Chapter 11: Rivals and Friends Everywhere!
Leaf and Joe are seeing on their way to Vermilion City.
"You look very happy Joe". Leaf said.
"Yeah, I've been far from home for a while now, I'm going to see my parents soon!" Joe said.
"Speaking of your parents, how did they take the news?" Leaf asked.
"They were really shocked when I first told them and kept telling me not to abandon the school, but I said I would anyway". Joe said.
"They will understand, don't worry". Leaf said.
"I will convince them to let me become a Pokemon trainer for my own merits". Joe said.
"You'll be a great trainer! I know it!" Leaf said smiling.
"Thank you Leaf!" Joe said.
"So Joe, what kind of Pokemon you're getting as your starter?" Leaf asked.
"I don't know yet, I was thinking about catching one by myself, but I can't do that if I don't have one Pokemon with me first". Joe said.
Leaf then grabbed a Pokeball from her waist and handed to Joe.
"Consider that problem solved!" She said.
"Leaf?!" Joe said.
"I'm letting it to you until you catch one, I want it back when you do it". Leaf said.
"Wow! Thank you so much Leaf!" Joe said happily. "Which one is it?"
"You will know when you drag it out". She said.
"Ok, come out!" Joe said as he released the Pokemon from the Pokeball. It looked like a bird Pokemon to Joe, but didn't recognize it.
"Staravia!" The flying-normal-type said.
"What kind of Pokemon is this one? I don't recall seeing it ever before, but I can't tell is not a Pidgeotto.
"That's Staravia, a Sinnoh Pokemon". Leaf said.
"Sinnoh?! You went to Sinnoh and caught it?" Joe asked.
"No no! His flock came all the way from there, and I was lucky to run into it". Leaf said as Staravia stood on Leaf's left arm and rubbed his head on Leaf's one.
"That's awesome Leaf!" Joe said.
"Now Staravia, do everything Joe tells you until he catches a Pokemon for himself". Leaf said to the bird Pokemon; he nodded in response.
Leaf took her Pokedex from her bag and displayed Staravia's information to Joe, including the attacks it knows.
Aerial Ace
Double Team
Endeavour
Quick Attack
"Nice moveset". Joe murmured.
Just a few moments passed when they noticed a Pokemon coming from the bushes.
"A Rattata!" Joe said.
"This is your chance Joe!" Leaf said.
"Yeah! Staravia, let's catch it! Staravia!" Joe and Staravia said.
The wild Rattata charged right into Staravia with quick attack.
"Staravia, quick attack too!" Both Pokemon clashed, and Staravia was superior, sending Rattata flying, but quickly answered back with a hyper fang, biting Staravia's right wing, causing him to cry in pain.
"Oh no!" Joe shouted, as the wild Rattata ran away.
"Staravia are you ok?" Leaf asked to her flying-normal-type.
"Star…" The pokemon said still in pain.
"I'll heal your wing right away". Leaf said as she took a super potion from her bag and dew Staravia's wing.
"Staravia!" The pokemon cried with joy.
"Staravia, I'm sorry…" Joe said.
"It's ok Joe, you will do better next time, just keep trying". Leaf said.
"You're right Leaf!" Joe said with a smile.
"Now, we should get going". She said.
During the path, Leaf and Joe encountered many other Pokemon for Joe to catch, like a Pidgey, Oddish, Ekans, Paras, Caterpie an Abra who teleported away, etc.
"I just don't seem to make any progress Leaf…" Joe said looking down.
"Come on Joe, it's too to give up". Leaf said.
"I suck as a trainer; maybe I should go back to the TEC and keep learning the best I can". Joe said.
"You made a choice, and I won't let turn back now if I have something to say about it!" Leaf said to Joe.
At that, something passed by too fast between them.
"WHOA!" The duo said surprised.
"What's that?" Leaf asked as she checked her Pokedex.
"It's a Pidgey!" Joe said.
"Pidg?" The flying-normal-type said to them.
"Joe! Try catching it!" Leaf said.
"Again?" Joe said.
"Come on Joe! You'll have to make it happen someday". Leaf said.
Joe doubted a moment, but decided to give it one more shot. "Ok Leaf, I'll try!" He said.
"Great! Staravia, do your best too!" Leaf said to her Pokemon which nodded.
Pidgey was really eager for a fight too.
"That Pokemon must have a big fight spirit". Leaf said.
Pidgey quickly charged into Staravia with a Quick Attack.
"Staravia, Quick Attack!" Joe ordered as both birds clashed, with Staravia sending flying Pidgey, but quickly responded back with a Gust.
Staravia was struggling trying not to get blown away.
"Quick attack again!" Staravia managed to get through the gust and hit Pidgey again, who fell right into the floor.
"Now's your chance Joe!" Leaf said.
"Right! Pokeball go!" Joe threw the Pokeball at Pidgey and got in; it shook three times and stopped.
"You did it Joe! Staravia!" Leaf and Staravia said.
"I… I really did it… I caught my first Pokemon!" Joe said happy as he grabbed the Pokeball.
"Congratulations Joe!" Leaf said.
"I couldn't have done it without your support". Joe said smiling.
Leaf slightly blushed.
"Ok, you got your Pokemon Joe, you what that means". She said.
"Oh, yeah!" Joe returned Staravia to his Pokeball and hand it back to Leaf.
Leaf healed up the newly caught Pidgey with a potion and oran berries she had. The two of them proceeded on their way to Vermilion City. They reached Saffron City's gate first.
"This must be Saffron City". Leaf said as they stepped in the gate's corridor. The guard there told they couldn't enter the city.
"Why can't we enter the city?" Joe asked.
"We have direct orders of not letting anyone pass". The guard said.
"Just what's going on? The door's not even closed, so people can go through easily". Leaf said pointing to the wide opened city's entrance as she walked towards it.
"Miss! Really! You can't…!" At that moment, Leaf hit her face really hard, making her to step back and out her hands right on her face trying to relieve the pain.
"LEAF! Are you ok?!" Joe shouted.
"Just… What was that?!" Leaf shouted as she approached the gate once more. She noticed was it seemed to be a transparent wall.
"Is this glass?" Leaf asked.
"You can't get through, literally. That's why full accesses to the city is impossible.
"Who puts an invincible wall anyway?!" Leaf said.
"That's what the cops are investigating now. This invincible wall has surrounded the whole city for the past three months.
"Three months?! The whole city?!" Leaf and Joe said as they walked out.
Leaf grabbed little rock and tossed towards the city's direction. The rock just bounced back.
"This is so crazy! This is beyond what Misty told me!" Leaf said.
"What are we gonna do then?" Joe asked.
"Wait… Misty also mentioned something about an underground tunnel". Leaf said recalling Misty's words.
"Where are you kids heading?" The guard asked.
"To Vermilion City". Joe said.
"Then you can take the Underground Path". The guard said pointing to a small building. "If you enter that small building and go downstairs you reach a tunnel that connects to Saffron City South Gate, then you keep going until you reach Vermilion City".
"Alright, thanks a lot Mr. Guard!" Leaf said as she and Joe finally got into the tunnel.
"At least is illuminated". Joe said as they kept walking.
"I can't understand what in the world is going on". Leaf said.
"Me neither, but it looks like nothing can be done for now". Joe said.
"I guess you're right. Let's just get to Vermilion City ASAP". She said.
They reached to tunnel's exit and went upstairs to find themselves on the other side of the city's limits. Leaf tried once again tossing a small rock at the city with the same result. Both of them kept on their way.
A few hours later, Leaf and Joe were could see Vermilion City from afar.
"There it is! That's Vermilion City!" Joe said.
"Great! We're almost there!" Leaf said.
"Alright! I'm going to get my third badge pretty soon!" Leaf said excited.
"After seeing you fight, I'm sure you will!" Joe said smiling to her.
"Say, what kind of gym the city has?" Leaf asked.
"If I recall correctly, is electric-type".
"Electric-type eh? I bet it will be a shocking battle!" Leaf said, as Joe let escape a small laugh.
The duo kept walking as Joe asked something to Leaf.
"Leaf?" Joe said.
"Yes?" Leaf said back.
"When I get stronger and catch lots of Pokemon, would you battle with me?" Joe asked.
"Of course Joe! That's a promise I'm going to keep!" Leaf said happily.
"Thank you Leaf!" Joe said smiling.
One hour passed and they were finally at the entrance of Vermillion City.
"We're finally here!" Joe said.
"I can see the sea even from here!" Leaf said.
"Are you heading to the gym right now Leaf?" Joe asked.
"I was thinking of going to the Pokemon Center first, then I train some more to take the challenge tomorrow". Leaf said.
"Then I guess its good-bye for now". Joe said.
"Oh, that's right! You're going home". She said.
"Yeah, but I really want to witness a real gym battle!" Joe said.
"Ok then! Meet me at the Pokemon Center tomorrow, and then we'll set to the gym". Leaf said.
"That's a good idea! I'll see you tomorrow then!" Joe said as he parted to his home, with Leaf giving waving her arm to him.
Leaf was on his way to the Pokemon Center seeing the beautiful streets of Vermilion City, when for one second she didn't see where she was walking at bumped into some one.
"Oh! I'm sorry; I didn't see where I was going". Leaf said.
Then the person turned around and called Leaf's name. "Leaf!"
"Red!" Leaf was happy to see him.
A few minutes later, they were chatting and eating some snacks.
"I wasn't expecting to run into you again so soon Red". Leaf said.
"Well, I'm happy it was sooner than later". Red said smiling, with Leaf giggling.
"Tell me, did you by chance already challenge the gym?" Leaf asked.
"See it for yourself". Red said as he showed the Boulder, Cascade and Thunder badge to her.
"Whoa! Amazing Red! I guess I shouldn't be surprised". Leaf said.
"It wasn't that easy, you could say I had lucky on the last moment". Red said.
"What do you mean?" Leaf asked.
"Charmander evolved during the fight". Red said.
Leaf putted a big smile on her face. "Charmander answered back to your heart, that's what happened". Leaf said.
Red slightly blushed. "I guess you're right; and what about you?"
"I just got my second badge in Cerulean". Leaf said as she showed the Boulder and Cascade badges to him.
"I knew you could do it Leaf!" Red said smiling to her.
"Thanks! But it's not been easy". Leaf said.
"Brock is tough, but the Sensational Sisters…?" Red said.
"Things turned out to be a slight different". Leaf said as she explained Red everything.
"Whoa… So this Misty was the true fighter from them. I wish I had battle her instead". Red said.
Leaf giggles. "So, where are you heading now?" She asked.
"Right now, to the Pokemon Center". Red said.
"I was going there as well. Mind if we tag along?"
"Of course not". He answered back.
Leaf and Red were now on their way to the Pokemon Center.
"So, what kind of leader the gym has?" Leaf asked.
"Well…" Red said.
"No no! Wait! I'll find out by myself after all". She said excited.
"That seems the best, and I'll be rooting for you". Red said as she placed his hand of Leaf right shoulder, making her to turn somewhat red.
"Eh?! B-but…! Shouldn't you get going to wherever you heading off next?" Leaf said as she was extremely shy.
"That's ok; I was planning to stay here on Vermillion City for some days to catch new Pokemon". Red said.
"I see…" Leaf said as Red let her go and she cooled down.
They were now inside the Pokemon Center, when they crossed looks which a familiar face.
"Gary?!" The duo said.
"Well well, if isn't little Leaf and Red! What are you guys doing here?" Gary said smirking.
"Doing what everyone else does in a Pokemon Center". Leaf answered back.
"Don't tell me you guys are here for a gym battle?" Gary said.
"Already". Red said as he showed the Thunder Badge.
Gary just smirked as he showed his badge. "Tell me Red, this do you by chance had any troubles on your match?"
"If I say yes you're going to say it was a piece a cake for you?" Red said.
"I was going to say it anyway because it was". Gary was lying; he struggled to win on the end. "How about you Leafy? The Cerulean Gym and this one had mercy on you?"
"This badge has more pride than yours" Leaf said as he showed the Cascade badge. "I'm going for that Thunder Badge". Leaf said determined.
"Well, good luck then, you're gonna need it!" Gary said cockily.
"You talk too much, and yet you're not capable of defeating us!" Leaf said.
"Those were just flukes, you won't be so lucky from now on" Gary said.
"Very well, since the two of us have three badges why don't we settle the score?" Red said.
"I'll beat you with style". Gary said pretty cocky.
The trainers where now on the battlefield outside the Pokemon Center, Red and Gary took their positions, Leaf was sitting on a bank rooting for Red. There were also some girls rooting for Gary, dressed as cheerleaders.
"Gary Gary, he's the best! Gary Gary, beats the rest!" The cheerleaders kept saying.
"Who are they?" Leaf asked.
"Oh, just my club of admires. You're free to join if you want Leafy". Gary said smirking.
Leaf frowned and snarled.
"I'll show how a real Pokemon trainer battles!" Gary said.
"We'll see about that Gary!" Red said.
"Red Red, he's the best! Red Red, beats the rest!" Leaf said copying the cheerleaders.
"Thank you Leaf! You're the only cheerleader I need". Red said, making Leaf blush.
"Aw! How cute!" Gary said making fun of them.
"How about a three vs. three match? Red said.
"I'm okay with that, besides, I'm just gonna need this one! Rhyhorn, I choose you!" Gary said as he released the ground-rock-type Pokemon.
"Looks strong". Leaf said as he took her Pokedex and checked for details.
Rhyhorn, the Spikes Pokemon. Its massive bones are 1000 times harder than human bones. It can easily knock a trailer flying.
"Poliwag, I choose you!" Red released the water-type Pokemon, Leaf checked her Pokedex once more.
Poliwag, the Tadpole Pokemon. Poliwag has a very thin skin. It is possible to see the POKéMON's spiral innards right through the skin. Despite its thinness, however, the skin is also very flexible. Even sharp fangs bounce right off it.
"I'm counting on you Poliwag!" Red said as his Pokemon nodded.
"Let's begin!" Gary said.
Battle Music ON! Red vs. Gary
"Poliwag, water gun!" Poliwag shot the water gun directly at Rhyhorn.
"Rhyhorn, horn attack!" Rhyhorn's horn started to glow as he rushed through the water gun, hitting Poliwag really hard.
"Poliwag! Are you ok?" Poliwag stood up and nodded.
"Rhyhorn, bulldoze!" Rhyhorn shook the ground causing a shock wave that sent Poliwag flying and hit the floor again.
"Poliwag!" Red said concerned.
"Is that all you got Red?" Gary said cockily.
"Not even close! Poliwag, Rain Dance!" Poliwag stood up again and formed a small blue ball on his mouth that shot towards the sky, forming a big black cloud, causing to rain all over the battle field.
"Horn Attack once more!" Gary said as Rhyhorn rushed like before.
"Water gun again!" Poliwag, Poliwag's attack was powered due to the effect of Rain Dance and stopped Rhyhorn this time.
"Good job Poliwag!" Leaf cheered from the bank.
"Not bad, still… Rhyhorn, rock slide!" Rhyhorn cried loudly and hit the ground with his feet, summoning lots of rocks right above Poliwag that fell on him.
"Poliwag!" Red said concerned.
Poliwag was struggling to get up.
"Poliwag, get up!" Leaf shouted.
"It's no use! Rhyhorn, horn attack!" Rhyhorn rushed towards Poliwag, knocking him down with that blow.
"Poliwag!" Red said as he grabbed his fainted Pokemon.
"Gary Gary, on the top! 'Till he win he never stops!" The cheerleaders chorused.
"Thank you girls! It's always great to have such pretty ladies as you cheer the best there is!" Gary was pompous now.
"You did good Poliwag, take some rest". Red said as he returned his Pokemon to the Pokeball.
"Weepinbell, I choose you!" Red released his second Pokemon.
Leaf checked the Pokedex.
Weepinbell, the Flycatcher Pokemon. This Pokemon appears to be a plant. It captures unwary prey by dousing them with a toxic powder
"Type-advantage again? You're not going to learn that way" Gary said.
"Less words and more action!" Red said.
"If you insist… Rhyhorn, bulldoze!" Rhyhorn shake the ground again.
"Weepinbell, jump!" Weepinbell jumped used his own body for a boost.
"What?!" Gary said.
"Energy Ball!" Weepingbell delivered a powerful Energy Ball that knocked out Rhyhorn.
"Rhyhorn!" Gary shouted concerned.
"We did it Weepinbell!" The grass-type cried with joy.
"Way to go Red!" Leaf said happy.
"Rhyhorn, return. You were great, take some rest. Nidorino, I choose you!" Gary released a male poison-type from his Pokeball.
Leaf checked her Pokedex once more.
Nidorino, the Poison Pin Pokemon, the evolved form of the male Nidoran. Its horn is harder than a diamond. If it senses a hostile presence, all the barbs on its back bristle up at once, and it challenges the foe with all its might.
"Weepinbell, Energy Ball!" Red said.
"Nidorino, Peck!" Nidorino's horn started to glow like Rhyhorm, but this it was a flying-type move, it pulverized the energy ball.
"No way!" Leaf and Red said.
"Double kick!" Nidorino rushed quickly into Weepinbell delivering to strong kicks that caused Weepinbell to step back.
"Are you ok Weepinbell?" Red said to his Pokemon, who nodded back.
"We must match his speed. Weepinbell, Sunny Day!" Weepinbell formed a shiny ball and sent it to the sky, stopping the rain.
"It's getting hot here". Leaf said.
"Horn attack!" Nidorino rushed towards Weepinbell again, but he dodged it quickly with no problem at all.
"Whoa! Weepinbell didn't have that speed just now!" Leaf said.
"Chlorophyll… it doubles the speed on a Sunny Day". Gary said.
"Solar Beam!" Weepinbell shot the fully charged Solar Beam, who was knocked out and lifted a lot of dust due to the powerful impact.
"Nidorino!" Gary said concerned.
"Well done Weepinbell!" Red said.
"Great! With this Red is now one victory ahead!" Leaf said excited.
"Nidorino, return. And for my great comeback, Wartortle!" Gary released his final Pokemon.
"Wartortle?! But he's in huge disadvantage!" Leaf said.
"Just what are you up to Gary?" Red said.
"I'm about to win! That's what I'm planning! Wartortle, Ice Beam!" Wartortle shot from his mouth a freeze attack.
"Dodge it!" Weepinbell dodged the attack easily, but the ice spread through that part of the field.
"Pursuit it with your ice beam!" Gary said.
"Dodge it!" Red said.
Weepinbell kept dodging the ice beam, but in turn, the field was covered in ice now, and there was a point where Weepinbell slipped and fell.
"Weepinbell!" Red said concerned.
"Use scald!" Wartortle shot a powerful shot of hot water right onto Weepinbell.
"Weepinbell!" Red said concerned, later noticed part of Weepinbell's body was burned due that hot water.
"Let's freeze that burn! Ice beam!" Wartortle shot the final blow at Weepinbell.
"Weepinbell!" Red ran to his fainted Pokemon.
"Oh no…" Leaf said worried.
"Gary Gary, on the top! 'Till he wins he never stops!" The cheerleaders chorused.
"Thank you! Thank you! You're a marvelous public!" Gary said.
"Weepinbell, return. Take a good rest buddy. Sunny Day is still on effect, I can only count on you now". Red said as he grabbed his Pokeball. "Charmeleon, I choose you!"
The fire-type came out of his Pokeball. Leaf checked her Pokedex once more.
Charmeleon, the Flame Pokemon. Without pity, its sharp claws destroy foes. If it encounters a strong enemy, it becomes agitated, and the flame on its tail flares with a bluish white color.
"I can't believe it, is just like that day…" Leaf recalled the matched Red and Gary had back on the lab when the three got their Pokemon. "Ivysaur, come out!"
Leaf called her starter out of her Pokeball. "Ivysaur, look at that".
"Saur?" Ivysaur saw his former lab friends on their mid-evolution stage, just like she currently was.
"Let's root for Red all we can! Ivysaur!" Leaf and Ivysaur said.
"Charmeleon, melt the ice with flamethrower!" With the power gained from Sunny Day, the flamethrower melted the whole ice field in just seconds. "Good job Charmeleon! Char!"
"Wartortle, scald!" Gary ordered.
"Flamethrower once more!" Red ordered.
The weakened scald was still able to match the powered up flamethrower due to the type advantage, causing a steam curtain that surrounded the whole field. Both Pokemon could feel the heat.
The effect of Sunny Day finally subsided.
"Oh no… Sunny Day faded…" Leaf said worried.
"Wartortle, scald once more!" Gary ordered.
"Dragon Rage!" Red ordered.
Both attacks clashed once more.
"We're not going anywhere if we keep like this. Charmeleon, use slash!" Red said as Charmeleon claws started to glow and rushed towards Wartortle.
"Wartortle, ice beam on his feet!" Wartortle launched the attack.
"Jump!" Red ordered, and Charmeleon did a great jump.
"Whoa! Charmeleon is so nimble! Ivysaur!" Leaf and Ivysaur said.
"Now, bite!" Wartortle teeth began to glow and stopped Charmeleon's attack. He literally had his teeth on Charmeleon hand.
"Ah!" Leaf and Red said.
"Ice Beam!" Wartortle ice beam spread through Charmeleon, freezing him solid.
"No! Charmeleon!" Red said concerned.
"Let's finish this! Wartortle, scald!" Wartortle shot the hot water gun attack right onto Charmeleon, causing the ice to melt down but also pushed the fire-type away rolling lots of times in the grounded, until he finally fainted.
"Charmeleon!" Red shouted as he approached his starter.
"N-No way… Saur…" Leaf and her starter said.
"Gary Gary, he's the best! Gary Gary, beats the rest!" The cheerleaders chorused; Gary just smirked.
"Char…" The fire-type said.
"You did great buddy, now take some rest". Red said as he returned his starter to his Pokeball.
"Well Red, I hope you have learned something today". Gary said in a cocky attitude.
Red grinned then. "You know, I actually did. I'll get stronger for our next battle". He said with determination on his face.
"Hmph! Well, good luck that, you're gonna need it. See you around loser!" Gary left along with her cheerleaders.
"Red…" Leaf said.
"I'm ok Leaf; I wasn't lying when I said I learned a lot from this match". Red said.
"Is just I can't stand that jerk". Leaf said.
"Let's just grow stronger so he doesn't beat us again". Red said.
"You're right Red". Leaf said smiling.
"So, after I fix my Pokemon here at the Pokemon Center could I help you practice for your gym match?" Red asked.
"Of course! Now is my turn to win that Thunder Badge! Ivysaur!" The duo said exicted.
-To be continued-
Hey everyone! Sorry for the late update, I had trouble coming up for ideas for this chapter, also sent my laptop for reparations, and I didn't had any other way to continue my story. Also, updates are going to be less frequent because I'm attending university again next week, so I won't have so much free time to work on my story, still I'll try to update the fastest I can.
You guys may have noticed some Pokemon moves from Gen 1-6 when I said this story was Gen 1-4 right? I'll explain everything on a future chapter.
Anyway, thanks for keeping up with the story! Share it with someone you think might like it!
