Ash's Story (Part 6: Unova)

Chapter 55: Against the Wind

Mistralton Gym greeted us by trying to throw us back outside.

The moment the doors opened, a wall of wind slammed into my chest. Pikachu dug his paws into my shoulder, and Alice caught my sleeve before the gust could turn my first step into an embarrassing retreat.

Eve leaned forward against the pressure. "This is a really strong wind."

Iris held Axew close under her hair. "Hang in there!"

A man in a Gym guide jacket tumbled out from behind a wall and bumped straight into me. We both staggered, and he grabbed his hat before the wind took it.

"Ow! Oh, sorry!" the guide said. "This Gym is a wind tunnel! When the propellers in back start spinning quickly, you will be blown away like a certain someone just was."

"That certain someone was you," Golly said.

The guide coughed. "When you think the wind will blow, stay hidden behind a wall and wait for it to stop. Flying-type Pokémon have more weaknesses than you might expect, including Rock-, Electric-, and Ice-type moves."

Magnezone hummed in his Poké Ball at that.

Cilan adjusted his hat with both hands. "A Gym where the air itself demands timing. Skyla's flavor is bold from the entrance."

I looked down the tunnel of walls, fans, and open platforms. "Then we learn the wind before we face her."

Pikachu's meaning came bright and steady. "Feet listen before thunder runs."

"Right," I said. "We move when the wind lets us."

The first gust pattern nearly caught me anyway. We ducked behind a wall just as the fans roared, and I felt the wind scrape past hard enough to pull my jacket sleeve straight. When it stopped, we ran to the next section.

The Gym was teaching the same lesson through the air that my friends kept teaching through words. Move at the wrong time, and strength did not matter.

Pilot Fynn waited on the first platform with a grin as sharp as the wind.

"Strong winds, right?" Fynn called. "They represent the strength of us and our Gym Leader. This is a Pokémon Gym, so let's have a Pokémon battle!"

He sent out Swoobat. I chose Zoroark.

The first battle platform had low walls and open gaps on both sides. If I stepped too far in any direction, the wind could shove me into the padded safety net below. Fynn stood like he had practiced this a thousand times.

Swoobat opened with Heart Stamp, diving along the wind in a pink blur. Zoroark slid under it, but the air caught the ends of his mane and threw off his balance.

"Do not fight the wind," I called. "Use the shadow it leaves."

Zoroark's eyes flashed as the illusion settled around him.

Swoobat tried to ride the tunnel current, but Zoroark spread a dark illusion across the field, making the walls seem to multiply. Fynn's Swoobat hesitated for one breath too long.

"Night Daze!" I called as Swoobat turned too late.

Zoroark's dark wave struck cleanly, sending Swoobat down before the fan cycle returned.

Fynn recalled his Pokémon with wide eyes. "I felt intense pressure coming from you and your Pokémon!"

Zoroark's meaning came low and satisfied. "Wind hides tricks. Darkness hides better."

The second platform belonged to Pilot Winslow, who stood so calmly in the gusts that he seemed bolted to the floor.

To reach him, we had to cross a narrow stretch while the propellers paused. I almost moved too early when I saw the fan blades slowing, but Golly caught my sleeve without apology.