Episode Seven: Getting Bold For The Boulder Badge! Part One

Auramaster24: Today we have the mothers of the Aura Heroes, Delia Ketchum, Crystal Waterflower and Johanna Berlitz. Thanks for being here today.

Johanna: Good to be here.

Delia: Same here

Crystal: It's a pleasure

Auramaster24: Now before we start the chapter off, I want to ask you something. This is Joel's first gym battle. As you know, just as with all gyms, the battle will be three on three. What's your view on the upcoming battle? Mrs. Ketchum?

Delia: Who ever Joel battles will no doubt give him a run for his money. The very first gym is always the toughest. Joel needs to be able remain calm in tough battles and his Pokemon will be able to the same.

Auramaster24: Well said. Johanna, Crystal? What about you?

Johanna: I agree with Delia. Joel needs to focus and not get distracted by who haunts him.

Crystal: Joel can do it no doubt.

Auramaster24: Well obviously he's got three mothers to cheer him on. Good luck Joel! Let the Aura Flow!

Ash's Point of View

It was about eight o'clock. I had met Joel downstairs in the lobby of the Pokemon center for breakfast. Next to him was a Vaporeon. Which was strange. He did not have one as far as I knew..

Normal Point of View

" Joel? When did your Eevee evolve and how long have you been up?" Ash asked. He did not remember when he had seen it evolve. Joel took a drink of the orange juice he was holding and swallowed..

"Last night. At the same time as Aurora. And we've been up since four this morning. Tricky, Gawain and Storm and I decided to practice for our gym battle by.." Ash cut him off.

"I'm sorry.. Storm, Tricky?" He asked. Evidently confused at the name. Joel smiled. Ash did not know.

"Storm is Vaporeon's name. He likes it a lot better than Todd." Storm proceeded to nap by Joel's right leg.

"But then who is Tricky?" Ash asked. Joel smiled mischievously. Ash hated that look. It meant Joel was up to something..

"You'll see knave.." Before Ash could reply he heard a familiar laugh.

"Knave? Since when have you been called that Ashy?" Misty and Lily had come down ready to go.

As they approached the gym, Joel took a deep breath.

"Let's rock and roll!" He said excitedly. He did not know where this energy came from, but he liked it.

"That's my boyfriend." Lily smiled as her boyfriend charged into the gym ready to "rock". Ash and Misty sweat dropped at the joke. But smiled anyway.

They entered the gym to find Brock waiting for them. The arena was filled with boulders and rocks. You could barely see anything in the stands above.

"You've kept me waiting. But I guess your not as impatient as Ash are you eh Joel?" Brock smiled at them. Joel, Lily, and Misty laughed at Brock's jab at Ash's impatience.

"He's got you there Ashy." Misty said holding Ash's hand. Ash could not help but smile.

"O.k. so I'm a little reckless.." he began.. Joel cut him off.

"A little? Need I remind you that when we were little you constantly snuck off mountain boarding. Even though your mom warned you how dangerous it was. And I was the one that healed you after your first encounter with.. Him." He said in a stern tone and emphasizing the last word. Ash sighed. Joel was right. He was reckless. Hoping to steer this conversation out of these dangerous waters Joel decided to change the topic back to the battle..

"I take it it's thee on three?" Joel asked the older teen. Brock nodded. As the two got into their respective box's, Brock spoke once more..

"A few people have come to see our battle Joel." With these words. The rest of the lights lit up. In the stands were Mrs. Ketchum, Daisy, Violet, Mrs. Waterflower, Dawn and.. his mom.. They had come to see his first gym battle..

"They wanted to be here for this moment. I called them when we met in Viridian. They got here before we did." Brock explained. Brock's father came out.

"This will be a three on three match between the Pewter city gym leader Brock and the challenger, Joel Berlitz. No time limit. In addition only the challenger is allowed to make substitutions. The gym leader shall choose his first Pokemon."

"Geodude, Go!" Out of Brocks poke ball came a Pokemon that resembled a rock. It had two human like arms and eyes.

" Du geo! Lets rock!"

'I know Geodude is a rock and ground type. So..' Joel held out a poke ball in his hand. It had a water drop on it. "Tricky! It's time to let the Aura flow!" Out came Keldeo full of energy. The girls up in the stands were struck by Tricky's cuteness. Crystal was not. She had knew Keldeo was in fact a legendary. How and where did Joel get one?

" I'm ready papa!"

Dawn, Daisy and Violet couldn't help but laugh. But that laughter soon faded as the battle started..

"Geodude, rock polish!" Geodude's skin became shiny and slippery raising it's speed.

"Tricky, let's show him true speed.. Aqua Jet!" Tricky rushed forward covered by water at high speed. Before Geodude could retaliate, Tricky sent him into the wall knocking him out. Flint raised the green flag.

"Geodude is unable to battle, Tricky wins.."

There were cheers from the gym. The echoing made it sound like it was packed with people..

"Way to go you two!"

"Keep it up!"

Brock called Geodude back to his poke ball.

"Thanks pal. You earned a good rest." he looked back at Joel. "I'm surprised you were able to take down my first Pokemon so easily." Brock chuckled.

"Truth be told I did spend a lot of time growing up in a gym. So I learned a lot from my family." Joel admitted taking a quick glance at the Waterflowers. Misty and Ash had joined them. Lily had remained by Joel's side..

"Well, even though you're my friend, I am still a gym leader. I cant take it easy on you." Brock warned.

"Wouldn't want you to. Time to let the aura flow!" Joel declared.

With that they released their next Pokemon..

Auramaster24: Well, seeing as how everyone is at the gym battle, I'm alone.. Again.. (coughs) Well, It seems Joel is holding his own against Brock. But Brock has yet to bring out his strongest Pokemon.. Will Joel acquire the boulder badge? Or will he be buried in the rubble?