Sinnoh Journey

Chapter 82 - Stone Cold Strategies

Walking into the next battle chamber, Kyra looked forward to the battle ahead of her. After defeating Aaron, Kyra had had a massive confidence boost. Battling against the Elite Four was definitely a challenge, but one she enjoyed all the same. It made her think, battling people to rival her technique and make her think on the spot and not rely on predetermined strategies.

Before Kyra stood Bertha, the Elite Four Member she knew least about. She had met Bertha once before, or at least that was all she remembered, they had got on well, but Bertha hadn't left too much of an impression for Kyra to worry.

"Welcome Kyra, you're looking well. Before we battle, I just thought I'd tell you how your friends did. Willow tried her hardest, but she was no match for my Ground Types. Nate managed to just about get past me, although he certainly struggled. I hope you fair slightly better, I've heard great things about you," Bertha explained.

Kyra was glad to know how Nate and Willow had faired. She had learnt both of their strategies and knew not to follow them, she wanted a clean battle with no risk of losing. Out of the Elite Four, Kyra was least worried about Bertha. Despite half of her team being weak to Ground Type attacks, she trusted her pokémon's ability to counter anything that Bertha threw out.

"You're looking confident, I like it. This is a five on five battle, you can substitute whenever you wish to whereas I am unable to substitute. Do those rules work for you?" Bertha asked, setting up the rules for the battle.

Kyra nodded, "Fine by me."

Bertha smiled and sent out her first pokémon, a Whiscash.

Kyra guessed that Whiscash was a Water and Ground Type, there was only one pokémon she could resort to using safely. Garchomp.

Garchomp was more than ready to battle, he was more fired up than Kyra had ever seen him before. Kyra followed Garchomp's gaze over to the rocks surrounding the area, noticing the gems glinting from inside them.

"Garchomp, those aren't yours. Come on, we've got a Whiscash to take down," Kyra laughed, smiling at Garchomp's desire for the shiny gems.

Garchomp looked back towards his trainer, "But...but shiny. I want the shiny!"

"I'll get you something even shinier on the way back home after the League if you battle," Kyra replied, hoping to persuade Garchomp to battle.

Garchomp nodded, he trusted that Kyra would be able to find something shiny for him later. He turned his attention back to Whiscash who was impatiently waiting to battle.

"Alright Whiscash, let's start with Aqua Tail," Bertha called, making the first call of the battle.

Whiscash was surprisingly quick to get across the field, her tail ready to attack.

"Dodge that with Dragon Rush!" Kyra called in reply, using Dragon Rush as a dodge and attack at the same time.

Garchomp jumped up and let Dragon Rush's power take over. The blue glow surrounded him as he dived, hitting Whiscash hard before Bertha had chance to call for Whiscash to defend herself.

"No doubt Garchomp's powerful, I guess I should know that from Cynthia though. Since Garchomp's in close, maybe Whiscash can use Zen Headbutt from here?" Bertha thought to herself, deciding that the call was worth making.

Whiscash used Zen Headbutt as her trainer wanted her to do, but again Garchomp was able to avoid the attack by flying up out of range. Kyra knew it was a cheap strategy, but it was one that worked and gave her time to figure out what to do next.

If Kyra switched, the only safe pokémon would be Glaceon. However, Kyra wanted to save Glaceon for any pure Ground Types Bertha had, or any Ground Type that wasn't also part Rock Type. Garchomp needed to finish Whiscash off and soon, but getting in too close and risking a Zen Headbutt hit was too risky.

"Garchomp, I want you to use Flamethrower and surround Whiscash. Then use Dragon Rush again," Kyra said, hoping that trapping Whiscash would stop her from using Zen Headbutt.

Instead of calling for Zen Headbutt, Bertha had another idea. She didn't use it too often, but when she needed to resort to it, she would do so.

"Whiscash, use Fissure."

Kyra knew that Fissure was a OHKO move, if Garchomp didn't pull up, he'd go down. But Garchomp was going too fast, not having enough time to slow himself down.

Thanks to Garchomp having dove at an angle, he had managed to take Whiscash down into Fissure with him. Kyra was glad to know Garchomp has used his initiative, but she still blamed herself for not being more careful.

The two trainers returned their pokémon to their pokéballs, praising them for the battle. Now that Bertha had used Fissure, Kyra knew she had to be careful.

"Alright, I'll be the one to take to the air this time. Let's go Gliscor," Bertha said, sending out her Gliscor

Kyra had the perfect counter for Gliscor, the bundle of restless fur on her shoulder knew exactly what to do. Glaceon jumped onto the field before Kyra had to even say anything.

Since Gliscor were Ground and Flying Types, Glaceon had the clear advantage. Kyra wasn't going to get cocky though, Bertha had clearly thought her strategy through. It wasn't impossible for Bertha's Gliscor to know Fire Fang, a move that would definitely hit Glaceon hard given the chance.

"Gliscor, use Earthquake," Bertha said, trying to gauge how Kyra reacted.

Glaceon jumped up without the need for a command, forming herself a pillar of ice to land on to give herself the higher vantage point temporarily.

"Interesting, you and your Glaceon trust one another enough to battle without communicating. Considering you're happy with Glaceon's decision, I take it that it was planned," Bertha noticed.

Kyra smiled, "Glaceon and I trust one another just the same as my other pokémon. If my pokémon have an idea, I let them use it. That way they not only learn, but they also make the battle their own, rather than just mine. Plus it helps with the element of surprise, something Glaceon and I are very fond of. Use Ice Beam!" Not giving a break between her reply and her next call.

Glaceon fired an Ice Beam down towards Gliscor much quicker than Gliscor could react, knocking her out.

"Such determination, I like your Glaceon's spirit. You battled well Gliscor, return for now. If you're taking advantage of Type Advantages, then so will we, let's go Golem."

Kyra guessed that Golem was a Rock and Ground Type, something she didn't want Glaceon battling. It clearly had a lot of Defense, it was a decision between either Lucario or Empoleon, and Kyra decided on Lucario.

Glaceon broke the ice pillar with an Iron Tail as she jumped down to switch places with Lucario. So far the battle was going well, but that could change in the blink of an eye if Kyra wasn't careful.

"Alright Lucario, use Dragon Pulse," Kyra said, not wanting to risk calling for Aura Sphere right away just in case the pressure caught up to Lucario as it had done in the past.

The two entities sped across the battle field towards where Golem was standing, Bertha still not yet having called for a counter.

"Use Stone Edge to block that," Bertha called at the last second. Golem successfully used Stone Edge as a shield, sending a few more stones up from the ground in the process.

Lucario had an idea as to how to use Stone Edge to her advantage. Her plan was similar to what Gliscor had done earlier, just without the head first collision.

Kyra let Lucario follow through with her idea whilst she kept an eye on Golem. She had noticed by the slight change in Bertha's tone that she was more confident now, Golem had a move that Kyra wouldn't expect.

"Alright Lucario, now use Aura Sphere," Kyra called, happy to let Lucario use Aura Sphere now that she was higher up and out of direct range of Golem's attacks.

The Sphere formed between Lucario's paws and she sent it down towards her target, forgetting just how small of a platform Stone Edge provided with. Kyra wasn't too worried since she knew Lucario would be able to stop herself from injury with Bone Rush, to her relief, Lucario didn't need instructing to do so.

The Bone Rush Lucario had used however was just what Bertha needed. Golem had been hit with Aura Sphere thanks to it never missing, but Golem's ability kept him standing. Sturdy.

"Golem, use Fire Punch!"