Chapter Text
Rin frowned as they walked down the busy street, dodging pedestrians and Pokemon as they made their way towards the Castelia Gym. “While I didn’t like the atmosphere when the gangs were still around, these crowds are horrible,” she groused. Beside her, N nodded, Noibat angrily squeaking at anyone who tried to bump the small boy.
“I don’t mind them,” Sakura shrugged, weaving in and out of the crowd with almost inhuman grace. “It’s nice to see such a large city this lively, after all.”
Rin huffed fondly, reaching out to take her sister’s hand. “Well, I’m glad you’re happy,” she said as they came up to the small park which fronted their second museum based gym. She winced as they beheld the crowd of people, weathered and young, who were crowded around the entrance of the gym, a pair of people in colorful, paint splattered outfits wrangling the mixed bunch of youngsters and professional trainers. “And I’m glad we have a reservation. Looks like there’s a lot of backlog.”
“That makes sense,” N nodded severely, his effort to look mature and knowledgeable honestly more adorable than anything else. “People would have been waiting for this with the gangs warring in the streets.”
The group forged ahead, two ticket windows labeled ‘Challengers’ and ‘Visitors’ both doing a brisk business, the former slowly forming a line as they watched. Before Sakura could decide whether or not to go up to one of the gym trainers and ask about where to go, the main doors were flung open and the flamboyant figure of Burgh stepped through.
“Wonderful, wonderful!” The crowd and spectators went nearly silent as Burgh stepped into the sun, the Leader giving a half bow as he strode forward. The man pitched his voice to carry as he advanced. “So many challengers, swarming to meet me! It’s so good to see the city back to normal, or what passes for normal here in Castelia!” He spun, clapping his hands. “Now, if there’s anyone here looking to sign up for a match today, I’m sorry to say we’re booked solid!” He motioned to the Challengers desk. “You can still sign up for a session tomorrow or later in the week, though I’d recommend you just do it online; skip the line!” He turned and motioned to the Visitors desk. “And if you’re going to do it from your own devices– well, we have plenty of seating to see our matches today!” He nearly spun to Sakura’s side, giving her a grin. “And here’s our first match now!”
“It will be a pleasure, Leader Burgh,” Sakura replied, her will to fight coming to the fore in the same instant a challenging glint entered her eyes. “I look forward to our match.”
“I should hope so!” Burgh turned and led them both to the entrance, pausing only long enough to accept three tickets from the woman at the visitor’s desk. “Here you are.” He turned over three museum tickets. “Normally, spectators have to pay to see the museum– just a token amount, but the galleries are beyond my League stipend. But challengers get free entry, and it’s not right to have you two have to pay.” He motioned to Rin and N. “Also, the least I can do for your help. Things could have gone… so much worse,” he said, spirit falling as they entered the museum, heading straight for the double doors leading to the central courtyard and battle space.
“Yeah. They definitely could have been,” Rin mused softly to herself as they walked into the gym,leaving the ‘museum’ space to enter a courtyard made into an indoor jungle, with a central area dominated by a courtyard. Trainers and well dressed spectators filled the chairs and bleachers set up around the battle court, talking animatedly.
Burgh sighed as they reached the courtyard. “Gym leaders are supposed to be the bulwarks against evil and destruction. To me, that’s always meant inspiring creative passions and working out differences constructively. I didn’t expect to run into a war in my own town in the second year.” He shook his head. “The League said I did well, but ultimately, the urban chaos has played havoc– internally and externally.” His smile returned as they reached the court. “But you two managed to help end the chaos before it went too far. And to show my gratitude, I shall give you the best match I can!” He bowed to Sakura, scarf fluttering like a cloak. “Shall we?”
“We shall.” Sakura nodded firmly, brushing her right hand against the pokeballs on her belt, “I’m ready.”
“This will be a three on three match between Challenger Sakura Juniper and Gym Leader Burgh. The Challenger may substitute pokemon twice. The Gym Leader is restricted from making substitutions. When I lower my flag, you will send out your Pokemon,” the referee called out, standing in his box on one side of the arena. With a hum, buried shield generators came to standby mode.
Palming Other’s Pokeball, Sakura nodded firmly to herself. Only Other was not weak to bug on her team, so she’d make a good lead, especially since she’d be entering the field with an illusion. Hopefully, she could bait a resisted move from Burgh while landing a punishing status move. As the referee let the flag drop, both sides sent out their first Pokemon.
Other landed, disguised as Ren, while a Whirlipede dropped to the opposite side. Burgh gestured, smiling. “Hit him with a Struggle Bug!” The mid-evolution insect whirled forward, attempting to bowl over the disguised fox while sticky green energy formed around him.
‘Yes!’ Sakura internally pumped her fist, eyes sparking with anticipation, “Dodge and close with Quick Attack!” She commanded, sweeping her arms to the side. Struggle Bug did have to be dodged either way, because accepting the attack this early wasn’t worth it. Especially not with the special attack drop that came with being hit.
Covered in a corona of white energy, Other leapt aside as the Whirlipede skidded by. Feet slamming onto the ground in a complex maneuver, the disgusted Zorua coming about face to slam into Whirlipede. The bug was sent skidding backwards, smarting but still very much in the fight.
“Shine on, then put some paint on him!” Burgh called out. The bug seemed to shine with steel energy as he triggered Iron Defense, preparing himself for a melee encounter, then began to prepare a barrage of brightly colored needles from within his shell.
“Snarl!” Sakura called, Other complying with her hidden command as ghostly flames flickered around the fox, each wisp of flame slamming into the preparing Whirlipede, leaving nasty red burns behind, “Take the hit and use Hex!”
The time for deception had passed, after all. Sakura had gotten what she’d wanted. Burgh gasped as the illusion collapsed, the poison stings revealing Other as her retaliation savaged her opponent. All around the arena, gasps and applause sounded as people took in the rare shiny and her impeccable tactics. “Magnificent! I was not expecting that.” Whirlipede shuddered as he wobbled, the hit and the burn building up to hurt him badly. “Ghost types are not his strong suit… but I believe he can still deal some Payback!” He called out, the wounded bug’s eyes flashing red as shadows gathered around him.
“Hex again. Don’t let that attack go off!” Sakura called, eyes narrowing as another aura of ghostly energy surged, inflaming Whiripede’s burns in the same instant it dealt even more damage to the bug. It almost wasn’t enough. However, seconds before the Whirlipede could collide with Other, she dropped into her shadow. Moments later, the opposing Pokemon came to a stop, falling softly to the ground, obviously unconscious.
“Well done.” He smiled, tilting his head. “I’d say elegantly done, but that’s… not quite right. Still, I’m always impressed by Zorua, they need to understand everything about their subjects to fool people. But, as you’re using a rare mon, I will do the same.” He pulled out a second ball. “May I introduce Lokix!” Across from Other, an upright black cricket landed and began hopping from foot to foot.
Not taking her eyes off the battlefield for a moment, Sakura pulled out her Pokedex, already barking her next command, “Other, Will-o-wisp!”
With most of her attention on the unknown threat, Sakura could just barely pay attention to both the battlefield and the incoming information about the Paldean Pokemon as her Other self bombarded her opponent with a barrage of ghostly fire, aiming to once more inflict the same condition she had inflicted on her previous opponent. Lokix was not having that, though, springing to one side, then sweeping across the battlefield in a flurry of stances to land a darkness-enhanced blow. Assurance hit Other hard, nearly laying the little fox out. Before she could take the second blow he directed at her face, she spat blue flame over him, and as she collapsed the bug shuddered in pain as the burn settled in.
Sakura withdrew Other, frowning as she processed the information she’d found out. Dark-Bug was a nasty combination, but not an insurmountable one. Ren would better resist the attacks Lokix was likely to be able to dish out, but she wasn’t…
Who was she kidding, she’d swap Ana in after Ren had taken out the Lokix.
“Ren, you’re up. Swift!” Sakura called, throwing out her starter Pokemon out onto the field.
Responding to her command, the Umbreon landed on the field and immediately surrounded himself in an orbit of stars, flinging each out as Lokix. The hits landed, while Burgh called out quickly. “You’re on a timer! Double your rhythm, then get into melee and keep styling on him!” Lokix nodded, channeling his energy into Agility before blurring across the field to close the distance on Ren.
“Calm Mind,” Sakura intoned, seeing a potential path to victory. After all, Agate had recently taught Ren how to use baton pass, and while she wasn’t the greatest fan of her sister’s usual strategy, it did have its merits. As Ren stilled, uncaring of the Lokix closing in on him, Sakura called again, “Swift.”
Lokix took the second hit, Lunging in to smash the tough fox-cat. Ren winced as he felt his power drop, the move sapping his attack and sending him skidding back a few steps. Lokix, meanwhile, shuddered as the burn raked his exoskeleton with a trace of flames.
“Moonlight.” Sakura barked, “Wear him down.” Her starter’s rings glowed, and he leaned back and let a burst of blue light rise from his throat, forming into a false moon above him, soothing his wounds.
Burgh whistled. “Ah, a long match, then? I’ll match that. Lokix, switch to Leech Life.” Lokix nodded, green light gathering around his hands before he darted forward once again, attempting to seize his opponent and drain his vitality.
Having absolutely none of that, Sakura immediately called for a counter, “Body Slam, Ren.”
With a cry, the Umbreon briefly took a portion of the attack, before slamming his opponent away with a picture perfect body check, sending the significantly smaller bug flying towards the barrier. Bouncing off, the cracked bug looked up at Ren with narrowed eyes. “You are… a tough one,” he acknowledged, darting into a fast Lunge with fluid grace.
Ren countered with a hit of Iron Tail. Clashing once, twice, and then he slammed him down with one last somersault tail smash. “If it weren’t for that burn, this would’ve been different,” the Eeveelution acknowledged before Burgh could return his pokemon.
Burgh smiled, pulling out his third Pokeball. “I suspect you already know what my third Pokemon will be.”
Sakura nodded, and the light formed into the expected, upright grass-bug type. Leavanny smiled, limbs unfurling to their full extension. The weaver bug smiled, then began to dance, light collecting across her form and concentrating in her arms.
“Ren, Baton Pass,” Sakura called immediately, watching as her stater disappeared into his Pokeball, holding out her other to accept the status boosts as she sent her next Pokemon out. “Ana, you’re up!”
Ana materialized as Leavanny finished her Swords Dance, the Servine receiving the boosts and smiling boldly as she eyed the bug across from her. Leavanny’s eyes narrowed, touching each other then separating to form a line of green energy, quickly dulling into silver strands. With a flick, the weaver bug started sending lines of string shot cascading across the battlefield, forming traps and patterns as she shifted her blades. “I sense you’re a contrary sort, so I’ll rely on physical traps, not tangling you directly.” She mused.
“Good guess,” The serpentess admitted. “Not that it’ll help you much.”
“Ana, Swift.” Sakura called, eyes narrowing as she tried to figure out the best way to tackle the Leavanny.
‘Foul Play. But I have to make Burgh repeatedly use Swords Dance first, and hope that Ana can whittle her down enough for it to be a guaranteed knockout,’ she decided. Burgh was perhaps one of her greatest counters right now, and was definitely throwing home the fact that she’d have to take a break from gyms to properly build her team after this. She shouldn’t be running into these situations at this point. She let a smile flash across her face. “Stay evasive, let her ruin her own traps trying to get to you.”
Ana nodded, intercepting a Razor Leaf swung at her with another Swift. She deftly hopped one low trap, then lay down and went serpentine to slide under another, popping up to send another Swift peppering into Leavanny, the bug giving up on a distant attack and closing across the laid webs with elegant stride. Burgh cupped his mouth. “Give us another dance, weaver! We need to lay her out in a single blow.”
“Well said.” Leavanny began to move her arms through a second pattern dance, eyeing Ana’s form thoughtfully. “Do you have any interest in providing me some material after this? Your coat is exquisite, I rarely get to work with that sort of dark green.”
Ignoring her opponent's attempts at distraction, the serpent simply replied with another Swift, not even waiting for Sakura’s command; which came a moment later. After all, Sakura didn’t seem all that concerned with Leaveanny boosting, which meant that, for sure, her trainer had a plan. One that probably involved her getting knocked out, but her pride was in her team before her personal performance. That meant that if Ren could knock this bug out, she would be more than happy.
Leavanny got within spitting distance, accepting the hit as she raised her blades for an X-Scissor. Sakura called out at just the right moment. “Slam!” Ana responding with a furious tackle which smashed her tail into the bug’s torso as the blades came down. Leavanny staggered from the vicious hit, but Ana was taken down by the doubly-enhanced strike.
Burgh applauded as Ana went back to her ball. “It’s good to see that you’ve stuck with your core team, and not added a partner just for this battle. But here, I think, is a good reminder about adding more colors to your canvas.”
Sakura said nothing as she sent out Ren, her starter crouching briefly. “Foul Play,” She said simply, her starter pulsing with dark energy before he darted forward, smacking the Levanny with a single paw. Her own blades erupted, the power gathered to them revolting against her grasp and wracking her as her own strength turned against her, leaving her slumped and broken. As she struggled to rise, the Umbreon somersaulted, one last Iron Tail finishing her off.
“Not an unexpected outcome,” Burgh said, clapping his hands. “But well done, regardless! I’m glad to see you had a solution for my final fighter. I thought they might be a bit much for you.” He returned Leavanny and stepped out onto the battlefield as Sakura did the same with Ren.
Reaching out her hand, Sakura smiled towards the Gym Leader, “It was a good match, and a challenging one. If I hadn’t figured out my out, I would have lost.”
“Well, you have earned your Beetle Badge, despite not needing to fight for it.” Burgh handed over the emerald badge, Sakura smiling as she inspected it. “Now, normally I give out Struggle Bug to interesting trainers, but I’m not sure if you’d have a use for it. I do have TMs for U-Turn and a few for Fury Cutter on hand. Do you have a preference?”
“U-Turn,” Sakura replied instantly, her mind already analyzing all the ways she could utilize the fantastic utility move. “No question.”
“Done!” He produced a disc from his pocket. “I hope your future endeavors meet with as much success as your gym battle came today.” He stopped and looked over at the crowd at the edge of his gym area. “I do need to go freshen up and prepare for the next match, so I don’t have time to show you around the museum, but do take a look. Many of my own pieces are exhibited here, and there’s historic and modern pieces as well.” He shook her hand, then turned and walked back towards the Leader box.
Rin stepped up beside her sister. “Any interest in the museum? I’d rather spend the day prepping for our departure tomorrow, but we can plan our trip in the morning if you’d rather take it easy.”
“What does N think?” Sakura asked, answering the question with one of her own.
“Burgh put a few pieces on display made by his Pokemon, and it expanded into an entire wing created by Pokemon artists,” N said, pointing at a section on a brochure map. “May we take a look?”
“I have no objections, N. That’s why I asked. I just didn’t feel strongly one way or another.” Sakura replied with a smile, “That said, Rin. In the future, we might want to ask our partners if they wish to visit the Museum. Just a thought?”
“Ooh, right, they are open to Pokemon.” Rin perked up. “Sakura, revive your team and we can show them the exhibits!”
Sakura smiled as she reached for their overstocked medicine pouch, chuckling at N and her sister’s enthusiasm. Art was art, but she wondered how different art made by Pokemon could be?
N grinned as he lifted the small binoculars to his face, peering at the spartanly-touched canvas. “So that’s how some Bug-Types see the world…” He whispered, the canvas coming to light with impossibly vibrant hues.
Rin flipped through the guidebook on her device. “I suppose with hues unable to be seen by humans, there’d be paintings incomprehensible to us.” She said as Sakura held up a pair of the binoculars for Ren to peer through. “Apparently, this work was made by an Orbeetle painter who realized his partners couldn’t see the patterns he took for granted.”
“ Interesting .” Sakura hummed, binoculars lowering as she finished taking in the rather fascinating painting, “Are there any other paintings you and I might be interested in?” She glanced at N, who was practically glued to the painting, “I don’t think N is going to be moving for a while.”
Rin blinked a couple times as she read over the document. “There are some interpretations of the Four Swords Compact signing by some very long-lived Pokemon, both dictated and made by surviving viewers. But there’s also a series of energy-reactive sculptures which change based on what Pokemon are nearby, and what I think might be a mirror enchanted to show you what type of Ghost-type Pokemon you’d become after you died.” She eyed Sakura, Other perched on her shoulder. “...that last one might be too obvious for you.”
“Not necessarily,” Sakura hummed, a considering look towards the fox on her shoulder. “Other is and isn’t me. Thus it stands to reason I may not end up becoming a Hisuian Zorua.”
“Yeah, not sure if sis would be like me. She might end up a Froslass or something, certainly pretty enough. Although… how’d they even get that to work?” Other wondered aloud. “A ghost had to be involved, right?”
“Yes, though also a fairy? Apparently it was a partnered pair of a Hatterene and his partner, a Mismagius,” Rin said, engrossed in the information pamphlet. “Having works like that in the open… back home, someone would’ve stolen it already, even if people didn’t know it was a mystic code.”
“It’s highly likely that it shows what you would become if you were to drop dead of completely natural causes in that very moment, actually,” Ren hummed. “Humans becoming ghosts is rare as is, after all. It only happens in exceptional circumstances, so the Hatterene must have wrought some sort of fairytale into the mirror proper so it could extrapolate?”
Agate nodded, “Yes. You are likely correct, brother. It is rather fascinating to ponder though, isn’t it?”
“Ponder nothing,” Rin muttered. “It’d be extremely rude to study the mirror while it’s on display, but I bet I could get Burgh to–”
N cut her off with a chop to the back of her head. “You need to ask the creators, who still own the piece,” he admonished.
“Ergh, right…” Rin sighed. “Sorry, magpie tendencies.” She shook off her genealogical instincts and turned back to N, who was studying the painting again. “You’re really engrossed in that one.”
“It’s more about what it means,” N said after a few moments of silence. “Bug types see the world this way– it is natural to them. Orbeetle didn’t make it for other Pokemon, but because of his connection with humans. It’s wonderful.” He lowered the binoculars. “It seems Pokemon and humans enriching each other's lives is far more normal than I thought.”
“Indeed. There is a reason why our society operates the way it does, N. Pokemon are more than powerful enough to put a stop to this arrangement if we truly wished to,” Ren answered in lieu of the humans. “You should know this, should you not?”
“I knew there were some. But I thought there was more bad than good,” N admitted, setting the binoculars into the cubby before the painting. “And I understand it now.” Zorua pressed one cheek into his human’s, the two finding comfort in each other. “...I still want to stop the problems I see. What the brothers and Captain Bles talked about. But I don’t think separating us will do that. Not anymore,” he whispered.
“Then you’ve learned the lesson you need to,”
Agate nodded decisively.
“Now, I do believe we should continue enjoying the art standing before us…”