WEEDING THE GARDEN [G]

Athena had no expectations whatsoever for the gym, following her quibble with Oreburgh’s Gym leader. If Rock-types had their glaring weaknesses, well, Grass-types were no slouch in that category. This was even more prominent, now that her target specialized in that category. No matter how much skill or tenacity one had, facts were very hard to contradict.

She stood a few good meters away from Eterna’s Gym Leader, Gardenia, and as expected of Grass-types, everywhere she looked was covered in a shade of green. It was cringe worthy.

“Say…” Athena crossed her arms and raised her head to look down on her opponent. “You are in dire need of a gardener.”

To her surprise, Gardenia laughed. “Well, aren’t you the comedienne? I’m sure you’re a much better trainer than stand-up, yes?”

Without giving her a chance to reply, Gardenia nodded to the referee. The woman, unperturbed by the scientist’s glare, raised both of her arms. “The Eternia City Gym battle between the Challenger, Athena Elder, and Gardenia, the Gym Leader is about to begin!”

Before the referee could continue, Athena raised her hand and spoke. “ Do we really have to do that every time? It’s so routinary and unnecessary. Yes, the battle will be three on three, and yeah, I can switch while you can’t.”

The referee glared at Athena with a red face, but Gardenia only rolled her eyes and nodded at her. “Let the match begin!”

Gardenia took out a Pokeball from her belt and released her first Pokemon, It was a Turtwig.

“I heard about your argument against Roark, and how you look down on us Gym Leaders. Can you prove your theory in this match however?” Athena raised an eyebrow at Gardenia. This was already proven in her last match. Did she have to defeat ALL gym leaders before they realised their folly?

“If I have to shove it up, then I suppose I will.” Athena threw her Pokeball to release Tanz, who had evolved into a spectacular Vespiquen during one of her attempts to experiment on her. She’d become a little more persuasive to her side, which was good.

“So a Bug-type, eh? I can see you’re not just for show.” Gardenia looked confident, though Athena presumed it was ‘just for show’ as she so delicately put it. “ Turtwig! Use Withdraw and then keep whittling the Vespiquen down with Razor Leaf.” Athena had to smile at the word ‘whittling’.

“Hmm. Let’s have fun, Tanz. Use Gust to blow away those leaves and then use Sweet Scent.” The Turtwig swung its head , the tiny sprout releasing sharp, rotating leaves but not before it had crouched down and fortified its defenses. After this, it kept throwing leaves at the Vespiquen. In response, the queen bee Pokemon waved its hands, increasing the speed of her wings, knocking away all and any leaves that dared damage her regal features. Once the gust was over, she wobbled her abdomen to release a pink mist that covered the entire field, dispersing a few seconds to reveal the Turtwig… wobbling around.

Now that the Turtwig was intoxicated, it wouldn’t be able to dodge any more. “ Hmph. Now let the show begin.”

“Turtwig! Hang in there! Use Razor Leaf over and over again.” Gardenia sounded desperate, which was an amusing sight compared to her collected persona earlier on. “It’s useless, Gardenia. Know defeat. Tanz, use Gust again, this time to throw Turtwig up in the air, and finish it with Bug Buzz!”

Turtwig’s leaves bounced off Tanz as if they were made of rubber. They did little to no damage at all. Gardenia looked desperate but hopeful. Athena would soon change that. The Vespiquen released a forceful gust of wind, knocking any remaining leaves, and hitting the turtle with enough force to be thrown up in the air, with nowhere to run, Vespiquen released a cyclical wave of green energy accompanied by a loud buzzing noise, throwing it back to the ground, no longer able to fight.

“Well, I should have expected that.” Gardenia withdrew Turtwig. “ You did good, Turtwig. Get some rest…”

The Vespiquen flew back to Athena and landed, ready for the next match. “Hmph. Now you see the error of your ways?”

Gardenia’s smile had returned, while Athena’s turned into a frown. She hated people who did not know their place in the world. “ The fight isn’t over until the fat lady sings!”

Athena pointed at Gardenia. “ There’s no fat lady so your defeat is ensured.”

The gym leader smirked and released her second Pokemon… which was a Cherubi. Would they accept donations? Seeing their quality of Pokemon made Athena feel almost sorry for what was about to happen.

“I was talking about you’re Vespiquen!” Athena shook her head. She had no time for small talk. Time to get serious, it was. However,, Gardenia wasn’t done talking. “ Cherubi! Growth… and then Grass Knot.”

“Say whatever you need to say to yourself, Gardenia. Tanz, time for harvest! Use Sweet Scent to hide yourself and then use Bug Bite!”

Both Pokemon got to moving under the guidance of their master. Although Cherubi was unevolved, it moved faster and absorbed green light before pulsating once, raising both its Attack and Special Attack. As it attempted to tangle Tanz in two leaves that magically grew to form a knot, the Vespiquen released a violent stream of sweet smelling pink mist which in turn, ensnared the Cherubi’ senses, making it easier to hit.

However, once the mist dispersed, Athena’s Vespiquen could no longer be seen by the Cherubim. “Cheru! Behind you!! Leech Seed Qui-” Gardenia shouted, but it was too late. As if in a horror movie, Vespiquen took joy in digging her mandible’s into the Cherubim’s flesh, until it fainted.

“Hmph.” Athena said with a smile. “ I think it’s my win, yes? Do you really want to see another of your weeds be defeated in such a way…?” Gardenia was now glaring at her, which was refreshing to say the least.

“We’re not going down without a fight.” Gardenia sent out her Roserade, who glared at the Vespiquen with wrath no other Pokemon knew.

“Tanz! Come back…” Athena released Mercury from it’s confines. “ Mercury. Stand by for further instructions. You can go first Gardenia…”

The gym leader had to massage her temple. Now she knew why Roark had so much trouble dealing with her. “ Fine. Roserade! Stun Spore and go with Magical Leaf.”

The Roserade was fast, probably a little fast for Mercury to handle, but in terms of power and resistance, there was an overwhelming difference. “ Take it, Mercury, then use Meteor Mash and then Psychic to bring her back. That’s all.”

It was Gardenia’s turn to raise an eyebrow. Was that even a plan? She hated how confident the scientist was. But she would soon see there was reason behind it. The Roserade spread it’s yellow pollen, paralyzing Mercury and then followed through with a barrage of glowing leaves. From the smoke of the explosion caused by Rosarade’s combo, appeared Mercury, whose fist was glowing with silver energy, and smashed Rosarade to send it flying towards it’s trainer. Before the collision occured, however, the Roserade’s body became surrounded by pink energy, and she was pulled back with amazing speed towards Mercury who was performing Psychic.

Mercury smashed the Roserade again with another Meteor Mash to the ground, fainting the Roserade, though falling prey to the paralysis. It didn’t matter to Athena as she recalled her Pokemon.

“Gardenia is out of Pokemon! The winner is Athena!”

“I’m so tired of this.”