OK, so I went back and changed a couple things to help along this part of the story. For example, Cara doesn't' know that Giovanni, the Viridian Gym leader, also leads Team Rocket. Actually… I think that's the main thing I changed. There ya go.
Ah, I spent so much time on Ben's battle! Well, usually I just gloss over his matches so now you get one in more depth.
So, sorry for not updating last week. Lots of stuff to do. And this week you get a REALLY long chapter. And the next chapter should be the exciting grand finale (almost. It's not over yet, but this part should be exciting anyway).
Polaris-Ponyta, Pooka-Pickachu, Blossom-Ivysaur, Charren-Charmeleon, Hurrico-Wartortle, Leviathan-Gyarados
The Final BadgeBen and I stopped by Aqua Town as we headed back to Viridian City. It was so nice to visit home again and see our families and friends.
Either way, the Pokémon League was approaching. And Ben and I had seven badges. We'd each need one more. And we'd received word that the Viridian Gym leader had returned. So that's where we headed.
After a couple days at home, Ben and I set off again for Viridian City.
As we moved on, we trained like mad. I'd decided most of the Pokémon I'd use. Polaris, of course, Pooka, Hurrico, Blossom, and Charren. But I didn't know who I'd choose for my sixth Pokémon. Since this was the last gym, I'd have to be prepared to use all of my team. But I couldn't decide on the last.
I'd heard that Giovanni used ground Pokémon. So for my last team member, I wouldn't want another fire type, or an electric type. That ruled out Ninetales, Jolteon, and Flareon.
Most of my Pokémon I didn't think were strong enough. I had most of the Pokémon in Kanto, and though I brought them out occasionally, they weren't as strong as my others. These included my Butterfree, Poliwhirl, and Kangaskhan. I didn't think Scyther or Dratini were ready either.
So my logical choices were Gyarados, Vaporeon, Kadabra, and Lapras.
After much debating, I decided to go with Leviathan. He was tough, one of my oldest Pokémon, and good against ground types.
At long last, we reached Viridian City.
Ben and I stared up at the massive, ominous building. I gulped.
"I've heard tough stuff about this guy," Ben muttered.
"Yeah. So, which of us wants to battle first?"
I wasn't looking forward to it. I was nervous. All my reliable sources told me that Giovanni, the Viridian Gym leader, was VERY difficult to defeat.
"Rock, paper, scissors?" I suggested. "Winner gets to go first."
Ben nodded. We put out our fists and made our moves. I tried only half-heartedly and barely noticed as Ben's rock crushed my scissors.
"Sheesh," He muttered, disappointed at his victory. "Okay then. Let's go."
Both of us stepped into the final gym.
We faced the cavernous stadium. It was empty.
"Is anyone here?" Ben shouted.
There was no reply. Ben and I walked slowly into the center of the arena. We paused and looked around.
Then echoing footsteps came to our ears. We looked around to see a man in a black suit walking in from a back door. It swung shut behind him.
There was something about him… he looked familiar thought I couldn't quite figure out why. After a moment I decided that I must have seen his picture somewhere. He was, after all, a gym leader.
"Greetings," he said. "I'm Giovanni, the gym leader here. Though I suppose you know that or you wouldn't be here."
We nodded.
"Yeah, we're here to challenge you," Ben said since I hadn't spoken. For some reason, I had the chills. I figured it was because this was our last gym battle. It was just nerves.
"Are both of you going to fight?" he inquired.
Again, both of us nodded.
"So, which of you will go first?"
"I will," Ben said, not sounding too confident.
I moved back to sit to the side. I absently ran my fingers over Polaris's Pokéball.
I watched, deciding to pay as much attention as I could to Giovanni's style. Again I felt a shiver run down my spine. I shook it off. Trying to focus.
"You may use all of your Pokémon in this battle," Giovanni informed us. As he spoke, he pulled out six Pokéballs. He tossed them out, revealing a Nidoqueen, Nidoking, Rhydon, Persian, Golem, and Rhyhorn.
"These are the Pokémon I'll fight with," Giovanni informed Ben. "Reveal yours."
Ben stood there for a moment before he realized that Giovanni expected him to release his Pokémon as well. He did so, sending out Blastoise, Pidgeot, Nidoking, Kangaskhan, Tauros, and Arcanine.
Giovanni waved his hand and his Rhyhorn thundered forward to stop in the middle of the Arena.
"Go, Blas," Ben said. Blastoise pounded out to face his opponent.
For a moment, the two Pokémon stared each other down. When Giovanni didn't make a move, Ben shouted, "All right then! Hydro Pump!"
Blastoise took a step back and angled his cannons down towards Rhyhorn.
Still Giovanni didn't give an order.
Then Blastoise released a torrent of water from both cannons. At that exact moment, Rhyhorn launched forwards under the gush of water and rammed into Blastoise's stomach.
Blastoise bellowed and reeled backwards. Ben cried out, startled.
Blastoise almost fell over, but caught himself. He looked hurt.
I stared, my mouth hanging open. Blastoise weren't noted for their speed…but Rhyhorn were supposed to be slow! How could it move so fast?
"This is what you're up against, boy," Giovanni said, smirking. "Still want to continue?"
Ben faltered for a moment, looking shocked. Then a determined look set on his face. "Yes," He said firmly.
Giovanni nodded. "Very well then. Your move."
"Okay, Blas! Use that move!"
Giovanni nodded in approval. "Smart boy. Not shouting out your strategy for the world to hear."
Blastoise charged forwards and slammed his fist down at his opponent.
Rhyhorn dodged, but Blastoise had already lowered his cannons and blasted Rhyhorn with a flood of water.
Rhyhorn roared and shook off. Then he let out a cry and began to charge forwards.
Blastoise lowered his head as well and launched himself forwards. For a moment, the two powerful Pokémon hurtled towards each other. Then at the last moment Blastoise withdrew into his shell and Rhyhorn collided head-first with the rock-sold shell.
Rhyhorn reeled backwards, staggering from the blow to the head. Blastoise opened his mouth and sent out a stream of bubbles. They struck the target and Rhyhorn collapsed.
Giovanni gave a nod of approval.
"What do you think about that?" Ben said proudly. He was huffing a bit from adrenalin.
"Not bad. Now let's see what you're really capable of."
His Rhydon stepped forwards next.
I noticed that Blastoise looked exhausted. Ben should switch him out for a fresh Pokémon!
"Ben," I called.
He turned to see what I as shouting about. I gestured at Blastoise, and he nodded in understanding. He turned back to return his Blastoise, but before he could pull out his Pokéball, Rhydon had charged forwards.
"Ah! Blastoise! Withdraw!"
With no time to act, it was the first thing Ben could think of. Blastoise pulled back into his shell.
Rhydon lowered his head and his horn pierced Blastoise's thick shell. A crack spread across the surface and Blastoise flopped limp from his shell, defeated.
Ben gaped for a moment, not believing that he wasn't even fast enough to return his tired Blastoise. He hung his head and called the defeated Pokémon back.
Shaking, Ben examined his team's lineup.
"All right then. Let's go with something a little more high-flying! Go, Pidgeot!"
Pidgeot crowed and flapped up into the stadium. He circled overhead, examining Rhydon.
"Quick Attack!"
Pidgeot shot downwards and crashed into Rhydon. Rhydon barely flinched. But again, Rhydon didn't attack at first. It just stood there.
And then I realized it. Giovanni's Pokémon had good defense and HP. He could afford to let them take a few hits from heir opponent. And in doing so, he could examine the new Pokémon and let it tire itself out on attacks.
Pidgeot hovered above the battlefield for a moment, not sure what to do.
"Agility!" Ben cried desperately.
Pidgeot began zooming about the field, gaining speed every moment. As he swung low towards Rhydon. The opponent began to rush forwards with Horn Attack.
"Mirror Move!" Ben shouted.
Pidgeot whirled around, using its beak to mimic Horn Attack. The two Pokémon collided. Pidgeot reeled back, dazed.
Rhydon charged forwards, ready to use Stomp.
"Fly!" Ben shouted.
Pidgeot shot up into the air away from the attack and then swooped down at Rhydon.
Rhydown whirled around, caught Pidgeot's wing, and slammed the giant bird into the ground. Pidgeot didn't move again.
Ben returned Pidgeot, looking tense.
"Okay then. Go Kangaskhan!"
Ben's Kangaskhan roared, ready for battle. She charged forwards. The two of them met in the middle of the stadium and began exchanging blows.
"A poor choice," Giovanni said. "Kangaskhan is a parent Pokémon-very protective of the young they keep in their pouch. That is a weakness that is easily exploited."
I winced at thinking that Giovanni would actually attack the baby Kangaskhan. But I wasn't worried. And neither was Ben.
And at that moment, Rhydon used stomp, slamming his foot into Kangaskhan's stomach, over the pouch.
Again I winced at the thought of what might have happened.
But Ben smirked. "On a normal Kangaskhan, maybe. But she isn't normal. You see, Cara has this Kangaskhan's baby. So she can battle all she wants without risking injuring her baby!"
As he spoke, Kangaskhan slammed her fist forwards with Comet Punch. Rhydon reeled back, flinching under the repeated blows. And then she whirled around, putting all of her strength into a Mega Punch. Rhydon toppled over.
Giovanni smirked. "Very good. It takes a talented trainer to get through two of my Pokémon with only three of their own. Now I've had my fun. Things are getting serious. I hope you're prepared."
Nidoqueen stepped forwards. There was a flash of movement. Quite suddenly, Nidoqueen was standing over the fallen Kangaskhan.
It took Ben a moment to even realize what had happened. He stared in disbelief. He hadn't even seen Nidoqueen attack! And already his Kangaslhan was out of the battle.
He clenched his teeth and sent out Arcanine.
Arcanine wildly shot out bursts of flame, but Nidoqueen dodged around most of them. Those that hit did little damage.
Again Nidoqueen stampeded forwards, lowering her head. Arcanine snarled and leapt to the side, using Bite. His teeth sank into Niidoqueen's arm. She paid it little attention, but whirled and sunk her horn into Arcanines side.
Arcanine released his grip with a roar of pain. He sank to the ground, trembling. He'd been poisoned.
Ben returned Arcanine, trembling with disbelief. Giovanni was so strong!
Tauros came out next. He charged forwards with Takedown and sent Nidoqueen flying. Tauros fell on her with his hooves, but a moment later, Nidoqueen had knocked his hooves out from under him and beat him to submission.
Ben was down to his last Pokémon, and he'd only defeated two of Giovanni's. And Ben was far from weak.
Looking defeated, Ben sent out his Nidoking.
Nidoqueen was already exhausted, and it only took a moment for Ben's Nidoking to defeat it. But a moment later, Giovanni had sent out his own Nidoking.
The two matching Pokémon rushed towards each other and locked claws. For a minute the two of the wrestled with each other. Then Giovanni's Nidoking swung his tail around and slammed it into Ben's Nidoking's head, dazing him. A moment later, Ben's last Pokémon was on the ground, defeated by his opponent's blows.
Ben stood there, trembling. His shaking hand raised to return his last Pokémon. He stepped slowly over to the bleachers on the opposite side of the stadium that I was sitting on. I watched him, torn between feeling sorry for Ben and shock at Giovanni's power.
Giovanni returned his Pokémon. He looked up at me.
"Give me a moment to heal my Pokémon. I'll me with you in a minute."
He headed to the back door again, leaving Ben and I alone in the gym.
Ben looked devastated. His head hung low into his hands and I could see him trembling even from over here.
I knew that he didn't want to talk to me, but I wished I could do something to make him feel better.
I had a hollow feeling in my stomach myself. I was nervous. More so than I'd been for any other battles.
A minute later, Giovanni returned through that same door. Again he sent out his Pokémon.
I walked down to face him.
I sent out my team as well: Ponyta, Gyarados, Pikachu, Charmeleon, Ivysaur, and Wartortle.
I looked at them for a moment, trying to decide who to send out first.
Suddenly, bright light filled the stadium. I blinked and shaded my eyes. Through the gaps in my fingers, I saw Blossom, Charren, and Hurrico. They were glowing. Growing! As I watched, all three of them evolved! A moment later, Charizard, Venusaur and Blastoise were standing there, looking determined to fight.
I slowly grinned and turned back to Giovanni. "Okay. Now I'm ready."
Giovanni gestured and his Nidoking stepped forwards again.
"Char," I said. Charren stomped forwards, fanning her new wings and opening her jaw wide to shoot out an experimental jet of flame.
Okay, I thought, using my telepathy. Don't let his Pokémon build up too much momentum. They don't have many special attacks, I don't think. Their strength seems to depend on momentum!
Charren nodded, looking quite ready for a new battle.
Now all of you, I added quickly to the rest of my Pokémon. Giovanni is stronger than any other trainer we've faced. Don't be put out if you faint. Just weaken them as much as you can in the time you have!
And barely before I finished talking to them, Nidoking charged.
Charren stood her ground and just as Nidoking was almost upon her, she locked claws with her opponent and the two of them stood there locked in a temporary stalemate. They pushed against each other.
During Ben's match, Nidoking used his tail to hit his opponent! I warned. So watch out!
Quite suddenly, Nidoking leapt backwards, making Charren cry out and collapse as the reverse tug-of-war backfired.
Nidoking moved to trample Charren, but my Charizard was quick. She flicked her tail out and knocked Nidoking back. Then she scrambled to her feet and rushed up into the air.
Attack from a distance!
She nodded and swooped down to send a jet of flame at Nidoking.
Nidoking turned so his tough plated back deflected most of the fire.
"Keep at it!" He can't take that buildup of heat for too long!
Charren made another pass and sent out more flame.
Suddenly Nidoking ripped a hunk out of the floor of the gym and hurled it at Charren.
Charren flapped wildly to dodge, but lost altitude as she did so.
Nidoking shot out needles of Poison Sting that struck Charren.
My attack plan wasn't working.
"Charren! Return!"
Charren landed heavily beside the rest of my team, panting.
"Go, Pooka!"
I'd go for small size and speed.
"Agility!"
Pooka began to dart back and forth in a blur. Nidoking watched and soon became dizzy.
Go now! Feint!
Pooka darted in towards Nidoking and just as Nidoking was about to counter, Pooka dodged away again.
Start charging. Do it now.
Sparks started gathering at Pooka's cheeks.
Giovanni noticed. It would make him think that my next attack would be the real thing.
Again!
Once more Pooka darted in as if to attack. And once more Nidoking went to attack. But in half a moment, Pooka had circled around behind Nidoking and released the charged energy.
Nidoking roared in pain and doubled over. Static rippled across its armor. We'd paralyzed him.
"Thunder!"
Pooka leapt into the air and released another blast of electricity. This time Nidoking fell in defeat.
Giovanni returned Nidoking and sent out Rhydon.
I called Pooka back and sent out Blossom.
I noticed that sunlight was streaming in through one of the windows. I smiled to myself.
Blossom rustled the petals of her huge flower in response.
Rhydon charged forwards, but Blossom blocked the attack with her vines. She slashed at Ryhdon with the vines, making him flinch and back away. As he did so, Blossom backed slowly towards the light from the windows.
Suddenly Rhydon slammed his feet down on the ground, making the stadium rumble with Earthquake. Venusaur bellowed and staggered sideways. She collapsed on the ground.
Giovanni smirked. "Did you think I wouldn't notice your Venusaur heading towards the light? All I needed to do was wait until you got there and let your guard down."
"Actually," I said, smiling slightly, "I knew you knew. We've been charging our attack this whole time! Go!"
Blossom angled her flower down and let out a tremendous burst of pure light energy. Rhydon screamed and reeled backwards under the raw power of the sun.
"Impressive," Giovanni agreed, nodding. "But we're not done yet."
Rhydon took only a moment to gather the last of his strength. Unfortunately Blossom had used too much energy to dodge quickly enough . And I wasn't fast enough to give orders because I thought that Solar Beam would have been enough to defeat the Rhydon.
Horn Drill struck the target and Blossom fell in defeat.
"Hurrico!"
As I returned Blossom, Blastoise stomped out next.
He began shooting Hydro Pump almost at random. If he hit Rhydon once or twice, it was no more than accident. But it achieved the goal of slowing Rhydon down and keeping him away.
But that wasn't all it was accomplishing. I smiled to myself and ordered Hurrico to continue the attacks.
After a minute of constant water spraying, Hurrico was out of water. His cannons were empty. I quickly returned him and sent Leviathan out.
Leviathan slid easily over the slick, wet floor and reared back, ready to use Hyper Beam.
At that moment, Rhydon stomped onto the gym floor again to use Earthquake, but sank into the soaked floor. Stuck knee-deep in mud, he was unable to dodge the full-force Hyper Beam. And at last Rhydon was down.
Giovanni sent out Persian next.
I paused, not sure why Giovanni thought such a Pokémon would be any use against Leviathan. Too late, I realized that Persian was sparking. And suddenly Persian released a powerful Thunder.
I stared dumbstruck as Leviathan fell to the ground. The water that covered the floor had let the electricity travel much faster than usual. It was too much for Leviathan. I sent out Pooka next.
Persian lashed out with her claws and Pooka sent sparks back at her.
Persian suddenly let out a high-pitched shriek that made Pooka flinch and curl up to cover his ears. Persian leapt forwards and sent Pooka flying with a slash of her claws.
With Pooka defeated as well, I sent out Charren again.
But to my complete shock, Charren didn't even get in one hit before Persian's Thunder brought her down as well. I was down to Polaris and Hurrico. And Hurrico's water cannons were empty.
I sent Blastoise out anyway, but Giovanni returned Persian and sent out Golem.
Blastoise rushed forwards to attack with Skull Bash. With his water gone, he could only use physical attacks. Giovanni knew this. Golem began to glow, and with a mighty explosion, he blew up and sent Hurrico tumbling onto his back.
Both Golem and Hurrico were defeated.
Giovanni had three Pokémon left and all I had was Polaris. And she had the disadvantage to Giovanni's ground Pokémon.
Giovanni sent out Nidoqueen. Polaris filled the room with Fire Spin, but the flames didn't do much damage to the poison/ground type. Nidoqueen wasn't able to get close to the fast Polaris, so had to resort to Poison Sting. Polaris dodged most of these, but some of them hit her. And they were taking their toll. As she dodged around, shooting out flames, her movements became slower and slower. Eventually she paused, head hung to the ground, gasping for breath. The flames of her mane and tail sputtered weakly. She was at her last gasp. There was no way she could defeat Nidoqueen, Persian, and Dugtrio. Especially when two of them were almost at full health.
Giovanni smirked as he saw that one last attack would finish Polaris off.
Just as he raised his hand to signal the finishing blow, the doors at the back of the gym swung open and a woman ran out.
She jogged up to Giovanni, whispered something in his ear, and ran back through the doors.
Giovanni quickly returned all of his Pokémon, leaving me standing there with my arm half raised towards Polaris.
Giovanni strode quickly over to us. He placed something in my half-open hand and then went over and handed something to Ben. I stared down at the Earth badge in my palm.
"But we didn't win. Neither of us," I blurted.
"You didn't defeat all of my Pokémon, no. But I never told you that you had to. All I said was that you could use all of your Pokémon. The requirements for the gym badges are to defeat three of my Pokémon. You have done that. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have just received word of some very pressing business."
Without another word, he turned and vanished through the back door.
I stared after him, completely baffled. As the door swung shut behind him, something caught my eye. There was a man walking past the door just as Giovanni let it swing shut. Something about that other man…
"Well," Ben said, "I don't feel like I deserve this badge at all. He should have told us that we only needed to defeat three of his team!"
I wasn't paying attention. That other man behind the door had been wearing a Team Rocket uniform.