Chapter 111: Cortondo Gym Pt2

Chapter 111: Cortondo Gym Pt2

The moment my Pawmi appeared in a flash, Katy's eyes nearly fell out of her head. Popsicle was quite the looker, after all. I couldn't really blame her.

Standing at about 5'3, Popsicle had ample... assets... Her white dress with her orange paw prints all over it could barely contain her big puppies strapped to her chest. Thankfully, Popsicle's dress had a hole in the back for her tail because I didn't think she was wearing any panties. Her dress was already dangerously short, and now I was starting to think dresses might not be the best battle attire.

"I-Is that r-really a Pawmi?!" Katy stuttered, and Pawmi put up her fist and nodded.

"Yup! I am master's Pawmi!" Popsicle declared with a grin as sparks leapt from the red lightning sacs on her cheeks.

Katy seemed taken aback by the bold entrance, but she quickly regained her composure. "Well, this battle just got more interesting! Tarountula, show them what you've got!"

I smiled and clenched my fist. I wasn't going to hold back.

"Popsicle! Use Deep Sea Pressure Shock!" I called out.

Popsicle nodded, and she raised her hand, pointing her palm at the Tarountula. Water started to rush from all directions, trying to capture the Tarountula in a Sphere of water, but Katy was fast to react.

"Tarountula, use String Shot to create a protective barrier around yourself!" Katy commanded.

The Tarountula quickly released silk threads, creating a barrier that blocked the oncoming water, but the water sphere was still formed around the cocoon. The sphere suddenly contracted, and then it lit up with electricity. The water sphere popped, and

Tarountula fell to the ground, unconscious and covered in the remains of the cocoon.

Katy just stood there shocked as she looked between her fainted Pokémon, and Popsicle, who had just one-shot the Tarountula. I had not expected her to be this strong, but she was level 16 now. On top of that, I picked the Rare Deep Sea Skin since water conducts electricity.

Still, I was just as shocked as Katy. I could tell that her Pokémon was only level 14, but two levels shouldn't make that much of a difference. Popsicle's move seemed more powerful than I had anticipated. As much as I wanted to celebrate, I also wanted to keep the battle enjoyable for Katy. Trash-talking might not be necessary, but I could still keep the banter light.

"Looks like Popsicle has a few tricks up her sleeve! Maybe you should consider getting a swimsuit for your Tarountula next time!" I teased, trying to inject some humor into the situation.

Katy chuckled, seemingly amused by the comment. "Well, that was unexpected. You've got quite the team, Landon. I think that I am going to have to give you a real challenge! Let's see if my last Pokémon can turn the tide. Go, Ursaring!"

A massive bear appeared from the Poke ball Katy threw, and I winced when I saw the Pokémon's level.

[Ursaring, Level 34]

"Hey, Hey, Hey!" Nemona called down from above. Don't you think that is going a bit overboard?!"

Popsicle seemed to feel the same way as she ran back to me. The Ursaring was nearly as tall as me, but it had scars on it that said it had been through many battles.

"What are we even watching right now?!" Zossie demanded as she pointed down at Landon, or what used to be him. "He's not even human!"

Nemona, not far away, started to laugh as she stared dreamily at her knight in dirt-covered armor. "So this is what happens when you use it?" Nemona asked herself quietly, then turned to Zossie and the others. "Landon is definitely not human, or at least he isn't anymore. What you are seeing is the result of his unique ability and rewards from his Pokémon."

"He can really do that?!" Tallia asked in surprise, and Nemona gave her a knowing smile and extended her hand.

A small flame appeared in her hand, and Tallia stepped back in shock.

"How?!" Was all she could ask, making Nemona giggle as she closed her fist and the flame wreathed it, rather than disappearing.

"Call it perks of being captured!" Nemona cheered, pumping her fire-covered fist into the air before the flames disappeared. At the same time the flames vanished, Nemona was forced to grade the railing to support herself. "I guess I still need to practice more, phew! That took way more out of me than when I fought Landon in Prisma... Maybe there is a reason for it?"

While the people above chatted away about Landon, Katy, and Kaili couldn't take their eyes off him as Landon looked down at his hands opening and closing them.

---

Before my eyes even opened, I knew there was something clearly different. My body didn't feel the same. It was almost like I had been transported into another person's body.

Not that I knew how that would feel, but I had to assume it would be similar.

When I opened my eyes, and looked down at my hands, opening and closing them, I smiled. I felt power like nothing my human body would ever be able to replicate. It was like my body was teeming with energy that wanted to get out. Closing my eyes again, I took a deep breath, then looked forward, and opened them.

The Usrarang looked unsure as it stared at me, but Katy just looked confused. That was starting to become a natural look for her.

"Are you... Still Landon?" Katy asked slowly, and I nodded, but when I spoke, my voice sounded otherworldly, filled with echoes.

"I am still Landon, but if I am being honest, I never expected this," I said, my voice sounding like it was coming from all directions, rather than my mouth. "Are you still ready to battle?" I asked with a smirk, and Katy cleared her throat before taking a deep breath in, and letting it out.

"In all my years as a trainer and Gym Leader, I have never been surprised this many times during a battle. You, Landon, are really something special, and I am really glad that you came to my gym today," Katy said, but then asked, "I hope that after this fight is over, you will be willing to come over to my bakery?"

The question caught me so off guard that I burst out laughing. "Hahaha! Not what I expect to hear, but I would love to come. That is, if my friends and Pokémon can join as well?"

"You and your Pokémon are always welcome to my bakery, no matter the results of this fight. I have no doubt in my mind that you could have beat my Teddiursa with your next Pokémon. So, regardless of the outcome of this battle, you have more than earned my Gym badge!" Katy laughed, and my form grinned.

I kind of wished that I had a mirror to see what I looked like, but now was not the time for that. Even though Katy had told me I had earned her Gym Badge, I didn't plan on backing down. While Nemona and I had fought, and I had used my Psybeam a few times, this was my very first Gym battle.