Gible did not like losing. He kept his face in his bowl as he ate breakfast. He never looked up at me. I do not know if he is mad or shamed. When he finally finished eating, he turned away from me and started to gaze out of the window. I called his name, and he turned halfway to me. His face painted the saddest picture I have ever seen.
His frown was so low that he almost dragged his lip on the ground. My buddy was bummed out and in a deep funk.
"Hey buddy, yesterday was my fault. I should've listened to the Professor. I should have gotten teammates for you.
Today, we will rectify that. Today we begin to build our team. I have a question for you Gible." I told him, trying my hardest to reassure him.
"Gib?" I guess that is Poke talk for what?
"Will you be the fearless captain for this team?" I asked.
"Gible! Gib... Gib..." He seeemed excited, then he hesitated. "Gible!" I took that as a yes.
"Awesome! While you were sleeping, I found something cool for you to wear. You know what this?" I showed Gible the item I bought for him. I was not even about to get him a scarf so he could look girly. No, I wanted him to wear something that made other Pokemon know that they were battling my top-dog Pokemon!
"It's the Captain's "C"! It will let all others who cross our paths know that you are the force to be reckoned with on my team! Will you wear it?" I saw my Pokemon's eyes light up like a self-destructing Electrode.
"Gible, Gible Gible, Gible!" He grabbed it and put it on. It was on a small chain that went around his neck.
He looked like he was ready to take on the world.
"Okay buddy, it's time for round 2! Let's go catch some Pokemon!"
An hour later, we captured a Houndour, a Taillow, and a Heracross! I let out all four of my Pokemon to have our first team meeting.
"Okay gang, we will train for another day, and then we will go challenge the Dodson Gym! I have no idea what we are up against though... However, it is time to train!" My team seemed eager to get better, and we spent hours sparring. Heracross worked on her speed by working with Taillow. Houndour began to develop a fierce Bite attack working with Gible. Taillow however was lagging a little bit. He was not making solid contact with his Wing Attack.
"You can do it Taillow! Just focus on hitting Heracross! Keep your eye on your opponent at all times!" I tried to root him on and coach him, but he was still struggling. He then went on to miss all three of his teammates. I was wondering what to do next. Taillow needed confidence. The thought of releasing him was a scary thought in the back of my mind. I did not want to do it, but I was not sure what would be the right thing to to.
Then I noticed something happen with my team that alarmed me at first. The other three Pokemon formed a circle around Taillow. Gible, wearing his Captain's C, looked at Houndour and Heracross and gave them a nod. Houndour then used Bite on Taillow, and Heracross used Brick Break. Gible watched and growled at Taillow.
"Guys stop it! This is not helping! Leave Taillow alone! Stop this right now!" I was furious. I ran over,but Gible looked at me and held up his hand in a "Stop" manner. I froze. Is this mutiny? What are they doing?
Gible then barked an order to the other two. They released Taillow. Taillow hit the ground, and then slowly began to pull himself up. I then saw his eyes become red in rage. He let out a screech, and hit Houndour and Heracross with an Endeavor attack! I was in awe of Taillow's new power. After the attack, he flew up high, and came down on the two Pokemon with the sickest Aerial Ace I have ever see. Houndour and Heracross hit the ground being laid out cold.
"What the hell is this? Gible, did you three do this for Taillow to make him stronger?" I did not know what to say or ask. Pokemon are peculiar living beings.
Gible said nothing. All he did was hold up his Captain's C. He then turned to Taillow, and he gave Taillow a nod of approval.
Taillow began to glow. I was in shock at what I was seeing. Taillow is evolving into Swellow!
"Swellow!" he screeched.
He then flew onto my shoulder and looked straight into my eyes and gave me a wink. Heracross then let out her battle cry, and Houndour let out a huge howl with flames. The four Pokemon gathered. Gible put his hand in the middle of them. It was followed by Houndour's paw. Next came Heracross's claw. Swellow completed the team by putting his wing to meet the other three. I had a team now. They were on the same page. They were ready to battle with each other.
"Get some food and some rest. You've earned it. I am going to that building over there to try to get some information on the Dodson Gym." I laid out their food, lit a fire, and brought them some leaves and pine needles for bedding.
I was so proud of them. What a day this was.
I knocked on the door of a house that was a few minutes away from where we were training. The door was opened by a man and his wife.
"Hello son, what can we do for you?" The man asked.
"Are you hungry? You look exhausted!" The woman inquired.
"No ma'am, I am not hungry. I have a question to ask. What kind of gym is the Dodson Gym?" I was trying not to sound desperate as I asked the question.
"The Dodson Gym huh? We know a little bit about that place. You see, our daughter Lauren is the gym leader!"
the man explained.
"Oh that is great news! Could you please tell me what I am up against?" Now I knew I sounded desperate.
"You have no badges huh?" The woman asked. There goes my cover.
"No, but my Pokemon have been working too hard. I do not want to let them down again." I was hoping to now sound sincere. What I said was true.
"I can tell, your clothes are a mess! I like that though. Hard work always pays off. However, battling against Lauren, you will always be at a disadvantage." he told me.
"How can you possibly know that?" I was a little annoyed at that comment.
"The Dodson Gym gives out the Resilience Badge. Whatever Pokemon you send out, Lauren will send out a Pokemon with a type advantage. If she knocks out your first Pokemon, you could switch to a Pokemon that has a type advantage on her first one. That is fine, because she cannot swap Pokemon that can still battle. If you take to long to take out her first Pokemon with your second one, she will send out her second Pokemon into battle while your Pokemon is feeling fatigued. You have to land quick, decisive blows. You have to end the match quickly!" her mother informed me.
"Wow, okay. Thank you for the information. I really appreciate it." At this point, I was tired. We had a huge mountain to climb tomorrow. Which two Pokemon do I want to use? Who has the fewest weak points?
"Hey kid, why don't you get your Pokemon and sleep here? We will take you to the Gym in the morning." Her dad seemed like he believed in me. He could've said "Good luck and get out."
I retrieved my Pokemon and was ready to call it a night. Before I fell asleep, they all came out of their Pokeballs.
I could tell they wanted to know what we were up against. I told them what kind of battle it was going to be. Gible stepped forward and signaled he would fight. Heracross and Houndour looked at Swellow. They both gave him the nod. Gible held up his Captain's C and Swellow nodded and extended his wing to Gible's fist. Well, there is one decision I do not have to make. My Captain made it for me. Tomorrow I am going to battle for the Resilience Badge with Gible and Swellow.
When I arrived at the Gym, I felt the goosebumps rolling down my arms again. I knew there was no chance of us losing.
We have worked far too hard. I will not let my team down again.
As I walked inside to greet Lauren, I felt a rush of relief to find out that the battle field had a complete floor.
There would be no gimmick wins like last time. This time, we have to defeat our opponent's Pokemon the old fashioned way.
Lauren then walked up to me to we introduced ourselves.
"Hello Teddy, I am Lauren. I will always have the upper hand in our battle. You will have to dig down deep to conquer the Dodson Gym. How many Badges do you have?"
"Umm, wow, none." I said weakly. Lauren was gorgeous. She was tall, tan, with long brown hair that had streams of purple running through it. I know it is a weird color to have in you hair, but Lauren pulled it off. I did not want to battle anymore. I wanted to get married and start my family right now!
Then Gible jumped out of his Pokeball and let out his battle roar. I was not happy with this act. He just gave away his type, and now Lauren will be able to plan ahead for him. I did not want to start with Gible. I did not want to risk Swellow fighting both an Ice type and any Electric/Rock/Ice type that followed.
"Gible! You were supposed to go last! Why would you give yourself away? Ah man..." Gible realized his mistake and bowed his head in an apology.
"Haha, well you better start with Gible because I have a few Ice types that I have been wanted to battle with for awhile. I am ready when you are." Lauren then walked to her end of the field.
"Shoot, its okay buddy. Captain Gible... Prepare for Battle!" I directed Gible to take his post. The time to fight is now.
The referee then walked up.
"This will be a two on two battle for the Resilience Badge. We will see Teddy challenge our leader Lauren! The challenger may only switch his Pokemon if he wins the first decision! Trainers, begin!"
"Okay, Sneasel! Let's do this!" Lauren brought out her Pokemon. I know that Sneasel is quick and a physical attacker. If I can keep him away from Gible, Gible will have a great chance!.
"Prepare the Ice Field!" the referee directed his comment to the people watching us upstairs. The battle field dropped out, and a field of ice took its place. Gible had no footing and was sliding around.
"Gible, just bear down and focus! Use Sand-Tomb!" Gible dug his claws into the ice and was able to launch his attack. It hit Sneasel and sent it spinning.
"Sneasel, get your feet on the ice to get in an Ice Punch!" Her Sneasel followed her commands, but Gible's attack was too strong. Sneasel lost his balance and couldn't land the hit!
"Gible, finsih Sneasel with Dragon Rage!" Gible let out a roar, and sent the fierce attack at Sneasel. It was like it was in slow motion. That Sneasel had no where to run! We were about to score the first decision!
"Sneasel, Feint Attack!" That was the worst thing possible for us. Sneasel was much to fast. He hit Gible, and his attack hit the ice and sent shards everywhere.
"Sneasel, Ice Punch!"
"Gible, use the ice and slide away!"
"You cannot dodge us forever Teddy! We will take the first decision!"
"I don't think so Lauren! Gible, us Dragon Rage!"
Gible's attack hit Sneasel's frozen fist at point blank range. There was a huge explosion. We were both not sure who landed the attack. When the smoke cleared, we both saw our Pokemon knocked out. The first decision was a tie.
"Gible and Sneasel are both unable to continue. The final decision will be one-on-one!" The referee said.
"Gible, return. You were awesome! A stalemate against that Sneasel is nothing to be ashamed of! Now, I will now make your leadership of this team pay off. Our first badge is one more decision away!" I was more pumped than I have ever been in my life. Gible fought hard, and I am proud of his stalemate. He did not make it easy for Sneasel.
"Okay Teddy, who is your next Pokemon?"
"Swellow, Prepare for battle!" my Flying Ace came out. He had that look in his eye right before he evolved.
He was ready to win this for the team.
"Hmm, a Swellow! Okay. Your challenge ends with my next Pokemon. Nosepass! Let's do this!" Her Nosepass came out, and with him came a Rock Field. What a choice for Swellow. Swellow knows no moves that can do any legitimate damage. This is why I wanted Swellow to go first.
"Okay Swellow, use Aerial Ace!" Swellow took flight and was coming in quick on Nosepass.
"Nosepass, let Swellow hit you, and use Rock Tomb!"
Swellow hit Nosepass and bounced off. Nosepass grabbed him, and used Rock Tomb on Swellow and himself. Swellow was in a bind!
"Mega Punch Nosepass!" Lauren's Pokemon nearly knocked off Swellow's head. My Pokemon was nearly down for the count. However, Swellow was still going. He did not have much in the tank.
"Nosepass, finish this with Rock Throw!" Nosepass grabbed a huge rock and flung it at Swellow.
"Swellow, dodge it for the love of everything good and holy and use Endeavor!" I know I sounded desperate. This was the most desperate I have ever felt.
The Rock Throw clipped Swellow on the edge of his wing and knocked him of track a little bit. He then got Nosepass in his sights and landed the Endeavor attack. Nosepass was barely able to stand!
"Swellow! Quick Attack!" Swellow landed the hit. Nosepass hit the ground.
We won.
We actually won.
I felt a smile coming that was so big, it should have ripped my face.
"WE WON OUR FIRST GYM BADGE!"
I must have jumped ten feet in the air! The rest of my team came out to congratulate Swellow. Swellow extended his wing. The rest of the team met in in their signature pose. I guess that is what I will call it.
"Congrats Teddy. Here is your Resilience Badge. The nearest Gym from here is west from here in a Livonia City."
Lauren handed over the Badge. I was a silver "R" with wings. My eyes were glued on it for what felt like eternity.
"Well team, are you ready to head West?" I asked the four Pokemon. They all nodded and looked West.
Livonia City, here we come!