Vs. Norman
The new morning broke over Rustboro City, like a phoenix arising once again from its funeral pyre, alight and new. The yellow sunlight hit the buildings of the city, causing creeping shadows to grow on the sidewalks. The morning was cool and the humidity low, the sky bright and clear, without a cloud in the sky. The Pokemon Center's door opened and Beka stepped out to the new day. She leaned against the outside wall of the center, staring at the sky. Thoughts of yesterday flowed through her mind like a cascading stream, bubbling with color and emotions. The thoughts of the battle with Sky Agent Kerry rippled a shiver down her back. Her talk with Brendan and May last night about what happened at the Devon Corporation at the Center brought a wave of worry that flushed through her.
'If Team Sky is going to keep sending surprise attacks on me,' Beka thought, 'I really don't want Brendan or May to get in the middle of it and…'
Her thought was cut short to the sound of the door to the center opening and closing. Beka turned to see Brendan and May staring at her.
"Ready?" Brendan simply asked.
"Sure," said Beka.
"Well, guess it's onwards toward Petalburg City again right?" questioned Brendan, who was now focusing on May.
"Yup and my return home!" said May, "I haven't seen Mom or Dad in such a long time."
"And I can go for my fifth badge," added Beka.
"Yup," said May, "but I must warn you Beka, my Dad's one of the best gym leaders in the Hoenn and hard to beat."
"I know," said Beka, with a soft smile on her face.
0o0o0o0o0o0
They had made it toward the Petalburg Forest, in which of instead of going through it like before, they took a de tour around the forest and made it toward the city of Petalburg, which nestled within a shallow valley beneath the forest.
"Home!" exclaimed May, her blue eyes now glittering like sapphires.
She was the first to bolt a head of the group, running toward the city in a fast pace.
"Hey! Wait up!" exclaimed Brendan, running after her.
Beka ran as well to catch up with the two.
0o0o0o0o0o0
They had made it back to the Petalburg Gym, which stood proud and tall as before. Beka could notice the excitement that May was holding inside her.
"Yea! Home!" said May, running up the stairs to the gym's main doors.
Brendan and Beka were right behind her as May opened the gym doors. The inside was covered with beautifully polished wood floors, pillars, and beams. Sliding doors were along the sides of the house's inside as well. The white walls made the gym feel warm and bright inside. No one was insight.
"Hello? Anyone home?" questioned May cheerfully.
"I am," came a voice that sounded awfully familiar to Beka.
One of the doors on the left slide open and someone stepped out. It was a boy, about fifteen years of age, stood with bluish-dark green, almost black hair with a pair of glasses over his black eyes. He wore a black collared shirt and blue jeans with a Poke Nav by his side on his belt.
"Max!" exclaimed May, surprised to see her little brother.
'Max?' thought Beka, 'So this must be what he looks like in real life, but he's older than I thought…wait a minute, if he's fifteen, than Brendan and May must be seventeen, the same age as me, but they kind of still look like their game character sketches from the Ruby/ Sapphire games, although they are the same height as I am, about 5' 7". So that must mean I've been transported to Hoenn to about six or seven years into their future. Why didn't I know this before? Gosh, I'm such a baka!'
Beka slapped her hand against her forehead. Brendan turned to Beka.
"Hey, you okay?" asked Brendan.
"Huh?" asked Beka, looking up to the two, "Oh, I'm fine."
While lost in thought, Beka saw May running up and hugging her brother.
"Max! It's so good to see you again!" said May.
"Yeah, it's good to see you too," said Max.
Max turned to see Brendan and Beka standing behind May.
"Hey, Brendan!" said Max, walking up to Brendan and giving him a slap on the hand.
"Hey little man!" replied Brendan.
Max then turned to Beka.
"So you must be the trainer that traveling with Brendan and May," said Max.
"Yes, my name is Beka."
"And I guess you're also here to challenge my Dad to a Gym battle?"
"Yes."
"Well," said Max, with a white glint in his glasses and pulling out a Pokeball, "you'll have to battle me first!"
"Hey, no fair Max!" said May, "Beka can battle Dad without having a test battle!"
"No, it's all right May!" reassured Beka, "I could use the practice and I don't mind battling your brother."
"Well, okay," said May.
"All right," said Max, throwing out his Pokeball and calling out:
"Sceptile go!"
The Pokeball opened and Sceptile, a Grass Element with green skin, a red line that went across his chest and red under its mouth, yellow spore-like seeds on its back, leaves on its wrist and a tail that looked like a pine branch, appeared.
"Scep-tile!" bellowed out Sceptile.
"So you choose Sceptile for your first Pokemon huh?" said May.
"Yeah, didn't you know before I left?" asked Max.
"No, because you left on your journey before I got back home to see your first Pokemon."
"Well, now you know," laughed Max.
'Okay,' Beka's thoughts filled her mind, 'Sceptile is a Grass Element, so Feebas is counted out. Blaziken and Altaria can take Grass Elements out with Fire and Flying attacks, but I want a challenge, so that leaves Vibrava, Shelgon, and Absol. Well, Absol and I haven't battled a whole lot, so…'
Beka grabbed a Pokeball and threw it, calling out:
"Absol, I choose you!"
The Pokeball opened and Absol appeared.
"Ab-sol!" said Absol softly.
Battle Situation:
Beka's Absol vs. Max's Sceptile
One-on-one battle with no substitutions and no time limit
BATTLE BEGIN!
"Sceptile, use Earthquake!"
Sceptile raised one of its feet and stomped it on the ground, causing shock waves, illuminated in white light, to come toward Absol.
"Absol dodge!"
Absol bounded out of the way, missing the shock waves.
"Sceptile, Iron Tail!"
Sceptile bounded at Absol with its tail, glowing in a blinding light.
"Absol, use Double Team!"
Copies of itself soon illuminated Absol. Sceptile's Iron Tail slammed into an Absol illusion, the illusion disappearing and leaving Sceptile in curiosity.
"Sceptile, use Agility to find the real Absol!"
Sceptile began to dash around, taking out the Absol illusions and leaving the real Absol exposed.
'Amazing,' thought Beka, 'he can use Sceptile's Agility to take out and make Double Team useless.'
"Absol, use Slash!"
Absol came at Sceptile, its black claws fully extended.
"Sceptile, dodge and use Screech!"
Sceptile dodge the Slash attack and came behind Absol, releasing a high-pitched Screech, causing Absol to stop in its tracks and trying to block the Screech's sound.
"Now use Absorb!"
Green light surrounded Sceptile, as did Absol, causing Absol to cry in pain. The green light then lifted off Absol and was brought toward Sceptile, absorbing into Sceptile's body and absorbing Absol's energy as well. Absol still stood, shaking and hanging on to the battle.
'This doesn't look good,' thought Beka, 'Absol just took a critical hit from that Absorb attack.'
"Now Sceptile, use Leaf Blade!"
Sceptile's leaves on its wrists began to glow a bright green and the formed a scythe of green light. Beka knew she had to take one last risk…
"Absol, use Water Pulse!"
Absol's sickle glowed a pale blue. It then swung it toward Sceptile, releasing three blue rings and hit Sceptile. The attack didn't do much damage, but the attack's effect showed on the Grass Element's face. A dazed and confused look was in its yellow eyes, causing Sceptile to loose balance and swung its Leaf Blade to the ground about a yard from Absol.
"No Sceptile!" exclaimed Max.
"Now Absol, use Ice Beam!"
Absol's sickle glowed again, this time in a pale, icy light. It then swung it toward Sceptile again and released an icy white beam of light.
"Sceptile dodge!" exclaimed Max, reaching out to his Pokemon it voice, but Sceptile didn't understand him.
The Ice Beam hit Sceptile, freezing the Grass Element in an icy-crystal prison.
"No!" exclaimed Max again, "It's frozen solid!"
"Now Absol, use Rock Smash!"
Absol opened its mouth and released a starburst blast, spiraling toward Sceptile's icy form. The starburst hit the ice and dissolved into the crystal wonder. Then, the ice began to crack and soon, the icy prison was broken into a thousand icy pieces, which looked like diamonds as they feel around Sceptile. Sceptile was still standing after the attacks, shaking violently.
"Want to go on?" asked Beka.
"Yeah, this is a great battle!" said Max, "Sceptile, use Earthquake again!"
Sceptile, now standing tall after its quick break, stomped its foot into the ground and caused another Earthquake attack to come toward Absol.
"Absol, dodge and use Quick Attack!"
Absol bounded over the Earthquake again and came at Sceptile in full blasting speed.
"Sceptile, use Quick Attack as well!"
Sceptile came at Absol with also blinding speeds.
"Now Absol, switch to Slash!"
"What!" exclaimed Max.
The Quick Attack, which was used as a way to get up close to Sceptile, was now turned to Slash attack, causing a critical hit on Sceptile. Sceptile fainted to the attack.
"Sceptile is unable to battle," said Brendan, who was refereeing, "Absol is the winner. The victory go to Beka and Absol!"
"Absol, we did it!" said Beka, running up and hugging her Dark Pokemon.
"Ab-sol-ab," said Absol softly, gently licking her face.
"Oh, I lost," said Max distastefully, recalling Sceptile.
"But you put up a great battle Max," came a voice from behind.
Beka and the others turned to see Norman, who was leaning against a doorway from a door from the right, staring at them with a soft smile.
"Dad!" exclaimed May, running up and hugging her father.
"May, it's good to see you again," said Norman, hugging his daughter back.
Norman looked back up and said:
"Brendan, you look well. Have you been doing all right?"
"Yes, I've been doing fine sir," replied Brendan politely.
"And Beka, you seem to be doing well and I'm surprised how fluent your battle technique is. I must say, I'm impressed."
"Oh, thank you Norman," said Beka, bowing in respect.
"I take it you want to battle me for a gym badge right?"
"Yes sir."
"Well, how about we…"
Suddenly, a low grumble filled the room. Everyone turned to see May on the ground, laying a hand on her stomach.
"So…hungry…" she said meekly.
"Yeah, me too," Brendan said, also placing a hand on his stomach as it growled lowly.
"Well, you're in luck," said Norman, talking to May, "your mother has lunch ready and there is plenty."
"Yeah lunch!" said May, running toward the kitchen, with Max and Brendan at her heals.
Norman laughed at the three and then turned to Beka and said:
"Come and have a quick lunch with us Beka, and then I'll accept your Gym battle afterwards."
"Okay," said Beka, "that's fine with me."
0o0o0o0o0o0
After a delicious lunch of soup and sandwiches, Beka and Norman were now face-to-face with one another on Norman's battlefield. Brendan, May, Max, and May's and Max's mom, Caroline, were in the stands, watching the actions from below.
"So what Pokemon do you think Dad will use?" asked Max to May.
"I don't know," replied May, "but I hope that the both of them have a great battle."
Meanwhile, down below…
The two Pokemon battlers stood on the field and shook hands.
"Good luck to you Beka," said Norman.
"And to you as well," said Beka.
They then both turned and walked to their ends of the field. Beka was on the right side of the field while Norman faced her off on the left side of the battlefield. Norman reached for his belt and pulled down a Pokeball. He then threw it out on the field and called out:
"Vigoroth go!"
The Pokeball opened and Vigoroth, a Normal Element that looked like a white ape with brown stripes on its back and mouth, black claws, a red nose, hairpiece, and paw paddings, and black eyes.
"Vi-go-roth!" said Vigoroth, in a deep voice.
'This should be an easy battle,' thought Beka, taking a Pokeball and threw it, calling out:
"Blaziken, I choose you!"
The Pokeball opened and Blaziken appeared.
"Blaz-I-ken!" bellowed out Blaziken.
Battle Situation:
Beka's Blaziken vs. Norman's Vigoroth
This will be a four-on-four battle with no time limit. The Gym Leader may not switch Pokemon, however, this privilege is allowed by the challenger.
BATTLE BEGIN!
"Vigoroth, use Mega Punch!"
Vigoroth came at Blaziken with its fist glowing in a white light.
"Blaziken, dodge!"
Blaziken bolted from the wrath of Mega Punch and was behind Vigoroth.
"Now use Flamethrower!"
Blaziken opened its mouth and a jet of flames slammed into Vigoroth's back.
"Vigoroth, use Slash!"
Vigoroth turned, its claws fully extended, and slashed at Blaziken. Blaziken and Vigoroth stood back on their own sides of the field, staring at each other.
"Vigoroth, use Rock Slide!"
'Rock Slide?' thought Beka.
Vigoroth began to bellow and out of nowhere, rocks began falling in the gym.
"Blaziken, Protect!"
Blaziken, with its arms crossed, dropped to one knee and surrounded itself in a golden aurora. The Rock Slide deflected off the Fire/ Fighting Element.
"Now Vigoroth, Body Slam!"
Vigoroth came at Blaziken at a fast rate, positioning itself for Body Slam. It then bounded into the air.
"Now Blaziken, Sky Uppercut!"
Blaziken, with its fist lowered and then shot up, sent up a massive blow to the Normal Element and caused a critical hit. Vigoroth fainted after that attack.
"Vigoroth is unable to battle," said the referee, "Blaziken is the winner!"
"Great job Blaziken!" waved Beka.
"Blaz!" said Blaziken, giving Beka a thumb's up.
Norman recalled Vigoroth, thanked it and then sent out another Pokeball, calling out:
"Linoone go!"
The Pokeball opened and Linoone, a Normal Element with a long, cream colored body with brown stripes, a black nose, and blue eyes appeared.
"Lin-oone!" called out Linoone in a raccoon-type voice.
Battle Situation:
Beka's Blaziken vs. Norman's Linoone
BATTLE BEGIN!
"Linoone, use Belly Drum!"
Linoone stood on its back legs and began beating its stomach, in order for it to increase its attack power.
'He's powering up,' thought Beka, 'I think I should as well.'
"Blaziken, use Focus Energy!"
Blaziken stood on the battlefield with its eyes closed, focusing on its chi.
"Now Linoone, use Odor Sleuth!"
Linoone raised its nose in the air and took in several sniffs of its opponent by the air.
'He still isn't attack,' thought Beka.
"Now Blaziken, use Bulk-Up!"
Blaziken inhaled a breath of air and blew it back out, in order to increase its attack and defense power.
"Now Linoone, use Body Slam!"
Linoone came at Blaziken in full power and bounded into the air, aiming for a Body Slam.
'Just as before,' thought Beka.
"Blaziken, Sky Uppercut!"
Blaziken's fist lowered and shot up again, aiming for another attack. However, thanks to Belly Drum, Linoone was able to counter react Blaziken's defense and when it hit Blaziken's Sky Uppercut, it also sent down its Body Slam on Blaziken's fist. The two Pokemon cried in anguish and recoil from each other. Linoone took Blaziken's Sky Uppercut while the force of Linoone's Body Slam hurt Blaziken's arm into paralyzes.
'This doesn't look good,' thought Beka.
"Linoone, use Substitute!"
Linoone body glowed a pale white and was soon replaced by a plush-like animal in its place.
'Strange,' thought Beka, 'where did Linoone go?'
Beka saw Blaziken holding its arm in its claw. She reach out Blaziken's Pokeball and said:
"Blaziken, return!"
Blaziken returned into the Pokeball in a red beam of light.
"Blaziken has been recalled," the referee said, "the battle still continues."
Beka grabbed another Pokeball and threw it, calling out:
"Shelgon, I choose you!"
The Pokeball opened and Shelgon appeared on the field in Blaziken's place.
"Shel-gon," it said.
Battle Situation:
Beka's Shelgon vs. Norman's Linoone
BATTLE BEGIN!
"Linoone, use Blizzard!"
Linoone opened its mouth and a snowy storm blew out from its mouth.
"Shelgon, use Flamethrower!"
From its shell, Shelgon released a stream of fiery flame, counter reacting with Linoone's Blizzard, but the Flamethrower just hit the substitute instead of Linoone.
"Now Linoone, use Iron Tail!"
Linoone, with its tail glowing in a metallic light, came at Shelgon.
"Shelgon, use Dragonbreath!"
Shelgon released a green stream of dragon flames, hoping to hit Linoone, but instead, it hit the substitute. However, the substitute vanished after Dragonbreath and the real Linoone appeared again. The Iron Tail hit Shelgon. Shelgon released a deep growl.
"Now Linoone, use Body Slam again!"
Linoone came at Shelgon and bounded in the air, about to over power the Dragon Element.
"Now Shelgon, use Hidden Power!"
Shelgon's body began to glow a bright white, followed by white orbs surrounding it, and then the orbs shot out, hitting Linoone. However, this didn't stop Linoone's Body Slam, which sent out a critical hit to Shelgon. The attacks made both of the Pokemon faint.
"Linoone and Shelgon are both unable to battle," called out the referee, "no victor is declared."
Both Norman and Beka recalled their fallen Pokemon, thanked them, and threw out their next Pokemon.
Norman called out:
"Spinda, go!"
The Pokeball opened and Spinda, a Normal Element with a red and white body with long ears and dizzy swirls over its eyes and ears appeared.
"Spin-da!" said Spinda, in a strange, dizzy voice.
Beka called out:
"Altaria, I choose you!"
The Pokeball opened and Altaria appeared.
"Al-ta-ria!" called out Altaria.
Battle Situation:
Beka's Altaria vs. Norman's Spinda
BATTLE BEGIN!
"Spinda, use Dizzy Punch!"
Spinda came at Altaria with its fist glowing a bright white.
"Altaria, Dragonbreath!"
Altaria opened its mouth and green flames spewed from its mouth, hitting Spinda and causing it to stop its attack.
"Spinda, now use Safeguard!"
Spinda surrounded itself in a green aurora and protect itself from most of the attack.
"Now Altaria, use Growl!"
Altaria released a high pitched noise and caused Spinda's attack power to fall.
"Spinda, use Shadow Ball!"
Spinda opened its mouth and a dark ball of ghost energy came out toward Altaria.
"Altaria, use Dragonbreath!"
Altaria released another green dragon flame and hit the Shadow Ball, breaking it apart.
"Spinda, use Attract!"
Spinda opened its mouth and a giant pink heart came toward Altaria.
"Altaria, use Double Team!"
Altaria created illusions of itself, causing the Attract to hit an Altaria illusion and it, along with the illusion, disappeared.
"Spinda, now use Encore!"
Spinda began clapping its hands, giving Altaria the impression to keep up the Double Team.
"What Altaria!" called out Beka, "don't listen to that applause!"
Altaria didn't pay attention to Beka and continued to use Double Team.
"Now Spinda, use Faint Attack!"
Spinda disappeared and then reappeared at a certain Altaria, the real one. It then gave it the blow of its Dark Attack. Beka tried hard to communicate with Altaria, but it wasn't working. Spinda keep attacking Altaria with its Faint Attack until Altaria fainted.
"Altaria is unable to battle," said the referee, "Spinda is the winner!"
Beka recalled Altaria and thanked it for a job well done. She then grabbed another Pokeball and threw it, calling out:
"Absol, I choose you!"
The Pokeball opened and Absol appeared.
"Ab-sol," said Absol.
'Since Altaria has weakened Spinda, I think Absol can finish it off,' thought Beka.
Battle Situation:
Beka's Absol vs. Norman's Spinda
BATTLE BEGIN!
"Spinda, use Attract!"
As before, Spinda opened its mouth and a pink heart came toward Absol.
"Absol, dodge and use quick Attack!"
Absol dodged the oncoming attack and then slammed into Spinda with brut speeds. Beka was right. Spinda was weakened and easy to beat, and it showed when Spinda was on the ground and fainted.
"Spinda is unable to battle," said the referee, "Absol is the winner!"
"Great job Absol!" said Beka.
"Ab-sol!" said Absol delightfully.
Norman recalled Spinda, thanked it and turned to Beka.
"I must say," said Norman, "you are one of few trainers to defeat three of my Pokemon. Now its time for the final battle to commence."
Norman threw out his last Pokemon and called out:
"Slaking, go!"
The Pokeball opened and Slaking, a Normal Element that looked like a lazy gorilla with brown, tan, and white fur, a red nose, and a sleepy expression in its face, appeared.
"Sla-king!" said Slaking.
Battle Situation:
Beka's Absol vs. Norman's Slaking
BATTLE BEGIN!
"Slaking, use Scratch!"
Slaking came at Absol with claws extended.
"Absol, dodge!"
Absol bounded out of the way of the Scratch.
"Now Absol, use Slash!"
Absol's claws extended and slashed at Slaking.
"Slaking, use Roar!"
Slaking opened its mouth and released a bellow roar. Dust filled the air and blinded the battlefield. It took awhile for the dust to settle and Beka peered toward the battlefield. In shock, she saw Blaziken in Absol's place, still holding its arm and breathing heavily.
'Oh no,' Beka thought, 'Blaziken hasn't full recover yet from its last battle.'
"Blaziken, do you think you can battle?"
Blaziken, letting got of its hurt arm and clutching it to its side, stood tall and firm to show it could, but Beka could see Blaziken was still tired.
"Okay, Blaziken, use Double Kick!"
Blaziken's powerful legs slammed into Slaking, causing the Normal Element to be seriously hurt.
"Slaking, use Taunt!"
Slaking used Taunt to force Blaziken into attack moves for the rest of the battle.
"Blaziken, Double Kick again!"
Blaziken sent more kicks onto Slaking.
"Use Double Kick again!"
Blaziken delivered more blows to Slaking. It seemed like it was over for Norman, until…
"Slaking, Counter!"
Slaking's body glowed a bright gold and sent the force Blaziken delivered to it, right back at the Fire/ Fighting Element. Blaziken fainted after the deviating attack.
"Blaziken is unable to battle," said the referee, "Slaking is the winner."
Beka recalled Blaziken and thanked it for a job well done. Before throwing out Absol's Pokeball onto the field, Beka said a silent prayer in her mind for Absol and then threw it out, calling:
"Absol, I choose you again!"
The Pokeball opened and Absol appeared.
Battle Situation:
Beka's Absol vs. Norman's Slaking
Final battle
BATTLE BEGIN!
"Slaking, use Brick Break!"
Slaking came at Absol with its palms flat, as if it was using a karate move in order to break a wall.
"Absol, use Double Team!"
Absol created illusions of itself and surrounded Slaking, while Slaking hit only an Absol illusion with the Fighting Attack.
"Now Absol, use Bite!"
The real Absol jumped on Slaking's back and bit it on the arm.
"Slaking, use Body Slam!"
Slaking fell over on its back, with Absol still on it.
"Absol, get off!" cried out Beka.
It was too late. Slaking was able to slam Absol into the ground, causing paralyzes to the Dark Element. Slaking got off and staggered to its side of the field. Beka's eyes filled with worried at her Pokemon, who was still lying on the ground.
"Absol! Are you all right?"
Absol, in a slow weak way, found the strength to shake off the paralyzes and stand to its feet.
"Absol," Beka said softly.
Absol stood facing back at Slaking. The Dark Pokemon turned to Beka and knodded to her. Beka nodded back and said:
"Absol, use Water Pulse!"
Absol's sickle glowed a pale blue. It then swung it down and three rings of water slammed into Slaking, causing confusion.
"Don't give in Slaking, use Focus Punch!"
Slaking came down at Absol with a glowing fist, hoping to finish it off.
"Absol, use Rock Smash!"
Absol opened its mouth and a starburst shot out of its mouth, hitting Slaking and causing a critical hit. Slaking flinched at the attack.
"Now Absol, use Slash!"
Absol extended its claws again and slashed a critical hit at Slaking, causing the Normal Pokemon to faint.
"Slaking is unable to battle," said the referee, "Absol is the winner. The victory belongs to Beka!"
"Absol we did it!" cried Beka, reaching out and receiving Absol into her arms.
They both collapsed to the ground and Absol gently licked Beka's face. Beka could hear Brendan, May, Max and her mom come down toward Beka, along with Norman. Brendan and May congratulated Beka, and Max, a little upset about his father's lost, also gave his regards to Beka.
"Well Beka," said Norman, "that was a great battle, this is for you."
He handed Beka a golden badge with a bar and two arrows on the side. Beka took the badge from his hand and starred at her new prize
"Thank you Norman," said Beka, looking up at him.
She looked back down at the Balance Badge, showing her fifth gym battle was done and that three more awaited her…
0o0o0o0o0o0
RW: Next chapter will be a return to Mauville City and the adventure with in New Mauville.
Before I go, I would like to thank everyone who reviewed. Thanks to you, over 100 reviews have been given (both good and the not so good). And so, I thank you (bows). Hopefully with this many reviews, I can hopefully improve more on my writing and give you all a more interesting reading experience…