Pokemon: Gym Leader

Paralyzed—both Goodra and Diantha.

She could only watch helplessly as Goodra stiffened and collapsed, the Spikes digging in again as it hit the ground, causing even more damage.

"What a pity… it can't learn Toxic."

Dylan clicked his tongue with regret. Compared to other Prankster users, Klefki's utility movepool was a bit… shallow.

In Generations VI and VII, Klefki could still learn Toxic and Swagger.

Both excellent utility moves—especially Toxic.

But starting with Gen VIII, Klefki could no longer learn either. Dylan even tried using a Toxic TM in this world, but it didn't work. Klefki just… couldn't learn it.

Truly a shame.

"Play Rough."

Dylan didn't waste the opportunity to strike a fallen foe.

Klefki's entire body lit up with a vibrant pink glow and launched itself at the downed Goodra.

Since Goodra had been clinging tightly to Klefki's ring, the two Pokémon were still close together.

A Fairy-type Play Rough!

Every key on Klefki's body glowed and raked against Goodra, drawing pained cries.

Fairy > Dragon!

It did a fair amount of damage. Goodra's Special Defense was extremely high—among the best of all Pokémon.

But… its physical defense? Not so much.

So even with Klefki's middling Attack stat, the type advantage and Goodra's weak Defense made it count.

"Goodra, Flamethrower!"

Diantha's face was tight with tension—she was honestly at a loss.

Goodra endured the pain of Play Rough and blasted a stream of flames toward Klefki.

Boom!

The flames hit directly, but just as they were about to engulf Klefki, a shimmering translucent wall lit up around it—Light Screen!

It absorbed a large portion of the damage.

"No good… at this rate, Goodra won't last."

Gritting her teeth, Diantha went to recall Goodra. With both Light Screen and Reflect up, her dragon's damage output just wasn't cutting it.

"Fairy Lock," Dylan said mildly, casting a glance at Diantha's troubled face with a small smile.

"???"

Diantha's hand froze on the Poké Ball button, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Clink clink clink!

Klefki's keys jingled again as a pink aura descended on Goodra and locked into place.

Fairy Lock—Goodra was trapped again.

The spectators were shifting uncomfortably.

This guy… he was ruthless.

"Flamethrower!"

Diantha's elegant expression had turned a shade green.

Fine! If you won't let me retreat, then I'll go down swinging!

Goodra roared and sent another stream of flames toward Klefki.

But Klefki simply drifted aside, dodging the attack.

"Play Rough."

In an instant, Klefki slammed into Goodra again, its glowing keys slashing and battering its foe. Goodra groaned in pain.

"Fire Blast!"

Diantha tried to suppress her rising frustration and went all in.

Goodra couldn't escape. It wasn't fast to begin with, and paralysis made that worse. Landing a counterattack was already impressive.

But to her dismay, just as Fire Blast began charging… paralysis triggered again.

It missed.

Diantha was shaking slightly, fists clenched.

This damn paralysis!

"Play Rough," Dylan said, sounding almost sorry for her. He hadn't expected Goodra to be this unlucky. But now, the match was decided.

Klefki's third Play Rough landed, and this time, Goodra couldn't withstand it.

Three Fairy-type attacks, Spikes damage—Goodra finally collapsed.

"Goodra is unable to battle. Klefki wins."

Leaf announced the result.

This time, even the crowd quieted down. It was clear Diantha's spirits had taken a hit.

Her face was dark, her energy dulled by what had just happened.

"Are you alright, Miss Diantha?"

Dylan asked kindly.

"You don't seem too comfortable fighting Klefki. If you'd like, I can switch to another Pokémon?"

Normally, of course, he wouldn't switch out. Klefki didn't have Baton Pass or U-turn, so standard rules meant it stayed in.

But Dylan had been in battles like this before. If Diantha agreed, he was willing to make the change.

"…No, I'm fine."

But Diantha was a proud champion. This was a Rotta Gym Challenge. She wasn't about to ask her opponent to swap just because she was losing.

Let him switch Klefki out? Where would her pride be?

"Setbacks are meant to be overcome!"

Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself and glared down the demonic little keyring.

She refused to believe she couldn't handle a single Klefki!

"Gourgeist!"

She made her choice and tossed out her third Poké Ball.

With a burst of white light, a floating pumpkin Pokémon appeared, its "face" carved into its body, tendrils of "hair" hanging down from its head.

Beep—Gourgeist, Ghost/Grass type, Pumpkin Pokémon

Ability: Pickup

Moves: Shadow Sneak, Pain Split, Shadow Ball, Trick-or-Treat, Seed Bomb, Moonblast...

Dex entry: It wanders the streets on the night of a new moon, singing eerie songs. Those who hear it are cursed.

A Ghost-type, huh?

"If it's Gourgeist, then Fairy Lock isn't a concern anymore."

Leaf analyzed from the side. Klefki's signature move doesn't affect Ghost-types, so Gourgeist wouldn't get trapped.

She also noticed Gourgeist had access to Fire-type moves.

"Shadow Sneak!"

Diantha barked the command.

This Klefki needed to go.

Klefki wasn't an unknown to Kalos trainers—it was native to the region, after all.

And it was never considered particularly strong.

But here, Dylan's Klefki had already taken out two of her Pokémon!

She couldn't let this continue. No way would she let it 1v3 her team!

Gourgeist's eyes glowed, and a rift in space opened behind Klefki as it blurred into the shadows.

"Meditate."

Dylan replied calmly.

Klefki shimmered with psychic energy—Calm Mind, raising both Special Attack and Special Defense.

By the time Gourgeist emerged behind it and lunged with ghostly force, the move had completed.

Wham!

Shadow Sneak struck—Reflect shimmered and dulled the blow.

Klefki tumbled slightly, then steadied.

And its body lit up again—Thunder Wave.

Crackling electricity flew across and struck Gourgeist, which froze midair, paralyzed.

Another one down.

Klefki had paralyzed yet another target.

Diantha's face tightened. She had expected this.

"Dazzling Gleam!"

Pink energy flashed as Klefki blasted Gourgeist again.

Gourgeist groaned.

Fairy moves weren't super-effective, but its Special Defense wasn't high—and Klefki had used Calm Mind once already.

"Again!"

"Skill Swap!!"

Another Dazzling Gleam, but Gourgeist recovered quickly. Its eyes flared with an eerie blue glow.

"Huh?"

Dylan raised a brow.

The Fairy blast landed again, but simultaneously, yellow energy streaked between them.

Skill Swap—they exchanged abilities!

"Clever!" Leaf's eyes lit up.

Klefki's biggest asset was its Prankster ability.

Now Gourgeist had it—and Klefki no longer did.

The moment this exchange happened, Light Screen also shattered—its duration over.

"Well played, Miss Diantha," Dylan chuckled. "Seems you're finally breaking through Klefki."

"Time to turn this around!" Diantha's smile returned.

"Will-O-Wisp!"

Ghostly blue flames formed around Gourgeist and launched at Klefki.

With Prankster, the move came out fast.

And the two Pokémon were already close. Klefki was hit before it could react.

Fwoosh!

The spectral fire engulfed Klefki. It let out a low, pained chime—Burned!

"Fire Blast!"

Diantha's eyes lit up. This speed—this pressure—this was Prankster!

A massive "大"-shaped flame erupted and slammed into the just-burned Klefki.

Boom!

The explosion knocked Klefki from the sky.

While Gourgeist's Special Attack wasn't high, Fire Blast was a powerful move—and Fire beat Steel.

"Again!"

Another Fire Blast rained down and exploded before Klefki could even rise.

When the flames faded, Klefki lay in a smoldering crater—fainted.

It had taken two Fire Blasts, and Goodra had worn it down earlier. Klefki's HP was average at best. It couldn't hold out.

"Klefki is unable to battle. Gourgeist wins."

Leaf declared.

"Well done. Time to rest," Dylan recalled Klefki and offered it a word of thanks.

Then he looked across the field at Diantha, his smile deepening.

"Looks like I wasn't wrong. Miss Diantha isn't one to fall at the first hurdle."

Diantha's smile faded slowly.

Yes. That was just Dylan's first Pokémon.

She looked at her Gourgeist—it was strong now, empowered by Prankster.

But…

"Now then, it's time for my second Fairy-type Pokémon."

Dylan took out another Poké Ball and tossed it lightly.

"Grimmsnarl! Prepare for battle!"

A hulking, ugly, long-haired Pokémon snarled as it landed on Dylan's side.

Dark/Fairy-type: Grimmsnarl.

Diantha's face instantly froze.

Grimmsnarl?! She would bet anything—that thing had Prankster too.

You… you said your Fairy-types were cute and pretty??

Klefki she could kind of accept…

But this ugly brute—how is this part of your "adorable Fairy-type team"?!

(End of Chapter)