Eevee Therapy for Little Magi Chapter 46: Where Dragons Rule

Shirou pulled on his jacket, looking across at his now four-mon team. “Alright… we’re going to fight a Gym leader who’ll likely outclass us. We’ve trained hard, but this’ll be our toughest fight yet,” he said firmly. “That being said… Vulpix, will you be participating here?” he asked. On the one hand, her help would be very valuable, on the other… well, she was a new teammate, and it’d look an awful lot like someone borrowing an elite to sweep a gym.

“It is up to you. It’s highly likely that if I participate the Leader will raise the challenge beyond the point that the rest of your Pokemon can compete,” Vulpix began, formality briefly overtaking her voice before she crushed it. “Anyway, I’m always down for a good fight, but your job as trainer is to decide when and where I get to fight. I won’t be annoyed if I don’t get a fight here; we’re a new pair and it’ll take us some time to get used to each other.”

Shirou closed his eyes. “We’ll take this challenge with you observing,” he decided. “If we have to make a second attempt, you’ll join us, but this time…this is a matter of pride.”

Fafnir grinned. “It is. We’ll make a Dragonhearted out of you yet,” she huffed.

Shirou produced two Pokeballs, returning both Fafnir and Yagi, his two four-legged partners falling in beside him as he walked out of his room, meeting his sister in the hall. Illya and Matilda fell in beside them, the five figures making their way to the gym, where Isabella waited beside Otoshi, the Warden giving them a wave. “Yo! How’s it going, kids?”

“Things are going well, Warden Otoshi,” Illya bowed respectfully, her brother doing the same mere moments later. “As promised, we’ve returned to challenge Leader Narimasa.” A spark of competitiveness flared through her voice, a fire in both her and Shirou’s eyes as they fixed a stare upon the Warden.

“He’s right inside. I think he’s actually looking forward to this; he mentioned possibly getting a chance to put some of his youngsters through their paces,” Otoshi said with a grin. “Come on in! I’m reffing for this match, hope you don’t mind.”

“There’s no official ref here?” Shirou asked as they were led inside. Several ledges had been pulled out of the rock walls around the central courtyard, blue-clad Diamond clanspeople taking seats alongside their Pokemon partners. Most interestingly, Shirou caught sight of Lady Lilligant herself sitting atop one of the stone pillars dotting the outskirts of the training areas, looking down with interest.

“We used to have one assigned, but he got promoted, and this is a backwater position. Not many want to get assigned out here. Still, I’m a certified referee, and I swear on my Lady’s name to judge this fairly.”

“I’d not assume otherwise,” Shirou said diplomatically as they reached the courtyard, Leader Narimasa waiting with his hands clasped behind his back. The man’s simple samue and overcoat had been replaced by a set of light armor, emblazoned with the league symbol and the Diamond Clan emblem on the blue lacquer.

Narimasa nodded. “Welcome, challengers. It’s been a few weeks since the last trainer came to face me, and to have two in one day is a pleasure.” He gave a short bow. “Since we did not have a formal introduction last time, I am Ban Narimasa, leader of this gym. Please, introduce yourselves for the community.”

“Emiya Shirou,” Shirou began, bowing towards the crowd.

"Illyasviel von Einzbern-Emiya,” Illya curtsied, the very image of grace.

“Well met,” Narimasa said as the slight murmuring from the stands ceased. “Normally, for low-level trainers, this is where I would explain the nature of Dragons, but I don’t think it necessary for your group. You travel with two dragons of your own, one of which I have not seen before, and a third who many would call a dragon, even if she does not bear the type.” He looked between the two challengers. “Dragons are creatures of Power, Pride, and Will. They bow only to those stronger than them, in one form or another, and fight fiercely for what they consider theirs. Today, what mine shall fight for is victory itself, and the badge it might yield to you. Which of you will challenge me first?”

“I will,” Shirou stepped forward, a determined glint in his eyes as he recalled his team with a nod. “I will not be using Vulpix, given how she is a new capture and significantly more experienced than the rest of my team.”

Narimasa nodded once. “I see. There is no shame in getting a teammate who can cover for your weaknesses, but in this case, I can see why you would refrain. Wishing to show the fruits of your labors, rather than the labors of a new arrival is laudable.” He turned and walked to his spot at one end of the arena, handing off two Pokeballs to one of the gym trainers. “I have my team ready, then.”

Shirou nodded, taking his space at one end of the arena, Narimasa mirroring him. Then, as one, they sent out their first Pokemon.

“Fafnir, I choose you!” Shirou called, his shark dragon manifesting in the arena– across from her mirror. The two Gabite sized each other up, Shirou narrowing his eyes.

“We shall start by testing your conditioning,” Narimasa said, gesturing with a snap. His Gabite dashed across the arena, readying a Dragon claw. “I can tell she is in good health, but let’s see if you have brought out her strength.”

“Fafnir, Dragon Dance if you’d please,” Shirou called calmly, ignoring the jab from the Gym Leader with the greatest of ease for the moment. For now, he withheld the snark that was bubbling at the back of his throat. Until he proved himself, he wouldn’t bother voicing it.

Fafnir darted away from the strike, speeding up and sharpening herself in the face of the older Gabite, grinning as she savaged him. “Not fast enough,” Fafnir growled, landing a headbutt onto the chin of her opponent, a three hit combo off a pair of Dragon Claws.

Narimasa’s eyebrows shot up, nodding in acknowledgement. “You’ve trained her well. She has a lot of grace.” He raised his voice. “Swords Dance! Match her in power, if not in speed!”

“Dragon Dance again, then get back in there!” Shirou called back, Fafnir going through the motions of Dragon Dance once again, as her opponent honed his wrist blades. With a roar, both dragons clashed again, Fafnir’s claws and blades just as sharp as her opponent, though she landed hits more rapidly. Within moments, the two had smashed each other apart, Fafnir getting the better of the clash with each exchange of blows, ducking out of strikes which would lay her out and retaliating too quickly to be beaten.

Narimasa watched for a few more moments, then nodded, barking once. “Echo the lord!”

Gabite opened his mouth, a roar with physical force impacting Fafnir, her steps slowing as the concussive power washed over her. The crowd erupted in applause, but Narimasa himself simply grimaced.

Illya started as Fafnir charged back in. “What was that?” She asked Isabella.

“Echo of Time,” the Diamond clansgirl responded. “No one has ever managed to replicate Lord Dialga’s power, but attempts to recreate his roar have produced this lesser replica. It’s not the strongest move, and it takes much out of its user, but it slows the opponent down through the weight of ages. Or so it’s been described. Narimasa prefers not to use it, because it’s still not close to complete.”

“Bulldoze, change it up!” Shirou barked immediately, Fafnir responding in kind moments later as the ground trembled, staggering Gabite briefly as a gout of dragonfire connected a scant few moments later, Fafnir following up her disruptive attack with a weak Dragonbreath. The burst of flames staggered the weakened dragon, whose flames blasted back in retaliation was positively anemic, his previous roars having weakened him to the point he couldn’t sustain his breath. Fafnir ripped through the curling fire, slamming a still-enhanced claw in under his guard. With a grunt, Gabite collapsed, leaving Fafnir huffing over his form.

Otoshi raised one hand. “Leader Narimasa’s Pokemon has been defeated. Leader, send out your next Pokemon!” The crowd applauded politely, a few yelling or shouting encouragement, but most holding their voices.

Narimasa withdrew his first Pokemon, smiling. “Well done.” He looked at Fafnir, his throat twisting. The next words were spoken more with draconic aura than a human throat. “Will you remain in, guardian? There is fight left in you, but your next opponent will be fresh.”

“You good, Fafnir?” Shirou cut in sharply, disapproval radiating from the young man at the intrusion.

“I am, Shirou.” Fafnir answered, ignoring Narimasa completely. It was, after all, not his place in the slightest to ask her such things. Her remaining on the field was a choice that only she and Shirou could make. No one else. No one else should even ask such a thing unless they wanted to piss off a dragon.

But perhaps that was the point. Focusing, Fafnir took in a deep breath, clearing the haze of anger that had started to creep towards the edges of her vision. She was not fresh. But she also had absolutely no intention of letting her new opponent escape without wounds, if at all.

Narimasa smiled, reaching down to his belt and hovering over one ball before selecting the second. “Not how I intended this fight to go… but then, nothing ever does.” He spun out his second ball, the buzzing wingbeats of a Flygon filling the massive room, to the shock of many of those listening. “I meant to use her to test your starter’s skill in the air, but then needs must.”

Flygon buzzed into the air above the battleground, taking a breath and then blasting violet flames down towards Fafnir.

“Dig,” Shirou barked, more to abort Fafnir’s desire to directly compete with the Flygon while it had the range advantage than anything else. Fafnir snorted, but immediately dove into the ground, the land shark parting the hard-packed earth like water as she dove beneath the rush of flames.

Narimasa watched her submerge, making a note to teach Shirou his tricks with Dig, Fly, and the synergy between the two with ground-dragon types. Flygon, meanwhile, scowled and dove to the ground, only stopped by Narimasa’s raised hand. “Earthquake is a bit much for their level. Dragon Dance, wait for her to emerge.”

Shirou winced as he heard Narimasa speak; he hadn’t considered Earthquake. He had, however, considered something else. As Flygon stilled to begin dancing, Shirou stamped twice, and with a surge, Fafnir jetted from the earth. She rode a wave of draconic and ground energy, clipping Flygon who barely dodged aside, then raking the startled desert dragon with a burst of Dragonbreath.

Flygon flew back, eyes narrowed. “Agile style… or linked moves? Your trainer is more competent than his age would suggest.” She blasted back with a Dragonbreath of her own, catching Fafnir before the dragon could hit the ground.

Fafnir grunted as her landed, scrambling back to her feet and using Protect to intercept a Dragonclaw. “I fight someone who’s a genius of hard work daily. It would break my pride if I didn’t do the same as he.” She lashed out, a Dual Chop smashing into Flygon, only for the flying dragon to retaliate with a vicious uppercut, laying her out.

“...so I see,” Flygon muttered as Shirou returned Fafnir. “Will I fight him next, then?” She asked the young trainer standing across from her own.

“Ritsuka, you’re up!” Shirou called, throwing his starter’s ball onto the field in a masterful pitch.

“Aye aye!” The Wyrmeon chirped, taking flight from the moment she left the ball.

“Agility,” Shirou barked.

“Dragon Dance again, then prepare for aerial maneuvers,” Narimasa called. Both dragons sped up, Flygon matching Ritsuka’s speed before darting in, only to be intercepted by Ritsuka’s Protect barrier, the fox-dragon lashing out through the fading bubble to blast her opponent with Dragon Pulse. Flygon hissed in pain darting back. Her wings began to buzz, earth below her churning into sand and rising to shroud the battleground.

“Calm Mind,” Shirou called, narrowing his eyes as the sandstorm Flygon had whipped up kicked off in earnest. Heeding his instructions, Ritsuka stilled momentarily, fortifying her mind as she kept her senses sharp, ears straining for the buzz that would indicate Flygon’s position. Her ears twitched, wings flapping before she barely dodged a swipe from Flygon, the bug dragon swapping to a burst of Bug Buzz to swat her before she retreated back into the storm. Ritsuka, however, dove through the sand in hot pursuit, raking her opponent with another Dragon Pulse.

Narimasa reached into his pockets, producing a pair of sand goggles as Shirou reinforced his eyes. The gym leader watched the skirmish, eventually smiling as his pokemon outpaced her pursuer, hiding within the sand. “This will not become a battle of attrition. Screech, then Dragon Rush,” he called into the storm.

“Dragon Pulse, you can’t evade in this weather!” Shirou barked, eyes straining as he did his best to make out the blurry silhouette of his foe. A tense second passed, “Twelve o’clock high!”

Ritsuka shifted in midair, Dragon Pulse passing through the Screech which wracked her, her own attack striking Flygon before the other dragon dove in, a full body blow connecting. The one-two hit staggered Ritsuka, but Flygon was clearly struggling, the repeated blows from two consecutive opponents causing her wings to shudder at the force of her own impact.

Shirou saw their chance as Flygon tried to disengage back into the storm. “Ritsuka, Hyper Voice, wide spread!” The fox-dragon opened her mouth, a loud ‘WYRM!‘ roaring through the air as the sand was knocked aside, Flygon following the shout to the ground with a crash of limbs.

Flygon struggled to rise to her feet, only to look up and see Ritsuka diving down on her, a whistling sound whipping around her as she dove. Releasing the energy gathered in her dive, Ritsuka unleashed her Dragon Bomb, the blast knocking Flygon out cleanly. With a thump, Ritsuka landed in front of Shirou, panting slightly before she gathered her wits and took a deep breath.

“Leader Narimasa’s Flygon is unable to battle! Gym Leader, send out your final Pokemon!”

Narimasa smiled as the sandstorm abated, removing his sand goggles as the applause sounded once again. “Well done,” he said as he returned his unconscious ally. “I intended her to be your final opponent, but no matter.” He readied his final Pokeball. “Will you recall your starter, give her time to rest?”

“Ritsuka?” Shirou ignored the leader once more, hiding his irritation with his opponent’s concern for the moment.

“Don’t forfeit me, but I’ll accept the substitution,” his starter answered after a few moments, grimacing slightly as she gingerly shook herself out.

“Done,” he answered, recalling her into her ball. “Yagi, you’re up!”

Yagi landed, posing slightly as he took in his opponent. The dragon which formed across from him blinked languidly, only partially uncoiling from his metal shell. “Oh, hello there,” he offered, uncoiling further to place his legs on the ground. “A bit small, but that’s no slight, I can tell you’ll be scrappy.” 

Yagi grinned, taking a stance. “Yosh! You are correct!” He didn’t bother to posture further, instead rapidly closing the distance with a Quick Attack, launching into a rapid series of Force Palms. In response, the Sliggoo burst out a blast of Dragon Breath, the attack allowing him to skid across the ground and out of range. Sliggoo then withdrew into his shell, Shelter triggering to harden him against incoming fire.

“Fighting types are a weakness of mine,” Sliggoo admitted as Yagi closed in again. “But–” He juked, his shell spinning aside as Yagi attempted to slam into him for another hit. “I’m not just going to stand there and take it.”

“Yagi, Bulk Up,” Shirou barked, “Then dive in with Double Team!”

“I would not want you to just stand there! This will be reaction training!” With his piece enthusiastically stated, the scrappy little jackal did exactly that, focusing his internal energy to reinforce himself even as a myriad of illusory copies of himself burst into being. Without a singular pause, they charged towards the Hisuian Sliggoo, all of their palms alight with aura. Yagi’s illusions spread over the field, forcing Sliggoo to spread his feelers to try and find the true Riolu, which in turn slowed him down. Yagi slammed a blow into him, only to take a Dragon Pulse in return.

Narimasa growled. “Shelter again, then rake the field with Dragon Breath, dispel the copies,” he shouted. Sliggoo braced himself, skin and shell hardening further, before he rotated his neck, purple flames spilling over the field, causing the various illusions to pop and forcing Yagi to do a forward flip over the wave of fire. Yagi sprang to his opponent and landed another Force Palm, only for the reinforced shell to take the hit without being scuffed, Yagi springing off and shaking out his paw.

“Yagi, can you manage an Aura Sphere?” Shirou asked, voice less sharp and more questioning.

“I believe I can, though it will take time,” Yagi responded immediately, springing backwards as he intuited his trainer’s next command. He crouched, pulling power in between his paws, shaping the power, closing his eyes to focus on the energy.

Manipulating power like this… was always tricky. Fists, feet, muscles and bones were easy. Manipulating the power within was harder, and he’d always had issues focusing on it. But Shirou had the same problems, and together, they’d managed to work out the mechanics, found a way to channel the power. And that meant the greatest skill of his lineage, the Aura Sphere, was…

…coming a lot easier than it should have.

Yagi blinked his eyes open, looking at the orb held in his paws. The paws which now had metal spikes poking out of the back. He kept his attention in check as he lobbed the sphere across the battlefield, towards the now perspectively smaller Sliggoo.

“...well, damn.” Sliggoo muttered just before the sphere impacted him, sending him spinning across the battlefield.

Yagi felt himself over, then cleared his throat and focused. “Well, this is unexpected!” He shifted on his feet, frowning as his center of balance nearly caused him to trip. “Hmm. Well, time to learn to use a new body mid-battle, yosh!” he cheered, pumping his arms as Sliggoo blearily emerged from his shell to look across the battlefield.

Narimasa blinked as he took in the rapidly changed battlefield,the silence of the watching crowd giving him a moment to gather his thoughts. “...well, this will be our loss,” he muttered, then raised his voice. “I can tell you didn’t plan this, but… well done, young man,” he called out to Shirou.

“Are you conceding, in that case?” Shirou clarified, because it was definitely worth checking. Dragons did have their pride, but assuming that a specialist would completely align with their type was a logical fallacy.

“Of course not. We do need to test your partner.” Narimasa responded, looking back to the battlefield. “Mud Shots, and use Muddy Water to push him back if he closes!” he ordered. Sliggoo nodded, cheeks bulging before he blasted out a bullet of mud.

“Detect into Aura Sphere! Play at range!” Shirou ordered, Yagi’s eyes gleaming as he wove between each of the Mud Shots with unnatural precision. As the wave of mud finally petered out, an Aura Sphere was smoothly formed and shot towards the Sliggoo, not giving the dragon any semblance of a break. Sliggoo took the second blast of fighting type energy with a groan, attempting to surf away from the blast with a burst of brown water, but the Sphere tracked them through their dodge, laying him out once again.

As he struggled to raise himself again, the dragon heard clinking rapidly approaching. Looking up, Sliggoo flinched as Yagi seized his shell, flipped him over, and drove him into the ground. Yagi dusted off his paws as Sliggoo passed out. “Excellent, I have the measure of my body again. Now I just need to redesign my workout routine.”

Narimasa withdrew his final Pokemon, advancing onto the battlefield, taking Yagi’s paw with a solid shake. “Congratulations on your evolution.”

“Ah… thank you,” Yagi demurred.

Narmada nodded, then let go and advanced to the middle of the ring. “Emiya Shirou. I expected you to do well, but you exceeded my expectations.” He said as Shirou came up to meet him. “For your victory here, I offer you the Eternal Badge.” He held out a pentagram of metal, the blue symbol marred with a single scar. “Well done.”

“Thank you, Leader Narimasa,” Shirou answered, bowing briefly to accept the badge and pay his respects before he turned his attention to Yagi. “Congratulations Yagi. Your hard work was rewarded.”

“Our hard work,” Yagi responded pointedly. “I couldn’t have done it without you. We are geniuses together, after all!”

Narimasa cleared his throat. “Your victory is also worth more than just my badge, especially given your defeat of Flygon. I offer my training to your team, including tutoring for the Echo of Time.” He coughed. “There’s no Technical Machine for the move, as it is still not complete.”

Shirou nodded, then turned to lead his newly evolved Pokemon off the battlefield. Narimasa looked past the boy to see a smaller figure step up to the challenger’s box. Illya’s eyes narrowed as she met his gaze.

“...hmm. An altogether different challenger. Good,” the gym leader muttered as he turned to walk to his box. “I wonder if we’ll have a repeat performance?”