{Wine Red}
Chapter Seven: Guide
It was actually three days before I challenged the Rock Gym.
The first day we all headed over to the Gym, only to join a small crowd of Trainers who were hoping to challenge the Gym Leader as well. Standing out in front of the crowd, blocking entrance inside the building was apparently a younger sibling of Brock, Brent. The young adult was explaining that some of the trainers who had arrived early on can go in for battles, but the rest are going to have to wait until the next day. We were informed not to worry about the extremist attack from the other day: Leader Brock was taking part in the investigation. However, because of his involvement a great deal of his time was being taken up and he would not be able to see everyone.
"Man, I should have just gone in to battle yesterday like you suggested." Claire grumbled to Max. He shrugged in turn. There was nothing we could really do to adjust the situation.
"Why don't you train with us?" Lydia asked with a smile. "Riru, Lilly's and my job did not really allow us to properly train our pokemon when we were in the city and we could use the practice." Riru and Lilly in particular required help since Adam and I helped Lydia with her training while we were in Viridian Forest.
Claire reluctantly agreed after getting me to promise that I would take part in a mock battle later on with her. "If I want to train up, you're obviously the person I'd want to fight against." She reasoned.
I honestly thought that Jay and Gabe, despite her torchic and mankey having a type advantage, could potentially overwhelm her a bit so when she was covered with a light sheen of sweat after practicing with the other girls, I only worked on her with strategies and not an actual battle. Of course she complained, and maybe the experience would have been good for her, but I could only think of how me and my pokemon would clear out and fight rather brutally with the wild and how we were equally aggressive toward pokemon in the abandoned buildings. I did not want to risk them behaving in that manner toward her and her pokemon. Looking back, and observing how I would tumble and tear and make copious trips to the hospital, I truly did not grasp the physical dangers I was putting myself in. Today a young trainer like that would not be allowed to work in those conditions, no matter how they boosted my experience, and there's a reason for it.
Adam I was unsure of how he would do in the Gym, because while he had a serious type disadvantage, and he was not working at the same intensity as I was in his job, he still took part in serious coordinating. Herding pokemon is not exactly easy, and from what he had told me he was paired with an experienced farmer who taught him some tips to communicate better with Hero. From the smallest of head nods and flick of a finger they would interact and I had not picked up on it until we were in Viridian Forest. I thought it was the coolest thing. I knew that if Adam were to approach the battle in a strategic manner, and if he could overcome the Rock Gym, he could be quite the opponent.
Riru I knew already was going to have the most trouble. Her Partner was a pichu and the electric mouse was going to have trouble. The pidgey would not be of much help either. From the bits that I saw of them interacting she was growing in frustration getting the hyperactive rodent to sit and listen to her command. Lilly I felt was going to have an easy win. In theory. She had a marill and while as far as being a battler she was not the most talented, she had a pretty good grasp on how to connect with the water mouse. The model would complement its ability to use water, and they were actually creating some patterns with how the water was produced. So long as she attacked quickly, I could see her winning. I had a feeling that depending on how she liked battling, once she defeated the Fourth Gym, she'd potentially apply for Contests.
Lydia I actually had a lot of faith in. From the few times I had worked with her, while her movements were shaky and often unsure, her connection with Jasmine was extremely strong. I had already gone over techniques with her in the forest that I had learned from AP courses I had taken, as well as from my own experience, that would help with the young ralts's agility. Psychics often had weak defenses, and up against the rock gym, it could be tight. Her biggest issue was really just having confidence which would come from more practice.
Max was more than eager to give tips to Riru, Adam, and Claire on the different strategies that he used and what they could probably expect from Leader Brock. I half listened, more interested in his experience than I would ever admit. Lydia was seated next to me, worn out in her tank top and shorts. Despite the air shifting into a cooler fall, we were all sweating.
"What do you think?" Lydia's large brown eyes bore into mine as she leaned back in the grass and gulped down some water. I noted that her freckles while most prominent on her nose, were beginning to sprout up in little clusters after being in the sun.
I ruffled my sweaty head, marveling at how wet my hair was. "Think of what?" Gabe was panting heavily, for once seeming more worn out than Jay who did not have an issue about being over heated. In fact, Lilly lent me a scarf for the cold blooded reptile since he was easily susceptible to the cold.
"Of my chances," she clarified and my eyes followed her hands, lifting her ponytail away from the base of her sticky neck. "I mean, I know I'm not as practiced as you, Adam, Max, or Claire, so I'm not deluded into thinking I'm absolutely going to win first round. Which is totally okay," she added. "It's all about the experience, right? I just want to know what your thoughts are."
I flipped from my back on to my stomach, the grass tickled my naked arms as I propped myself up. "Lydia," she mirrored my movement. "I have total confidence in you."
"Oh," she ducked her head. "Don't say that."
"I am saying it." I reached a hand over to cup one of her dotted shoulders, urging her not to hide away. "Come on, I'm not saying you are absolutely, definitely going to win. That'd be crazy talk. There's also a chance I'm not going to win, there's a chance that when we all go in to challenge him, the only one who will have gotten their badge the first round will be Riru." Lydia hicucpped a laugh and I retracted my hand.
Jay waddled over to us and with a heavy sigh slumped to the ground and uttered a tired gurgle.
For whatever reason the action triggered peals of laughter.
"What's going on over here?" Claire trotted over with a bright and inquisitive expression, lifting the hem of her shirt up to wipe some of the sweat off her face. I was reminded she was an athletic swimmer in school.
"Mm, nothing," Lydia smiled. "We are simply appreciating the silliness that is pokemon antics." Jasmine twirled to her trainer's side, obviously in similar giddy spirits. Or perhaps she was just pleased that her Trainer's mood was high.
"Oh, I so know what you mean." Claire slumped down between us and I sat up to make room for her. "Dee does some of the cutest things, thinks he's some kind of big shot, that torchic does." The fire chick in question turned from his stance where he had been practicing kicks and shot her what I could only presume was a scowl. She grinned and sang at him, "Someone has a complex."
"Who? Mister Grump?" Riru seemed to be of the opinion that my head was something to lean on and not something particularly vital to my own functioning. "Who's not surprised? This one."
"Yeah, yeah, why are you still even out here? Isn't it about time you broke out into hives?" I scowled. As usual, whenever we entered anywhere remotely outdoors her eyes had a red tint to them and I could tell she was fighting the urge to itch them.
"Be nice," Claire smacked my arm and I could hear Lydia suck in her breath because she knew that's where I had a fresh healing scar.
"Thank you, Claire," Riru grinned and I knew they were all conspiring against me. Girls tend to do that. Where were Max and Adam when you needed them? Oh right, helping Lilly stay focused on her water attacks. "And for your information I was able to get a protective shot before leaving Viridian. I mean, I'll be needing to go inside in probably a half hour before I'm too exposed, but I figured it'd be good for Sparky and Breeze." The pichu and pidgey in question were roughly playing with Lilly's pidgey as well. Good, Lilly's pidgey is getting some attention. I thought.
"That's great," Lydia said earnestly and she seemed bright and {rose tinted} sunny.
The afternoon continued as we gradually became more exhausted from our heated training. The pokemon were split between play wrestling, exploring, and napping. For a while Lilly demonstrated her moves with the marill Isabel twirling about like a fountain. The sassy water mouse at one point felt that we were all not watching her intently enough and blasted us with a harsh wave of water. Adam and Claire got the brunt of it, and we had to hold him back when he tried to strangle it. By that point we felt it would be best to go back inside where we could properly shower off, grab some complimentary snacks from the hospital kitchen, and sleep.
In those moments of being with the group, I recognized on a not quite conscious level that I really missed being around people that first month. I do not ever regret going off as I did, nor other times that I have had to isolate myself, but I really think I could have done a better job of appreciating the time I had with them.
I find that to be something that people do not do enough in their youth.
They do not yet understand the flow of time and impermanence. That people have different destinies, different paths, and quite often they do not include each other. Or you may find yourselves on opposing sides and wondering how you got there. You look back on memories with shifting fondness, not quite remembering details with the same accuracy, each time with more nostalgia and bitter sweet citrus. You smile with regret of lost ties and lean back in your old chair that cost more than it should and you think Where Am I Now and you recognize the choices you made. You see those who are at the age that you once were and you want to shout at them to Hold On To It despite knowing that they do not yet know the gravity of your words.
But we are focusing on me at the age of sixteen when I still had time.
{Wine Red}
The following day was raining and I heavily urged Riru to go challenge Leader Brock, while the rain lasted. The humidity in the air would drain the rock pokemon of their normal energy and they would be easier to defeat. At first she went for my suggestion, particularly when Max and the others were nodding their heads in agreement. However, nerves set in and she refused to go unless I went first. I agreed and our troupe showed up at the doors of the Gym.
I was surprised by the fact that all of the trainers that had showed up the previous day were not there as we were, but the rain was coming down heavy and who wants to stand outside in the rain?
One of the trainers who worked for Leader Brock at the gym was at the door to greet us and permitted only Max and I through. "Only those who have already defeated Leader Brock are permitted to observe ongoing battles." He explained. "We want everyone to have as fair of a time as possible. Unless your intention is to Challenge Leader Brock in one month when he switches out his current team, you may not observe."
I had forgotten about that aspect of the Gym Leaders. Not that they kept their pokemon at the appropriate skill levels in accordance to their gym's assigned difficulty level, but that the pokemon would gain more experience and that over time the pokemon would no longer be able to train officially with the gym. Their strength would be too strong for new comer trainers. The lower level gyms would trade out their pokemon more frequently because the pokemon would climb in experience more quickly. Not to mention that the lower level gyms were challenged much more frequently. From the information provided by the trainer who worked for Leader Brock, the team must be a recently acquired one. A whole month to wait is normal time span for a lower level gym.
Max and I went on ahead, he sitting in the stands with one or two other people, one of which seemed to be a reporter for the city's main newspaper who kept track of who and how many trainers were challenging the gym leader. The rest of the group was forced to wait out in the lobby. I inwardly noted that I would not want to be in their shoes: the longer you are waiting to go up and battle, the more that your anxieties have time to build.
Yet as I continued through the rock-themed interior of the building, both of my pokemon stored away so I could maintain the illusion of surprise, I could feel my own nerves building. The hallway was narrow and dark and while there was an excitement edge to being in that environment, my confidence I had possessed up until then was beginning to waver. The winding path seemed purposely done to intimidate challengers and I remember thinking, this isn't very inviting to new trainers…
Upon thinking that I arrived at a tone archway and through it was a large room. It was how I would picture a standard gymnasium, open, expansive, pavement ground. It looked like the inside of a cave if it had been tailored by expert architects. Along the sides were smooth benches that were virtually empty save for a few people, one of which was Max. He had his bonsly in his lap and when he saw me he gave me an encouraging 'thumbs up'. I felt the oddest mixture of possessing more confidence with his presence and a new wave of inner shudders upon realizing that if I screwed up he'd be there to watch.
I adjusted my baggy sweater, awkwardly waiting for the missing gym leader to appear and thought to myself that maybe I should have worn the sweater that Lilly had gotten me. No wonder the school had always had us dress up upon challenging someone. We had to look the part of a winner, and with my hair mussed, pants loose and drooping no matter how many times I put them in the dryer would not tighten anymore, and my sweatshirt baggy and tearing. A thundering from below the pavement ground triggered the thought that I wish I had Gabe resting on my shoulder as usual. He would have been a comforting presence.
A sliding trap door rumbled heavily as it slid open and I had to wonder how on earth I could have missed the device. Then as if he were on an elevator, a man appeared, arms folded in both challenge and confidence as he slowly rose to ground level. My jaw dropped a little as I realized that he was not riding on a lift, but on the head of a giant onix.
Definitely not inviting to new trainers!
The rock serpent slid out from the ground, sweeping the pavement as if it were sand and he closed the hole in the ground. My jaw lowered and my hand had a strong grip on Gabe's pokeball protectively. It took me a moment to realize that the man in question was smirking at my stunned state, and that Max was having a hoot from his seat.
I sent him a smoldering glare that shut him up quite quick.
"Welcome," the acoustics in the room made the man's deep voice a larger presence. The snake lowered its head to the ground and with wide arms the man stepped lightly off of its head. "To my gym. Much as the people of this city that I govern, I have great passion and resonance with the spirit of the rocks that surround us. In the name of Pewter City and the Kanto Gym League, I welcome you to the first of the Kanto gyms. My name is Brock." As he spoke he took calm steps toward me and I only had sense enough to close my mouth. When he stood in front of me, finishing with an introduction of himself, I was painfully aware of how he towered over me, how muscled this man of rock was, and how I may have been a touch too confident about being ready for his gym. "Jeez, kid," he broke from his stoic persona and gave me a grin. "Don't be so nervous."
The spell was broken.
"I'm not a kid."
"Right, my bad," he held up his hands in playful defense before resuming his controlled posture. "May I see your Trainer ID?" I handed it to him and he inspected it quickly. I later on would learn that there is an emblem that the leaders look for that the rest of the population are not privy to so as to check for fakes. He handed it back to me and stated, "I see you graduated from the Cornwell's International Institute for the Study of Pokemon, I take it then you are familiar with gym battle protocol?"
My mind flashed to the hours studying for Battle Seminar and the rented pokemon we used in the AP class in practice battle simulations. "Yes."
Leader Brock grinned and the onix in a sweeping motion came forward and the man leaped up on top of the snake's head. "Then I won't bore you with the explanatory session and our match shall begin!"
The lights in the room blared and a monitor lowered from the ceiling. Our names were projected with the number of pokemon registered to each of us in accordance to this battle. We each had two. My worry for the battle almost immediately diminished. I had had it in my head that he would have six on his team.
My relief maintained as the starting buzzard sounded and we both sent forth our pokemon, he a geodude and I sent out my sandile. The geodude twittered forward and I could tell already it was wet behind the ears, less figuratively speaking than intended. I could tell from Jay's movements that the humidity in the air from the rain was affecting the sand crocodile as well as the geodude. Regardless he shuffled forward and embraced the tackle of the geodude. The attack did little as he responded quickly, flailing its arms about the geodude and tail. The geodude wailed and was unable to follow the instructions of Leader Brock to evade Jay's attack. It was to no avail: the torment attack was successful and the geodude was too timid after the assault to try and use the tackle attack again.
Jay then followed with a bite, not too effective because of the geodude's rock exterior, but because of its dark origination and the crocodile's higher experience, the attack was stronger than I had expected. He then flipped back and struck down quickly with his tail, and using the geodude to propel himself into the air, slammed down into the rock pokemon with one last 'assurance'. The geodude was shaking from exhaustion, and one last smack from Jay left it unconscious.
A sounding beep from the monitor overhead signaled the defeat of Leader Brock's first pokemon. I did not have much time to celebrate for the onix rumbled past him, charging at Jay. I had no time to give Jay an audible instruction to dodge and he was crushed under the weight of the rock snake. I screamed Jay's name in a panic, and I was relieved to see he was still conscious and more importantly not dead. His limbs were quivering beneath him and I knew that his confidence was a bit rattled after the crushing weight of the rock beast on top of him. I did not blame Jay, for I felt similarly shaken.
"Don't let him do that again!" I called out and Jay scratched at the floor, his claws managed to tear at it, and I was floundered by how he was able to break it apart and kick it into the eyes of the beast. It roared, shaking its head, thrashing about. The ground rocketed under its weight and I stumbled back and Jay did the same.
The young crocodile was nearing his limit and I knew I probably could get more hits out of him before the onix attacked again, but the idea of him being knocked unconscious was unacceptable in my mind.
"Jay!" I held up his ball and he turned back to look at me, just in time to see the {hot red} flash and he was gone. I moved quickly to release Gabe, seeing that the onix, while frazzled from the attack to its eyes, was moving quickly toward me.
The zorua materialized, yet surprised me as well as Max when he was revealed as a psyduck, not a fox. The onix became more defensive in its movements, recognizing the water pokemon. It swung down its tail hard, and Brock and the rock snake were surprised by the abnormal agility of the 'psyduck'. Though Jay's earlier attack which weakened the snake's vision helped as well. Gabe skip jumped first over and when the tail thrashed again, under and smacked the onix. We were then all surprised as darkness loomed and under the shadow of the onix he disappeared. Brock's confusion was evident and he eyed me suspiciously. Clearly this was not normal behavior for a water duck.
Gabe reappeared, and with a resounding crack between the outer shell, as well as crevices in the onix's neck, he struck hard. The serpent tensed and collapsed to the ground in a heavy heap, the vibrations knocking me off my feet. It lay still as if it were a massive pile of rock, and Gabe stood on top of it proudly, and dissolved its illusion to reveal him as the little zorua I knew him as.
I almost did not hear the sounding buzzard and the electronic announcer say, "Game set match, challenger is the winner."
Gabriel bolted toward me, tail wagging and proud he landed in my lap, skittered up my arm and rubbed against my neck and chin. If he were a feline I'm sure he'd be purring. I stood up in time, grinning widely as Leader Brock returned the onix into its ball. His steps were heavy as he walked toward me. However, from the way that he regarded me with a stoic expression I felt as if maybe he was upset. I rested my hand on Gabe's back, squaring my shoulders as I eyed him determinedly.
In his delivery of the badge he was serious and regal and probably scripted. I felt the weight of the Boulder Badge in my hand, and somehow it was lighter and smoother than I had expected. I pulled out my trainer card to imprint the badge on it, and at the same time was ushered over to the gym's nurse. She was taking care of both my pokemon and the one's that Leader Brock had just used. Yet as he was prepping for the next trainer, he pulled out two more pokeballs to use instead.
As I clipped the badge in my wallet, I found a seat next to Max in the stands. Gabe was healed fairly quickly and bounded up after me, but Jay the nurse wanted to give a proper checkup after the way the onix came down on him. The dark fox landed in my lap and excitedly nuzzled my jaw.
"Man, that was so cool to see Gabe go up against that onix like that! Those things are crazy huge!" Max gushed in a loud whisper. His bonsly shimmied in excitement himself, and he and Gabe murmured at one another.
"That thing … is intense," I breathed.
We were hushed by the reporter as the lights dimmed and Leader Brock shifted back underneath the floor. The nurse held a flashlight as she returned Jay to me, instructing to bring him into the Pokemon Hospital for a checkup to see how he is healing. I took the sandile on to my lap, giving him a little more attention than Gabe: he had my sympathies after the hit he took. The next to come in was Riru and as suspected she ended up being crushed by the Rock Gym. Max and I winced in sympathy when her pichu got taken out quickly by the geodude, and the pidgey soon after. Sadly she was not able to stay in the gym with us because she had lost, and also needed to go to the hospital to have her pokemon properly healed and revived. Max was kind and accompanied her.
The next to come in was Adam and his technique was fascinating to watch. Truly I could see the residual marks of working as a herder. The growlithe was quick in his movements, scattering about the rock pokemon, and while his attacks were not strong against Leader Brock's, there was an effect. The dog would actually direct the large onix into itself, leading the snake to become tangled and guided into more compromising positions. I took in Adam's technique with greedy eyes. With the combination of many leers and bites, his opponents were eventually taken down. My applause was great and he was quick to join me up in the bleachers.
Claire was the next to enter the arena, and I felt the lone drop of disappointment that it was not Lydia, which dissolved as quickly as it came. The mankey that she had was a bit of a tank that I had not entirely expected. He was agile and quick with his precise fighting movements, dealing out a series of low kicks that would use the weight of the rock types against them. He injured his paw at one point when his karate chop landed a little oddly against the hardened surface of the pokemon, and his tail did get badly bruised, but the victory was Claire's. The blonde was all squeals when she took her badge and demanded hugs from Adam and I both. The only one who was not too pleased was her torchic, who did not appreciate being left out of the battle.
The room was reset and I was leaning over Jay excitedly when Lydia entered. I thought of how nervous she was, and that yes, her ralts had a weak defense and did not exactly have any strengths, but it was not as if she had a type disadvantage, either. Lydia looked up at us nervously, even more so when Leader Brock released a geodude. We gave her encouraging looks and hoots and were told to quiet down. Then the battle commenced and I picked up on our practices immediately. The moment the geodude charged at her for a tackle, she teleported herself to another part of the room. The rock type was caught off guard, looking wildly around. The ralts then hit him hard with a confusion, and it did not take long for the long ranged psychic attacks and its own confusion to knock it unconscious. When the onix finally fell, the ralts was sweaty and dizzy from her constant moving, Lydia rushed to her and actually burst into relieved tears when her badge was presented.
Last came in Lilly and I was hoping for a win for her as well. Sadly, the lack of serious training ended in her loss. The marill was more interested in spouting up water, and would only be prompted to respond when she was roughly hit with an attack. The geodude went down without a sound the second he tried for a tackle, but when the onix came down on the water mouse, it was little use. Her sentret, pichu, and pidgey were virtually useless. We all accompanied the disappointed Lilly to the hospital with her, and avoided mentioning our own excitement for our achievements.
The bad news was that our travels were cut short because of Lilly and Riru's losses. I had half a mind to just go on ahead myself as I was not too attracted to Pewter City in itself, but one sharp look from Adam and Claire and I kept myself rooted. The good news was that an older boy, Forrest, took a liking to Lilly and while we were in the hospital he came over and was the epitome of flirtation. I say 'good news' because we used this to our advantage.
"You, I am sorry about the discouraging occurrence in the gym today," the tall, dark guy appeared out of nowhere. Our group regarded him as he sauntered up to the female demographic, particularly our resident Beauty Queen.
"Oh," she blinked, a little caught off guard. Lilly turned back to us, then back to him with a bit more confidence. "Why thank you." She pouted, playing up her dejectedness. "I tried so much, but Leader Brock is hard on new trainers I guess."
Claire almost started laughing at that point to which we looked at her questioningly until Forrest said, "As I said, I apologize for my brother's roughness. He isn't always as chivalrous to women as I am," to which she turned {bright pink} because she realized who it was she just insulted and his connection to the gym leader.
The result of their interaction led to an exchange of numbers and Forrest offering to take both Riru and Lilly under his wing. The lavender haired Riru wasn't sure how she felt kind of playing second fiddle to a flirt, but she welcomed the help that he was offering. With the two of them taken care of again, Lilly was eager to shoo us off.
I was for us leaving. Max as well. Claire and Lydia were adamant about continuing to stick together. Adam did not really care if Riru or Lilly stayed, but I did not miss how he mentioned a few times to Claire that if she was so concerned about splitting up from them, she could just remain in Pewter City with them. The blonde was hesitant but quieted eventually.
I mentally cheered.
In my mind, Lilly and Riru slowed us down. They didn't fare well in the wilderness. Neither one of them were truly the 'trainer' sort. Lilly just wanted cute pets and to travel. Riru wanted to explore, but she was not truly interested in the battling aspect. Plus, Pewter City has limited foliage with the rock-based environment, so her allergies were not nearly triggered as frequently as they usually were. The longer they were located in cities, the better.
The following day we separated from the two yet again, making our way into Mt. Moon.
From that moment, my path was set for it was in this cave that I met Raguel.
{Wine Red}
No new characters this chapter, but not to worry, more shall come.
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Thank you Gentle Blossom, Snowsheba, Sanyo the Shadow Faerie, Indigo Shade, and Nightfall00 for your supportive reviews! You enthusiasm is inspiring for my writing
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