Chapter 1 - tough as iron

The pewter city gym was dark as usual. The shiny boulders reflected the only dim light the building had into an old, sharp looking man. It was Flint the gym leader.

"so Max are you ready for me to beat you once more" he laughed into the darkness. Suddenly the lights switched on pouring light down revealing a young trainer stood rather clueless.

"erm" he said whilst messing with his short blue hair. "well yeah" he smiled. From behind Max jumed out a small Growlithe.

"you ready dash" max asked. "grrrr" dash snarled back to his trainer.

"lets begin this" Flint shouted aloud and threw his pokemon out. With a large smash a long steelix towered over dash. The Growlithe stared right back with passionate eyes.

"lets heat it up with ember". dash fried straight into it. His ember attack flew right into steelix's face but seemed to make no difference.

"keep it up dash" max ordered.

"its no good Max my steelix's defence is superior to those weak attacks. Now its our turn. Steelix slam that pooch". steelix launched him self at dash.

"get out of there Dash. Dodge now with quick attack". Dash sprinted away avoiding the attack. Steelix crashed into the arena's floor.

"now ember go" Dash jumped over steelix firing a quick ember in mid air hitting steelix directly on the back of the head.

"big mistake boy" Flint smiled "iron tail" he shouted out.

"what no" Max cried as he saw the huge tail shine coming up behind dash. Dash was stil air born and was impossible to dodge. The iron tail smashed him straight down. Dash gave out a yelp as the tail pounded him to the floor.

"and that's, that" said flint before returning his steelix. Max ran over to his injured pokemon. "you did great dash were getting stronger every time" he smiled to his pokemon as he picked him up.

"a rematch soon I hope max smiled flint". max paused but then burned with determination.

"oh you know it".

Max and Dash came to the pewter city police station. Coming threw the door they saw officer Jenny behind the desk.

"heya mom" Max said in a low tone.

"Hi hun… lost again huh"? Max didn't reply and just launched himself down on the waiting area sofa.

"this is the 22nd time now" he sulked then put a pillow over his head in frustration.

"why don't you just go and travel to another gym and start your journey. Your all ready 13 so your behind by three years now".

Max jumped up.

"no way I made a promise to myself that I'm only going to set out for my journey once I beat Flint and his steelix. Me and Dash have been fighting him ever since we moved to this town. Its just…"

Officer Jenny came closer to Max "you don't believe in yourself as much anymore right?"

Max nodded slowly. "he's too strong. It only takes one shot for him to get us but he need to keep up with lots of attacks which don't even do any damage".

Officer Jenny smiled "well then you'll just need more firepower".