//------------------------------//
// Trial 2: Trial by Steel 
// Story: Sunset Shimmer’s Journey Through Kalos 
// by Brian Sheil 
//------------------------------//

With one member of the Elite Four defeated, Sunset has to be ready for her next target. After enjoying a light breakfast, she arrives at the reception desk where Albert is waiting. 
"Greetings, Miss Shimmer." Albert greeted. "Are you ready for your second challenge?"
"I hope so." Sunset replied. 
"Then, select one of the three remaining symbols on the scteen."
Sunset studied the screen. Soon, she pressed on the gear. The background soon turned white.
"This indicates that you will be facing Sir Wikstrom." Albert explained. "One little request, however."
Sunset looked at Albert with uncertainty. "What's the matter?"
"I would like you to dress a bit more appropriate for this next battle. Your farm girl look is indeed charming. But, Sir Wikstrom is a man of elegance. There's an outfit in where you are staying."
Sunset was a little unsure about this request. But, she has to be ready for anything.


TRIAL 2: TRIAL BY STEEL


Outside a door labeled with a gear. Sunset is dressed in a short sleeve teal ball gown with white on the bottom and white sleeves. She also has on blue platform shoes. 
"If only Princess Twilight can see me now." Sunset said to herself. 
She went in the door, and finds herself in waht looks like a medical court setting. Sunset saw someone on the opposite side. It was a man with deep blue hair and wearing a suit of armor. 
"Sir Wikstrom, I presume." Sunset greeted. 
"That is correct." The noble knight replied. "I am honored to meet you, Miss Shimmer."
Sunset gave a curtsey to her opponent as a young boy dressed as a squire went to the middle of the field. 
"This shall be a four on four battle." The squire said. "Choose your first Pokémon!"
"Miss Shimmer," Wikstrom said, "ladies first."
"Thank you, sir." Sunset replied. "My first Pokémon is Toxicroak."
Toxicroak popped out and took a fighting stance.
"Toxicroak, the Toxic Mouth Pokémon." Wikstrom said. "Interesting first choice. Here is mine. I summon Klefki!"
Out pops a ring of keys and a face on the big key. Sunset studied this creature with her Pokédex. 
Klefki, the Key Ring Pokémon.  The Pokédex said. This Pokémon has a habit of taking people's keys.
The squire makes an announcement. "Let the battle begin."
"Klefki," Wikstrom said, "use Mirror Shot!"
Klefki fired a gray beam. Sunset quickly reacted. "Dodge, then use Venoshock!"
Dodging the attack, Toxicroak spit up green globs of poison. The poison hits Klefki. It looks like it did some damage. 
"Klefki may be a steel type." Sunset said, "But, it's partially a fairy type. Vulnerable to poison."
"I always have a trick up my sleeve." Wikstrom informed. “Use Draining Kiss."
Klefki quickly kissed Toxicroak on the cheek. But, Toxicroak felt a little weak. Sunset saw what happened. "I get it. Draining Kiss takes energy from an opponent and uses it for a recharge."
"Exactly." Wikstrom replied. "You indeed understand the moves of Pokémon."
"But, you set yourself up for this. Toxicroak, use Revenge!"
Toxicroak charged up and whacked Klefki so hard, it fainted. 
"Klefki is unable to battle." The squire announced. "Toxicroak wins."
"Klefki, return." Wikstrom said. "I see the strategy, Miss Shimmer. The more Toxicroak was hit, the stronger Revenge is."
"That is correct." Sunset replied.
"Tis time for my second choice. I summon Probopass!"
Out pops a stone head with a red top, a big red nose, and mini heads on the side. 
Sunset used her Pokédex to study this Pokémon. Probopass, the Compass Pokémon.  Probopass use three nose like probes to out flank an enemy. 
"If I'm not mistaken," Sunset said, "that's the evolved form of another Compass Pokémon called Nosepass."
"Correct." Wikstrom replied. "You are indeed schooled on Pokémon."
"But, it's still a steel type. So, Toxicroak, use Revenge!"
Just as Toxicroak is ready for action, Wikstrom reacted. "Probopass, use Discharge."
Probopass fired an electrical attack on Toxicroak. The Toxic Mouth Pokémon soon fainted.
"Toxicroak is unable to battle." The squire announced. "Probopass wins."
"Toxicroak, return." Sunset said. "He must've been weakened so much by that Draining Kiss."
"Are you ready to continue, Miss Shimmer?" Wikstrom asked.
Sunset gave a determined look. "No small setback will discourage me."
"Excellent. Call for your next Pokémon."



 

Pokémon Quiz

What up? Sunset Shimmer here.  Which fully evolved Pokémon looks like a bunch of spinning gears?




Sunset made her next choice. "Lucario, I choose you!"
Lucario comes forth, ready for action. Wikstrom was impressed. "This should be interesting. Probopass, Rock Blast!"
Probopass fires rocks at Lucario. Sunset gave a quick order. "'Lucario, use Detect."
Lucario quickly avoided the rocks. Sunset rubbed her bracelet, and started to chant. "The bond between Pokémon and trainer is always to be special. Now, my faithful fighter." She presses on her keystone. "MEGA EVOLVE!"
Wikstrom was surprised to see this turn of events. "A Mega Evolution. Excellent. Any other surprises?"
"How about this?" Sunset replied as she turned to her Pokémon "Lucario, use Aura Sphere!"
Lucario fired an orb of fighting energy at Probopass. Despite the mini noses rotating for protection, the Compass Pokémon soon fainted. 
"Probopass is unable to battle." The squire announced. "Lucario wins."
Wikstrom recalled his Probopass. And, he prepares his third Pokémon. "Fighter moves won't help you with this one, Lady Shimmer. I summon Scizor!"
Out pops a red mantis type creature. Sunset quickly pulls out her Pokédex. 
Scizor, the Pincer Pokémon. The Pokédex said. Scizor releases heat from its wings to prevent its metal body from melting.
This gives Sunset an idea. "Lucario, return." She made her next home. "Delphox, I choose you."
Wikstrom noticed Sunset's strategy. "I shall strike fast and hard. Scizor, Metal Claw!"
Scizor's claws glowed and it struck Delphox hard. Sunset was shocked at Wikstrom's quick thinking. She decided to go all out. "Delphox, turn up the heat with Mystical Fire!"
Delphox unleashed a fire wave at Scizor. The Pincer Pokémon succumbed to the flames, then fainted. 
"Scizor is unable to battle." The squire announced. "Delphox wins."
"Scizor, return." Wikstrom said. He then turned to Sunset. "You are an honorable trainer, Lady Shimmer. Not many who faced me usually get this far."
"Thank you, kind sir." Sunset replied as she curtsied to him.
"Now, I bring out my last Pokémon. I summon Aegislash!"
Out pops a sword behind a shield. Sunset soon learns of this creature. "This is what Lightning Dust's Doublade would evolve into."
Aegislash, the Royal Sword Pokémon and the evolved form of Doublade.  The Pokédex said. This Pokémon is seen as a symbol of royalty. 
"Ready, Delphox?" Sunset asked. Delphox soon nodded. "Then, use Flamethrower!"
Delphox unleashed it's fire attack. Wikstrom quickly reacted. "Aegislash, use Shadow Sneak!"
Aegislash sunk underground. Then, it struck Delphox from behind. Sunset was surprised. 
"Being partially ghost type has its advantages, my friend." Wikstrom informed. "Now, Aegislash. Night Slash!"
Switching from shield to blade form, Aegislash unleashed a wave of black energy to Delphox. The Fox Pokémon soon fainted.
"Delphox is unable to battle." The squire announced. "Aegislash wins."
"Delphox, return." Sunset said as she recalls her Pokémon. "You did good. Now, get some rest."
"This shall be a tough test for you, Lady Shimmer." Wikstrom informed. "Who will you choose next? I doubt Lucario will be your next choice."
"No." Sunset replied as she takes out a Poké Ball. "This is! Krookodile, I choose you!"
Krookodile prepared for battle. Wikstrom made the first move. "Aegislash, use Iron Head!"
Switching to shield form, Aegislash charged into Krookodile. Sunset reacted to this move. "Krookodile, use Dig to dodge it!"
Krookodile quickly zipped underground before Aegislash connected. Wikstrom was getting concerned. "Stay sharp, Aegislash.  Krookodile could be anywhere."
Just as Wikstrom said that, Krookodile emerged and struck at the Royal Sword Pokémon. Sunset then made her next move. "Let's wrap it up with Earthquake!"
Krookodile stomped on the ground. Making it shake and strike at Aegislash. Soon, Aegislash fainted.
"Aegislash is unable to battle." The squire announced. "Krookodile wins. The victor of this battle is Sunset Shimmer from Canterlot City."
"Bravo, Krookodile." Sunset cheered as she clapped for her Pokémon. Wikstrom recalled Aegislash and congratulated his opponent. 
"Excellent battle, Lady Shimmer." Wikstrom said honorably. "I especially liked Lucario's Mega Evolution. It is proof of your bond with your Pokémon. Bravo."
Sunset felt proud as she curtsys to the knight in shining armor. Later, after her Pokémon are healed, Sunset sits down in the cafeteria to enjoy a tasty salad.
"It's good to change into my regular clothes." Sunset said. "I admit though, that gown looked beautiful. It was nice of Wikstrom to let me keep that outfit." 
As she continues to enjoy her salad, one thing is on her mind. Two opponents down, two to go.


End of Chapter 49






Pokémon Quiz Answer

Okay, friends. If you said that it's Klinklang: The Gear Pokémon,  you’re right.