A/N: Don't quite remember the last time I updated this, but it sure has been a while – my deepest apologies. Before I wrote this chapter, I took the time to re-write the previous ones, correct some minor mistakes and add a few details. The story hasn't changed, so if you still remember the plot there is no need to go back. Still, if you wish to refresh your memory, by all means, do start reading. Hope you enjoy this chapter and I will keep writing as spare time comes.
Disclaimer: Pokémon ©Shogakukan Productions Co., Ltd., 4Kids Entertainment, Nintendo & Pokémon USA.
.:A man thinks that by mouthing hard words he understands hard things.:
Roxanne giggled from afar, the kids in the audience cheering for a battle. "I hope you're not upset. But I brought the kids along for a chance to see a real battle in action – I guess you could call it a field trip."
Blanca blinked twice, shaking her head to dismiss her momentary confusion. "N-not at all..." she paused, taking in everything that happened in such a short time. "Roxanne?"
The woman grabbed the hems of her skirt, bowing once. "That's me! Rustboro's city Gym Leader and local school teacher." Roxanne smiled, taking a Pokéball into her hands. "I found it funny that you didn't know who I was, so I played along and did not reveal myself." an intriguing smile formed on her lips, as her eyes examined Blanca. "Still, you picked up my interest, you seem to be one whom one can have great battles with. This should be an interesting match, I'm really looking forward to it. I'll reveal my Pokémon first, so you may choose yours carefully. Be aware that I don't pity anyone, Blanca."
A match judge came and did the proper announcement and Blanca's challenge was official. Like Roxanne said, she was the first to reveal her Pokémon. Her Pokéball released a levitating round form. Arms stretched a second later and a face formed on what seemed like a rock. Blanca's Pokédex identified the being as Geodude – a rock-type, something Blanca already expected.
According to the judge, they could both use up to two Pokémon and Blanca already knew the ones she'd like to battle with.
The time was now, Blanca could show just how much she deserved to be a trainer, how much she wanted that dream. The young trainer kneeled and kindly stared at her Ralts. "As promised you'd get to face the Gym Leaders, Eikou."
The Pokémon let out a snicker. "It is our agreement. I'm glad you kept your promise." Blanca had been with Eikou long enough to notice there was something bothering her by the way her voice sounded. Her look must have given Eikou a hint on what she was thinking, for the young Pokémon added. "To be honest, I was hoping for a stronger looking opponent – not a rock," she shrugged, smirking. "Guess it can't be helped."
Eikou walked inside the fighting arena, carrying a rather indifferent expression. She and her opponent traded a couple of glares until Eikou demanded the match to start. Rather the referee heard her or not was unclear, but his arm went down and the match began.
"Rock Polish!" Roxanne was first to command.
Geodude's body produced odd sounds; small minerals fell from her body which started to appear less and less wrinkled. When that strange process was over, the gym lights reflected on her now perfect round form. Geodude then threw herself towards the rocky ground, wrapping herself with her arms.
Eikou observed carefully. "So much for speed advantage…" she sighed, only to reveal a grin afterward. "No matter, I'll take you down faster as well."
With an arm stretched forward, Roxanne shouted. "Tackle!"
The rock-type rolled across the rocky field, her speed amazing to all who watched. Blanca only had time to call an avoid movement and it truly was all Eikou could do – and she did it very ungracefully, falling to the ground.
"What the...!" Eikou felt a strong hit on her back, cutting the air our of her lungs. She fell face first with the ground bellow.
Geodude might have missed her first try at hitting her opponent, but her amazing counter-attack plus the speed boost didn't give Eikou time to even realize what happened to her. The rock Pokémon stood proud in front of her trainer.
"Eikou, are you alright?" Blanca called in worry.
Her Pokémon seemed to have survived well the brutal impact. She used her arms to help her lift and adjust her green 'hat', which she also used to disguise her murderous gaze towards the Geodude.
"Stupid rock!" her mind cursed. "I can't read her mind with her running around the field like this... I need time to concentrate on my target!"
Roxanne narrowed her eyes who had Blanca locked in a gaze, she didn't seem pleased. "Rock Throw."
Blanca admired the woman's confidence behind each command, she clearly knew what she was doing and that was admirable. Compared to her, it was impossible for Blanca to stand out for the crowd, the same crowd who now cheered and shouted everywhere like any normal kids.
"Stupid rock, stupid rock, stupid rock!"
Eikou cursed her opponent as she ran aimlessly around the field to avoid the rocks Geodude threw at her.
The young trainer gasped. "E-Eikou!"
Her Pokémon didn't listen, not with all the rocks being thrown at her. She had already gotten hit by a few and at that rate not even Eikou could last long. Blanca froze, she didn't want it to happen again – what happened back at Petalburg Gym, Kuru, her mind couldn't bear another event like that.
"Come on Blanca!" a soft voice awoke Blanca from her trance. It was one of the little girls from the school. "Show us what you got!"
"Yeah!" another kid shouted. "We wanna see a real trainer battle!"
"Stop being such a coward! Roxanne said you were a real trainer!"
"Roxanne did?" she wondered, eyes moving to where the leader was.
Indeed the woman had stated she believed Blanca could offer her a great match. Had Roxanne such belief in her? What gave her that feeling? Those kids, they all had come to see a real trainer in action. Not a scared, unconfident girl like her. That look the Gym Leader had, was one of great disappointment.
"Roxanne told them they were going to see a great battle..." she smirked, noticing Roxanne had done the same once she noticed her confidence raising up. "Then a great battle they shall see. Eikou, Double Team now!"
Without even thinking, Eikou did as such and a circle filled with images of herself surrounded the now confused Geodude. This made the small Ralts reveal a smirk. "Got you now."
Their minds were locked, Eikou now had everything she needed to win.
"Use Magnitude!" the Leader called, her voice revealing some enthusiasm.
"Hit it with a Confusion, Eikou!" Blanca shout back. She felt her heart finding some joy and entertainment with each command.
Eikou's eyes glowed a bright purple color. Her psychic attack prevented Geodude from striking the ground and hence, prevent the Magnitude attack. She threw her opponent against a rock, smiling at the irony of that action.
The crash was brutal, breaking a hole into the rock. Geodude's body trembled as she tried to recompose herself, but the vision before her frightened her. Ralts, a whole army of them, all with shinny lavender eyes smiling ever so triumphantly at her. Rocks from the ground were lift, each and every single one of them aiming at Geodude.
Roxanne's eyes glowed in amazement. "Get out of there, Geodude! Evade it!"
"Impossible." Eikou guaranteed it.
The assault began, rocks being thrown everywhere, resembling Geodude's own Rock Throw. The rock-type did try to evade the attacks, but no matter what she did, they all landed on her – like Ralts knew exactly where she would be. Eventually the assault ended with an unconscious Geodude on the ground.
A green flag rose. "Geodude is unable to battle! Ralts is the first winner." the referee announced.
The kids cheered, some very surprised but others excited with the progress. Blanca herself couldn't hide the broad smile she had. She had to admit, for a second there, she didn't think she could make it.
"Eikou, you were amazing!" she cheered, her Ralts simply waving a tired hand. This gesture made Blanca worry. "Are you alright for another round?"
The psychic-type shot her a hard look. "Is that even a question, you idiot? I'm fine. Bring on the next wimp."
Roxanne returned her Geodude back into its Pokéball with a strange smile on her face. She then proceeded into taking another Pokéball in her hands. "That was a very impressive move Blanca, glad to see you got your spirit up," she laughed. "It only makes me want to bring out the best in me as well!"
The Pokéball was thrown, releasing the typical white light that gave shape to an odd form. The Pokémon in question resembled an egg with a duck nose, but Blanca's Pokédex told her it was a Nosepass.
"Oh boy, another hard one to hit," Eikou complained. "I didn't predict I wouldn't be able to read that stupid rock's mind so I ended up taking quite the beat," her eyes examined her opponent. "Good thing this one seems slow... and dumb."
The psychic-type seemed to regain her confidence, she closed her eyes, concentrating her Mind Reader attack. Sure, it was unfair to use it before the match, but rules were meant to be broken.
"What's this?" her eyes flew open. "There's something interfering with my psywaves..." she looked around, only to find the real culprit was her opponent herself. "That arrogant nose of hers! It has such powerful magnetism... It distorts my psychic attacks... damn it!"
The referee announced the start of the second match and Roxanne wasted no time. "Rock Throw!"
A light colored blue aura surrounded Nosepass, who lifted several rocks in front of her and threw them at Eikou. Eikou once again tried to make mind contact, but to no avail. The try cost her time and she was unable to avoid the incoming rocks.
"Use Double Team and then confuse her!" Blanca shouted in confidence.
Eikou coughed some dust from her mouth, her face anything but pleasant. She didn't particularly liked it, to follow orders that is, even if Blanca was her trainer she did like to do things her way. However, only when she had the advantage of knowing what her opponent planned to do next, that wasn't exactly the case so she had no choice but to obey.
Again, she created illusions of her image to surround Nosepass, each pair of eyes glowing for a critical confusion. Still, Nosepass seemed to have handled that attack well.
The Gym Leader smiled, flipping her hair backwards. "It's time... Rock Tomb!"
The blue aura resurfaced around Nosepass, the large boulders across the field starting to make odd sounds. Before Eikou knew it, three of those large boulders came dragging down the field, crushing all illusions and striking Eikou head on.
Eikou released a final gasp before falling unconscious and a red flag rose announcing Roxanne's victory.
Blanca ran into the field as soon as the second round winner was announced. Her arms pulling away the crushed rocks from her Ralts. "Eikou..."
The Ralts coughed rather violently, some minerals coming out along with the dust. "I... hate rocks..." she said weakly.
Blanca actually smiled – at least she wasn't too hurt, she'd be fine after a visit to the center. She picked her up and returned to her place in the field, placing Eikou's tired body by her side. "Rest, I'll take care of the rest of the match."
Blanca took a Pokéball into her own hands, throwing it into the field, announcing her second and final choice.
"Let's do this, Blanca-chan!"
To Eikou's immense surprise, her choice had been Leaf. She understood the pick, but still... it was Leaf and that was an official Gym match. Blanca would be taking home, yet, another loss.
The girls in the crowd were all going cute over Leaf. It would seem they wanted to make a doll out of Leaf, something that made the small Chikorita blush.
Even Roxanne had to comment. "She's really small, isn't she? A normal Chikorita has about 0.9m but yours must be around 0.5m."
"Yes, she may be small, but don't underestimate her power."
Blanca pronounced those words with conviction, making Roxanne certain of the truth behind them. "Very well, let us begin then. Rock Throw!"
"Growl!"
For such a petite figure, Leaf sure knew how to cause a massive ear ache. Both trainers were forced to cover their ears before the laud Growl, that was quickly halted when a rock crashed against Leaf. Chikorita was quick on her feet to avoid the rest of the throw.
Both Pokémon faced each other in the eye, Nosepass already preparing herself for another Rock Throw if Leaf's second Growl hadn't distracted her. Now frustrated, Nosepass gathered all her strength to throw an ever bigger amount of rocks at Leaf. Even as the rocks came, Leaf kept her loud Growls coming, tough the consequence was being fully hit by the attack.
"What are you doing?" Roxanne asked at some point. "The idea of lowering my Nosepass strength is good, but it takes time and Growl isn't the most effective move to do it, not in a gym match," she sighed. "But I guess it's your choice... Nosepass, end this with Rock Tomb."
"Here it comes!" Eikou mentally shouted, already on her two feet next to Blanca.
Nosepass was sweating, it took everything she had to gather enough strength to make those large boulders move. After much struggle, the boulders eventually obeyed her command and were thrown at Leaf. The Chikorita, evidently exhausted and hurt, shouted one last Growl before being hit by Rock Tomb.
Dust lifted around the impact area, quickly subsiding. Silence filled the air, everyone hoping for either the referee to call Roxanne the winner or see Leaf crawling out of her doom. And they got the second option.
With struggle, innerstrength and determination, Leaf managed to crawl out of her tomb. She stood very ungracefully on the field, exhaustively breathing and body trembling from all the wounds she'd suffer. But still, there was a smile on her face.
Blanca explained. "I have lowered Nosepass strength to the maximum, your physical attacks are practically ineffective now."
Roxanne tossed her hair, not appreciating the lecture. "That I can see, but at this point in battle it really makes no difference for me," she pointed towards the tired Chikorita. "Another hit, no matter how little, will be more then enough to bring your Pokémon down."
And that was when both Blanca and Leaf happily smiled at the same time, confusing Roxanne greatly. What was it with those two?
"This was a last minute strategy of mine, so it's not perfect, I'm aware of that," and her voice became exited. "But! At least I must see it work to the end... Synthesis!"
"W-what?" the Gym Leader gasped. Her mind had failed to remember a grass-type could learn healing moves so early on.
Leaf's body glowed in bright gold, the kids crying in amazement when seeing most of her wounds heal before their eyes. When the process ended, Leaf was ready to start her assault.
Blanca threw an arm forward. "It may not heal entirely, but its just enough to continue. Razor Leaf!"
"Feel the wrath of my name!" Leaf squealed.
Eikou head-palmed herself. "Leaf... That's a stupid thing to say..."
But Eikou had to admit it, she did not expect that from Leaf. They took a big risk by believing Leaf could handle a few hits while lowering her opponents power, and now, the same opponent who not two minutes ago owned her was being brutally broth down by its type disadvantage. Hit after hit, the exhausted Nosepass quickly fell to her demise.
There was no explaining the excitement in the kids shouts and the bright faces they had. They were neither sad with Roxanne's loss nor content with Blanca's win – they were simply happy with the great battle their eyes witnessed.
Roxanne returned her Pokémon, revealing a satisfied smile. As for Blanca, the young trainer seemed to be in trance. Her lavender eyes seemed lost and her mind hadn't quite assimilated what had happened, until a very exited Chikorita rammed into her arms.
"W-we WON!"
The young trainer came to her knees, holding her starter tight in her arms while thanking her over and over again. Eikou crossed her arms, masking a smile.
"You did well for a weed... hey!"
Blanca took Ralts in her arms and ever so gently looked at her. Something that made the little Ralts uncomfortable. "Thank you, Eikou. You were great out there. I am only sorry I still lack enough experience to properly support you," she winked. "But give me time and I will get there!"
Eikou released herself from the embrace, pulling her hat down to hide her blushed face. "You better improve! It's not like I can do everything by myself you little dweeb!"
Blanca sweat dropped before such words, but she was probably getting used to Eikou's way of speaking and didn't give much importance to it. Especially since Roxanne had walked up to her at that point.
"I wasn't wrong. You do have what it takes to be great," she presented Blanca with a badge. "You just need more confidence and outside work. I can see you achieving great things Blanca. Here, the Stone Badge marks the beginning of your path to greatness."
Her eyes seemed to shine with joy when her hands took the Stone Badge. She eyed both Leaf and Eikou, making sure they saw the badge as well. "This, is our victory. It represents all we've been through just to obtain it. I want more. I want each badge to tell a story. So that when I return home," she held the badge before her eyes. "I'll have a collection of stories filled with adventure and excitement to tell."