Chapter 52: Poison Gym Battle (1)
~Third POV~
[Kanto Region, 1 Week Later, Fuchsia City – Gym]
Azure stretched, the morning sun painting the Fuchsia City streets in a warm, inviting glow. After navigating the treacherous routes, a good night's rest had revitalized both him and his team.
Pikachu, perched on his shoulder, chirped contentedly, its tail crackling with a tiny spark of electricity. Arcanine padded confidently beside him, its fur gleaming, while Dragonair floated serenely behind, its scales shimmering like captured rainbows.
Eevee, ever curious, bounced ahead, sniffing at the vibrant flora that spilled from the city's numerous gardens. Haunter, a mischievous grin plastered on its spectral face, weaved between the pedestrians, eliciting startled gasps and nervous laughter. Scizor brought up the rear, its metallic claws clicking softly against the cobblestone.
Fuchsia City was a riot of color and exotic scents. The air was thick with the aroma of tropical flowers and a faint, underlying tang of something… medicinal.
Azure knew of Fuchsia's reputation for Poison-type Pokémon, and the distinctive odor was a constant reminder. He planned to spend the next week honing his team's skills, preparing them for the challenges that awaited him in the Fuchsia Gym.
He knew Koga, the Gym Leader, was a master of deception and poison, and Azure wanted to be ready. He found a secluded spot outside the city limits, a sprawling field dotted with hardy, unassuming plants.
The perfect place to train. For days, Azure pushed his team. He drilled them on quick attacks, honed their defensive maneuvers, and worked on status condition recovery. He made sure each Pokémon understood how to support the others, a crucial element in any successful battle.
Haunter practiced its Hypnosis and Hex combo, while Scizor worked on its Agile and Strong Style moves. Arcanine, with its powerful Flamethrower, was trained to burn away Toxic Spikes and other field hazards, along with learning Play Rough, understanding Fairy-type energy thanks to Eevee.
Dragonair perfected its Dragon Tail, a move that could force a switch and disrupt the opponent's strategy. Eevee, adaptable as always, was trained in Partner Moves, a powerful coverage move against Poison-types.
Pikachu, being his constant companion, was more than ready with its electric move sets. Azure trained Horsea separately from the team, helping her train her moves as she was too under-leveled to be of any help.
Azure felt the weight of responsibility. He wasn't just battling for himself; he was battling for his team, for their dreams, and for the chance to prove their strength. He knew Koga would be a formidable opponent, a true test of their abilities.
Finally, the day arrived. Azure, his heart pounding with anticipation, approached the Fuchsia Gym. The building was a low, sprawling structure, draped in vines and shrouded in mist.
A single, ornate door stood slightly ajar, beckoning him inside. He took a deep breath, steeling his nerves, and pushed it open.
*Thud*
The interior was dim, lit by flickering torches that cast dancing shadows on the walls. The air was heavy with the same medicinal scent he'd noticed outside.
Instead of the imposing Koga, Azure saw a young woman with long, purple hair tied back in a practical ponytail. She wore a sleek, black jumpsuit and stood with a confident, almost challenging, posture.
Azure blinked, confused as Janine said, her voice surprisingly calm, "Welcome, challenger. My name is Janine. My father, Koga, is currently unavailable. I will be taking his place as Gym Leader."
Azure blinked, surprised. He hadn't expected this as he asked confused, "Unavailable? Is there a reason why, if I may ask?"
Janine closed her eyes as she thought bluntly in her inner mind, 'On an important mission from his lord.'
But Janine shrugged, keeping her father's secret mission to herself as she said in a calm tone, "He has… important business to attend to. But do not think for a moment that I will be an easy opponent. I have trained extensively under my father's tutelage. I will show you the true horrors of Poison-type Pokémon."
Azure nodded, his surprise quickly giving way to determination. He didn't know what Koga was up to, but it didn't matter.
He was here to earn his badge, and he wouldn't let anything stand in his way. Clenching his Poke Ball tightly, he declared in a determined tone, "I accept your challenge, Janine. I am Azure, and I will defeat you."
Janine smiled, a predatory gleam in her eyes. She coldly smirked under her mask, replying harshly, "Very well. Let the battle begin."
They took their positions on opposite sides of the battlefield, a raised platform surrounded by a shallow pool of murky water. The rules were standard: a six-on-five battle, with the Gym Leader having the advantage of one less Pokémon.
Janine commanded, throwing a Poké Ball into the air, "Go, Weezing!"
*Pop*
A monstrous Weezing materialized, its dual heads spewing plumes of noxious gas. Azure countered with his Pokémon, yelling, "Haunter, I choose you!"
*Pop*
The Gas Pokémon shimmered into existence, its shadowy form unsettling in the dim light. A wicked grin stretched across its face as it floated into position, "Haunter! Haunt!"
*Poof*
Suddenly, a ninja referee appeared from a cloud of smoke announcing neutrally, "Haunter vs. Weezing. Begin!"
Janine wasted no time issuing a command, "Weezing, use Sludge Bomb!"
*Splash*
The two heads of the Weezing belched forth a torrent of thick, purple sludge. The projectiles flew towards Haunter with surprising speed.
Azure commanded swiftly as Haunter followed orders, "Haunter, dodge with Confuse Ray, then use Shadow Ball!"
*Shiii*
Haunter's body flickered slightly as it unleashed the Confuse Ray, hoping to disorient the opponent, before the sludge could hit. The attack worked, but Weezing managed to avoid the attack.
Haunter, quick to capitalize, launched a ball of pure darkness, which crashed into Weezing with a resounding thud. Haunter grinned, seeing her attack work, causing a minor explosion, inflicting damage.
*BOOOM*
The Weezing staggered but remained standing. Janine, unfazed, shouted, "Weezing, use Smog!"
*Poof*
The Weezing unleashed a cloud of thick, black smoke that filled the battlefield, obscuring visibility. Azure knew he had to act fast as he commanded, "Haunter Psychic."
*Shiii*
Haunter's eyes shone, unleashing a trail of psychic energy onto the Weezing. While flinging it around playfully, Azure remained focused as he thought, 'Seems like Janine has her team level just like the Gold, Silver, and Crystal games below Lv.40. But still, Weezing's best stats are in its Def. but…'
While thinking of a strategy, Janine's eyes narrowed as she saw her Pokémon being toyed with an annoyed tone, 'Even with Weezing's Levitate ability negating his Ground Weakness, he has low Sp. Def will be her downfall when she takes on a Haunter who specializes in high Sp. Attacks. So…'
Haunter played around, smacking Weezing with Psychic. Janine finally commanded, "Use Smog to escape Weezing."
*Pooof*
Weezing, managing to break free from Haunter's Psychic, released poisonous gas from its holes, creating a smokescreen covering the field. Azure narrowed his eyes as Haunter tried to locate Weezing through the Smog.
Since Haunter is a Ghost/Poison Type, he wasn't affected much by the Smog attack made by Weezing. However, what concerned Azure the most was Weezing within the smog as he thought cautiously, 'Where's Weezing within the smog and what's Janine's next plan of attack if – '
*BOOOM*
Suddenly, from the smog came a Shadow Ball as it landed on Haunter. Azure's eyes widened as the attack hit Haunter, with Weezing appearing, managing to deal massive damage.
*Thud*
With a light thud, Haunter fainted as Janine commented harshly, "Don't take us lightly, boy. We've dealt with Ghost/Poison types before, having strategies in place."
Azure said sadly, recalling his fallen comrade, "Haunter, return."
He knew Janine was a formidable opponent, and she had already demonstrated her strategy when dealing with Ghost Types. Grabbing his next one, he smirked, "Arcanine, you're up!"
*Pop*
The massive Fire-type Pokémon emerged from its Poké Ball, its fiery mane blazing brightly. It let out a powerful roar, shaking the gym with its intensity, "ROWRRR!!"
Janine, unfazed by the Arcanine, continued as she commanded, "Weezing, Toxic."
Azure narrowed his eyes as he knew Janine wouldn't hesitate to use their Gym TM Toxic, being extremely useful for long, drawn-out matches. Weezing began preparing to spit out poison sludge, directed at Arcanine.
However, Azure came prepared as he commanded, "Arcanine, use Agility to avoid the Toxic and burn everything with a Strong Style Flamethrower!"
*Swooosh*
With incredible agility, Arcanine avoided the sludge and opened its maws. Brilliant blue fire erupted, catching Janine's attention as she commanded, "Self-Destruct!"
*BRRR*
*KABOOOM*
Arcanine unleashed a powerful stream of blue fire just as the Weezing self-destructed, causing a clash between the two of them. The power of the self-destruct clashes with the Strong Style Flamethrower.
Eventually, the clash subsided as the smokescreen of the clash subsided. Azure frowned, seeing that Arcanine had been hurt in the clash but seemingly ready to continue growling at the ready.
Janine, unfazed, recalled Weezing willing to sacrifice her Pokémon. Reaching for her next one, she tossed her Poke Ball, calling, "Go, Ariados!"
*Pop*
The large Spider Pokémon descended from the ceiling, its many eyes glinting in the torchlight. Azure's eyes narrowed as he thought, 'Why would she send in a Bug type against a fire type like my Arcanine? Better end this quickly.'
Janine commanded, "Ariados, use Poison Sting!"
*Pew*
Ariados launched a barrage of toxic needles, each capable of delivering a potent dose of poison. Azure countered, "Arcanine, use Flamethrower!"
*Brrrr*
Arcanine unleashed a torrent of flames, incinerating the Poison Sting attacks before they could reach it. The flames roared towards Ariados, forcing it to retreat as Janine yelled, "Ariados, use String Shot!"
*Pew*
Ariados fires multiple threads of sticky string at Arcanine, aiming to inhibit its movement and restrict its agility. Azure commanded confidently, "Arcanine, use Extreme Speed to take down that bug!"
*Wooosh*
Arcanine broke free from the sticky goo with a sudden burst of speed, became a blur, and charged at Ariados, intending to strike it with a blindingly fast tackle. But Janine smirked underneath her ninja scarf as she thought, 'You think an Arcanine's use of Extreme Speed would be your advantage? In most cases, it would be as if no Pokémon could barely have enough time to react or see them in action… not unless they have the Sniper Ability.'
Ariados was tracking where Arcanine was gonna attack as it reacted, subsiding the strike, alarming Azure as he thought, startled, 'It read and reacted to the move Extreme Speed! That's impossible unless…'
Worry crept into his heart, realizing what ability Ariados had researching Pokémon Abilities with narrowed eyes, '… it has the Sniper Ability! Usually in games, the Sniper Ability increases the power of critical hits by 1.5x. But here it acts the same, but the ability also grants them a clear vision of the target, being able to see them in the act, locating their weak points.'
While showing this rare moment of weakness, Janine ordered, "Toxic!"
*Splash*
Spewing a purple sludge at Arcanine's eyes, it growled in discomfort, having been momentarily blinded. A purple hue showed over his body, signaling that he had been poisoned as Janine continued, "Now! Poison Jab!"
Ariados' front legs glowed an ominous purple hue. And it directly stabbed at the neck of Arcanine, dealing massive damage, forcing Arcanine to cry out in pain, "ARF!"
*JAB*
Arcanine was attacked, feeling the blow of Poison Jab. Janine analyzed the situation, seeing Arcanine being hindered in a harsh tone, 'Arcanine may be a powerful Pokémon, but even the strongest can fall to poison. Now fall of the so-called 'Legendary Pokémon' to the horrors of Poison Type Pokémon.'
Arcanine seemingly looked to go down to faint. But its eyes narrowed to Ariados nearby as Azure said calmly, "Fire Fang."
*Swooosh*
*CRUNCH*
Janine's eyes widened, seeing Arcanine swiftly crunch on the Ariados using Fire Fang. The Ariados' eyes widened in panic, with Arcanine refusing to let go, flailing in panic as Azure commanded, "Strong Style. Raging Fury."
Arcanine's eyes narrowed furiously, tossing the Long Leg Pokémon like a toy being tossed around while getting furiously while igniting its Flash Fire being engulfed in flames. Janine looked surprised before bitterly looking down as Arcanine finished its attack…
*Thud*
Then both Pokémon fainted in the process. One by Arcanine's attacks and the poison coursing through the Legendary Pokémon. And the other being treated as a literal dog toy with burn and bite marks.
Both recalled their Pokémon, as this left Janine with 3 Pokémon left. Azure was left with 4 Pokémon, as they both thought in a determined tone, 'We won't lose to the likes of you… My Pokémon will defeat you!'
/////
[Kanto Region, Fuchsia City – Gym (VIP Room)]
From within a VIP room of the Gym, Giovanni was observing the match between Azure and Janine. He arrived a few days prior, observing the match between the two, as he had requested Janine to see the match.
Janine, who's seen her father's Lord, didn't mind allowing him to witness the match. Just like Giovanni wanted to see Red through Diglett Tunnel, his skills and power his doing the same here, seeing Azure's skill and power.
Taking the time, he saw the match unfolding with a curious grin as he muttered to himself, leaning his back against his seat, "Show me what you have, young man. How will you defeat a future Team Rocket Admin, and the daughter of my subordinate, using Pokémon from the Johto Region?"
Giovanni calmly smirked, seeing the match between the two unfold. He couldn't wait to see how they stack against each other, each showing promising potential.