Aviva The Half-Breed Pokemon

Chapter 21 -- Gardevoir and Darkrai

The moon gave way to the sun and morning arrived. 

Out of a habitual habit, Ice Man slapped Aviva's face. "I have something urgent to tell you, Aviva, wake up."

Aviva sucked back her drool and opened an eye lazily. 

"Wake up, Slug. It's about Raikou. It has sensed--"

Aviva jerked up, almost knocking Ice Man away. However, instead of listening to Ice Man, she bolted towards the small dining table, where Gardevoir and Gloom were having their breakfast.

"Gloom, you're going to have your first match. Have you memorized all the moves? Don't strain yourself if you got worn out. Whatever the outcome of the match is, you are still my Gloom," Aviva spluttered like a worried mother sending her child to the school on the first day.

"You're too noisy. We need to concentrate." Gardevoir gestured to Gloom to follow her. With her lips pressed tight, she brought Gloom to the garden for a quick sunbath. 

Aviva hurried off behind them, followed by an edgy Ice Man who seemed to want to speak to her eagerly all morning, and a Raikou who had been mumbling non-stop. 

Under the mild sunrays, Gardevoir looked like a flower. She donned a magenta gown. On the side of her hair was a matching hairpin. Her dress-up gave Aviva the impression that she was going to impress her first date. Her brows were tightly knitted. Was she worried about the match or feared that she wasn't gorgeous enough to meet that particular Trainer? Aviva knew not.

"Take in as much sunlight as you can, Gloom, you're going to need it," Gardevoir said in a low voice.

"Gloom! Gloom!" Unlike Gardevoir, Gloom seemed over the sun, under the touch of Mother Nature. 

Minutes later, the bell rang, signaling the time to enter the Underground Stadium. Ralts parted with Gardevoir and joined the rest at the audience seat. The surroundings changed abruptly from a sky-blue tint to greyish, but Gardevoir still shone like an angel. On the other hand, Gloom was still drooling like an innocent infant, not aware of the lurking danger. 

With a booming voice, the commentator said, "Now, let's welcome Salton Gym's All-Star Trainer!"

The audience cheered as dark smoke filled up the battlefield. 

When the smoke cleared, a man-like figure appeared. Aviva let out a call of shock as she saw the Dark-type Mythical Half-Breed, Darkrai. She thought his hairstyle looked akin to Gardevoir, with his fringe covering one of his blue eyes. Fog-like plume billowing from his head. Long, black tatters hung from his shoulders. However, unlike Gardevoir who was a fashionista, he presented himself as a vagabond. He wore a ripped cloak, with a red scarf coiling around his neck. 

Trying hard to put on an indignant mien, Gardevoir asked Darkrai, "Why didn't you pick up my calls?" 

"There's nothing to talk between us. Shall we begin?"

"Fine." Gardevoir sucked up an unshed tear. "Where is your Pokemon?"

Darkrai put his fingers to his lips, whistling. The ground they stood on shook profusely, and clouds of dust rose from the crevices. When the dust faded away, an orange-furred wolf with white tail and limbs appeared. The spectators all gasped at the Pokemon.

Aviva had never seen such a creature before so she pointed her Pokedex to it.

The robotic voice sounded from the device, "Dust-form Lycanroc. It's a Rock-type Pokemon who evolves from Rockruff during sunset. Dust-form Lycanroc is the rarest compared to Day-form and Midnight-form. It's a loyal canine who is thrilled by battling with a max CP of 2,457."

Grinning widely, Aviva exclaimed, "Ha, Rock-type is weak against Grass-type. This is going to be a quick match." Fishing out two pompoms which she bought yesterday from the nearby market, Aviva stood on her seat and chanted, "Go, Gloom, go! Beat it to a pulp!"

Embarrassed, Ice Man shielded his face with a hand while pulling Aviva down with the other.

The commentator burst out a peal of buoyant laughter before saying, "It looks like our Ghost Lady here couldn't wait to see some blood spilling. I also feel that our trainers here have some untold stories to share with us. Are you all prepared for the exciting battle?" 

The other contestants cheered. The referee waved his flag and the battle began.

Without preamble, Gardevoir shouted, "Gloom, Stun Spore!"

Orange dust shot out of the flower above Gloom's head and wafted through the air instantly. It almost landed on Lycanroc but the wolf managed to dig a hole and hide into it, avoiding itself from being paralyzed. Some of the spectators cheered at its hole digging speed.

Aviva, however, leered at it. "Coward! Don't just keep hiding! Come--"

A loud CRACK infused the stadium, followed by a shrill shriek of pain. 

Lycaroc leaped out of the ground exactly the spot Gloom stood on. The momentum sent Gloom flying skyward and dropping again with a heart-piercing thud. Before Gloom could stand on its little feet, Lycaroc sped towards it and hit it with its head, sending it reeling to a metal pole.

Gloom tried to stand up but with a whimper, it collapsed again.

The referee began counting, "Ten... Nine... Eight..."

Darkrai sneered at Gardevoir, "You should know that Gloom is about eight hundred points weaker than Lycanroc."

Gardevoir gritted her teeth as she crouched beside Gloom. Gently, she spoke, "You did this before, remember? You have a strong will. Don't give up. We won't give up so easily." A tear glistened on the edge of Gardevoir's eye and dropped onto the flower on Gloom's head.

An aurora of golden light enveloped around Gloom's body all of a sudden. When the light faded away, a green, feminine-looking Pokemon appeared. It had circular blue eyes and red markings on its cheeks. Two bright red flowers grew on its head. From its waist down, green and yellow leaves intermingled to form a skirt. Stunned by its new appearance, it kept turning around to check whether it was a real miracle or a dream. As it moved, it looked like a graceful hula dancer.

The spectators gasped louder. So did Aviva.

"That's impossible! Gloom had evolved into Bellossom without the use of a Sun Stone," Aviva whispered. Perhaps that was what Gardevoir meant yesterday. Gloom could evolve into Bellossom at the brink of death, like the reborn of daylight after nightfall. As long as it was strong enough. That's right! Even when it was an Oddish, it was adamant and would never surrender. It could perform Petal Blizzard the day it evolved to Gloom. It's indeed strong.

Darkrai sniggered. "Do you think you can defeat Lycanroc this way? Luffy, Quick Attack and Crunch!"

Lycanroc gave out a spine-tingling howl before bolting towards Bellossom. It was about to sink its fangs into Bellossom when the latter performed Magic Leaf Attack. A leaf coursed through the air like a maniacal boomerang and hit right through Lycanroc's underbelly. 

The wolf gave out a tormenting yowl before sprawling on the ground.

"That couldn't--" Darkrai cried out. "Stand up, Luffy!"

The referee began counting. Luffy winced as it tried to rise but failed.

The whole stadium broke into a frenzied uproar when the commentator announced Bellossom as the winner. Aviva was so happy. She handed Alolan Vulpix to Ashley before running down the aisle of audience seats and embraced both Bellossom and Gardevoir.

Darkrai harrumphed before hugging Luffy up. With pursed lips, he walked out of the stadium.

"Excuse me! He needs me now." Gardevoir pushed Aviva away and trailed behind him.

Aviva looked at their desolate backs. What's wrong with them? Aviva thought she should let them settle their personal matters alone, but the paparazzi spirit in her finally triumphed over her. With a determined nod, she ran after them.