The Dave
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Chapter 16, part 2
🕑 Added 2024-12-08 13:52:03 +0000 UTCHe doesn’t end up encountering Josie, the blonde likely having made a beeline towards the pokécenter. Maybe she’ll return in time to watch his own match, maybe she won’t. Ran can’t concern himself with those thoughts however, as he instead thinks furiously on how he’ll approach his own match. The original plan, which was to start out by letting Skorupi debut before relying on the strength of the rest of his team, is discarded immediately.
After all, Whitney’s third-badge challenge is clearly more than just an ‘average’ step up from Bugsy’s second-badge challenge, when looking at the pokémon fielded and the strategies employed. Josie may have been far too simplistic in her approach whilst lacking for solutions that weren’t just focused on directly overpowering the opponent, but she’d also been unfortunate to run into a Miltank that got to come in on a major Baton Pass. Bugsy had shown a vaguely similar approach in some of the matches Ran had studied, by focusing on slowing down his opponents before letting his sweeper come in, but Whitney takes that to a whole other level.
If she wants to pull the same trick on Ran, he’ll need to be ready for it. Not to mention his need to account for the sheer bulk of Miltank, which is seemingly a near-constant as Whitney’s ace. It isn’t as if his team has any true offensive powerhouses capable of easily punching through Miltank’s defenses. He’ll have to be more clinical about things. Which means that, unfortunately, Ekans will have to lead.
Whitney might have some way to clear the battlefield, but as she hasn’t shown anything of the like throughout the matches he’s spectated, he can gamble on Toxic Spikes right from the start. The strategy is obviously a lot more prevalent as one advances up the badge tiers, but for a third badge challenge, it might be a surprise her selected pokémon won’t have any answers to. Then, Ekans can focus on debilitating and weakening the opponent. At some point, ideally against Whitney’s second pokémon, assuming Ekans manages to beat the first and weaken the second, Aria will get to enter the field.
Assuming she manages to take out her opponent with Fell Stinger, which is what he’ll try his hardest to set her up for, that’ll give her the kind of boost where even a Miltank or similarly bulky opponent won’t be able to withstand her. Finally, he’ll have Golbat and his mobility in reserve as a final ace up his sleeve.
Entering the waiting room, once more a larger communal area rather than consisting of smaller individual rooms, Ran deliberately relaxes his shoulders. There’s still reasons for caution and tension, but it is a workable plan. It’s a good plan, even. Not perfect, but then this can be a lesson to not get overconfident and properly scout out the Gyms he’ll be challenging further down the road. It’s his own fault for booking a challenge so shortly after his arrival to the city.
As he sinks down on an unoccupied pink bean bag chair in one corner of the waiting area, he offers a terse nod towards the lone other trainer in the room. For a moment Ran considers starting a conversation, but a single proper look at the nauseous expression on the other guy’s face has him reconsider. Well, that and the lone pokéball at his side.
Yet another unready unsponsored Goldenrod trainer about to get embarrassed publicly, then. Not someone worth wasting too much time or thought on. Instead, he turns to his pokégear, looking to shoot Josie a quick message in hopes of possibly cheering her up a bit, but that’s when he notices that there’s no reception in the waiting area. Which is probably a deliberate choice, either on Whitney’s or the League’s part. Something to keep in mind for when he’s challenging for his fourth badge.
Glancing around the room for a distraction of some kind, Ran slowly starts to get jittery again. The floor consists of baby pink carpet tiles, whilst the walls are a garish hot pink with a few gold veins running through it. The seating on offer is solely made up out of bean bag chairs, available in a variety of soft pinks, greens and oranges. It is, to his eyes at least, a painful display.
For someone trying to keep his cool and retain his focus, it’s almost the polar opposite of what he’d personally have liked the room to look like. Which doesn’t change his circumstances. If this is what he’ll have to deal with before he can win his third badge, then so be it. Even if it’s a bit low of Whitney to secretly try and wind up her challengers like this in advance of their match.
The solution is obvious, as Ran simply closes his eyes and relies only on his ears to keep informed on what’s happening around him.
Either the soundproofing between the waiting area and the arena is exceptional, or there’s a relatively low-tier challenge ongoing, as no sounds or impacts carry through to the waiting area from the ongoing battle beyond the big double doors. Other than that, there’s little to be heard but the quick, shallow breaths of the other waiting trainer until, two minutes later, the doors audibly swing open.
A heavy gulp, the speed of his breathing picks up even further and then he’s gone, leaving Ran to wait alone. Briefly, he hears the crowd’s many conversations blending into an unintelligible murmur, but then the double doors swing closed once more and Ran is left truly alone once more.
Well, he’s not truly alone, of course, as one hand falls to the pokéballs on his belt. Their presence is a comfort, a grounding, calming weight under his hand. He’s almost close to falling into an impromptu nap, when the smaller door on the other side of the waiting area swings open, the next trainer to challenge after Ran entering the waiting area.
Grateful for the distraction, because actually falling asleep would be foolish to say the least, Ran opens his eyes and looks to see just who entered the room. It’s a younger girl, so she’s definitely a sponsored trainer. There’s something faintly familiar about her as well, though he’s drawing a blank as to just where he’s recognizing her from.
He runs over her defining characteristics: short light brown hair, boyish clothes, shoes that have seen better years, let alone days, and deep purple headphones which are probably blasting some kind of overly peppy beat directly into her brain. None of it stands out as the defining characteristic he’s getting caught on. The girl for her part examines him in turn, but she doesn’t break the silence, merely glancing around before outright diving for the biggest bean bag chair in the room, which she’s soon almost entirely swallowed up by, only her head popping up out of the orange cocoon that envelops the rest of her leery form.
He wracks his brain for a minute, struggling to recall just where he might have seen or met this girl before, but with little success. Eventually, he gives up, at least grateful for the temporary distraction. Instead, his attention turns to the surprising number of pokéballs on her belt. Surprising, because she’s clearly on her first tour going by her apparent age, yet she’s already got a full six pokéballs on display.
Sure, Josie’s got three and he’s got four and neither of them is officially sponsored - Josie’s dad bankrolling her doesn’t count - but they at least had a few years before setting out. This girl can’t have been a trainer for more than a few months. Even if a sponsorship ensures that she’s got the means to already support a team of six, that she’s filled up her team this quickly shows that she either had a very clear plan and the opportunities to fulfill it extremely smoothly or… and it’s by far the more likely option to Ran’s mind, she’s an overeager idiot who just caught the first handful of wild pokémon she liked the sight of.
Speculating about the possible make-up of her team keeps him occupied for the next five minutes, as he considers the known variables. She’s clearly sponsored and she’s in Goldenrod roughly two months into the season. So probably either her second or third badge. Ecruteak, Cianwood, Azalea or Violet as her previous stop. But that essentially opens up everything but Blackthorn as her starting point. So are there any sponsorships he knows of that would emphasize building a full roster early?
That’s the question he’s still breaking his head over, when the double doors open. Which is enough to draw him out of his own head and essentially dismiss the mysterious girl from his mind entirely. It’s time to face Whitney and win his third badge, after all.
It’s only a few steps through the double doors, through the small hallway, before he’s finally stepping out onto the field once more. Briefly, his attention turns to the audience, looking for any familiar faces, but if Josie or Grady are in attendance, then they’re not trying to catch his attention.
The audience is a lot more intimidating from this side, compared to his previous Gym challenges. Goldenrod’s larger population and Whitney’s greater reputation suddenly actually becoming oppressive in a way they hadn’t been when Ran himself had been seated amongst them. Still, he won’t let anything stop him from doing what he’s come here for.
Stepping into his box, he listens with a half ear as the announcer briefly runs through a simple summary of his career thus far - the Zephyr and Hive badges, first season, unsponsored - before the referee takes over and quickly runs through the familiar rules - 3 pokémon per trainer, one legal substitution - all while Ran focuses on the feel of Ekans’ pokéball under his fingers and the memorization of his new plan.
Then, finally, it’s time to begin, as the referee raises both flags and counts them both down. He looks towards Whitney, to see her cheerily selecting a pokéball and readying to throw it onto the field. He looks to the stands one final time, briefly scanning to see if he can’t spot Josie after all. She really doesn’t appear to be in attendance, which is fair enough.
When the referee gives the signal, Ekans pokéball is sent out onto the field by a vigorous throw. On the opposite side of the field, a form materializes out of red energy as Ran watches tensely. If Whitney’s going with a front-loaded team, rather than building towards a sweeper, his approach will have to change drastically.
But any ideas of changing the plan are dismissed, when Ekans ends up facing a Jigglypuff.
A Jigglypuff?
A Jigglypuff, of all things.
He’s… honestly pretty insulted. Something he doesn’t bother to hide, as his expression falls. Whitney notices as much, her mouth opening to-
“Ekans, Toxic Spikes!” He immediately barks out, pouncing eagerly on Whitney’s momentary lapse.
It only wins them a half second, as Whitney hurriedly counters with an order to use Echoed Voice, but that’s enough of a window for Ekans to start acting. His scales rise up slightly, visibly bristling with poison-type energy as the top layer rises slightly away from Ekans’ thick hide. On the other side of the field, Jigglypuff opens its mouth and lets out a loud shout which reverberates oddly across the battlefield, only to be oddly muted for the trainers and spectators, as it bounces off of the invisible barriers that surround the field.
Ekans weathers the attack with little difficulty, Jigglypuff’s limited power not able to truly hurt him just yet. In turn, the Toxic Spikes are fired off, shooting up into the sky before slowly swirling towards the ground, spreading out to cover the entirety of the field. Jigglypuff lets out an audible huff, empowered by the lingering effects of Echoed Voice, which in turn draws a taunting hiss from Ekans.
“Again!” Ran commands, wanting to further increase the number of hazards on the field and trusting in Ekans ability to withstand Jigglypuff’s efforts for a while yet.
“You as well, Jigglypuff!” Whitney counters, as both pokémon execute the same moves a second time.
The differences are notable however, as Ekans takes a moment longer to muster up a second load of Toxic Spikes, whilst Jigglypuff’s Echoed Voice is noticeably stronger. Its cry echoes painfully, seeming to come not just from Jigglypuff’s mouth, but also originating from other places spread throughout the arena. The discordant clamor that’s created by Echoed Voice’s peculiar effect is far from pleasant, as Ekans throws his head around in agitation, now clearly suffering the attack’s effect more than during the first go.
Still, it isn’t enough to stop him, as he sends out a second salvo of Toxic Spikes, further coating the field with poisonous hazards. Immediately, Ran delivers another order, hoping to cut off Jigglypuff’s Echoed Voice before it can build even further.
“Glare!” He orders Ekans, who obediently rises up and looks to lock gazes with Jigglypuff. However, Whitney counters with an unexpected command of her own.
“Disable!” She calls out, Jigglypuff’s eyes for a moment becoming black voids, before it meets Ekans’ gaze. Ran’s starter visibly recoils, the ominous yellow glow in his eyes cutting off abruptly as Disable overcomes his Glare and locks his ability to use the move away for now.
Ran lets out an angry hiss that wouldn’t be out of place on his starter, as the mysterious Disable disposes of a move he’s grown rather reliant on, when battling alongside Ekans. Maybe Ekans will be able to use his Glare again in just a handful of seconds, or maybe he won’t be able to use it again until he’s been recalled. With Disable, that oh so curious move people are still trying to make heads or tails of, it’s impossible to tell.
“Not so fun when the shoe’s on the other foot, huh?” Whitney taunts him, drawing Ran’s attention temporarily from his dismayed starter towards his smug opponent. She’s clearly amused to have gotten one over on him, in a way that’s worryingly reminiscent of her behavior back in the Conference, when she poked holes in every opponent’s strategy with an impossible ease.
The clear connection leaves Ran anxiously wondering whether Whitney somehow actually did end up researching him. It seems impossible, because where would she find the time? Still, her taunt needs to be answered.
So he does so, with a single sharp call, “Acid!”
Ekans obeys instantly, firing off a thick purple wad of biting acid which covers the distance between both pokémon at speed. Whitney doesn’t even respond with an order of her own, as Jigglypuff tries to jump out of the way without needing an instruction from its trainer. Instead, even as Jigglypuff is too slow to properly get out of the way, getting hit by acid mid-jump and being sent tumbling backwards, Whitney merely huffs theatrically.
“Really? Come on kid, give the people a bit of a show at least!” She complains, clearly still trying to bait him into a conversation.
Ran doesn’t respond immediately, instead looking closely at the battling pokémon, as Jigglypuff struggles to get up and Ekans instinctively slithers forwards, closing the distance before Ran has even given the order to close in and finish things off. But instead of affirming Ekans’ actions, he’s actually got something else in mind.
“That’ll do, Ekans! You’ve done your part for now, but I might still need you at the end, alright?” He calls out, Ekans’ head immediately whipping towards him in surprise, his starter’s displeasure at being recalled not hidden at all.
Still, Ran can’t waste time explaining right now, nor can he change his mind without completely embarrassing himself. So he simply raises Ekans’ pokéball and recalls him, even as he finally takes a moment to respond directly to Whitney, “What do you expect me to do? See an obvious advantage and not take it? Just to showboat? Sorry, but that’s not happening.”
He clips Ekans’ pokéball onto his belt, instead grasping for Aria’s. Even as he throws her ball out into the field, sending her out to confirm the knockout of Jigglypuff, Whitney gasps dramatically posturing theatrically for the crowd which eats out of her hand, “Behold, he speaks!”
“What’s with the theatrics?” Ran snaps in return, getting increasingly agitated as Whitney apparently feels comfortable messing around against him, where she’d been focused and serious against her previous opponents.
Aria materializes, shrinking away from the large crowd when a ripple of surprise runs through them at the sight of an Ariados, before she visibly shakes off her nerves. Then her large purple eyes catch on Jigglypuff, her black pupils narrowing sharply as she notices her prey. Without even needing any instruction from Ran, she catches on to Jigglypuff’s weakened state, immediately starting to shuffle forwards.
“You seem awfully serious,” Whitney answers casually, “And with a team like yours, the people are hardly getting their money’s worth, so I’m just trying to make sure everyone gets what they need.”
“Aria, get in there with Shadow Sneak and follow up with Fell Stinger!” Ran orders, opting not to address Whitney’s words and instead looking to retain the initiative. Of course Shadow Sneak’s ghost-type energy can’t actually damage a normal-type like Jigglypuff, but it’ll still put Aria’s heavy form right on top of it with some speed behind her as well.
“Get ready to deliver a Sweet Kiss, Jigglypuff!” Whitney counters, before looking at Ran assessingly once more.
She’s just trying to get under his skin. As long as he doesn’t rise to her bait again, it’s only to his advantage if she continues to waste time and energy on trying to bait him into a conversation. Gritting his teeth, he merely watches as Aria dips into her own shadow.
Then said shadow, which has simultaneously elongated unnaturally to be mere feet away from Jigglypuff, shrinks in on itself, the end where Aria has just disappeared into getting pulled back together with the outstretched part like a rubber band, expelling Aria within striking distance of Jigglypuff even as the lashing ghost-type energy washes across its pink form harmlessly. Jigglypuff shifts, the contours of its mouth glowing brightly as it attempts to land a Sweet Kiss, but Aria uses her momentum well.
She bowls the pink ball over even as her horn glows an odd mossy green for a moment. Then she stabs home, punching deep into Jigglypuff’s marshmallowy form. The normal-type lets out a pained cry, for just a moment looking as if it might continue to struggle, before falling silent. Its form grows slack, Aria chittering menacingly as her colors grow noticeably more vibrant, her whole body shivering as Fell Stinger’s secondary effect activates, strengthening her greatly.
Whitney recalls Jigglypuff with a slight frown, looking at Aria taxingly, whilst Ran’s only female team member chitters proudly as he cheers for her. She comes scuttling back to her side of the field obediently as he calls for her, giving Whitney enough room to send out her second pokémon. However, she doesn’t do so immediately, instead continuing to examine Aria’s form for a few long seconds.
Finally, she selects a pokéball, even as her attention turns to Ran once more.
“Well alright, that’s new!” She calls out enthusiastically, tossing up her chosen pokéball once, before throwing it onto the field, “Let’s see how you handle this, then! Come on out Raticate!”
Ran watches in surprise as one of, if not the most, common pokémon in the world appears on the field. Raticate lands heavily, only to cry out in audible annoyance when the Toxic Spikes, previously cautiously avoided by Jigglypuff, make their presence known. Ran grins triumphantly, as Raticate’s cry is cut off by a visible pained flinch.
But his grin is extremely short lived, as Raticate’s pained expression turns angry. Its large fangs gleam threateningly, as a fire ignites in its eyes. When it snaps its fangs against each other, the snap can be heard all the way on the other side of the room. There’s only one explanation Ran can think of.
Guts.
Comments
The Dave
It did a fair bit, but the fairy-type is undiscovered at this point in the timeline and so Ran kind of underestimates just how much it did. It's not quite enough for a ko and his mind is already on setting up Aria, so he misses it. But one more good hit with Acid would've definitely been enough to finish the job, he just didn't realize as much.
TempestK
I'm a bit surprised the Acid didn't do more given Wigglytuff is dual normal/fairy.
Heraclitus
I love the steady increase in battle strategy and tactics as badges increase.
Mrsean22
Honestly I'd say Ran is doing a good job so far. Knows Whitney is tough so he's taking this match very seriously. Looks like Whitney was told about or researched Ran. Though Ran is probably gonna just assume the Gyms know about him because this is the second time they are doing things that work against his team.
The Dave
Next time, Chapter 16 ends on a real big update (5k+ for part 3). For now, the fight is on, only for Ran to realize that Whitney's approach at the third level is a serious step up, compared to what he's faced before. In a quick aside, I'm feeling a lot better, so the delayed Contributor reward will be dropping in the next few days, I'm deeply sorry about the delay.
