Pokemon Rusted Shield/Sword

Test of Justice

Grant sat at his camp as he thought about how close the battle against Nessa was. It came down to the wire. If Kiss had fallen, as was likely to from a second water attack with the rain...

He needed a third Pokémon.

But what to catch? In the cave he had many options, but he didn't desire a water Pokémon, but wasn't opposed to one either.

He looked around and saw a Whimpod, walking across the cave floor.

There was a ringing in his ears as the small bug starred into his eyes. The insect's puss yellow eyes piercing Grant's very soul as he starred back. Trembling, he gripped the Pokéball that contained Rook as he gently tried to walk around the insect. Images of traumas long past echoed in his mind, flashing in his head like someone was flickering a light switch on and off over and over again.

He froze for a few seconds, and then sprinted away. His heart pounding so intensely it may explode. He rushed out of the cave, full speed away from the tide pools until they were out of sight before he stopped, collecting himself. He felt the soil beneath his feet give way slightly and looked down to see what appeared to be a Pokèball next to his foot. He began to reach for it before he saw the metal spikes sticking out around it, and leapt back, just before the Galarian Stunfisk sprung from the soil, snapping shut.

Grant dashed away, avoiding confrontation until something stopped him.

He felt a powerful presence ahead. He asked himself, "There's something dangerous ahead. I sense a powerful presence. Am I ready for a fight?"

He decided he was and moved forward to see Hop standing shocked, dumbfounded by the sight of three Pokémon. A large, stout rock type, a tall, sturdy steel type, and a lanky, agile grass type.

The three eye the duo as Hop explains, "Oh hey Grant! These three won't let me pass. They just keep... looking at me."

"Have you tried just catching them?" Grant asked.

Hop demonstrated by throwing a Pokéball that the stout rock type sliced apart with its horn.

"You don't think that was the first thing I tried?" Hop asked, "Do you know what is here before us Grant?"

"No," Grant replied, "Never seen these Pokémon before."

"I've read about them in legends," Hop explained, "It's the Swords of Justice from Unova. Cabalion, Terrakion, and Virizon. I think... they want to test you. Test us. But why?"

Grant smirked, "Well this proves it Hop. Remember our goal to fix the system of endorsements so Pokémon can be open to all as it should be?"

Hop nodded, "So what you're saying is this proves..."

Grant nodded, "Our cause is just."

The duo engaged the the Swords of Justice in a double battle. First came Terrakion and Virizion.

"They seem to be holding back," Hop explained, "But there guard is still up! Watch out!"

Grant considered throwing a quick ball, but like strong Pokémon in the Wild Area, he cannot throw a Pokéball at them.

Hop sent out his Wooloo, ready for a fight. Virizion made the first attack, charging with its horns glowing as it slashed Wooloo through, fainting it instantly. Rook countered with Pluck, ripping through the plant fibers that formed the skin of Virizion as if they were paper and slamming Virizion into the wall of the cave full force, fainting it before Terrakion used Rock Slide, crying out and stomping its foot.  Rocks rained down from the ceiling of the cave, crushing Rook's left wing, clipping it and pinning him to the ground as a second rock landed on his head, fainting him.

"OK two on one we can do this!" Hop exclaimed sending out Raboot as Grant sent out Kiss.

Grant knew that Kiss was useless against a rock and fighting type Pokémon, a legendary no less. He decided to go for utility over raw damage.

"Hop you focus on attacking!" Grant demanded, "Kiss! Sand-attack!"

Kiss kicked up the loose top soil into the eyes of Terrakion who cried out in pain and countered with Sacred Sword, its horn glowing with devine power as it slashed at Kiss, who ducked under and allowed Raboot to leap over it and kick it twice in the back, fainting it.

The trio cried out.

"Did we win?" Hop asked.

Cabalion cried out and approached Grant.

Grant reached out to pet Cabalion, who pulled away.

"It..." Hop explained, "It doesn't seem to think you're worthy yet. It's almost as if... You're on the path to becoming worthy but... you risk straying from it."

With that Cabalion cried out and the trio disappeared into the cavern.

"That was awesome!" Hop exclaimed, "You did great!"

"Gotta admit," Grant shrugged, "You're pretty strong yourself. Thanks for your help couldn't have done it without you."

Grant realized what he said, "Wait... I... accepted your help."

"Yeah?" Hop smiled, "Isn't that what friends are for?"

Grant sighed, "I don't want Tom to get mad at me again... I... I gotta go. Cya."

Grant left, leaving Hop to wonder, "What's wrong with accepting help? Can't he see that when people work together all involved grow stronger? That not only individually does each become stronger in the long term but in the short term we create more than the sum of our parts? Who taught you such lies Grant? Who's Tom?..."

Meanwhile Leon entered a very extravagant office in an unknown location, he asked, "You... wanted to see me?"

A women with a golden scepter stood, aside from her staff, obscured by shadows as she didn't bother to face Leon, "You are aware of the issue?"

"Why is he a problem?" Leon asked, "He's one brat with 2 badges. Grant is not an issue."

"Grant is an issue!" The women yelled, "He wants to do away with the endorsement system you worked so hard to instill! Remind me, Leon, what were you when you started?"

"A nobody," Leon sighed.

"And what I gift you?" The women added.

"A Charmander that was bred for perfection," Leon replied, looking at his feet, "The ability to become unbeatable and provide for the ones I love. You made me champion."

"And I can take that away with a flick of my wrist," the women growled, "Your job is to keep the endorsement system in place. Grant must lose. His next match. Rig it."

"He got endorsed fair and square," Leon growled rising to his feet in anger, "Look, I was hesitant with the endorsement system but I complied but that is wrong and I won't-"

"Do you love your mother?" The women demanded, "Your dear dear little brother Hop?"

Leon sighed and nodded.

"Then you'll make sure Grant does not win!" The women exclaimed, "You know what you are. Say it."

"A fraud," Leon sighed.

"Louder!" She screamed.

"A fraud!" Leon yelled back.

From the shadows her evil and twisted smile could be seen, "Very good. Now leave."

Leon left as she chuckled, "You have work to do, fraud."