The Shores of Dewford
Historically, Dewford Town had been a popular destination for Fighting type Pokemon trainers. Many had come and listened to the local Gym Leader Brawly and his expert opinion on Pokemon, and how to control them. They had arrived at Dewford early in the morning after another full night of sailing. Emma had refuelled the boat back on Lakewater Island with many people thanking their efforts for saving the legendary bird Pokemon Zapdos from the hands of the Thieves Guild who seemed to keep growing stronger and stronger.
Dewford Town had no Pokemon Centre; it instead was replaced by a convention centre. It doubled as the Pokemon Gym and for Pokemon Contests if they ever were to exist there. Dewford had been trying to bring more people to visit it from the main land. It was so isolated now with newer islands building cities upon it, and it had lost its sense of tradition and culture.
Rod, Forrest and Emma moored the boat at the local harbour and explored the main city area. Corphish was now usable as Rod sent Furret over to Professor Birch for storage. A Normal type would struggle in the Fighting based gym. Forrest noticed that Rod looked hesitant with the Gym Battle coming up.
Forrest spoke: "Look Rod, you have nothing to fear. You haven't lost a battle in a Gym yet."
Rod replied: "I know, Forrest, but Brawly is a tough trainer. I just need more time to think about a game plan."
Emma spoke, almost with a smirk: "Why do you always need a plan, just battle!"
Rod smiled, her style was very different whilst his required a lot of thought. Rod had a sudden idea: "Emma, how about you spend some time training your Pokemon here? The Slateport City Gym is a where we should both compete!"
Emma and Forrest agreed happily, Emma had to get her battling prowess up to scratch especially with both her badges being supposedly bought. Forrest then replied: "Rod how about you go exploring the town a bit, and I'll work with Emma. As a former Gym Leader I have experience."
"Sounds good Forrest, I'll have a look around. Maybe find a few clues as to how to take on Brawly."
They all went different directions with Rod disappearing into the busy town atmosphere, and Forrest heading to the beach with Emma to begin training her to think quicker in battle. Rod walked through the busy open market area looking briefly at the stalls they had out selling trinkets and stones. He gazed at the shining Water Stone, and wondered how many Pokemon there were that used it to evolve. He continued to walk through, and decided to buy more berries and potions for the next long trip to Slateport City. An open park area appeared at the end of the Main Street, and he saw a Pokemon battle happening in the middle with a group of people shouting and cheering. He ran ahead desperate to see what sort of Pokemon was being used, the crowd looked at him arrogantly as he approached.
One boy said: "Oh look, a newcomer. This park isn't just for anyone you know."
Rod was taken aback and replied: "I'm sorry; I thought it was a public venue?"
Another boy spoke, a larger one: "You're asking for it, making little excuses. If you want to be here you have to battle Chris over there."
Rod looked at where the boy was pointing, and surely enough an even taller boy was standing underneath the tree. He had played games like this when he was younger, King of the Hill. Strongest gets the best spot on the park as the other 'minions' battled below to earn that spot. Rod approached the kid named Chris directly; he wanted a battle, especially against a trainer like this.
Chris has clear electrifying blue eyes that pierced into Rod's face. Rod approached and asked directly: "I want a battle with you Chris, so everyone here in Dewford can use this park."
He laughed loudly and the other children followed his lead. Rod stood there determined. He grew up around people like this, and had seen many of them fail in battle. Already his mind was flicking through game strategies even before the Pokemon were called.
Chris replied: "I have five Gym Badges, and you want to battle me?
Rod spoke again: "Yes, battle me. One on one. Right now, let's see what you got."
Chris laughed again and agreed. They took a few paces away from each other and released their Pokemon. Rod was unpaved by the fact his opponent had more badges, he knew his own strength and he had to prove to himself that he could overcome any challenge. It would be a true test of his ability.
Chris called: "Go, Grovyle!"
The other children cheered as his apparent starter Pokemon appeared, the Forest Pokemon. Rod had battled Damon's Sceptile already, and he had a plan for this battle. Rod called: "Corphish let's go!"
He expected the laughter at his poor type match up, but it was an opportunity for the Ruffian Pokemon to show what it was capable of. Rod had seen how it used its attacks the night before as they left Lakewater, and it was made for the battle.
Chris began first and called: "Grovyle, Leaf Blade."
Rod braced himself and cried out: "Corphish, Crab Hammer!"
…
Alder was still in Unova. He had been the one to interrogate Daniel and his Kanto Military. They spoke of Team Rocket returning to take over Kanto, and the idea of that scared him. Team Rocket were always a difficult challenge, but they make simple mistakes. However this time they seemed brutal, and should Kanto fall would other regions crumble as well. He himself sent messages to the governments worldwide to alert the presence, they didn't seem worried. But maybe they should be.
Daniel's kidnapped squad had been found, bound but unhurt in the depths of Kanto's own desecrated Cinnabar island. They were safe, and as a result they retired from the force out of pure fear. Alder was scared, and nobody had any leads at all to what Project D was. However he did have something…different. Lance, the champion of Johto, had disappeared recently and a source explained he was at Victory Road – the home of the new Team Rocket base. He had to head there, if there was someone who would keep a clear head it was Lance. Cynthia was considered but she was busy with domestic problems in Sinnoh.
Alder agreed to fly over immediately. He prayed Lance was OK; he was one trainer the world needed to have.
…
Rod was dominating, as the boy named Chris began to sweat even further. He hadn't landed a single hit on Rod's Corphish even with type advantage. Many of his so called followers had already begun to doubt his leadership and strength as Rod smacked another Crab Hammer straight into Grovyle's face.
Rod spoke: "Chris, we can stop here if you want. Your Grovyle is injured, it needs a rest and help!"
Chris replied with a sneer: "Never, I am going to defeat you! Grovyle use Quick Attack."
"Corphish, use Crab Hammer!"
Grovyle sped and headed directly words Corphish whose pincers began to glow white hot. Corphish dived to the side quickly as Grovyle missed completely, and landed another perfect Crab Hammer on its back. Ash congratulated his Corphish as Grovyle fainted and lay on the ground with dust swirling around. The crowd of young trainers all cheered and jeered at the failed Chris who returned his Pokemon.
He spoke: "Rod, I will find you in the Hoenn League, and I'm not losing!"
Rod replied: "I look forward to it!"
Another rival perhaps or just another child pretending he was tough. As Chris disappeared, Rod was surrounded by the other trainers asking questions about his Corphish. He answered what he could and left the park to head back to the shoreline to see how Emma and Forrest were going. He fed Corphish some Pokemon food and congratulated it again on a fantastic people, commenting how he would use in the Gym here in Dewford Town. Corphish cheered as a result of the news.
As he left the park, with the sunlight still blazing down from above, a much older man approached him from the crowd of shoppers at the markets. His hair was blue, and eyes brown. He wore a light blue shirt and had a perfect smile. Rod looked as he approached him.
The man spoke: "Hello there, I saw your battle in the park with that kid."
Rod replied questionably: "Erm, that's great. Who are you?
"I am Brawly, the leader of the Dewford Pokemon Gym. I suspect you want a battle?"
Rod was taken aback and jumped back a few steps in shock. It was the Gym Leader himself, who just happened to see him win his last battle. Rod replied, trying to look determined: "Yes I do want to challenge the gym, my name is Rod and I'm from Viridian City."
"Viridian City? You've come a long way to battle here. Well I accept your challenge, but it will have to be in a few days. I have a lot of other challengers on the list."
Rod was upset but he agreed to come to the gym later on in the week. But Brawly spoke again, noticing he was clearly unhappy: "Look Rod, how about tonight you meet me on the beach and we'll do a quick Practice battle? Will that keep you content until the official battle?"
Rod replied, his heart soaring. "Sounds good Brawly, I'll meet you down there. One on one?"
"You bet."
With that he raised a hand and disappeared back into the crowd. Rod wondered what had made him come to talk to him, a random trainer. Did he notice something? Did he know who Rod was? He pondered these questions as he headed back through the markets with Corphish scuttling along beneath him enjoying the sunshine above.
He reached the beach and sat on a nearby bench watching Emma call attacks from her Electrike towards Trapinch. Rod smiled, waiting for the battle later that night with Gym Leader Brawly.
