Time for Kody's next Gym battle. I have been waiting to write this for a while. A quick note, all of this frequent posting is meant to make up for the gap between Episodes 9 and 10.
Last time, Kody and Gwen met Fletcher, an aspiring Pokémon Contest competitor, and April, a girl who became lovesick with Kody in an instant. After Chikorita evolved in Bayleef, Gwen ended up winning the group's pretend Pokémon Contest. And now, our heroes are heading for Azalea Town, with love hot on their tails.
"Don't stop! We need to keep going!" Kody cried as he and Gwen ran down a dirt road.
"Stop playing hard-to-get, dreamboat!" April said, "You'll never escape my love!"
"I can, and I am!" Kody said.
April suddenly tripped and fell, soon watching Kody and Gwen run off.
"My love..." April said, "I will find you! And you will see me in the way I see you!"
Some time later, Kody and Gwen were finally able to rest at the entrance to Azalea Town.
"Finally." Kody said, "I thought we'd never lose her."
"Me neither." Gwen said, "Although, we do have one thing to thank her for."
"What?" Kody asked.
"She did give us the motivation to get here a lot quicker." Gwen said.
"Don't encourage her." Kody said.
Kody and Gwen walked off, with a male teen sitting up in the tree, watching them.
"So, they finally came." the teen said to himself.
Soon after, Kody and Gwen were in the Pokémon Center, giving their Pokémon to Nurse Joy so she could heal them.
"I'll take good care of them." Nurse Joy said, "Chansey, please take these to the healing machine."
The Chansey took the trays of Pokéballs to the healing machine.
"Oh my goodness, I almost forgot to ask!" Nurse Joy suddenly blurted out.
"What?" Kody asked.
"You're Kody and Gwen, the ones who helped to save the Cherrygrove Power Plant, right?" Nurse Joy asked.
"Yeah." Kody replied, "Why do you ask?"
"The Nurse Joy of Cherrygrove City forgot to give you two these for helping restore power to the city." Nurse Joy said.
Nurse Joy pulled a green crystal-like stone with a yellow thunderbolt shape in it and a large egg with red and blue hollow triangles on it out from under the desk and handed them to Kody and Gwen.
"This a Thunderstone?" Kody asked.
"Yes, Nurse Joy knew that you have a Pichu and thought that you could use it in the future." Nurse Joy said.
"And what about this?" Gwen asked, holding the Egg.
"Wait until it hatches and see what Pokémon it is." Nurse Joy said, "I'm sure you'll love it."
"Thanks, Nurse." Kody and Gwen said.
Kody put his Thunderstone in his pocket and Gwen put the Egg in her backpack.
A bit later, Kody and Gwen were making their way towards the Gym.
"So, what Pokémon do you think the Gym Leader will use?" Gwen asked.
"I don't know, but I'm excited." Kody said, "I can't wait to see what the Gym is like."
Kody and Gwen turned around a corner and saw a huge greenhouse with the Pokémon Gym symbol on the front.
"I guess this is the place." Gwen said.
"It's massive." Kody said, "And so awesome."
Kody and Gwen entered the huge greenhouse, but no one was to be seen.
"Hello? Is anyone here?" Gwen asked.
"I'm here for a Gym battle!" Kody said, "Come on out if you're here!"
The teen from earlier watched from the trees.
"You claim to be ready." the teen said, "But are you truly ready...for this?"
"For what?" Kody asked, looking around.
Moments later, a bush shook and a large, green, bug Pokémon with scythe-like appendages leapt out of it, ready to attack.
"Move back!" Kody said.
Kody and Gwen jumped back from the Pokémon's attack.
"Are you crazy?!" Gwen asked.
The bush behind the twosome began to shake and a large, brown, beetle-like Pokémon with pincers on its head charged out.
"Look out!" Kody said, dodging and throwing a Pokéball, "Go!"
Totodile popped out of his Pokéball as Gwen dodged the attack.
"Use Water Gun!" Kody said.
Totodile prepared to fire a stream of water, but the teen spoke up.
"Stop!" the teen said.
The teen male dropped from the tree, he had neck-length purple hair, purple eyes, green shorts, and a similar jacket.
"Well, it appears that you were ready." the teen said.
"Who are you, and why did you attack us?" Kody asked.
"My name is Bugsy." the teen known as "Bugsy" said, "And that was a test."
"A test for what?" Kody asked.
"To see if you were worthy enough to challenge my Gym." Bugsy said.
"You're the Gym leader?" Kody asked.
"Yep." Bugsy said, "And you want a battle?"
"Yeah." Kody said.
"Then let's get started." Bugsy said.
Bugsy led Kody and Gwen to a battle field in the middle of the greenhouse.
"Take your side." Bugsy said.
"He seems far more serious than his old Gym leader files describe him." Gwen whispered.
"It's called puberty." Kody said.
"Are you done chit-chatting, or are we going to spend all afternoon talking?" Bugsy asked.
Kody and Bugsy took their sides on the arena as a referee walked out. The two large bug Pokémon stood behind Bugsy.
"This will be a three-on-three Pokémon battle between Kody of New Bark Town and the Gym Leader, Bugsy. The battle will be over when all Pokémon one side are unable to battle. Furthermore, only the challenger can substitute Pokémon!" the ref announced, "Ready?"
Bugsy and Kody nodded.
"Begin!" the referee said.
"Since I'm the Gym leader, I'll pick first." Falkner said, "Metapod, I choose you!"
A sharp, olive green, cocoon Pokémon appeared on the arena and a corresponding image appeared on a large screen on the side of the arena.
"What's that?" Kody asked.
"Metapod: the Cocoon Pokémon and the evolved form of Caterpie: Its shell is hard, but it's just a bug shell. It's been known to break, so intense battles with it should be avoided." Kody's Pokédex said.
"It honestly doesn't look like it can do much." Kody said, "It is a Bug-type, so I guess I'll send out the exterminator. Geodude, come on out!"
Kody threw a Pokéball that released his recently-caught Rock and Ground-type. A corresponding image appeared on the screen in Kody's Pokémon lineup.
"Good choice." Bugsy said, "But you severely underestimate my Metapod."
"We'll see about that." Kody said, "Geodude, use Rollout!"
Geodude curled up into a ball and rolled towards Metapod.
"Metapod, Harden now!" Bugsy said.
Metapod turned to a shiny metal color and Geodude bounced right off.
"Woah!" Kody exclaimed, "That's tough!"
"And you haven't even seen the best part." Bugsy said, "Metapod, use Tackle!"
Metapod leapt at Geodude with surprising speed, catching him off-guard and hitting him back.
"This is one tough bug to squish." Kody said, "Geodude, try using Rock Polish and speed up!"
Geodude smoothed his body, increasing his speed.
"Tackle attack!" Kody said.
Geodude charged at Metapod.
"String Shot, aim for the trees!" Bugsy said.
Metapod fired a line of sticky string at a tree branch and launched itself into the air, surprising Geodude.
"Great, now he can swing around." Kody said, "This isn't going to work. Geodude, return!"
Geodude was sent back into his ball and the image of him turned a dark blue.
"Okay, that Metapod is quick and defensive." Kody said, "Which means I know exactly who to choose now. Zubat, let's go!"
Zubat appeared from his ball and an image of a Zubat appeared in Kody's Pokémon lineup.
"A Zubat, an interesting choice." Bugsy said, "Metapod, use String Shot on Zubat!"
Metapod fired a sticky string towards Zubat.
"Dodge it!" Kody said.
Zubat moved up and avoided the attack.
"Now, get the advantage early with Supersonic!" Kody said.
Zubat released a high-pitched screech.
"Metapod, close up and block it out!" Bugsy said.
Metapod closed all of the openings in his cocoon and kept the Supersonic out.
"This isn't working, and this is only his first Pokémon." Kody thought, "There has to be a way to get through this-wait a minute, that's it."
Kody observed that Metapod was focusing primarily on his defense.
"Zubat, use Wing Attack!" Kody said.
Zubat stopped using Supersonic and flew at Metapod, knocking him off of the tree with glowing wings.
"Yeah! We got a hit!" Kody said.
"Metapod, use String Shot!" Bugsy said.
Metapod launch a sticky string at Zubat and latched onto the bat Pokémon's back.
"What?!" Kody exclaimed.
"Harden, now!" Bugsy said.
Metapod's shell became a metal-like substance and began to weigh Zubat down.
"He's left himself open again." Kody said, noticing the scenario, "Use Supersonic!"
Zubat let out another high-pitched screech.
"You can't let him get to you!" Bugsy said, "Close your shell up again!"
Metapod kept his String Shot out, but closed every other hole in his shell.
"You fell for it now." Kody said, "Zubat, loop around and let's end this!"
Zubat stopped his Supersonic attack and flew up and down in a loop, launching Metapod into the air.
"Slam it into the ground with Wing Attack!" Kody said.
Zubat flew up and down at Metapod.
"Quick, Harden!" Bugsy said.
Metapod's shell became metallic and the Pokémon slammed into the ground, raising a lot of dust.
"Who survived?!" Gwen asked.
When the dust faded, everyone could see that both Pokémon had fainted. Both images of the fainted Pokémon turned black.
"This battle is a tie!" the referee said.
"Return, good job." Kody said, putting Zubat back in his ball.
"Return." Bugsy said, "You may have beaten my Metapod, but my next Pokémon focuses on raw power. Pinsir, show him our sting!"
The big, brown, beetle Pokémon ran past Bugsy and onto the arena.
"A Pinsir huh?" Kody asked.
"Pinsir: the Stag Beetle Pokémon: Pinsir is astoundingly strong. It can grip a foe weighing twice its weight in its horns and easily lift it. This Pokémon's movements turn sluggish in cold places." Kody's Pokédex said.
"Looks like this one is a real powerhouse." Kody said, holding a Pokéball up, "Glad I saved Geodude. Come back on out!"
Geodude appeared on Kody's side of the arena.
"You still up to battle?" Kody asked.
"Geo." Geodude replied.
"Excellent." Kody said, "Kick this off with a Tackle attack!"
Geodude floated at Pinsir.
"Pinsir, use Vice Grip!" Bugsy said.
Pinsir swung his head down and grabbed Geodude with the pinchers on his head.
"Geodude!" Kody said, watching as Pinsir lifted his Pokémon up.
"Now, slam him into the ground!" Bugsy said.
Pinsir slammed Geodude into the ground and reeled back to do it once more.
"Geodude, get out of there!" Kody said, "Use Defense Curl!"
Pinsir slammed down again, but Geodude protected himself with a blue shield that caused him to launch right out of Pinser's pincers.
"Good job." Kody said, "But these Bug-types are way tougher than I thought they would be."
"That's the thing with Bug-type Pokémon." Bugsy said, "People love to underestimate them, it gives the users quite an advantage."
"Well, I guess we'll stop putting Bug-types underfoot." Kody said, "Geodude, use your new attack! Magnitude!"
Geodude slammed down into the ground and shook the arena, knocking Pinsir off-balance.
"Now, use Defense Curl and Rollout!" Kody said.
Geodude protected himself with a blue orb and rolled right into Pinser, smashing right into the Bug-type.
"Pinsir, use Vice Grip!" Bugsy said.
Pinser threw his head down and grabbed the protected Geodude in his arms.
"Ha, do you think that just slamming Geodude into the ground will work?" Kody asked.
"No." Bugsy said, "But this will. Pinsir, use Seismic Toss!"
Pinsir leapt up and began to flip over and over.
"What's Pinsir doing?!" Kody asked.
"Winning." Bugsy said, "As soon as he lets go, Geodude will most likely faint from the intense impact."
"Geodude's in trouble. I know that he's probably not strong enough to get out of Pinsir's grip." Kody said, "Wait a minute, this could be useful."
Kody observed how Pinsir was about to release Geodude.
"Release him!" Bugsy said.
Pinsir launched Geodude towards the ground.
"Now, Geodude, Defense Curl and Rollout combo!" Kody said.
Geodude put himself in a protective orb and rolled in midair, launching right at Pinsir as soon as he landed.
"Pinsir, use...!" Bugsy said.
Bugsy was cut off as Geodude crashed into Pinsir and launched him back. The double-boosted Rollout dealt enough damage to beat the burly Bug-type.
"Pinsir is unable to battle!" the referee said.
"Return." Bugsy said as the picture of Pinsir turned black, "A clever counterattack. But those tricks won't work on my best Pokémon. Scyther, control these pests!"
The big, green, Bug-type with scythe-like hands stepped out onto the arena. A similar image appeared in the last slot of Bugsy's Pokémon lineup.
"So that's a Scyther." Kody said, pulling his Pokédex out.
"Scyther: the Mantis Pokémon: Scyther is blindingly fast. Its blazing speed enhances the effectiveness of the twin scythes on its forearms. This Pokémon's scythes are so effective, they can slice through thick logs in one wicked stroke." Kody's Pokédex said.
"Geodude, kick this off with a Defense Curl and Rollout combo!" Kody said.
Geodude curled up into a ball, surrounded himself in an orb and rolled towards Scyther, who stood strong.
"Why isn't he dodging?" Kody thought.
After a moment, Bugsy spoke up.
"Now, Scyther, use Vacuum Wave!" Bugsy said.
Scyther swung one of his scythes and sent forth a blue streak of energy that slammed into Geodude and sent him flying.
"Geodude!" Kody said.
Geodude landed on the ground and rolled for a bit before fainting.
"Geodude is unable to battle!" the referee announced.
"Return." Kody said as the image of Geodude turned black, "You did well."
"You're going to have to try a lot harder than that to beat Scyther." Bugsy said, "Seeing as how he's my best Gym Pokémon, he combines the unusual speed of my Metapod and the power of Pinsir."
"So, in other words, he's very balanced." Kody said.
Totodile got in a battle-ready pose.
"Sorry, buddy, but you're not the best Pokémon for this job." Kody said, holding a Pokéball up, "But I know who is. Pichu, let's go!"
Pichu came out of his ball and an image of the Pokémon appeared in the last slot of Kody's lineup.
"Trying to exploit Scyther's Flying-type, aren't you?" Bugsy said, "Good luck with that. Scyther, use Vacuum Wave!"
"Dodge it!" Kody said.
Pichu jumped up and avoided the attack.
"Now you're helpless." Bugsy said, "Quick Attack!"
Scyther flew at Pichu and hit him with one of his blades, sending him flying at the ground.
"Pichu!" Kody cried, "Are you alright?!"
Pichu got up and out of the small crater he made on impact and gave Kody's a thumbs-up.
"Great." Kody said, "We need a way to slow down that Scyther. Try using Thunder Wave!"
Pichu sent a wave of electricity at Scyther, but the Bug-type was at least ten feet away from the attack in the blink of an eye.
Pichu sent a wave of electricity towards Scyther, who effortlessly dodged the attack.
"He's so fast!" Kody said.
"Quick Attack!" Bugsy said.
Scyther moved so fast that he couldn't be seen and was soon behind Pichu.
"Pichu, behind you!" Kody said.
Pichu turned around just in time to see Scyther hit him and send him flying across the arena.
"If this keeps up, we'll never be able to get a hit in." Kody thought to himself, "There has to be a way to catch him off-guard."
Suddenly, Kody remembered an attack Pichu had.
"Of course, how could I forget?" Kody thought.
"We'll finish this." Bugsy said, "Use Quick Attack!"
Scyther shot off at a blazing fast speed and appeared behind Pichu.
"Quick, Flash!" Kody said.
Pichu released a sudden burst of light that temporarily blinded Scyther and put him off-balance.
"What?!" Bugsy exclaimed.
"Now, use Thunder Wave!" Kody said.
Pichu zapped Scyther with a wave of electricity.
"Scyther, as soon as you recover, use Quick Attack!" Bugsy said.
Scyther regained his sight and flew at Pichu, but at a significantly slower speed.
"Now that you're a lot slower than before, we can end this." Kody said, "Pichu, use a continuous Thunder Shock!"
Pichu fired a continuous beam of electricity at Scyther, now that he had slowed down, and weakened the Bug and Flying-type.
"Take him down!" Bugsy said.
Scyther flew at Pichu, but fell halfway to him due to exhaustion.
"Scyther is unable to battle! The victor goes to Kody and Pichu!" the referee said.
"Return, Scyther." Bugsy said, putting his Pokémon back in its ball, "You fought well."
"Great job, Kody." Gwen said.
Bugsy approached Kody.
"Now that you've beaten me in battle, it is my duty to award this to you." Bugsy said, pulling out a badge that looked like a ladybug, "This is the Hive Badge, you've earned it."
"Thanks." Kody said, accepting the praise and the badge.
Kody admired his new Badge for a moment.
"We just got the Hive Badge!" Kody cheered, holding the badge up high, "All right!"
All of Kody's Pokémon cheered with him.
"So, where are you heading next?" Bugsy asked.
"Goldenrod City." Kody said, "Gwen's first Pokémon Contest is there."
"Well, in that case, the next Johto League Gym happens to be there too." Bugsy said.
"Isn't that convenient." Kody said, "Well, we should be heading out now. Thanks for the battle, Bugsy."
Kody and Gwen set out, waving goodbye to Bugsy.
"Falkner was right, those kids have what it takes, but they're far from ready for the challenge ahead of them." Bugsy said.
Wow, what a match! Who knew that Bug-types could be such pests? Well, now that Kody has his second Badge in hand, it's time for our heroes to set out for Goldenrod City as the journey continues!
This was a fun chapter and battle to write, then again, both Gym battles so far were fun to do. There is one more chapter in this season before it is over. Expect to see a Season 2 and a special "movie" story being posted in the near future. Please leave a review, it would be greatly appreciated if you gave me your feedback.
Powerhouse out.