I Have a Pokemon Mystery Dungeon System in a World with Pokemon

"Shinobu's match ought to also begin by now. Heh, knowing her personality, she should have studied Erika's style and made a plan against her. Focalors, however…"

Dante looked at the red-haired girl in the arena, his eyes filled with worry and concern.

As soon as the referee gave the signal, Focalors wasted no time issuing a command.

"Dragonair, use Icy Wind!"

"Let's go underground, Donphan!"

Dragonair fanned his tail and released an icy cold wind in Donphan's direction. However, the wind was only able to hit Donphan's backside before his body was submerged underground.

Focalors had a look of disappointment. She had been aiming to slow Donphan down so Dragonair could more easily keep his distance.

With Donphan's high attack and defense, Focalors had decided from the beginning that she would use a kiting tactic, i.e., attacking while keeping distance. Utilizing Dragonair's faster speed, coupled with Extreme Speed, she was quite confident about her plan.

"Let's wait him out. Fly higher, Dragonair!"

Even though Dragonair has no Flying typing or Levitate ability, his species is one of the few Pokemon that can fly freely in the air. With an elegant flick of his tail, Dragonair flew until he almost reached the ceiling.

Focalors began to relax. Now, she only had to wait for Donphan to inevitably come out and then have Dragonair use Ice Beam to deal heavy damage. But just as she thought so, Pacal on the opposite side began to laugh.

"Hahahahaha, I've faced many Trainers who think being able to fly makes them invulnerable against my Ground-type Pokemon. Show them what you got, Donphan, use Rollout!"

The floor began to rumble and suddenly, a rapidly spinning Donphan rolled out of the ground and flew straight towards Dragonair in mid-air. Dragonair hurriedly flew out of the way, making Donphan miss and crash back down.

"Now's our chance! Dragonair, use Ice Beam!"

"Continue rolling, Donphan!"

As soon as Donphan reached the ground, a beam of ice approached his position at a high speed. His body rolled forward, just barely getting hit by the attack. 

"Don't let him gain momentum! Dragonair, use Surf!"

Focalors frowned as she watched Donphan's rising speed. She needs to stop him as early as she can.

Rollout is a physical Rock-type move with an initial base power of 30. But as the Pokemon continued to roll, their speed would become faster and faster, the move's power rising along with it. 

The orb on Dragonair's neck began to shine a deep blue luster. Water elements gathered around Dragonair as he unleashed a massive torrent of water at Donphan. 

At this moment, Focalors noticed something amiss. Why didn't Pacal issue a command? 

Her question was soon answered when a rapidly spinning gray elephant rushed out from beneath the waves. After accumulating more energy, Donphan's speed had noticeably become much faster. 

His body quickly reached Dragonair and was about to hit him when the dragon Pokemon disappeared in a blur. His figure appeared at a distance, a scratch on his belly from being hit before escaping with Extreme Speed.

"Hmm, it seems you have trained your Dragonair well. Donphan, continue using Rollout!"

The battle after that became a cat-and-mouse chase. Donphan kept on rolling, his speed and momentum constantly increasing with each passing moment. Meanwhile, Dragonair tried his best to stop him.

Focalors knew that letting him continue would be a bad idea. The only way for Dragonair to stop Donphan is to either continuously attack him until he faints, or unleash a powerful enough attack that can stop him in his tracks.

After a brief hesitation, Focalors finally settled on the first option. Based on the previous round of confrontation, letting Dragonair use an all-out attack would risk Donphan getting too close.

She commanded Dragonair to use Ice Beam, Icy Wind, Chilling Water, and Water Pulse multiple times. However, Donphan used his increasingly faster speed to roll away and dodge most attacks. 

Focalors didn't even notice the sweat on her forehead as her gaze fixated on the spinning Pokemon in the arena. Even though his speed was constantly increasing, she believed Donphan's body was already at its limits from all the injuries and continuous use of Rollout. At any point now, Pacal should command him to launch an attac-. 

"It's time, Donphan!"

"Protect!!"

Donphan suddenly stopped and spun in place, the ground smoking from the friction, before launching towards Dragonair at a speed close to the speed of sound. 

Dragonair had been preparing to release an Ice Beam when he saw Donphan stop. But hearing his Trainer's voice, he terminated his attack and used Protect.

A loud, screeching sound echoed throughout the room. Donphan crashed into the green barrier, his body spinning in place as he tried to drill through. But even though Dragonair was exhausted from the continuous use of moves, he could still maintain the force field around his body.

The momentum from the attack caused Dragonair to fly into the ceiling. At the same time, however, crashing into such a solid barrier finally stopped Donphan from spinning.

His body crashed into the ground, his chest heaving due to the sustained use of the move. All over his body, there were red marks, bumps, and cuts from every attack he was hit with. 

This moment, when Dragonair had just used Protect, would have been the perfect opportunity for Donphan to follow up with an attack. However, his body was also out of energy, and he even struggled to take two steps.

During this time, Dragonair finally recovered enough energy to move. He shook his body out of the crater and, under Focalors command, unleashed an Ice Beam towards the unwilling Donphan.

—

"I'm impressed, young lady. After showing your indomitable will and the calmness to make the right decisions even under intense situations, I believe you've rightfully earned this."

Pacal stepped forward and handed Focalors the Earth Badge with a solemn expression. 

"Thank you, Mr. Pacal."

Focalors stretched out her hand and held the Badge with a volcano-like appearance. Her chest was still heaving from the intense battle. Looking up close at the reward for her and Dragonair's effort, the corner of her lips rose.

"The moment one obtains their first Badge, that is only when they can truly claim to be a Trainer. Work hard. I hope you will be able to rise and take over your Father's position in the future."

Pacal smiled at Focalors before stepping back and heading to talk with the Alliance staff on the side.

"See, I knew you could do it. Good job!"

A voice from behind made the smile on Focalors face become even wider. Turning her head, she saw Dante walking up to her, his arms stretched for a fist bump. 

Focalors ignored that. With a step, she threw herself into Dante's arms.

"Haha, I did it, Dan. It was close, but Dragonair and I did it."

Dante noticed a quiver in her voice. He softly smiled as he pulled her closer in his arms.

"Yeah, it was a close match. However, I never doubted that you two would lose."

"Glib tongue. I saw you looking so worried at the beginning."

Dante scratched his head in embarrassment after being exposed. 

Meanwhile, Focalors smiled and closed her eyes. She was still trying to calm down from the most thrilling battle she ever had. In the final moments of the match, she had even forgotten to breathe! 

Feeling Dante's hands stroking her back, her fast-beating heart slowly began to calm down. 

"Are you two lovebirds done? Since the arena has been damaged, we would have to repair it first before we can have our match, Dante."

Their moment was interrupted by Pacal. Dante gave him an annoyed look, to which Pacal only smirked in return. After hearing him, Focalors gave Dante one last squeeze before stepping back. 

"Can't we just use it as is? I don't mind fighting you right now."

"Well, the Alliance people certainly do. If you want to make sure your challenge is legitimate, then we need a proper arena."

Dante shrugged in helplessness after hearing this. With the escort of a staff member, he and Focalors were led out of the room.