Author's Notes: Heh. Geodude is really pitiful, ne? And Nidorans really are useful for fighting Brock, as are Mankeys… But this chapter ended up on the short side.
Chapter Seven: Vs Onix!
"Pika!"
Petro scampered behind Ren as they left the Science Museum and suddenly grabbed onto her leg. Surprised, Ren looked down at the Pikachu and blinked.
Ren followed the direction Petro was pointing in with her eyes, and saw a large stone structure not far away. It was shaped like a boulder or small cave, and several small rocks lay around it. Gulping, Ren assumed it was the gym and tentatively walked towards it.
Sure enough, an inscription near the entrance read "Pewter City Gym." Thankfully, the building (if it could even be called that) at least had a door, even if it was stone too. Ren pushed it open, almost out of breath by the time she was done.
The inside had a round, rocky arena with small stone platforms for the battlers. Cave lights were strung around the wall, giving off a rather dim light. Ren gulped; she didn't like the dark, and it didn't help that there were rocks and other objects strewn all over the place…
"You're here! Great!"
Ren jumped when she heard Brock's voice, and Petro rolled his eyes. The Gym Leader had apparently been sitting on the other side of the gym, where the lights were a bit darker, and he was dusting himself off as he walked over to Ren.
"Y-yeah," Ren stammered. "Um…"
"Hey, it's all right. Would you like a two-on-two? I could let you use your Pikachu, too, but…"
Petro growled as Brock trailed off. Ren looked sheepishly at the Electric-type, and shook her head at Brock.
"I think I might be okay with two."
"Okay, then. Let's get started!"
Brock grinned as he and Ren walked over to the arena. Ren nervously tapped her foot on the ground as Brock took a Pokéball off of his belt.
"Go, Geodude!" he called.
A small, rock-like Pokémon appeared before Brock, stretching its arms as it yawned. Ren slowly reached for Regina's Pokéball.
"Um, go, Regina!"
The Nidoran materialized next to Ren, examining Geodude. She then looked up at Ren curiously. Ren gulped again, but nodded at Regina.
"Try Double Kick!"
"Use Tackle, Geodude."
Geodude curled itself into a ball and hurtled through the air at Regina. When it got close enough, however, Regina flipped around and kicked it once, causing it to crash to the ground. She then kicked it a second time, sending it skidding back towards Brock.
The Rock-type managed to pull itself up slowly, and tried to crash into Regina again. Once again, Regina flipped around and kicked it. This time, though, only one kick sent it sailing backwards. Geodude fell to the ground in front of Brock, fainted.
"Hey, not bad," Brock commented as he withdrew Geodude. "Now try Onix on for size!"
Brock took out his second Pokéball, and Ren gasped when he released the Pokémon. Brock's Onix was even larger than most were, and it had to coil itself slightly just to fit in the room. The horn on its head grazed the ceiling, and its shadow covered most of the floor.
"Uh…" Ren stammered. "Regina, try another Double Kick…"
"Ni?"
Regina looked confusedly up at Ren, and then Onix, but eventually ran forward anyway. She looked even tinier compared to Onix, and even with both strikes of Double Kick, she didn't seem to have done much damage. Onix looked down when she kicked it, but didn't wince.
"Onix, use Slam!"
Onix crashed forward, lowering itself toward Regina. The Poison-type tried to scurry backwards, but didn't make it. Onix collided with her side as it hit the ground, causing a huge crash. Despite the fact that Regina had almost managed to dodge, she was still thrown backwards from the strike, and flew into the wall. She tumbled down to the floor weakly.
"Regina!" Ren cried.
"Ran…"
Regina panted, and Ren sighed sadly as she withdrew her. Onix slowly pulled itself back up, and Ren watched it, wondering what she could do to beat it. Neither Petro nor Rex would probably do much damage…
"Pika!"
Petro jumped up and down eagerly, looking at Ren. However, Ren shook her head.
"No, Petro, I'm going to use Rex!"
"Chu…" Petro growled, but sighed and folded his arms.
Ren carefully took Rex's Pokéball out of her pocket and released him. The Nidoran blinked at Onix, and then looked suspiciously at Ren. His eyes practically said, "You want me to fight that?"
"Um… Let's try Horn Attack, Rex!"
"Rock Throw, Onix."
Onix narrowed its eyes, and boulders formed around it. As it hurled the rocks towards Rex, the Nidoran darted around each one, smirking proudly. Rex then lowered his head and tried to jab his horn at Onix. While he ended up bouncing backwards, a tiny chip appeared on the part of Onix's rocky body that he'd collided with. The Rock-Type roared, glaring at Rex.
"All right! Now use Horn Drill!"
Rex darted towards Onix again, head lowered. When he reached it, he aimed at the chip he'd formed, and rammed his horn forward again. Rex turned his head sharply, causing his horn to twirl slightly, and then backed away quickly.
A small hole appeared on Onix's body, and the Rock-Type swayed slightly as it roared again. It then toppled over, causing another crash.
"I… I underestimated you, didn't I? That's why I lost…"
Brock sighed apologetically as he withdrew Onix. He took an octagonal badge out of his pocket, and handed it to Ren as she withdrew Rex.
"Here. You've earned a Boulder Badge," he explained.
"Yay! Look, Petro!"
Ren showed the badge to Petro, but the mouse Pokémon rolled his eyes. He obviously didn't care very much as he hadn't gotten to battle. Brock and Ren both laughed.
"That's certainly a Pikachu with a lot of personality."
"Yeah! But he's usually okay."
"Chu," Petro sighed.
"Well, good luck, Ren! The next gym is in Cerulean City, in case you were wondering," Brock started. "That's east from here, but it's a bit far. Your Pikachu could probably do well there."
"Thanks, Brock!"
Ren grinned, and she and Brock waved to each other as she headed to the door. Petro sighed again as he scurried after her, and as Ren slowly pushed the door open, he perked up as he darted outside.
"Ah! Wait for me, Petro!"
Petro giggled, still darting forward and watching Ren dash after him.
