The fist puts distance between bear and chimera. Shuwen catches his breath, knowing that the storm is coming for him. This creature means to charge him, to meet him head-on. So be it. Seeing the charging legend, Shuwen can only smile. Kimmy is too plain a name for something so grand, or so the stoic bear thinks.[break][break]
“ORAAAAAAAA!” Shuwen charges, meeting the iron head of the false god head-on. It slams into him, making him see a sea of stars. It’s an explosion of pain. Welcome. Almost comforting.[break][break]
“Give it as good as you get!” The human to whom his fate is tied speaks. Shuwen balls his hands into fists once more and unleashes a barrage meant to send his foe skyward. Navy calls this technique aerial ace. Shuwen calls it practical.

[break][break]

+ Andrea Vaneau

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Ursifu's martial arts were ineffective, so the kung fu master switched up their strategy, punching Kimmy skyward with pinpoint accuracy. The chimera fell back to the ground with bone-crushing impact, roaring in pain. Its ability to change its own typing was both a blessing and a curse.

"It's not over yet! Kimmy, Multi-Attack!" Andrea ordered. Her Silvally groggily got up and bathed its claws in a verdant aura, before brutally swiping at its ursine adversary.

Michael Navidson

☉

Had he not witnessed Hattori’s fate, Shuwen would fall here. A creature this powerful, channeling the brunt of its might through its chosen element, would be a death sentence, even for him. Whether he was born in the sea of dreams or simply wandered by, he seems to be a creature of the ocean. His strikes mimic the flowing of water. Navy has observed him holding the same weakness to grass as his deceased Gyarados or poor Hattori.[break]
Shuwen’s arms are crossed in a defensive stance before Navy has time to point, yell, and put on a show. He does it all the same, but trainer and Pokemon are in sync.[break]
“Protect yourself!” Navy orders. “Then finish this! C’mon, big guy!” A barrier of pure fighting spirit sweeps over Shuwen. He protects himself at all cost, lest he fall to disaster. As the vicious blow comes, Shuwen’s eyes shoot open. While the barrier absorbs the lion’s share of the brunt, Kimmy’s sheer, overwhelming force shatters it wide. He’s knocked back, stumbling a few yards before righting himself.[break]
“Holy crap.” Navy says, genuinely impressed. “Kimmy’s so strong. Wish a Silvally would wander into my beach house.”

[break][break]

+ Andrea Vaneau

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Shuwen lived to see another day. As its brutal assault was protected against, Kimmy was also knocked backwards, digging its claws into the dirt in order to stabilize itself. The man-made chimera shook its head wildly, and shot an angry glare at the ursine martial artist.

"That's the way of the Fallarbor Gym! We use big, strong Pokémon here!" Andrea boasted. Nearby, Missy the Kangaskhan gave a sagelike nod.

Banter aside, Navy's earlier command signaled that a big move was coming, so they needed to wrap this up fast. "Now, Kimmy, use Tri Attack!" The eccentric trainer yelled. With an affirmative roar, her Silvally shot an elemental helix of fire, ice, and lightning out of its mouth.

Michael Navidson

☉

“And down in Dewford, we believe you’ve gotta have the valor to always keep going. Shuwen! Show ‘em what you’ve got!” Navy encourages his Pokemon through the last leg of this fight. Neither side could go much longer, not with how hard they’re hitting one another. Ice, fire, and lightning explode from Kimmy. It’s an electrifying performance.[break][break]
Maybe the smart thing to do would be to dodge, but sometimes the smart thing is the wrong move. Shuwen rushes right into the attack. His fur freezes, burns, and surges with electricity in different spots. He feels his spine tense up, his hind sear, and his leg begin to freeze. All of that is fine, for he only needs one single fist to remain intact.[break][break]
“Get in close! Hit ‘em hard!” Shuwen obeys, his fist sailing through the air with what remains of his energy. It’s a good fight. Come what may, he meets Kimmy with a smile and a battle cry.[break][break]
“ORAAAAAAAAAAAA!”

[break][break]

+ Andrea Vaneau

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

The Close Combat hurt. A lot. The artificial chimera reeled backwards, heavily bruised by the attack. “Alright, I’ve seen enough. Shuwen has proven himself!” Andrea decided to throw the proverbial towel. There was no reason to keep pushing their Pokémon in what was a friendly match.

The dragon-costumed girl walked up to her Silvally, using a Super Potion to treat its injuries. “You did great too, Kimmy. I’m proud of you!” She beamed, petting the beast’s white mane.

With that, the young Gym leader presented Michael with a handcrafted badge shaped like a nondescript creature’s head. “Congratulations, you’ve won this Monster Badge!” The girl declared with a bright smile.

Michael Navidson

☉