Chapter 4, the First Gym Battle!

That night went by quickly; I had many pains and aches through the night. I woke up that morning and winced as the pain in my back returned; I looked around with my one good eye and spotted Sarah in a spare bed not very far from mine. I slowly sat up wincing again, but I wasn't trying to make very much noise as I pushed my legs off the bed and stood up. I felt really wobbly as I stood up but I regained my balance and walked over to where Sarah was and brushed a hair out of her face and kissed her forehead. I was still wearing my clothes from before so I had to change my shirt at least. I slowly walked over to my bag and pulled out a fresh shirt. I heard Sarah then moan as she stretched and opened her eyes, "Andrew, you really shouldn't be out of bed with you back the way it is." She said groggily.

I sighed, "Sarah, I am not going to stay in bed all day if that is what you mean. I have plans for today; we are in the town of the first gym…"

She grinned at me, "Alright Andrew, I understand you're excited, you want to get the first badge. I do too… But don't you think you should rest a bit before you try to battle?"

I sighed and thought to myself, 'She is right. I couldn't possibly focus on a battle with the pain in my back…' I then looked at her and smiled, "Alright Sarah. You're right. But I am still doing my gym battle today, not even injuries can stop that fact."

Sarah laughed, "You're so stubborn! But okay." I walked back to my bed then lay down; my shirt was lying on the chair ready once I rested more. I slowly drift off into sleep, I remembered the day before, when that strange man was beating on Shroomish, and I recalled what he said.

"If they aren't meant for war, why do we command them in battle?" Is what he had said, I wondered to myself about what he meant as I drifted off, when I next woke up Sarah was lying close to me, her eyes closed as she rested there with me. I didn't make any movements as we laid there; she was so peaceful when asleep I didn't want to wake her. I closed my eyes as she stirred to make me appear to be asleep still.

Sarah giggled, "I know you're up Andrew. No need to hide it." She said to me as she kissed my forehead.

I opened my eyes and felt my face get hot as I blushed, "I'm sorry, I just find you so peaceful when asleep that when you go to wake up I don't want to seem creepy by watching you."

Sarah laughed at my statement, "You're so sweet! You protect Pokémon and you act like you're the most innocent soul in the world!" She smiled at me and then said, "And you're really cute when you blush."

I blushed heavier then asked, "Why did you come lay with me?"

I watched as her face turned bright red, "I didn't want you to be here alone. So I came over, is that ok?" She asked me shyly.

"Its fine Sarah, but I did remember you saying and I quote 'Don't expect me to let you share beds'. Did that change?" I asked quoting off the same line she said the first day of our journey.

She laughed, "It might have changed a little bit." She was blushing still as the doctor came in she quickly got out of my bed and stood up.

"Well, Andrew, you are free to go whenever you please." The doctor said to me.

I nodded, "Thanks." He then handed me a pill bottle that's label said to take it three times a day after meals, then my stomach growled, Sarah and I hadn't even eaten breakfast yet! I heard her stomach growl as well, which made her blush even brighter. I thought, 'First thing we need to do is find food. We haven't eaten since we left…' The doctor left and I sat up wincing again from my back and Sarah helped me get out of bed this time. I asked her, "Can you help me change my shirt?" Then I remembered my wings and said, "Um… Never mind. I should be able to handle it."

She frowned, "Okay…" She said, and I grabbed my shirt and walked into the bathroom.

I cursed myself in my head, 'You jerk, you ask her to help you with your shirt then blow her off!' I mentally slapped myself and carefully took my shirt off, I checked my wings in the mirror, glad I could somewhat hide them; apparently the doctors couldn't see them so it helped. I pulled my fresh shirt on and threw the one I was wearing in the trash then walked out. "Alright, let's go find something to eat." I said and Sarah simply nodded she seemed upset. So I grabbed her hand and looked at her. I saw a faint smile trace her face but then it faded. I said, "Are you alright Sarah?" I asked her.

She nodded, "Yeah. Just a bit upset you blew me off about helping you." She said with a slight tone in her voice.

I winced at her harshness and said, "I'm sorry…"

She looked at me and smiled, "Who could be mad at you. You probably had reason to not let me. I nearly hurled at the sight of your back so yeah."

I laughed as we neared a fairly popular restaurant and I asked, "How about we eat there?"

She looked at the building and then to me, "Can we even afford this?"

I laughed, "I'll handle it. It's my treat for blowing you off." She blushed and I squeezed her hand and we walked inside. After about ten minutes we stopped eating and paid, then walked towards the large looming building that was the Pokémon gym. I heard someone battling inside, it sounded like Cat! I said to Sarah, "Do you hear that?" I asked, and Sarah nodded.

"It sounds like Cat is ahead of us, and she just won her battle with the gym leader." She said, "We should catch up! She shouldn't be out yet!"

I nodded and we ran to the gym just as Cat was receiving her badge. Her Treeko was already evolved into Grovyle! I said, "Congratulations Cat." I looked at the gym leader, it was Brock! The first gym leader from Kanto, he was mine and Sarah's first opponent!

Brock looked at me and Sarah, "You must be my next challengers. Well come in." He led us into the gym, I looked at the battlefield, and it was composed of rocks and boulders.

I looked at Sarah and said, "You best let me battle first. So you can see his strategy." Sarah nodded, and Silver jumped up on my shoulder and I said, "I am going to use Raphael for this bud. You stay with Sarah okay?" Silver nodded and we reached the battlefield. I said to Brock, "I will be battling first."

Brock nodded and ran to the other side of the battlefield, "Go Geodude!" He threw out his first Pokémon.

"Alright, go Raphael!" I threw out Squirtle, I knew I had an advantage with Squirtle being a water type. I said, "Raphael, Water Pulse!" Raphael quickly attacked with Water Pulse knocking Geodude flat out.

Brock grinned, "Interesting, Okay, go Drilbur!" I was surprised at his choice and he said, "I am not like I was in Kanto, I use new Pokémon as well. What's your strategy now?" He said, "Drilbur, use Dig!" Drilbur attempted to burrow under the ground.

I growled, "Raphael, Ice Beam to freeze the ground before Drilbur digs!" Raphael used Ice Beam to stop Drilbur dead in its tracks. I grinned, "Now Squirtle, Water Pulse!" The attack made direct contact but Drilbur didn't move an inch, its HP only went down half.

Brock laughed, "Not good enough, Drilbur, use Earthquake!" The whole stadium rumbled making me almost lose balance! I quickly regained balance and looked out; Raphael was still standing, only barely though.

"Raphael, use Water Pulse, finish off his last Pokémon!" I watched as Squirtle quickly hit Drilbur, Drilbur fainted assuring my victory.

Brock said, "Let me heal my Pokémon and I will let the girl battle." He walked off to the side and I turned to Sarah and smiled, she smiled back at me and ran up and hugged me.

"Great job Andrew, and it's my turn next." She smiled at me and kissed my cheek, "Wish me luck."

I nodded and watched Brock come back and he said, "Go Drilbur!" He said as he sent out the Drilbur he used against me! I sat forward as Sarah sent out Melody.

"Melody, use Hidden Power!" She shouted, Melody quickly executed her Hidden Power; Drilbur went straight down without any hesitation. I had to admit, Melody was a powerful Pokémon, I watched as Brock sent out his next Pokémon.

"Go Onix!" He shouted as the giant Rock Snake Pokémon burrowed its way out from under the stadium!

Sarah stood firm and said, "Melody, Surf!" Melody barreled towards Onix on a large wave and knocked out Onix in one shot! I was awestruck as she smiled back at me.

Brock smiled and said, "Congrats, you have both won the Boulder Badge." He handed us both a badge and me and Sarah walked out holding hands.

I wondered to myself, 'When will we find that mysterious boy named Red, and what will tomorrow bring to this journey?'