Pokemon Heroes: Sinnoh Saga [Book 1]

Chapter 100: Battle Aboard the Boat

"Niya never let it be known, nor did she ever flaunt it, but besides me, she was one of the strongest trainers in our group, especially during Sinnoh. Her Pokémon were stronger than she let on and were higher levelled that I had originally assumed of someone who was a Coordinator. Niya was not foolish, and she understood the importance of battles in Contests, and how they could make or break your previous appeal. Just because a Pokémon battle at this level doesn't last long, doesn't reduce the skill required to fight at this level, and train your Pokémon this well. She also understood, as the niece of Fantina, a Gym Leader and Top Coordinator, the importance of having Pokémon that are both beautiful, but also strong. Niya used to say: 'strength is a form of beauty in and of itself.' She wasn't wrong. It was a lesson Lyss soon learned, too actually..."

Sam and Niya had prepared to battle.

Some of the crew had come up top to witness the battle.

This ferry was special, reserved for challengers of the Pokémon League, so when a battle happened, it was usually involving some of the strongest trainers in the Sinnoh Region.

Niya had a reputation, and so did Sam.

People weren't going to be missing this.

Niya and Sam had agreed.

They would battle with their teams, in reverse; one versus one.

The last Pokémon they caught, down to their first Pokémon.

Once a Pokémon was taken out, they'd both swap to their next Pokémon.

The goal was to win the most rounds out of six.

It was a bit unorthodox, but not unheard of.

It was definitely the first time Sam and his friends had tried this, and likely wouldn't be the last.

The battle had started with Sam's Lucario and Niya's Glameow.

Sam called for Force Palm.

But Niya was ready, and immediately sent out her Glameow in for a Sucker Punch, striking Lucario was it prepared its attack.

Lucario was struck, though and while the damage wasn't serious, it was enough for it to flinch and give Glameow an opening to attack again.

Glameow went in for a Slash attack.

Sam called out to Lucario through their mental connection.

Lucario was annoyed, and the Slash stung, but the damage wasn't severe, and Lucario was ready to press on.

Supressing the anger that came from the stinging pain, Lucario went for another Force Palm on Glameow, who dodged using Faint Attack to slip behind Lucario and strike the Pokémon from behind.

The Faint Attack shoved Lucario forward, causing the Pokémon to stumble over.

Sam calmed his Pokémon.

Lucario was good at separating emotion from the fight, and Sam knew, of all his Pokémon, Lucario was one of the best to be left to its own devices, besides perhaps Empoleon or Garchomp.

Niya knew she wasn't doing massive amounts of damage, she was whittling away at Lucario's health slowly, almost teasing or toying with the Pokémon before she finished it off.

Sam needed to put a stop to that.

Before Glameow could strike again, Sam had Lucario strike Glameow with a Force Palm as soon as the Pokémon got in close for another attack.