Chapter 24: Back to Back Battles

Frowning, Illyasviel von Einzbern looked into her reflection, taking in the outfit; she’d bought more than one copy of it, as most trainers aiming to be professional tended to, that she had started her journey with. An outfit that was characterized by contrasts; a pink and black pleated skirt and a pink t-shirt under a puffy black jacket.A pair of pink-and-black leggings had finished her look.

Sighing, she shook her head. “It just doesn’t fit me anymore,” she grumbled, shooting Shirou’s unchanged attire an almost jealous look. Her brother, she mused fondly, was one of those people who truly didn’t care about his clothing, so long as it was practical and “looked cool”. She wished she could care that little, but, eh, both her upbringing and sense of pride in how she looked prevented such realities.

“I’m going to have to buy new clothes, Matilda. Remind me to do that after the upcoming Gym Battle.” She remarked idly, glancing towards her aforementioned partner.

“Yes, milady. Fortunately, your brother is not someone who minds going shopping with you.” She looked up from the rack of accessories. “I am disappointed we’ll no longer be color coordinated, though. Unless you’ll be sticking with pink?”

Feebas poked her head around the corner, floating in her Aqua Ring sphere. “You could switch to a cool blue, or follow Lady Cynthia’s style and go with black,” she observed. “However, we do need to be moving on; we’re nearing the appointed hour.”

Illya glanced at her watch, nodding sharply. “Ooh, we are.” She walked out of the changing rooms, waving at Shirou, her brother idly browsing a rack of scarves; he must have finished shopping for supplies for their upcoming trip through Route 211. “Come on, it’s time for my match!”

Shirou nodded, pausing only long enough to snag Yagi from where he was doing pull-ups on some of the clothing racks. Together, the two children emerged onto the streets of Eterna, leaving the boutique behind. Shirou paused, glancing at a large building near the gym. “...where do people bike here? There’s barely any flat ground in this Region.”

“The cycling road is actually just below us; Route 206,” Illya explained as she recalled both Matilda and Feebas, both balls being placed on her trainer’s belt as she started lightly jogging, Shirou doing the same to keep up with her, “And there’s plenty of well maintained roads outside the traditional routes; you know how it is in Garde, Shirou. There’s the traditional routes and the more modern networks of transportation that connect the Region for logistical purposes, to maintain harmony with nature.”

“I’d rather walk,” Shirou said mulishly as they arrived at the gym’s estate. The stadium-sized structure was on a large plot of open grass, small groves of trees dotting the approach and letting a dizzying array of grass-types nest and relax in comfort.

Walking between vine-covered pillars, Ritsuka whistled, his tail lashing. “A lot more impressive than the Gyms in Celestic or Oreburg. Though I suppose Oreburg’s mine is part of the gym.”

As they reached the front doors, Illya blinked to see a red-haired woman in a green poncho and cut off cargo pants turn from tending a group of Roselia, waving as they approached. “Ah, you’d be the challenger, then?” The woman asked, coming to a stop beside the double doors.

“Illyasviel von Einzbern, here to challenge Leader Gardenia Natane for the Forest Badge.” Illya curtsied as best she could, rising as she looked the woman in the eye.

“That’s me!” Gardenia extended a hand, which Illya accepted. “Roark mentioned you were on your way. Normally, I’d just give you a standard second badge match, but Roard said that’d be a bad choice. I took a look at your team, and…” She gave a wry smile. “My second badge team can’t really deal with a Froslass, and you only just got your third Pokemon. So you’ve got options.”

“Options?” Illya asked as they walked in the doors, eyes widening. Instead of a stadium, the entire inside of the gym was filled with a small forest, the glass canopy overhead turning the space into a massive greenhouse.

“As you can see, I’ve got more space to do something interesting for my challenge. So I have a little trial of my own. You can either face my four-badge team, three-on-three, right now. Or you can do a little game of hide and seek.” She spread her arms out. “My gym trainers and the local wild Pokemon will spread out throughout the gym. Find all three of the Mossy Rocks hidden in the gym, facing all comers, and return to the battle court in the middle, and you can go two-on-two against my three badge team. Sounds fair?”

Illya paused for a moment to consider her options, before deciding she didn’t exactly feel the need to consider at the moment, “I’ll take the Three on Three, against your Four Badge Team.” She said firmly. She was confident in her ability to train and direct her team, and more than that, she was confident in her team’s ability to get her through this battle, especially with a significant type advantage that a Four Badge Team would have no real way of mitigating beyond offense.

“Confident! Alright, I’ll tell my trainers to gather up, and raise the stands for the spectators,” Gardenia said, pulling out her Poketech. “Come on, follow me!”

The group reached the arena, stone bleachers rising from the ground around a grassy arena. Men and women in green garb, gardening attire, and ranger outfits distributed themselves through the stands, a man in a regulation referee outfit taking his spot on the edge of the field. He deployed an Exeggutor, speaking into a microphone as a cluster of camera drones deployed to hover over the arena. “This will be a four-badge level match, three-on-three. Substitutions are allowed for the challenger, limited to two for Gym Leader Gardenia. Challenger Illya, are you ready?” He asked Illya as she ascended to her box beside the field.

Pulling Fubuki’s Pokeball from her belt, Illya nodded. “I am.”

“Very well. Begin!” The referee called, and Illya tossed forward her own ball to match that of her opponent.

Gardenia chuckled wryly as a Grotle appeared across from her opponent’s ghost. “I was hoping you’d lead with one of your other Pokemon, but I don’t think you’ll make a clean sweep with her. Grotle, give us a Sunny Day!” Grotle opened his mouth, golden light gathering within.

“Snowscape!” Illya barked immediately, Fubuki gathering a globe of frosty mist in her hands. “Follow up with Frost Breath!”

The orbs shot into the sky in tandem, the golden light bringing forth the Sun, only to be immediately dispelled as flurries of snow began to whip around the battlers. Heeding Illya’s command, Fubuki darted forward, cupping her hands around her mouth as she breathed a stream of ultracold air towards Grotle from behind, fading away before the retaliatory bite could strike her. Grotle weathered the strike with a harsh lowing, before another orb of light rose into the air, causing the gathering snow to vanish again.

“Hit and run isn’t going to work. Roark was nice enough to share this with me – Grotle, use stealth rock! Both variants!” Grotle rumbled, stomping twice; the first time sent dozens of pointed stones floating around the edges of the field, while the other caused a wave of the barbed rocks to surge towards Fubuki.

Brow furrowing, Illya whipped out Fubuki’s Pokeball. “Fubuki, return.” Clipping the ball rapidly, she thumbed Matilda’s Pokeball and threw it. “Matilda, you’re up!” She couldn’t afford to have Fubuki’s stamina be chipped away by the variant of Stealth Rock that was essentially a status effect.

The Sylveon burst onto the field, rocks bombarding her body briefly as she snapped her eyes open, wincing only slightly as some of the waiting stones dug into her flanks.

“Mystical Fire, Matilda!” Illya barked, her starter trilling wordlessly in agreement as she launched a barrage of psychically influenced flames towards Grotle, “Quick Attack, close the distance!”

“Protect, then take the physical! Take the time, use Growth!” Grotle’s hasty shield intercepted the fire, falling as Matilda got in a hit with a physical smash. As they began to glow green, taking in the sunlight, Illya called her own order.

“Calm Mind, then Protect!” In the moment it took for Gardenia to call for Megadrain, Matilda managed to set up the singular boost, a shimmering blue hexagonal shield blocking the Grass Type attack; the Sylveon snarling at the effort it took to maintain the shield, “Retaliate with Hyper Voice!”

“Protect!” Grotle’s own shield, much more cohesive, blocked the strike. “Synthesis! Use the sun while we still have it!”

“Mystical Fire! Don’t let Grotle heal!” Illya snapped, gesturing forward rapidly.

“Burn, Turtle.” Matilda spat as she spun five mystical balls of fire into existence, rapidly launching all of them at the poor Grass Type. Grotle groaned, his healing cut off, before he collapsed unconscious.

“Grotle is unable to battle! Leader Gardenia, send out your next Pokemon!” The referee called.

“Moving fast and hitting hard works pretty well for you!” Gardenia called out as she returned the unconscious tortoise. “Grass types aren’t all slow, though. Go, Leafeon!”

Leafeon landed on the ground, his leaves unfurling to catch the light. “Ooh, sonicetoseeanotherEevee, let’shaveagoodbattle, kay?” He vibrated out.

Matilda blinked, “Indeed. Are you okay? You seem a tad… energetic.”

Ignoring her partner and the overly hyper Leafeon (who probably had Chlorophyll), Illya barked out her opening command. “Misty Terrain!” Gardenia shouted her own order in response.

Matilda nodded, pink mist spreading across the field even as Leafeon used Swords Dance, his tail glowing razor sharp. Gardenia snapped off her next order. “Leaf Blade, keep up the pressure and stay in close!”

“Gotit!” Leafeon yelped before he blitzed forward, his tail coming around in a hard slash which set Matilda skidding backwards. “Ohhey,Misty! Wegetfolksusingthattostoppowderandpoisonssometimes.”

An edge of panic bleeding into her voice, Illya barked her next order. “Hyper Voice! Blow him back!”

“HEY!” Matilda shouted, the cone of pink energy smacking into Leafeon and sending him tumbling. The grass eeveelution skidded to a stop. “Ohboy, thisisgoing–” His words stretched out as the harsh sunlight faded. “-to be good. Oh, right now? I feel so sluggish…” He asked mournfully as he looked up at the sky above.

“Get Sunny Day set up again, Leafeon!” Gardenia barked, her Pokemon nodding and beginning to form a ball of golden light in his mouth.

“Mystical Fire, punish the setup!” Illya barked, a rather nasty grin on her face. After all, while Sunny Day would boost Leafeon’s combat prowess by quite a bit, it also boosted Fire Type Attacks by a not insignificant margin. And while Leafeon set up, he’d be vulnerable to a hit that Matilda might not otherwise land.

Leafeon let the orb rise, sunlight flaring across the field, his returned speed nearly letting him avoid the blast of fire which roared his way.

Nearly. At the last second, Matilda’s ribbons twitched, the magical flames swerving to blast into Leafeon’s side. “Owowowow– doubleedgedsword,yeah. You’reveryversetile;you’veusedfivemovesalreadythismatch.”

“I’m a prodigy, old man.” Matilda responded, gathering energy for her next strike.

“Switch to Swift Blade! Hit her now, she’s flagging!” Gardenia called out quickly. “Don’t let her get off another shot!”

“Ooh,we’regettingseriousnow!” Leafeon chirped, then sprung forward into a Quick Attack, crossing the space between him and his opponent in a flash, then spinning to slash her with his glowing tail. “Takethis!”

“Protect Matilda! Then get one final lick in!” Illya barked, a shimmering shield of hexagonal force deflecting the Leaf Blade. Matilda grimaced as the barrier shattered, then sprung forward into a Quick Attack of her own; meeting Leafeon’s next slash with a full-body blow.

Both of the foxcats were sent tumbling back by the force of their clash, but while Leafeon rose and shook himself off, wincing as he put weight on one leg, Matilda remained on her side, eyes fluttering. The referee watched for a moment, then raised his flag. “Sylveon is unable to battle! Challenger, please send out your next Pokemon!”

Recalling Matilda to her ball with a textbook recall, Illya gently caressed the ball before returning her starter to her belt, pulling Fubuki’s ball out before hesitating. Fubuki wasn’t fresh, and she knew for a fact that Feebas wasn’t ready to take out something so counter to her type. Leafeon, while on the field, was flagging. She estimated that Fubuki would dominate, but that was a risk, and could end with the possibility of a much closer match. Making a snap decision to deviate from her original plan, she pulled her newest ball off her belt and snapped it forward. “Feebas, you’re up!”

Gardenia blinked as Feebas landed, spinning an orb of water up around her. “...ah… this seems…” She shrugged. “Leafeon, play it safe; pop that ball with Energy Balls–”

“Seemskindaunfair–” Leafeon started, only to yelp as a blast of cold air shot out of Feebas’ orb, freezing water coating him. “OOF! Ah! Ohshit,Hypercarp!” He ignored Gardenia’s instructions, flashing forward to slash his opponent.

“Don’t compare me to those idiots.” Feebas spat, rolling her ball of water aside and freezing the ground behind her, letting Leafeon slide past. “I have tactics, not just flail abuse.”

“Erg!” Leafeon spat an Energy Ball at Feebas.

“Scale Shot!” Illya barked. “Shoot that ball down, then switch to Leafeon!”

“With pleasure, my lady.” Feebas cooly reported, some of her own scales sloughing off before being solidified by draconic energy. Five scales sat before her, and, in tandem, were launched. Two headed for the ball of grass-type energy to detonate it, while three were flung at Leafeon at speed. Leafeon’s vision was obstructed as his attack burst into green light and yellow smoke, not seeing the three other scales until they collided with his torso.

“Oof-” Leafeon flinched, stepping back. “Ughthat–” The sunlight faded for the second time, causing him to droop slightly. “Hurts… I feel sluggish…”

“Close the distance with a quick attack, then finish this with an Icy Breath!” Illya ordered, snapping her hand forward. Feebas shot out of her water ball like a cork, smashing into Leafeon before he could send up another Sunny Day, smacking into the ground and righting herself with her fins. After a long breath, she exhaled, Leafeon’s retaliation cut off as purple flames and spiraling frost intertwined to blow him back a second time.

This time, he did not rise again.

“Leafeon is unable to battle! Leader Gardenia, send out your final Pokemon!” The Referee called after a few seconds.

“Well done! Not many people can teach a Feebas that many new moves. She might not fare so well against my last Pokemon, though. Roserade, take her down!”

As the elegant grass-poison type landed, she gave a wicked smile. “Ah, I see sashimi.”

“Most of the Budew I’ve met have been kind, earnest souls. Why does evolving make your kind so bitchy?” Feebas arched a brow, then marshaled her water ball once again.

“It’s partially an act.” Roserade blurred, both hands bursting into bouquet blooms and shooting hundreds of shining shards towards the fish. “And partially revenge,” she acknowledged as her Magical Leaf closed in.

“Icy Wind to intercept, Feebas!” Illya called, eyeing the field while keeping one ear on the rather interesting conversation the two Pokemon were having. “Then retaliate with Quick Attack!”

Feebas’ ice blast cut down half the incoming attack, but as she moved into her second blow the remaining leaves slammed into her, causing the fish to close her eyes as she smacked into the fully-evolved grass type, sending the larger Pokemon stumbling. “Revenge?”

“We’re quite weak as a Budew, you know.” Feebas looked up as Roserade aimed one arm at her. “It’s… schadenfreude, afterwards.” The roses lit up with green light, and the resulting Mega Drain knocked out the little fish. “You fought well, though. Come back when you grow up; I think we’ll have a better bout then.”

The referee raised a flag. “Feebas is unable to battle! Challenger, send out your final Pokemon!”

Nodding, Illya recalled Feebas, giving the ball a gentle pat, before pulling Fubuki’s off her belt. “Fubuki, you’re up!”

The white ghost formed in midair, gesturing immediately. “Snowfield.” The sky above went cloudy, whirling snow beginning to build up on the ground.

“I was hoping you’d be down by this point.” Roserade muttered, shifting her stance and looking up grimly. “You’re just going to make it snow again if I try to summon Sunny Day, yes?”

“That would be an accurate summarization of our plan, yes.” Fubuki acknowledged with a tilt of her head, “Speaking of plans, have an ice day~”

“Blizzard!” Illya barked, taking full advantage of snowscape’s effect and Fubuki’s ability. “Press Roserade into a corner!” Fubuki spun her arms, ‘sleeves’ flapping as the winds blew ice towards her opponent.

Roserade swept her arm over her face, warding off the worst of the impacts of snow and ice. Gardenia snapped her fingers. “That’s not a real Blizzard, Roserade! Power through and fire back with an Energy Barrage!”

Roserade grimaced. “Yes ma’am…” She flinched as another shard of ice smacked into her head. “Thank Shaymin for mountain peak training…” She held her bouquets forward, green light gathering in each of the roses, before a rapid-fire spread of energy balls began to spray in Fubuki’s direction.

Frowning as Fubuki barely dodged the hit by fading into the snow, Illya considered her options. An attritional battle was in her favor, and no one could blame her for going for it considering the circumstances. But, Fubuki really only needed one solid hit with Frost Breath to finish this fight, looking at how fast Roserade was flagging simply from Fubuki’s sustained use of their ‘Blizzard’. Honestly, it was more like an Icy Wind with delusions of grandeur, but it worked perfectly in the Snowscape, and was in fact greatly enabled by it; nothing within the snowscape could avoid being hit if Fubuki wanted them to be hit; the same way Blizzard worked, which is why they opted to simply call it Blizzard.

Making a snap decision as yet another energy barrage was fired into the snow, this time grazing Fubuki and sending the ghost reeling, Illya barked, “Shadow Sneak into Finisher!”

Roserade, nearly snow-blinded, was still no fool. As soon as she heard Illya cry out, she dodged into a roll, landing to face the place she was previously standing. “I’m not going to let you get behind me,” she growled.

“Behind? In this snow, there are shadows everywhere.” Roserade froze as Fubuki’s voice came from above. Roserade’s head snapped up, only for Fubuki’s mouth to open and a gout of white to cover her vision. As white faded to black, Roseade heard Fubuki speak one last time. “I’ve heard roses who can acclimate will survive the cold. But they do sleep, and that is all I need.”

As the snowstorm died down, the Referee squinted through the ice, then raised one flag as he saw the frosted grass-type. “Roserade is unable to battle. Gym Leader Gardenia is out of usable Pokemon. Challenger Illya wins!”

Gardenia sighed, clapping from her side of the arena after returning her Pokemon. “Well done! I was hoping you weren’t planning a sweep with your Froslass- Fubuki, right?” As the ghost-type nodded, Gardenia smiled. “But I didn’t expect your Feebas to go as far as she did. Well done!”

Recalling Fubuki and giving the ball a gentle caress, Illya bowed, “Thank you, Leader Gardenia. While Type Advantage is an advantage, relying too much on it seems to be a logical fallacy. And I was counting on the surprise factor for Feebas; she wouldn’t have been nearly as effective once you and your Pokemon figured out that she was far more than she seemed.” She stepped into the arena as Gardenia did the same.

“Well, you did a good job.” Gardenia pulled out a Forest Badge, offering it to Illya. “You’ve earned this, to be certain. And I think something a little more…” She frowned as she tapped the satchel at her side. “I’m not certain you need Grass Knot or Sunny Day, though.”

“How about I handle that, sis?” Illya turned to look as a green-haired woman walked onto the battleground. A long dark green dress and black sweater covered her, with a pink mantle thrown over her top, the mark of the Pearl Clan visible on each shoulder. “Well met, Challenger Illya. I think my lord will be happy with your bout.”

As Illya turned to respond, she felt a hand on her shoulder, and turned around to see Shirou shaking his head. “Wait until we’ve visited the Pokemon Center before you agree to anything, Illya.” He chided.

“I was going to!” She complained, a fond smile briefly gracing her lips before she frowned and turned to the Clan Member, “Warden…?”

“Cheryl, thank you.” The woman gave a broad smile. “And I’m not so cruel as to make you go through Lord Kleavor’s Trial without healing. So I brought someone who could help.” She pulled a ball out from under her robes, releasing a massive Blissey. The Alpha Pokemon leaned over Illya, then immediately began fussing. “Ah… as soon as my best healer finishes her… meal planning, I think.” Cheryl frowned slightly. “This may take a few minutes.”

Shirou held up a hand. “I think I’ve done a good job feeding her, thank you.”

“You did if you were feeding a normal twelve year old human female. But she is magically active and starting a late puberty,” Blissey chimed. “More protein, calcium, and calories altogether.” She looked at Shirou with an assessing eye. “And more protein for you as well.” She reached down and scooped the person-sized egg out of her pouch. “Here, take this.”

Illya blinked, “Late Puberty? That shouldn’t be…” She paused, before grinning, “Ah, nevermind.” Shaking her head in obvious amusement, she looked to Shirou, “More protein, calcium, and calories Shirou~ You can’t stop me from eating more now~”

“That doesn’t mean more sweets.” Shirou and Blissey spoke at the same time, drawing a pout out of Illya. Blissey continued. “I think I’m done with this physical. Now, the patients, please.”

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Cheryl led the small group towards the forest, humming slightly. “It’s been a few months since the last person attempted the Trials. And most of those that do come north through the Forest, heading through Jubilife.”

Donovan sighed as he walked beside the group. “Ugh, that path needs maintenance…”

“Why has it been so long since someone last challenged Lord Kleavor, Warden Cheryl?” The white haired girl questioned as she brushed a branch out of her way, frowning at the clear lack of maintenance the path had seen. “I thought the Warden’s Journey was fairly popular in Sinnoh?”

“It was. And is, really.” Cheryl sighed. “Too popular, in some respects. Up until twenty years ago, anyone who wished could attempt the Journey and pass the first trial was allowed an attempt. But a lot of the Trial locations are in the middle of nature, and well…”

“Streamers. Idiots who took things too far, some who tried to catch the Lords or poach their children, tourists and those who tried to set up ‘Journey Tours’...” Isabella groaned. “We still get those types, really.”

“Our clans set up a new rule; to get permission to attempt the Journey, you needed to get approval from a respected figure.” Donovan explained. “A Gym Leader, Elite Four member, Warden, Champion, or one of the Clan Heads.”

“And the Clan heads keep veto power. Jointly.” Isabella sighed. “Chief Ferrus is… conservative. Stuck in the past, really. Not that he doesn’t have a point, all the outsiders going off-road was riling up the Nobles and their lands. But he’s been rejecting a lot of Journey-goers, even local ones, for years now.”

“That’s counterproductive,” Shirou shook his head. “That’ll just encourage the ones who would do it anyway to do it more.” Pausing, he clarified. “I mean people like the streamers and clout chasers, let alone the poachers and other people who do things illegally.”

“With no hints and no rights to be in the woods, the Clans, the Rangers, and the Nobles themselves can throw them out or worse without retaliation,” Cheryl said as they diverted from the main road into the woods, cutting uphill. “Lord Kleavor has gotten very good at cutting camera equipment and clothes off a person without nicking flesh, and I’m fairly certain the last person to try and poach from these woods ended up fed to the Magikarp,” she said simply.

“Though you’re not wrong about thrill-seekers,” Gardenia sighed from her place in the group. “The Trials are all on Clan lands, with a few exceptions. And the clans, unlike the Nobles, don’t have permission to kill intruders.”

“Ferrus wants to change that.” Donovan grumbled. “He’s been pushing for isolation for years now, and he’s been using the damage those tourists did as an excuse.”

Shirou and Illya both nodded, reflecting on what they’d learned. After a few minutes of walking, Illya frowned. “Wait, I didn’t get a recommendation from anywhere.”

“Lady Akari marked you as a candidate. Even with her recent mistake, her word overrides basically everyone.” Isabella shrugged. “Arceus themself uses her for a mouthpiece at times. If she says you get a shot, you get a shot.”

“Lord Kleavor is pleased that there’s a new challenger. He’s been getting a little grouchy, sparring with his successor all the time,” Cheryl sighed as they stepped along the game trail. “He’s getting a little long in the tooth, but Heiress Scizor isn’t ready for the position yet.”

“Which could all be resolved if Chief Ferrus would stop being… stupid about his choice to isolate,” Illya remarked pointedly, rolling her eyes at the level of ineptitude on display, “Has he even consulted the Nobles and what they think about this, or is he acting unilaterally because he believes he’s Arceus’ gift to Garde and knows better than anyone else?”

Isabella snickered. “Illya, you know most of us can’t actually talk to Pokemon, right? Except for Lord Wyrdeer, most of the time the Nobles can only talk to their Wardens.” She held up her hands. “Not saying he couldn’t try, but it’s not as easy for us to talk to them as it is for you.”

“Enough, Isabella,” Cheryl sighed as they creased a small ridgeline, revealing a massive stump ringed with boulders, four towering trees surrounding the natural arena. “Most of the Nobles object both to over-exposure and Ferrus’ isolation, truth be told. There is a middle way between the two. However, Ferrus is not self-righteous; rather, he is… stuck in the past.”

“I’ve met the man a few times. If tradition says he should do something, he does it,” Gardenia sighed. “And the old traditions had the Warden’s Journey restricted to those who were aspiring to follow in the footsteps of Akari, or become Wardens themselves. He seems to believe opening it to everyone cheapens the Trials.”

“Which is… short-sighted,” Donovan sighed as the group arrived at the arena. “I’m rather surprised he let you be Illya’s escort, Isabella.”

“Tradition, really. I needed a Proving Trial, and the word of Illya’s challenge came on the same day. The ‘timing’ was perfect, and thus, I was selected.” Isabella shrugged. “That’s one good thing about Ferrus; he’s consistent in his devotion.”

Cheryl nodded slightly, then walked up the steps onto the rim of the stump. Her face smoothed out, and she pivoted to face the gathered group of humans. “Today, a challenger has come to face the second trial of the Journey.” She raised her hands. “Five Centuries ago, Lady Akari came here, to the Grandtree, and freed the first of the Stricken Lords from the Frenzy. Through combat and will, Sinnoh’s Champion took the first step to healing the sky.”

Behind and around them, Illya heard an immense humming and rustling. Looking around, she (write-in reaction) as a horde of Pokemon moved to gain a view of the arena. Grass types, water types, fliers and bugs; but nearly outnumbered by the Scyther, Scizor, and handful of Kleavor flocking to the wings.

“Today, a human comes with their companions, to reenact the feat of Strength which occurred long ago.” Cheryl lowered her hands, looking at Illya. “Challenger, do you know the nature of this trial?”

“Yes,” Illya began. “Trial by Combat.” Looking around the clearing further, she took note of the Black Augerite that littered the area; a clear sign that this kind of area was perfect for the evolutionary conditions required for a Scyther to become a Kleavor.

“Yes. Lord Kleavor does not favor battle to the death, but he will not hold back.” Cheryl spoke. “He also knows you are a magic-bearer. So I ask, will you be participating yourself, or leaving it to those companions you have trained?”

“I wi-”

“Absolutely not. You aren’t ready to participate in a brawl, and while I’m very aware that I’m making an extremely hypocritical statement given what happened just a few days ago, you have even less in your kit for if Kleavor shows up directly in your personal space than I do,” Shirou interjected blandly, “You’re better off just commanding for now, sis. We’ll definitely have to keep training to fight alongside our Pokemon, though.”

Illya opened her mouth, paused, then closed it. Shirou, dammit, was right. Unlike her brother, who’d managed to unlock Aura and was a (Yagi-proclaimed) genius with reinforcement, Illya was a spellcaster. She could deal a lot more damage than Shirou, but if Kleavor bothered to actually swing at her, she’d be lucky to take or dodge one or two hits before being knocked clean out. She sighed. “I will be leaving it to my companions today,” she said reluctantly.

Cheryl chuckled. “Good to listen to your family. If only my own sister–”

“None of the people you’ve set me up with have worked out at all, Cheryl. Knock it off,” Gardenia shot back at her. “Also, you’re breaking character.”

“At this point, it’s been broken.” Cheryl stood to one side, motioning Illya to step up onto the edge of the platform. “The trial ends when your entire team are knocked out, in that case. You may send as many or as few as you wish into the arena at one time; my Lord will respond accordingly.

As Illya crested to the edge of the arena, she felt the woods tremble. Leaves shook from branches, falling to the forest floor, as a brown shape standing nearly twice her height bulled out of the woods. Leaping into the center of the arena, the stony exoskeleton of the Lord of Insects heaved as he peered across at his challenger. After a few moments of study, he spoke. “Small. Fierce. Unintimidated. Good; let’s see if your partners are the same. Whenever you’re ready, magus.” He rumbled.

“Thank you.” Illya gave a small curtsey, then tossed out all three of her balls, spreading them out across the field. “Alright everyone, spread out and be ready to defend on a moment’s notice! Feebas and Fubuki, you’re in the back! Matilda, do your best to keep Kleavor focused on you!”

“Easy. Milord, may I have your attention?” Matilda spoke.

“Yes–” Kleavor paused as Matilda’s eyes flashed. “...wait. Curses,” he muttered, now unable to tear his eyes off her. “Fae trickery.”

“Yes, Follow Me. Or rather, my version of it.” She grinned only to be forced into flaring a Protect barrier as Kleavor blurred into a strike, his axe cracking her barrier with a single blow.

“And well executed. Still, you know what they say; any problem is manageable with enough force.” Matilda was forced to dash backward as he spun, his axes shedding stones which began to spread through the arena. “I may be only able to target you, but the collateral will serve.”

Trusting that Matilda could handle herself, Illya directed her attention back to Fubuki and Feebas, “Feebas, Water Pulse, bombard Kleavor, Fubuki, Icy Wind! Slow him down, then set up a Snowscape!”

Feebas rolled her water ball behind Kleavor, firing a pulse into his back. As the blast of water caught him, Fubuki waved one hand, snow flaring to cover the arena even as a pulse of icy air froze the water to his back. She grimaced as she wove around the darting stones. “This is going to get tricky, for all of us,” she muttered grimly.

“At least this is just a Trial, not something deadly,” Feebas responded, firing off another pulse which missed Kleavor as he sidestepped. “We will need to weaken him quickly; if Matilda goes down, neither of us will last very long.”

Dodging another swipe of Kleavor’s axe with a glint in her eyes, Matilda grunted her agreement, before breathing deeply and firing off a pulse of Pixilated Normal Type energy, giving her some room to breathe; and immediately set up another calm mind, before once again she used protect to absorb another massive strike from the Lord’s axelike hands.She withered slightly under the strain, grimacing. “Oh dear–”

“You have a lot of tricks, exemplary of your type.” Kleavor grimaced as another strike hit him from behind. “And your strategy is sound. But–” Kleavor leapt, springing off the air to land behind Matilda, his ax strikes sweeping across and forward rather than down. The Eeveelution was thrown back across the field, skidding to a halt on her feet. “-you haven’t understood how indiscriminate I can be.” Kleavor’s axe caught one of the stones rimming the field, breaking it apart and hurling it towards Matilda, and by extension, both of the other Pokemon now behind her. “Rock Slide!”

“Feebas, Scale Shot the rocks approaching you, Fubuki, Protect!” Illya barked, mentally gauging Matilda’s stamina and finding it more than sufficient, “Matilda, Echoed Voice again!”

Matilda opened her mouth, letting loose a booming blast which shattered the majority of the incoming rocks, though a few broke through and smacked into her. Feebas’ scale barrage managed to keep her safe, while Fubuki’s barrier intercepted the stones heading for her. Peering through the gathering snowfall, the ice-ghost blinked. “Where’d he go?”

“He’s above! Matilda, dodge!” Feebas called out suddenly, and the fairy-type reacted quickly enough to avoid the direct hit from Kleavor’s landing; but not quickly enough to escape the blast of stone which he kicked up upon impact, sending her tumbling away, battered.

“Fubuki, sustained Blizzard, give Matilda time to recover, Feebas, Water Pulse barrage!” Illya snapped as professionally as she could under the circumstances, voice straining as she eyed her starter’s still body; Matilda likely wasn’t quite out yet, but it would take her at least a few seconds to stand up. Her faith was rewarded as Matilda rose to her feet, shaking her head.

“Oww…” The fairy muttered, then blinked. “Oh shit, I lost control of the spell!” She mewled, pivoting in time to see Kleavor charge Fubuki, the ice-type desperately trying to slow the oncoming enemy with her conjured winds. Kleavor got within range, shrugging off the blows, and raised one ax.

His strike was intercepted by Feebas, the little fish flicking her tail in a shining silver arc. Her iron tail clashed with the stone ax with a crash of metal on stone, knocking her flying across the arena but giving Fubuki time to phase through the floor and emerge across the arena. Feebas hit the ground, barely able to weave together a new Aqua Ring. “Ow…”

“Well, so far I am very impressed.” Kleavor pulsed a Protect barrier of his own, intercepting a blast of Echoed Voice. “You are all well-trained.”He darted over to Feebas, slashing her orb apart with an X-Scissor, knocking her out. “It is good to see the bonds between humanity and Pokemon maintained.” He pointed an ax at Matilda. “You next.”

“Matilda, play keep away,” Illya ordered, eyes darting around the battlefield for anything she could use. By now, the clearing was littered with rocks of all… sizes. “Fubuki, whip those rocks into a Blizzard!”

“Understood. I suppose this would be an Avalanche, of sorts…” Fubuki’s arms wove, winds whipping up stronger and stronger until the stones around her were lifted in icy and ghostly winds.

Across the field, Matilda dodged back and forth, using reinforced ribbons to redirect and deflect incoming strikes as she fell back, step by step. She winced as her tendrils trembled, attempting to back up further, only to pause as her rear hit the rim of the arena. “Oh–”

“Yes.” Kleavor brought his ax down, smacking into one last desperate Protect; then his other arm broke through, shattering the shield and smashing Matilda into the ground. “Two down, one to go–” He turned to see a deluge of icy stones and wet snow crashing down upon him. “Damn tunnel vision.” He muttered just before the avalanche hit him, Matilda withdrawn before she could be buried beside him.

Fubuki waited for a few moments, before Cheryl called out over the arena. “I believe my lord is unconscious now; if he was not, he’d have broken out. Illya, the battle is yours.” The ice type sighed in relief; they’d won.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kleavor shuddered slightly, leaning down to slurp up some hot cider. “It is good to be able to speak directly to one of my challengers, especially one who has won their bout. Well done, young lady,” he said formally as the hot juice warmed his internals. “And extend my congratulations to all three of your partners.”

Inclining her head from where she was seated to his side, Illya responded affably. “It would have been significantly more challenging if you weren’t holding back so much, but I suppose it wouldn’t be a fair fight to anything less than a trainer who had managed to collect eight badges.”

“I was holding back, but not as much as you seem to think,” Kleavor chuckled. “But yes, I didn’t go all out. It was as much to make the fight last longer than to spare your team injury. I do like a good scrap.” His ax tapped the ground, a sheet of rock holding a green Plate emerging before him. “Show this to any of my kin here in the forest, and they’ll guide you here. I’d be happy to give you another match, even after I step down and pass on Arceus’ blessing.”

Taking the Insect Plate, Illya stood and bowed. “Thank you, Lord Kleavor.”

“Thank you for the match.” Kleavor sat back, a Chansey advancing on him with a large bundle of berries and herbs. “Ah, the perils of not having a Pokeball…” He muttered resignedly.

Illya walked over to where the other humans were talking, Gardenia’s words carrying to her as she advanced. “...so when are you planning on having your match, young man? After your sister’s performance, I’m looking forward to your showing!”

“Likely within a week. I need some time to train my team, and, well, due to the incoming weather system, we’ll be in town for at least the whole week anyway,” Shirou replied, giving Ritsuka a scratch as he stood, looking towards his sister, “Good job, nee-san.”

“Thank you.” Illya smiled. “I’m going to use this week to rebuild my wardrobe, and let my team rest up a little. They’ve pushed hard these last three weeks.” She looked over at Cheryl. “So… I know the next Trial is that of Ursaluna. But I don’t know where she lairs.”

“You’ll want to head to Pastoria City next. The Clan Grounds for the Diamond Clan are located in the highlands above the Great Marsh; you’ll need to visit them if you want to face Lady Lilligant anyway, and the Marsh is where Ursaluna has her den,” Cheryl said. “...though Ferrus might be a problem…”

“Maybe. No use worrying about it, though,” Isabella said flippantly. “We’re on a mission from God; he’s not going to stand in our way.”