. Not only that the Base Power 60 of Bulldoze increase by Hitmontop's Technician Ability to 90 Base Power, dealing effective damage.

*THUD*

Jolteon, a Pokémon not having the best HP Stat, couldn't handle the attack as it fainted right there, eyes swirling as a sign of it fainting. Hitmontop smiled, giving a light bow, "Hit! Hitmontop!"

Silence hung in the air. Then, the theater erupted in cheers. Azure, his heart pounding, recalled Hitmontop thanking it, "Thanks for the work, Hitmontop. I'll be sure to rely on your skills."

Hitmontop saluted happily as it was recalled into its Poké Ball. The next Kimono Girl approached the battlefield.

Kamino Girl Zuki, adorned in a midnight-blue kimono, stepped forward, her expression serene. She held a single Poké Ball in her hand as she said, her voice soft but firm, "I am Zuki. I hope you are ready for the next battle."

With a graceful toss, she released her Pokémon. Azure smirked as he grabbed his choice from his belt.

*Pop*

A sleek, ebony creature materialized on the stage, its yellow rings glowing softly in the dim light. It was Umbreon, a Dark-type Pokémon known for its resilience and tactical prowess eyed Azure.

Azure took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment. He knew Umbreon was a formidable opponent, a master of defense and status ailments.

He reached for his Poké Ball, a flicker of determination in his eyes. He hurled it out as he yelled out, "Weavile, I choose you!"

*Pop*

The dual-type Ice and Dark Pokémon materialized with a swirl of energy, its claws glinting under the stage lights. Weavile let out a sharp cry, its crimson eyes locked on Umbreon, "Weav! Weavile!"

Zuki nodded, her gaze steady. She issued an order, "Umbreon, use Toxic!"

*Splat*

Umbreon unleashed a stream of purple, poisonous energy. Azure commanded, knowing he had to act fast, "Weavile, deflect the poison with Agile Style! Metal Claw!"

*Shinng*

Weavile's claws were coated in sleek metal as it slashed the Toxic away from it. With its claws coated in Steel Type energy avoided the poison being inflicted by it as it swiftly moved around the battlefield.

*Slam*

Weavile darted forward, a blur of speed, slamming into Umbreon before the poison could fully take hold. Umbreon staggered, but quickly regained its footing.

Zuki countered, her voice calm, "Umbreon, use Protect!"

*CLANG*

A transparent barrier shimmered into existence around Umbreon, deflecting Weavile's next attack. Azure knew he had to break through Umbreon's defenses.

Weavile moved back as he ordered Weavile in a calm voice, "Weavile, use Hone Claws. Wait till the effects of Protect end and then attack."

Weavile nodded as its claws glowed red-orange and grew longer, and it honed its claws together as if sharpening them. Then an orange glow shoots up along Weavile's body, boosting its attack power and accuracy as its claws return to normal.

Zuki narrowed her eyes as the effects of Protect ended. She ordered quickly, "Umbreon! Dark Pulse!"

Umbreon opened its mouth as it began to charge darkness into a condensed ball form at the front of its face. Azure, seeing this, ordered, "Weavile. Use Agility to get close and land an Agile Style! Triple Axel."

*Zoooom*

Turning into a blur, Weavile was already behind Umbreon, shocking the crowd. Zuki's eyes dilated in shock as she thought, 'So fast!'

*SMACK*

*SMACK*

*SMACK*

In a swift blur, Weavile consecutively kicked Umbreon over the head on the exact spot, forcing it to close its jaws, forming the Dark Pulse. Each kick becomes more powerful with each successful hit.

With each hit doubling its attack power, as the first hit has a Base Power of 20. The next hit will double to 60. And upon the final hit, a cumulative base power of 120 hit over Umbreon as Weavile backflipped, the explosion of Umbreon's Dark Pulse being interrupted.

*BOOOM*

Gracefully landing by Azure's side, Weavile made a mocking bow, "Weav!"

From the other end, Zuki's eyes looked at the fainted Umbreon. She recalled it back as Azure rubbed Weavile's head, happily said, "Good work, girl! See, learning that Triple Axel was worth it!"

Weavile blushed shyly, moving to the side from his affection, "Wea! Weavile… (Baka! Keep on praising me!)"

Azure chuckled as he recalled the blushing Weavile. Finally, the fourth Kimono Girl bowed, acknowledging her defeat.

The air crackled with anticipation. A hushed silence fell over the courtyard as the final challenger stepped forward.

It was Naoko, her movements graceful and deliberate. Her kimono flowed around her like water, reflecting the moonlight. Her eyes, sharp and intelligent, met Azure's. A single Pokémon emerged from its Poké Ball.

*Pop*

Espeon. Its sleek purple coat shimmered with psychic energy, its ruby gem glinting in the lamplight.

Azure's mind raced. Espeon was a formidable opponent, known for its psychic prowess and incredible speed. He scanned his team in his mind.

Pupitar's defenses were strong, but Espeon's high Sp. Attack stats might prove too much. Weavile's speed could outmatch Espeon's, but its frailty made it a risky choice. Ursaring was powerful, but too slow.

Hitmontop lacked the necessary type advantage. Quagsire would be too slow and could get taken out with a single Psychic.

Then, he saw Heracross, pawing the ground impatiently, its horn glinting with determination. Heracross's Fighting and Bug typing gave it a crucial advantage.

Bug-type attacks would be super effective against Espeon. But at the same time, be effective with Espeon's Psychic Moves.

But he smirked as he thought, clenching Heracross' Poke Ball happily, 'But who hasn't won against Reverse Type Battles. Besides, Heracross needs experience like everyone else. Time to lock in.'

Azure shouted, throwing the Poké Ball, "Heracross, I choose you!"

*Pop*

With a roar, Heracross materialized, its powerful stance radiating confidence. The crowd gasped as Naoko thought curiously, 'A Fighting-type against a Psychic-type? It seemed a risky choice… but when fighting against a Champion, I suppose he has a plan.'

Naoko's composed expression didn't falter. She commanded, "Espeon, use Psychic!"

*Shiii*

Espeon's gem glowed intensely, and a wave of psychic energy surged towards Heracross. Azure, anticipating the attack, shouted, "Heracross, brace yourself with Protect! Then, Agile Style! Mega Horn!"

*CLANG*

Heracross dug its feet into the ground, bracing against the psychic assault as it cast the transparent barrier Protect. Though it staggered, it managed to withstand the brunt of the attack, its sturdy exoskeleton protecting it.

In return, it charged forward, its horn radiating a multitude of shades of yellow, menacing power. Heracross soon rushed forward, and it rammed Espeon with its horn.

*BOOM*

The Mega Horn struck Espeon square on, the force of the impact sending the Psychic Pokémon flying backwards. A collective gasp rippled through the audience.

Espeon, though resilient, was visibly shaken. Naoko, momentarily stunned, quickly regained her composure as she commanded, "Espeon, Shadow Ball!"

Espeon conjured a swirling sphere of dark energy and launched it at Heracross. Azure countered, "Heracross, cut that shadow ball with Night Slash! Then rush in with a Horn Attack!"

*Shinng*

Heracross cut the Shadow Ball in half as its arms were coated in a crimson dark aura. Then next lunged forward as its horn glowed white with Normal Type energy, as it connected a Horn Attack.

*SMASH*

The Horn Attack connected, shattering Espeon's psychic barrier and striking the Pokémon directly. Espeon collapsed, its gem dimmed, and its strength depleted.

A hush fell over the courtyard, broken only by the gentle chirping of audience Pokémon. Naoko knelt beside her fallen partner, her face etched with disappointment, but also a hint of respect.

After a moment, she stood, retrieved Espeon's Poké Ball, and turned to Azure. She said, her voice filled with genuine admiration, "You and your Pokémon are truly skilled. You have earned your reward."

With a graceful bow, she presented Azure with the Tidal and Clear Bell. He accepted them reverently, feeling a strange energy emanating from the ancient artifacts.

As the crowd erupted in applause, Azure knelt beside Heracross, patting its sturdy head. He said, his voice filled with pride, "We did it, Heracross. Thanks for your help."

Heracross responded with a joyous roar, its victory echoing through the theater, "Hera? Heracross!!"

He had proven himself worthy, not just as a trainer but as a partner to his Pokémon, forging bonds of trust and understanding that would guide them through their journey in the Johto region and beyond. The echoes of the battle lingered, a reminder that even in the face of formidable challenges, courage, strategy, and unwavering trust could lead to victory.

Getting his prize, he exited the Theater only to be called by someone, "Hey, you! I need to talk to ya!"

Azure blinked, a bit surprised being called out. He turned to see an unlikely pair as he thought, baffled, 'Well… you don't see these two together every day?'

/////

A/N: Reach the goal of 100 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!