| " | \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAltan: I'm not so sure about Shinxy using Growlithe here. We've already seen how Maylene's pokemon have moves to combat opponents with a type advantage. Mewtwo: Shinxy believes in his pokemon. That gives them the strength to succeed. I will believe that Growlithe can pull through as well. Crystal: Yeah, let's go Growlithe! Maylene commanded Lucario to use Bone Rush. Lucario manifested a green energy staff in the shape of a long bone and charged at Growlithe. Shinxy in turn commanded Growlithe to charge straight back using Flame Wheel, unsure of what outcome it would bring, but possibly a better alternative to simply taking Lucario's attack. The two moves colided with eachother, and each pokemon was thrown back by the impact, both with considerable injuries. Maylene: Looks like both of our pokemon got hurt. Shinxy: You okay, Growlithe? Growlithe made it's body shake in the same nature as a dog getting out of a bath, then stood up confidently. Maylene: Bone Rush is a ground type move, I'm rather impressed that your Growlithe isn't in worse shape! Of course, if it hadn't charged Lucario like that, then Bone Rush would've landed more hits. Crystal: Oh, dear. A ground type move? Maylene: Now, Lucario, get your health back with Drain Punch! Shinxy: Drain what? Lucario dashed at Growlithe and landed a heavy punch enveloped in green energy, knocking Growlithe back and slightly healing Lucario's damage. Altan: What kind of attack was that? Maylene: It's exactly as it sounds! Drain Punch heals the user based on the damage they do to their opponent! And it looks like Growlithe there took a heavy hit. Growlithe struggled to stand up again, having taken a much harder hit after already suffering damage from Bone Rush. Shinxy: Growlithe! Come on, you can win this! Mewtwo: It seems Shinxy is overestimating Growlithe. Altan: That's part of believing in your pokemon. I'm sure he has a plan. Maylene: Alright Lucario, clean up this stock with ExtremeSpeed! Lucario sped towards Growlithe at impressive speed, sure to deal the finishing blow. However, Shinxy indeed had a plan in store for Maylene's pokemon. Shinxy: Now, Growlithe! Use Reversal! Maylene: Wait, what?! Growlithe roared and enveloped in a bright blue-ish white light, striking Lucario with all it's might once it was in range. Lucario collided with Growlithe's attack at incredible speed, making the damage all the more devastating. Lucario was knocked back several feet, landing on it's back. Lucario was rendered unconscious. Maylene: L-Lucario! You just healed with Drain Punch! I can't believe he was hiding a move like that... Mewtwo: What is this move, "Reversal"? How can it do such incredible damage to Lucario? Altan: It's a fighting type attack that becomes stronger when the user is really injured. Growlithe was one attack away from fainting, making it much more powerful. Crystal: And Lucario is a steel type. It's weak to fighting attacks. Not to mention it's defenses aren't all that great. It's a recipe for a one-hit K.O. Mewtwo: I see. He had that move at the ready from the beginning, huh... that's rather impressive. Maylene returned Lucario to it's pokeball, and approached Shinxy, who picked up Growlithe and rewarded it with hugs. Shinxy: Haha, yes! You're awesome Growlithe! Maylene: I would say so, trainer. You really took me by surprise, I had no idea Growlithe could learn Reversal. It's the perfect fighting move for turning the tide of battle, and you used it perfectly. Well done! Shinxy: Thanks, Maylene! Maylene: It was a tough loss for sure, I learned a lot from it. Anyways, please accept this Cobble badge. Also, this Technical Machine for Drain Punch. You've already seen what it could do, I'm sure you'll put it to good use! Shinxy: I'll be sure to! Shinxy put away his winnings in his backpack, as his friends got up from the bench and gathered by him. Crystal: That was great, Shinxy! Altan: Come on, let's get going. I bet Felix has that Fire Stone ready for ya. Maylene: Hmmm? You got a friend at the Game Corner? Shinxy: Yeah! We don't exactly got a lot of time to spend in Veilstone, so another buddy of mine said he'd get a Fire Stone for Growlithe from the Game Corner while I was battling you. Maylene: Heheh, that Growlithe took down my Lucario on it's own. I can't imagine how strong it'll be once it evolves. Hmmmm... you mind if I follow you out? I'd like to see the evolution, if that's alright with you. Shinxy: Of course it's alright! Let's go. The gang headed outside. And indeed, Felix was waiting for them. Felix: Ah, you guys got out just in time. I called Adam and got him to bring the grunts inside the basement for a training exercise. So you can slip out of the city without them noticing. Maylene: What's he talking about? Grunts? Wait, Team Galactic is here? Felix: Ah geez, wasn't expecting the gym leader to come out with you. Look, it's a long story, but I'm a double agent now and me and a bud of mine are taking care of things. Don't worry about it. Maylene: If you say so, fine. But if those creeps start making trouble around here I'm not going to sit back and do nothing. Felix: Understood. Anyways, Shinxy, here you go. I got the stone just like I promised. Felix handed Shinxy the Fire Stone. Shinxy gazed at it with sparkles in his eyes. Maylene: There's no way you could've won enough coins to get that just during Shinxy's battle with me. Altan: He was already saving up before today. Maylene: For what? Felix: A TM. It's not a big deal though, I can save up for it later. Shinxy: It's so... pretty... Crystal: Come on, Shinxy! Let's see Growlithe evolve! Mewtwo: Yes, please. Shinxy: Oh right, heheh. Here you go, Growlithe. Shinxy put the stone on the ground in front of Growlithe. Once Growlithe placed his paw on it, he was suddenly enveloped in a bright light. The trainers took a few steps back and sheilded their eyes from the brightness. After a moment, the light disappeared and Growlithe had evolved into a much larger pokemon. Crystal: Wow...! Shinxy: He's an Arcanine now! He's so tall! Altan: Stronger, too. No doubt about that. Mewtwo: So, that's evolution... fascinating. Shinxy: Thanks, Felix! You're the best! Felix: Don't worry about it, it's the least I could do in return for you helping me. Now, I gotta get back to the basement. You take care of yourselves. Shinxy: You too! Felix headed away, and Shinxy continued to admire his new Arcanine. The big dog wagged it's tail at receiving so much admiration. Maylene: Wow, that's really impressive! Say, you said my badge would be your fifth? Who do you have left to face? Shinxy: Well, we met Volkner before coming here, but he doesn't want to battle me until I have seven badges. So, I just need the badge from Canalave and Snowpoint gyms. Maylene: Haha, Volkner is the strongest gym leader in Sinnoh. I'm not surprised he turned you down. Crystal: That's what he said, too... Maylene: You know, the gym leaders in Canalave and Snowpoint specialize in steel and ice type pokemon. With that Arcanine there, I'm sure they won't be too much of a sweat. Shinxy: Thanks for the info, Maylene. We'll do our best! Maylene: No problem. Welp, back to the gym for me! You guys take care. Maylene headed back inside her gym, and Shinxy's group took another trip to the Pokemon Center. Once Shinxy's party was healed up, they headed past the warehouse to the north exit of the city, and on to Route 215. Altan: So, Snowpoint, Canalave, then Sunnyshore. Those are the last gyms. Crystal: And according to the pokegear map, all three of them are on complete opposite ends of the region. We're going to have to travel all over... Shinxy: No problem! Travelling is part of what makes adventures fun! Shinxy let Arcanine out of it's pokeball, and climbed on top of it's back. Shinxy: Now, onward! To uhh, uuhhhh... Altan: I suggest Canalave first. We won't have to go back and forth so much that way. Shinxy: Alright, Canalave City it is! Crystal: You think all three of us can ride on your Arcanine? We could get around much faster that way. Mewtwo: I'd rather take things more casually and enjoy the scenery. Shinxy: Me too! Besides, I don't want to strain Arcanine like that. Let's let him get used to his new form before trying to have three trainers sit on his back at once. Altan: What about Mewtwo? Mewtwo: I can float. Crystal: Alright, a casual stroll to Canalave City it is! With the day still being young, the crew set out through Route 215 and began their trip across Sinnoh, heading back west on their way to Canalave City.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t