Chapter 3 – Valiant Strategy

Bentley has become a lot stronger lately, it seems. We almost had a deadly accident when Bentley learned how to use Smog and went crazy with it. Luckily Valiant was able to blow the smog away before any permanent damage was made. I researched everything I could about Brock and the type of Pokémon he uses and found out that Bentley will be at a great disadvantage unless I come up with a strategy. If I could just poison them…then I'll be able slowly erode them until either I win or he gives up. The only problem is whether or not Bentley can dodge their attacks very well. Maybe someone in Viridian City can help me? My father used to talk about how this place used to be the save haven of the original Rockets. He said that if I were ever in trouble and ended up in this place, the best option for me is to go to the Academy and take refuge there. Viridian City itself is barely qualified to be called a city since the place is tiny. It's different from Pallet since it not only has an Academy but a Center as well. The shop there is small but it gives you what you need I guess. I refuse to use potions though as it means Bentley is weak and not yet ready to win. When I defeat Brock it would be because of our pure and raw talent, not because I cheated when times were rough.

The Academy is rather small, probably only able to accommodate around 10 kids. It makes sense though as the population in Viridian is very insignificant. It seems as though nobody wants to live here, and I guess I can understand why. With places like Celadon and Cerulean just a short walk away, it makes sense for people to prefer living there. By the time I arrived at the Academy all the kids had left for the night. The teacher was cleaning up the place before she left so I figured if I was going to get any strategies against Brock, I should get them from her. Besides, if she decides not to cooperate, I can always just send out Valiant and hope she complies.

"Excuse me Madam. I'm new in town and I plan to take on the local gym. I hear that Brock, the leader, uses Rock types. Any chance you could give me some pointers on what works best against him?"

"Well child, all of his Pokémon are pure Rock type so if you want to deal the most damage, use attacks that are Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, and Steel. I assume you started in Pallet? Then go get a Charmander from Oak and train it until it learns Metal Claw. You should be fine as long as you carry a couple potions just in case."

"Maybe I should have been a bit more specific. What's a good strategy for someone who refuses to use Potions and only have a Houndour?"

"Perhaps you could find a job as a Janitor?"

"Excuse me?"

"Listen you little punk. Brock won't be defeated by some half-assed trainer who found a random mutt and is too dunce to use potions. How the hell am I supposed to help you if you're gonna be stubborn as a mule?"

I had to revaluate the situation if I wanted to get any answers. I started to think that maybe confronting and pestering weren't one of my strong suits. Maybe if I just lied to her then things could look up for me. My father did always tell me to never lie unless it was needed, but I believed there wasn't going to be a better time, so why not?

"Well actually, my Friend made a huge bet with me, stating that if I defeated Brock with a big disadvantage, he'd give me $1000. Perhaps if you help me win the bet I could split the winnings with you? I'm sure all that money could help since you are working as a teacher in a school the size of a bathroom."

"Hmm…fine. But to make sure you don't pull anything funny, I'm going to watch the match and see to it that as soon as you win I get my share. What do you say?"

"You got yourself a deal. Now what is Brock's weakness?

"While your Houndour is generally weak by type, Brock doesn't train his Pokémon very often since he assumes that Rock types are so strong that they don't need to be trained. If you can train Bentley until it starts biting with a dark aura around him, then I'm sure you'll be able to beat Brock. Now hurry up and make me $500."

The ugly grin on her disgusting face made me kind of regret ever speaking to her in the first place. There was something bothering me about her, though. Perhaps maybe I'd be able to send out Valiant after all?

"How did you know his name was Bentley? We've never met before and I never called him anything but Houndour in this entire conversation. There shouldn't have been any way for you to know his name unless you know more than you are telling me."

"Shit…Guess I let the cat slip out of the bag again. My bad! I tend to do that a lot. Honestly? I saw you training around the outskirts of town and I heard you call him Bentley. Is that so weird?"

"Well you see, when you add the fact that you're generally a creepy person, you need to forgive me when I say I don't believe you at all."

"Well aren't you a damn gentleman. Who the hell do you think you are? Someone decides to help you out of pure kindness and all you want to do is insult them? Screw you kid. I was in Pallet a couple days ago and everybody has been talking about how the Professor is missing and how they haven't seen the Orphan boy at all. I happen to know for a fact that you are the orphan boy, and I also know that there is no possible way that you're not connected to the Professors whereabouts. Now I suggest that if you want to stay a free man, go to Brocks gym, defeat him, and pay me ALL the money."

Maybe I should learn to keep my mouth shut. If it wasn't for the fact that this woman is a downright idiot, I probably would have been hyperventilating uncontrollably. If she honestly thought I was going to listen to a petty threat like that, she must have been out of her damn mind. Unfortunately she does have me trapped in a corner since I can't take out Valiant without making a scene. Looks like I have to play along with her for just a little bit longer, until I have no reason to be here anymore.

"Well shit. Guess I have no choice in the matter now do I? Fine then, have it your way. I'll go to Pewter City tomorrow, challenge Brock, and win. After you get your money, I'll never enter this city ever again. You have my word."

For the entire night I stayed in Viridian forest, making Bentley attack any and all Pokémon that he saw. Sure it looked inhumane since some of them never attacked us first, but when times are tough you have to sacrifice. I specifically told him to not use his flames or smog since his bite was what I needed to win. It seemed hopeless until the Sun started to rise, helping me see the Dark Aura that was surrounding his body. With this dark attack learned I was now able to take on Brock and win! It's strange really, for some reason I feel…excited for this battle. I can't stray off the beaten path, for if I forget why I'm doing this in the first place, I'll never find my father. Still though, throughout all my life I've never felt this feeling before. I believe people call it…confidence? I must avoid these cheerful feelings at all costs if I want Valiant to obey me. The only reason he is still around is because I'm his substitute for the cold, empty, sad, and tragic frozen wastelands Articunos usually live in. I mean, why else would he stick around? Is it because we're "friends" or something? HAH. Nobody would want to be friends with a loser like me. Hell, even my own father left me because of my failures. When my own Mother gave birth to me she knew that I would grow up as a loser and didn't want any part of it…I'm nothing to everybody, everything to nobody. All that matters in my life is the fact that someone out there knows where my father is, and if anybody tries to prevent me from finding him, I'll see to it that they are never able to do anything harmful ever again. The only problem now is that damn teacher. I know for a fact that if she comes to the battle tomorrow I'm going to have a bloodbath in order to keep her mouth shut. If I don't play my cards right, my Journey will be over before it even begins.