Chapter 17

Tobias stood outside the doors to the Santalune gym, his hand clenched tightly. Atsumu's words rung inside his head, his words after humiliating him, Tobias, the man with a Darkrai!, the one who destroyed the Sinnoh league with an overwhelming victory!!

' Can't even beat the advanced circuit!! Bullshit! You're just a freak of nature! ' Tobias thought angrily, Atsumu's image at the forefront of his mind.

Slamming the doors open, Tobias schooled his features into a calm, collected gentleman. Walking through the inner garden, Tobias looked at Viola who was watching him walk down the steps with an eyebrow raised.

" Was it necessary to open my doors that way? " Viola asked.

"Apologies. A terrible memory had made its presence in my mind. " Tobias said with a smile.

" You mean the memory of you getting your ass handed to you on a silver platter? " Viola asked with a smirk.

" Yes...That would be it! " Tobias uttered through grit teeth, his eyes showing venomous hate.

" Alright then, tell me, why have you come here, Tobias? " Viola asked.

" The same reason as any other trainer, a gym battle. " Tobias answered.

" I see, what level? " Viola asked coldly.

" ...Advanced. " Tobias answered, caught off guard by the sudden switch.

" Then we can begin. " Viola said, turning around and began walking to her side of the field.

" What would you have done if I hadn't chosen advanced? " Tobias asked.

" Ask you which Pokemon you were going to use. Based on your answer, I'd either accept or just hand you a badge, because, unfortunately, Gym leaders aren't allowed to deny challengers. If we could, I would deny you. " Viola said, standing in her box.

" Aren't you judging me too harshly? " Tobias asked.

" Nope. Back in Sinnoh, you gathered the badges you needed at the very last moment, a few days before the league would have commenced. Because of that, proper measures to give you a challenger weren't added and thus you battled gym leaders who used the standard method. " Viola said.

" Even though I would be facing a Darkrai, the Pokemon I would use would be unable to even leave a mark on your Darkrai, since I'm restricted by the simple fact that this is your first gym badge. "

" Why are you saying as if it would make a difference?! " Tobias asked. " It doesn't matter what Pokemon the gym leader would use, I would still win with Darkrai! "

" That's the problem. You're using a legendary Pokemon, that many, if not zero, people would not have access to. Thus the league would have had to make adjustments to accommodate your situation. Even if your Darkrai is a child, just starting to understand its abilities, it would still be far above the Pokemon that the gym leaders are allowed to use.

if we did nothing, then all trainers would ever do is find Pokemon which are stronger than the Pokemon and use them simply because of their basic biology, instead of training them to their max potential and coming up with unique strategies, making use of their strengths and weaknesses, because if we didn't, all we would have is a fight of who can output the bigger blast and win from the pure destructive force or just make sure to have a direct counter to a challenge for one time use and toss the pokemon to the side.

Forget gym challenges or winning a league, that isn't even a Pokemon battle anymore. "

" And why should I care?! " Tobias asked. " It's not like anyone else will be able to beat me or even find a legendary and capture it! Only I've done it! And that guy is just an anomaly! Everyone else is weaker than me! Even if you came at me with your original team, I would still win!

I came here for a gym battle, not for a lecture! So just send out your Pokemon and stop wasting my time!! "

" Fine. " Viola sighed, sending out her Masquerain. " let's get this over with. "

" The one thing I can agree to out of everything you said! " Tobias said, sending out Darkrai.

" Dark void! " Tobias commanded. " Use it until it hits! "

" Double Team. " Viola said. " Then agility. "

Multiple copies of Masquerain appeared on the battlefield, Darkrai fired multiple Dark Voids, purple orbs that quickly approached the copies, and the real one hidden amount them, but they moved out of the way, doing the attacks and surrounded Darkrai.

" Gust. " Viola said.

All the Masquerain responded immediately, using Gust in unison to create a duplicate of the move Hurricane, a large tornado appeared on the battlefield, one that Darkrai was caught inside and was tossed around in.

" Hydro Pump. "

While Darkrai was inside the tornado, the real Masquerain appeared next to him and launched a powerful torrent of water that slammed into Darkrai and with the momentum from being inside the makeshift Hurricane, Darkrai was sent flying into the wall next to Tobias.

Tobias's eyes started to bug out, looking at Darkrai who was struggling to get up. Darkrai stared at the Masquerain, who was looking down on him from above with boredom, mirroring the eyes of another who beat him mercilessly.

They weren't the same, but he cowered under the gaze of the tiny bug.

" Darkrai! What are you doing?! You can't be afraid of that! It's a weak bug and you're a legendary! " Tobias yelled.

" Really? " Viola asked. " Did he call you out or not? I'm assuming he did or you're just stubborn. First off, who said that legendaries can't be defeated, Atsumu had already done so, hadn't he? "

" But he's a freak! That Pokemon was way too strong, he couldn't have trained it to such a degree to be comparable to legendaries!! " Tobias yelled.

" But he did, and he beat you. Also, for your information, I'm doing the exact same thing. " Viola said. " Unless you're going to come at us seriously, actually make this a battle, I'm currently winning. So what's it going to be? "

" Be quiet! Darkrai, use Thunderbolt!! " Tobias yelled to Darkrai.

Darkrai didn't respond.

" Darkrai! Didn't you hear me? Use Thunderbolt! " Tobias yelled, but Darkrai still didn't respond.

" Darkrai! " Tobias yelled, but his voice got weaker. Darkrai didn't move, he stayed where he was. He could hear Tobias yell, but he couldn't move, he didn't want to move. Dragapult was not there, he was facing Masquerain, but all he could focus on was the silhouette of Dragapult standing in front of him.

" Darkrai... " Tobias uttered in fear. His starter, his friend, a legendary Pokemon was cowering in fear.

" So... Not going to attack? Well, it's not like I can't blame him for it. " Viola said, remembering the online fight where Dragapult defeated Darkrai with only physical strength.

" How is this possible? " Tobias asked, turning to Viola.

" I have a legendary. I shouldn't have lost. " Tobias said.

" But you did. " Viola said. " And not to drive the knife deeper, but did you really think all Darkrai was the same? Unlike some legendaries, there can be multiple Darkrai, multiple Shamin, and multiple Creselia at once, not like multiple Dialga or Palkia. if you're Darkrai went against another Darkrai, do you think it can win? "

" I... " Tobias started.

" You faced off against people who weren't on your level to win a tournament and then faced someone who was far above you. While my victory seems to be because of Darkrai's past encounter resurfacing, that only happens if Masquerain excluded some of the same presence as Dragapult had.

Which is a shame since I had an actual strategy to defeat you properly. Instead, my win is because Darkrai has PTSD. " Viola lamented.

" Yeah. But now what? I came here to build a legacy and it's already in the dumps. " Tobias said. " So what do I do now? "

" Depends... How badly do want to make this legacy of yours? " Viola asked.

" I've waited 4 years for this!! " Tobias uttered, clenching his fists.

" Then you still go at it. " Viola said. " You want this so bad, you overcome your failures and rise up! Your legacy shouldn't be of someone who blitzed their way to victory because he has a Darkrai but of someone who overcome all obstacles, and rose up to the position he rightfully earned! After all, that's what will leave a legacy with remembering, not a few days of hype that can be shattered in an instant. "

" Come back when you're ready. " Viola said, before turning around and started walking to her office.

Tobias stared at her retreating figure before turning to Darkrai, who held his head low. Not saying a word, Tobias walked up to Darkrai and returned him to his Pokeball, not knowing or having any words that could lift Darkrai's spirits.

...

" You know... It baffles me how strong you truly are and yet you are still holding back. " Lysandre says to Atsumu who has just entered his office.

" Thanks for the compliment. " Atsumu responded, his eyes going to the book on Lysandre's desk. " Nice book. "

" Thank you but I believe you have one yourself. " Lysandre said.

" Yeah. I do. " Atsumu said, showing his book, the iconic rose cover matching the cover of the book Lysandre had. Lysandre smiled, chuckling as he stood up and grabbed his book. Walking to Atsumu and standing in front of him, the two of them swapped books.

" Your's didn't have the author's name, guess I gave more information than necessary at the restaurant. " Lysandre commented.

" That's really the only that's different. " Atsumu said, handing Lysandre's book back while Lynsadre gave Atsumu his book.

" So how is your gym badge collection coming along? " Lysandre asked, motioning for Atsumu to follow him, who walked next to Lysandre down the halls.

" Got 4 at the moment. Unfortunately, the Shalor gym leader isn't there to have a match. Though, that is my fault. " Atsumu admits.

" Oh, what did you do? " Lysandre asked curiously.

" I broke their worldview. " Atsumu said.

" Reality is quite cruel. " Lysandre reminisced, " All the more reason to push forward to achieve your dream. It's what differentiates between an exceptional person and a commoner. "

" I don't think that's a fair description, it's way too harsh. " Atsumu said.

" Then, how would you describe this dichotomy? " Lysandre asked with interest.

" The boring and the not boring. " Atsumu said.

Only footsteps could be heard before Lysandre chuckled before it turned into laughter.

" That's true and way less harsh. " Lysandre said, patting Atsumu's shoulder.

" Told you. " Atsumu said with a smirk.

" Yes, Yes. Though if you don't mind, there's something I want to see from you first since I'm planning to make you my partner. " Lysandre said.

" Huh? " Atsumu uttered in surprise.

" Oh please, having you at a lower position would be a waste, considering you had the same thought as ME, that the book is real and not fiction, is absolutely wonderful! But, I still need to justify the reasoning to others, and what better way than to use strength? " Lysandre explained joyfully.

" All that means is that I'll be best suited going into the field unless you're making me in charge of that. " Atsumu said.

" That's precisely what I'm doing. " Lysandre said. " I have everything covered from behind the screen, you will have everything covered in the real world! This will make things go much faster. "

Opening the door with his keycard, Lysandre, and Atsumu walked in to see two people waiting for them. Alain and Malva.

" You?! What are you doing here? " Alain exclaimed, pointing at Atsumu.

" Acquiring a job. " Atsumu said.

" And if he passes, he'll be your boss. " Lysandre added.

" What? " Alain asked.

" Now this is very interesting. The man who defeated a legendary is now working for Lysandre. " Malva said, with a hand on her chin, grinning at the new information.

" You misunderstood Malva, he's not going to be under me, he's going to my partner. " Lysandre revealed.

" That's... even more interesting! " Malva grinned.

" You're also not saying anything to the public. " Lysandre said.

" What? Why?! There's a perfect scoop right in front of me! Why the hell shouldn't I reveal this?! " Malva yelled.

" Because the last thing we need is for people to follow him when he goes into the field, there is always a chance for information to be revealed. We need to maintain our image, so no one knows what's going on behind the scenes. Understood? " Lysandre said.

" Crystal. " Malva muttered, clicking her tongue in annoyance before pouting in disappointment.

" Good. Now, for the unnecessary but necessary battle, Atsumu you'll be fighting Alain. " Lysandre said.

" Guess we're going find out if you can beat me. " Atsumu said to Alain.

" No, I'm going to beat you. " Alain said resolutely.

" You sure? " Atsumu asked.

" Yes. " Alain said.

" Guess we'll see. " Atsumu responded, walking with him down to the battlefield.

" Why are you making fight Alain? " Malva asked.

" Isn't it obvious? He beat you. " Lysandre said, turning to Malva.

" Yeah, one of my Pokemon. " Malva said, rolling her eyes before resting her arms on the rails.

" That same Pokemon was a Mega Houndoom. " Lysandre said. " and he's your ace. "

" You sure about that? " Malva asked.

" Yes, I'm quite sure. " Lysandre said. " Just like I'm sure Atsumu will use a Mega to face off against Alain. "

" You don't know shit about battling, do you? " Malva said.

" If that's the case, then it's a good thing my partner is an expert. " Lysandre smiled.

...

Standing on opposite corners, Alain sent out Charizard while Atsumu sent out Chandelure. The large holocaust on the side of the room showed the match, a 1v1 battle with no time limit.

" Charizard, use Shadow claw! " Alain commanded.

" Dodge. " Atsumu said.

As Chandelure dodged Charizard's strikes with ease, Atsumu asked Alain, " Why didn't you mega evolve? "

" You didn't bring out your mega, so why should I? " Alain asked.

" So, are you confident you'll beat me with just this? " Atsumu asked.

" Yes. " Alain said.

" No. " Atsumu corrected, before addressing Chandelure, " Chandelure, have fun. "

Joy gleaming from his eyes, Chandelure attacked Charizard. Evading another slash, Chandelure appeared behind Charizard and used Dark Pulse, slamming into the ground. Charizard stood up quickly, but his eyes widened at the sight of multiple Shadowballs surrounding him.

" Flamethrower, destroy them all! " Alain yelled.

Charizard heard his trainer's command but was unable to perform the move. He tried again and again, but it didn't work.

" Charizard! What's wrong?! Use Flamethrower. " Alain called out.

" Imrprison. " Atsumu said.

" Imprison? What the hell does that mean?! " Alain yelled.

" Nice! " Malva smirked, watching the fight. Fire-type moves may or may not have worked since she didn't know if Atsumu's Chandelure had Flash fire or not, but this well definitely get under Alain's skin.

Alain wasn't able to give Charizard any commands, blinded by confusion and Charizard yelled toward his trainer, catching his attention. He was angry, his trainer was folding under these circumstances, it was unforgivable. Alain understood that when he looked at his partner's face.

Calming down, Alain focused on the fight, the look he had made Charizard grin before pain shot through his entire body. Repeated blows occurred, coming from inside, causing him to fall to the ground.

' Curse! ' Alain recognized. " Charizard! "

Charizard let out a roar, easing Alain's worries as he stood up straight.

" Sigh, got no choice. " Alain said, gritting his teeth in contempt. Touching his keystone, Chairzard's mega stone and his keystone connected and made Charizard transform into Mega Charizard X.

" Didn't you say you didn't need mega evolution? " Atsumu questioned.

" Shut up. We'll still beat you! " Alain yelled.

" You won't. After all, you can't even beat Chandelure, what makes you think you can beat us? " Atsumu said.

" Dragon Claw! " Alain said.

Charizard roared, blasting off like a rocket toward Chandelure, his claw stretched out, hitting Chandelure in the face, resulting in a large explosion that engulfed Charizard. Charizard remained in the air but was breathing heavily.

' He hit Chandelure, I know he did, but why the explosion? Did he hit a Shadowball instead? ' Alain thought, ' And Charizard can't use flamethrower anymore, but what about Blast burn? Chandelure could have Flash Fire, but at least we'll get rid of all the Shadowballs. '

" Charizard! Use Blast Burn to get rid of all the Shadowballs. " Alain said.

Charizard gathered all energy it needed, compressing it to make a large blast of fire that would incinerate everything in the area. Atsumu stood by and watched, sending a mental thanks to Froslass who was in his shadow for the protection from the heat.

Charizard opened his ready to release all the built energy, but just as he was going to, he felt a chill go down his spine, the air got cold. From his vision, he saw Chandelure appear in front of him and poked him while whispering,

' Boo. '

A jolt of energy flowed through his body, making him flinch. The energy he built up for Blast Burn, disappeared in a flash, and the Shadowballs closed in. Charizard could only stare at Chandelure floating above him, looking down at him as he was bombarded by a Shadowball Barrage.

A large explosion occurred, and the strength of the attack was felt when the walls shook. Charizard fell from the sky and got intimate with the ground.

" Charizard! " Alain called out in worry, watching as Charizard force himself to get up but a sudden, immense amount of pain shot through Charizard's body, and the remainder of Chaizard's fighting spirit was destroyed, making him fall to the ground in defeat.

" Chandelure wins. " Atsumu announced.

____________________________________________________

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