i'll challenge you even if it's unfair

[attr="class","starrytext"]"yo, queen abbiati!" he called her ecstatically. chuckling at the formality, it was odd to address someone as such but it wasn't uncommon. there was always at least one person who thought of themselves as an hbic of the region. it reminded him of someone back home.

he entered the openly ruined stage that shone brightly. it was a sunny day out as mateo took in the scattered lighting that peeked through the ruined ceiling. it felt nice, a calm breeze bypassing him. his skin undergoing a warm feeling as the sun touched him. he was revved up, ready, and prepared.

"yosh!" he exclaimed, pounding the right hand of his fist into his left palm. she then asked if he were aware of the rules, explaining them briefly. "ah, right! it's a five-on-five!" that's what he liked to hear. this place had already been torn asunder and with mateo in it? requesting a five-on-five was a bit dangerous. luckily none of the pokemon he was planning to choose knew the ability draco meteor. that would've ended within a horrible disaster, one he wouldn't be able to come back from.

he already blew up a mall in one battle and barely escaped. he didn't need to be charged with the allegation of destructive property and historical damage(?), that would've been bad. so he was going to have to keep his dragon energy to a minimum. "okay! that's good, it's been sometime since these two fought together. hopefully they don't overdo it, haha!" and without notice he'd reach into the pocket of his trench coat.

three pokeball in-between one hand, two in the other.

he'd toss out his team. emerging upon the field were five pokemon--his militia. lined up, he'd say, "as much as i wish to use all 5 dragons. half of them aren't exactly ready for a teamwork this large. plus, there was likely to be a high chance of destruction and chaos with those five altogether." he didn't even want to think about what would happen if he had five dragon-type pokemon on this field. it was a scary thought.

"plus, we get to use this as training time. a dragon master knows when he has to branch out, plus these 3," arcanine, jolteon, and alakazam, "are going to help me fight against the greatest dragon of them all. they'll need to learn how to act as support for sceptile and dragonite when that time comes." he wholeheartedly laughed. the thought of fighting the legendary dragon his father told him stories of. it was all too exciting and olivia was an obstacle in his way that he needed to overcome--together with his partners, and best friends, sceptile and dragonite.

"so how does this work? is this like some sort of chess game or something or is it just a battle royale?" hopefully the latter. he was just itching for a wild battle. this was kinda like a video game he once played called starting fantasy. he wondered if this was based off of some sort of rpg game.

i'll challenge you even if it's unfair

[attr="class","starrytext"]nodding in unison as she spoke. he listened, nodded, listened, nodded, listened and nodded. upon absorbing so much information, there was one thing the sootopolis gym leader did not factor...

"i refuse!" mateo's intelligence. mateo shouted, a serious expression given.

the fact that she expected the dragon master to absorb, process, and regurgitate so much info all in one sitting was truly admirable. in fact, it was kind of her. but there was no way he'd understand that all in one go. raising his hand, he'd ask, "please explain in simpler terms!" his pokemon would look back at their trainer. also confused by the information that was taken in, as well as being unsure as to how ths was going to exactly.

the only person who probably understand what olivia said was, out of the six of them, alakazam. who merely acted as if he didn't understand just to fit in. this was going to be quite the long haul.

i'll challenge you even if it's unfair

[attr="class","starrytext"]"hey!" mateo exclaimed.

DETECTing, sceptile made his move. with a speedy, ninja-like reflex, QUICK ATTACK would come to intercept the carvanha's want to assault the alakazam. grabbing the carvanha by its tail at the last second and tossing it toward the direction of the incoming, and precised, AURORA BEAM that was being directed toward sceptile. jolteon, with QUICK ATTACK, moved in. intercepting the omanyte and utilizing DOUBLE KICK in order to kick dragonite out of the way. causing the dragon to stumble off to the side and jolteon pouncing off to land back within its position.

"nice defense!" if there's one thing mateo could rely, for this was something he strictly instilled into his pokemon, was that they have one another's back. he didn't do all of this training within mt. pyre for them not to be able to fend for themselves in unexpected situations. what the hell was wrong with her? this was a battle, but this was no way to teach the challenger. a snarling look had been thrown the ice queen's way. the dragon's been through some complex gyms, but this was one of the worse ones to date. what the hell was with everyone in hoenn? this place had some strange characters.

and so, then, came a blizzard. taking the lead, dragonite would use SAFEGUARD. coating the entire team within a cloak of aura, portecting them from the temporary blizzard. "you know, i see why they nicknamed you 'queen'. you seriously know how to piss off the common folk." what a cheap trick. attacking when he didn't even get the rules. alakazam TAUNTed the entirety of her team upon pulling a bunch of goofy faces toward them, with the taunt there was no way in hell they'd wanna listen to their trainer once becoming instill with rage.

they were now subjected to utilizing only offensive moves. along with no intent to listen to their 'queen' for the time being. their unified militia would be in a frenzy.

all the while, arcanine would pat jolteon on the head. praising the electric-type for its speedy movement, arcanine's paw would enact HELPING HAND. increasing the jolteon's abilities due to appraisal. "i don't really get it all too well, and i think i may know who is what. we might end up messing up even, but one thing's for sure. catching someone off their guard is a move made for punk's, i'm about to dethrone you 'queen'." mateo, grinning, spoke with a hint of irritation.

the rain continued to pour down from above. arcanine wasn't too happy about this, but he'd have to deal with it. but he wanted to get out of this place as fast as possible.

i'll challenge you even if it's unfair

[attr="class","starrytext"]had he made her highness angry?

that wasn't much of a very poise response. mateo didn't mind being turned from her gym, mateo didn't mind being ridiculed for his character. she's right, he did need to learn to respect his elders a little more. but the one thing that no one should dare question him on is the synergy between he and his team--his family. especially with the gruesome training he puts them through, each and everyday.

especially between sceptile and dragonite. their unison, love, and teamwork was unmatched compared to a plusle and minun.

olivia, having recently been appointed gym leader, still had a lot to learn herself. a rule that should be taken in by all gym leaders really. you should never underestimate the capability of your challengers. little did she know, she would come to learn something herself: that there are those out there who have the ability to surpass even a gym leaders expectations. remembering his time as a gym leader himself, kyle lopez sure did surpass his expectations and made mateo realize something: growth doesn't stop once you've achieved something.

so, he did learn something from Olivia Abbiati , he learned that the leaders of hoenn needed to be reprimanded--hard.

removing his trench coat and tossing it to the side, his body became even more soaked from the dark clouds above that poured rain atop of them. he'd now adorn nothing more than a stomach brace. slamming a fist into the metallic item, mateo, shouting, said, "look lady, it's not my fault your gym rules make no sense; they're stupid and overly complex! if you haven't realized yet, i'm not the brightest crayon in the box, but don't look down on my color!" baring his fang, he'd give his order, "dragonite, sever yourself!" with a determined look. he'd tell the dragon to split himself from the group, he trusted dragonite's capability and speed. he's fought sceptile enough during training after all, marill's speed was nothing compared to the grass shinobi.

dragonite began to lead marill into following him. performing DRAGON DANCE all while toying with marill as he'd enhance his external and internal abilities. he'd quickly, with precision, speed, and grace, shuffle about as if playing tag with the water-type--all while honing his power and speed sharply. moving to the side and remaining upon ground, doing this would only want to make the marill hit him even more due to taunt. it's focus should only, from at this point on, be dragonite due to being enraged as the dragon frolicked.

you wanted to play rough, right? come hither you blue rat.

next up were the other four. as dragonite was off toying with the rough and angrily playful marill, now came the quad assault. considering sceptile had yet to move away from alakazam, he foresaw the carvanha, ahead of time, which allowed him to prepare a fixed position. the carvanha, attempting to assault his comrade, jetted with great speed. alas, sceptile countered with a LEAF STORM expelled from the palm of its paws that was charged ahead of time. clashing with the carvanha's aqua jet, the leaf storm held the pokemon back.


"arcanine, HELPING HAND on alakazam; alakazam, BARRIER on!" placing a hand upon the back of alakazam. it would come to be empowered by the arcanine. quickly, it would erect a barrier around the group of four who'd yet to move from their position from one another. the tri-hydro assault and the mud bomb were hurdling his way, but upon releasing the clash that had occurred between sceptile's LEAF STORM and carvanha's AQUA JET, it was broken by the erected barrier.

thus, the carvanha, who was already ahead of the assault, continued to rush forward until it ran into the barrier--attempting to breakthrough. alakazam, boosted by helping hand, held up the enhanced energy field against the carvanha. but little did the fish know that it was in the way of its taunted team's group assault. the mud bomb and linear, and singular, tri-hydro pump would come crashing into the carvanha. sandwiching the carnivorous fish.

"on my command, jolteon: use THUNDER." and without hesitation, he'd add-in, "arcanine, follow up with MIMIC!" ordering the fire mutt to, also, use THUNDER. due to the rainy, dark clouds above, the power of thunder would surely greet the trio down below: MAMOSWINE, OMANYTE, and VAPOREON. a second thunder, then, followed up and came crashing down below.

"you're gonna learn soon enough that our synergy is just like dragon energy, your royal highness! i trust in my men!" pounding his chest and confidently grinning. it was as if he were telling her, through expression, 'kiss my royal butt, olivia'.

i'll challenge you even if it's unfair

[attr="class","starrytext"]damn that mamoswine. mateo wasn't familiar with the type of every pokemon, so to learn of this set him aback. but it was also kinda fun. he was angry at first but, little did he know, those bared fangs of animosity became one of joy. something unexpected happen--a new obstacle he had to overcome. he didn't want to admit it, but olivia had the power of a gym leader that's for sure.

her game was stupid to the dragon master, but, somehow, he was somewhat playing it. he didn't get the rules, but his pokemon stayed united--like the game expected them to be. he wasn't much of a chess man and this game felt a bit convoluted, but he was having fun--as much as he hated to admit it.

"i admit that was unexpected." he uttered, but mateo wasn't down for the count just yet. progress was being made, but this group had their own annoyances. their speed and power were boosted tremendously, she really planned to give everyone a run for their money here. the barrier was down.

"arcanine, MIMIC: HYDRO PUMP!" mimicking the omanyte/vaporeon, arcanine would expel a torrent of water himself--powered by the rain. it would clash with the vaporeon's own hydro pump. "jolteon, THUNDERSHOCK!" following up as the torrent of water was shot out. the electricity would, boosted by helping hand and thus giving it the power of a thunderbolt, surged upon arcanine's hydro pump only to, then, transfer via the connection established between the two hydro pump's clash. hurdling toward the vaporeon as the electricity rode upon its torrent of water in an attempt to electrocute the eeveelution.

as for the omanyte's hydro pump, sceptile would, once more, toss out a LEAF STORM. holding it in place with another clash. another mud bomb was hurdling their way, what was up with this mamoswine and chucking dirt? "alakazam, PSYCHIC!" snagging the MUD BOMB midair. alakazam, right after, tossed it at the ROLLING MARILL. attempting to assist dragonite a little bit from afar.

the pokemon took notice of the hurdling rocks being thrown his way. releasing its wings and taking flight, it would no longer be jumping back and dancing about. with its heightened speed, dragonite began to fly within the vicinity as the rocks chased dragonite, he would lead them to run smack dab into several pillars as he flew behind at least three to four; causing the ruined pillars to break even more than they already were as they fell from above--along with the ceiling they were upholding. should the mud bomb miss and the marill continue to give chase, it would come to be enveloped within a great dust cloud.

a roar that sounded as if he were defeated was heard within the gym. mateo, shocked, would turn to see the dust cloud. but it was too heavy, he was unable to see dragonite. he wondered if a pillar had fallen upon his partner and he was, assuming, incapacitated? for now, he had to focus on the fight. hoping it to not be true and await for the dust cloud to die down.

"team keep at it!" he commanded.

i'll challenge you even if it's unfair

[attr="class","starrytext"]a clicked tongue.

she was a real nuisance. at this point he'd need more than just raw power. all he could think about was how much of an annoyance this was. he hated chess. he hated strategy. he couldn't cut loose under these circumstances, and then he had to worry about dragonite. it was a game of tug-o-war with her. mateo thought hard about the past--about what he lacked.

when you lose one battle, you learn, improve, and apply. if there's one thing kyle lopez had him beat in terms of raw power was the ability to think upon quick feet. mateo only knew how to break and rage, it made him wonder sometimes how he even became a dragon master. he was still far from the level his father was on. he had much growth to do, yet...why did he have a smile on his face?

this was so much fun, that's why.

he wasn't here for just a symbol shiny button. he was here to fight a challenging battle. if it were easy, it wouldn't be fun. so he had to enjoy this. he couldn't fret nor allow himself to falter. he had trust in his team--in his pokemon. he could feel them fighting hard in spirit, mind, and soul. when they were hurt, he was hurt. when he cried, they cried. when they felt weak, he felt weak. he had faith in dragonite to think for himself. he needn't worry, because right now? those in front of him were doing their best.

mateo needed to do more.

a widened grin remained upon his face. it was time to level up and act like a proper master--a proper trainer. "i'm learning alright..." a haze infected their sight. "DISABLE! QUICK GUARD!" with the dismantle of haze, alakazam dispersed the black fog. as anicent power, rock slide, and hydro pump were hurdled his way. sceptile took to the front, utilizing QUICK GUARD. creating a protective crimson shield crafted out of pure energy.

it was their turn to retaliate. "respond with LEAF STORM, THUNDER, FLAMETHROWER!" their barrier down. a leaf storm was sent toward the vaporeon, followed by a flamethrower being thrown toward mamoswine. a powerful electrical surge from above would attempt to come crashing down upon the buff omanyte.

emerging from within the dust cloud was a bright light sparking. it was a spew of electricity. toward the blue ball of rage electricity had been shot at it. where did it come from? dragonite whom stood atop of a pile of rocks after having dug himself out. it was due to the ability MULTISCALE that dragonite came out unscathed physically, but mildly annoyed greatly. he'd release a THUNDER WAVE toward the marill, furrowed brows showing his displeasure for the little blue rat.

i'll challenge you even if it's unfair

[attr="class","starrytext"]it took all but a single spark to know that dragonite was okay. mateo's attention was almost tugged away toward the flashing light, but he stood focused. it wasn't until a wall of rocks parted them. sceptile knew who they were going for--his partner. and that's when sudden burst of adrenaline settled, sceptile uttering his name as he turned toward mateo.

it was almost as if he said, 'i'm taking control.'

mateo, with a surprised expression, nodded with a grin. "yeah!" sceptile gave the order, alakazam followed. as they were all distracted at harming dragonite. dragonite, though barely, heard sceptile's shout. and so he'd quickly stand his ground. the dragon would come to place up a second layer, SAFEGUARD, to protect his body. aided, also, by MULTISCALE, he'd be able to withstand the aurora beam and ancient power. but this was only a ONE TIME maneuver, for he wouldn't be able to do something so boldly again. his body would come to crackle. indicating that MULTISCALE was no longer in effect and his body was severely placed within a weakened state. but that was all he needed to do for his allies to TELEPORT behind the trio; where, only two of them, seemed to be focused on dragonite.

the OMANYTE was first. with the group now behind and several meters away, yet close by, arcanine used ROAR directed toward the squid pokemon. though, had it dared, it could use the mamoswine as a shield, but that would cause the mamoswine to be forcefully returned to its ball and extracted from the field. either way, there was no escape from arcanine's powerful war cry.

next up was MAMOSWINE. without hesitation sceptile, extending the palm of his hands, released a linear ray of green energy. had it connected with the giant pokemon's backside, it would come to fall pray to MEGA DRAIN. should the vaporeon attempt to counter, jolteon would maneuver with a THUNDERSHOCK. attempting to electrocute the water-type fellow eeveelution underneath mamoswine.

once the rock slide subsided, mateo would be able to see the current standing of what had been occurring. for now, he'd take note of dragonite's severely weakened state. which meant that multiscale was down and he was surely on his last leg. but what of the others? what would the outcome of this match be?