Chapter 476: Ghost Gym Battle (2)
~Third POV~
[Sinnoh Region, Hearthome City – Gym]
Despite the electrifying pace, Azure, ever the strategist, decided to recall Lucario after a particularly intense exchange. He intended to give his other Pokémon a chance to shine, to feel the thrill of the arena.
Fantina complimented, returning her Hisuian Zoroark to its Poké Ball with a flourish, "A truly splendid exchange, Azure. Your Lucario is magnificent. But now, let us see what other wonders you possess!"
Azure offered a slight nod, a silent acknowledgment. He reached for a Poké Ball, his fingers tracing the smooth surface. He murmured, a soft smile gracing his lips, "Alright, then. Let's show them what we're made of…"
With that, both trainers sent out their next Pokémon.
Fantina declared, tossing her Poké Ball high, "Go, my darling Basculegion!"
*Pop*
A burst of shimmering blue light, and there, materializing from the energy, was a stunning Female Basculegion. Its scales gleamed, a vibrant mosaic of blues and whites, and its single-spined dorsal fin undulated gracefully in the air before it plunged into the small water-filled section of the arena Fantina had specifically requested for her aquatic partners.
The [Wise Glasses] it wore glittered, enhancing its special attacks, giving it an air of intellectual menace. Azure began, his voice surprisingly warm, a rare inflection that few got to hear, "Fantina, I must say, it's impressive how quickly you've incorporated Hisuian Pokémon into your team. It's a testament to your passion for Pokémon."
Fantina chuckled, a melodic sound as she replied, "Why, thank you, Azure! It truly has been a delight. The thrill of discovery, wouldn't you agree? These wonderful Hisuian forms offer such unique challenges and delightful strategies. And I hear your own collection is quite commendable. Perhaps you'll bear witness to how effectively I can wield them!"
She winked playfully as she added, "Now, let's see what you're sending out next!"
Azure grinned, a flash of genuine amusement that momentarily softened his usually serious demeanor. He released his Poké Ball, declaring, "Indeed. Let's see if you can see through this one. Go, 'Gallade'!"
*Pop*
A flash of red and white light, and in its place stood a tall, elegant 'Gallade', its green blades gleaming, its posture noble and defiant. Or so it seemed.
The 'Gallade' stood poised, a [Spell Tag], disguised as a small, ornate brooch, glittering subtly on its chest. Fantina exclaimed, her eyes narrowing slightly, "Oh, a Gallade! A formidable Psychic/Fighting type. An intriguing choice indeed, Azure. Let us see if its blades are as sharp as its wit!"
Her Basculegion let out a resonant, challenging cry from the water, its tail fin slapping the surface with a resounding CRASH!
The battle began with a surge of energy. Fantina, eager to test the Gallade's defenses, commanded, "Basculegion, use Aqua Tail!"
Basculegion surged forward, a torpedo of scales and muscle lunged forward. It breached the water, its powerful tail glowing with a fierce blue energy, arcing through the air like a deadly whip.
*WHOOSH*
The sound of rushing water, then a powerful SMACK! as the tail connected with the 'Gallade.' The impact sent a tremor through the arena, but the 'Gallade' merely stumbled back, a flicker around its form.
It quickly regained its footing, its illusion holding firm for now, though Basculegion's power had clearly left its mark. Fantina murmured, impressed, "Such tenacity! But let's see how it handles a special attack! Basculegion, Hydro Pump!"
*SHWOOOSH*
Basculegion gathered energy, its eyes glowing. From its mouth, a torrent of high-pressure water erupted, a geyser aimed directly at the 'Gallade.' The force of the attack was immense, capable of pulverizing rock.
Azure commanded calmly, "Protect!"
*CLANG*
Just as the water cannon was about to hit, the 'Gallade' shimmered, and a translucent green barrier flickered into existence, perfectly intercepting the Hydro Pump. The water exploded against the shield, sending spray flying, but the 'Gallade' remained unharmed, though the illusion around it wavered more violently this time.
Pearl exclaimed from the stands, "A quick Protect! He timed that perfectly!"
Diamond mumbled through a mouthful of Poffin, "Yeah. But that Basculegion hits hard. That 'Gallade' is definitely feeling it."
Platinum observed silently, noting the subtle tremors around Azure's Pokémon. There was something off, a certain uncanny valley effect to its movements that a true Gallade wouldn't possess.
She suspected a trick, a common strategy of the more elusive Ghost-types. Fantina praised, a glint of shrewdness in her eyes, "Very clever, Azure! But illusions can only last so long! Basculegion, keep the pressure on! Wave Crash!"
With a battle cry, Basculegion coiled its body, then launched itself from the water, glowing with a deep blue energy. It became a living projectile, crashing down with immense force, aiming to smash through the elusive 'Gallade.'
*CRAAAAASSHHHHH*
The 'Gallade' met the attack head-on, its form flickering violently. Parts of the illusion seemed to flake away, revealing glimpses of dark fur beneath the green and white. The raw power of Wave Crash was undeniable.
The 'Gallade' was thrown back, skidding several feet across the arena floor, a pained cry escaping its illusory mouth. The [Spell Tag], no longer disguised, now shimmered conspicuously around its neck.
Platinum finally deduced, her eyes widening in realization, "It's an illusion! That's not a Gallade!"
Fantina's eyes narrowed as she slyly grinned and exclaimed, "Aha! I knew it! A delightful trick, Azure! So, that's your Hisuian Alpha Zoura then?
She looked at the struggling Pokémon, now clearly revealing its true form: a sleek, spectral fox-like creature with a fluffy white mane and piercing gold eyes. Its fur, instead of the usual reddish color, was a light, azure blue, a sign of its shiny lineage, with iridescent highlights that shifted in the gym lights.
The shiny H-Zoura snarled, shaking its head. It was hurt, but its eyes burned with a fierce, untamed fire. The illusion, while shattered, had bought it precious time and prevented the full force of the earlier blows.
Azure confirmed, a wry smile playing on his lips, "Indeed. Fantina, meet Hisuian Alpha Zoura. And it has a few more tricks up its sleeves."
Fantina clapped, genuinely thrilled as she exclaimed, "Excellent! A shiny Alpha Zoura! What an exquisite specimen! Then let us continue this dance of shadows and waves! Basculegion, Flip Turn! Keep the momentum!"
Basculegion, still full of vigor, dashed forward, flipping gracefully through the air, its body glowing with Aqua energy. It struck H-Zoura with a surprisingly swift blow, then immediately returned to its Poké Ball.
*WHOOSH-BUMP*
*CLICK*
The rapid attack and retreat left H-Zoura disoriented, staggering from the impact. Fantina immediately sent out Mismagius, her signature Pokémon, as she commanded, "Mismagius, Mystical Fire!"
*Pop*
The elegant Ghost-type wafted forward, gathering crimson flames around itself. It unleashed a concentrated burst of ghostly fire.
*FWOOSH*
Azure commanded, his voice sharp, "Agile Style, Shadow Sneak!"
*SWIPE*
H-Zoura, despite its pain, vanished in a puff of inky darkness, reappearing behind Mismagius in an instant, its claws glowing with spectral energy. It landed a quick, agile blow before Mismagius could fully react to the Mystical Fire. The attack was swift, but not powerfully damaging due to the Agile Style.
Fantina called, recalling Mismagius and sending Basculegion back out as she ordered, "Come back, Mismagius! Go Basculegion! Phantom Force!"
*Pop*
Switching out Mismagius for Basculegion appeared once more. Basculegion, anticipating the ghost type's move, vanished into the shadows, preparing for its own disappear-and-attack move.
*Swf*
The arena was suddenly thick with unseen threats, two ghost-types playing a deadly game of hide-and-seek. Azure countered, "Zoura, Nasty Plot! Then Strong Style, Shadow Ball when it emerges!"
While Basculegion was preparing its attack in the shadow realm, H-Zoura focused, its eyes glowing with dark energy. A visible aura of malevolent power gathered around it, boosting its special attack stat. Then, with a fierce snarl, it conjured a swirling orb of dark energy, larger and more potent than usual due to the Nasty Plot.
*Wooosh*
Just as Basculegion emerged from its Phantom Force, aiming a ghostly bite at H-Zoura, Azure's Pokémon unleashed its Strong Style Shadow Ball…
*WHOOSH-BAM*
The two attacks met, a clash of spectral energy. Basculegion cried out, pushed back by the force of the Shadow Ball, while H-Zoura recoiled slightly from Basculegion's direct contact. Both took damage.
Pearl roared loudly, halfway out of his seat exclaimed, "They're really going at it! That H-Zoura is tough!"
Platinum observed, her brow furrowed as she stated, "Azure's really making that Zoura work. It's taking a lot of hits."
Indeed, H-Zoura was starting to look weary. Its glossy fur was ruffled, and it was breathing heavily. The attacks from Basculegion, even at a distance, were considerable. The [Wise Glasses] were clearly making a difference.
The [Spell Tag] around H-Zoura's neck pulsed with dark energy. Azure commanded, seeing an opening, "Strong Style, Bitter Malice!"
*SCREEEH*
H-Zoura let out a guttural snarl, a surge of primal, icy hatred radiating from its form. Dark energy coalesced around it, forming a chilling, spectral orb that was then launched directly at Basculegion.
*SHWOOOSH*
The orb struck Basculegion head-on. The attack, amplified by the [Spell Tag] and Strong Style, hit with devastating force.
*Boom*
Basculegion cried out in pain, thrashing violently in the air. A visible aura of frost and despair clung to its scales, lowering its defense.
The arena grew colder around it. Fantina urged, unwilling to give up, "Now, Basculegion, a powerful Surf! Show that Zoura the full power of the waves!"
Basculegion roared, gathering the water around it. The small water in the arena swelled, rising into a colossal wave that threatened to engulf the entire battlefield. The sound was deafening, the sheer power of the water overwhelming.
*SPLASH*
Azure ordered, a strange glint in his eyes, "Zoura, Calm Mind!"
As the monstrous wave bore down, H-Zoura closed its eyes for a split second, a profound calm washing over its features even amidst the chaos. Its special attack and special defense subtly increased, a small buffer against the inevitable.
*CRAAAASSSHHH*
The wave slammed into H-Zoura with terrifying force, engulfing it. The gym was filled with the sound of rushing water, the spray reaching even the lower rows of the stands. For a moment, H-Zoura was completely submerged, lost within the churning water.
Pearl cried out, worried, "Zoura!"
Diamond added, even he looking concerned, "It took the full brunt of that!"
Fantina wore a confident, almost triumphant smile praised her Pokémon, "A magnificent display, my Basculegion!"
But as the water receded, revealing the arena floor once more, something extraordinary was happening. H-Zoura lay on the ground, battered and soaking, but a faint, shimmering light began to emanate from its form…
*FLASH*
The light rapidly intensified, growing brighter, more expansive, until it enveloped the Pokémon entirely. The light pulsed, a blinding beacon in the middle of the gym. H-Zoura's form began to shift, to grow, to change.
Its sleek, fox-like body elongated, its mane grew thicker and more flowing, its claws sharpened into deadly talons. The white fur around its neck flared out, becoming a magnificent, spectral collar. The tips of its spectral fur turned from azure, blue, to a dark purple coloring. Its eyes, once piercing, now glowed with an intensified, almost sentient intelligence.
Platinum gasped, rising from her seat, her hand instinctively flying to her mouth, "It's... evolving!"
Pearl roared, his voice cracking with excitement, "Zoura's evolving! Mid-battle again?! Amazing!"
Even Diamond dropped his Poffin, a rare display of genuine astonishment. Jasmine watched with a serene smile, having perhaps anticipated such an occurrence from Azure's team. Fantina, however, was truly stunned.
Her elegant posture faltered for a moment, her jaw dropping slightly. She had pushed Azure's Pokémon to its limit and inadvertently triggered a potent evolutionary leap.
She breathed, her voice a mixture of awe and dawning realization, "A Hisuian Zoroark! How utterly magnificent! And during our very own battle!"
The light receded, revealing a majestic Hisuian Alpha Zoroark (Shiny). Taller, more imposing. The [Spell Tag], still around its neck, seemed to burn with renewed power. It let out a chilling, yet powerful sound that echoed through the gym, a sound of newfound strength and untamed spirit, "ZOROOOOAAARRR!"
Azure's smile widened, a deep sense of pride in his eyes as he praised his Zoroark, "Welcome, Zoroark. You chose a dramatic entrance."
The newly evolved H-Zoroark, invigorated and transformed, felt the surge of power coursing through its veins. It was no longer just about survival; it was about victory.
Fantina, recovering her composure, though still visibly shaken by the sudden evolution, steeled herself as she commanded, "Well, Azure, it seems your team has grown even stronger! But my Basculegion is a powerful foe! Basculegion, Aqua Jet!"
Basculegion, though still reeling from Bitter Malice, summoned its strength, its head glowing with a furious blue energy as it launched itself at H-Zoroark, aiming to strike with its hardened skull.
Azure commanded. His voice was calm, but held an undeniable edge of authority, "Zoroark, Strong Style, Night Daze!"
H-Zoroark, barely flinching from its previous injuries, focused its newfound power. Its eyes glowed an eerie red, and it let out a guttural, terrifying shriek. Dark, spectral energy radiated outwards in a powerful, disorienting wave…
*WHRROOOOMM*
The entire gym seemed to momentarily warp, the very air distorting.
Basculegion, caught mid-charge, was utterly disoriented. Its Aqua Jet attack faltered, its eyes spinning in confusion.
The sheer psychological and spectral force of Night Daze, amplified by Zoroark's newly evolved status, was overwhelming. The [Wise Glasses] on Basculegion did nothing to protect its mind from the illusory onslaught.
It stumbled, losing all sense of direction, crashing into the edge of the water arena with a pathetic fall. It struggled to regain its bearings, but the confusion was too great.
Azure's voice cut through the lingering confusion, "Now, Zoroark, finish it! Strong Style, Phantom Force!"
H-Zoroark, a true master of illusions and shadows, now vanished in an instant, its shadowy form dissolving into the very floor of the arena. There was no visible movement, only a ripple in the air, a whisper of dark magic.
Basculegion, still bewildered, thrashed weakly, trying to locate its invisible foe. But it was too late.
*WHOOSH*
From directly beneath Basculegion, H-Zoroark erupted, its spectral claws extended, glowing with an intense, vengeful energy…
*RIIIIIP*
It tore through Basculegion with incredible force, a silent, deadly strike that left no physical mark but seemed to drain the very essence from its opponent. Basculegion let out a final, pained gurgle, its eyes rolling back as it slumped, defeated, into the ground.
*Thud*
A hush fell over the gym, then erupted into thunderous applause. The sheer power of the newly evolved Hisuian Zoroark, combined with Azure's expert command, had made for a truly breathtaking finish.
Fantina, though defeated, clapped her hands, a wide, genuine smile now on her face. "Magnificent! Truly, exquisitely magnificent, Azure! To witness such an evolution, such raw power, is an honor!"
She returned Basculegion to its Poké Ball, offering it a soft, encouraging pat, "My dear, you fought bravely."
Azure praised, walking towards his newly evolved partner, "Zoroark, you were incredible in that battle."
H-Zoroark dipped its head, a low, contented growl rumbling in its chest. Its eyes, still glowing with power, held a deep sense of loyalty and satisfaction. The [Spell Tag] around its neck pulsed faintly, a testament to the power it had just wielded.
Azure smirked as he patted his evolved H-Zoroark. Zoroark purred happily as Azure checked its newest status update.
[Zoroark the Baneful Fox Pokémon. As a result of its appearance, Hisuian Zoroark was said to resemble an embodiment of death. The illusions channeled through Hisuian Zoroark's long, withering fur are full of spite. Uniquely, this spiteful illusion can cause physical harm to its opponent on both the inside and outside.
This power comes from the hatred it has for every living thing in the world. Hisuian Zoroark's illusion malice is powerful enough to drive anyone who sees it to insanity due to their terror. Hisuian Zoroark recklessly attacks its foes or nemeses to the point that its own bitter energy can cause physical harm to itself.
Despite its extremely hostile and aggressive nature, Hisuian Zoroark can be compassionate to those it cares about, such as Hisuian Zorua, and it will become an invaluable ally once someone earns its trust.
Hisuian Zoroark prefers to reside in the cold areas where it lingers. Like its Unova counterpart, Hisuian Zoroark can make an illusion of humans talking, to the point of easily fooling anyone into getting food. Hisuian Zoroark and Zorua are the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move Bitter Malice.]
|Name: Zoroark (S) (Hisuian) [Alpha] (Baneful Fox Pokémon)
|Type: Normal/Ghost
|Tera: Dark
|Level: 30
|Gender: Female
|Held Item: [Spell Tag]/[Silk Scarf]/[Blank/Spooky Plate]
|Ability: Illusion
|Nature: Timid
|Moves: Protect, Torment, Curse, Pain Split, Nasty Plot, Calm Mind, Slash [A][S], Shadow Sneak [A][S], Shadow Ball [A][S], Swift[A][S], Tera Blast [A][S], Phantom Force [A][S], Snarl [A][S], Knock Off [A][S], U-Turn [A][S], Detect (IM), Night Daze [A][S] (IM), Shadow Claw (IM),Bitter Malice [A][S] (EM) (5 Moves left to learn)
Azure smirked as he saw the update of Zoura leveling up as he thought, 'It learned the move Shadow Claw. Nice…'
Platinum clapped enthusiastically, a genuine spark of admiration in her eyes, "Truly astounding! What an incredible evolution!"
Pearl exclaimed excitedly, almost beside himself, "He just whipped out a completely new Pokémon mid-battle! That was insane! Did you see that Night Daze?! It just broke Basculegion's brain!"
Diamond, finally processing the whole event, nodded slowly as he said, "That Zoroark is strong now. Alpha and Shiny... Azure really raises amazing Pokémon."
Dia then remembered his dropped Poffin and looked down sadly. Jasmine smiled serenely as she stated, "Azure's bond with his Pokémon is truly remarkable. That kind of evolution, at such a crucial moment, speaks volumes of his training and their trust."
The atmosphere in the Hearthome Gym remained electric as he turned towards Fantina with an eager grin. Fantina, meanwhile, thought frustratedly, 'His Pokémon evolved twice during this Ace Trainer Gym Match?! Surely it won't happen a third time, right…?'
/////
A/N: Hope you liked the chapter!