The Kalos Conspiracy

Chapter 10 - Caught in Viola's Web (1/2)

Chapter 10

"Trainers, get ready. Pokémon, begin !" exclaimed the referee as he raised his flag, signaling the match to start.

The battlefield crackled with energy as Vivillon and Fletchling faced off, the intensity of the crowd's cheers echoing the fierceness of the battle. Viola wasted no time and issued her command, "Vivillon, smash it with your psychic skills !"

The butterfly responded swiftly, enveloping itself in a vibrant green aura as it unleashed its telekinetic abilities. It tried to immobilize the avian Pokémon in its tracks and throw it headlong onto the ground. The audience held its breath as everyone anticipated the impact of this brutish move. However, to the astonishment of both Viola and her Pokémon, the invisible force had no apparent effect on the little red bird. Unfazed, Fletchling continued to soar through the air and swooped down on its opponent.

The nimble butterfly whirled away in just the nick of time to dodge Fletchling's sharp beak, showcasing its remarkable speed. Viola's eyes widened with surprise. "Could it resist ? But how ?" Her Pokémon had avoided the worst, but its stroke had failed, something that almost never happened. "Vivillon, try again !"

Determined to overcome this unplanned threat, the butterfly once more channeled the powers of Psychic. The green aura surrounded it as it attempted to freeze its foe from afar. Sadly for Viola, this new attempt was no more effective than the previous one. The fiery bird continued to fly swiftly, evading the unseen pressure exerted on it. Fletchling instantly retaliated with an abrupt swing of its hooked talons, forcing Vivillon to loop in haste to duck. Some spectators rewarded the challenger's combativeness with thunderous applause, others even chanting his name.

"The training has paid off," Shauna rejoiced. "Bravo Fletch, keep up the good work !"

"Wow, what the hell did this guy feed his Pokémon with to be so buff ?" Korrina marveled, stunned by the raw strength it must have required to withhold the psychic pull.

Viola's usual calm demeanor was tinged with a hint of frustration. The ogre's son had thoroughly coached his Pokémon, making it robust enough to withstand telekinetic assaults. It was quite impressive, but hardly sufficient to alarm her. Adapting to the unexpected was part of the job, and the Gym Leader had far from shown her full potential. Jude wasn't out of the woods yet.

"You've got some chops, but let's see how you cope with this," Viola grinned, her competitive spirit undaunted. "Vivillon, Hurricane !"

The butterfly's wings flapped with newfound vigor, triggering a tempest of wind within the arena. Viola anticipated the chaotic maelstrom to disorient her adversary, a technique which had already proved useful on numerous occasions. However, this time it was different, as Fletchling handled the storm with grace. Jude's Pokémon utilized the howling currents to its advantage, turning and gliding with the precision of a practiced aerial acrobat. The Gym Leader's expression shifted from confidence to concern as Fletchling, boosted by the forceful winds, closed in for an attack.

"Flaming Peck, now !" Jude ordered.

Fletchling's beak ignited with glowing blaze as it aimed for Vivillon. The fire struck true, causing Viola's Pokémon to recoil from the impact. The butterfly took a direct hit, but it was resilient and dealt little damage. Vivillon rolled backwards and spread its wings parallel to the ground to regain a steady flight. 

"Awesome, that workout with Noivern was worth it !" Tierno enthused upon watching the fruit of their labors become a live reality.

With a sharpness in her voice, Viola called out, "Vivillon, retaliate with Air Cutter !"

Jude mirrored her initiative, shouting, "Fletchling, defend with Air Slash !"

Both Pokémon's wings crackled with energy as they collided in mid-air, the white radiance of their moves illuminating the arena. Like skilled fencers engaged in a duel, they parried and clashed amidst the storm. The battle hung in the balance as both flying creatures showed equal strength, neither conceding an inch. The stadium was hushed, every spectator on the edge of their seat, eyes fixed on this ethereal display.