The Crystal Empire. Harshwinny's Gym. Afternoon.
"Alright. I've dealt with everyone outside and-" Cadence entered the gym to see the Gym Battle for herself. And she came in at an interesting time.
Right now, Altaria and Clefable were having a sound battle. A blue soundwave from Altaria and a pink one from Clefable. Cadence froze for a moment after witnessing this. Twilight waved over to her fellow alicorn as Cadence chose to teleport instead of walking over. That was the safer option anyway. These soundwaves were causing tremors after all.
"My. This battle is already fairly intense." Cadence said, sitting behind Twilight. She closed her eyes after another tremor came through. "Who's winning so far?"
"It's even now. Both Rainbow Dash and Ms Harshwinny have two Pokemon left. But Altaria's badly poisoned right now." Twilight answered. "We're hoping Rainbow Dash can win this time."
"A-Alta...!" Altaria could feel herself weakening thanks to the poison. She couldn't keep up her singing for long. Clefable was still fairly healthy and full of energy without needing to worry about effects thanks to Magic Guard.
"Clefable!" Clefable had more oomph to give as she increased her volume. Altaria was unfortunately weakened to add some extra power to her singing. The poison was slowly eating her away. Her soundwave increased in size, pushing Altaria's back.
"Hang in there, Altaria! Add Ice Beam onto it!"
"A-Al...Taria!" Finally, Altaria had used a move. By combining Ice Beam with her natural singing voice, she sent a beam of ice that merged with the blue soundwave. The colours complemented each other as Sweetie Belle had a new idea for a Contest move.
Clefable noticed the beam approaching her as she continued to increase her tempo to fight back against it. Even without using a move to do so, showing just how powerful Clefable was. However, Harshwinny was aiming for something else.
"Break it up!"
"Clefable!" Clefable was the one who ended the soundwave struggle, sliding back as she had avoided the incoming beam of ice. Before, the force of the soundwaves had destroyed the ice on the floor. Now, the ice was back thanks to Ice Beam.
"Allow us to be more frontal! Approach Altaria!"
"Fable!" Usually, Fairy-Types don't do up close and personal actions. They are more of a ranged type, focusing on far distances. However, there are exceptions. And this was one of them.
"We'll get close too! Spin your beak around and use Pluck with it!"
"Alta!" Altaria dived, lighting her beak with an aura. After forming the aura, Altaria made it spin around her beak, creating something akin to Drill Peck.
"Clefa!" Clefable slid on the floor, using the ice to her advantage as Altaria approached. Once she was close enough, the Fairy Pokemon lunged into the air, evading the spinning aura of Altaria's Pluck. After evading it, Clefable personally got on Altaria's back.
"Tari?!"
"Right where we want you," smirked Harshwinny as she had a plan brewing.
"I've seen this trick before! Spin around and cover yourself in Ice Beam, Altaria!"
"Tari! Altaria!" Altaria knew what needed to be done. By summoning an Ice Beam and spinning, the Humming Pokemon would use the ice as a shield to deal with anyone that would dare get too close.
"Coat her with Dazzling Gleam!" But Harshwinny had a counter to that. A surprising one that was more akin to what unicorns and alicorns do.
"Clefable!" The Fairy Pokemon gripped Altaria's soft wings to keep herself on. She felt like she was going to be sick with Altaria spinning but she maintained herself in the meanwhile. After gripping her, Clefable then used Dazzling Gleam, sending out Fairy magic. But instead of it being in the form of rainbow rays or even a blinding flash, Clefable manipulated them to laminate Altaria.
"What the?!" Rainbow Dash pulled back as Altaria's body was now covered in Fairy-Type magic all around. Clefable then jumped off, avoiding the spiralling Ice Beam.
"That's just like the Magic Coating Spell!" Twilight stood up, recognizing the similarity. Altaria looked at herself, noticing what was currently surrounding her.
"It wasn't that difficult to understand. Fairy-Type Pokemon are the most magical of all the types aside from Dragon-Types. I just had to utilize their magic in the same way a unicorn or alicorn would. Now you're all covered in it." Harshwinny gave a quick explanation as always.
"Hah! That means it's a shield!" Rainbow Dash bellowed with a confident grin, believing that Harshwinny had sabotaged herself. "We can use this, Altaria!"
"Wrong." The earth pony shut the pegasus down immediately with that response. "Unlike that spell, Dazzling Gleam works differently. Observe. Clefable, if you will?"
"Fable." Just then, with a casual motion, Clefable had snapped her fingers. And by doing so, she caused some of the Fairy magic to blow up around Altaria, resulting in a colourful explosion.
"A-Altaria!"
"No, Altaria!"
"The magic is hers to manipulate! Now, Clefable! Gravity!"
"Fable!" As if it wasn't enough, Clefable also had Gravity on her side. By putting her hands out, Clefable had altered gravity itself, making it heavier. With that weight increase, the Humming Pokemon had been forced to the floor, crashing with heavy pressure.
"A-Aria!"
"Altaria! Break out of the coating with Ice Beam!"
"A-Alta...!" Altaria was ready to counter this. She felt her body being pressed down, but she wouldn't let it get to her. The Humming Pokemon made her mouth agape before summoning Ice Beam, which she didn't fire immediately. That's when Harshwinny and Clefable realized what she was planning.
The same trick that Castform performed earlier. Even though the ice wouldn't freeze Clefable thanks to Magic Guard, chances couldn't be taken at this rate.
"Dazzling Gleam!"
"Clefable!" The Fairy-Type bellowed, putting her hands together as she fired a barrage of rainbows towards Altaria.
"Now! Fire!"
"Taria!" Instead of consuming the ice, Altaria fired it forward. That was just a fake-out for Harshwinny and Clefable to fall for. And they did. Ice Beam collided with Dazzling Gleam, cancelling each other out in the process with only a cloud of pink and blue smoke left behind.
"Now, charge and use Pluck!"
"Tari!" Altaria could no longer fly properly thanks to Gravity. But, she could still use her legs and as a bonus, the ice was a great means of mobility. The Humming Pokemon immediately stood up, using the ice to slide over to Clefable with her beak lighting up. She jumped through the smoke, diving her beak onto Clefable's chest. "Alta!"
"C-Cle!" Clefable was knocked back after the initial hit, causing her to fall over due to the slippery floor. After hitting Clefable. Altaria continued to slide on the ice, approaching Clefable, who was currently spinning around on her back.
"Let's finish this! Pluck! One more time!"
"Altaria...!" Altaria was ready to perform the biggest Pluck she could give. She jumped into the air, feeling the strain of Gravity limiting her flying. But she persisted either way.
Clefable looked up to see Altaria powering her beak up for the strongest Pluck she'll probably ever do. Strangely enough, Harshwinny hadn't said anything yet as Clefable's eyes closed, fearing that she would be hit. However, it was soon discovered by Ms Harshwinny didn't say anything.
The poison had gotten to Altaria.
She had frozen in the air for a split second before closing her eyes, falling. The Humming Pokemon could no longer continue as she fell face-first onto the ice. She had fainted.
"Altaria..."
"Altaria is unable to battle! Clefable wins!" Starlight announced as Clefable let out a sigh of relief. Rainbow Dash also sighed as she recalled Altaria.
"Thanks for the help, Altaria. Rest up."
"That was a bit too close." Rarity said with her heart racing. "Just one Pokemon left at this rate. Surely she's planning on using Rainbow-Braviary for this. She didn't even use Mega Evolution for Altaria."
"If she was, she wouldn't have kept it a secret." Applejack replied, referring to Rainbow Dash's comment earlier. "She's got something."
"Well, it'd better be good cause there's only one Pokemon left." Pinkie Pie bit her hooves.
"I was expecting Mega Evolution from your Altaria, Rainbow Dash. Why not use it?" Harshwinny asked.
"I just wanted to test a few things out. But now, I'm gonna settle it with my final Pokemon. My ace in the hole." She then held out her final Poke Ball. Harshwinny was expecting to encounter Braviary, potentially entering Rainbow-Braviary. But no. She threw the Poke Ball with her wing, revealing who it was. "Here goes! Mienfoo go!"
"Mienfoo!"
"Mienfoo?" Scootaloo scratched her mane. "Why?"
"Most of the Pokemon Ms Harshwinny uses are strong against Fighting-Type Pokemon," Twilight added. "So even if she can somehow get past Clefairy, who knows what her final Pokemon could be? The last one is always the strongest, right?"
"Espeon."
"If this is your final choice, I'm curious to see what you will do." Harshwinny raised her head, curious about Rainbow Dash's final decision.
"Just watch. Are you ready, Mienfoo?"
"Mien-Mienfoo!" Mienfoo asserted her dominance by stomping on the floor and smashing her fist on it, forming some cracks. She also exuded some energy from her fighting spirit.
"Let's go! Acrobatics!"
"Mien!" Mienfoo went on the offensive, lunging into the air with an impressive flip.
"Dazzling Gleam!"
"Clefa!" As Mienfoo approached, Clefable had used Dazzling Gleam, causing a blinding flash of light to exude out of her as Mienfoo had witnessed it. Mienfoo flinched from that as she then covered her eyes. Not only that but Clefable had expanded the light, causing it to hit Mienfoo.
"F-Foo! The Martial Arts Pokemon was sent flying back as her eyes reopened. She regained her balance and momentum once she slid on the floor.
"Use Acrobatics on the walls and ceiling! Go!"
"Mienfoo!" Mienfoo then changed directions. Instead of going towards Clefable, she performed a backflip, landing on the walls. The Martial Arts Pokemon then leapt towards the next wall with her natural agility and the strength of Acrobatics.
"I see what you're planning. Gravity!"
"Fable!" Seeing through Rainbow Dash's plan, Clefable had used Gravity once more. However, if she wanted to get Mienfoo down, she would need to have the Fighting-Type in place. That was tricky since Mienfoo was moving rapidly. Clefable summoned gravity fields, trying to trap Mienfoo in them. But each time Mienfoo leapt from wall to wall plus ceiling, the field ended up missing.
"Hm. We'll need an easier hit then. Dazzling Gleam!" Harshwinny raised her hoof as Clefable then sent an array of rainbows to try and knock Mienfoo down. The rays hit the walls and ceiling, damaging the area as Mienfoo was still on the move.
"Now go!"
"Mienfoo!" Mienfoo then leapt from the ceiling, rushing downwards. Harshwinny and Clefable were expecting a downwards strike from Mienfoo with great speed.
And they weren't wrong. However, it wasn't towards Clefable. Instead, Mienfoo had smashed her foot on the floor, shattering most of the ice. That's when Rainbow Dash smirked. Once Mienfoo shattered the ice, massive ice chunks rose from above. Not only that, but the floor itself shook, almost throwing Clefable off balance.
"Fury Swipes!"
"Foo!" Mienfoo then revealed her claws, rapidly slashing the massive chunks of ice instead of going towards Clefable. After swiping them, she launched them all at the Fairy Pokemon.
This was payback for what happened with Altaria in the first battle against Harshwinny. Harshwinny's own method had been used against her.
"Send them all down with Gravity!"
"Clefable!" But Clefable was ready for that too. Once the shards came closer, she simply made a Gravity field to force them all down. The chunks struck the ground, shattering into pieces.
"Metronome!"
"Now smash the rest of the ice and use Force Palm!"
"Foo!" Mienfoo then smashed her fist into the remaining ice. And she received a good chunk of it. Two large chunks of ice had been taken by the Martial Arts Pokemon. By doing so, she now had the chunks as weapons. The Fighting-Type then rushed towards the Fairy-Type with two cold and hard weapons.
"Clefa!" By wagging her finger, the Fairy Pokemon had come up with a new move already. Mienfoo narrowed her eyes as Clefable gained access to Lugia's signature move.
Aeroblast.
"Fable!" Clefable fired multiple beams of yellow-orange from her mouth which eventually converge into a single destructive beam, surrounded by a vortex of wind.
"That's Lugia's move!" Ash gasped, recognizing it instantly. After hearing Lugia's name, everyone shuddered as they knew this was a powerful attack. Plus, since it was a Flying-Type move and one of the strongest, that didn't spell good news for Mienfoo.
"Here goes! Use the chunks of Mienfoo!"
"Mien...Foo!" Just then, with a stroke of genius, Mienfoo put all of her muscles into her left arm, throwing the left ice chunk forward. By throwing it, she used it as a decoy and shield against Aeroblast.
And it was a success. Mienfoo jumped on the left chunk, using it as a boost for a higher height as she leapt off it. With a dangerous timing as well. Once she jumped off it, the chunk had been obliterated by Aeroblast. But that allowed Mienfoo to get as close as she wanted.
"Clefa?!"
"Foo!" Mienfoo then roared as she appeared above the Fairy Pokemon. And with brute force, she summoned an orange light around her paw with Force Palm before smashing the chunk on Clefable's head.
"C-Cle!"
"Mien!" After smashing the chunk and shattering it, the Martial Arts Pokemon delivered her final blow, striking Force Palm onto the Fairy Pokemon's head. A mighty hit that destroyed the rest of the ice as Clefable was sent flying.
The Fairy-Type tumbled on the floor like a bouncy ball, flying past Harshwinny. Ms Harshwinny turned around to see her partner tumbling around uncontrollably. And with no control before crashing into the wall, that meant one thing.
Clefable had fainted.
"Clefable..."
"Clefable is unable to battle! Mienfoo wins!"
"Mien-Mien!" To assert even more dominance, Mienfoo let out a bellowing roar of victory along with everyone. They were proud of Mienfoo's performance.
"Yes!" Way to go, Mienfoo!" Rainbow Dash raised her hooves. "Now there's just one more left!"
"Great performance as always, Mienfoo!" Rarity applauded along with the CMC.
"My that is one aggressive Pokemon..." Cadence was stunned by how ruthless Mienfoo was when it came to Pokemon battling. Fast and strong.
"That's Mienfoo's best trait. No one puts the pressure on better than her," said Twilight. Harshwinny let out a nod of approval before returning Clefable.
"Splendid work, Clefable. Rest, my friend." She then placed Clefable's Poke Ball away before holding out the final one. Her final Pokemon. Perhaps not her strongest, but certainly one that she can rely on. "Now, Rainbow Dash. Make sure this isn't a repeat of our previous battle. Only one of our Pokemon remain, remember. Make this count."
"I will." Rainbow nodded, gulping a bit before taking a deep breath.
"Then...Assist me, Grumpig!" Just as expected, the final Pokemon of Ms Harshwinny was another Pokemon strong against Fighting-Type Pokemon. This time, it was the Manipulate Pokemon Grumpig instead of Alakazam.
"Grumpig!"
"What is that?" Scootaloo took out her Pokedex as some of them have never seen Grumpig before.
"Grumpig. The Manipulate Pokemon. Grumpig uses the black pearls on its body to amplify its psychic power waves for gaining total control over its foe. When this Pokémon uses its special power, its snorting breath grows laboured. It does a strange dance to control foes’ minds. This Pokémon’s black pearls are valuable as works of art."
It all came down to this. Mienfoo vs Grumpig. The Manipulate Pokemon gave a cocky and downplaying smirk towards Mienfoo, personally aiming to aggravate and taunt her. And considering how aggressive Mienfoo is, it was effective. The Martial Arts Pokemon was already getting riled up, wanting to pulverize Grumping as hard as she could.
The sun could be seen setting in the background as a few ponies from outside were actually watching this battle from the windows, anticipating the final act. Rainbow Dash then looked at the one item she was carrying with her. Not the Mega Stone, but the Fightinium Z.
"Mienfoo! Fury Swipes!"
"Mien-Mien!" Mienfoo went first. Bolting forward and revealing her hidden claws. She was going to put her speed at full display.
"Teeter Dance."
"Pig! Grumpig!" Grumpig chuckled before outlining himself in a festive light blue aura. The Psychic-Type then started dancing, performing an exotic Grumpig exclusive dance that had immediately caught Mienfoo. This was similar to what Kardia's Ludicolo had done as Rainbow Dash noticed this.
"M-Mien...?" Mienfoo suddenly slowed down as her vision was becoming obscured. Once Teeter Dance caught her, she was immediately confused. "Mienfoo...!"
"It's okay, Mienfoo! Hit yourself with Force Palm!" Luckily, Rainbow Dash had a solution for this. Since Kardia showed her this move, she found an easy way to get past the confusion. Mienfoo then stopped, using Force Palm on herself. The Martial Arts Pokemon started hitting herself in the face continuously to try and remove the confusion.
"Mien! Mien! Mien!"
"I think not! Psyshock!"
"Grum!" The Psychic-Type created a stream of purple energy in between his hands before firing a purple beam of aura from his hands.
"Risky but we'll take it! Smash your head onto Psychock!"
"Foo!" Mienfoo then changed her actions. Instead of hitting herself, she then allowed the attack to hit her. Rainbow Dash was right. It was risky. But a risk worth taking. The Martial Arts Pokemon pulled her head back before smashing it onto the stream of purple energy.
Even Ms Harshwinny was surprised by that as Mienfoo was then blown back by the attack, rolling on the floor before recovering. However, it was a good call. Both hitting her head and smashing it against Psyshock had snapped Mienfoo out of the confusion, shocking everyone as Ash nodded in approval.
"That broke the confusion?!" Pinkie Pie gasped. "Genius!"
"Genius is right..." Harshwinny gawked. "Such a brazen approach yet well-thought.
"Awesome! Now let's keep it up! Force Palm, go!"
"Hm. I believe we'll be physical for a moment. Grumpig! Fire Punch!"
Both Mienfoo and Grumping were about to enter a close-quarters battle with Mienfoo jumping into the air. However, Grumpig had one trick up his sleeve with Fire Punch.
"Cover yourself, Grumpig!"
"Grumpig!" With yet another surprising tactic, Grumpig had used Fire Punch in a unique way. Similar to what Clefairy did with Dazzling Gleam, Grumping hit himself, coating his body in Fire Punch instead of his body.
There was ow a Flaming Grumpig approaching Mienfoo with an extra set of armour while still having the flames on his hands. But Mienfoo wasn't intimidated as everyone gasped at this fire armour.
"Mien!" With a bellowing roar, Mienfoo threw the first punch with Grumpig blocking it. Mienfoo's paw met with the flames as she could feel the blazing heat exuding from them. "M-Mienfoo!"
"Pig!" Grumpig then gave a counter-attack, granting an uppercut to Mienfoo. The Martial Arts Pokemon was knocked back by this as she cried out. Grumpig then jumped towards Mienfoo, aiming to slam on her with his blazing body.
"Mien!" Mienfoo wouldn't allow that to happen as she landed on the floor before jumping back up. The Martial Arts Pokemon and the Manipulate Pokemon's attacks both collided, exuding a shockwave. However, there was barely a struggle as Mienfoo could feel the heat yet again. She closed one eye as she was trying to withstand it.
"Grum-Grumpig!" Grumpig chuckled, knowing that Mienfoo would struggle against this armour of fire. Seeing the weak spot, Grumpig grabbed the Martial Arts Pokemon by the face with his other hand. The Manipulate Pokemon then descended, slamming Mienfoo to the floor. "Pig!"
"M-Mien!"
"Mienfoo, no!" Rainbow Dash gasped. Mienfoo growled as she was now pinned to the floor. Not only that, but she could still feel the flames.
"Add Psyshock onto it."
"Grumpig!" Grumpig could still use other moves while having an armour of fire, making him truly a dangerous opponent to battle against. He summoned a green light in his hand, ready to unleash it on Mienfoo's face. Everyone was afraid of what would happen to Mienfoo's face if this attack went through.
"Mien!" But, Mienfoo had one natural and clever instinct. Just bite. And so she did. She bit Grumpig's hand, causing the Manipulate Pokemon to cry out. His focus had been broken, negating Psyshock. So was his grip, allowing Mienfoo to break free. And she freed herself by kicking the Psychic-Type's stomach. However, she also hurt her teeth in the process.
"G-Grum!?"
"Reversal!"
"Mienfoo!" Mienfoo was ready to use all the damage Grumpig did to her, sending it right back to him. The Martial Arts Pokemon leapt forward, smashing her knee onto Grumpig's face, also burning her knee.
"Fire Punch!"
"G-Grumpig!" Grumpig growled, throwing another flaming fist towards the Fighting-Type.
"Force Palm!"
"Foo!" Mienfoo responded with Force Palm as they clashed again. However, this time, Mienfoo wasn't too bothered by the flames. She still winced but she kept a strong focus.
"She's not struggling as much!" Fluttershy noticed as she stood up.
"Mienfoo's great at adapting after all. She's really good at recklessly charging headfirst even despite the circumstances," said Twilight. "That's what makes her so strong after all."
"Mien!" Mienfoo jumped over Grumpig's next punch before hitting him in the back. Grumping immediately turned around, swinging Fire Punch. Mienfoo blocked the next move as she ended up sliding back.
"Exude your flames and merge them with Signal Beam!"
"Pig!" Grumpig then exuded some of the flames around this body, sending a burst of fire while also using Signal Beam. The Manipulate Pokemon added a sinister green beam of light into the flames, causing them to grow in strength.
"Fight back with Force Palm!"
"Mien...Foo!" With pure power, Mienfoo smashed her fist onto the burst of flames and the beams inside of them. It was risky, of course. She, unfortunately, couldn't fight back against flames at the moment. Thus, she had been blasted away by the combination of flames and Signal Beam. "M-Mien!"
Mienfoo slid on the floor as she had gained the burn effect now from all of that physical contact with flames. But, she wasn't ready to give up at all.
"Such persistent and vigour your Mienfoo has. But I believe it's time we finished this." Harshwinny flipped her mane as everything paused for a moment.
"I hear ya." Rainbow Dash knew that it was time. Time for the big finale. And there was only one way to do it. She held out her Z-Crystal while also taking out her Z-Ring.
"Oh! It's Z-Move time!" Pinkie Pie bellowed as Rainbow Dash placed her Z-Ring on. A perfect fit too. It was custom made to fit a pony after all as she placed the Z-Crystal inside. Once inside, a golden aura flared with the power of Alola being gathered in Equestria.
"Grumpig. Show them your Flaming Psyshock."
"Grumpig..." Grumping put his hands together, merging his flames with the power of Psyshock. Three thick masses were formed from this combination with an aura of fire surrounding them, Grumping was also building it up to make sure it was extra strong and large.
"Here goes!" Rainbow Dash raised her arm, activating the Z-Ring's power. "No strategy for this one! We're just going to hit you with our full force Z-Move!" She roared before having a golden light come out of her body. She then began posing by starting with a bipedal pose.
"Mien-Mien!" Mienfoo was also surrounded by this golden light as Grumpig's Psychock was growing ever so. Rainbow Dash then struck a series of poses, memorizing the Z-Pose well ever since she first saw Hala use it.
"Get ready! This is what Mienfoo and I were waiting for! We're going to hit you harder than you'll ever be hit!"
"Mienfoo!"
"Mienfoo! ALL OUT PUMMELING!"
"Mienfoo...!" Mienfoo's body then burst with a mighty orange aura, showing her true fighting spirit. After that, she sent a barrage of punches and kicks by rapidly moving her paws and feet. "Mien-Mien-Mien!"
"Grumpig!" Grumpig had then unleashed his attack, throwing a massive beam of Fire and Psychic energy forward. The ball then clashed with the multitude of punches and kicks, promptly creating a struggle between them.
The orange punches and kicks rapidly pummeled the beam, trying to break through with Mienfoo continuously throwing her attacks.
"Come on, Mienfoo! Breakthrough!" Rainbow Dash encouraged.
"M-Mien...!" Mienfoo narrowed her eyes, putting everything she had into this. So was Grumpig. Both wanted to win this struggle. Both of them could feel their legs shaking as the floor below was cracking. Ash and the others held their anticipation for the final moment, wondering how this would end.
"M-MIENFOO!" Mienfoo had more to give out as she unleashed the remainder of her Z energy and fighting spirit into one last spurt of energy. And that's all she needed. A large fist had charged through the flaming beam, overpowering it as Grumpig's eyes widened.
And with that, the fist had struck Grump head-on, obliterating his Blazing Psychock to dust. The result was a paroxysm of Infinity Energy that formed into a dome with its outburst.
Mienfoo's aura faded away as the windows had shattered, starling everypony nearby. The Martial Arts Pokemon kneeled, feeling exhausted after all of that. The Z-Ring had also lost its power. But it wasn't in vain. With the smoke clearing, it had been decided. Grumpig had fainted, meaning only one thing.
"Oh!" Starlight gasped. "Grumpig is unable to battle! Mienfoo wins! Which means the victor is Rainbow Dash!"
"Alright!" Rainbow Dash bellowed with victory as she dashed over to her partner. With high energy and happiness, she granted Mienfoo a hug. "Mienfoo, you're so awesome!"
"M-Mien?!" Mienfoo grimaced as she wasn't a big fan of hugs. She sighed, accepting it either way. "Mienfoo..."
"Yes! Nice one!" Ash and the others stood up, applauding and celebrating their friend's victory. Cadence may have been a bit late but she got to experience a truly frantic and entertaining battle.
"Pikachu!"
"Well done, Grumpig." Harshwinny went over to the Manipulate Pokemon, hugging him before helping him up. "Rainbow Dash."
"Hm? Yes?" The pegasus then turned after having her name called out.
"Congratulations. Proving yourself in our rematch wasn't a waste at all. You're certainly a trainer with potential."
"Thanks, Ms Harshwinny. I gotta admit, I was getting pretty nervous there." She chuckled in response. "Guess I should expect something bigger with the last two Gym Battles, huh?"
"Indeed. With only two Pokemon being allowed in those, you will have to be as strategic and careful as you can be. Your place in the Equestria League is on the line."
"Yeah. I know. I won't mess up. I'll get the last badges, reach the league and become the first champion."
"Speaking of badges..." Finally, Harshwinny revealed the major prize of this. The sixth badge for Rainbow Dash was here. "The Capricious Badge. It's yours."
"Alright!" Without wasting time, she took the badge that was handed to her, getting a good look at it. "I got my sixth gym badge, haha! Seventh and eight, here I come!"
"Mienfoo!"
After all was said and done, Harshwinny closed the gym for the day. Rainbow Dash and the others had left with Cadence feeling satisfied after witnessing that battle.
Rainbow Dash's future as a trainer is looking bright. A future that she aims to live to the fullest and the best it can possibly be. And with such amazing partners like Mienfoo on her side, there's a chance for that to happen. The Equestria League Conference is nearing as the journey continues.
Chapter 521 End.