This chapter contains all that me and my coauthor wrote meaning it could take a month to write a new chapter. The good news is we finally reached the gym battle, but the bad news is we didn't write anything about the egg.
XXX
They had a rather short night, but at least their Pokemon enjoyed a peaceful slumber. In the morning when the sun shined through the open curtains the first thing they realized was their hair needed to be combed. July stood annoyed in front of the mirror and tried to tame her hair. She could feel the comb scratching deep into her head.
"Damn it."
Turtwig looked at her concerned. She did her best to smile for her Pokemon. Anna had a much easier time. She had the help of her ace Pokemon. It was interesting to see how Hippopotas helped her because it's body did more then release sand. July still was very curious.
" Hey Anna. Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure what's the matter?"
" How do you get your hair to look that good?"
"I comb it a lot and I only use a small amount of shampoo."
July did that routine when she was trying to take care of her hair.
"And what's Hippopotas part?"
" His body makes my hair perfectly smooth."
"Wow how's that working?"
She tapped on her nose first. July was very keen to hear a answer.
" I say my hair looks beautiful."
They heard someone knocking the door.
"Hey girls, what are you doing, we're going to be late."
They were surprised to hear that and apologized for that. They came out of their room. Randy and David were waiting for them.
Randy looked at July. "Are you ready?"
July had a grin that said she was more than just ready.
"Alright let's go."
They were now outside the room and walking outside.
"What about breakfast?"
Randy and July completely forgot about her.
"Sorry Anna, of course we can have breakfast before we fight in the gym."
Anna didn't know what she and her brother were going to do with these two.
"Let's have some breakfast then."
They all cheered for breakfast. July and Randy were keen to feed their Pokemon some protein so that they would be prepared for their challenge. First their starter Pokemon's got to eat.
Piplup was happy to eat some fish. Turtwig was happy to eat sliced up tomatoes and lettuce. Snover and Shinx both ate some fresh berries. Starly and Ponyta were eating fresh PokeChow. Randy and July ate really fast because they were very excited. David and Anna were just happy to eat bite size pieces of meat. But they could understand the behavior of Randy and July very good.
It was going to be their fist gym battle. And they would give their very best. Finally they finished eating. There was nothing that could stop them from entering that gym now.
"Time to take our first badge."
Randy and July rushed out of the restaurant. David and Anna followed them relaxed. They were way behind them though. Randy and July ran into Roark while he was about to open the Gym.
" Hi you two. I guess your excited for your gym battle."
"We can't wait to start."
Roark was happy to hear that excitement.
"Then follow me."
Randy and July went with Roark inside the gym. Their excitement became even more bigger. The gym was built like a cool fighting arena. There were a lot of stones and big coal bricks on the battlefield. A tough battlefield for Pokemon that would be fast.
"Who's gonna be first?"
July raised her hand.
"Alright let's fight young lady."
" The battle between Roark from Oreburgh City and July from Twinleaf Town will commence. Both trainers will use three Pokemon and only the challenger may change Pokemon. Begin.
" Let's rock the battlefield Geodude."
"This won't be easy but I trust you, go Starly."
July's first captured Pokemon flew into the air.
"Starly we start with Wing attack."
Starly's wings glowed which hardened the wings and it made a nose dive towards Geodude.
" Geodude, Rock Polish."
That was a surprising move. It made Geodude sparkle like a precious gem.
"Don't get distracted Starly, stick to the plan."
Starly flew down and hit Geodude with its wings.
"Well done Starly now fly up high again."
Starly was in the ceiling faster then Roark could yell out a move.
"Starly Quick attack!"
Her Pokemon moved in speed after then a blink of an eye. Geodude and Roark had no time to react. Starly hit Geodude.
"Starly you are awesome." Cheered July.
" Don't praise your Pokemon just yet. Geodude, Rock Throw."
"Starly Double team and dodge the rocks."
Shadows in a line were created by Starly. They were illusions that looked like Starly. Geodude hit the wrong one.
"Starly counter with Peck."
Starly dived towards the rock type Pokemon. Its beak started to glow and became larger. It pecked right between its eyes. It was a critical hit. That fourth attack knocked Geodude out.
"Awesome Starly, you are the best."
Roark returned Geodude inside his Pokeball.
"I have to admit you and your Pokemon are a strong team, young lady."
July couldn't help but let out a little yep.
"Go Onix, show them who's the king here."
What replaced the rock with arms was a giant snake rock.
July looked at Starly "Are you still alright?"
Starly felt intimidated by the large rock snake.
"Let's try it Starly."
Starly flapped excitedly ready for battle.
"Make sure that you keep the distance between you and Onix."
Starly nodded. July wanted to wait for Roark's first call.
" Onix, Headbutt."
"Here we go Starly Double Team!"
Once again Starly made duplicates of itself to confuse Onix. It's trick didn't work the way it wanted to however. Onix managed to hit them all. It looked like Starly would fall down but it managed to flap its wings well enough to not hit the ground.
"Starly use Quick Attack!"
Starly dashed towards Onix raising its wings for the attack. Onix was strong but not very quick. It took the hit between its eyes. But Onix was able to take more damage then Geodude.
" Onix, use tackle."
"Starly fly away from Onix as fast as you can."
Starly turned around flying away.
"Starly turn around and attack with Wing attack from above. "
Starly flew up ready to strike Onix. Starly managed to fly into Onix's blind spot. It was a powerful strike. But Onix was still standing.
" Hit Starly now, Headbutt!"
"Starly use Quick attack to get behind Onix."
Starly dodged moving as fast as it could.
"And now use Peck again."
Starly got close hitting Onix with its beak.
"Onix Iron tail."
Onix used its most powerful move on Starly. Starly was too close to dodge the attack. It took the attack full force and was knocked out because of that.
"Come back Starly, you did an excellent job."
She thought of using Ponyta next.
"Alright Ponyta it's your turn."
Ponyta stomped its hooves on the ground ready for battle.
"Ponyta we start with Fire Spin."
Ponyta unleashed a twister of spiral flames.
"Ponyta keep moving."
The fire kept going from Ponyta's mouth. The flames surrounded Onix. Onix was trapped by the attack.
"Ponyta continue with Ember."
Ponyta spat fire at the rock Pokemon. Onix had hard time dealing with the heat.
" Nice work but fire attacks do little damage against rock type Pokemon," Roark told her.
"Ok now use Tackle Ponyta."
Ponyta leaped so it could tackle into Onix's head.
"Ponyta use your hooves to tackle Onix."
Ponyta raised its hooves to hit Onix with. Ponyta moved incredible fast. Onix tried shaking off the pain. Ponyta moved incredible fast. Ponyta's hooves where hard as diamonds and had hit Onix's body really hard. Onix actually went down from Ponyta's hooves.
July hoped that it had been enough to win against Onix.
" Onix is unable to battle. Ponyta wins the battle."
"Very good Ponyta you did great."
Ponyta closed its eyes thanking July for the compliment.
"Now it's time for my strongest Pokemon, go Cranidos."
Roark released a prehistoric Pokemon with a big cranium that also have spikes around it.
"Don't be afraid Ponyta we can win this."
Ponyta believed in July's words.
"Ponyta use Ember!"
Ponyta's mouth created a ball of fire it soon fired at Cranidos.
"Counter it straight with Headbutt!"
Cranidos rammed into the fire with it's hard head. The fire did nearly nothing to Cranidos. It just kept charging towards Ponyta.
"Ponyta dodge the attack!"
Ponyta galloped away from Cranidos. But Cranidos was faster on the stony and rough ground. Cranidos smiled before headbutting Ponyta. Ponyta got hit hard.
" Ponyta!"
Ponyta was able to stand up again, but July thought that it would be time for her last Pokemon.
" Ponyta return." July sucked Ponyta into its Pokeball. " You were amazing. I don't want to see you faint because I pushed you too much. Now go, Turtwig."
"Your caringness honors you." Said Roark approving.
" Thanks. Now let's see if Turtwig can care for me by beating Cranidos."
Turtwig squealed agreeing.
" Turtwig, use Razor Leaf?"
The small leaves on Turtwig's head started to glow and it fired leaves towards Cranidos.
" Cranidos, dodge and use Headbutt!"
"Turtwig use Withdraw!"
Turtwig ducked into its shell. Its shell was as hard as Cranidos' cranium.
" Now use Bite!"
Turtwig's head slipped out of its shell and it bite Cranidos' shoulder hard. Cranidos exploded from the pain in Turtwig's sharp jaw.
"Turtwig use Absorb, now."
Turtwig used green energy from its mouth to drain Cranidos's health and restore the health Cranidos hit on him. Cranidos became noticeably weaker.
" Cranidos get out of there!"
"Turtwig chase Cranidos with Tackle!"
Cranidos ran as fast as his two legs could go against Turtwig's four legs. But Cranidos was too fast for Turtwig. Roark had plenty of options against July.
"Turtwig use Razor Leaf again."
Turtwig pulled its head back before firing fast moving leaves. This time Cranidos couldn't dodge the attack. Cranidos tumbled down to the rock ground.
"Turtwig end this fight with Tackle."
Turtwig ran as fast as it could to a defenseless Cranidos.
"Cranidos on last Headbutt, give everything."
Cranidos spun around about to knock its head into Turtwig who was running fast.
"Turtwig jump and use Withdraw as soon as you are in the air!"
Roark flinched. Turtwig jumped and tucked its head inside its shell. Turtwig landed a clear hit on Cranidos.
" Turtwig, spin around and use Razor Leaf!"
This time Cranidos was not so lucky to dodge the attack. It was a critical hit and was super effective. Cranidos was rendered unconscious.
" Cranidos is unable to battle. The winner is Turtwig. July wins the battle."
July ran to Turtwig and hugged it joyfully.
" Your my big winner Turtwig. Your also my best friend."
Hearing that made Turtwig very happy and proud. Roark walked up to her to shake her hand.
"Congratulations you showed great talent in our fight."
" And thank you for accepting my challenge."
Roark gave her the first badge. Randy clapped to her because she deserved it. Roark also clapped. July blushed and bowed her head politely.
" With that badge your one step closer to entering a big Pokemon League."
"Thank you very much it was a pleasure to fight in this gym."
Randy wondered if they would have to leave so Roark can heal his Pokemon.
"Visit me again after lunch, then my Pokemon will be ready for a second fight."
" Will do. First we will find our friends and tell them the good news," said Randy.
So they left the gym to come back later. July had her badge kept in a pocket that would keep it safe.
"You were absolutely amazing July, I feel so happy for you."
July felt happy too.
Randy thought about what would be the best preparation for his Pokemon now. He should focus on Shinx because it Shinx was the only Pokemon he has with a type disadvantage.
He looked at July "Do you have an idea how I can prepare Shinx for my fight in the gym."
" Well you can't hurt it using electricity attacks. Teach it a steel type move if you want to hurt his rock Pokemon."
"This won't be easy in this short amount of time."
" We just have to work hard to see if Shinx can even learn a new move."
"Show yourself Shinx."
Randy tossed his Pokeball in the air unleashing his blue furred friend.
July examined Shinx and caressed its paws. "Maybe Metal Claw would be suitable for Shinx."
Shinx wondered if it would learn a move like that.
"That sounds nice. I believe if we work really hard we can learn that move, what do you think Shinx?"
Shinx immediately smiled and nodded its head. But still Randy had no idea how he could teach Shinx a new move.
" Did someone say Metal Claw?" Someone asked.
Randy and July were very surprised and turned around. They saw a young boy with curly brown hair, striped yellow vest, and striped green pants.
" I have a TM of that move."
Randy didn't really know what the boy was talking about. Then he showed him the TM that could teach a Pokemon the move Metal Claw. Randy still was surprised how could something that looked like CD teach a move to Pokemon. It was discovered how when Shinx took a big bite at it.
Randy became even more surprised, but suddenly he realized that he hadn't introduced himself yet.
" My name is Randy Rimpleton. What is your name?"
"Nice to meet you, I'm Lucas Iomy."
" And hi. My name is July Cupples."
"So what about your TM my Shinx took a bite at."
" It has helped your Pokemon learn Metal Claw."
"Is there something I can do for you in return?"
" I would like to have a battle. Your Shinx against my Torkoal."
"I'm sorry but I can't do that, I need Shinx in its best shape for my Gxm battle later."
" Alright. After your gym battle meet me in the road south of the gym and we'all battle. This time it will be three on three."
"Ok we'll see you then and thanks again."
He walked away to the rendezvous point away from Oreburgh City.
"We should search a place where Shinx can practice Metal Claw."
" The cave where we found Roark?" July suggested.
"That should be a good place, we just should try not to disturb the workers."
Later on Randy was practicing with Shinx by throwing rocks in the air for Shinx to break with its claws. July watched them and cheered for them. Randy could tell she wanted Shinx to break rocks almost as much as he did.
Shinx learned pretty quickly how to use Metal Claw properly. Randy though wanted Shinx to try one more thing before they challenged the gym leader.
July wondered what Randy was doing.
" Can you conduct a little electricity into your next Metal Claw Shinx?" Randy asked.
Shinx squealed happily and nodded.
" Good because your last test starts...NOW!"
Shinx did what Randy wanted. When the rock came first his claws sparked yellow before he made the rocks explode. It was quite impressive. Shinx accomplished all of Randy's tests.
Randy picked up Shinx. "You were gave your best and did very well my friend."
Shinx wagged its tail and smiled through its mouth.
"I think you deserve a small snack."
Randy took out a poffin for his friend. Shinx smiled already from the smell.
" Open your mouth and get ready for the plane."
Shinx opened its mouth wide. In went the poffin it was so excited for.
"Are you ready to leave this cave?" asked July.
Randy nodded his head. He finished all the training he needed.
He put Shinx back into its Pokeball. "Try to get some rest until we fight."
" I already fought so instead of resting I'm going to do some shopping," said July.
Randy looked confused at July. "Actually I talked to Shinx.'
" You talked to Shinx?"
"Yes but nevermind. Where do you wanna go shopping?"
" That dress shop I found besides the Pokemon Center."
Randy smiled, but deep in his mind he knew that this would be very boring.
David and Anna were doing a brother and sister activity. They wanted to buy some supplies for the next part of their journey. So far they decided on elixir's that could restore the pp of their Pokemon. Also they would need a few thing that restore hp.
So far all they could get were super potions. But they shouldn't forget some stuff for themselves. There were plastic bags of apples and bottles of milk. They also bought cereal bars and nuts. David was happy to get some proteins in his body. The last thing they had to buy was some Pokechew.
The store clerk looked extra please they bought the large bag. They paid and left the store, Anna quickly walked towards the dress store across the street. David found the idea of him walking into a dress store laughable. But Anna left him no choice.
He walked inside with her and the first thing he noticed was she already found a dress. He hoped that they could leave quickly. But she had to stare for what could be a long while trying to see if the dress was right for her.
David sighed and looked for a place to sit down. Turns out anything that passes as a chair had clothes on it. David sighed again, louder than the last time.
" Can I help you?" Someone who worked at the clothes store asked David.
"Thank you, but I'm fine."
She could tell from the tone of David's voice asking him twice would make him sound louder then he intends to, he seemed like he wanted to be polite but was bored with the setting of this clothes store. But she wanted to cheer him up.
" I see you are a Pokemon Trainer."
"Yes indeed, by the way I'm David."
" My name is Krystal. My strongest Pokemon is my Floatzel."
"Nice to meet you, but I'm not interested in a typical fight, I would like to see my Pokemon participate in an athletic competition against yours."
" Do you think our Pokemon could compete in a lifting competition to see who are stronger?"
"That would be really cool."
She would use her Stantler because it had the best lifting capability. David obviously would choose Machop. They were outside with large rocks to lift with their muscles. Stantler's horns were where its muscles were.
"Are you ready Machop?"
Machop nodded its head it was ready for the competition.
"Alright, let's start then. Give everything Machop."
Machop punched its fists like gongs on a drum as it prepared to lift a rock. Machop finished that task flawlessly.
